Who Really Makes It

Kirkland “made by” claims, checked

Updated Oct 31, 2026 · every claim links to its source

The internet is full of “Kirkland is really made by…” lists. Most don't cite anything. Here are the claims people search for most, with what the sources say and how strong that evidence is.

Is Kirkland vodka Grey Goose?

LIKELY

Company on record: LeVecke Corp.

The popular claim that Kirkland vodka is Grey Goose is false according to Grey Goose's own website, which says it "does not produce nor privately label Kirkland vodka." Tasting Table reported that the federal label registration names LeVecke Corp. of Mira Loma, California. A label registration can name a bottler or distributor rather than the distillery.

Sources: Grey Goose (Brand statement, 2025) · Tasting Table (News report on TTB label records, Mar 22, 2026). Full entry →

Are Kirkland batteries made by Duracell?

LIKELY

Company on record: Duracell

Costco's then-CEO Craig Jelinek told Atlanta station WSB-TV in 2016 that Duracell makes them, as later reported by BGR. That is a company statement, not a record, and it is a decade old. We could not open the original WSB-TV page from outside the US.

Sources: BGR (News report citing WSB-TV (2016), Sep 20, 2026) · Hunker (News report, Dec 6, 2025). Full entry →

Is Kirkland coffee Starbucks?

LIKELY

Company on record: Starbucks

Costco's own product page still says "Custom Roasted by Starbucks" (checked 2026-10-31). Food writers reported that the Starbucks name came off the bags around the start of 2024, so the listing and the bag may not match.

Sources: Costco Wholesale (Costco.com product listing, Oct 31, 2026) · Tasting Table (News report, Dec 28, 2024). Full entry →

Who makes Kirkland golf balls?

LIKELY

Company on record: Nassau Golf Co.

The lawsuits are on the record: Costco sued Acushnet (Titleist's parent) in March 2017, Acushnet sued Costco in August 2017, and the cases were consolidated and closed on 2018-10-04. The court dockets do not name the ball's factory. Golf press reported in 2016 that the first Kirkland ball was made by Nassau Golf. The supplier may have changed since.

Sources: Costco Wholesale Corp. v. Acushnet (Federal court docket, Mar 17, 2017) · Acushnet Company v. Costco Wholesale Corp. (Federal court docket, Aug 10, 2017) · TheGolfNewsNet (News report, Oct 8, 2016). Full entry →

Who makes Kirkland dog food?

CONFIRMED

Company on record: Diamond Pet Foods

Diamond Pet Foods' expanded 2012 salmonella recall, posted on fda.gov, lists Kirkland Signature dog and cat formulas. This confirms who made them in 2012; it does not say who makes them today.

Sources: Diamond Pet Foods (Recall notice posted by the FDA, May 5, 2012). Full entry →

Where does Costco’s chicken come from?

LIKELY

Company on record: Lincoln Premium Poultry

Lincoln Premium Poultry opened its Fremont, Nebraska plant in 2019 to supply Costco. The reported cost changes by source: $300 million (State of Nebraska, 2017-06-20), $400 million (Meatingplace, 2019-04-03), $450 million (Poultry USA via Marel, 2020-07-08). We found no record tying a specific Kirkland package to the plant.

Sources: Nebraska Dept. of Economic Development (State press release, Jun 20, 2017) · Marel (Equipment-maker customer story, Oct 23, 2019) · Meatingplace (Trade news, Apr 3, 2019). Full entry →

Who makes Kirkland toilet paper?

UNCONFIRMED

No record names the maker.

No recall, no court record and no company statement names the maker. Every name you will find online is a guess. If you have a public record, send it to us.

Sources: none found. Full entry →

How to read these

A brand denying a rumor is strong evidence against it. A CEO's remark is a company statement, not a record, so we mark it LIKELY. A recall is the strongest proof, but only for the date on the recall. See how we check, or the full list of Kirkland makers.

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