Some Costco Food Courts Likely to Reopen

Good news for those who miss dining at the Costco food court: The popular service may return soon.

In an interview with CNN, Richard Galanti, Costco’s chief financial officer, said he believes all food courts eventually will return to being fully open, but that “it’s going to take some time.” However, some locations may return more quickly than others.

When the coronavirus pandemic struck last year, Costco initially shut down its food courts. When the food courts reopened, they were not running at full capacity, with only a few takeout items available. Gradually, that menu expanded.

Unlike in the past, customers cannot sit and enjoy their food at Costco itself. That soon may change at Costco food courts that have outdoor seating areas.

Once the pandemic is more firmly in the nation’s rear-view mirror, Costco also expects to allow indoor dining again.

Costco’s food courts have something of a cult following, thanks especially to one particular menu item. As we have reported:

“When you’re done shopping, consider grabbing a meal or snack at the food court. You may be able to pay with change scrounged from your car — the classic hot dog and drink offering is just $1.50, and it’s held that price for decades.”

The bargain price of that hot dog appears to be sacrosanct. As Today reports, Costco co-founder Jim Sinegal once challenged current CEO W. Craig Jelinek when the latter suggested raising the price of the hot dog-and-soda combo.

As Jelinek recalled to 425 Business:

“I came to (Sinegal) once and I said, ‘Jim, we can’t sell this hot dog for a buck fifty. We are losing our rear ends.’ And he said, ‘If you raise (the price of the) effing hot dog, I will kill you. Figure it out.’ That’s all I really needed.”

For more on the warehouse club, check out “9 Reasons People Are Obsessed With Costco.”