What Brand Is Behind Costco's Kirkland Signature Frozen Lasagna?

There are two things you can practically always count on when entering a Costco: getting a great deal on hot dogs at the food court and seeing the shelves stocked with quality Kirkland Signature merchandise. From the company that makes Kirkland canned tuna to the familiar face behind Costco's coffee, dozens of businesses contribute to the big-box store's private-label products. If you have ever wondered who makes Kirkland lasagna (and perhaps you reside in Canada) the answer might be sitting on the next shelf over.

Zinetti Foods, operating out of Surrey, British Columbia, makes a 4-Cheese Meat Lasagna that Costco proudly showcases on its shelves across Canada. The same company has also supplied the retailer with its Kirkland Signature Italian Sausage and Beef Lasagna for years. Despite being made by the same distributor, each recipe boasts its own unique blend of meaty, cheesy goodness.

Instead of manufacturing Kirkland commodities itself, Costco outsources production to third parties to keep costs down. That business strategy helps to keep prices low for customers, but the membership warehouse doesn't let just anybody contribute to its private-label brand. The success Zinetti's frozen lasagna enjoyed for years likely influenced Costco to reach out about making a similarly high-quality product for Kirkland.

Zinetti Foods was founded in 1985, around the same time Costco was expanding into Western Canada. The founder of the company, Maurizio Zinetti, perfected his pasta-making skills in Italy while in his 20s and, upon returning to Canada, he set about making a meat lasagna that could be sold by Canadian retailers. It wasn't long before Zinetti was approached by Costco about his product, forging a partnership that has gone on for nearly 30 years.

After decades of success selling Zinetti's lasagna in Costco, the membership warehouse decided the Kirkland Signature brand could do with its own frozen lasagna dish. It is no surprise the prosperous frozen pasta company was tapped to conjure up a unique recipe for Kirkland. In 2019, it started making Costco's private-label product while still selling its own brand in the frozen food section of the store.

While the two brands of lasagna are technically competitors, that hasn't stopped either business from changing how their partnership works. Today, Zinetti Foods specializes in creating private-label lasagna, filled pasta dishes, shepherd's pie, enchiladas, and more for various retailers. As the business continues to grow, it is a good bet you can expect to see frozen food made by Zinetti in stores other than Costco.