Firehouse Subs vs Taco Bell (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 66 items at Firehouse Subs vs 115 items at Taco Bell.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Firehouse Subs averages $8.49 per item across 66 menu items, while Taco Bell averages $5.72 across 115 items. Taco Bell is $2.77 cheaper per item (33% difference). Taco Bell has lower average calories (405 vs 586 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Firehouse Subs | Taco Bell | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $8.49 | $5.72 | Taco Bell |
| Menu Items | 66 | 115 | Taco Bell |
| Avg Calories | 586 | 405 | Taco Bell |
| US Locations | 1,200 | 7,589 | Taco Bell |
| Secret Menu | 0 | 14 | Taco Bell |
Taco Bell is 33% cheaper on average than Firehouse Subs ($2.77 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Taco Bell
Lowest Calorie Options
Firehouse Subs
Taco Bell
Deep Comparison: Firehouse Subs vs Taco Bell
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Firehouse Subs delivers 5.63¢/cal on average, while Taco Bell delivers 3.00¢/cal. Taco Bell gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Firehouse Subs and Taco Bell 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: Firehouse Subs avg $1.89 vs Taco Bell $2.88 — Firehouse Subs is 34% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Firehouse Subs fits 1 item, Taco Bell fits 1 item (1430 cal)
- $15 budget: Firehouse Subs fits 0 items, Taco Bell fits 0 items
- $20 budget: Firehouse Subs fits 1 item (310 cal), Taco Bell fits 3 items (1370 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Firehouse Subs ranks #249 of 414 on price (pricier than 60% of tracked chains). Taco Bell ranks #143 of 414 (cheaper than 66% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Firehouse Subs, 63% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Taco Bell, 64% are under 500 calories. Taco Bell offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Taco Bell ($5.72 avg vs $8.49)
- More variety: Taco Bell (115 items)
- More locations: Taco Bell (7,589 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Taco Bell (3.00¢/cal)