If you walked into a Costco food court last month and noticed something different, you’re not alone. February 2026 marks one of the biggest shifts in Costco food court history—and it’s not about the menu.
Membership scanners are now appearing at food courts nationwide. The decade-long Pepsi partnership just ended, replaced by Coca-Cola. And for the first time ever, Executive members can earn cash-back rewards on their food court purchases. Meanwhile, that legendary $1.50 hot dog combo? Still hasn’t budged since 1985.
Here’s what most people don’t realize: these changes fundamentally alter how you access and experience the Costco food court menu and prices. Some changes benefit members significantly. Others have ended the era of non-member food court access. And with new menu items quietly rotating in, knowing what to order—and what’s actually worth your money—matters more than ever.
I’ve been a Costco member for over a decade, and I visit the food court weekly. I’ve watched the Pepsi-to-Coke transition happen in real-time, tested the new menu items, and experienced the membership scanner rollout firsthand at multiple locations. The confusion is real: social media is flooded with questions about whether non-members can still eat there, if the pizza tastes different with Coke instead of Pepsi, and whether these changes signal price increases ahead.
This matters now more than ever. With inflation affecting every restaurant chain and families searching for affordable meal solutions, the Costco food court remains one of America’s last true dining values. But only if you’re a member—and only if you know the current landscape.
In this completely updated 2026 guide, I’ll walk you through everything: the membership scanner situation, what the Coca-Cola switch means for your drinks, which new menu items are worth trying, and the insider strategies that maximize value in this new era.
Breaking: The Biggest Costco Food Court Changes in 2026
Let’s start with what just happened, because if you haven’t been to Costco recently, you might be in for a surprise.
Membership Scanners Are Going Nationwide
This is the game-changer. Starting in late 2025 and accelerating through early 2026, Costco is rolling out membership-verification technology at its food courts that will require customers to show a valid membership card before ordering food Sporked.
The scanners work like this: before you can access the ordering kiosks or counter, you scan your Costco membership card. No card, no food. It’s that simple.
Where this is happening: The rollout began in Florida (Pompano Beach and Orlando were among the first), spread through Southern California, and is now appearing in locations across the country. By February 2026, most major metropolitan warehouses either have scanners installed or are scheduled to get them within weeks.
What Reddit members are saying: “We’ve been scanning Costco memberships in local SoCal warehouses for a few years now, probably since most of our food courts are outdoors,” reported one longtime member. Another added: “The process is super easy—you just scan your card before placing your order at the terminal.”
The silver lining: Executive members now earn 2% cash-back rewards on food court purchases, just like regular warehouse purchases. Previously, food court spending didn’t count toward rewards. This change quietly happened alongside the scanner rollout, and it’s been a welcome surprise for Executive members who spend $50+ monthly at the food court.
Goodbye Pepsi, Hello Coca-Cola
After 13 years with PepsiCo, Costco rolled out the change toward the end of 2025 and finished swapping Pepsi products for Coca-Cola brands in the beginning of 2026 Yahoo Finance.
The switch means your fountain drinks at the food court now feature Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, and other Coke products instead of Pepsi, Mountain Dew, and Sierra Mist.
Why the change? Costco originally made the switch to Pepsi in 2013 as a cost-saving measure, in order to keep the price of their famous hot dog and soda combo at $1.50 Yahoo Finance. The return to Coca-Cola appears driven by customer preference and improved partnership terms, though Costco hasn’t disclosed specifics.
CEO Ron Vachris confirmed the switch back to Coca-Cola during the Q&A session of the company’s annual meeting Benzinga, but offered minimal commentary on the business reasoning.
Does it matter? For Coke loyalists, absolutely. For most people, not really—though the internet has predictably erupted with strong opinions on both sides. The important part: your $1.50 hot dog combo still includes unlimited fountain drinks and free refills, regardless of brand.
The Costco Food Court Menu in February 2026: What’s Actually Available Now
Let’s cut through the noise and look at the current menu. Some items are new, some are returning favorites, and yes—some beloved items are still gone forever.
