IGA's Hot BBQ Chicken Crowned Champion in 2026 Rotisserie Chicken Awards
In a surprising upset, independent supermarket chain IGA has secured the 2026 Most Satisfied Customer Award for Rotisserie Chicken, dethroning wholesale giant Costco after its five-year reign. The victory came for IGA's Hot BBQ Chicken, priced at $12, which received outstanding ratings across all key customer satisfaction categories in a comprehensive survey by Canstar Blue.
The Battle of the Supermarket Chickens
Costco's Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken, priced at $7.99, had dominated the category for half a decade but slipped to second place in the latest rankings. While earning five stars in most categories, Costco's offering was hampered by a three-star rating in the crucial 'Taste' category, allowing IGA to claim the top spot.
The competition saw Australia's 'big two' supermarkets rounding out the top four positions. Woolworths narrowly edged out rival Coles for third place, with both chains receiving identical star ratings across most categories except taste. Woolworths achieved a four-star taste rating compared to Coles' three stars.
Survey Methodology and Customer Insights
Canstar's research involved surveying more than 1,900 Australians who had recently purchased a hot roast chicken from supermarkets. The assessment criteria included taste, value for money, freshness, and packaging quality.
Eden Radford, spokesperson for Canstar.com.au, explained IGA's success: 'Aussies rated supermarkets' roast chickens on taste, value for money, freshness, and packaging, with IGA earning Canstar's Most Satisfied Customers Award thanks to high ratings across all categories, demonstrating a strong performance when it comes to customer satisfaction.'
The survey revealed fascinating statistics about Australian shopping habits. Nearly a quarter (23%) of shoppers regularly include a BBQ chicken in their grocery purchases, while 25% buy them specifically for family parties or gatherings.
Industry Reactions and Consumer Behavior
An IGA spokesperson expressed excitement about the recognition, stating: 'The Rotisserie Chicken has been a longtime IGA shopper favourite, which is no surprise as it's a tasty, convenient, and great value meal.' The spokesperson highlighted that IGA received 'five stars for overall satisfaction and taste, and four stars for freshness, value for money and packaging.'
The research uncovered some humorous consumer behaviors. A quarter of respondents admitted to discarding the chicken stuffing, while 11% of Gen-Z shoppers confessed to attempting to pass off supermarket roast chickens as their own home cooking.
The Viral Chicken Hack Phenomenon
Supermarket rotisserie chickens recently gained viral attention on social media platforms. Sydney food influencer Adrian Widjonarko demonstrated what he called 'the best supermarket rotisserie chicken dish hack' in a video that garnered over 1.5 million views.
Adrian's innovative approach involves utilizing the often-discarded juices at the bottom of the chicken bag. 'Notice there is so much juice at the bottom usually,' he explained on his @PlacesinSydney Instagram account. Rather than wasting this flavorful liquid, he transforms it into a stock sauce base for a quick chicken rice dish.
The simple preparation involves adding cooked rice and chopped spring onions directly into the juice-filled bag, then mixing in shredded chicken until well combined. This creates a hearty, vibrant meal ready in minutes that Adrian declared 'perfection' - a sentiment echoed by thousands of viewers.
Radford summarized the significance of these awards: 'Whether for dinner, a party, or a quick shortcut to a delicious snack, a hot roast chicken from the supermarket is one of Australia's most-loved convenience foods - and with competing options, standing out and winning an award for customer satisfaction is no small feat.'
