Burger King vs Panera Bread: Menu Prices Compared (2026)

Updated August 24, 2026 3 items matched

The short answer

Burger King is the cheaper of the two. Of the 3 directly comparable items we could match across both menus, Burger King is cheaper on 3 of them, by an average of $2.23 per item.

Typical menu price: Burger King $4.29 · Panera Bread $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 — Burger King's wording first.

Item	Burger King	Panera Bread	Difference
Croissan'wich (sausage, egg & cheese)vs Sausage, Egg & Cheese on Brioche	$4.29	$7.29	$3.00 cheaper at Burger King
Croissan'wich (bacon, egg & cheese)vs Bacon, Egg & Cheese on Brioche	$4.29	$7.29	$3.00 cheaper at Burger King
Iced Coffeevs Coffee (regular)	$2.49	$3.19	$0.70 cheaper at Burger King

Burger King vs Panera Bread at a Glance

	Burger King	Panera Bread
Typical menu price	$4.29	$10.99
Average menu price	$5.13	$10.10
Cheapest item	Soft Serve Cone — $1.79	Coffee (regular) — $3.19
Most expensive item	Family Bundle (4 sandwiches, 4 fries) — $25.99	Baker's Dozen Bagels — $18.99
Items priced	45	41
Menu sections	6	6
Price range	$	$$
Founded	1954	1987
Headquarters	Miami, Florida	Newton, Massachusetts
Locations	About 6,700 restaurants in the United States	Around 2,180 bakery-cafes in the U.S. and Canada

Which One Should You Order From?

Burger King has the lower typical menu price of the two — $4.29 against $10.99 — but a typical price only tells you where the middle of the menu sits. At the value end, Burger King gets you in cheaper at $1.79.

Burger King is strongest on Whopper, Original Chicken Sandwich, Chicken Fries; Panera Bread on You Pick Two, Broccoli Cheddar Soup, Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt. 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

Burger King

The BK app runs near-permanent BOGO Whopper and 2-for-$10 offers; paying board price for a Whopper is close to a mistake.
The $5 Your Way Meal covers a Whopper Jr., nuggets, fries and a drink for less than a Whopper alone.
Onion rings cost the same as fries at $3.39 medium and are the more distinctive side — Burger King is one of the few national chains to carry them.

Panera Bread

You Pick Two at $13.79 gives you two half items for less than most single entrees elsewhere — it is the reason the item exists.
The Unlimited Sip Club at $14.99 a month breaks even after about five coffee runs, and it covers iced drinks and lemonades too.
MyPanera rewards are free and rotate personalised offers, often a free pastry or a discounted You Pick Two.

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.

Burger King vs Panera Bread — FAQ

Is Burger King cheaper than Panera Bread in 2026?

Burger King is cheaper on most matched items — 3 of 3. Across the whole menu Burger King is the lower-priced of the two, at $4.29 for a typical item against $10.99 at Panera Bread.

What is the price difference between Burger King and Panera Bread?

On matched items the average difference is $2.23, or about 49% overall. Burger King averages $5.13 across 45 priced items; Panera Bread averages $10.10 across 39.

Which has the cheaper entry price, Burger King or Panera Bread?

Burger King starts at $1.79 (Soft Serve Cone) and Panera Bread at $3.19 (Coffee (regular)).

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.