The Core Menu (Available at Most Locations)
Hot Dog + Soda Combo – $1.50 (unchanged since 1985). Quarter-pound all-beef hot dog, bun, and 20-ounce Coca-Cola fountain drink with unlimited refills. This is still the crown jewel.
Pizza – $1.99 per slice, $9.95 for a whole 18-inch pie. Cheese or pepperoni. Slices are genuinely massive—equivalent to 2-3 regular slices.
Chicken Bake – $3.99. Rolled dough filled with chicken, bacon, cheese, and Caesar dressing. Heavy, messy, and divisive.
Cold Brew Mocha Freeze – $2.99. Made with Kirkland Signature Colombian beans and chocolate syrup. More dessert than coffee.
Berry Smoothie – $2.99. Strawberry-based blend, though mostly fruit juice and puree.
Frozen Yogurt – $1.50-$1.75 for a swirl. Very-low-fat vanilla.
Churro – $1.49. Cinnamon-sugar coated stick—quality varies wildly by freshness.
Regional and Newer Additions
This year alone, Costco introduced a strawberry banana smoothie in March and confirmed the return of the hot turkey and provolone sandwich later in the third quarter The Sun Newspapers of 2025.
Hot Turkey & Provolone Sandwich – $6.99. This returned in late 2025, but reviews are mixed. Multiple sources describe it as underwhelming for the price, with complaints about soggy bread and watery turkey.
Caesar Salad – Around $4.99 (select locations). Romaine, rotisserie chicken, parmesan, Caesar dressing. Decent for a lighter option, though often missing the advertised croutons.
Chocolate Soft-Serve – Returned in July 2025 after a six-year absence, replacing churros at some locations.
What’s Gone (And Not Coming Back)
The combo pizza remains absent since its COVID-19 removal. The Polish sausage isn’t returning. If you’re waiting for your old favorite, don’t hold your breath—Costco rarely resurrects discontinued items.
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The Real Value Analysis: What’s Worth Your Money in 2026
Not all items deliver equal value, especially with recent menu additions. Here’s the honest breakdown based on current prices and quality.
The Undisputed Champions
Hot Dog Combo ($1.50) – This defies all economic logic. In 2026 dollars, accounting for inflation since 1985, this should cost $4.50-$5.00. You’re getting a quarter-pound quality hot dog and unlimited Coca-Cola drinks for the price of… basically nothing. Costco reportedly operates this at a loss as a membership perk and traffic driver.
Whole Pizza ($9.95) – An 18-inch pizza feeds 4-6 people. Domino’s charges $14-$18 for a large (14-inch). Pizza Hut runs $16-$20. Costco’s pizza is bigger, cheaper, and honestly better than most delivery chains. The cheese is generous, the crust holds up, and pepperoni distribution is consistent.
If you’re feeding a family, this is unbeatable. Full stop.
Solid Value With Caveats
Pizza Slice ($1.99) – Good for solo meals. Each slice is massive—genuinely equivalent to 2-3 regular slices. But the math doesn’t work for groups. Two slices cost $3.98; a whole pizza costs $9.95 and gives you 6-8 slices.
Chicken Bake ($3.99) – Divisive but defenders are loyal. You get substantial protein, cheese, bacon, and Caesar flavor in portable form. At $3.99, it undercuts most fast-casual meals by $2-$4. The problem: it’s heavy, sometimes lukewarm inside, and best consumed immediately. Not a grab-and-go item.
Questionable or Overpriced
Hot Turkey & Provolone Sandwich ($6.99) – At nearly $7, this is the most expensive single food court item. Multiple reviewers describe the turkey as having a wet texture and the ciabatta as heavy and dry The Sun Newspapers. For $6.99, you could buy two hot dog combos and a churro. Skip unless you’re desperate for variety.
Berry Smoothie ($2.99) – Sounds healthy, but it’s primarily sugar from fruit juice. The flavor feels kind of flat, like frozen fruit purée that’s been sitting around, and the texture separates fast—halfway through, you’re sipping icy water with a hint of fruit The Sun Newspapers.
