Five Guys vs Wendy’s: Which Is Healthier?
Five Guys and Wendy’s both talk about their beef, but the number of patties and the finished order are more useful for a nutrition comparison. Five Guys’ regular burgers contain multiple patties, while its Little range uses one. At Wendy’s, Dave’s Single and Dave’s Double make that size decision explicit.
Key takeaways
- Five Guys lists its Cheeseburger at 980 calories and Little Cheeseburger at 610, before added toppings.
- The U.S. Wendy’s order pages checked for this review list Dave’s Double at 810 and Dave’s Single at 560 calories.
- Compare similar sizes, and include fries and drinks before deciding which order is lighter.
At a glance
| U.S. burger | Published calories | Comparison note |
|---|---|---|
| Five Guys Cheeseburger | 980 | Regular multi-patty build; added toppings extra |
| Wendy’s Dave’s Double | 810 | Standard double build |
| Five Guys Little Cheeseburger | 610 | Single-patty build; added toppings extra |
| Wendy’s Dave’s Single | 560 | Standard single build |
Named U.S. builds and published portions. Calculated totals are labeled; customizations, preparation and menu updates can change the result.
Do not mistake Little for a children’s burger
At Five Guys, Little tells you about the patty count. If you prefer one patty, that is the relevant starting point for a comparison with a single burger elsewhere. Comparing the regular Five Guys burger with a smaller Wendy’s burger can exaggerate the brand difference. First choose comparable formats, then inspect the finished builds.
What the table can and cannot tell you
The calorie figures here come from the chains’ U.S. menu displays checked on October 10, 2026. Wendy’s page data currently lists 810 for Dave’s Double and 560 for Dave’s Single, rather than older values often repeated online. Five Guys’ listed burger figures exclude your added toppings. Recipes and serving sizes can change, so use your restaurant’s current information for the actual purchase.
Toppings can change the Five Guys calculation
The base burger number is a starting point, not an all-the-way total. Add the toppings you select using Five Guys’ current nutrition information. A choice of lettuce and tomato is a different build from one that also includes mayonnaise and barbecue sauce. At Wendy’s, check whether the published figure includes the standard condiments before adjusting it for a customization.
Fresh beef does not make portions disappear
Fresh preparation and ingredient preferences may be reasons you enjoy a restaurant. They do not replace checking the size of the burger or the full meal. You can prefer either chain while acknowledging its nutrition trade-offs. The most useful choice is usually the specific order you want and understand, rather than the brand that sounds better in an advertisement.
Fries and drinks belong in the comparison
Compare burger-only orders with burger-only orders, or complete meals with complete meals. A bag of fries, a soda or a shake can change the result substantially. If you plan to share a side, use the portion you expect to eat, while remembering that an estimate is still an estimate. Do not assign the whole bag to one meal on one side and ignore the side on the other.
Sodium and saturated fat need their own check
A lower-calorie burger is not automatically lower in sodium or saturated fat. This table is deliberately labeled as a calorie comparison because those are the current menu values we verified for the named builds. Use each chain’s detailed nutrition information if another nutrient is your priority. Avoid turning an incomplete set of figures into a claim that one restaurant wins on everything.
A practical next order
Before opening the menu, choose single or double and decide whether you want a side. Then choose toppings you enjoy and a drink deliberately. You do not have to order the smallest burger to make an informed decision. If the stop itself happens more often than you intended, make a plan for the trigger as well as the menu. That gives you a way to change the routine rather than endlessly comparing restaurants.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wendy’s healthier than Five Guys?
The named Wendy’s burgers have lower listed calories in this comparison. Overall nutrition still depends on the build, sides, sodium, saturated fat and your wider eating pattern.
How many patties are in a Little Cheeseburger?
Five Guys describes its Little Cheeseburger as a single-patty burger. Its regular Cheeseburger uses multiple patties.
Why do Dave’s Double calorie figures differ online?
Menu formulations, countries and publication dates differ. This review uses the U.S. Wendy’s order page data checked on October 10, 2026; check the current order page for your restaurant.
Sources and method
- Five Guys — current U.S. burger menu
- Five Guys — nutrition and allergen information
- Five Guys — topping information
- Wendy’s — Dave’s Double, U.S. order page
- Wendy’s — Dave’s Single, U.S. order page
Reviewed October 10, 2026. Older official tables are identified by their document date; consult the current ordering information for changes. This article compares specific orders and does not provide an overall health score for either chain.