COSTCO: Hot Dog - Soda Combo Staying at $1.50

Good news if you enjoy a cheap lunch while you're shopping at Costco -- the warehouse chain is keeping the price of its hot dog - soda combo at $1.50.

That's the same price it was when Costco rolled out the combo in the '80s. Adjusted for inflation, it should be more than $4 now. CFO Richard Galanti says they plan to "hold the price on the hot dog and the soda a little longer -- forever."

Though Galanti acknowledges that strong sales in other areas have helped buoy Costco's margins, he insists that the combo isn't just a loss leader. "At the end of the day, no, I don’t think we necessarily look to find places where we can harvest margin.”

Costco founder Jim Sinegall once famously threatened to kill current CEO Craig Jelinek if he raised the price. The chain now has two plants that produce its Kirkland brand hot dogs, helping keep the price down. (People)

Scott's Thought:

Of course, in my opinion, a hot dog without chili is just a weenie.