Wendy's vs Zaxby's (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of menu prices, calories, and value. 77 items at Wendy's vs 101 items at Zaxby's.
Quick answer: As of April 2026, Wendy's averages $3.52 per item across 77 menu items, while Zaxby's averages $14.83 across 101 items. Wendy's is $11.31 cheaper per item (76% difference). Wendy's has lower average calories (445 vs 877 per item).
Quick Comparison
| Metric | Wendy's | Zaxby's | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Price | $3.52 | $14.83 | Wendy's |
| Menu Items | 77 | 101 | Zaxby's |
| Avg Calories | 445 | 877 | Wendy's |
| US Locations | 6,154 | 900 | Wendy's |
| Secret Menu | 2 | 1 | Wendy's |
Wendy's is 76% cheaper on average than Zaxby's ($11.31 less per item).
Cheapest Items
Lowest Calorie Options
Deep Comparison: Wendy's vs Zaxby's
Calorie Value (cents per calorie)
Wendy's delivers 2.09¢/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
Wendy's 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: Wendy's avg $1.89 vs Zaxby's $22.49 — Wendy's is 92% cheaper
- sides: Wendy's avg $3.25 vs Zaxby's $3.59 — Wendy's is 10% cheaper
What Fits in Your Budget
- $10 budget: Wendy's fits 1 item (330 cal), Zaxby's fits 0 items
- $15 budget: Wendy's fits 3 items (2580 cal), Zaxby's fits 1 item
- $20 budget: Wendy's fits 3 items (690 cal), Zaxby's fits 3 items (1020 cal)
Where They Rank in Our 414-Chain Dataset
Wendy's ranks #27 of 414 on price (cheaper than 94% of tracked chains). Zaxby's ranks #382 of 414 (pricier than 92% of chains).
Calorie Distribution (items under 500 cal)
At Wendy's, 73% of menu items with calorie data come in under 500 calories. At Zaxby's, 37% are under 500 calories. Wendy's offers more lower-calorie options proportionally.
Bottom Line
- Budget pick: Wendy's ($3.52 avg vs $14.83)
- More variety: Zaxby's (101 items)
- More locations: Wendy's (6,154 US locations)
- Best calorie value: Zaxby's (1.46¢/cal)