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Firehouse Subs vs Panda Express (2026)

Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 66 items at Firehouse Subs vs 11 items at Panda Express.

Quick answer: As of April 2026, Firehouse Subs averages $8.49 per item across 66 menu items, while Panda Express averages $7.73 across 11 items. Panda Express is $0.77 cheaper per item (9% difference). Panda Express has lower average calories (479 vs 586 per item).

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Quick Comparison

Firehouse Subs vs Panda Express: Quick Price & Menu Comparison
Metric Firehouse Subs Panda Express Winner
Avg Price $8.49 $7.73 Panda Express
Menu Items 66 11 Firehouse Subs
Avg Calories 586 479 Panda Express
US Locations 1,200 2,500 Panda Express
Secret Menu 0 1 Panda Express

Panda Express is 9% cheaper on average than Firehouse Subs ($0.77 less per item).

Cheapest Items

Firehouse Subs

Cookie $0.85
Slaw Side $1.09
Chips $1.09
Cookies $1.25
Brownie $1.29

Panda Express

Honey Walnut Shrimp $1.50
Bowl (1 entree + 1 side) $8.30
Plate (2 entrees + 1 side) $9.80
Bigger Plate (3 entrees + 1 side) $11.30
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Lowest Calorie Options

Firehouse Subs

Firehouse Pepperoni Meatball™ 96 cal
Catering Salad 100 cal
Grilled Chicken Breast 131 cal
Slaw Side 140 cal
Smoked Turkey Breast 149 cal

Panda Express

Broccoli Beef 150 cal
Kung Pao Chicken 290 cal
Honey Walnut Shrimp 360 cal
White Steamed Rice 380 cal
Beijing Beef 470 cal

Deep Comparison: Firehouse Subs vs Panda Express

Calorie Value (cents per calorie)

Firehouse Subs delivers 5.63¢/cal on average, while Panda Express delivers 1.18¢/cal. Panda Express gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.

Menu Category Overlap

Firehouse Subs and Panda Express share 1 menu categories (6% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: sides. Low overlap — these chains serve mostly different food categories.

What Fits in Your Budget

  • $10 budget: Firehouse Subs fits 1 item, Panda Express fits 0 items
  • $15 budget: Firehouse Subs fits 0 items, Panda Express fits 1 item (360 cal)
  • $20 budget: Firehouse Subs fits 1 item (310 cal), Panda Express fits 2 items (860 cal)

Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset

Firehouse Subs ranks #249 of 414 on price (pricier than 60% of tracked chains). Panda Express ranks #218 of 414 (pricier than 52% of chains).

Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)

At Firehouse Subs, 63% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Panda Express, 55% are under 500 calories. Firehouse Subs offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.

Bottom Line

  • Budget pick: Panda Express ($7.73 avg vs $8.49)
  • More variety: Firehouse Subs (66 items)
  • More locations: Panda Express (2,500 US locations)
  • Best calorie value: Panda Express (1.18¢/cal)

Full Menus

Firehouse Subs Menu Panda Express Menu Cheapest Fast Food Low Calorie Guide