COSTCO LIMITS ACCESS TO $1.50 HOT DOG AND SODA COMBO AT FOOD COURTS

Matt Case - March 25th, 2024 - 7:02 am PST 

Costco is implementing a new policy requiring a membership for purchases at its outdoor food courts, a move aimed at closing a loophole that allowed nonmembers to buy items, particularly the popular $1.50 hot dog and soda combo. Previously, nonmembers could access these outdoor food courts without membership verification, unlike the indoor counterparts where checks are more stringent.

A Reddit user shared a sign from a Costco in Orlando stating that effective April 8, 2024, a valid Costco membership will be needed to make purchases at the food court. This change will affect all 18 outdoor food courts in the United States, aligning with the indoor policy and reinforcing the membership requirement to enter Costco warehouses.

This policy adjustment is part of Costco's broader efforts to enforce membership card usage, including a new system piloted at a Washington location that verifies the cardholder's identity against a photo. These measures come as Costco, known for its $1.50 hot dog and soda deal since 1985, anticipates a potential increase in membership fees.

Membership fees are crucial to Costco's revenue, with recent reports showing significant earnings from these fees. The shift in policy coincides with the transition of Costco's CFO, with Richard Galanti passing the baton to Gary Millerchip, amid speculations on the future pricing strategies of the company's offerings.