Costco’s famous rotisserie chicken is a customer favorite and provides great value at just $4.99 for a whole rotisserie chicken. The convenient pre-cooked chickens can feed a family of 4 with leftovers and make for an easy weeknight dinner. But why is Costco able to price their rotisserie chickens so low compared to grocery stores? Here’s a look at the Costco rotisserie chicken cost and how they keep it so affordable.
What is the price of a Costco rotisserie chicken?
A whole rotisserie chicken at Costco costs just $4.99. This price has not changed since 2009 when Costco first introduced the $4.99 rotisserie chicken price point. While prices have increased over the last 14 years on many goods, Costco has managed to maintain the rotisserie chicken price at $4.99 per chicken in the hot food takeout section.
How does Costco sell rotisserie chicken so cheap?
Costco is able to keep the price of their rotisserie chickens at just $4.99 each by:
- Buying whole chickens in bulk – Costco purchases their chickens in huge numbers at wholesale prices.
- Using an in-house poultry plant – Costco owns and operates their own poultry processing plants which reduces costs.
- Making them in-store – Chickens are cooked fresh in each warehouse location daily which minimizes transportation expenses.
- Offering as a loss leader – The chickens are intended to get customers in the door and shopping.
By controlling the supply chain from farm to store, operating their own processing plants, and cooking chickens in-house, Costco is able to minimize expenses and offer the $4.99 rotisserie chicken as a loss leader.
How big are Costco’s rotisserie chickens?
Costco’s rotisserie chickens weigh 2.5 to 3.5 pounds each. They use larger chickens than typical grocery store rotisserie chickens. The chickens are minimally processed and not injected with added water or solution like some store-bought rotisserie chickens.
How many rotisserie chickens does Costco sell?
Costco sells an astonishing 60 million rotisserie chickens per year. That comes out to about 164,000 chickens sold per day at Costco locations around the world. They built the $450 million Lincoln Premium Poultry plant in 2019 to support rotisserie chicken production.
How does the Costco chicken price compare?
Here’s how the $4.99 Costco rotisserie chicken compares to some other grocery stores:
| Store | Rotisserie Chicken Price |
|---|---|
| Costco | $4.99 |
| Sam’s Club | $4.98 |
| Walmart | $6.98 |
| Publix | $7.99 |
| Kroger | $6.99 |
As you can see, Costco’s price is unmatched. Competitor Sam’s Club comes closest at $4.98 per rotisserie chicken. Most major grocery chains sell their rotisserie chickens for $6.99 – $7.99 each.
Can you use a Costco cash card to buy a rotisserie chicken?
Yes, you can use a Costco cash card, also called a Costco Shop Card, to purchase a rotisserie chicken from the food court. The cash cards can be purchased by non-members and used to buy any food court items including the $4.99 rotisserie chicken deal.
Is there a limit on Costco rotisserie chicken purchases?
Costco does not enforce a strict limit on how many rotisserie chickens members can purchase at one time. However, they recommend limiting purchases to no more than two or three chickens. This helps ensure availability for other members. For very large orders, it is best to call ahead to the specific warehouse so they can prepare.
Does Costco roast chicken on site?
Yes, Costco roasts all chickens fresh daily at each warehouse location. Chickens arrive at the store whole and are seasoned, cooked, and packaged on-site in the food court kitchens. This allows each chicken to be hot and fresh for members.
What time does Costco stop selling rotisserie chicken?
Costco usually stops serving rotisserie chickens when the food court closes. Food court hours vary by location, but generally close between 6:30 and 8:30 pm on weekdays and 5-7 pm on weekends. It is best to call your local Costco food court to confirm when rotisserie chicken sales end for the day.
Can you reserve or preorder a Costco chicken?
Unfortunately there is no way to reserve or preorder rotisserie chickens from Costco. The chickens are made fresh daily and available on a first-come basis until sold out. Your best bet is to arrive early in the day to ensure availability.
Does Costco lose money on rotisserie chicken?
It is estimated that Costco loses between $30 million and $40 million per year selling rotisserie chickens at the $4.99 price point. However, the chickens are intended to be a loss leader that gets customers in the door and shopping. The incremental sales generated more than offset the losses on the chickens alone.
Can you buy a Costco rotisserie chicken without a membership?
