Introduction
If you’re a fan of Costco’s food court, you may have noticed that the prices of two of its staples have recently gone up. That’s right, the beloved hot dog and pizza slices have both seen a price increase. In this article, we’ll take a look at why Costco has raised the prices of these two food court staples and what you can do to save money while still enjoying your favorite Costco treats. We’ll also provide some healthier alternatives to the hot dog and pizza slices that you can enjoy instead. So, if you’re looking for ways to save money while still enjoying your favorite Costco treats, read on!
Costco Just Raised The Price of These Two Food Court Staples
Costco shoppers, take note: The warehouse club just raised the prices of two of its most popular food court staples. The price of a hot dog and soda combo, which has been a staple of the Costco food court since 1985, is now $1.50 more expensive, jumping from $1.50 to $3.00. The price of a slice of pizza has also increased, from $1.99 to $2.99.
The price increases come as Costco is facing rising costs for ingredients and labor. The company is also dealing with increased competition from other warehouse clubs, such as Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale Club, which offer similar food court items at lower prices.
Despite the price increases, Costco’s food court items remain a bargain compared to other fast food restaurants. The hot dog and soda combo is still a fraction of the cost of a combo meal at McDonald’s or Burger King, and the pizza slice is still cheaper than a slice from most pizza chains.
If you’re looking for a cheap and tasty meal, the Costco food court is still a great option. Just be aware that you’ll be paying a bit more for your favorites.
Costco’s acclaimed food courts are a consistently hot topic of conversation in the grocery rumor mill. From price increases to new items, any hint at a menu change sends the internet into a frenzy, and one rumor recently posted on Reddit has now been confirmed.
Costco has lifted the price of its fan-favorite chicken bake—a hand-rolled crust filled with cheese, chicken, bacon, and caesar dressing—from $2.99 to $3.99. And, the store’s classic 20-ounce soda now sells for $0.69 a pop (pun intended), compared to its former price of $0.59.
Business Insider was able to verify this information with phone calls to multiple locations where workers explained that the change was a ‘national update’. Eat This, Not That! additionally reached out to Costco for confirmation, but has not yet received a response.
The big-box retailer hasn’t been exempt from the pressures of inflation and growing food prices, and the food court’s latest round of adjustments is likely a reflection of this reality. According to the Consumer Price Index, chicken reached a 17.4% year-over-year increase in May, and prices are expected to rise further in 2022 with the ongoing bird flu outbreak. The cost of cheese has also seen an almost 9 percent increase in 2022.
Pepsi—the soft drink brand carried at Costco food courts—has additionally undergone several rounds of price increases this year in order to get ahead of higher costs of transportation and raw materials.
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The chicken bake and 20-ounce soda aren’t the only Costco items which have seen a price tag change either. Earlier this year, the store’s famed Kirkland brand croissants and muffins were each raised by a margin of $1.00, and price inflation across the entire warehouse reached about 6% in Q2 2022.
Despite these changes, a few beloved Costco items are still holding strong at their original low prices. Shoppers will be happy to know they can still snag a food court hot dog for $1.50, a slice of pizza for $1.99, or a rotisserie chicken for $4.99–even as the cost of poultry reaches new highs.
Megan Hageman