9 things that might surprise you about Costco, according to a couple who visited over 200 stores

Maria NoyenJan 13, 2024, 01:11 IST

A Costco store is seen on September 23, 2022, in Monterey Park, California.Eric Thayer/Getty Images

Two Costco superfans have visited over 200 out of the 859 warehouses around the world.
On their adventures, David and Susan Schwartz learned surprising facts about Costco.

Since the first Costco opened in Seattle in 1983, the retailer has developed a cult following.

Today, there are over 850 Costco locations around the world. And while you might think it's impossible to visit every single one, David and Susan Schwartz are well on their way to achieving that goal.

So far, the couple, who quite literally identify themselves as two of Costco's biggest fans (they've even written a new book about the retailer), have checked out over 200 stores in the US and abroad.

They've circumnavigated the globe three times — traveling over 200,000 miles — in their quest to learn as much about Costco as possible. In doing so, they discovered some surprising things about Costco.

Costco's signature $5 rotisserie chicken is only on the shelf for two hours, according to the couple.

Costco is known for its $5 rotisserie chicken.Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

In Taiwan, the couple noticed the chicken is served with the head on.

Costco shoppers in Taiwan enjoy their rotisserie chicken with its head intact.Tim Boyle/Getty Images

Costco employees in the US are given a free turkey every Thanksgiving.

Employees at Costco in the US get a free turkey every Thanksgiving.PAUL J.RICHARDS/AFP via Getty Images

During the holiday season, David and Susan say Costco sells a whopping six million pumpkin pies.

A pumpkin pie.Costco

Costco hot dog toppings are different around the world.

Customers wait in line to order a Costco Kirkland Signature $1.50 hot dog and soda combo on June 14, 2022, in Hawthorne, CaliforniaPatrick T. FALLON / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images

The couple estimates about 40% of the 3,800 curated items in each Costco warehouse are region-specific.

The couple went behind the scenes at several Costco warehouses around the world.From "The Joy of Costco," Susan Schwartz

Costco is "chaos" 15 minutes before opening hours.

People line up to check out at a Costco store in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on January 17, 2023.Liang Sen/Xinhua via Getty Images

Costco will literally reroute traffic when it opens up a new location.

People form lines with empty shopping carts at the grand opening of a Costco in Woodland Hills, California, in 2015.John McCoy/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images

Costco is particularly popular with the Amish community, according to the authors.

Amish communities are big fans of Costco, David and Susan told Insider.AP Photo/Keith Srakocic

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