Yes, you can pre-order Costco pizza by calling your local warehouse food court directly or by placing an order at the in-store self-checkout kiosks.
Costco food courts are famous for their chaotic energy. Long lines, shouting numbers, and crowded tables are the norm. If you just want to grab a cheap, massive dinner and leave, standing in that line feels like a waste of time. You want to walk in, grab your box, and walk out.
New members often assume there is a sophisticated app or online system for this. There isn’t. Costco sticks to older methods to keep costs down. Understanding how to navigate their system is the only way to skip the wait.
How To Place Your Order By Phone
The most reliable way to secure a pie for a specific time is the telephone. Every Costco warehouse has a direct line to the food court, or a main line that directs you there. This method allows you to speak to an employee and confirm a pickup time.
You need to find the specific phone number for your local warehouse. You can find this on the official Costco warehouse locator. Once you call, listen to the automated menu. There is usually a specific digit pressed for “Food Court” or “Pizza Orders.”
Be ready to state exactly what you want. They generally offer cheese or pepperoni. The famous combo pizza is no longer on the menu in most regions. Tell them your name and the exact time you want to pick it up. They will usually give you an estimated time, typically 15 to 20 minutes on a standard day.
Can I Pre Order Costco Pizza Via The App?
You cannot order a hot pizza through the Costco app or website. This surprises many people. Costco invests heavily in keeping food court prices low, like the $1.50 hot dog combo and the $9.95 pizza. They do not spend money on integrating online ordering platforms for the food court.
Third-party delivery apps like UberEats or DoorDash also do not work with the Costco food court officially. If you see Costco pizza on those apps, it is likely an unauthorized listing or a markup service. You must handle the ordering process yourself directly with the store.
Costco Food Court Menu & Nutritional Data
Knowing what is available before you call saves time. The menu is simple, but the portions are huge. An 18-inch pizza from Costco is significantly larger than the “large” pizzas from standard delivery chains.
Below is a breakdown of the current food court staples. Note that prices and availability can vary slightly by location, but the core items remain consistent.
| Menu Item | Price (Approx) | Calories (Serving) |
|---|---|---|
| Whole Pizza (Cheese) | $9.95 | 4,540 (Whole) |
| Whole Pizza (Pepperoni) | $9.95 | 4,230 (Whole) |
| Slice (Cheese) | $1.99 | 760 |
| Slice (Pepperoni) | $1.99 | 710 |
| Hot Dog & Soda Combo | $1.50 | 560-580 |
| Chicken Bake | $3.99 | 840 |
| Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie | $2.49 | 750 |
| Rotisserie Chicken Caesar Salad | $6.99 | 650 |
| Fruit Smoothie | $2.99 | 240 |
Can I Pre Order Costco Pizza Without A Membership?
Strictly speaking, no. The food court is a perk for paying members. In the past, many Costco locations turned a blind eye to non-members walking in through the exit to buy a cheap lunch. That has changed.
Costco has cracked down on membership sharing and non-member access. Many locations now require you to scan your membership card at the food court kiosk before you can even select an item. If you call in an order, they may ask for your membership number over the phone, or ask to see your card when you arrive at the pickup window.
If you are not a member, you might get lucky at a location with an outdoor food court, as these are harder to police. But for indoor courts, bring your card.
Pre Ordering Costco Pizza For Large Parties
Costco pizzas are a staple for birthdays, office parties, and game days because of the value. If you need more than five pizzas, you should not just call 15 minutes before arrival.
For orders of five or more pizzas, call at least 24 hours in advance. This courtesy ensures the kitchen has enough dough prepped and oven space cleared. If you call on the same day for 20 pizzas, they might refuse the order or tell you the wait is several hours.
When you place a large order, ask where you should pick it up. Sometimes they will have you pull your car up to the loading dock or a specific exit so you don’t have to carry twenty boxes through the crowded store.
Paying For Your Pre Order
Payment happens when you pick up the food. You generally cannot pay over the phone. When you arrive, you have two options depending on the store setup.
At most locations, you go straight to the specialized “Pick Up” window or the register designated for whole pizza pickups. You tell them your name, they hand you the pizzas, and you pay right there. This skips the long line of people ordering hot dogs.
