Niamh Shackleton
If you've been getting by without a Costco membership card, you might have to think about getting one.
Costco has around 600 stores across the US, with more than an additional 150 across other parts of the globe.
With its hundreds of stores in mind, you won't be surprised to learn that, as of 2023, the retailer had almost 130 million members who get to gain access to some of Costco's best benefits.
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One of these benefits include being able to access the multinational corporation's food court.
Since 2020, Costco has required a membership card to buy anything at the food court, including chicken bakes, barbecue beef brisket sandwiches, ice cream and churros.
But it's reported that many stores turned a blind eye to this and still allowed non-members to make purchases from its famed food court.
While this might have once been the case, Costco is now cracking down on its rules and, as of earlier this month, require that customers present their membership cards to buy items from the food court.
The crackdown has been met with mixed reviews, with some members praising the change while other customers have been left disappointed.
"Our @Costco switched over to membership only food court now. Needless to say, our locals are p*ssed asf, its hilarious to watch [though]," one person penned on X earlier this month.
"If you don’t got a Costco membership. You no longer can get food from their food court. Started today," wrote another. "Thank the Lord I got one and still getting glizzies for the low low."
Others think it's a 'smart' move from Costco.
Someone said: "Costco is tightening the loophole that used to let some non-members buy food at their outdoor food courts.
"This is smart on Costco’s part. Allowing members access to their $1.50 hot dog and some of the cheapest gasoline around are perks designed for those who pay their membership fee which is a big part of Costco’s profitability.
"This will help keep lines and waits shorter for their members."
But current non-members are less keen on having to purchase a membership.
As it stands, it costs $120 for an annual Executive Membership, and $60 for a Business or Gold Star Membership.
"I really didn’t want to pay for my own Costco membership but if I’m ever denied access to the food court I will cry so here we are," someone wrote on social media.
"This is incredibly dumb and I hope it backfires," fumed another. "I’m sorry but a seat in the food court of Costco is not a big enough deal to cut access to affordable food for folks who need it.
"It will hurt those who need it more than it will help members who don’t."
UNILAD has contacted Costco for comment.