Costco swapping out Pepsi products at food courts, CEO confirms
(NEXSTAR) — Costco is rolling out a big change at its food courts — don't worry, the $1.50 hot dog and soda combo is safe.
If you enjoyed getting a Pepsi with your hot dog, however, you may have an unpleasant surprise the next time you stop at the food court. Costco is swapping out Pepsi at its soda fountains for Coca-Cola products.
CEO Ron Vachris confirmed Costco 'will be converting our food court fountain business back over to Coca-Cola' during the company's shareholders meeting on Thursday, according to CNN. The switchover is expected to happen this summer.
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For more than a decade, it was Pepsi that was found at the fountains in Costco food courts nationwide. Prior to 2013, though, it was Coke products that were consumed alongside chicken bakes and hot dogs.
Rumors have been circulating for months that Costco may switch to Coke in the food court, drawing support from customers online. One Reddit user warned it 'better not be a December fools prank' while another said the then-rumor made their 'whole day.'
When Costco swapped Coke for Pepsi, it was a move to help keep its beloved hot dog at $1.50.
Costco has repeatedly reassured consumers over the last few years that it would not raise the price of its hot dog and soda combo, even as consumer prices rose and membership fees climbed.
The combo has been available for $1.50 since the mid-1980s. But, comments by the company's former CFO, Richard Galanti, caused uncertainty about the item's future.
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While he said in 2022 that the hot dog and soda combo would stay at $1.50 'forever,' the tone changed early last year when Galanti told Bloomberg that the $1.50 combo deal's price might only be 'probably safe for a while' after his departure.
For now, at least, the combo's beloved price tag is set to remain — you'll just have a different selection of soda to pair with the quarter-pound all-beef hot dog.
Last year, Subway made a similar swap, dropping Coke products for Pepsi. In early 2023, the Midwest fast-casual chain Culver's announced it was replacing Pepsi products with Coke, leaving some fans disappointed. Customers called it an 'all-time blunder' and one of the 'saddest' moments in their lives.
Nexstar's Michael Bartiromo contributed to this report.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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