Ya gotta wonder how Costco can sell a 3-pound ready-to-eat chicken for less than $5. But they do, and from what we gather, they’re not about to raise the price. Those tasty little fowl feed a lot of people on any given night; we’re pretty sure many families consider them a blessing for offering so much food for so little.
And in case you didn’t know it, Costco sells more than 100 million rotisserie chickens a year. The big box wholesaler started selling the chickens in 1994, pricing them at $4.99. And now, a few decades later, the price is still the same. How many other food items do you know of that have held a price that long?
When Costco debuted the tasty birds in 1994, McDonald’s was selling a hamburger for 83 cents. Today, the same burger goes for $1.59.
Costco most likely loses money on every rotisserie chicken it sells. But no matter, people come to the stores to buy a chicken and leave with a few other items as well, for example a seasonal supply of Kirkland toilet paper (we’re just guessing).
So what about you? Have you ever bought and eaten a rotisserie chicken from Costco? Please leave a comment after you respond to the poll.
We love the Costco chicken — our Chihuahua loves it also. Gives us a lot of good eating and I make bone broth with the carcass. Ashamed to admit I went to Costco for years and never knew it was so cheap. Buy at least one every time now.
We love the rotisserie chickens! It makes two meals and then the rest makes chicken soup. I use Kirkland chicken broth for the soup.
Last year Costco opened a store about 2 miles from us, so we go often. We don’t buy a lot of chickens, maybe once a month. It feeds both of us for 3 meals, I make chicken enchiladas and pot pie with the leftovers. They are especially tasty and not overly salty like the ones you get at the grocery store or Walmart. It’s a great deal for $4.99.
Costco revived the whole north side of town when they came in. Very happy with Costco.
never been in a costco
We aren’t Costco member so haven’t bought them. I’ve bought some from other businesses but I’ve learned how to cook whole chicken in my air fryer! So probably won’t be buying any unless an emergency.
Having been a Costco member for many years. I’ve heard Costco makes it’s money on the membership fee. Not so much on the products it sells. When ever I shop at Costco, I always buy a rotisserie chicken or two. And I also get the $1.50 all beef hot dog to eat before I leave the store… Cheers…
Like your thinking!!
I’ve never been to a Costco. Nearest one is 66 miles away in an area I’m not familiar with.
the ONLY things we buy at Costco (my wife insists on having a membership) are…
– gas but only if i’m already in the areA
– their Coffee Cake muffins
– Double A and Triple A batteries but only if I’m there for the muffins.
not a big fan of the store, the lines, no bags, the “inquisition” when leaving the store, etc.
Every week at least one, sometimes two!
I’m getting sick of chicken
My wife and I buy two (2) at least twice a month. The chicken is tasty and makes great leftover sandwiches. The pot pies that they sell are big but tasty as well.
We don’t have a Costco anywhere near us but, for the record, we’ve never bought one from Sams Club either. I’m capable of doing my own for a lot less money.
Can you buy a chicken for $5? And fuel to cook it. I wouldn’t think so, but your meal!
Once or twice while on road trips, but we usually go with the Cilantro Lime Shrimp and the packaged beef tips with potatoes in gravy.
Their leftover chicken goes into the chicken pot pie sold in the meat department—always a great buy and tasty.
Our local grocer has those often so we don’t need to go to Costco.
My local grocers (Kroger and Winco) have chickens that cost 1-2 dollars more and are half the size.
Night 1: Chicken dinner with all the fixins. Day and/or Night 2: Green Chile chicken enchilada casserole. Night 3: Sick of chicken. Ready for a steak.
We get the chicken at least once a month, good inexpensive meal. But I agree with others it some appears to be under cooked, I put it on the Traeger and “smoke” it for about two hours.
Comes out perfect, tastes better.
We do often. Once we got it home and realized it was very much uncooked! We took pics and called them about it. Sent the pics and we received a voucher for TWO free ones. And much to our surprise, the voucher was good at any Costco and had an expiration date of 12 months! Another reason why we love Costco!
Every single time I go there. A roast chicken is automatic and so is a hot dog and drink for lunch.
That turns into roast chicken dinners, chicken enchiladas, chicken sandwiches, and chicken soup.
Having two dogs is a bit of a helper. Pretty good protein disposal units. If I don’t make soup, I clean the meat off the bones and give each either the top lid or plastic bottom full of scraps and the juices that collect in the bottom.
Nearest Costco is 45 miles away, that is the reason we dropped our Sam’s Club membership after having it since the 90’s. New property was just too far away to make any sense to keep it when we would only use it once or twice a year when we visited the “Big” City.
Never been in a Costco however we get one at BJ’s wholesale club almost every week.