Who Makes Kirkland Bacon? Uncovering The Real Brand Behind Costco’s Private Label

Kirkland Signature bacon has become a cult favorite among Costco members. This tasty, affordable bacon is a staple for many shoppers, who grab a pack or two every time they visit the popular warehouse store. But despite its popularity, the true identity of the company behind Kirkland bacon remains somewhat of a mystery.

As a Costco member myself, I buy Kirkland bacon all the time I love its smoky, slightly sweet flavor and have found it to be higher quality than many leading national brands. But like many Costco shoppers, I’ve often wondered – who makes this bacon? What major producer is the real supplier behind Costco’s private label?

In this article, I’ll explore the clues, rumors, and facts surrounding the Kirkland bacon brand. You’ll discover the key reasons why Kirkland Signature bacon tastes so good. I’ll share the identity of the likely manufacturers behind this customer-favorite product. Let’s uncover the truth about who really makes the bacon at America’s favorite warehouse store!

Why Kirkland Bacon Tastes So Good

There are a few reasons why Kirkland Signature bacon consistently earns rave reviews and outperforms national brands in taste tests:

Affordable Price – By buying direct from suppliers and cutting out middlemen, Costco can offer top-tier meats like bacon at lower prices than supermarkets. You get great taste at warehouse store savings.
Carefully Selected Suppliers – Costco only chooses suppliers capable of meeting their high quality standards, Kirkland vendors must be able to deliver premium products
Better Hog Breeds – Industry experts say the hogs used for Kirkland bacon are higher-quality breeds optimized for taste. This gives the bacon superior flavor.
Thicker Slices – Kirkland bacon features thick, hearty slices with an ideal meat-to-fat ratio. This makes for perfect texture and crispiness.
Hickory Smoking – Kirkland bacon is hickory smoked, naturally infusing it with sweet, smoky flavor you can taste in every bite.

With criteria like that, it’s no wonder Kirkland Signature bacon receives such excellent reviews and wins taste test competitions. But who exactly is producing this top-rated bacon for Costco?

The Early Relationship Between Costco and Hormel

One of the earliest and most persistent rumors about Kirkland bacon over the years has been that it’s made by Hormel Foods, the manufacturer of famous brands like SPAM and Jennie-O. This rumor existed for good reason.

In 2004 and 2005, Costco actually sold a co-branded Kirkland Signature/Hormel bacon product. The dual-labeled bacon was sold in Costco stores, confirming Hormel as the manufacturer.

This bacon was thicker-sliced than regular Hormel-branded bacon at the time. But the product and branding strategy was short-lived. By 2006, the co-labeled bacon disappeared from Costco shelves.

However, the product’s brief existence sparked the ongoing theory that Hormel remained the real producer even after Costco removed their name. It’s an understandable assumption. But is it accurate?

Why Hormel Likely Isn’t the Manufacturer Today

Despite the early connection, there are a few convincing reasons why Hormel probably isn’t the current bacon supplier for Kirkland:

No Official Confirmation – Hormel declined to confirm or comment on the speculation when recently contacted. If they were the maker, they likely could have verified.
Kirkland Reputation at Stake – Costco is highly protective of the Kirkland brand’s reputation. If Hormel couldn’t maintain consistency, Costco would likely switch suppliers.
Regional Suppliers More Likely – Industry experts say Costco now uses regional suppliers across different geographical areas for their bacon.

While Hormel can’t be 100% ruled out, they are probably not the primary supplier today based on these factors. But if not Hormel, then who?

Why Smithfield Foods Is the Most Likely Major Supplier

Although Costco may work with various regional vendors, one huge pork company does appear to be the main bacon producer behind the Kirkland brand – Smithfield Foods.

Smithfield is the largest pig and pork producer in the world. They supply packaged meats to all major grocery chains and big box stores across America. Many industry insiders believe Smithfield provides approximately 75-80% of all bacon sold under the Kirkland label at Costco stores nationwide.

Here are the reasons why Smithfield is the likely bacon leader for Kirkland:

Major Supplier Scale – Smithfield has the size, distribution network, and production capabilities to be Costco’s major supplier.
Premium Brand Synergy – Smithfield’s premium pork products and packaging already sell at stores like Target, Kroger, etc. Their bacon quality aligns well with Costco’s standards.
Private Label Experience – Smithfield has extensive experience producing bacon and other meats for private label and store brands. This makes them an ideal vendor for Costco.

