Fans of Costco’s $4.99 rotisserie chicken have taken to social media to complain about the new plastic bag packaging, which replaces the old plastic containers shoppers have been accustomed to for years, claiming it leaks grease.
In March, Costco began using cost-conscious, environmentally friendly plastic bags to replace the hard plastic containers it used to package rotisserie chickens, one of its warehouse stores’ most popular items, despite recent complaints that the chickens taste like chemicals.
Costco said the change will reduce its plastic usage by 75 percent and resin usage by 17 million pounds.
The company says the new packaging will allow more chickens to be transported per truck, reducing the number of trucks required by 1,000 per year.
Judging by personal testimonials online, it appears Costco is gradually introducing the new plastic bag packaging until it runs out of its hard plastic shell container stock.
Despite soaring inflation, the company is keeping the price of its rotisserie chicken constant at $4.99 a piece, consistent with its decision to keep its popular hot dog and soda combo at $1.50.
But Costco’s attempt to cut costs by eliminating rigid plastic containers is having some undesirable consequences.
“This new bag leaks!” Costco customer He wrote on Reddit earlier this month.
“Chicken juice spilled all over the trunk of my car,” another Reddit user complained.
The Reddit post included a photo of wrapped chicken sold under Costco’s own Kirkland Signature brand.
“That’s definitely true,” another Reddit user agreed, adding, “You’ll need to transfer the chicken to a separate container when you get home.”
Another commenter on Reddit wrote of their own struggles: “I recently grabbed two bagged chickens for the first time and hated everything about them.”
A Reddit user recalled that the display bags were “slippery with juice… my hands were oily and there were no paper towels anywhere.”
“We all hate plastic bags,” wrote one Reddit user. “Employees, customers. No one likes plastic bags! Gross!”
Another angry customer commented on Reddit: “I understand the environmental conscious part but honestly it was so bad it makes me question whether I really want to buy another product like this and go through the same experience again.”
The Post has reached out to Costco for comment.
Costco began selling rotisserie chickens in 1994, when the retailer was looking to compete with Boston Chicken, a chain that was later renamed Boston Market.
Rotisserie chickens are offered at bargain prices, even though they weigh at least three pounds.
By comparison, a 2-pound bird would cost at least twice as much at a supermarket, although Costco charges shoppers an annual membership fee to enter the store.
A combination of attractive pricing and widely acclaimed testing has made rotisserie chicken a cult favorite.
Costco said it sold 137 million rotisserie chickens at 600 stores nationwide in 2023, 20 million more than the previous year.
