If you’re deciding between Subway, Greggs, and McDonald’s for lunch, the honest answer is: it depends on what you’re comparing. A basic sandwich at Greggs beats both on price. A filling meal deal is the closest between Subway and McDonald’s. And calories swing wildly depending on what you actually order at each. Here’s the real breakdown, with the maths shown.
A quick honest note on pricing: for Subway vs Greggs vs McDonald’s all three chains price differently by store and region. Greggs runs three pricing tiers (standard, city/London, and franchise/airport), McDonald’s varies by up to 60p per item by location, and Subway pricing differs by franchise. The figures below are typical UK ranges, not single fixed prices, and we recheck monthly. See our Subway Menu Prices UK for more on how we price-check.
Subway vs Greggs vs McDonald’s: Cheapest Item at Each Chain
| Chain | Cheapest Item | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|
| Greggs | Sausage Roll | £1.35 – £1.45 |
| McDonald’s | Cheeseburger / Hamburger (Saver Menu) | £1.19 – £1.39 |
| Subway | Veggie Delite 6-inch | £4.29 – £4.99 |
Winner on cheapest single item: McDonald’s and Greggs are close, both well below Subway but neither is really a full meal on its own, while even Subway’s cheapest 6-inch is a complete sandwich with protein and veg built in.
A Full Lunch: Meal Deal Comparison
This is the more useful comparison, since it’s closer to what people actually order.
| Chain | Typical Lunch Deal | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|
| Greggs | Sandwich/bake + snack + drink (Classic Meal Deal) | £3.75 – £4.25 |
| McDonald’s | Saver burger + fries + drink (Saver Meal) or £5 Meal Deal | £5.00 – £6.49 |
| Subway | 6-inch meal deal (sub + side + drink) | £6.99 – £7.99 |
Winner on cheapest full lunch: Greggs, by a clear margin its meal deal is built around smaller bakery items, so it undercuts both Subway and McDonald’s on price. McDonald’s sits in the middle. Subway’s 6-inch meal deal is the most expensive of the three, but also typically the largest and most customisable you’re choosing your own protein, veg, and bread rather than a fixed item.
Calories: What You Actually Get
Calories vary enormously by what you order at each chain, so a fair comparison needs to be item-for-item:
| Chain | Item | Typical Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Greggs | Sausage Roll | ~330 kcal |
| Greggs | Vegan Sausage Roll | ~271 kcal |
| McDonald’s | Hamburger | ~250 kcal |
| McDonald’s | Big Mac | ~493–509 kcal |
| Subway | Veggie Delite 6-inch | ~230–280 kcal |
| Subway | Meatball Marinara 6-inch | ~480–520 kcal |
Winner on lowest calories for a filling item: Subway, if you stick to a lighter 6-inch like Veggie Delite or Turkey Breast — it’s genuinely hard to build a sub-300-calorie hot meal at McDonald’s, and Greggs‘ lighter items (fruit pots, porridge) aren’t as filling as a full sandwich. That said, a loaded Subway footlong with cheese, mayo, and a premium filling can easily out-calorie a Big Mac, so “Subway is healthier” only holds true for specific choices, not the whole menu.
Which Is Actually Best Value?
It depends on what you’re optimising for:
- Cheapest possible lunch: Greggs wins clearly, its meal deal starts well under £4 in most stores.
- Most food per pound: McDonald’s Saver Menu and £5 Meal Deal are hard to beat if you want a hot meal with fries.
- Most customisable / best for dietary needs: Subway lets you control exactly what goes in, which matters if you’re vegan, watching calories, or avoiding specific ingredients. Greggs and McDonald’s have some options here too, but far less flexibility per order.
- Best for a bigger appetite: Subway’s footlong, split or eaten whole, gives you the most food in a single order of the three.
Vegan and Vegetarian Options
All three chains have expanded plant-based options in recent years:
- Subway: Veggie Delite and a Plant Patty sub, customisable with vegan sauces.
- Greggs: Vegan Sausage Roll, Vegan Steak Bake, and other rotating bakery items widely credited as one of the more accessible vegan fast-food ranges in the UK.
- McDonald’s: McPlant burger (Beyond Meat patty) and Veggie Dippers.
There isn’t a clear “winner” here Greggs arguably has the most well-known vegan bakery items, while Subway gives the most control over a full vegan meal since you build it yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Subway cheaper than McDonald’s in the UK?
Not usually for a full meal McDonald’s Saver Menu and £5 Meal Deal tend to undercut Subway’s 6-inch meal deal, though Subway’s basic sub prices can be competitive with McDonald’s mid-tier burger meals.
Is Greggs cheaper than Subway?
Yes, generally by a significant margin for a basic lunch, Greggs’ meal deal typically starts under £4, compared to Subway’s 6-inch meal deal at £6.99+.
Which is healthier, Subway or McDonald’s?
It depends on your order a plain Subway 6-inch with light sauce is typically lower calorie than most McDonald’s mains, but a loaded Subway footlong with cheese and mayo can match or exceed a Big Mac in calories.
Which chain has the best vegan options?
Greggs is often cited as having the most accessible vegan bakery range, while Subway offers the most customisable full vegan meal since you build the sandwich yourself.
Which is the best value for a filling lunch?
McDonald’s Saver Menu or £5 Meal Deal typically gives the most food for the lowest price, while Subway gives more customisation and Greggs gives the lowest starting price.
Do all three chains vary in price by location?
Yes, all three have documented regional pricing differences, with London and city-centre branches typically charging more across the board.