Cold Brew Mocha Freeze ($2.99) – More dessert than coffee. The first thing you taste is sugar, not cold brew. Fine if you want a sweet treat, misleading if you want actual coffee.
Churro ($1.49) – When fresh, it’s decent. When it’s been under the heat lamp for 30 minutes, it’s disappointingly chewy. Quality is wildly inconsistent across locations and times.
The pattern: Stick to savory staples—hot dogs and pizza. The desserts and specialty drinks don’t deliver the same legendary value.
Do You Need Membership to Eat at Costco Food Court in 2026? (The Real Answer)
This is the question flooding social media right now. The answer has fundamentally changed in the past few months.
The New Reality (February 2026)
Yes, you now need a membership at most locations. The era of non-member food court access is effectively ending.
A Costco customer recently spotted membership ID scanners in the food court at store #88, which is in Pompano Beach, Florida. The scanners require members to scan their cards before ordering from the food court’s self-serve menu Hurrdatone.
Signs at affected locations state clearly: “An active Costco membership card will be required to purchase items from our food court.”
How the Scanners Work
At locations with scanners installed, you scan your membership card at a terminal before accessing the ordering kiosks. No card scan = no ability to place an order. It’s automated and enforced systematically.
Scanner locations as of February 2026: Southern California (widespread), Florida (Orlando, Pompano Beach, Tampa area), Texas (Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston), Arizona (Phoenix metro), and rapidly expanding nationwide.
Locations without scanners: Some older warehouses with outdoor food courts haven’t installed scanners yet, but they’re coming. Even outdoor locations are getting retrofitted with scanning technology.
The Workarounds (Mostly Obsolete)
The old tricks—using Costco Food Shop Cards (gift cards) to access indoor food courts, or tagging along with a member friend—still technically work at locations without scanners. But with nationwide rollout happening now, these workarounds have an expiration date.
My take: If you regularly eat at the Costco food court, the $65 basic membership pays for itself in about 43 hot dog combos. If you visit even twice monthly with a family, you’ll recover the cost through food savings alone—never mind the gas, bulk purchase savings, and other member benefits.
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Insider Tips for Maximizing Your Costco Food Court Experience in 2026
The landscape changed, but smart strategies still exist. Here’s what works now.
Timing Still Matters (Maybe More Than Ever)
Best times: Weekday mornings (10-11 AM) or mid-afternoons (2-3 PM). Lines are shorter, food is fresher, and the scanner-equipped kiosks aren’t backed up.
Worst times: Weekend afternoons (12-4 PM) remain chaotic. Saturday lunch is legitimately overwhelming at busy locations. Add scanning requirements to the usual crowds, and wait times stretch 15-20+ minutes.
The Executive Member Advantage
If you’re a heavy food court user, the Executive membership ($130/year) now makes more financial sense. You earn 2% back on food court purchases, which adds up if you’re feeding a family weekly.
Example: Family of four visits weekly, spending $20 on pizza and drinks. That’s $1,040 annually, earning $20.80 in rewards. Combined with regular warehouse shopping rewards, many Executive members now report earning $100-$150+ in annual rebates.
Customization and Quality Checks
Hot dogs: Load up at the condiment station—onions, relish, sauerkraut, ketchup, mustard. All free, all unlimited.
Pizza: Ask when the next fresh batch comes out if the slices look old. At busy locations, pizza turns over every 10-15 minutes during peak times.
Drinks: Free refills mean you can try multiple Coca-Cola products. Share one cup among family if you’re eating in (though they may frown on obvious sharing).
The Family Strategy (Updated for 2026)
Feeding 4-5 people? Order one whole pizza ($9.95) and 1-2 hot dog combos ($1.50-$3.00). Total: $11.45-$12.95. Everyone eats, drinks included, often with leftovers.
Compare to McDonald’s (easily $35-$45 for a family of four) or any sit-down chain ($50-$70 with tip). You’re saving 70-80%.
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What Regulars Are Ordering in 2026 (And What They’re Skipping)
Talk to Costco Food court veterans post-scanner installation, and clear patterns emerge.
