High-protein A&W orders: 17 items with 25 g or more
17 A&W orders carry at least 25 g of protein at 700 calories or less. Ranked by protein per 100 calories, the Spicy Papa Grilled Chicken Sandwich leads at 7.8 g per 100 (29 g for 370 cal); by sheer grams the Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders (3) has the most, 50 g for 660 calories. 2 of the 17 clear 40 g.
Source: A&W nutrition guide (official), August 3, 2026 edition · Data refreshed
- 17 orders ≥ 25 g
- 7.8g best protein / 100 cal
- 50g most in one item
- 31g in a full meal under 500
As of September 2026, the most protein in a complete A&W meal under 500 calories is 31 g, and under 700 it is 50 g (3 Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders and a large A&W Root Beer Zero Sugar).
The most protein in a complete A&W meal
The extra 200 calories from 500 to 700 buy 19 g more protein at A&W. One meal-sized entrée, up to two different sides and a drink — the MinMax app's meal and the best under the cap, drink included (water only where no published drink fits; the lightest meal takes a zero-calorie drink, or water).
Most protein under 500
- Hamburger (Double)460 cal · 31g
- A&W Root Beer Zero Sugar (Large)0 cal · 0g
460 of 500 cal · 31 g protein
What to say at the counter: “A double Hamburger and a large A&W Root Beer Zero Sugar — 460 cal, 31 g protein.”
Get it at the nearest A&W →Most protein under 700
- Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders (3)660 cal · 50g
- A&W Root Beer Zero Sugar (Large)0 cal · 0g
660 of 700 cal · 50 g protein
What to say at the counter: “3 Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders and a large A&W Root Beer Zero Sugar — 660 cal, 50 g protein.”
Get it at the nearest A&W →A&W orders with 25 g+ protein, ranked per calorie
Single orders of 700 calories or less — no desserts, kids' meals, combos, sauces or toppings — by grams of protein per 100 calories, so the Spicy Papa Grilled Chicken Sandwich (29 g in 370 cal) ranks above the Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders (3) (50 g in 660 cal). The median of these 17 orders is 580 calories. Figures as A&W published them, rounded to whole numbers (how we check them).
| # | Item | Calories | Protein | Protein / 100 cal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spicy Papa Grilled Chicken Sandwich | 370 | 29g | 7.8g |
| 2 | Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders (3) | 660 | 50g | 7.6g |
| 3 | Deluxe Grilled Chicken Sandwich (limited time) | 410 | 29g | 7.1g |
| 4 | Grilled Chicken Filet Sandwich (limited time) | 400 | 28g | 7.0g |
| 5 | Texas Toast Melt (Double) | 610 | 42g | 6.9g |
| 6 | Hamburger (Double) | 460 | 31g | 6.7g |
| 7 | Mushroom Onion Melt (Double) | 580 | 38g | 6.6g |
| 8 | Cheeseburger (Double) | 550 | 36g | 6.5g |
| 9 | Papa Burger (Double) | 610 | 38g | 6.2g |
| 10 | Spicy Papa Burger (Double) | 610 | 38g | 6.2g |
| 11 | Texas Toast Melt (Single) | 420 | 25g | 6.0g |
| 12 | Nashville Hot Grilled Chicken Sandwich (limited time) | 510 | 29g | 5.7g |
| 13 | Bacon Cheeseburger (Single) | 520 | 25g | 4.8g |
| 14 | Spicy Papa Chicken Sandwich | 690 | 33g | 4.8g |
| 15 | Coney Dog (Footlong) | 610 | 26g | 4.3g |
| 16 | Cheese Curds (Regular) | 620 | 26g | 4.2g |
| 17 | BBQ Bacon Crunch Burger (Single) | 600 | 25g | 4.2g |
Build a high-protein A&W order under your own cap → Ranked by protein, any cap from 200 to 1,500.
Eat at A&W without blowing your cap
MinMax finds the best A&W meal under your calorie goal — at the location nearest you — and lets you swap items to hit your protein. Free on iPhone.
Download MinMax — free What the app doesMore at A&W
- A&W calories & nutrition (84 items listed)
- A&W under 400 calories (12 orders)
- A&W under 500 calories (21 orders)
- A&W under 600 calories (29 orders)
- A&W calorie calculator (build an order under your cap)
High-protein orders at other chains
3 Burgers chains with their own high-protein page, or see which chain gives the most protein under 500 calories and fast food under 500 calories.