These Store Brands vs. Name Brands Are Giving Us the Illusion of Choice
Want to know which store brands are made by name brands? We did a bit of digging on some off brand items to find out!
Headed to the grocery store? Read this store brand vs. name brand comparison first.
We all know that sometimes store brands don’t compare to name brands. However, did you know that many store brands are actually manufactured under a “private label” by big brand companies and sold at a fraction of the cost?
Instead of paying more for the same or a similar product, check out a few off-brand items that we found to be just as good as their competition!
NOTE: The companies below were not willing to disclose this information, so some of the data in this post is based on online research and our “detective work”. 😎 We suggest conducting your own store brand vs. name brand taste test to see if YOU can tell the difference!
These store brands are made by name brands:
1. ALDI’s Millville cereals are made by General Mills.
ALDI’s Millville Cinnamon Crunch Cereal $3.19
– versus –
General Mills Cinnamon Toast Crunch $5.29
You save $2.10!
We’ve heard ALDI’s Millville brand was manufactured exclusively for the grocery chain by the big brand, General Mills. However, according to Mashed, rumors say that the Millville cereals are actually manufactured by Malt-O-Meal, which is owned by Post.
Whether the true manufacturer is General Mills or Post, this example just goes to show that you don’t need to pay for name brands when you can save big bucks on store brands!
2. ALDI’s Benton cookies taste just like Girl Scout Cookies.
ALDI’s Benton’s Caramel Coconut Fudge Cookies $2.75
– versus –
Girl Scout Cookies (all flavors) $6
You save $3.25!
Get your Girl Scout cookie cravings all year long at ALDI! Under the brand name Benton’s, you can find three of the best Girl Scout cookie-inspired flavors – Tagalongs, and Samoas. And the best part is ALDI’s brand is priced way less per box!
- Benton’s Fudge Striped Cookies 10oz | $2.19
- Benton’s Peanut Butter Fudge Cookies 9.5oz | $2.49
- Benton’s Caramel Coconut Fudge Cookies 8.5oz | $2.75
While we can’t verify that Benton’s brand is made by a big brand, these cookies look (and taste) just like the Girl Scout version, except they’re less expensive and available year-round!
3. ALDI’s Tuscan Garden Italian Dressing tastes the same as Olive Garden!
ALDI’s Tuscan Garden Restaurant-Style Italian Dressing $2.09
– versus –
Olive Garden Italian Dressing $3.99
You save $1.90!
If you’re a fan of Olive Garden’s Signature Italian salad dressing, be on the lookout for ALDI’s off-brand version of this popular salad dressing! Pick up this Tuscan Garden “Restaurant Style” Italian Dressing in the same size bottle for just $2.09 – that’s almost a 50% savings!
Though the Tuscan Garden brand is actually made by Treehouse Foods, the only difference between these two salad dressings appeared to be the label and the price. We even tried the two dressings, and they tasted nearly identical!
4. Great Value Peanut Butter is actually made by Peter Pan.
Why pay for Peter Pan Peanut Butter, which sells for about 15¢ per ounce, when you can opt for Walmart’s Great Value brand for about 12¢ per ounce?!
Years ago, there was a recall for both products – including the off-brand items – which spilled the beans on the fact that they were actually the same thing and made by ConAgra Foods!
Can’t believe it’s just as good? Here’s what one buyer said about the Great Value peanut butter:
“We decided to try the Great Value brand of peanut butter because of the price and found that it is just as good as the major brand-named peanut butter. If you read the label, you will find that the nutritional values are the same or even better than some other brands, & it tastes just as delicious. The lower cost is well worth giving it a try, and you’ll find that the only thing you are giving up is higher costs and a major brand name.”
5. The store brand Great Value White Bread is made by Sara Lee.
The 20 oz. loaves of Great Value White Bread from Walmart are actually made in the same bakery as Sara Lee products & many other brands! Like the Great Value peanut butter, we discovered the connection during a recall that happened in 2015. So why pay more than twice as much for the same thing?
Also, a Hip2Save reader had some unique insight into the brand:
“I worked in a name-brand bakery for a year or so. We changed the bags without stopping the production line, and bagged bread for any Texas retailer you could name. Occasionally, the slicer would be adjusted to change the thickness of the slice. I almost always buy the house brand regardless of what the product is.”