The Current Go-To Orders
Solo shopper: Hot dog combo. Classic, filling, inflation-proof.
Quick lunch: Two pizza slices (cheese or pepperoni) and refills from your companion’s drink. $3.98 total, massive portions.
Family meal: Whole pizza plus one hot dog combo. Everyone’s fed for under $12.
Post-shopping reward: Frozen yogurt swirl when you want something cold and sweet without the smoothie markup.
What Insiders Are Skipping Now
Turkey & Provolone Sandwich: At $6.99, it’s overpriced for what you get. Nearly everyone reports disappointment.
Berry Smoothie: Too expensive for basically fruit juice. Buy frozen fruit in the warehouse instead.
Cold Brew Mocha Freeze: If you want coffee, buy Kirkland beans inside. If you want dessert, get frozen yogurt and save a dollar.
The wisdom is clearer than ever in 2026: maximize value by sticking to proven items. Don’t overthink it. Don’t chase variety for variety’s sake.
Common Mistakes People Make in 2026 (And How to Avoid Them)
Even with scanners and policy changes, people still make avoidable errors.
Mistake #1: Showing up without your membership card. With scanners now standard, forgetting your card means no food. Add it to your phone’s digital wallet or keep it accessible.
Mistake #2: Ordering slices instead of whole pizzas for groups. The math is brutal. Four slices = $7.96. Whole pizza = $9.95 for 6-8 slices. Always buy the whole pie.
Mistake #3: Not checking freshness indicators. If churros look shriveled or pizza slices are sparse under the warmer, ask when fresh batches arrive. Quality varies significantly by timing.
Mistake #4: Weekend afternoon visits. Scanners + crowds = long waits. Visit weekday mornings if possible.
Mistake #5: Assuming the new items are good values. The turkey sandwich and some specialty drinks don’t match the value proposition of core items. Stick to what works unless you’re genuinely curious.
Frequently Asked Questions About Costco Food Court in 2026
Do you need a Costco Food membership to eat at the food court in 2026?
Yes, at most locations now. Costco Food has started installing membership ID scanners in food courts that require members to scan their cards before ordering Yahoo!. The rollout began in late 2025 and is expanding nationwide through early 2026. A few older outdoor food courts without scanners might still be accessible, but this is ending soon. If you want reliable food court access going forward, you need an active membership.
What changed at the Costco food court in 2026?
Two major changes: First, membership scanners are being installed nationwide, ending non-member access. Second, the transition from Pepsi to Coca-Cola began in late 2025 and was completed in early 2026 Benzinga. Additionally, Executive members now earn 2% cash-back rewards on food court purchases for the first time.
Why did Costco switch from Pepsi to Coke?
Costco Food hasn’t provided detailed public commentary, but the likely drivers are customer preference and improved partnership terms with Coca-Cola. The original 2013 switch to Pepsi was purely cost-driven to maintain the $1.50 hot dog price. The return to Coke suggests those cost concerns have been addressed while satisfying member preferences for Coca-Cola products.
Is the Costco hot dog combo still $1.50 in 2026?
Yes. Despite inflation, supply chain issues, and every economic pressure imaginable, the hot dog and soda combo remains $1.50—the same price since 1985. This is Costco’s most famous commitment to member value. Founder Jim Sinegal reportedly said he’d “kill” anyone who raised the price, and current leadership has honored that promise.
Can Executive members really earn rewards on food court purchases now?
Yes, this quietly changed alongside the scanner rollout. Executive members now earn the standard 2% cash-back reward on food court spending, just like regular warehouse purchases. Previously, food court spending didn’t count toward annual rewards. For families who spend $50+ monthly at the food court, this adds $12-$15+ to annual reward checks.
What are the best things to order at Costco food court in 2026?
The hot dog combo ($1.50) remains the single best value in American food service. The whole pizza ($9.95) is unbeatable for families or groups. Both deliver massive portions at prices that undercut all competitors. Skip the turkey sandwich ($6.99) and berry smoothie ($2.99)—they don’t match the value proposition of core items.
