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COSTCO fans have admitted they are genuinely upset after a snack found in Chinese warehouses isn’t available at the chain’s American food courts.
Members have been left baffled at why the wholesaler doesn’t offer buckets of fried chicken to its customers.
Costco shoppers are stunned that a fast food snack is sold at warehouses in China[/caption]
Buckets of fried chicken cannot be bought at US stores[/caption]
A member shared a picture on Reddit taken at a Costco food court in Hangzhou, China – around 109 miles from Shanghai – that showed the fried item on the menu.
Shoppers could also pick up classics such as hot dogs, pizza, and burgers.
But the picture of the fried chicken bucket caused a stir online.
It has left American members feeling slightly left out.
“Genuinely upset. How dare another country have a more unhealthy food menu than us,” one shopper said.
“There was a time when this country stood for something and was #1.”
Another claimed that a bucket of fried chicken would help compensate for how busy warehouses can get.
Shoppers have lobbied Costco to add buckets of fried chicken to its menus but have been unsuccessful so far.
One even speculated that buckets could be sold next to the chain’s famous rotisserie chicken.
“Seems like low-hanging fruit to be able to grab an 8-piece bucket of fried chicken,” they posted on X.
Costco hasn’t revealed why buckets of chicken are not sold in the chain’s US food courts.
But it has been touted that bosses are worried about the fast-food clashing with the deli rotisserie chicken, according to Tasting Table.
Fried chicken used to be offered to Costco shoppers in Canada, but the item has been discontinued.
A petition was even created lobbying execs to bring back a type of chicken wings.
A Little History
Here's what Aurielle Weiss, Assistant Consumer Editor with The U.S. Sun, has to say…
Costco has been selling rotisserie chickens since around 2000.
Starting in 2009, the warehouse retailer started selling them for $4.99, despite rising inflation.
In fact, Costco cut its costs by opening a poultry processing plant in Nebraska in 2019 to raise its chickens.
According to experts David and Susan Schwartz, the company only allows the chickens to sit on display for two hours.
After two hours, employees remove the chickens from shelves and use them in other dishes like soups and salads.
The experts also claim to grab the chickens once you hear the ring of a bell.
The bell lets employees know that a fresh batch of chickens is ready to be sold.
While the $5 item remains a staple for many, the company’s decision to change its packaging bothered some members.
The chickens used to come in a clear plastic encasing with a black plastic bottom.
They now come in bags with a zipper and contain 75% less plastic.
“As a member based warehouse, Costco needs to listen to its members on what they value the most,” the petition said.
More than 1,000 people signed the petition.
American members have also been left jealous after realizing Canadian Costco outlets serve poutine.
Poutine is a dish made up of French fries and cheese curd and is topped with lashings of gravy.
One of the popular snacks at Costco food courts in the US is the hot dog and soda combo deal.
The fast-food item costs just $1.50, but there were fears that its price would increase.
Shoppers were worried the price would jump because of the impact of inflation.
But, those concerns were alleviated by Costco CFO Gary Millerchip.
In May, he confirmed the $1.50 price was safe.
Although the price of the hot dog has remained constant, the cost of a membership has increased.
The price hike came into force in September, and it was the first rise in seven years.
Americans wanting to join the wholesaler must fork out $65 for a standard membership. The price has increased by $5.
Membership and store cards on offer from major retailers
Here is a breakdown of the store cards on offer to customers from various retailers and their benefits
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Costco:
- Gold Star Membership: $65 per year, shop all Costco stores and online with two additional cards for your household.
- Executive Membership: $130 per year, annual 2% reward, additional discounts and benefits on Costco services, shop online and in-store, and get two additional cards for household use.
- Sign up for a Costco Membership here
Sam’s Club:
- Club Membership: $50 per year, bonus offers, same-day delivery, instant savings, Sam’s Club Mastercard, members-only fuel savings, tire and battery center, complimentary membership, and add-on memberships.
- Plus Membership: $110 per year, all benefits of Club membership plus Sam’s Cash, free shipping, free curbside pickup, early shopping, and pharmacy and optical savings.
- Sign up for Sam’s Club Membership here
Target:
- Target Circle: A free-to-join reward program allowing users to earn 1% in Target Circle earnings rewards when an eligible purchase is made, access deals and personalized offers, get a birthday gift, and earn a vote to help direct how Target helps out your community.
- Target Circle Card: A credit, debit, or reloadable account card that gives users 5% off in-store and online as well as exclusive offers, free two-day shipping, and an additional 30-day returns window. Formerly Target RedCard.
- Sign up for Target Circle here
Walmart:
- Walmart+: $12.95 per month or $98 per year with a free 30-day trial. Offers members free delivery, free shipping with no minimum spend, fuel savings, Paramount+ subscription, auto car, Walmart+ travel, returns from home, mobile scan and go in-store, and early access to deals and product releases.
- Sign up for Walmart+ here