No, you must be a Costco member to purchase a rotisserie chicken or any items from the Costco food court. Non-members can purchase a Costco Shop Card to buy food court items, but Shop Card holders cannot buy anything from the main warehouse without a regular membership.
Does Costco bake their own chickens?
Costco does not bake their rotisserie chicken – they are cooked on rotisserie grills. Whole raw chickens are seasoned then roasted on large rotisserie ovens in each warehouse location. They are basted and rotate slowly to ensure even, thorough cooking.
Is Costco discontinuing roasted chicken?
There are no plans for Costco to discontinue their popular rotisserie chicken program. The $4.99 roasted chicken along with the hot dog combo are staples of the Costco food court. While supplies sometimes run out in store, Costco is committed to providing low-priced rotisserie chickens for members.
How long do Costco chickens take to cook?
Costco rotisserie chickens take approximately 2 hours to cook from raw to fully cooked and ready to serve. The chickens roast in large rotisserie ovens that continually rotate and self-baste the chickens to ensure even cooking and maximum juiciness.
Who makes Costco rotisserie chicken?
Costco works with select poultry suppliers like Lincoln Premium Poultry, who operate poultry processing plants dedicated to supplying chickens exclusively for Costco. Costco owns part of Lincoln Premium Poultry to control product quality and pricing.
Does Costco roast chicken have added salt?
Costco chickens do contain added salt as part of the basic seasoning blend. The exact recipe is proprietary, but ingredients include salt, sugar, and preservatives in addition to spice blends. The chickens contain about 350-750mg of sodium according to user estimates.
What time does Costco rotisserie chicken go on sale?
Costco starts selling fresh rotisserie chickens each morning when the food court opens. The chickens are cooked overnight so they are hot and ready to serve starting from food court opening time. Food court opening hours vary by warehouse location, but are typically between 10am-11am.
Can you reheat Costco rotisserie chicken?
Leftover Costco rotisserie chicken can absolutely be reheated and enjoyed again. The best way to reheat is in the oven on a sheet pan at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until heated through 165°F. Microwaving also works but can make the chicken drier. Reheat within 3-4 days for food safety.
Does Costco lose money on $5 chicken?
Yes, Costco likely loses a few dollars per chicken sold. Estimates range from $30-40 million in losses per year on rotisserie chickens. However, the chickens serve as a loss leader to draw customers in-store and incentivize additional purchases with high renewal rates.
Do Costco employees get discounts on rotisserie chicken?
Yes, Costco employees get a 20% employee discount on food court purchases, including the $4.99 rotisserie chicken. This brings the price down to $3.99 for employees when using their employee membership card at checkout.
Can you freeze and reheat Costco rotisserie chicken?
Freezing and reheating Costco rotisserie chicken works well. Cut chicken into portions, let cool completely, then freeze in airtight containers or freezer bags. Reheat frozen chicken directly in the oven at 350°F until 165°F internal temperature. Microwaving from frozen can result in uneven hot spots.
Does Costco chicken contain antibiotics?
Costco’s rotisserie chickens do not contain antibiotics. Their broiler chickens are raised without the routine use of antibiotics according to their animal welfare policies. No antibiotics are administered except for illness under veterinary supervision.
Is Costco discontinuing the $5 chicken?
No, there are currently no plans for Costco to discontinue their popular $4.99 rotisserie chicken deal. The chickens are a prized item for members and a core part of the Costco food court experience. Costco remains committed to keeping rotisserie chicken prices low.
Does Costco lose money on rotisserie chickens?
Yes, Costco reports losing $30-40 million per year selling rotisserie chickens at just $4.99 each. However, the chickens serve as a loss leader that encourages membership sign-ups and renewals, increases customer visits, and boosts additional purchases. So Costco makes up for the chicken losses through other sales.
What seasoning does Costco use on their rotisserie chicken?
The exact blend of seasoning on Costco’s rotisserie chicken is a secret recipe. However, the spice mix contains common poultry seasonings like salt, sugar, garlic, onion, paprika, black pepper, and more. Oil and preservatives are also used on the exterior seasoning coating.
Conclusion
Costco’s famously affordable $4.99 rotisserie chickens have become a staple for families and meal preppers alike. While Costco loses money on each chicken, the low pricing serves as a consistent loss leader to drive foot traffic and appeal to bargain-minded shoppers. For those looking for a quick, delicious meal at a price that can’t be beat, Costco rotisserie chicken has you covered.