Jack in the Box vs Sonic Drive-In: Menu Prices Compared (2026)

Updated August 14, 2026 6 items matched

The short answer

Jack in the Box is the cheaper of the two. Of the 6 directly comparable items we could match across both menus, Jack in the Box is cheaper on 3 of them, by an average of $0.57 per item.

Typical menu price: Jack in the Box $4.99 · 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 — Jack in the Box's wording first.

Item	Jack in the Box	Sonic Drive-In	Difference
Bacon Ultimate Cheeseburgervs Bacon Cheeseburger Toaster	$8.49	$7.49	$1.00 cheaper at Sonic Drive-In
Crispy Chicken Strips (4 pc)vs Crispy Chicken Sandwich	$7.49	$6.79	$0.70 cheaper at Sonic Drive-In
Grilled Chicken Sandwich	$6.99	$6.99	same
Breakfast Burritovs SuperSONIC Breakfast Burrito	$5.99	$6.49	$0.50 cheaper at Jack in the Box
Onion Rings	$3.79	$4.29	$0.50 cheaper at Jack in the Box
Value Fries (small)vs French Fries (medium)	$2.29	$2.99	$0.70 cheaper at Jack in the Box

Jack in the Box vs Sonic Drive-In at a Glance

	Jack in the Box	Sonic Drive-In
Typical menu price	$4.99	$4.29
Average menu price	$4.94	$4.66
Cheapest item	Two Tacos — $1.79	$1.99 Snack Menu items — $1.99
Most expensive item	Munchie Meal (any variety) — $12.49	SuperSONIC Bacon Double Cheeseburger — $9.29
Items priced	44	44
Menu sections	6	6
Price range	$	$
Founded	1951	1953
Headquarters	San Diego, California	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Locations	About 2,200 restaurants, concentrated in the West and South	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 $4.99 — but a typical price only tells you where the middle of the menu sits. At the value end, Jack in the Box gets you in cheaper at $1.79.

Jack in the Box is strongest on Two Tacos, Munchie Meal, Curly Fries; 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

Jack in the Box

Two tacos for $1.79 is the cheapest hot food at any major chain, and they are available 24 hours a day.
The Munchie Meal at $12.49 bundles an entree, two sides, two tacos and a drink — roughly $5 less than buying the same items separately.
Breakfast is served all day, so a $3.29 Breakfast Jack works as a cheap dinner.

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.

Jack in the Box vs Sonic Drive-In — FAQ

Is Jack in the Box cheaper than Sonic Drive-In in 2026?

Jack in the Box is cheaper on most matched items — 3 of 6. Across the whole menu Sonic Drive-In is the lower-priced of the two, at $4.29 for a typical item against $4.99 at Jack in the Box.

What is the price difference between Jack in the Box and Sonic Drive-In?

On matched items the average difference is $0.57, or about 6% overall. Jack in the Box averages $4.94 across 44 priced items; Sonic Drive-In averages $4.66 across 42.

Which has the cheaper entry price, Jack in the Box or Sonic Drive-In?

Jack in the Box starts at $1.79 (Two Tacos) 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.