Dunkin' vs Hardee's / Carl's Jr. (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 79 items at Dunkin' vs 120 items at Hardee's / Carl's Jr..
Quick answer: As of May 2026, Dunkin' averages $3.96 per item across 79 menu items, while Hardee's / Carl's Jr. averages $4.48 across 120 items. Dunkin' is $0.52 cheaper per item (12% difference). Dunkin' has lower average calories (292 vs 670 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Dunkin' | Hardee's / Carl's Jr. | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $3.96 | $4.48 | Dunkin' |
| Menu Items | 79 | 120 | Hardee's / Carl's Jr. |
| Avg Calories | 292 | 670 | Dunkin' |
| US Locations | 9,686 | 3,800 | Dunkin' |
| Secret Menu | 1 | 0 | Dunkin' |
Dunkin' is 12% cheaper on average than Hardee's / Carl's Jr. ($0.52 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Dunkin'
Hardee's / Carl's Jr.
Lowest Calorie Options
Dunkin'
Hardee's / Carl's Jr.
Deep Comparison: Dunkin' vs Hardee's / Carl's Jr.
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Dunkin' delivers 11.80¢/cal on average, while Hardee's / Carl's Jr. delivers 0.77¢/cal. Hardee's / Carl's Jr. gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Dunkin' and Hardee's / Carl's Jr. share 1 menu categories (5% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: drinks. Low overlap — these chains serve mostly different food categories.
Price Differences by Shared Category
Where these chains overlap, here is who undercuts whom on average price:
- drinks: Dunkin' avg $3.41 vs Hardee's / Carl's Jr. $1.91 — Hardee's / Carl's Jr. is 44% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Dunkin' fits 0 items, Hardee's / Carl's Jr. fits 1 item
- $15 budget: Dunkin' fits 0 items, Hardee's / Carl's Jr. fits 3 items (1180 cal)
- $20 budget: Dunkin' fits 3 items, Hardee's / Carl's Jr. fits 3 items (2400 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Dunkin' ranks #35 of 338 on price (cheaper than 90% of tracked chains). Hardee's / Carl's Jr. ranks #65 of 338 (cheaper than 81% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Dunkin', 88% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Hardee's / Carl's Jr., 24% are under 500 calories. Dunkin' offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Dunkin' ($3.96 avg vs $4.48)
- More variety: Hardee's / Carl's Jr. (120 items)
- More locations: Dunkin' (9,686 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Hardee's / Carl's Jr. (0.77¢/cal)