Who Owns Kirkland Coffee?
Kirkland Coffee is owned by Costco Wholesale Corporation, a publicly traded American membership warehouse club founded in 1983 and headquartered in Issaquah, Washington. Kirkland Coffee operates as Costco's private label coffee brand. Costco trades on NASDAQ under ticker COST.
Parent Company
Costco Wholesale Corporation
Founded
1995
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Issaquah, Washington, USA
Who Owns Kirkland Coffee?
- Parent Company: Costco Wholesale Corporation
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NASDAQ: COST
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Kirkland Coffee | Costco Wholesale Corporation | Wholly owned |
History of Kirkland Coffee
- Founded: 1995
- Founders: Costco (internal development)
Kirkland Coffee was introduced by Costco in 1995 as one of the original Kirkland Signature products, named after Costco's original headquarters in Kirkland, Washington. Coffee was among the first product categories where Costco developed its private label brand, reflecting the company's commitment to quality and value.
The brand launched with a focus on offering premium quality coffee at prices significantly lower than comparable specialty coffee brands. Kirkland Coffee quickly gained recognition among coffee enthusiasts for its quality and value, becoming one of Costco's most popular products.
Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Kirkland Coffee expanded its product offerings to include various roasts, single-origin coffees, espresso blends, and specialty coffee products. The brand became known for sourcing quality beans and maintaining rigorous quality control standards comparable to premium coffee brands.
Kirkland Coffee has maintained strong sales within Costco warehouses, appealing to both casual coffee drinkers and serious coffee enthusiasts. The brand has become one of the most successful private label coffee brands in retail, known for exceptional quality-to-price ratio.
About Costco Wholesale Corporation
What does Costco own?
Costco Wholesale Corporation owns and operates 923 membership warehouse locations worldwide and owns the Kirkland Signature private label brand. The company also operates Costco Pharmacy, Costco Optical, Costco Travel, and Costco Auto Program as service businesses within its warehouses. Costco's e-commerce platform extends its product offering beyond what is available in warehouses.
Is Costco publicly traded?
Yes, Costco Wholesale Corporation is listed on NASDAQ under ticker COST. The company has been publicly traded since December 1985. Costco has no single controlling shareholder, with major institutional holders including Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street. Co-founder James Sinegal reduced his stake significantly after retiring as CEO in 2012.
Who founded Costco?
Costco was founded in 1983 by James Sinegal and Jeffrey Brotman in Seattle, Washington. Sinegal had previously worked at Price Club, the pioneer of the membership warehouse club concept. The first Costco warehouse opened in Seattle in September 1983. Costco merged with Price Club in 1993 to form PriceCostco, which was later renamed Costco Wholesale Corporation.
Where is Costco headquartered?
Costco Wholesale Corporation is headquartered in Issaquah, Washington, USA, a suburb of Seattle. The company was originally headquartered in Kirkland, Washington, which is the origin of the Kirkland Signature brand name. Costco operates 923 warehouse locations across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Spain, France, China, and other countries.
How many warehouses does Costco operate?
As of early 2026, Costco operates 923 warehouse locations worldwide. The United States has approximately 614 warehouses, Canada has approximately 108, and the remaining locations are in the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Spain, France, China, and other countries. Costco typically opens 20 to 30 new warehouses per year as part of its ongoing expansion program.
Who owns Costco?
Costco Wholesale Corporation is publicly traded on NASDAQ with a broad institutional and retail shareholder base. No single shareholder holds a controlling stake. Major institutional shareholders include Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street. Ron Vachris serves as President and CEO. Co-founder James Sinegal reduced his stake significantly after retiring as CEO in 2012.
- Founded: 1983
- Headquarters: Issaquah, Washington, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NASDAQ: COST
Where Is Kirkland Coffee Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Issaquah, Washington, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, Canada, Various international locations
Brands Owned by Costco Wholesale Corporation
- Kirkland Signature - Costco's private label brand offering high-quality products at competitive price...
Kirkland Coffee Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Premium quality coffee at significantly lower prices than specialty brands
- +Wide variety of roasts and single-origin options
- +Exclusive availability to Costco members
- +Strong quality control and sourcing standards
- +Generous Costco return policy applies to all Kirkland Coffee products
- +Bulk purchasing options for value and convenience
Considerations
- -Limited availability outside Costco warehouses and membership restrictions
- -Bulk packaging may not suit all consumers
- -Product selection and availability may vary by location and season
- -Limited marketing and brand awareness outside Costco membership
- -Dependency on Costco's sourcing and quality control decisions
- -Less brand prestige compared to specialty coffee brands
Frequently Asked Questions About Kirkland Coffee
Where to Buy
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Kirkland Coffee on AmazonCompetitors to Kirkland Coffee
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costco | USA | 1995 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Walmart | USA | 1993 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Walmart | USA | 2024 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
Kirkland Coffee
Owned by Costco Wholesale Corporation
Costco's private label brand of coffee and espresso products, offering premium quality coffee at competitive prices exclusively to Costco members.
Great Value
Owned by Walmart Inc.
Walmart's private label brand offering affordable groceries and household products across multiple categories.
bettergoods
Owned by Walmart Inc.
Walmart's elevated private label food brand launched in 2024, offering chef-inspired, trend-forward gourmet products at affordable prices.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Kirkland Coffee competes with 3 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Costco Wholesale Corporation Stock Information
Jobs at Costco Wholesale Corporation
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