The Changing Landscape of Costco’s Food Court
A trip to Costco is never complete without a stop at the food court for a hot dog and a drink. However, fans of the wholesale giant are currently feeling the loss of their favorite treat — Pepsi Max. This popular beverage has been removed from all drink machines across the USA and UK, replaced by Coca-Cola Zero. While customers can still choose from Diet Coke, Fanta, and Sprite, many are not happy with the change.
Social media users have taken to platforms like Instagram to express their disappointment. One user, @uknewestfoods, shared images of the new Coca-Cola Zero-branded machines and cups, asking, “Costco, what have you done?” The post received over 800 likes, with many users expressing shock and sadness.
@xo13bec commented, “Oh nahhhhhh Pepsi Max is GOAT,” while @kelly7anner said, “Ah no, Pepis Max is the ultimate drink.” Others, like @louiep777 and @gemsyh85, admitted they were “not happy” and “devastated,” respectively. One user, @just_frank_who_goes_to_the_gym, demanded, “Bring back my Pepsi Cherry Max,” and @uknewestfoods suggested starting a petition for its return.
Many users also expressed frustration that regular full-fat Coke was not an option, only Diet and Zero. The shift has sparked a wave of discontent among loyal customers who felt the move was unnecessary.
The Shift in Beverage Choices
In January, Costco’s American CEO announced the switch to Coca-Cola products. The roll-out began in early July and has now spread across Costco food courts in 14 countries, including the UK. In a statement provided to USA TODAY, the company referred to the change as an “ice-cold Coca-Cola upgrade.”
This isn’t the first time Costco has made changes to its drink offerings. In 2013, the company switched from Coca-Cola to Pepsi to maintain its famous hot dog and drink deal at the low price of £1.50. Currently, there are 29 Costco stores across England, Scotland, and Wales, with plans to open more sites in the future.
A First-Time Experience at Costco
Royzip.xyz’s specialist food writer, Courtney Pochin, recently visited Costco for the first time and was surprised by the quality of the food. She described the pit stop at the back of the store as the highlight of her visit. Initially skeptical about the food from what she thought was just a hatch at the back of a warehouse, she was impressed by the quality.
She noted, “The pepperoni pizza was better than the likes of Domino’s, Pizza Hut or Papa John’s. My husband felt similarly about the beef hot dog, which can be ordered with or without onions, and along with a soda of your choosing for less than £2.” She added that even adding ice cream would still make the meal cheaper than supermarket deals.
The menu includes a variety of options, such as a chicken sandwich, jacket potato, chicken and bacon bake, gelato, and those famous cookies, which can be bought individually. Everything was under £5, except for whole pizzas that cost £9.99, which she considered a steal in today’s climate.
A Unique Dining Experience
Despite the quality of the food, Pochin noted some downsides. There were only a few seats in the food court, and the area was crowded with people. Being too hungry to wait, she and her husband ate while standing, which she described as one of the most undignified eating experiences of her life. However, she still enjoyed the meal and would return for another slice of pizza in a heartbeat.
Final Thoughts
The recent changes at Costco have stirred strong reactions from customers, especially regarding the replacement of Pepsi Max with Coca-Cola Zero. While some remain loyal to the old choices, others are exploring new options. Whether it’s the food court or the beverage selection, Costco continues to be a popular destination for shoppers looking for great value and quality.
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