Fans of Costco’s $4.99 rotisserie chicken are taking to social media to gripe about the new plastic bag wrapping that has replaced the old plastic containers that shoppers have been accustomed to over the years — claiming that it’s leaking oily grease.
In March, Costco started using cost-conscious and environmentally friendly plastic bags instead of the hard plastic containers that were used to package the rotisserie chickens — one of the warehouse store’s more popular items despite recent complaints that it tasted like chemicals.
Costco said the change would reduce plastic use by 75% and its use of resin by 17 million pounds.
The company said the new wrapping also allows it to ship more chickens per truck delivery — resulting in 1,000 fewer trucks on the road every year.
Judging by anecdotal testimonials online, Costco is gradually introducing the new plastic bag wrappings while it uses up the remaining inventory of the hard plastic shell containers.
Despite soaring inflation, the company has kept the price of the rotisserie chicken steady at $4.99 per piece — a policy consistent with its decision to maintain its popular $1.50 hot dog and soda combination.
But Costco’s attempt to save money by doing away with the hard plastic containers is causing unwanted consequences.
“These new bags leak!!” a Costco customer wrote on Reddit earlier this month.
Another Redditor complained that “chicken juice spilled all over the trunk of our car.”
The Reddit post included a photo of the wrapped chicken which is marketed under the Kirkland Signature brand — Costco’s in-house producer of goods.
“Yes, that is true,” another Reddit user wrote in agreement, adding: “You need to move the chicken to another container when you get home.”
Another commenter on Reddit recounted their own difficulty, writing: “I recently grabbed two chickens in the bag for the first time. Hated everything about it.”
The Reddit user recalled that the bag was “slick with juice on the display…so my hands were then covered in grease with no paper towels anywhere.”
“We ALL hate the bags,” a Reddit user wrote. “The workers and the customers. Nobody likes them! They’re horrible!”
Another angry customer remarked on Reddit: “I understand being more environmentally conscious but honestly it was so bad it will make me question whether I really want to get any more of these things and deal with that experience all over again.”
The Post has sought comment from Costco.
Costco started selling rotisserie chickens in 1994. At the time, the retailer looked to compete with Boston Chicken — the chain that was later renamed Boston Market.
The rotisserie chicken is offered at a bargain basement price given the fact that it weighs at least 3 lbs.
By comparison, a 2-lb. bird can cost at least twice that in the supermarket — though Costco does charge an annual membership fee for shoppers to enter the door.
The combination of its attractive price and its widely acclaimed test has made the rotisserie chicken a cult favorite.
In 2023, Costco said it sold 137 million rotisserie chickens at its 600 stores nationwide — or 20 million more than the previous year.
