A&W under 500 calories: 21 orders, ranked

Of the 48 single orders we track at A&W, 21 come in at or under 500 calories — 44%. The most protein in one item under 500 is the Hamburger (Double), 31 g for 460 calories; the most filling by protein and fiber per calorie is the Spicy Papa Grilled Chicken Sandwich (29 g protein, 1 g fiber, 370 cal). 14 entrées fit under 500; 20 do not.

Source: A&W nutrition guide (official), August 3, 2026 edition · Data refreshed September 15, 2026

• 21 orders under 500
• 31g most protein in one item
• 31g protein in a full meal
• 20 entrées over 500

As of September 2026, 21 of the 48 A&W single orders we track come in at or under 500 calories, and the most protein in a complete A&W meal under 500 is 31 g (A double Hamburger and a large A&W Root Beer Zero Sugar).

Three complete A&W meals under 500 calories

Under 500, the most-protein meal is built on the Hamburger (Double) (460 cal), which leaves 40 calories for its sides and drink. 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). The lightest meal is unchanged from under 400; the others use the extra 100 calories.

Build your own A&W order under 500 calories → Swap any item, add a side, share the link.

Every A&W order under 500 calories, ranked by protein

Single orders only — no desserts, kids' meals, combos, sauces or toppings — by grams of protein, then calories. The median order under 500 is 400 calories and 14 of the 21 are entrées. Figures as A&W published them, rounded to whole numbers (how we check them).

What 500 calories buys at A&W

Going from 400 to 500 calories adds 9 orders: Deluxe Grilled Chicken Sandwich (limited time) (410), Texas Toast Melt (Single) (420), Papa Burger (Single) (430), Spicy Papa Burger (Single) (430), Chili Fries (Regular) (440), Cheese Fries (Regular) (460), Hamburger (Double) (460) and Pub Battered Cod (3) (480) and 1 more.

What doesn't fit under 500

20 of 34 A&W entrées are over 500 calories; the lightest of them, the Fish Sandwich, misses by 10 calories at 510. With more room, see A&W under 600. Tighter budget: A&W under 400. Closest misses: Fish Sandwich (510), Nashville Hot Grilled Chicken Sandwich (limited time) (510), Bacon Cheeseburger (Single) (520), Cheeseburger (Double) (550) and Mushroom Onion Melt (Double) (580).

More at A&W

• A&W calories & nutrition (84 items listed)
• A&W under 400 calories (12 orders)
• A&W under 600 calories (29 orders)
• High-protein A&W orders (17 items)
• A&W calorie calculator (build an order under your cap)

Under 500 calories at other chains

The same cap at 3 Burgers chains, or the cross-chain pillar: fast food under 500 calories.

• Steak 'n Shake under 500
• McDonald's under 500
• Burger King under 500