You’re planning an event, the headcount is real, and someone in the group chat just typed “what about Costco catering?” And honestly, that’s not a bad instinct. Costco feeds millions of people every day, the prices are hard to argue with, and the idea of walking out with enough food for forty guests without spending four figures is genuinely appealing.
But before you build your whole event plan around it, there’s a gap between what people expect Costco catering to be and what it actually is. That gap has tripped up a lot of hosts, and it’s worth closing before you commit.
This guide covers exactly what costco catering is in 2026, what you can actually order, what Costco does not offer, how it stacks up against other options, and a bonus look at what’s new at Costco right now that’s worth knowing about whether you’re planning an event or just your next warehouse run.
Does Costco Do Catering? The Honest Answer
Yes. But the word “catering” is doing a lot of work here, and the reality is narrower than most people assume.
Costco does not operate a traditional catering program. There are no servers, no delivery windows, no on-site setup, no chafing dishes, no event staff of any kind. What Costco offers is a deli pre-order system: you go to the warehouse, fill out a paper form at the deli kiosk, come back 24 to 48 hours later, and pick up ready-made food trays. That’s the model, and it’s been the model for years.
Does costco cater in the way a restaurant caterer does? No. Does costco have catering trays you can order for a group? Yes. Those are two different questions, and the answer to both matters when you’re planning around them.
What Costco does have, genuinely, is bulk food at a price that’s hard to replicate. The costco catering menu in 2026 runs four core party platters at most US warehouses, plus a separate business delivery channel for offices. If your event is informal, your crowd is forgiving, and you have the people to set up and manage the food yourself, Costco catering options are a real and legitimate solution.
What Costco Catering Actually Includes in 2026
The costco catering menu 2026 is leaner than it used to be. After the program was streamlined in late 2023, the lineup settled into four pre-order platters at most US locations. No pdf, no online menu, no official price list published nationally. The menu lives at the deli kiosk in-store, and the paper order form is the only way to place an order.
Here’s what many US warehouses currently carry:
The Artisan Bread Sandwich Platter
Roasted chicken, salami, and roast beef on artisan bread, with slow-roasted tomatoes, Swiss and cheddar, garlic herb aioli, and a container of Grillo’s pickle chips.
Serves 18 to 20. Typical US warehouse pricing: $49.99.
The most filling option on the menu and the one that works hardest as a standalone meal. The protein variety means something for almost everyone at the table, and the aioli with artisan bread makes it feel more considered than a standard deli tray.
The Croissant Sandwich Platter
Butter croissants with protein fillings that vary by location. Common fillings reported include chicken, ham, and roast beef. Some locations offer a chicken salad version made with rotisserie chicken.
Serves approximately 12 to 24 depending on location and filling. Confirm pricing and availability with your local deli before ordering.
The Fruit, Meat, and Cheese Platter
Italian salami, soppressata, aged cheddar cubes, aged Gouda cubes, red and green grapes.
Serves 18 to 24. Typical US warehouse pricing: $39.99.
The most versatile option on the menu. Works as an appetizer, a cocktail hour spread, or a grazing table anchor. The lowest cost per serving of the non-shrimp options and the one that pairs best with other food on the table.
The Shrimp Platter
5.25 pounds of shrimp, lemon wedges, three containers of cocktail sauce.
Serves 24 to 28. Typical US warehouse pricing: $55.99.
The priciest platter and the best value by headcount at roughly $2 to $2.33 per person. Shrimp platters carry an event and this one sets up in seconds. If you’re ordering one anchor item that gets attention, this is it.
The Full 2026 Costco Catering Menu With Prices
| Platter | What’s Included | Feeds | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artisan Bread Sandwich Platter | Roasted chicken, salami, roast beef, artisan bread, Swiss, cheddar, garlic herb aioli, pickle chips | 18 to 20 | $49.99 |
| Croissant Sandwich Platter | Butter croissants, protein fillings vary by location | 12 to 24 | Confirm locally |
| Fruit, Meat, and Cheese Platter | Italian salami, soppressata, aged cheddar, aged Gouda, red and green grapes | 18 to 24 | $39.99 |
| Shrimp Platter | 5.25 lbs shrimp, lemon wedges, cocktail sauce x3 | 24 to 28 | $55.99 |
Typical U.S. warehouse pricing as of 2026. Prices vary by location. Always confirm with your local Costco deli before ordering.
What Costco Catering Does NOT Offer
This list matters as much as the one above.
Costco catering does not include delivery. You pick up, every time, no exceptions.
There is no online ordering. You go in person to the deli kiosk, fill out a paper form, and drop it in the submission box. Some locations accept phone orders from the deli department directly, but in-person is the most reliable route.
There is no customization. The platters are what they are. Dietary substitutions, allergen accommodations, and menu modifications are not part of the system.
There is no staffing. Nobody sets up, serves, or cleans. That’s you, or whoever you put to work.
There is no published national price list or pdf. Anything you find online is third-party or outdated. Your local deli is the only authoritative source.
There is no guaranteed nationwide menu consistency. Platter availability, pricing, and specific fillings vary by warehouse.
Costco Catering for Offices: Business Delivery Is the Better Channel
For office events and corporate needs, costco catering food through the warehouse pre-order system works but Costco Business Delivery is the more practical channel.
Costco Business Delivery ships bulk snacks, beverages, and fresh baked goods directly to businesses. Cases of bottled water, individually wrapped snacks, bulk candy, and bakery items all come to your door without a warehouse trip. It’s not catering in the meal sense, but for stocking a kitchen, covering an all-hands, or building a snack and drink spread for a team event, it’s genuinely useful.
