Costco Shoppers Are Missing This Simple Pizza Ordering Trick That Could Save Them Time

A trip to Costco can easily turn into a full afternoon of shopping, especially when the warehouse is packed. After navigating crowded aisles, loading up on groceries, and waiting at checkout, the last thing anyone wants is another long line just to grab dinner.

But many Costco shoppers may be overlooking a simple food court trick. It could make picking up that famous oversized pizza a little easier, and it doesn’t involve downloading an app or paying anything extra.

The Pizza Ordering Trick Hiding at Checkout

freshly baked pizza pie being sliced by chef — image credit;123RF photos

Most Costco shoppers head straight to the food court kiosks after paying for their groceries. However, at participating locations, there’s another option: ordering your pizza directly from the cashier while checking out.

According to an April 2026 report from The Takeout, shoppers at some warehouses can ask a regular checkout cashier to add food court purchases to their grocery bill.

That means you could pay for a whole pepperoni or cheese pizza alongside your milk, eggs, and paper towels.

Once you’ve paid, simply head to the food court with your receipt and follow the location’s pickup instructions.

The biggest advantage is avoiding a separate ordering and payment process. However, the trick doesn’t necessarily eliminate the wait for your pizza to be prepared.

Why This Little Trick Is Worth Knowing

Costco’s food court has long been popular with shoppers looking for inexpensive meals, and its pizza remains one of the biggest attractions.

As of 2026, a whole 18-inch cheese or pepperoni pizza typically costs just $9.95, while an individual oversized slice sells for approximately $1.99.

According to The Kitchn’s Costco food court guide, a whole pizza is generally cut into 12 slices.

That works out to roughly 83 cents per slice when purchasing the entire pie, making it an appealing option for family dinners, game nights, birthday parties, or feeding hungry teenagers.

Still, affordability doesn’t always mean convenience.

A June 2026 report on Costco pizza ordering noted that preparing a whole pizza can take around 15 minutes, with waits stretching beyond 30 minutes during particularly busy periods.

For shoppers already tired from navigating a packed warehouse, avoiding even one additional line can make a difference.

There’s Another Way to Get Ahead of the Crowd

If you’re buying a whole pizza, calling ahead may be even more useful.

Some Costco food courts accept advance phone orders, allowing shoppers to arrange pickup around their grocery trip.

You can find contact information for participating locations through Costco’s official warehouse listings, which include separate food court phone numbers at some stores.

For example, you might call before leaving home, order a pepperoni pizza, and coordinate your pickup time with your arrival.

Alternatively, you could place an order before starting your shopping and collect it afterward, where the store’s ordering system permits.

However, shoppers should know that policies differ between warehouses. Some locations limit advance orders, and busy food courts may not always answer incoming calls.

One Important Catch Before You Try It

The checkout trick isn’t guaranteed to work everywhere.

Some Costco locations allow customers to purchase food court items through regular cashiers, while others direct shoppers to the self-service kiosks.

It also generally doesn’t work at self-checkout registers.

And paying for a pizza at the grocery register doesn’t automatically mean it will be ready when you reach the food court. Depending on the warehouse, you may still need to show your receipt to an employee and wait for your order.

The easiest approach is to ask your cashier whether food court purchases can be added to your grocery transaction.

It’s a small question that could save an unnecessary stop.

A Smarter Way to Finish Your Costco Run

Young woman in a white top enjoying a slice of pizza indoors. — Photo Credit: Diego Auquilla/ pexels

With grocery shopping already taking up enough time, finding little ways to make the experience smoother is always welcome.

Whether you’re grabbing a pizza for Friday movie night, feeding the family after soccer practice, or simply avoiding another round of cooking, Costco’s affordable food court options are hard to ignore.

And while there’s no guaranteed way to skip every wait, knowing you may be able to order at checkout or call ahead gives you more options.

Next time you’re at Costco, ask about ordering your pizza before heading to the food court. That one small change could make your shopping trip a whole lot easier.