While Smithfield declined to officially confirm their status when contacted, all signs point to this pork giant playing the leading role in manufacturing Kirkland Signature bacon.

What the Kirkland-Smithfield Connection Means for Shoppers

If Smithfield is indeed the primary bacon producer for Costco, that’s great news for Kirkland bacon lovers. Here’s what it means for customers:

Big Savings – You get premium Smithfield-quality bacon at Costco for 25-30% less than branded packages at the supermarket.
Quality You Can Trust – Smithfield has state-of-the-art processes and rigorous quality control. Their bacon is reliable and delicious.
Ethical Sourcing – Smithfield has industry-leading animal care protocols to ethically raise their pigs. Costco bacon aligns with your values.
Consistent Great Taste – With Smithfield as the main supplier, you can expect consistent thickness, smokiness, and flavor every time.

Knowing Smithfield is likely the major force behind Kirkland bacon means you can continue enjoying this member-favorite product with full confidence in the quality.

Other Potential Kirkland Bacon Suppliers

While Smithfield appears to be the primary bacon supplier for Costco’s private label, they likely aren’t the only vendor involved:

Regional Producers – Local smokehouses and pork purveyors probably supply some Kirkland bacon, varying by geography.
National Meat Companies – Major pork brands like Tyson Foods, Cargill, or JBS may handle some bacon production for Costco.
Prior Suppliers – Even Hormel could still supply some Kirkland bacon to Costco on a limited basis.

Costco likely works with a mix of large pork producers and local smokehouses to source their bacon. But by all accounts, Smithfield remains their dominant partner.

The Bottom Line – Exceptional Bacon at a Great Value

Kirkland Signature bacon continues to be one of Costco’s most popular private label items, beloved by members for its amazing taste and quality. The likely alliance between Costco and Smithfield Foods means shoppers can count on this reasonably-priced bacon to satisfy for years to come.

So next time you need to stock up on everyone’s favorite breakfast meat, head to Costco and grab a pack or two – or three! – of their 20-ounce Kirkland Signature Hardwood Smoked Bacon. You’ll be taking home delicious, smoky slices made by pork experts Smithfield and offered at a crazy-good warehouse store value. Dig in!

We Finally Know Why Costco’s Bacon Is So Cheap

FAQ

Who makes the Kirkland bacon?

Who Makes Kirkland Signature Bacon? Although we cannot confirm it completely, it’s more than likely that Costco bacon is sourced from big-name meat brand Hormel. In 2004, the warehouse store sold a co-branded package of bacon that featured both the Kirkland Signature and Hormel labels.

Does Costco have good bacon?

What Makes Kirkland Bacon So Good? 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.

Who actually makes Costco’s Kirkland products?

Nationally known companies like Starbucks, Duracell, and Reynolds produce an exclusive version for Costco that meets its strict standards for quality and price point. Costco’s goal is to make Kirkland’s products “equal or better quality than national brands” while striving for comparative savings of at least 20%.

Who makes member’s mark bacon?

Walmart, the parent company of Sam’s Club, is responsible for the manufacture of the Member’s Mark brand. Walmart is a worldwide retailer that generates billions of dollars in revenue every year, and it’s no surprise that it has the capacity to manufacture the products in-house.

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.

Does Costco sell Kirkland Bacon?

Take a gander at the image above. On the left, you’ll see Kirkland bacon, while Member’s Mark is on the other tray. The bacon from Sam’s Club displays far more pink and less white than the strips sold under Costco’s store brand.

Where can I buy Kirkland & member’s Mark Bacon?

You can get it at either warehouse although not necessarily from the store brands. Kirkland Signature produces this variety, but Member’s Mark doesn’t. If you’re headed to Sam’s Club, you’ll find thick-cut bacon by brands like Wright and Hormel instead. Kirkland and Member’s Mark bacon comes from pigs.

Is Costco a good brand of bacon?

The quality of the bacon – The Costco Kirkland Signature Bacon never disappoints. You get nice thick, even strips of bacon that are usually quite lean compare to other brands (relative to other bacons I mean – we’re basically talking about strips of fat here!).