Costco accepts Visa credit cards, most PIN debit cards, and cash. They do not accept Mastercard or American Express credit cards in the warehouse. Make sure you have the right payment method ready to keep the line moving.
Using The Kiosk To Order Ahead While Shopping
If you forgot to call, you can still “pre-order” while you shop. This is a smart move if you are already at the warehouse. Do not wait until you are done shopping to order food.
As soon as you enter the store, walk to the food court kiosks. Place your order for a whole pizza. The wait time is usually similar to the time it takes to do a grocery run (20 to 40 minutes). By the time you check out your groceries, your pizza should be fresh out of the oven.
This method works well because you pay at the kiosk and get a receipt with an order number. You just listen for your number at the pickup counter on your way out.
The Quality And Size Advantage
One reason people ask “Can I pre order Costco pizza?” so frequently is the sheer value of the product. An 18-inch pizza provides roughly 254 square inches of food. A standard 14-inch “large” from a chain provides about 153 square inches.
You are getting almost double the food for a fraction of the price. The cheese pizza is loaded with over a pound of cheese. The dough is made fresh daily in the warehouse bakery, not frozen. It is a distinct product that justifies the extra hassle of calling ahead.
For specific dietary concerns regarding ingredients, you can check the official nutritional guide provided by Costco.
Common Issues When Ordering
The system is not perfect. The phones at the food court are often busy. Employees are prioritizing the customers standing in front of them. If the phone rings endlessly, you may have to just go in.
Weekends are peak times. During the NFL season or major holidays, the wait time for a pizza can jump from 20 minutes to over an hour. Calling early in the morning (around 10:00 AM) to schedule a pickup for later in the afternoon is a smart strategy to beat the rush.
Comparing Ordering Methods
Choosing how to get your food depends on your schedule. If you are in a rush, calling is best. If you are shopping anyway, the kiosk is superior. The table below outlines what to expect for each method.
| Method | Best For | Wait Time (Avg) |
|---|---|---|
| Phone Call | Picking up dinner only | 15–20 Minutes |
| In-Store Kiosk | Ordering while shopping | 20–40 Minutes |
| Walk-Up Window | Single slices/Hot dogs | 5–10 Minutes |
| Same-Day Bulk | Small parties (3-4 pies) | 45+ Minutes |
| 24hr Notice | Large events (5+ pies) | Ready on Arrival |
Dealing With Out Of Stock Items
Occasionally, the food court runs out of dough. This happens most often on Super Bowl Sunday or Halloween. If you call and they say they are sold out, there is no workaround. They cannot just whip up more dough instantly as it requires proofing time.
Sometimes they run out of pepperoni but still have cheese. Flexibility helps here. If you are set on pepperoni, call as early in the day as possible to claim your allocation.
Picking Up Your Order Efficiently
When you arrive, do not stand in the main line where people order hot dogs. Look for a sign that says “Whole Pizza Pickup” or simply walk to the side of the counter where orders are being handed out.
Catch the eye of an employee and wave your receipt or tell them you called in an order. They will check the rack. If your box is there, they will process your payment (if you haven’t paid) and hand it over.
Check the pizza before you leave the window. Mistakes happen fast in that kitchen. Ensure it is the topping you ordered and that it is cut. Sometimes, in the rush, they forget to slice the pie.
Bringing Costco Pizza Home
The boxes are huge. They do not fit in standard pizza delivery bags. If you order multiple pizzas, ensure your trunk or back seat is clear. The grease can sometimes soak through the bottom of the box, so laying down a towel is a good idea to protect your car seats.
If the pizza gets cold on the ride home, crisp it up in the oven at 375°F for about 5 minutes. This restores the crust texture better than a microwave.
Why You Should Always Pre Order
Walking in and hoping for a whole pizza is a gamble. You might wait 10 minutes, or you might wait an hour if a soccer team just ordered ten pies ahead of you. The question “Can I pre order Costco pizza?” is one you should answer with a “Yes” every time you plan to eat it.
It costs nothing extra to call. It secures your dinner. It lets you skip the worst part of the Costco experience—the waiting—and get straight to the best part: the eating.
