Advertisement

Costco Is Finally Bring Back Free Hot Samples Again This Week

Update, June 1, 2021: It's been a while since the hot food samples roam the aisles for at Costco have been available. Although samples were brought back in some capacity last summer, amid the pandemic, the wholesale retailer limited samples to prepackaged items behind plexiglass. Now, the hot food samples you know and love will be returning to some Costco locations this month.

Chief financial officer and executive vice president at Costco Richard Galanti said on an earnings call that full samples will begin rolling out in phases, USA TODAY reported. Along with the samples, the food court and indoor seating will be opening up again too.

By this first week of June, 170 Costco locations will bring back full sampling and the rest will follow suit by the end of June. Costco has also made updates to how they'll be preparing samples and setting up food court tables to increase COVID-19 safety. For example, samples will be prepared behind plexiglass and will be handed out one at a time. Food court tables will be spaced out and seat only four Costco members at a time.

Costco is continuing to update their in-store regulations to be in line with local and federal laws. In areas that allow it, the wholesale club is letting fully vaccinated guests shop in their stores without a face covering.

Original Post, April 12, 2021: Costco is loved for its wholesale quantities, delicious bakery section, and overall high-quality shopping experience. That experience was characterized partially by the on-location food courts and samples throughout the aisles, but due to the pandemic, Costco temporarily suspended those services. Fortunately, recent reports confirm that Costco's samples and food courts will be up and running business again soon enough.

At the beginning of the COVID-19 epidemic, Costco closed down their on-site food courts and only offered their pizza and hot dogs for takeout in order to simplify processes for employees. Chains like Taco Bell and McDonald's did the same by limiting menu items and breakfast options in order to make the high traffic at drive-thrus more efficient.

Over the summer, though, Costco began re-adding food items like the chicken bake and smoothies for customers to enjoy outside of the store. Costco also began offering single packaged items as samples throughout the warehouse.

In a recent interview with CNN, Costco's Chief Financial Officer Richard Galanti talked about the return of the food court experience in stores. "It's going to take some time," he told the outlet: "The food courts work. They're one of the things we're known for. We're pleased that they're coming back."

Photo credit: Delish
Photo credit: Delish

When local regulations allow, seating at the Costco food court will be permitted for members. And as for the beloved samples, a plexiglass barrier will be installed at sample stations. Galanti said some of the first items on the docket are breakfast sandwiches, noodle dishes, and meatballs.

You Might Also Like