One of your favorite food court features might be on the chopping block
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Costco Is Making a Big Change to This Food Court Staple—Here’s What to Know
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There are so many reasons to love Costco. From cheap gas to delicious baked goods in bulk to $4.99 rotisserie chickens and so much more, Costco has something for everyone. But perhaps one of the biggest perks of shopping at Costco (or, at least, one of our favorites) is getting a quick bite at the food court. Where else can you score a hot dog and soda combo for only $1.50? Nowhere. That’s where. When it comes to packing in the most bang for your buck, the Costco food court reigns supreme.
Lately, however, rumors have been swirling that Costco is making a big change to these beloved pit stops. So is this a change you’ll love—or grumble about? Keep reading to find out how everyone’s favorite warehouse club will be switching things up at its food courts and when you’ll see this new development at a Costco near you.
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What is the big change coming to Costco?
Coca-Cola fans, rejoice! If you’ve heard rumors that Costco food courts would soon begin serving Coca-Cola products instead of Pepsi, those rumors were, in fact, true. During the Costco Shareholders Meeting on Jan. 23, Costco president and CEO Ron Vachris confirmed the switch. “We will be converting our food court fountain business back over to Coca-Cola,” he said.
With decades of debate about the difference between Pepsi and Coca-Cola, chances are, some Costco members will be thrilled about the change, while others … well, not so much.
Is this the first time Costco is serving Coca-Cola products?
Nope! As anyone who frequented the Costco food court prior to 2013 might remember, Costco’s fountain beverages were originally all Coca-Cola products. Then, in 2013, Costco switched from Coca-Cola to Pepsi, which the company did in to maintain the price of the $1.50 hot dog combo—a price that has remained in place since 1985.
For the past decade, if you’ve ordered a soda from the Costco food court, you not only received a Pepsi soft drink but also a Pepsi cup and straw. But that’s all about to change when Coca-Cola returns to Costco food court fountains, likely with its very own branded cups emblazoned with the Coke logo.
When will Coke be available in the food court?
If you’re excited about Costco’s switch from Pepsi back to Coke, you’ll have to be patient for a little while longer. According to Vachris, Costco will begin serving up Coca-Cola products this summer. For now, Pepsi is still flowing from Costco food court fountains.
What about the $1.50 hot dog combo?
One lingering question still remains: Once Coca-Cola resumes its rightful place in Costco’s food court, what will become of the beloved $1.50 hot dog combo? Luckily, this fan-favorite combo is safe, despite the Pepsi-to-Coke shift and ever-increasing inflation. With so much change in the world today, it’s comforting to know that Costco’s $1.50 hot dog combo is one thing we can all truly count on.
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Sources:
- Costco: “Annual Meeting of Shareholders”
- Fox Business: “Costco rolls out new food court changes, prompting excitement among some customers”