KFC vs McDonald's (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 46 items at KFC vs 164 items at McDonald's.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, KFC averages $7.23 per item across 46 menu items, while McDonald's averages $6.03 across 164 items. McDonald's is $1.20 cheaper per item (17% difference). McDonald's has lower average calories (413 vs 430 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | KFC | McDonald's | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $7.23 | $6.03 | McDonald's |
| Menu Items | 46 | 164 | McDonald's |
| Avg Calories | 430 | 413 | McDonald's |
| US Locations | 4,205 | 13,786 | McDonald's |
| Secret Menu | 7 | 15 | McDonald's |
McDonald's is 17% cheaper on average than KFC ($1.20 less per item).
Cheapest Items
McDonald's
Lowest Calorie Options
KFC
McDonald's
Deep Comparison: KFC vs McDonald's
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
KFC delivers 1.67¢/cal on average, while McDonald's delivers 6.07¢/cal. KFC gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
KFC and McDonald's share 0 menu categories (0% Jaccard overlap). Low overlap — these chains serve mostly different food categories.
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: KFC fits 0 items, McDonald's fits 1 item (290 cal)
- $15 budget: KFC fits 1 item, McDonald's fits 0 items
- $20 budget: KFC fits 1 item (180 cal), McDonald's fits 3 items (260 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
KFC ranks #201 of 414 on price (cheaper than 52% of tracked chains). McDonald's ranks #156 of 414 (cheaper than 63% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At KFC, 56% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At McDonald's, 70% are under 500 calories. McDonald's offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: McDonald's ($6.03 avg vs $7.23)
- More variety: McDonald's (164 items)
- More locations: McDonald's (13,786 US locations)
- Best calorie value: KFC (1.67¢/cal)