Why Purchasing a Rotisserie Chicken from Walmart Could Be a Bad Idea

There’s something special about rotisserie chicken—it’s a convenient, ready-to-eat meal that feels like a real treat. Many of us have picked one up from the store on a busy night, lured in by that golden-brown, crispy skin and mouthwatering aroma. And if you’re on a budget, Walmart’s rotisserie chicken, priced at just $4.98 (maybe, a little bit more), might seem like the perfect deal. But if you’ve ever taken one home, you might have felt a little disappointed. Sure, it’s cheap, but is it really worth it? When you stack it up against other options like Costco and Sam’s Club, Walmart’s rotisserie chicken doesn’t exactly come out on top.
Let’s start with size. One of the first things you notice when you grab a rotisserie chicken from Walmart is how light it feels compared to others. Walmart’s rotisserie chicken weighs in at around 1 lb. 13 oz.—just under two pounds. At first, this might not seem like a big deal, but when you’re feeding a family or looking forward to leftovers, that extra pound (or lack thereof) can really matter.

Compare this with Costco or Sam’s Club, where their rotisserie chickens weigh around 3 pounds. For just about the same price, you’re getting a bird that’s nearly twice the size! It’s hard not to feel short-changed when you realize that, for roughly $5, you could have had a much larger chicken to feed the family. And here’s the kicker—Sam’s Club is actually owned by Walmart, yet the rotisserie chicken they sell is nearly double in size!

Rotisserie chicken isn’t just about convenience; it’s also about flavor. When you bite into a rotisserie chicken from Costco, you’re met with juicy, savory goodness. Costco’s rotisserie chicken has a reputation for being one of the best out there—moist, flavorful, and consistent every time. And Sam’s Club? They’re pretty close in the flavor department, too. In fact, some people even swear that Sam’s Club’s rotisserie chicken is better than Costco’s. As one Reddit user put it, “Sam’s rotisserie chickens crush Costco’s rotisserie chickens every day of the week.”