Costco food courts are known for two things: affordable prices and loyal fans who do not like surprises. Now, there has been a big change that affects every one of its 910 food court locations across the U.S. After more than a decade of serving Pepsi, Costco has officially switched back to Coca-Cola.
This move was first announced in January, but now that it is fully rolled out, shoppers are seeing the change for themselves—and not everyone is happy about it.
Why did costco switch from pepsi to coke
The big question on many shoppers’ minds is simple: why the switch?
Costco CEO Ron Vachris confirmed earlier this year: “This summer we will be converting our food court fountain business back over to Coca-Cola.”
The reason comes down to cost negotiations. Costco has a history of switching soda brands to keep food court prices low. In 2009, Costco briefly stopped selling Coca-Cola after a pricing dispute. In 2013, Pepsi replaced Coca-Cola in the food courts after Costco struck a better deal.
Now, Costco has gone back to Coke, which is the market leader with nearly a 19.18 percent share compared to Pepsi’s 8.31 percent.
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What the new coke partnership looks like
You probably know the most famous Costco food court deal: the hot dog and soda combo for just $1.50. That price has not changed in decades, and it is one of the reasons customers line up at food courts nationwide.
Now, that classic meal comes with Coca-Cola instead of Pepsi.
- Hot Dog with Soda – $1.50
- Pizza Slice (Pepperoni or Cheese) – $1.99
- Turkey and Swiss Sandwich – $6.99
- Rotisserie Chicken Caesar Salad – $6.99
- Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie – $2.49
The Coca-Cola logo is now front and center in the promotion, and Costco has even shared updated photos online.
How shoppers are reacting to the soda swap
As you might expect, not everyone is thrilled. On Facebook, some customers welcomed Coca-Cola back, while others asked for different drink options entirely. Many loyal Pepsi fans felt let down, especially after sticking with Costco food courts for years.
Reactions have been split:
- Some shoppers say Coke just tastes better and are happy about the return.
- Others say they will miss Pepsi and want more variety on the menu.
- A few customers are asking Costco to bring in other beverage choices, like flavored sodas or healthier drink options.
This is not the first time Costco has faced pushback from food court changes. Earlier this year, fans begged the chain to bring back the Combo Calzone, and in July, Costco finally listened.
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Does this change affect food court prices
One thing Costco shoppers care about the most is price. The good news is that the hot dog and soda combo is still locked in at $1.50, even with the switch to Coca-Cola.
Costco has always said it will fight hard to keep food court prices as low as possible. The company has a history of tough negotiations with suppliers to make sure you can still grab a quick and affordable meal after shopping.
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