KFC vs Zaxby's (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 46 items at KFC vs 101 items at Zaxby's.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, KFC averages $7.23 per item across 46 menu items, while Zaxby's averages $14.83 across 101 items. KFC is $7.60 cheaper per item (51% difference). KFC has lower average calories (430 vs 877 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | KFC | Zaxby's | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $7.23 | $14.83 | KFC |
| Menu Items | 46 | 101 | Zaxby's |
| Avg Calories | 430 | 877 | KFC |
| US Locations | 4,205 | 900 | KFC |
| Secret Menu | 7 | 1 | KFC |
KFC is 51% cheaper on average than Zaxby's ($7.60 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Lowest Calorie Options
Deep Comparison: KFC vs Zaxby's
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
KFC delivers 1.67¢/cal on average, while Zaxby's delivers 1.46¢/cal. Zaxby's gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
KFC and Zaxby's share 2 menu categories (7% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: chicken, sides. 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:
- chicken: KFC avg $8.70 vs Zaxby's $22.49 — KFC is 61% cheaper
- sides: KFC avg $2.09 vs Zaxby's $3.59 — KFC is 42% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: KFC fits 0 items, Zaxby's fits 0 items
- $15 budget: KFC fits 1 item, Zaxby's fits 1 item
- $20 budget: KFC fits 1 item (180 cal), Zaxby's fits 3 items (1020 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
KFC ranks #201 of 414 on price (cheaper than 52% of tracked chains). Zaxby's ranks #382 of 414 (pricier than 92% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At KFC, 56% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Zaxby's, 37% are under 500 calories. KFC offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: KFC ($7.23 avg vs $14.83)
- More variety: Zaxby's (101 items)
- More locations: KFC (4,205 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Zaxby's (1.46¢/cal)