Finding the Best Places to Buy Chicken Wings in Bulk: Your Ultimate Guide

Are you planning a big game day party? Maybe you run a restaurant or food truck? Or perhaps you’re just someone who really, really loves chicken wings (hey, I don’t judge!). Whatever your reason, knowing where to buy chicken wings in bulk can save you serious money and ensure you’ve always got enough of this crowd-pleasing favorite on hand.

I’ve spent years hunting down the best deals on bulk chicken wings and today I’m sharing everything I’ve learned. From warehouse clubs to restaurant supply stores and online options this guide covers it all!

Why Buy Chicken Wings in Bulk?

Before diving into where to shop let’s talk about why buying in bulk makes sense

• Cost savings – The per-pound price drops significantly when purchasing large quantities
• Convenience – Stock up once and avoid frequent shopping trips
• Consistency – Ensure you always have wings on hand for unexpected gatherings
• Variety options – Many bulk suppliers offer different styles (whole wings, wingettes, drumettes)

As someone who hosts regular weekend gatherings I can tell you that having a freezer stocked with wings has saved me countless last-minute grocery store runs!

Best Places to Buy Bulk Chicken Wings

1. Warehouse Clubs

Costco

Costco is my personal go-to for bulk chicken wings. Their Business Center in particular offers amazing options for both businesses and regular members.

What they offer:

• Case Sale Whole Chicken Wings in 40 lb cases
• Jumbo-sized wings with consistent quality
• Both fresh and frozen options depending on location

The Case Sale Whole Chicken Wings at Costco Business Center come in a 40 lb case that’s perfect for large events or restaurant use. Current pricing is competitive, often working out to around $0.17-$0.25 per ounce depending on sales and location.

One thing to note – while anyone can shop at Costco with a membership, some products at the Business Center (like tobacco) require a business membership with proper licensing. Fortunately, wings don’t fall under those restrictions!

Sam’s Club

Sam’s Club offers similar bulk options to Costco, typically with:

• 10-pound bags of frozen wings
• Both raw and pre-cooked options
• Competitive pricing similar to Costco

2. Restaurant Supply Stores

WebstaurantStore

WebstaurantStore is an online restaurant supply store that sells to both businesses and the public. They have one of the most extensive selections of bulk chicken wings I’ve found.

What they offer:

• Multiple brands including Pilgrim’s, Tyson, Brakebush, and Amick Farms
• Various styles: breaded, unbreaded, bone-in, boneless
• Pre-cooked options that just need reheating
• Specialty flavors like “Fire Stingers” and “Wing-Dings”

For example, they carry Amick Farms 40 lb. Frozen Jumbo Cut Chicken Wings for around $108 (approximately $0.17 per ounce). They also have Brakebush Wing-Ditties which are fully cooked breaded wings in 12 lb cases.

The best part about WebstaurantStore is the variety – you can get everything from plain wings to pre-seasoned or even fully cooked options depending on your needs.

Chef’Store (formerly US Foods CHEF’STORE)

Chef’Store is a walk-in restaurant supply chain where both businesses and regular customers can shop without membership.

What they offer:

• Fresh and frozen chicken wings
• Bulk packaging in 10-40 lb cases
• Both standard and jumbo sizes
• Raw and pre-cooked options

Their prices are competitive, and the advantage is you can physically inspect what you’re buying and take it home immediately without shipping costs.

3. Local Butchers and Meat Processors

Don’t overlook local options! Many butcher shops and meat processors offer bulk discounts if you call ahead. I’ve found some of my best deals by building relationships with local meat suppliers.

Benefits of going local:

• Fresher product with less time in transit
• Support for local businesses
• Potential for custom processing (separated wingettes/drumettes)
• Negotiable pricing for regular customers

My local butcher gives me about 15% off when I order 20+ pounds of wings with advance notice. It’s worth making a few calls in your area!

4. Online Specialty Meat Retailers

Several online meat retailers specialize in bulk shipments:

Omaha Steaks

While known for their steaks, they also offer bulk chicken wings with the convenience of home delivery.

Porter Road

An online butcher that sources from small farms and offers bulk purchasing options.

D’Artagnan

Specializes in higher-end meats including organic and free-range chicken wings.

These options typically cost more than warehouse clubs or restaurant supply stores, but they often provide higher quality or specialty options like organic, free-range, or air-chilled wings.

