Cheapest Breakfast Chains in 2026

27 chains rankedUpdated October 22, 2026

Krystal is the cheapest breakfast chain we track, with a typical menu price of $2.99 — 79% below Black Bear Diner at the other end of the table. Full ranking below, worked out from every priced item on each menu.

Breakfast Chains Ranked by Price

#	Restaurant	Typical price	Cheapest item
1	Krystal 37 items priced · average $4.79	$2.99	Krystal$1.49
2	Tim Hortons 37 items priced · average $3.66	$3.29	Chocolate Dip Donut$1.59
3	Krispy Kreme 20 items priced · average $7.22	$3.29	Original Glazed$2.19
4	Del Taco 44 items priced · average $4.25	$3.49	Value Taco$1.29
5	Wendy's 49 items priced · average $4.95	$4.19	Frosty (junior)$1.49
6	Sonic Drive-In 42 items priced · average $4.66	$4.29	$1.99 Snack Menu items$1.99
7	McDonald's 51 items priced · average $4.97	$4.29	Apple Slices$1.29
8	Burger King 45 items priced · average $5.13	$4.29	Soft Serve Cone$1.79
9	Dunkin' 42 items priced · average $5.00	$4.49	Donut (each)$1.79
10	Jack in the Box 44 items priced · average $4.94	$4.99	Two Tacos$1.79
11	Hardee's 26 items priced · average $4.96	$4.99	Hash Rounds (medium)$2.29
12	Wawa 45 items priced · average $5.17	$4.99	Coffee (12 oz)$1.85
13	Chick-fil-A 43 items priced · average $5.56	$5.25	Icedream Cone$1.85
14	Starbucks 42 items priced · average $4.89	$5.45	Plain Bagel$2.95
15	Carl's Jr. 27 items priced · average $5.58	$5.49	Chocolate Chip Cookie$1.49
16	Whataburger 44 items priced · average $6.87	$5.49	Apple Slices$1.99
17	Taco Cabana 43 items priced · average $6.57	$5.99	Crispy Beef Taco$2.49
18	Bojangles 40 items priced · average $10.81	$6.49	Plain Biscuit$1.99
19	Waffle House 42 items priced · average $7.46	$6.55	Toast$2.45
20	Bob Evans 58 items priced · average $11.60	$10.79	Mashed Potatoes & Gravy$2.99
21	Panera Bread 39 items priced · average $10.10	$10.99	Coffee (regular)$3.19
22	First Watch 43 items priced · average $10.32	$11.49	Breakfast Potatoes$3.99
23	Perkins Restaurant & Bakery 51 items priced · average $10.64	$12.19	Hot Chocolate$2.99
24	Cracker Barrel 44 items priced · average $14.30	$12.29	Hashbrown Casserole$3.99
25	IHOP 41 items priced · average $11.57	$12.49	Coffee (bottomless)$3.79
26	Denny's 41 items priced · average $12.28	$13.29	Coffee (bottomless)$3.49
27	Black Bear Diner 39 items priced · average $13.22	$13.99	Hash Browns$3.99

The Cheapest Breakfast Options in Detail

1. Krystal — typical item $2.99

Krystal is the Southern slider chain, founded in Chattanooga in 1932: small square burgers steamed on a bed of onions, sold one at a time for about $1.49 or by the bag. A dozen Krystals cost about $14.99, and the Sackful combo — twelve sliders, fries and a…

The menu runs $1.49 (Krystal) to $17.99 (Bag of 12 Cheese Krystals) across 37 priced items, averaging $4.79. The Sackful Combo at about $15.99 is only $1 more than a plain bag of 12 Krystals, so the fries and drink cost a dollar — never buy the bag alone if you want sides. See the full Krystal menu →

2. Tim Hortons — typical item $3.29

Tim Hortons is Canada's coffee-and-donut chain, with its U.S. stores clustered near the border in Michigan, Ohio and western New York. A medium Original Blend coffee is about $2.19, a 10-pack of Timbits $2.99 and a breakfast sandwich about $4.49 — noticeably…

The menu runs $1.59 (Chocolate Dip Donut) to $8.99 (Timbits (40 pack)) across 37 priced items, averaging $3.66. A 40-pack of Timbits at about $8.99 costs roughly 22 cents a piece, versus 30 cents in a 10-pack — the cheapest office or classroom treat on any coffee menu. See the full Tim Hortons menu →

3. Krispy Kreme — typical item $3.29

Krispy Kreme prices doughnuts by the dozen, and the dozen is where the value is: an Original Glazed dozen costs about $14.49, or $1.21 a doughnut, against about $2.19 for a single. Assorted and specialty dozens run $3 to $5 more. When the red "Hot Now" light…

The menu runs $2.19 (Original Glazed) to $23.99 (Double Dozen Original Glazed) across 20 priced items, averaging $7.22. Buying a dozen Original Glazed instead of singles cuts the price per doughnut almost in half. See the full Krispy Kreme menu →

4. Del Taco — typical item $3.49

Del Taco is the second-largest Mexican-inspired fast food chain in the United States, and it is unusual in serving both tacos and burgers from the same kitchen. Its differentiator is fresh preparation — beans cooked in-store daily, cheese grated on site…

The menu runs $1.29 (Value Taco) to $11.79 (Epic Burrito Combo) across 44 priced items, averaging $4.25. The 20 Under $2 menu is the deepest value lineup in Mexican fast food — a Value Taco at $1.29 and a cheeseburger at $1.99 from the same window. See the full Del Taco menu →

5. Wendy's — typical item $4.19

Wendy's built its 2026 pricing around one number: the Biggie Bag. At $5 to $7 depending on the tier it is the most aggressive full-meal bundle any of the big three burger chains runs, and it is the reason the à-la-carte board looks expensive by comparison…

The menu runs $1.49 (Frosty (junior)) to $12.29 (Baconator Combo) across 49 priced items, averaging $4.95. The $5 Biggie Bag is the most complete meal for the money at any national burger chain — the four items separately run about $11. See the full Wendy's menu →

About these prices: menu prices are set by individual franchise owners and change without notice. The figures on this page are researched estimates for 2026 and are provided for reference only. Confirm the current price with the restaurant before ordering. Menu Price Book is not affiliated with this chain.

Cheapest Breakfast Chains — FAQ

What is the cheapest breakfast chain in 2026?

Krystal has the lowest typical menu price of the 27 breakfast chains we track, at $2.99. Its cheapest item is Krystal at $1.49.

How much does a breakfast meal cost in 2026?

Across the 27 chains ranked here the typical single item runs from $2.99 to $13.99. Add a side and a drink and a full meal lands roughly $6.28 to $29.38 depending on where you order.

How is this ranking worked out?

Every priced item on each chain's menu is collected, then the chains are ordered by the midpoint of their menu — the median price. A median is used rather than an average so that one expensive family platter does not make an otherwise cheap chain look costly.

Are these prices the same everywhere?

No. Franchise owners set their own prices, so figures move between markets and run highest at airport, stadium and highway locations. The ranking reflects the prices that appear most often across U.S. markets.