Costco might be making changes that could affect the popular $1.50 hot dog and soda combo, much to the dismay of Pepsi enthusiasts.
In January, CEO Ron Vachris announced that Costco would be transitioning the food court fountain business back to Coca-Cola, a change anticipated for this summer. Some users on Reddit, claiming to be either employees or customers, shared their thoughts on the switch.
Coca-Cola confirmed to Nexstar that its products began appearing in Costco food courts starting July 1.
“It’s true. Costco’s famous hot dog combo is now paired with an ice-cold Coca-Cola,” the statement said.
Reddit threads showed reports from Costco locations across the U.S., including Tucson, Arizona; Fremont and Lakewood, California; Tampa; Chicago; St. Louis; Cherry Hill, New Jersey; and even Nashville. One user even posted a photo from Sendai, Japan.
The transition at Costco food courts globally is expected to wrap up by the end of this year. Interestingly, all locations will be equipped with standard fountain units, rather than the freestyle machines that are common elsewhere.
Images shared on Reddit displayed traditional soda fountains boasting eight different dispensers. The lineup featured Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Sprite, and Minute Maid Lemonade. At times, Fuze Tea appeared, but some images showed Powerade instead.
As of now, Costco hasn’t provided any further details to Nexstar.
Prior to Vachris’s announcement, there had been speculation for months regarding the return of Coke to the food courts, encouraged by various online discussions. One Redditor humorously remarked that it wasn’t a “December Fool’s Naughty,” while another hinted that the presenters created a “full day” of delight for fans.
Pepsi had taken the place of Coca-Cola back in 2013, remaining in Costco’s food court for over a decade. When the switch occurred, it allowed Costco to maintain the beloved $1.50 hot dog price.
For years, Costco has reassured its customers that, despite rising consumer prices and membership fees, it would keep the hot dog and soda combo at its long-standing price of $1.50, a staple since the mid-1980s.
Interestingly, Costco isn’t the only company to make supplier changes in recent times. Subway switched from Coca-Cola to Pepsi last year. In early 2023, Midwest chain Culver decided to replace Pepsi products with Coca-Cola, leading some customers to label it as one of the “saddest” moments of life.
