Costco begins swapping out Pepsi products at food courts

(NEXSTAR) — Sorry, Pepsi fans, a change months in the making is finally taking effect at Costco that may upend your $1.50 hot dog and soda combo.

Back in January, CEO Ron Vachris confirmed Costco would convert its "food court fountain business back over to Coca-Cola." The switchover was expected to happen this summer, and, according to Reddit users claiming to be employees and customers, it has.

In a statement to Nexstar, The Coca-Cola Company confirmed that its products began rolling out to Costco food courts on July 1.

"The news is true: Costco’s legendary hot dog combo just got an ice-cold Coca-Cola upgrade."

Redditors across the U.S. shared that their local Costco warehouse had switched over, including locations in Tucson, Arizona; Fremont and Lakewood, California; Tampa; Chicago; St. Louis; Cherry Hill, New Jersey; and Nashville, among others. One user even shared a photo from Sendai, Japan.

The changeover at Costco food courts in 14 countries is expected to be completed fall of this year. All locations will receive traditional fountain units, not the Freestyle machines you may find at other retailers and restaurants.

Photos posted to Reddit show traditional soda fountains with eight dispensers each. Available offerings include Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Sprite, and Minute Maid Lemonade. In some photos, Fuze Tea was an option, while others showed Powerade instead.

Costco did not immediately respond to Nexstar's requests for additional information.

Prior to Vachris' announcement, rumors had been circulating for months that Costco was planning to bring Coke back to the food court, drawing support from customers online. One Reddit user warned it "better not be a December fools prank" while another said the then-rumor made their "whole day."

Pepsi had been at Costco food court fountains for more than a decade, replacing Coca-Cola in 2013. When Costco swapped Coke for Pepsi, it was a move to help keep its beloved hot dog at $1.50.

Costco has repeatedly reassured consumers over the last few years that it would not raise the price of its hot dog and soda combo, even as consumer prices rose and membership fees climbed. The combo has been available for $1.50 since the mid-1980s.

The warehouse giant isn't the first to swap soda suppliers in recent years.

Subway dropped Coke products for Pepsi last year. In early 2023, the Midwest fast-casual chain Culver's announced it was replacing Pepsi products with Coke, leaving some fans disappointed. Customers called it an "all-time blunder" and one of the "saddest" moments in their lives.