PSA: Costco Food Courts Will Soon Be Members-Only

At first glance, the Costco experience is all about buying up the wide variety things you need (and some you definitely don’t) in massive quantities from one convenient location. But true Costco heads know that the food court is where some of the big box store’s hidden gems are found. Whether you’ve got a craving for some uber cheap concession stand-style pizza or need a quick churro on the way out to celebrate the sweet deals you just scored, the oft overlooked food court holds a special and important place in the Costcoverse.

But if you’re the type to sneak in your non-member friends for a quick food court before or after filling your cart, you might want to take heed of a new food court decree spotted by Costco-loving Instagram account @CostcoDeals.

That’s right: ordering from the food court will soon be the sole province of card-carrying Costco members. Though the post doesn’t specify which store featured this sign, it sounds like the new policy has been confirmed by Costco employees in the comments. This specific store notes the policy goes into effect on March 16, but it’s possible that the cutoff for cardless concessions ordering will vary by location.

From a practical standpoint, it makes sense. You kind of have to have a membership to do pretty much everything else at Costco, so you’d hope that there aren’t too many people out there sneaking in for cheap food court meals that’d throw a fit about this huge policy. Still, as at least one commenter pointed out, it would be inconvenient to have to show your card again to get that low price hotdog you’ve been craving since you picked up your cart. Truly a first-world problem if there ever was one.

So if you’re gonna come to Costco, you better come correct, because the food court is no longer a safe space for interlopers. Will those churros taste better when plebeians can’t get their hands on them? You’ll have to figure that one out for yourself.