Sonic Drive-In vs Subway (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 92 items at Sonic Drive-In vs 83 items at Subway.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Sonic Drive-In averages $3.28 per item across 92 menu items, while Subway averages $5.57 across 83 items. Sonic Drive-In is $2.29 cheaper per item (41% difference). Sonic Drive-In has lower average calories (578 vs 586 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Sonic Drive-In | Subway | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $3.28 | $5.57 | Sonic Drive-In |
| Menu Items | 92 | 83 | Sonic Drive-In |
| Avg Calories | 578 | 586 | Sonic Drive-In |
| US Locations | 3,519 | 16,177 | Subway |
| Secret Menu | 7 | 3 | Sonic Drive-In |
Sonic Drive-In is 41% cheaper on average than Subway ($2.29 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Sonic Drive-In
Subway
Lowest Calorie Options
Sonic Drive-In
Subway
Deep Comparison: Sonic Drive-In vs Subway
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Sonic Drive-In delivers 0.86¢/cal on average, while Subway delivers 1.46¢/cal. Sonic Drive-In gives more calories per dollar — a key metric for value-per-meal seekers.
Menu Category Overlap
Sonic Drive-In and Subway share 2 menu categories (11% Jaccard overlap). Shared categories: sides, 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:
- sides: Sonic Drive-In avg $1.73 vs Subway $1.03 — Subway is 40% cheaper
- drinks: Sonic Drive-In avg $2.22 vs Subway $2.06 — Subway is 7% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Sonic Drive-In fits 3 items (320 cal), Subway fits 0 items
- $15 budget: Sonic Drive-In fits 3 items (1790 cal), Subway fits 3 items (1380 cal)
- $20 budget: Sonic Drive-In fits 3 items (2090 cal), Subway fits 3 items (1520 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Sonic Drive-In ranks #18 of 414 on price (cheaper than 96% of tracked chains). Subway ranks #132 of 414 (cheaper than 68% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Sonic Drive-In, 46% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Subway, 50% are under 500 calories. Subway offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Sonic Drive-In ($3.28 avg vs $5.57)
- More variety: Sonic Drive-In (92 items)
- More locations: Subway (16,177 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Sonic Drive-In (0.86¢/cal)