6. Costco’s Kirkland tuna is made by none other than Bumble Bee Tuna.
Kirkland Signature Albacore Solid White Tuna, 7 oz. 8-count $20.99 (37¢ per oz.)
– versus –
Bumble Bee Albacore Solid White Tuna, 5 oz. 8-Count $13.52 (33.8¢ per oz.)
You save 5¢ per oz!
We were delighted to find out that Kirkland Signature tuna is made by Bumble Bee! Or should we say, Bumble Bee tuna is made by Kirkland? 🤭 This is one item you’re going to want to buy the name brand since you’ll save over 5¢ per ounce!
7. Store brand Great Value Ice Cream is known to be made by Blue Bunny.
Wells Enterprises (formerly known as Wells Dairy) has worked with Walmart for nearly 40 years to manufacture Great Value ice cream. The same company is also behind Blue Bunny, Halo Top, Bomb Pop, and Blue Ribbon Classics, making Great Value a budget-friendly alternative to those familiar freezer brands.
Pssssst! Bookmark our Ninja Creami post so you know when the next deal pops up and you can make homemade ice cream for less.
8. Word on the street is that Great Value Applesauce is made by Musselman’s.
Who knew? Our childhood favorite snack is actually a whole $1.25 cheaper when we buy the store brand! We took a look at the ingredients lists for our store brand vs name brand challenge, and both include “apples, sugar, water, and ascorbic acid,” in that order, so we can see how they’re pretty much identical.
If you regularly purchase applesauce, check out this tip from a Hip2Save reader:
“A plant in our town makes Musselman’s, White House, and Great Value. The same recipe, they just change the packaging. The only time they change the recipe for a brand is if they do a specialty one like ‘all Granny Smith’ or something. Toured the factory in high school and have bought Great Value ever since.”
9. Starbucks is one of the suppliers of Kirkland Signature Coffee.
Kirkland Signature Coffee 54¢ per ounce (prices vary)
– versus –
Starbucks’ House Blend $1.07 per ounce (prices vary)
You save 53¢ per ounce!
Some Kirkland Signature coffees continue to be custom roasted by Starbucks, and current Costco listings for House Blend and Decaf House Blend still state “Custom Roasted by Starbucks.”
In 2023 and 2024, some packaging changes led shoppers to speculate that other suppliers had taken over, but Costco has not publicly announced a complete end to its Starbucks partnership. While rumors have suggested companies like Green Mountain or San Francisco Bay Coffee may roast certain varieties, there is no official confirmation. Regardless of the roaster, Kirkland coffee remains one of the better values for whole-bean coffee at Costco.
10. Duracell makes Kirkland Signature Batteries, and they work just as well!
Kirkland Signature Batteries are made by Duracell (according to this interview with the CEO of Costco). You can pick up a pack of Kirkland Signature AA Batteries at your local warehouse for around $15.99, whereas Duracell batteries sell for almost double! 😱
11. Trader Joe’s store brand Pita Chips is made by Stacy’s.
Have you ever eaten Trader Joe’s Pita Chips with Sea Salt? These chips are so yummy and taste essentially the same as the Simply Naked flavor of Stacy’s Pita Chips that come in different packaging at a lower price.
A 6oz bag of Trader Joe’s Pita Chips sells for about $0.42 per ounce, whereas a 7.33oz bag of Stacy’s Simply Naked Pita Chips sells for about $0.54 per ounce at stores like Target.
Hip Tip: Don’t miss the BEST Trader Joe’s items you won’t find anywhere else!
12. Word is that Amy’s Organic makes Trader Joe’s Organic Vegetarian Chili.
Trader Joe’s Organic Vegetarian Chili $2.49
– versus –
Amy’s Organic Medium Chili $3.87
You save $1.38!
Trader Joe’s Organic Vegetarian Chili is rumored to be identical in taste, ingredients, and appearance to Amy’s Organic Medium Chili with Vegetables. Though we haven’t verified Amy’s is the true manufacturer of the chili, many comments on social media state it is hard to taste a big difference, so don’t be fooled by a fancy label when the store-brand item is just the same!
Hip Tip: Looking for a unique side to go with your chili? Try our Mexican Street Corn recipe!
