Five Guys vs Steak 'n Shake: Menu Prices Compared (2026)
The short answer
Steak 'n Shake is the cheaper of the two. Of the 7 directly comparable items we could match across both menus, Steak 'n Shake is cheaper on 7 of them, by an average of $2.87 per item.
Deals Worth Knowing at Both
Five Guys
- Order a 'little' burger unless you want two patties — it is a normal single-patty burger and saves about $2.30.
- A regular fries at $7.19 genuinely feeds two people; ordering one between two is the main way to make Five Guys affordable.
- All fifteen toppings and all milkshake mix-ins are free, so a fully loaded burger costs the same as a plain one.
Steak 'n Shake
- Most locations run half-price milkshakes in the afternoon — typically after 2:00 PM — which takes a $5.29 shake down to about $2.65.
- Ordering at the in-store kiosk rather than through delivery avoids the platform markup, which at Steak 'n Shake is steep.
- A double Steakburger combo at $10.59 includes two patties, fries and a drink — competitive with single-patty combos elsewhere.
Five Guys vs Steak 'n Shake — FAQ
Is Five Guys cheaper than Steak 'n Shake in 2026?
Steak 'n Shake is cheaper on most matched items — 7 of 7. Across the whole menu Steak 'n Shake is the lower-priced of the two, at $5.79 for a typical item against $8.69 at Five Guys.
What is the price difference between Five Guys and Steak 'n Shake?
On matched items the average difference is $2.87, or about 34% overall. Five Guys averages $8.82 across 29 priced items; Steak 'n Shake averages $5.84 across 44.
Which has the cheaper entry price, Five Guys or Steak 'n Shake?
Five Guys starts at $2.69 (Bottled Water) and Steak 'n Shake at $2.29 (Coffee).
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.