Dairy Queen vs Wendy's (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 64 items at Dairy Queen vs 77 items at Wendy's.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Dairy Queen averages $4.08 per item across 64 menu items, while Wendy's averages $3.52 across 77 items. Wendy's is $0.56 cheaper per item (14% difference). Wendy's has lower average calories (445 vs 571 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Dairy Queen | Wendy's | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $4.08 | $3.52 | Wendy's |
| Menu Items | 64 | 77 | Wendy's |
| Avg Calories | 571 | 445 | Wendy's |
| US Locations | 4,500 | 6,154 | Wendy's |
| Secret Menu | 7 | 2 | Dairy Queen |
Wendy's is 14% cheaper on average than Dairy Queen ($0.56 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Dairy Queen
Wendy's
Lowest Calorie Options
Dairy Queen
Wendy's
Deep Comparison: Dairy Queen vs Wendy's
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Dairy Queen delivers 1.04¢/cal on average, while Wendy's delivers 2.09¢/cal. Dairy Queen gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Dairy Queen and Wendy's share 0 menu categories (0% Jaccard overlap). Low overlap — these chains serve mostly different food categories.
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Dairy Queen fits 3 items (905 cal), Wendy's fits 1 item (330 cal)
- $15 budget: Dairy Queen fits 3 items (390 cal), Wendy's fits 3 items (2580 cal)
- $20 budget: Dairy Queen fits 3 items (1960 cal), Wendy's fits 3 items (690 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Dairy Queen ranks #46 of 414 on price (cheaper than 89% of tracked chains). Wendy's ranks #27 of 414 (cheaper than 94% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Dairy Queen, 41% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Wendy's, 73% are under 500 calories. Wendy's offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Wendy's ($3.52 avg vs $4.08)
- More variety: Wendy's (77 items)
- More locations: Wendy's (6,154 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Dairy Queen (1.04¢/cal)