Costco’s food court has a cult following — and for good reason!
The $1.50 hot dog. The full pizza for $9.95. The ice cream, the chicken bakes.
They’ve been king of the castle when it comes to in-store food courts for a long time.
But guess who’s coming for that crown?
Walmart.
And they’re not playing around…
Shutterstock
Walmart isn’t just trying to be the most convenient store with the most competitive prices anymore (which it’s doing a great job of).
It’s aiming higher — straight at Costco’s powerful weapon: ready-to-eat food.
And it’s doing it in two big ways.
Follow The Coconut Mama
• For fun lists, healthy living tips, and bar conversation topics, make sure to follow The Coconut Mama. Click here to access The Coconut Mama’s profile page and be sure to hit the Follow button here or at the top of this article!
• Have feedback? Add a comment below!
Shutterstock
Costco fans love a good food court haul after a shopping spree.
Walmart’s answer? Taking a page out of Costco’s book with prepared meals, grab-and-go bars, and hot food counters.
Think hot dogs (from Wienerschnitzel no less — more on that later), mashed potatoes, salads, and sandwiches — one of their stores even recently added a sushi bar!
It’s dinner. And it’s fast.
Shutterstock
Walmart is targeting the same customer moment:
You’re tired, you’ve done the shopping, and now you don’t want to cook.
That’s where the attack hits.
But instead of needing a membership like at Costco, you just walk in…
Shutterstock
Costco needs your membership fees to make the food court make sense.
Walmart? No gatekeeping.
You get hot meals, grocery deals, and name-brand snacks — no annual fee required.
Shutterstock
Here’s where things get interesting.
Walmart has partnered with many iconic fast-food chains like McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway, and more over the years.
And its newest move?
Wienerschnitzel.
Shutterstock
Wienerschnitzel is the world’s largest hot dog chain.
Iconic chili cheese dogs. Delicious fries. Ice cream. Shakes.
What started as a hot dog stand in 1961 has turned into a powerhouse brand with over 340 locations, along with a huge fan base.
And now, they’ve partnered with everyone’s favorite grocery super-brand: Walmart.
Shutterstock
Walmart typically rolls out new collabs or ideas a couple stores at a time (like when they got rid of self-checkout lanes in Shrewsbury, Missouri).
For now, it’s bringing Wienerschnitzel inside six of its stores by fall 2025:
- Tempe, AZ
- Reno, NV
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Bakersfield, CA
- Puyallup, WA
- Alamogordo, NM
The goal? Fast, familiar, craveable food — all without leaving the store.
Follow The Coconut Mama
• For fun lists, healthy living tips, and bar conversation topics, make sure to follow The Coconut Mama. Click here to access The Coconut Mama’s profile page and be sure to hit the Follow button here or at the top of this article!
• Have feedback? Add a comment below!
Shutterstock
This isn’t the old Walmart-McDonald’s collab.
This is more curated. Targeted. And built for higher-end traffic.
Prepared meals. Branded restaurants. Hot food that feels like a value add.
Just like Costco — but with more choices (and no memberships).
Shutterstock
Eating out is expensive. Groceries are up. Takeout quickly adds up.
So Walmart’s giving shoppers an easy option:
Restaurant flavor with grocery-store convenience.
And seeing a solid food deal after paying for expensive groceries makes it way easier to spend that extra cash without feeling guilty.
Sounds like a home-run.
Shutterstock
Costco is king of savings and bulk shopping — but it’s a bit basic on the experience.
Walmart is going upscale without losing its price edge.
Sushi bars (which I personally hope we see much more of), grab-and-go hot meals, name-brand partnerships.
It’s a targeted shot. And the aim is good.
Shutterstock
Many of us are all for this:
- Busy families skipping takeout
- Budget-conscious shoppers
- Customers who want fast but fresh
- Fans of nostalgia (hello chili dogs)
But mostly?
Walmart.
Shutterstock
Costco might’ve taken the food court formula to the top.
But Walmart just leveled up the game.
Next time you finish your grocery run…you might just stick around for dinner — I know I will.
But what do you think: will Walmart actually be able to out-class the proven and long-standing food court king that is Costco?
Let us know in the comments!
Shutterstock
Leave a Comment