Are These 16 Store Brands Actually Made by Name Brands?!
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 $2.79
– versus –
General Mills Cinnamon Toast Crunch $3.48
You save 69¢!
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 $2.79
– versus –
Girl Scout Cookies (all flavors) $6
You save $3.21!
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 – Thin Mints, Tagalongs, and Samoas. And the best part is ALDI’s brand is priced way less per box!
- Benton’s Fudge Mint Cookies 10oz | $2.09
- Benton’s Peanut Butter Filled Cookies 9.5oz | $2.09
- Benton’s Caramel Coconut Fudge Cookies 8.5oz | $2.49
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 $3.98
You save $1.89!
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 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 13.9¢ per ounce when you can opt for Walmart’s Great Value brand for about 10¢ 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! Luckily, that was in 2007 and both are perfectly safe now.
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 $18.99
– versus –
Bumble Bee Albacore Solid White Tuna, 7 oz., 8-Count $24.99
You save $6!
We were delighted to find out that Kirkland Signature tuna is made by Bumble Bee! The cheapest we found a 7 oz., 8-Count package of Bumble Bee was $24.99 so you’re saving AT LEAST $6 when you choose Kirkland.
7. Store brand Great Value Ice Cream is known to be made by Blue Bunny.
Wells Dairy has spent over 30 years working with Walmart to produce Great Value Ice Cream. They began to expand outside of their signature brand Blue Bunny and also manufacture Halo Top and Bomb Pop. Choose Great Value and you’ll save a lot over those name brands!
Pssssst! You can always try homemade ice cream and make it just how you like! 🙃
8. Word on the street is Great Value Applesauce is made by Musselman’s.
Who knew? Our childhood favorite snack is actually 24¢ 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. It’s not surprising that Tyson also produces Great Value chicken.
Tyson 1.5-2.5 lb Chicken Drumsticks $3.76 (depends on location)
– versus –
Great Value 5 lb Drumsticks $5.93 (depends on location)
You save ~ $0.61 per pound!
Since Tyson is one of the top suppliers of chicken products, it’s no surprise that they have produced Great Value chicken.
Like some other items on this list, we found out about the connection during a recall in 2019. And Walmart’s Great Value brand wasn’t the only one affected–Family Dollar, CVS, Meijer, Piggly Wiggly, Publix, and Wegmans were also affected by that recall, so it’s safe to assume that Tyson supplies chicken for several different retailers’ store brands.
Note that prices will vary by location.
10. Kirkland Signature Supreme Diapers are actually made by Huggies.
Rumor has it that Costco’s highly rated Kirkland Signature Diapers may actually be made by Kimberly Clark (the manufacturer of Huggies) and are just an “older generation” Huggies. While this is not publicly advertised or verified, many members rave about these diapers on the Costco website.
Check out a couple of reviews from Hip2Save readers:
“Yes, Kirkland diapers are made by Kimberly Clark who makes Huggies diapers. They are just the older style of Huggies.”
“I’ve heard Costco diapers are made by Huggies and their formula is made by Similac. I have always been a generic brand person, but in some cases I love the store brand better anyway.”
11. Starbucks is one of the suppliers of Kirkland Signature Coffee.
Kirkland Signature Coffee 32¢ per ounce (prices vary)
– versus –
Starbucks’ House Blend 75¢ per ounce (prices vary)
You save 43¢ per ounce!
Packages of Kirkland’s coffee used to say that they’re roasted by Starbucks Coffee Company. Since 2023 and 2024, some of the packaging has changed to remove that wording.
Though some Kirkland coffee is still roasted by Starbucks, others may come from brands like Green Mountain and San Francisco Bay Coffee. Regardless of which major brand is making Kirkland’s, you’re getting a great deal by snagging the Costco store brand.
You can pick up a 40 oz. bag of Kirkland Signature House Coffee at your local warehouse starting around $12.99, whereas a 12oz bag of Starbucks Coffee (0.75-pound) sells for $8.99 at Target. Talk about BIG savings!
Watch for the Kirkland Signature Espresso Blend and Decaf Dark Roast Blend varieties, too!
12. 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! 😱
13. 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!
14. 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!
15. 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)!
16. 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! ❤️🙌
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…