Cicis Pizza vs Papa John's: Menu Prices Compared (2026)
The short answer
Neither chain is clearly cheaper. Across the 4 comparable items, the two split the wins evenly, with an average gap of $4.00 per item — which one costs you less comes down to what you order.
Deals Worth Knowing at Both
Cicis Pizza
- Arrive before 4:00 PM on a weekday — lunch buffet pricing is about $1.50 below dinner for exactly the same food.
- Skip the drink: the buffet with a drink costs about $13.29 versus $10.49 for the buffet alone.
- You can request any pizza variety at the counter and the kitchen will bake it fresh for the buffet — you are not limited to what is currently out.
Papa John's
- Papa Pairs at $6.99 per item on two or more items undercuts every board price on the menu, including large pizzas.
- The large two-topping carryout deal at $9.99 saves $6 over the board price for the same pizza — never order carryout at menu price.
- Every pizza includes a garlic sauce cup at no charge; extra cups are $0.75 and are the cheapest way to make a cheap pizza better.
Cicis Pizza vs Papa John's — FAQ
Is Cicis Pizza cheaper than Papa John's in 2026?
They are close. Across 4 matched items the two chains split the result evenly, with an average difference of only $4.00 per item.
What is the price difference between Cicis Pizza and Papa John's?
On matched items the average difference is $4.00, or about 4% overall. Cicis Pizza averages $10.59 across 22 priced items; Papa John's averages $10.97 across 33.
Which has the cheaper entry price, Cicis Pizza or Papa John's?
Cicis Pizza starts at $1.99 (Kids Drink) and Papa John's at $2.29 (20 oz Bottle).
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.