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

Updated October 15, 2026 5 items matched

The short answer

Krystal is the cheaper of the two. Of the 5 directly comparable items we could match across both menus, Krystal is cheaper on 5 of them, by an average of $0.80 per item.

Typical menu price: Krystal $2.99 · 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 — Krystal's wording first.

Item	Krystal	Sonic Drive-In	Difference
Shakevs Classic Shake (medium)	$3.99	$4.79	$0.80 cheaper at Krystal
Sausage Gravy Biscuitvs Sausage Biscuit	$3.29	$3.49	$0.20 cheaper at Krystal
Onion Rings	$2.79	$4.29	$1.50 cheaper at Krystal
Totsvs Tots (medium)	$2.49	$2.99	$0.50 cheaper at Krystal
Sausage Biscuit	$2.49	$3.49	$1.00 cheaper at Krystal

Make Krystal and Sonic Drive-In 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.

Countertop Nugget Ice Maker The soft, chewable "Sonic ice" at home. Check price on Amazon Burger Press Uniform smash-style patties in seconds. Check price on Amazon Cast Iron Griddle The crust fast-food flat-tops are known for. Check price on Amazon Copycat Restaurant Recipes Cookbooks that recreate chain-restaurant favorites. Check price on Amazon

Krystal vs Sonic Drive-In at a Glance

	Krystal	Sonic Drive-In
Typical menu price	$2.99	$4.29
Average menu price	$4.79	$4.66
Cheapest item	Krystal — $1.49	$1.99 Snack Menu items — $1.99
Most expensive item	Bag of 12 Cheese Krystals — $17.99	SuperSONIC Bacon Double Cheeseburger — $9.29
Items priced	37	44
Menu sections	6	6
Price range	$	$
Founded	1932	1953
Headquarters	Dunwoody, Georgia	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Locations	About 280 restaurants across the Southeast	More than 3,500 drive-ins across the United States

Which One Should You Order From?

Krystal has the lower typical menu price of the two — $2.99 against $4.29 — but a typical price only tells you where the middle of the menu sits. At the value end, Krystal gets you in cheaper at $1.49.

Krystal is strongest on Krystal, Cheese Krystal, Sackful Combo; 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

Krystal

The Sackful Combo at about $15.99 is only $1 more than a plain bag of 12 Krystals, so the fries and drink cost a dollar — never buy the bag alone if you want sides.
Krystal regularly runs game-day and app deals that drop a bag of 8 or 12 well below menu price; check the Krystal app before ordering.
A Pup at $1.99 or a Corn Pup is a cheaper filler than a second slider plus fries.

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.

Krystal vs Sonic Drive-In — FAQ

Is Krystal cheaper than Sonic Drive-In in 2026?

Krystal is cheaper on most matched items — 5 of 5. Across the whole menu Krystal is the lower-priced of the two, at $2.99 for a typical item against $4.29 at Sonic Drive-In.

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

On matched items the average difference is $0.80, or about 3% overall. Krystal averages $4.79 across 37 priced items; Sonic Drive-In averages $4.66 across 42.

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

Krystal starts at $1.49 (Krystal) 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.