Costco's New Food Court Item Could Be A Game Changer
Is it possible that one food item in the Costco food court could change the landscape of fast-casual dining in the United States?
U.S.-based Costco superfans are calling on the company to bring its Canadian chicken fingers and fries baskets ($6.99 CAD) to the States where it could theoretically be a historical moment in dining.
Based on current CAD to USD exchange rates, we're talking about a Costco-quality chicken fingers and fries basket selling for $5.07 in American dollars. Add on an .89 soft drink, and you have a quality (I didn't say healthy) fast-casual meal for less than $6 per person in the United States.
The Chick-fil-A 4-count strips and fries, with drink meal, will currently cost a customer in Ohio $8.64. That same meal in New York City is $14.99.
At Cane's in Ohio, the traditional four-strip, fries and drink combo is $9.99. You do get the tiny cup of slaw with that meal. The same meal in Brooklyn, NY is $14.69.
On Reddit, Costco fans are begging the company to pull the trigger and add the chicken fingers basket.
"Why the hell doesn’t Costco USA have french fries or chicken strips?!?! I would kill for that!!" one user wrote.
"Instead of the chicken strips and fries, we have the turkey sandwich and f-ing chicken bake?" another U.S. Costco fan wrote.
The Canadian Costco menu also includes a Polish sausage ($1.50 CAD – yes, they're getting a better deal than U.S. customers) and fries ($2.99 CAD) with poutine gravy ($5.99 CAD).
Is it possible that Costco chicken fingers and fries could be too dangerous for the fast-casual world? Could a single menu item overwhelm Costco stores with customers looking for a deal?
According to Statista.com, 66 million Americans say chicken tenders are the frozen-fried chicken they eat the most. 73 million Americans hammer chicken nuggets.
While beef consumption is down in the United States, chicken consumption has skyrocketed in the 21st century. Chicken consumption is nearly double that of beef. Chicken consumption in 2024 is expected to be nearly equal to that of beef and pork combined.
Is it possible that Costco is protecting is business and that of thousands of fast-food/fast-casual restaurants that would pay the price if it introduced a $5 chicken fingers and fries basket?
That's what it feels like here. Americans know a deal when they see one.
How is the chicken fingers and fries basket in Canada?
Email: joekinsey@gmail.com