Sam's Club Rotisserie Chicken Overtakes Costco's in Consumer Reports Ranking
A new Consumer Reports evaluation found Sam's Club's rotisserie chicken to be the top overall pick, surpassing Costco's long-standing favorite.
Sam's Club has claimed the top spot in Consumer Reports' latest evaluation of rotisserie chickens, dethroning Costco's iconic Kirkland Signature bird. The warehouse club's Member's Mark Seasoned Rotisserie Chicken earned the highest marks for its flavor, seasoning, and juicy texture, according to the report.
Costco's chicken, a signature product and popular value offering for the retailer, was also recognized among the top picks. However, Consumer Reports noted that the seasoning on Costco's chicken was found to be less consistent across samples.
The evaluation, which tested chickens from 10 different grocery chains, warehouse clubs, and big-box retailers, did not provide a traditional numbered ranking. Instead, chickens were categorized into two groups: those deemed flavorful enough to eat on their own and those better suited for use in recipes like soups, salads, and sandwiches.
Joining Sam's Club in the top tier were Stop & Shop, Walmart, Wegmans, and Whole Foods Market. BJ's Wholesale Club, Hannaford, ShopRite, and The Fresh Market were placed in the second category.
Consumer Reports' assessment involved purchasing multiple chickens from each retailer across various store locations and shopping trips. Researchers weighed each bird, compared sodium levels to nutrition labels, conducted blind taste tests, and screened the meat and packaging for chemicals commonly associated with plastics. The report found no detectable PFAS in any of the tested meat or packaging. Additionally, many chickens weighed more than their labeled net weight, with Whole Foods' birds being notably heavier than advertised, effectively reducing their per-pound cost.
Costco has long relied on its $4.99 rotisserie chicken as a key draw for shoppers, maintaining its price point for years despite inflationary pressures. The devotion of its customers is well-documented, with shoppers expressing frustration over even minor product changes, such as the 2024 switch from plastic clamshell containers to bags.