Raw vs. Pre-Cooked: Making the Right Choice

When buying in bulk, you’ll need to decide between raw or pre-cooked wings:

Raw Wings

Pros:

• Lower cost per pound
• More control over seasoning and cooking method
• Better texture according to many wing enthusiasts
• Longer freezer life

Cons:

• Require full cooking time (25-45 minutes depending on method)
• More prep work

Pre-Cooked Wings

Pros:

• Quick preparation – just reheat
• Consistent results with less expertise required
• Great for high-volume service situations
• Less risk of foodborne illness from undercooking

Cons:

• Higher cost per pound
• Sometimes less crispy texture
• Limited seasoning options (though you can add sauce after)

At WebstaurantStore, pre-cooked options like Pilgrim’s Fully Cooked Breaded Chicken Wing-Dings (7.5 lb. – 2/Case) run about $0.31 per ounce, while raw wings like the Amick Farms 40 lb. Frozen Jumbo Cut Wings are closer to $0.17 per ounce.

Storage Considerations for Bulk Chicken Wings

When you buy 40 pounds of wings, storage becomes important! Here’s what I’ve learned:

Freezer Space Requirements

A good rule of thumb: 1 cubic foot of freezer space holds approximately 15-20 pounds of chicken wings. For a 40 lb case, you’ll need about 2-3 cubic feet of freezer space.

Proper Packaging for Long-Term Storage

If you’re breaking down large cases:

• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil
• Or use vacuum sealer bags for best results
• Label with purchase date and quantity
• Store at 0°F (-18°C) or below

Shelf Life Guidelines

• Raw frozen wings: 9-12 months
• Pre-cooked frozen wings: 3-6 months
• Refrigerated raw wings: 1-2 days
• Refrigerated cooked wings: 3-4 days

I always repackage my bulk wings into meal-sized portions (about 2-3 pounds) before freezing. This way I can thaw only what I need.

Price Comparison Table

Here’s a quick comparison of typical pricing I’ve found (prices may vary by location and time):

Tips for Buying in Bulk (From Personal Experience)

After years of bulk wing purchases, here’s what I’ve learned:

1. Check the sizing – “Jumbo” wings will give you more meat per wing but fewer pieces per pound.

2. Consider the cut – You can buy whole wings (with all three sections), party wings (flats and drumettes separated), or just flats or just drumettes.

3. Look at delivery costs – Online options sometimes have significant shipping fees for frozen products.

4. Ask about volume discounts – Many suppliers offer additional discounts for larger orders.

5. Split with friends – I sometimes split 40 lb cases with neighbors to get the bulk price without needing massive storage.

6. Check return policies – Costco has an excellent return policy, but many specialty suppliers don’t accept returns on perishables.

7. Compare dressed vs. undressed weight – Some suppliers sell wings with more trimming done, which affects the actual meat weight.

My Personal Favorite: A Hybrid Approach

After trying every option, my personal strategy combines several approaches:

1. I keep a base supply from Costco (40 lb case of whole wings) in my deep freezer.
2. For special events or when trying new recipes, I’ll sometimes splurge on specialty wings from my local butcher.
3. When entertaining large groups, I supplement with pre-cooked wings from WebstaurantStore for easy preparation.

This gives me the best balance of cost, convenience, and quality!

Whether you’re feeding a hungry football crowd or stocking your restaurant, buying chicken wings in bulk can deliver significant savings and convenience. Warehouse clubs like Costco and restaurant suppliers like WebstaurantStore offer the best overall value, while local butchers and specialty retailers provide higher-end options.

Remember to consider your storage capacity, preparation time, and quality preferences when choosing where to buy. With the information in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to find the perfect bulk chicken wing source for your needs!

What’s your experience buying wings in bulk? Have you found other great sources I missed? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

A 40 lb case of wings typically contains between 260 and 340 wings, depending on the size of the wings.

50 wings can feed approximately 4-9 people, depending on whether they are served as a main course or an appetizer, and the appetite of your guests. A good general guideline is to plan for 6-8 wings per person if serving with other foods, or 10-12 wings per person if they are the main focus.

10 pounds of chicken wings can feed approximately 8 to 10 people as a main dish and 10 to 40 people as an appetizer, with the exact number depending on whether they are the main focus of the meal and how many other dishes will be served.