Who Owns Kirkland Signature Motor Oil?
Kirkland Signature Motor Oil is owned by Costco Wholesale Corporation, a publicly traded American membership-based warehouse club listed on NASDAQ under the ticker COST. The motor oil is a product line within Costco's Kirkland Signature private-label brand, which was established in 1995. The oil is manufactured by Warren Distribution, Inc., a Nebraska-based lubricants company, under contract for Costco. It is sold exclusively through Costco warehouses and is not available through other retailers.
Parent Company
Costco Wholesale Corporation
Founded
1995
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Issaquah, Washington, USA
Who Owns Kirkland Signature Motor Oil?
- Parent Company: Costco Wholesale Corporation
- Ownership Type: Brand division
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NASDAQ: COST
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Kirkland Signature Motor Oil | Costco Wholesale Corporation | Brand division |
History of Kirkland Signature Motor Oil
- Founded: 1995
- Founders: Costco Wholesale Corporation (internal development)
The Kirkland Signature brand was established in 1995, following a conversation between Costco co-founder Jim Sinegal and a warehouse manager that sparked the concept of a unified private-label brand across Costco's product categories. The brand was named after Kirkland, Washington, where Costco was headquartered before relocating to Issaquah. The Kirkland Signature name was chosen to convey quality and geographic identity rather than generic private-label positioning.
Motor oil was among the early product categories developed under the Kirkland Signature umbrella, reflecting Costco's origins as a retailer with a strong focus on automotive products and services. The brand's automotive section, which includes tires, batteries, and lubricants, has been a consistent part of Costco's warehouse offering since the company's early years.
The Kirkland Signature Full Synthetic motor oil became one of the brand's most discussed products among automotive enthusiasts and consumers seeking value alternatives to premium national brands such as Mobil 1, Castrol, and Pennzoil. The product's quality relative to its price point generated significant consumer interest, particularly in online automotive communities where members compared oil analysis results from different brands.
Through the 2000s and 2010s, Costco expanded the Kirkland Signature motor oil range to include multiple viscosity grades and formulations, including conventional, full synthetic, and diesel-grade options. The brand's positioning as a high-quality, value-priced alternative to national brands was reinforced by independent testing that confirmed the oil met or exceeded API certification standards.
By 2025, the Kirkland Signature brand had celebrated its 30th anniversary and grown into what industry analysts describe as one of the most powerful private-label brands in retail history. The motor oil line remained a consistent part of Costco's automotive offering, benefiting from the brand's reputation for quality across all product categories.
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 Signature Motor Oil Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Issaquah, Washington, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States
Brands Owned by Costco Wholesale Corporation
- Kirkland Signature - Costco's private label brand offering high-quality products at competitive price...
Kirkland Signature Motor Oil Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Manufactured by Warren Distribution, a major US lubricants producer, to API-certified specifications
- +Priced significantly below comparable national brands such as Mobil 1 and Castrol on a per-quart basis
- +Backed by Costco's Kirkland Signature quality guarantee, which applies across all product categories
- +Costco's membership model and warehouse distribution keep operating costs low, enabling competitive pricing
- +Independent testing has confirmed the product meets API SP certification standards for modern vehicles
Considerations
- -Available only to Costco members, excluding consumers without membership or access to a Costco warehouse
- -Not available through independent auto parts retailers or online marketplaces outside Costco's own platform
- -Brand recognition is limited to Costco's membership base and does not extend to the broader consumer market
- -Dependence on Warren Distribution as a contract manufacturer introduces supply chain dependency
- -Costco's annual membership fee adds an effective cost to accessing Kirkland Signature products for infrequent shoppers
Frequently Asked Questions About Kirkland Signature Motor Oil
Where to Buy
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Kirkland Signature Motor Oil on AmazonCompetitors to Kirkland Signature Motor Oil
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 | |
| Canadian Tire | Canada | 1922 | Mass Market | Global | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
Kirkland Signature Motor Oil
Owned by Costco Wholesale Corporation
Costco's private-label motor oil brand under the Kirkland Signature label, manufactured by Warren Distribution and sold exclusively through Costco warehouses worldwide.
MotoMaster Tires
Owned by Unknown Company
Canadian Tire's private-label tire brand offering all-season, winter, and performance tires sold exclusively through Canadian Tire stores across Canada.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Kirkland Signature Motor Oil competes with 2 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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