Costco has 130 million cardholders as of early 2024. The store is known for selling goods in bulk, having cheap food court items, and even having a travel department. An important thing about the company that brings in a lot of customers is its own brand, Kirkland Signature. Kirkland products range from grocery items to kitchen products to gasoline. You can usually buy a lot of private-label brand products, and they are usually a lot cheaper than name-brand products. What company makes these things? The answer isn’t clear because different products are made by different companies, some of which are very well known. It is said that the well-known tuna brand Bumble Bee makes Costco’s canned tuna, and it is said that Grey Goose makes Costco’s vodka. Advertisement.
So, what company makes Costco’s bacon? If history is any indication, it might be Hormel, a well-known food processing company. Hormel is known for foods such as bacon, pepperoni, and chili. Hormel was also the first known manufacturer of Costcos bacon, though that public partnership has ended. It’s also possible that Costco has switched to a different bacon maker; it’s still a mystery.
Walk down the bacon aisle at any Costco warehouse and you’ll see stacks of familiar red-and-black packaged Kirkland Signature Bacon. Costco’s house brand bacon has earned a cult following for its thick slices quality taste and budget-friendly price.
But have you ever wondered exactly who produces this popular private label bacon for Costco? The supplier’s identity is a murky mystery.
Why Kirkland Branding Matters
First, it’s important to understand Costco’s business model. The company keeps costs low by buying massive quantities from a few contracted suppliers, rather than sourcing from multiple smaller vendors.
These suppliers produce products that Costco then rebranded under their Kirkland Signature private label. This gives Costco leverage to demand bulk discounts that translate into member savings.
So unmasking the bacon supplier means recognizing the large-scale manufacturer capable of producing consistent, high-quality bacon for Costco’s 500+ warehouse locations.
The Hormel Era
Kirkland Signature Bacon first appeared in Costco stores back in 2005. This initial bacon was co-branded with Hormel a clear indication that Hormel was the original supplier.
At the time, Costco tasked Hormel with developing thicker, pre-cooked bacon slices that wouldn’t shrink like regular bacon when cooked. Hormel succeeded, creating juicy, flavorful bacon under both brand names.
However, after several years, Costco phased out the Hormel co-branding. Hormel’s logo disappeared, leaving only the Kirkland name.
Who Makes Kirkland Bacon Now?
So who replaced Hormel as the bacon supplier? Costco has never officially confirmed the current vendor.
Here are the top theories:
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Hormel still produces it – Some speculate it’s still Hormel, with a tweaked proprietary recipe. But others claim the reformulated bacon seems lower quality.
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Smithfield Foods – As the largest U.S. pork producer, Smithfield has the scale to supply Costco’s high volumes. They are rumored to be the main supplier today.
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Regional suppliers – Multiple regional meatpackers may divide up the supply to Costco’s nationwide warehouses.
The truth is, Kirkland bacon likely comes from multiple producers. Different suppliers may serve specific geographic regions or production needs.
Fans Miss The Hormel Branding
While the supplier switch remains a mystery, one thing is clear – devoted Costco shoppers miss the original Hormel-branded bacon.
Many complain the unbranded Kirkland version tastes inferior. And the uncertainty over who makes it now leaves some bacon lovers dissatisfied.
The identity may remain elusive, but one thing hasn’t changed: Costco’s bacon keeps flying off the shelves. Fans just cross their fingers that each batch of bacon will measure up to the original Hormel glory days.
So next time you toss a pack of Kirkland bacon in your cart, appreciate the anonymously produced pork that makes this house brand a staple for Costco members.
The history of Costco’s bacon
The companies that make many other Kirkland Signature products have been named, but the company that makes Kirkland Signature bacon has not been confirmed. When Costco started making its own bacon for the first time in 2004, a corporate buyer went to different bacon plants to find the best ones. This turned out to be hard to do, so Costco and Hormel finally worked together to make co-branded bacon that was sliced thicker than Hormel’s own bacon. The bacon was pre-cooked, and the thicker slices didnt shrink like regular bacon. It quickly became a crowd favorite. Because of the co-branding, there was no secret that Hormel was behind the original Costco bacon. Advertisement.
While that first iteration, which was introduced 20 years ago, has since been phased out in American stores, Costco does still sell Kirkland Signature bacon. The company hasnt revealed who makes the hickory-smoked bacon sold today, though some people speculate that Hormel is still behind the pre-packaged meat. Others, unhappy with the quality of the new product, dont believe Hormel still makes Kirkland bacon. Some Reddit users have complained on r/Costco about the branding change. “Havent seen the Hormel brand in our store for a year or more, but yes, the quality went down when the name came off,” one user wrote. Its possible that Hormel is still making the bacon using a different formulation, but its also possible that its an entirely different manufacturer. Advertisement
We Finally Know Why Costco’s Bacon Is So Cheap
Is Kirkland Bacon a staple at Costco?
It’s always fun to shop the newest items at Costco, whether it’s a seasonal bakery find or an unexpected salty-sweet snack. But, if you’re a seasoned shopper, you know there are also staples to never leave the store without. And, one of the products that has a permanent place on our Costco list is the Kirkland Signature Bacon.
Does Hormel make Kirkland Bacon?
We previously reported that we suspected the supplier was industry leader Hormel because Costco and Hormel used to have a co-branded bacon line together back in 2005, as confirmed by Supermarket News . However, a brand representative for Hormel reached out to debunk the rumor: Hormel does not make Kirkland bacon after all.
How much does Kirkland Bacon cost?
I also picked up a package of the Kirkland Signature thick-sliced bacon, which cost $10.99 for three pounds (or $3.66 a pound). Once I had the products, I was ready to take them home and cook them both in a frying pan and in the oven to compare. I cooked the bacon in a skillet and in the oven to compare.
Does Costco have hickory smoked bacon?
Costco’s hickory-smoked bacon is a top pick for its affordability and great taste. It has an ideal fat-to-meat ratio and a delicious smoky-sweet flavor. In fact, it even won a Consumer Reports taste test for the overall best bacon brand —stacked up against popular brands like Oscar Mayer, Wright, and Trader Joe’s .
How do I Opt-Out of Kirkland Signature Bacon?
By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our and . You can opt-out at any time by visiting our Preferences page or by clicking “unsubscribe” at the bottom of the email. Some things don’t need to be bought in bulk, but Kirkland Signature bacon isn’t one of them. The bacon, , is about 20% cheaper than comparable brands.
Who makes Kirkland Chow?
Dog Food Insider reveals Kirkland chow is made by Diamond Naturals. Widely considered to be amongst the best (if not the best) dog food, rest assured knowing that buying in Costco-sized bulk won’t affect your pup’s favorite meal. Related: Best Dog Food Buy at Costco, According to Experts