Dairy Queen vs Sonic Drive-In: Menu Prices Compared (2026)

Updated August 20, 2026 6 items matched

The short answer

Neither chain is clearly cheaper. Across the 6 comparable items, the two split the wins evenly, with an average gap of $0.45 per item — which one costs you less comes down to what you order.

Typical menu price: Dairy Queen $5.00 · Sonic Drive-In $4.29

Matched Items, Side by Side

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

Item	Dairy Queen	Sonic Drive-In	Difference
Grilled Chicken Sandwich	$6.49	$6.99	$0.50 cheaper at Dairy Queen
Banana Split	$6.29	$5.49	$0.80 cheaper at Sonic Drive-In
Crispy Chicken Sandwich	$6.29	$6.79	$0.50 cheaper at Dairy Queen
Shake (medium)vs Classic Shake (medium)	$4.99	$4.79	$0.20 cheaper at Sonic Drive-In
Sundae (medium)vs Sundae	$4.19	$3.99	$0.20 cheaper at Sonic Drive-In
Onion Rings (medium)vs Onion Rings	$3.79	$4.29	$0.50 cheaper at Dairy Queen

Dairy Queen vs Sonic Drive-In at a Glance

	Dairy Queen	Sonic Drive-In
Typical menu price	$5.00	$4.29
Average menu price	$6.86	$4.66
Cheapest item	Dilly Bar — $2.29	$1.99 Snack Menu items — $1.99
Most expensive item	10" Round Ice Cream Cake — $34.99	SuperSONIC Bacon Double Cheeseburger — $9.29
Items priced	42	44
Menu sections	6	6
Price range	$	$
Founded	1940	1953
Headquarters	Minneapolis, Minnesota	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Locations	About 4,300 restaurants in the United States	More than 3,500 drive-ins across the United States

Which One Should You Order From?

Sonic Drive-In has the lower typical menu price of the two — $4.29 against $5.00 — but a typical price only tells you where the middle of the menu sits. At the value end, Sonic Drive-In gets you in cheaper at $1.99.

Dairy Queen is strongest on Oreo Blizzard, Chicken Strip Basket, Dilly Bar; Sonic Drive-In on Cherry Limeade, SuperSONIC Bacon Double Cheeseburger, Tots. 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

Dairy Queen

The $7 Meal Deal includes a mini Blizzard alongside a sandwich, fries and a drink — the Blizzard alone is normally $3.99.
A Dilly Bar at $2.29 is the cheapest branded frozen treat at any national chain and has been on the menu since 1955.
A mini Blizzard at $3.99 is $1.60 less than a medium for about two thirds the volume — the mini is the sensible size for one person.

Sonic Drive-In

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.
The Sonic app frequently offers half-price burgers on Tuesdays and free items with a purchase.
Upgrading to a Route 44 (44 oz) for $0.60 more is the cheapest per-ounce drink on the menu, especially during Happy Hour.

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.

Dairy Queen vs Sonic Drive-In — FAQ

Is Dairy Queen cheaper than Sonic Drive-In in 2026?

They are close. Across 6 matched items the two chains split the result evenly, with an average difference of only $0.45 per item.

What is the price difference between Dairy Queen and Sonic Drive-In?

On matched items the average difference is $0.45, or about 32% overall. Dairy Queen averages $6.86 across 42 priced items; Sonic Drive-In averages $4.66 across 42.

Which has the cheaper entry price, Dairy Queen or Sonic Drive-In?

Dairy Queen starts at $2.29 (Dilly Bar) and Sonic Drive-In at $1.99 ($1.99 Snack Menu items).

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.