Portillo's vs Wendy's: Menu Prices Compared (2026)
The short answer
Wendy's is the cheaper of the two. Of the 4 directly comparable items we could match across both menus, Wendy's is cheaper on 4 of them, by an average of $5.07 per item.
Deals Worth Knowing at Both
Portillo's
- Ordering the beef dipped, wet or dry costs nothing extra — the preparation is free, so ask for what you actually want.
- Italian Beef family packs at $59.99 feed four to six for roughly the price of five individual sandwiches with sides.
- Portillo's ships nationwide, so the chocolate cake and Italian beef kits are available outside the chain's footprint.
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.
Portillo's vs Wendy's — FAQ
Is Portillo's cheaper than Wendy's in 2026?
Wendy's is cheaper on most matched items — 4 of 4. Across the whole menu Wendy's is the lower-priced of the two, at $4.19 for a typical item against $9.29 at Portillo's.
What is the price difference between Portillo's and Wendy's?
On matched items the average difference is $5.07, or about 65% overall. Portillo's averages $14.10 across 40 priced items; Wendy's averages $4.95 across 49.
Which has the cheaper entry price, Portillo's or Wendy's?
Portillo's starts at $3.79 (Fries (regular)) 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.