Costco adds chicken strips to food court menu

For many shoppers, a trip to Costco is not complete without a stop at the food court.

Costco's food court is loaded with great deals, from the iconic $1.50 hot dog and soda combo to the cheap pizza and desserts. And when you've spent the past hour pushing a heavy shopping cart across a massive warehouse club store, you deserve an inexpensive treat on the way out.

What some members may not realize is that the food court isn't necessarily a huge moneymaker for Costco. But it serves an important function.

Costco uses its food court as a loyalty driver that keeps members satisfied and encourages repeat visits. When members see value from the food court, they tend to shop at the store more often.

Case in point: During the company's first quarter 2026 earnings call, Costco reported that its food court set a daily record on Halloween, selling 358,000 whole pizzas.

And during the second fiscal quarter of 2026, food court sales at Costco grew by double digits, the company reported.

Now, Costco is making a notable menu change to its food court that's already getting members excited.

Costco adds chicken tenders to food court lineup

Food court changes at Costco aren't new. During the first fiscal quarter of the year, Costco introduced a caramel brownie sundae at its food courts. More recently, it added a caramel churro sundae.

In May, TastingTable reported that Costco brought chicken tenders to a warehouse club food court in the suburbs of Chicago. The offering includes five breaded chicken breast strips, along with a dipping sauce.

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The cost of the new meal deal is $6.99, which is a bit higher than Costco's typical food court price point.

Reddit users got excited about the idea of chicken strips coming to Costco.

"Those look good, I'll definitely try them," one user said.

"I got them today," said another. "They're huge... the sauce is like a sweet honey mustard."

Chicken tenders actually made an appearance at Costco food courts in Canada a few years ago and popped up in Australian locations in 2024. But given the general popularity of this dish, it won't be surprising to see the change rolled out to more Costco U.S. food courts soon.

Costco's chicken strip menu addition is a strategic play

Costco's food court may seem like a small part of the business. But it actually plays an outsized role in strengthening customer loyalty.

Introducing new menu items is especially important because Costco shoppers closely follow food court changes online. Social media platforms, Reddit threads, and TikTok videos regularly turn new Costco products into viral moments.

Even small additions or changes can generate significant buzz, helping Costco maintain relevance in an increasingly competitive retail environment.

The chicken strips rollout also reflects broader consumer trends.

Chicken-focused menu items continue to perform well across the restaurant industry as consumers look for portable, protein-heavy meals and snacks. A good 28.4% of U.S. restaurant menus now specifically reference protein, up sharply from 5.9% a decade ago, according to Datassential data cited by CNBC.

The National Chicken Council reports that Americans consume more chicken than anywhere else in the world - more than 93.5 pounds per capita in 2018. Chicken is also the most popular protein consumed in the U.S.

By adding chicken strips, Costco can appeal to members who may want a lighter alternative to pizza or hot dogs.

Ultimately, the food court serves as more than just a place to grab lunch after shopping at Costco. It reinforces the promise that customers can consistently find value inside its warehouses, whether they're buying groceries in bulk or spending a few dollars on a quick meal before heading home.

By embracing the chicken trend, Costco has a real opportunity to draw in more members. And it could serve the company well to expedite the chicken tender rollout to more stores quickly.

Maurie Backman owns shares of Costco.

Related: Costco adds popular fast food product to lineup

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This story was originally published May 7, 2026 at 2:37 PM.