Applebee's vs Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen: Menu Prices Compared (2026)

Updated October 22, 2026 6 items matched

The short answer

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen is the cheaper of the two. Of the 6 directly comparable items we could match across both menus, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen is cheaper on 6 of them, by an average of $3.63 per item.

Typical menu price: Applebee's $15.49 · Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen $10.99

Matched Items, Side by Side

The same item on both menus, priced against each other. Where names differ, we matched the closest equivalent — Applebee's's wording first.

Item	Applebee's	Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen	Difference
8 oz Top Sirloinvs 8 oz. Top Sirloin	$19.99	$16.49	$3.50 cheaper at Cheddar's
Grilled Chicken Caesar Saladvs Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad	$15.99	$12.79	$3.20 cheaper at Cheddar's
Classic Bacon Cheeseburgervs Bacon Cheeseburger	$15.49	$10.99	$4.50 cheaper at Cheddar's
Chicken Sandwichvs Lunch Chicken Sandwich	$14.99	$8.59	$6.40 cheaper at Cheddar's
House Saladvs Side House Salad	$6.49	$3.99	$2.50 cheaper at Cheddar's
French Fries	$4.49	$2.79	$1.70 cheaper at Cheddar's

Applebee's vs Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen at a Glance

	Applebee's	Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen
Typical menu price	$15.49	$10.99
Average menu price	$14.56	$12.29
Cheapest item	Dollarita (limited promotion) — $1.00	Honey Butter Croissants — $1.99
Most expensive item	Date Night Bundle — $34.99	House-Smoked Baby Back Ribs Bundle — $50.49
Items priced	42	89
Menu sections	6	12
Price range	$$	$$
Founded	1980	1979
Headquarters	Glendale, California	Orlando, Florida (Darden Restaurants)
Locations	About 1,500 restaurants in the United States	About 180 restaurants, mostly in Texas, the South and the Midwest

Which One Should You Order From?

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen has the lower typical menu price of the two — $10.99 against $15.49 — but a typical price only tells you where the middle of the menu sits. At the value end, Applebee's gets you in cheaper at $1.00.

Applebee's is strongest on Riblets Platter, Bourbon Street Chicken & Shrimp, Boneless Wings; Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen on Honey Butter Croissants, No. 8 Special Chicken Tender Platter, Monte Cristo. Neither chain's app prices match the counter, and both discount heavily through their loyalty programmes, so the deals below usually matter more than the few cents between the two menus.

Deals Worth Knowing at Both

Applebee's

The 2 for $25 menu — an appetizer plus two entrees — is roughly $10 below ordering the same three items separately and covers most of the popular dishes.
The $9.99 weekday lunch combo pairs a half sandwich or salad with soup or fries and is the cheapest sit-down lunch at any national casual chain.
Applebee's runs $1 and $5 cocktail promotions several times a year; the Dollarita in particular is the cheapest drink at any chain restaurant.

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

The weekday lunch menu is the cheapest way in: a cheeseburger, a chicken sandwich or a Veggie Philly is about $8.59, against $9.49 to $10.99 for the regular versions.
The Vegetable Plate — any four sides for about $10.49 — is the lowest-priced full plate on the dinner menu.
Family bundles feed about four: the Chicken Tender Bundle at about $31.49 works out under $8 a person, and a gallon of iced tea is about $5.79.

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.

Applebee's vs Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen — FAQ

Is Applebee's cheaper than Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen in 2026?

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen is cheaper on most matched items — 6 of 6. Across the whole menu Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen is the lower-priced of the two, at $10.99 for a typical item against $15.49 at Applebee's.

What is the price difference between Applebee's and Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen?

On matched items the average difference is $3.63, or about 16% overall. Applebee's averages $14.56 across 42 priced items; Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen averages $12.29 across 89.

Which has the cheaper entry price, Applebee's or Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen?

Applebee's starts at $1.00 (Dollarita (limited promotion)) and Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen at $1.99 (Honey Butter Croissants).

Are these prices the same at every location?

No. Both chains let franchise owners set prices, so figures move by a dollar or more between markets and run highest at airport, stadium and highway locations. Treat these as the typical U.S. price, not a quote.