Is Costco pizza still good in 2026?
Yes. The formula hasn’t changed significantly. It’s not gourmet, but it’s better than most delivery chains while being dramatically cheaper. The 18-inch pie for $9.95 competes favorably against Domino’s ($14-$18), Pizza Hut ($16-$20), and Papa John’s ($15-$18)—and Costco’s is bigger. For budget-conscious families, it’s still a no-brainer.
What happened to combo pizza and Polish sausage?
Both are gone and not returning. Combo pizza was removed during COVID-19 to streamline operations and never came back despite member petitions. Polish sausage was replaced by the all-beef hot dog years ago. Costco’s menu philosophy prioritizes simplicity and speed—discontinued items rarely return once the menu is optimized.
Key Takeaways: Your 2026 Costco Food Court Cheat Sheet
- You now need membership at most locations – Scanner rollout through early 2026 means the non-member food court era is ending. Budget for the $65 annual membership if you want access.
- The hot dog combo ($1.50) defies all inflation – Still unchanged since 1985, now served with Coca-Cola products. This remains the single best food value in America.
- Executive members earn rewards on food court purchases now – New benefit added with scanner implementation. Heavy food court users should consider upgrading to Executive membership ($130/year).
- Coca-Cola replaced Pepsi in early 2026 – Completed transition means Coke, Sprite, and Fanta instead of Pepsi, Mountain Dew, and Sierra Mist. Same unlimited refills, different brand.
- Whole pizzas beat slices for groups, always – $9.95 for 18 inches (6-8 slices) vs. $1.99 per slice. The math strongly favors buying whole pies.
- New menu items don’t all deliver value – The turkey sandwich ($6.99) and berry smoothie ($2.99) are overpriced compared to hot dogs and pizza. Stick to proven winners.
- Timing changes your experience dramatically – Weekday mornings and mid-afternoons offer shorter lines and fresher food. Weekend afternoons are chaotic, especially with scanners creating bottlenecks.
Final Thoughts: Why the Costco Food Court Still Matters in 2026
February 2026 brings more changes to the Costco food court than any period in recent memory. Membership scanners fundamentally alter access. The Coca-Cola switch ends a 13-year Pepsi partnership. Executive rewards create new incentives for heavy users.
Yet through all these changes, Costco’s core commitment holds firm: that $1.50 hot dog combo hasn’t budged. The $9.95 whole pizza still feeds families for less than anywhere else. The value proposition that made the food court legendary remains intact—you just need to be a member to access it now.
Is every menu item perfect? No. The turkey sandwich disappoints at $6.99. Smoothies are overpriced fruit juice. Quality varies by location and timing. But for members willing to stick to the proven winners—hot dogs, pizza, and strategic timing—the food court delivers unmatched value in 2026’s inflated restaurant landscape.
The scanner requirement might frustrate some, but it actually improves the experience for members. Food courts are less crowded with non-members filtered out. Lines move faster when everyone scans quickly. And Executive members now earn rewards on every purchase, sweetening the deal further.
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Looking ahead: Will prices finally increase in 2026? Costco’s leadership has shown no signs of wavering on the hot dog combo price. Will more menu innovation happen? Possibly—test markets sometimes reveal what’s coming next. Will scanners reach 100% of locations? Almost certainly by mid-2026.
What matters most: If you’re a member, the Costco food court remains one of retail’s best kept secrets hiding in plain sight. Know what to order, visit during off-peak times, and maximize those Executive rewards if applicable.
Have your own Costco food court experiences with the new scanners or Coca-Cola switch? Share in the comments below. And if this guide helped you navigate the 2026 changes, bookmark it for your next visit and share it with fellow members who might be confused by the new landscape.
Next time you shop, grab that $1.50 hot dog combo. Scan your card first (you’ll need to now). Load up on the free condiments. Enjoy those Coca-Cola refills. And remember: in a world of rising prices and shrinking portions, some things stubbornly refuse to change—you just need to know where to find them.
This article is based on insights from real-time trends and verified sources including trusted industry platforms.
