Costco Makes A Major Change to the Iconic Hot Dog Combo

Costco's famous Food Court hot dog combo has gotten an update. The good news for bargain hunters is that the iconic $1.50 price hasn't changed. 

And that means you can still save money at Costco on your favorite post-shopping treat.

So what's different about Costco's hot dog combo? Keep reading for details on the affordable updated option.

What is the Costco hot dog combo?

Whether you're a brand-new bargain-hunting warehouse club member or you've simply never tried this Food Court staple, Costco's hot dog combo has been around for decades.

Costco introduced the $1.50 hot dog-and-drink deal in 1985. The traditional combo includes a quarter-pound all-beef hot dog and a 20-ounce refillable fountain drink, and its headline price has remained unchanged for more than 40 years.

The soda itself has changed, however. Costco switched its U.S. Food Court fountains from Pepsi products back to Coca-Cola products in 2025. So members choosing the traditional hot dog-and-soda combo now get a Coca-Cola fountain beverage rather than a Pepsi product.

Has Costco ever changed the hot dog combo's price?

No, Costco has no current plans to increase the cost of the delicious duo. The warehouse club has made a point of keeping the legendary $1.50 price for this item on the Food Court menu. If you're wondering whether the iffy economy and inflation will affect this item's price, Costco CEO Ron Vachris has something to say.

The head honcho recently appeared in an Instagram clip (on the warehouse club's page), enjoying the Food Court dog and answering one of the top customer questions: "Is the price of the hot dog going up?"

And what does Vachris have to say? The CEO looks into the camera, a hot dog in hand, and states definitively, "The hot dog price will not change as long as I'm around." Fingers crossed that the warehouse club doesn't shake up its corporate structure anytime soon.

Are Costco's hot dogs a good value?

Since the price has stayed the same for the past four decades, the $1.50 hot dog combo is a phenomenal value. In comparison, Sonic charges $3.29 just for an All-American Dog. Add on a medium soda, and you could pay $2.79 more.

What do shoppers think about Costco's hot dogs?

When asked to describe the dogs in one word, the company's CEO calls them "Amazing." Of course, Vachris isn't the only one who enjoys this menu item. Shoppers regularly take to Reddit and other social sites to praise the Food Court feast.

One Redditor joked, "I am pretty sure the membership agreement has fine print that states a member must consume a certain number of hot dogs per membership year or risk the membership being revoked." And another admitted her husband can't stop eating the combo, sarcastically asking other Redditors, "Is there a support group available?"

How did Costco's hot dog combo change in 2026?

In April 2026, Costco shoppers began reporting a second drink option for the $1.50 combo. Instead of the traditional 20-ounce refillable fountain soda, participating Food Courts began allowing customers to choose a 16.9-ounce bottle of Kirkland Signature water.

By May 2, 2026, Axios had documented the water option at a Costco in Coral Springs, Florida, while reports from other states showed that the change had reached multiple parts of the country.

The classic combo hasn't disappeared. Shoppers can still pair the hot dog with a fountain soda, which now means a Coca-Cola product following Costco's 2025 change in fountain-drink suppliers.

What do members think about the hot dog combo change?

The additional choice may appeal to shoppers who simply prefer water or don't drink soda.

When early reports of the change appeared on Reddit, user WayRevolutionary8454 mused, "Is this somewhere that has a sugar tax?" While Costco has not confirmed this reason as the rationale behind the change, it would make sense.

When it comes to whether members actually like the Food Court switch-up, Reddit user PugLove68 raved, "This is awesome, please every Costco do this," and Artisticsoul007 added, "I wish more Costcos did this. I'd rather have the bottled water than the soda for sure."

Can you get the new hot dog combo in every Costco club?

No, this deal isn't available in all Costco locations yet. According to social media posts, the retailer began quietly rolling out the change earlier this year.

If your Costco doesn't have this option, we've got a workaround. Nab the $1.50 hot dog-soda combo and buy a case of water. A 40-count from Kirkland Signature costs $3.99. That equals just under $0.10 per bottle.

Bottom line

When it comes down to it, this change won't impact your wallet. So, don't panic. Even if you hear about the "new" hot dog combo deal rolling out across the country, the price will stay the same. That means you can still fill your belly for $1.50. As a bonus, you also have a healthier option that isn't filled with chemicals, sugar, or other additives.

Looking for more ways to save at Costco? Try one of our favorite smart shopping strategies: Use the best cash back credit cards to earn perks or points on eligible items. This makes it easy to put your haul to work and make money on bulk buys.

You May Also Like

11 Weird Little Hacks Costco Shoppers Should Know

By FinanceBuzz Editors

10 Things Seniors Born Between 1941-1969 Could Take Advantage Of

By FinanceBuzz Editors

How To Save Money on Car Insurance: 12 Ways to Lower Rates

By Elyssa Kirkham

19 Dumbest Things Smart People Waste Money On

By Team FBZ

---

Subscribe Today

Learn how to make an extra $200

Get vetted side hustles and proven ways to earn extra cash sent to your inbox.

or

Subscribe Now →

By submitting this form you agree to receive emails from FinanceBuzz and to the privacy policy and terms