Dunkin' vs Sonic Drive-In (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 79 items at Dunkin' vs 92 items at Sonic Drive-In.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Dunkin' averages $3.96 per item across 79 menu items, while Sonic Drive-In averages $3.28 across 92 items. Sonic Drive-In is $0.68 cheaper per item (17% difference). Dunkin' has lower average calories (292 vs 578 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Dunkin' | Sonic Drive-In | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $3.96 | $3.28 | Sonic Drive-In |
| Menu Items | 79 | 92 | Sonic Drive-In |
| Avg Calories | 292 | 578 | Dunkin' |
| US Locations | 9,686 | 3,519 | Dunkin' |
| Secret Menu | 1 | 7 | Sonic Drive-In |
Sonic Drive-In is 17% cheaper on average than Dunkin' ($0.68 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Dunkin'
Sonic Drive-In
Lowest Calorie Options
Dunkin'
Sonic Drive-In
Deep Comparison: Dunkin' vs Sonic Drive-In
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Dunkin' delivers 11.80¢/cal on average, while Sonic Drive-In delivers 0.86¢/cal. Sonic Drive-In gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Dunkin' and Sonic Drive-In share 1 menu categories (4% 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 Sonic Drive-In $2.22 — Sonic Drive-In is 35% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Dunkin' fits 0 items, Sonic Drive-In fits 3 items (320 cal)
- $15 budget: Dunkin' fits 0 items, Sonic Drive-In fits 3 items (1790 cal)
- $20 budget: Dunkin' fits 3 items, Sonic Drive-In fits 3 items (2090 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Dunkin' ranks #39 of 414 on price (cheaper than 91% of tracked chains). Sonic Drive-In ranks #18 of 414 (cheaper than 96% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Dunkin', 88% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Sonic Drive-In, 46% are under 500 calories. Dunkin' offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Sonic Drive-In ($3.28 avg vs $3.96)
- More variety: Sonic Drive-In (92 items)
- More locations: Dunkin' (9,686 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Sonic Drive-In (0.86¢/cal)