Cheapest Ice Cream Chains in 2026

7 chains rankedUpdated September 1, 2026

Sonic Drive-In is the cheapest ice cream chain we track, with a typical menu price of $4.29 — 54% below Portillo's at the other end of the table. Full ranking below, worked out from every priced item on each menu.

Ice Cream Chains Ranked by Price

#	Restaurant	Typical price	Cheapest item
1	Sonic Drive-In 42 items priced · average $4.66	$4.29	$1.99 Snack Menu items$1.99
2	Cook Out 40 items priced · average $5.16	$4.79	Coleslaw$1.99
3	Dairy Queen 42 items priced · average $6.86	$5.00	Dilly Bar$2.29
4	Steak 'n Shake 44 items priced · average $5.84	$5.79	Coffee$2.29
5	Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers 44 items priced · average $5.94	$5.99	Coffee$2.29
6	Culver's 42 items priced · average $8.19	$8.29	Fountain Drink (regular)$2.79
7	Portillo's 40 items priced · average $14.10	$9.29	Fries (regular)$3.79

The Cheapest Ice Cream Options in Detail

1. Sonic Drive-In — typical item $4.29

Sonic is the last major drive-in chain in America: you park in a stall, order from a speaker, and a carhop brings the food out. That format is the brand, and it is why the drink menu — well over a million claimed combinations of sodas, slushes, limeades and…

The menu runs $1.99 ($1.99 Snack Menu items) to $9.29 (SuperSONIC Bacon Double Cheeseburger) across 42 priced items, averaging $4.66. Happy Hour from 2:00 to 4:00 PM every day takes 50 percent off all drinks and slushes — the single biggest recurring discount in fast food. See the full Sonic Drive-In menu →

2. Cook Out — typical item $4.79

Cook Out is a Southeastern drive-thru chain famous for two things: staying open until three or four in the morning, and the Cook Out Tray — a combo that includes an entree, two sides and a drink for a price most chains charge for the sandwich alone. The other…

The menu runs $1.99 (Coleslaw) to $9.99 (Double Burger Plate) across 40 priced items, averaging $5.16. The Cook Out Tray at $7.49 to $8.79 includes an entree, two sides and a drink — the cheapest complete combo of any national or regional chain. See the full Cook Out menu →

3. Dairy Queen — typical item $5.00

Dairy Queen is two businesses sharing a counter: a soft-serve stand that has been running since 1940 and a competent burger chain bolted on afterwards. The Blizzard is what people queue for, and it is priced to be an impulse buy rather than a dessert course…

The menu runs $2.29 (Dilly Bar) to $34.99 (10" Round Ice Cream Cake) across 42 priced items, averaging $6.86. The $7 Meal Deal includes a mini Blizzard alongside a sandwich, fries and a drink — the Blizzard alone is normally $3.99. See the full Dairy Queen menu →

4. Steak 'n Shake — typical item $5.79

Steak 'n Shake built its name on the Steakburger — a thin patty smashed on the griddle — and hand-dipped milkshakes made with real ice cream. The chain converted most locations to counter-kiosk ordering in recent years, which lowered prices noticeably…

The menu runs $2.29 (Coffee) to $11.29 (Chicken Fingers Combo) across 44 priced items, averaging $5.84. Most locations run half-price milkshakes in the afternoon — typically after 2:00 PM — which takes a $5.29 shake down to about $2.65. See the full Steak 'n Shake menu →

5. Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers — typical item $5.99

Freddy's runs on two products: thin, crispy-edged steakburgers smashed on the griddle, and frozen custard churned throughout the day. The shoestring fries and the signature Freddy's Fry Sauce round out an intentionally short menu. Pricing sits at the value…

The menu runs $2.29 (Coffee) to $10.99 (Custard Quart (to go)) across 44 priced items, averaging $5.94. A mini concrete at $4.29 is the cheapest way to get Freddy's custard and is enough dessert for most people. See the full Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers 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 Ice Cream Chains — FAQ

What is the cheapest ice cream chain in 2026?

Sonic Drive-In has the lowest typical menu price of the 7 ice cream chains we track, at $4.29. Its cheapest item is $1.99 Snack Menu items at $1.99.

How much does a ice cream meal cost in 2026?

Across the 7 chains ranked here the typical single item runs from $4.29 to $9.29. Add a side and a drink and a full meal lands roughly $9.01 to $19.51 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.