Hardee's vs Wendy's: Menu Prices Compared (2026)
The short answer
Hardee's is the cheaper of the two. Of the 7 directly comparable items we could match across both menus, Hardee's is cheaper on 5 of them, by an average of $0.86 per item.
Make Hardee's and Wendy's at Home
Whichever of the two wins on price, cooking the favorites at home beats both. These are the sauces, mixes and kitchen tools that get closest to the real thing.
Deals Worth Knowing at Both
Hardee's
- Two-biscuit breakfast deals on the app often cost about $5, roughly $2 below menu price.
- The Sausage Biscuit at about $2.79 is one of the cheapest filling breakfasts at any national chain.
- Hardee's app rewards give points on every order and a free biscuit or burger offer for new members.
Wendy's
- The $5 Biggie Bag is the most complete meal for the money at any national burger chain — the four items separately run about $11.
- A junior Frosty at $1.49 is the cheapest dessert in fast food, and Wendy's regularly sells a season-long Frosty Key Tag for around $3 that gives one free junior Frosty per visit for a year.
- A small chili at $3.49 is more food per dollar than a small fries at $2.49 and is the only hot vegetable-and-protein side on a burger menu.
Hardee's vs Wendy's — FAQ
Is Hardee's cheaper than Wendy's in 2026?
Hardee's is cheaper on most matched items — 5 of 7. Across the whole menu Wendy's is the lower-priced of the two, at $4.19 for a typical item against $4.99 at Hardee's.
What is the price difference between Hardee's and Wendy's?
On matched items the average difference is $0.86, or about less than 1% overall. Hardee's averages $4.96 across 26 priced items; Wendy's averages $4.95 across 49.
Which has the cheaper entry price, Hardee's or Wendy's?
Hardee's starts at $2.29 (Hash Rounds (medium)) and Wendy's at $1.49 (Frosty (junior)).
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.