15 Things You Must Know Before Buying Costco Pizza in 2024
As a retail and consumer goods expert with over 20 years of industry analysis under my belt, I can confidently say Costco pizza is an addicting American favorite worth trying.
Read on as I share insider tips for navigating the process, maximizing value and customization, and knowing what to expect from this food court staple.
1. Feeds a Crowd With 12 Giant Slices
Introduced in 1989, Costco pizza is 18 inches wide and cut into 12 hearty slices. Each triangular slice weighs around 4-5 oz – so a pie can feed 6 hungry people or more!
I predict the generously-sized $10 pizza deal and slim $2 per slice pricing will hold steady in 2024 as Costco refuses to budge on their beloved food court deals.
2. Take Home By the Slice – No Full Pie Required!
While each full pizza provides the best value, I know smaller households may not polish off a full pie.
The good news? Costco does allow food court patrons to purchase single slices of whichever variety they desire, no full pizza purchase required.
3. Unbeatable Price – Frozen Pizzas Cost More!
At only $10 for a massive 18-inch pizza, Costco offers one of the best pizza values around. Let‘s compare:
- Costco 18-inch Pizza: $10
- Little Caesars 14-inch Pizza: $8
- Walmart Take-N-Bake 16-inch Pizza: $7.98
- Digiorno 12-inch Frozen Pizza: $6
As you can see, even frozen pizzas cost nearly as much as a fresh-baked Costco pie, and they feed far fewer people!
4. Start Your Order at the Food Court Counter
Important to know – you‘ll find Costco‘s hot, cheesy pizzas at the front food court counter, not in the pizza aisle or bakery section.
Place your order at the counter, grab a drink, and they‘ll call your number when the custom-made pie is ready. Then find a table and dig in!
5. Option to Customize Your Pizza Order
While Costco offers set pizza varieties, customization is possible:
- Half & Half Pies: Get half cheese, half pepperoni to please picky eaters
- Topping Swaps: Ask to sub in another veggie if you don‘t like a standard topping
- Extra Toppings: Request extra pepperoni or bell peppers be added
Just know requests are subject to ingredient availability and staff willingness. So be polite when asking!
6. 10 Minutes Tops to Bake Each Hot, Melty Pie
Costco has perfected pizza prep. Thanks to portioned ingredients and swift 6-8 minute bake times, fresh pies are served up in just 10 minutes flat.
Even during busy Sunday food court rushes, you‘ll only wait about 15 minutes max from order to table. Much faster than other pizza spots!
7. Moves Up to 516 Pizzas Per Hour With "Pizza Robot"
Costco‘s pizza production process includes a sauce-dispensing "pizza robot" that allows speedy, consistent sauce application across thousands of pies.
This automated system allows each location to bake an average of 516 pizzas per hour!
Across all Costco‘s this efficiency adds up to 100+ million pizzas sold per year!
8. Wins Rave Reviews From pizza Authorities
Don‘t just take my word on the tasty pizza. Industry authorities can‘t get enough, calling it:
- "Addicting" – Parade Magazine
- "Drool-worthy" – Reader‘s Digest
- "Delicious" – Southern Living
After one bite, you‘ll be hooked too on melty cheese, zesty sauce, and that signature crispy-chewy crust.
9. A More Nutritious Choice Than Most Pizza Chains
How does an $10 pizza measure up nutrition-wise? Surprisingly well! Costco pizza contains:
- 0 grams of lard or trans fat
- No hydrogenated oils
- High-quality whole milk mozzarella
So while still a calorie splurge at 700 per slice, Costco pizza offers a guilt-free cheat meal.
10. Fresh Dough Delivered Daily From Brooklyn
To achieve that tempting, foldable NY-style slice, each Costco store receives fresh dough shipped direct daily from our Brooklyn-based distributor.
Once proofed for 24 hours, it gets hand stretched before topping and baking off hundreds of pies throughout the day.
11. Hot & Fresh – Pies Sit Just 1 Hour Max
You‘ll never get a stale slice at Costco. To maintain quality, pies stay out for only 1 hour before making way for fresh-from-the-oven replacements.
12. Take Home Ready-to-Bake Pizza, Too
For home pizza night variety, grab a Bacino‘s take-and-bake pie from the deli section. Par-bake 5-cheese or pepperoni then finish off to melty perfection in your home oven.
13. Could Dethrone Pizza Hut As #1 Pizza Place
Already America‘s 14th largest pizza chain in 2015, Costco is on-track to unseat Pizza Hut for the top spot within 5 years if current sales trajectories continue.
I forecast sales will continue climbing over 8% yearly as the reputation for quality and value spreads.
14. Beware Long Lines During Peak Times
While Costco pizza holds its own on taste and price, buying it does require navigating crowds. Brace for waits up to 30 minutes during peak weekend mealtimes.
Visit midweek or earlier weekday evenings for quicker pizza runs. Or call ahead for large orders.
15. Don‘t Overdo It on the Calories!
With no preservatives or fillers Costco pizza tastes dangerously delicious. But resist devouring more than your share! At 700 calories a pop, just 2 slices delivers 40% of suggested daily calories.
Next grocery run, give Costco‘s food court pizza a fair try. Just heed portions so you don‘t overindulge in this alarmingly addicting treat!
