Costco, the renowned American retail giant, has introduced a change to its famous $1.50 hot dog combo for the first time in over four decades, as reported by Telemundo 51.
But there's no need to worry; this alteration is customer-friendly. Now, patrons can swap the traditional fountain soda for a 16.9-ounce Kirkland Signature bottled water at no additional cost.
This update was noticed by shoppers across states like California, Nevada, and Virginia on Wednesday, though it's not yet clear if the option is available at all locations nationwide.
For more than 40 years, the combo has consisted of a quarter-pound beef hot dog paired with a 20-ounce fountain soda with free refills, all for the unchanged price of $1.50 since its introduction in 1984.
The soda option remains available for those who prefer it, meaning Costco hasn't removed any choices but has simply added a new one.
While the chain hasn't made an official announcement, numerous customers have shared images of updated menus on social media showcasing the new bottled water choice.
This modification comes amid heightened awareness of inflation and "shrinkflation," where product sizes shrink while prices remain the same or increase. In this instance, Costco has taken the opposite approach by expanding options without adjusting the cost.
Maintaining the price has been a core element of the company's identity. Co-founder Jim Sinegal is legendary for his insistence on never raising it, a commitment echoed by multiple executives over the years.
In 2022, then Chief Financial Officer Richard Galanti assured that the price would remain "forever." His successor, Gary Millerchip, described it as "secure" for 2024, with current CEO Ron Vachris also reaffirming this commitment.
The combo is a sales phenomenon like no other. According to Delish, a site specializing in food sales data, Costco sold over 200 million hot dog combos in 2023—nearly ten times more than all the hot dogs sold at MLB stadiums in a year, which total just 22 million.
In 2024, sales dipped to 124 million units, yet this remains an extraordinary figure for a single food court item.
The drink swap isn't the only recent change at Costco's food courts. In 2025, the chain announced a switch back to Coca-Cola products, departing from Pepsi, which it had adopted in 2013 specifically to keep the combo price at $1.50.
Since 2024, Costco has also required membership to purchase from the food court, even at locations with outdoor seating, reinforcing the exclusivity of this benefit for its members.
Globally, Costco operates over 800 locations, with at least 600 in the United States.
Key Questions on Costco's Hot Dog Combo Update
What is the new change in Costco's $1.50 hot dog combo?
Costco now offers customers the option to replace the traditional soda with a 16.9-ounce Kirkland Signature bottled water at no extra cost.
Has the price of the $1.50 hot dog combo changed?
No, the price of the combo has remained at $1.50 since it was first introduced in 1984.
Is a Costco membership required to purchase from the food court?
Yes, since 2024, a Costco membership is required to buy food court items, even at locations with outdoor seating.