Costco CEO Promises That Its Price Of Hot Dogs Will Never Change
Costco isn’t touching the price of its iconic hot dog, at least not anytime soon.
In a recent Instagram clip, Costco CEO Ron Vachris made it clear while downing one of the retailer’s famous hot dog combos in just a few bites. When asked directly if the price would go up, Vachris didn’t hesitate: “The hot dog price will not change as long as I’m around.”
For longtime Costco fans, that’s about as reassuring as it gets—especially after the hot dog’s price was speculated to go up last year. The $1.50 hot dog and soda combo has held steady for decades, and Vachris’ comment signals that the company plans to keep it that way, even as prices continue to climb everywhere else.
That hot dog still costs just $1.50, the same price Costco set back in 1985 under co-founder Jim Sinegal. The combo has become less of a menu item and more of a company principle.
In fact, according to 425 Business, former CEO Craig Jelinek once tested that principle and quickly got shut down. He recalled telling Sinegal, “Jim, we can’t sell this hot dog for a buck fifty. We are losing our rear ends.” Sinegal’s response made the stance clear: “If you raise the effing hot dog, I will kill you. Figure it out.”
Now, Vachris continues that legacy, keeping the price locked in despite rising costs across the board. And based on Costco’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders report, the strategy still works. The company sold 245.1 million hot dogs globally, proving that sometimes holding the line pays off.