13. Trader Joe’s Organic Shells and White Cheddar taste like Annie’s!
Trader Joe’s Organic Shells and White Cheddar $1.79
– versus –
Annie’s Homegrown Organic Shells & Cheese $2.99 (prices may vary)
You save $1.20!
If you’re a fan of Annie’s Homegrown Organic Shells & White Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese which sells for around $2.99 per 6oz box at Target (= 50¢/oz), be sure to give Trader Joe’s Organic Shells and White Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese a try. Rumor has it that they taste essentially the same and you can grab a box for just $1.79 at Trader Joe’s (= 30¢/oz)!
14. Trader Joe’s Pistachios are sourced from the same place as Wonderful Pistachios.
Trader Joe’s Dry Roasted Pistachios 16oz $6.99
– versus –
Wonderful Pistachios 16oz $7.99 (prices may vary)
You save $1!
Pistachios are a handy healthy snack to have around the house. We recently learned that Trader Joe’s pistachios come from the same place as Wonderful pistachios. Though you can occasionally find Wonderful brand for a similar price, don’t think twice about grabbing the store-brand variety the next time you’re at TJ’s. You won’t be sacrificing quality!
Bonus Dupe: The now-discontinued Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend Herbal Tea was actually made by Celestial Seasonings.
This is sort of a reverse-dupe 😅. A few years ago, the Trader Joe’s Harvest Blend herbal tea was discontinued. If you miss it, try the Celestial Seasonings blend! Rumor has it that Trader Joe’s version was actually identical to the Cinnamon Apple Spice Celestial Seasonings tea which is thankfully still available. ❤️
Remember, when in doubt, look at the ingredients lists.
Unsure if a store brand is made by a name-brand company? Sometimes, taking a peek through the nutrition labels can reveal any quality copycats! You’ll often find that store-brand items have the same ingredients in the same order as pricier labels.
Wonder Bread is generic “anybread”. When my husband worked at the Wonderbread facory”…they only changed the bread wrapper.
Thanks for sharing about this brand, Barbara! Good to know they are the same! 🙌❤️
Great Value Ketchup is Hunt’s with more vinegar and garlic. It’s made by Con Agra who makes Hunts.
Wow! I do like both of those varieties! Thanks for sharing that, Miss Terry! 🙌
Growing up one of my friends dad worked in the clothing industry. He told my parents that one ingredient was changed (example different thread type). So all production had to do was change a roll and labels and they were off making another companies product.
Monday they ran socks for the designer store sold a pair for $5.00 each. Tuesday made few changes and here came Sears socks at $3.00 a pair. Then Wednesday adjustments again and off comes Kmart at $1.00 a pair. Same thing was done for many other companies.
Wow! SO interesting to hear the little changes that made that difference. Thanks for sharing this, Connie! ❤️🙌
😱 Thanks so much for sharing more about that brand, Wanda. Good to know that it’s the same solution for store brand! 🙌
Years ago I worked at a cookie factory, Sunshine Biscuits who made aand packaged under their own brand, then packaged the same cookies under 3 separate store brands like Safeway,milgrams and A & P from the same batch of cookie dough. Realized at a very early age that there are only so many food processing plants so off brands had to come from them. Less expensive to the smaller companies to contract with established plants and the bigger plants can control their exposure. Win-win for all.
Good to know, Breck! Thanks for taking a moment to share about your personal experience and knowledge about the factories and brands. 🍪💗
I work at an applesauce production facility and we make the main name brand as well as other brands such as Kirkland, great value and Aldi’s brand. Same equipment and materials are used for all products, the only thing that change is the packaging materials.
Wow, Luna! 🤩 That’s so fascinating to know – thanks for sharing! It’s always interesting to learn how so many brands come from the same production process. 🍎✨ Appreciate the behind-the-scenes insight! 💕
Well, now I’m panicking.
Our family lives with food allergies, and Blue Bunny has always been safe for us, while Great Value is not. Perhaps I had best skip both…
The Millville version of Golden Grahams does not taste like General Mills Golden Grahams. The ALDI version tastes wrong. It is edible, but it is not the same.
Thanks for sharing your honest feedback on how the Aldi version compares, Sara! 🤗
Kirkland diapers are no longer made by Kimberly-Clark, the manufacturer of Huggies as of 2025.
Good to know, Ed! Thanks for sharing! 💕