A woman buys an 80lb chicken worth $53.76 at a wholesale store. Then she says she’s not ‘buying chicken from the grocery anymore’

A woman’s viral grocery-shopping tip has sparked a conversation about the potential savings consumers can achieve by buying food outside traditional supermarkets. While wholesale prices can be lower, actual savings depend on minimum purchase requirements and whether households can reasonably use large quantities without wasting or spoiling them.

In a TikTok video, creator Y3M (@y3miii_) claimed she purchased 80 pounds of chicken for just $53.76. “None of you should be buying chicken from the grocery store anymore,” she said, encouraging viewers to find an alternative place to buy meat. Her purchase amounts to roughly 67 cents per pound, though she didn’t specify which cut of chicken she bought or clarify if the price was part of a special promotion.

The TikToker identified the store as Restaurant Depot, encouraging viewers to visit their local branch and obtain a day pass, noting that “all you need is your ID.” She suggested shoppers could stock up on essentials without relying on conventional grocery stores.

Grocery shoppers are getting resourceful

However, Restaurant Depot’s official membership terms specify that only qualifying food businesses and nonprofit organizations are eligible to join, and applicants must provide documentation to verify their status. The company’s one-day pass policy applies only to existing members who forget their membership cards, not to any shopper turning up with ID. Shoppers without a qualifying membership can also contact their nearest Restaurant Depot to check if guest-shopping options are available.

In addition to Restaurant Depot, she explained how she uses a Costco membership through Instacart to schedule grocery deliveries at her convenience. She claimed that groceries often arrive at her door by the time she returns from the gym.

Storage considerations also affect food safety. According to USDA guidelines, raw chicken should be cooked or frozen within one to two days of refrigeration. At 0°F, frozen chicken parts retain optimal quality for roughly nine months, while whole chickens can be stored for up to a year without significant loss of quality. The USDA further advises using extra protective wrapping for chicken frozen longer than two months to help prevent freezer burn. These guidelines are especially important when buying large quantities that may take months to use up.

Nonetheless, U.S. households are making every effort to find good deals as the cost of essentials—including food, groceries, and gas, continues to rise. Federal data show grocery prices have increased 28 percent from September 2020 to September 2026, with items such as ground beef up 67 percent and coffee soaring 108 percent. “The rising cost of food is having an impact beyond what people put in their grocery carts,” the research noted. Over the past year, higher prices for essentials like groceries and gas have left just over 60 percent of households earning $50,000 or less living paycheck to paycheck, according to a September study by investment bank Goldman Sachs.

The video prompted a discussion among viewers about whether wholesale shopping was practical for them. One commenter asked, “I can’t do restaurant depot because I don’t have a business. Is there a loophole?” The creator replied, “Yes. Go with your ID & get a day pass… lol it is not only for business owners.” Others highlighted storage challenges, with one viewer saying, “I’d do so much if I had the room for a do freezer lol I would be buying a half a cow.”

Another viewer recommended alternative shopping options, commenting, “Y’all go to the Halal stores and international grocery stores! SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper. Eggs $2, fresh meat cut in front of you, fresh seafood, milk for $2, etc etc.”