Shoppers in a handful of states have noticed something different at the Costco food court this month: the churro is bigger, and so is the price.
The warehouse club has been rolling out a revised version of its long-standing $1.50 churro, with reports pointing to a new price around $2.49 at some locations.
For a family of four grabbing a post-run snack, it's the kind of quiet increase that adds up over a year of weekly trips.
The change fits a pattern that's been building across warehouse clubs and fast food counters.
Portion sizes shrink or recipes get "upgraded," and the price tag climbs with them.
Costco has historically leaned on its food court as a loss leader, keeping hot dogs and soda at $1.50 specifically to drive membership renewals.
Churros were part of that same value story.
What makes this one sting for some shoppers is that the churro was one of the last truly cheap impulse buys left in the building.
A $1.50 churro plus a $1.50 hot dog was a $3 lunch for two people.
At $2.49, the math still works, but it's no longer the automatic add-on it used to be.
Not every warehouse is charging the same amount.
Food court pricing has always varied by region, and churro availability has fluctuated too, with some clubs discontinuing the item entirely during supply crunches.
If you're planning a trip specifically for one, it's worth checking your local club's app or calling ahead.
If you're watching your grocery budget, this is a good moment to audit your impulse spending at the register.
Food court receipts feel invisible because they're small, but a $2.49 churro every trip is about $130 a year if you shop weekly.
That's a meaningful chunk of a membership fee.
The bigger takeaway isn't really about fried dough.
It's that the "cheap treat" tier of American retail keeps getting repriced, and shoppers are the ones absorbing it.
Costco hasn't issued a broad announcement, which means most members will find out at the counter.
Our take: a churro is still a bargain at $2.49 compared to nearly any other snack stop, and Costco's food court remains one of the best deals in retail.
Just don't assume the old price is waiting for you.
Final Thoughts
Budget for the new number, and if the line is long, that $2.49 is easier to walk past than you think.