Dave's Hot Chicken vs Zaxby's: Menu Prices Compared (2026)
The short answer
Zaxby's is the cheaper of the two. Of the 5 directly comparable items we could match across both menus, Zaxby's is cheaper on 5 of them, by an average of $2.34 per item.
Deals Worth Knowing at Both
Dave's Hot Chicken
- Dave's #1 at $12.49 is the value anchor of the menu — two tenders plus every side for barely more than two tenders alone.
- Heat level is free at all seven tiers, so there is never a reason to pay for extra spice.
- Family packs bring the per-tender cost down by roughly 20 percent compared with ordering combos individually.
Zaxby's
- The Big Zax Snak Meal at $9.29 is the cheapest complete meal on the menu — three fingerz, fries, toast and a drink.
- A 50-piece party platter works out to roughly $1.70 per finger versus about $3.00 in a four-finger plate.
- Zax Rewardz in the app gives points on every order plus a free item on signup and a birthday reward.
Dave's Hot Chicken vs Zaxby's — FAQ
Is Dave's Hot Chicken cheaper than Zaxby's in 2026?
Zaxby's is cheaper on most matched items — 5 of 5. Across the whole menu Dave's Hot Chicken is the lower-priced of the two, at $7.49 for a typical item against $7.99 at Zaxby's.
What is the price difference between Dave's Hot Chicken and Zaxby's?
On matched items the average difference is $2.34, or about 8% overall. Dave's Hot Chicken averages $12.91 across 25 priced items; Zaxby's averages $14.09 across 38.
Which has the cheaper entry price, Dave's Hot Chicken or Zaxby's?
Dave's Hot Chicken starts at $2.79 (Bottled Water) and Zaxby's at $1.29 (Nutter Butter Cookie).
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.