Domino's vs Papa John's: Calorie Comparison (2026)

In the ever-popular pizza battle, Domino's and Papa John's present unique offerings that cater to a variety of tastes. When it comes to calorie counts, these two chains show a stark contrast. Domino's boasts an average of 113 calories per item across its extensive menu, while Papa John's comes in significantly higher at 286 calories per item. This comparison will delve into the specifics of each chain's offerings and nutritional profiles.

Domino's vs Papa John's: The Numbers

At a glance, Domino's appears to be the lighter option in terms of calories. However, Papa John's has a wider range of items to consider.

Metric	Domino's	Papa John's
Menu items analyzed	369	837
Average calories per item	113 kcal	286 kcal
Lightest real meal	Extra Cheese, for Large Brooklyn Style Pizza (120 kcal)	Bennys Italian Beef on Original Crust, Small, 1 Slice (130 kcal)
Highest-protein item	Chicken Carbonara in a Dish (32 g)	50 Garlic Parmesan Wings (427 g)
Best protein-per-calorie	Chorizo, for Extra Large Brooklyn Style Pizza (15/100cal)	Hawaiian Punch, 2 Liter (25.4/100cal)
Calorie range	5-730 kcal	5-6500 kcal

Domino's features 369 items with a calorie range of 5 to 730, while Papa John's offers a larger menu of 837 items, ranging from 5 to 6500 calories. The lightest meal from Domino's is the Extra Cheese for Large Brooklyn Style Pizza at 120 calories, whereas Papa John's lightest real meal is the Bennys Italian Beef on Original Crust, Small, 1 Slice at 130 calories.

Average Calories by Category

When comparing protein content, the differences become clear.

Category	Avg cal, Domino's	Avg cal, Papa John's
Appetizers & Sides	190 kcal	2443 kcal
Sandwiches	389 kcal	899 kcal
Desserts	307 kcal	797 kcal
Entrees	614 kcal	319 kcal
Pizza	321 kcal	271 kcal
Toppings & Ingredients	52 kcal	39 kcal

Domino's highest protein option is the Chicken Carbonara in a Dish, which contains 32 grams of protein. In contrast, Papa John's highest protein offering is the 50 Garlic Parmesan Wings at 427 grams, showcasing a different approach to protein-rich meals.

Lightest Options at Domino's

Lightest at Domino's	Calories	Protein
Chorizo, for Extra Large Brooklyn Style Pizza	60 kcal	9 g
Extra Cheese, for Large Brooklyn Style Pizza	120 kcal	8 g
Regular Cheese & Extra Cheese, for Extra Large Hand Tossed Pizza	120 kcal	8 g
Regular Cheese & Extra Cheese, for Small Gluten Free Pizza	120 kcal	8 g
Extra Cheese & Double Cheese, for Small Crunchy Thin Pizza	130 kcal	8 g
Extra Cheese & Double Cheese, for Large Hand Tossed Pizza	130 kcal	8 g

Lightest Options at Papa John's

Lightest at Papa John's	Calories	Protein
Bennys Italian Beef on Original Crust, Small, 1 Slice	130 kcal	8 g
Chicken Club on Gluten Free Crust, 1 Slice	160 kcal	8 g
Smokehouse Bacon & Ham on Gluten Free Crust, 1 Slice	170 kcal	8 g
BBQ Chicken Bacon Pizza on Gluten Free Crust, 1 Slice	170 kcal	8 g
Grilled Chicken & Canadian Bacon Pizza on Original Crust, Small, 1 Slice	180 kcal	8 g
Hawaiian Chicken Pizza on Original Crust, Small, 1 Slice	180 kcal	8 g

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The Verdict

In conclusion, Domino's is the lighter choice for calorie-conscious consumers, averaging just 113 calories per item. However, for those seeking higher protein options, Papa John's provides substantial offerings, albeit with higher calorie counts. Ultimately, the best choice depends on individual dietary needs and preferences, making both chains worthy contenders in the pizza arena.

Methodology

Both chains are compared using verified calorie and macro data from published menu information. Averages cover all analyzed items and are a rough guide, not a claim that one chain is universally healthier, since your order and toppings drive the real number. Domino's averages 113 calories per item across 369 items; Papa John's averages 286 across 837.