Once Upon A Time, Costco's Rotisserie Chickens Came With A $5.99 Price Tag

There are so many deals to love at Costco, but few are as renowned as the $4.99 rotisserie chicken. Not only is this a great price, but most customers love the surprisingly high-quality flavors, too. It's a combination that makes us believe this is one of the many must-buy items at Costco. For reference, the brand sold 137 million chickens in 2023 alone (via the Seattle Times).

While most other companies raise the cost of their products over time, to reflect rising production costs or inflation, Costco's rotisserie chicken has been $4.99 since 2000 — except for just one year, that is. That's right, once upon a time, Costco's rotisserie chickens came with a price tag of $5.99. While it's still a better deal than most competitors, that's a 20% markup from the original price. So, what caused the massive price spike? 

It was all due to the dire financial times of 2008. Luckily, just after the Great Recession, Costco lowered the price back down to $4.99 in 2009. Most other stores would stick to the higher cost, so we're pretty happy about the switch. Now, for those who haven't tried it yet, here are some simple tips for picking out the best rotisserie chicken at Costco.

Since the introduction of Costco's rotisserie chicken in 2000, food prices have risen significantly. Why, then, has the price of this bird stayed so low? Costco rotisserie chicken is an example of a loss leader, a product a store sells at a low price to get customers in the door. The chicken might not be making the store money; in fact, the company is likely losing millions on it every year. Still, it's a staple protein that keeps customers coming back. The money those members spend on other products makes up the difference for the money lost on the chicken. 

This is also why Costco keeps the chicken at the back of the store. Members will likely browse the rest of the warehouse before making it to the back for what they came to buy. It's a smart play from Costco, and just one of the many tricks the wholesale club uses to keep customers shopping. So, if you want to save money before you even step inside a Costco, plan to make a beeline for the rotisserie chicken and go.