The two channels work well together. Use Costco Business Delivery for the shelf-stable backbone: drinks, snack boxes, individually wrapped items. Use the in-warehouse deli platters for the fresh, serve-now food you pick up the morning of the event. Splitting the order this way lets you place the beverage and snack order days ahead and keep the perishables as fresh as possible.
For costco catering for large events, this hybrid approach scales better than relying solely on deli platters, especially when the headcount climbs above 75 or 100.
Costco Catering Prices: What’s the Real Cost Per Person
The costco catering prices conversation is straightforward as long as you’re comparing the right things.
| Option | Cost Per Person (Food Only) | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Shrimp Platter ($55.99, feeds 24 to 28) | $2.00 to $2.33 | Food only, self-serve |
| Fruit, Meat, and Cheese Platter ($39.99, feeds 18 to 24) | $1.67 to $2.22 | Food only, self-serve |
| Artisan Bread Sandwich Platter ($49.99, feeds 18 to 20) | $2.50 to $2.78 | Food only, self-serve |
| DIY warehouse run (rotisserie chicken + sides) | $3 to $6 | Food only, you cook nothing |
| Full-service professional catering | $25 to $65+ | Food, staff, setup, breakdown |
The food cost from Costco is genuinely among the lowest available for group feeding. The comparison changes when you add your own time, transportation, serving equipment, and the labor required to manage food service yourself on event day.
When Costco Catering Makes Sense (And When It Doesn’t)
It makes sense for: casual backyard gatherings, office team lunches, graduation parties with an informal vibe, game days, holiday spreads where the host has help, and any event where the food is meant to be good without being the centerpiece.
It falls short for: weddings and milestone events where the food is part of the memory, corporate client dinners where presentation reflects the company, events with significant dietary restrictions or allergen needs, any gathering over 75 people where managing food service yourself becomes unworkable, and anything where you need the food to arrive hot and ready at a specific time.
The hosts who get the most out of Costco catering are the ones who use it as one component rather than the entire solution. A shrimp platter for the cocktail hour, a fruit and cheese tray for the grazing table, and a professional caterer handling the main event is a combination that works extremely well.
Costco vs. Sam’s Club vs. BJ’s: Which Warehouse Club Wins for Catering
All three major US warehouse clubs operate on the same fundamental model: membership required, in-club pickup, no delivery, no staffing. Where they differ is in online ordering capability, platter variety, and geographic reach.
| Feature | Costco | Sam’s Club | BJ’s |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online ordering | No | Yes | Yes |
| Platter starting price | $39.99 | ~$36 | $39.99 |
| Delivery | No | No | No (select Instacart at some locations) |
| Lead time | 24 to 48 hours | 24 to 48 hours | 24 hours |
| Geographic reach | National | National | Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast |
| Membership required | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Bulk value, large platters | Convenience, online ordering | Northeast members wanting variety |
Sam’s Club edges Costco on convenience because you can order online without a warehouse trip. Costco edges Sam’s Club on portion size and per-person value on the platters themselves. BJ’s is the strongest option for members in its geographic footprint who want a wider platter selection. None of the three is a substitute for professional catering when the event calls for it.
What’s New at Costco in July 2026 Worth Knowing About
Whether you’re planning an event or just making your next warehouse run count, here’s what’s generating genuine buzz at Costco this month. Availability varies by location and items move fast.
Kirkland Signature Waffle Cone Bar Cake ($21.55): A waffle cone-flavored cake with cream cheese filling, chocolate-filled waffle cones on top, and a caramel and chocolate drizzle finish. It’s been called one of the more impressive bakery items Costco has rolled out this year and it’s been selling out at select locations. Worth grabbing if you see it.
Costco Food Court Chicken Strips ($6.99): New to the food court menu nationwide after a successful test run in Illinois in May 2026. Five strips with dipping sauce. Early reviews are strong on portion size and quality for the price.
Kirkland Signature Pretzel Bagels: Eight large soft pretzel bagels per package. Strong for sandwiches, as a side with a charcuterie spread, or just with cream cheese. A natural supplement to a deli-heavy event table.
Olipop Crisp Apple Prebiotic Soda 24-Pack ($54.99): One of Olipop’s newer flavors landing at Costco in bulk. Nine grams of fiber per can, no artificial sweeteners, and the apple flavor works well as a non-alcoholic option at gatherings.
GoodPop Organic Electrolyte Fruit Pops Variety Pack ($17.01): USDA organic popsicles with electrolytes in lemonade flavors. A solid grab for summer events with outdoor components, particularly if you have kids in the mix.
Knipschildt Chocopologie Truffle Flourless Chocolate Cake ($69.99): From one of the most decorated chocolatiers in the country. Dark chocolate ganache and truffles on a flourless cake base. Freezer-friendly for up to six months, which makes it a strong option to have on hand for unexpected celebrations.
Made in Nature Organic Dried Mangoes 3-Pack ($64.99): Under a dollar an ounce for fully organic dried mango. Good bulk snack addition for events or just for the office kitchen.
These items tend to move quickly, especially the bakery finds. If your next event involves a Costco run anyway, the waffle cone cake and pretzel bagels in particular are worth adding to the list.
We Handle the Part Costco Can’t
At Bites by Braxtons, we do this every week across the tri-state area: weddings, corporate events, graduation parties, backyard BBQs, and everything in between. We’re full-service, which means we show up, we set up, we manage the food through the event, and we leave the space the way we found it.
Costco catering is a real option for the right events and we’re not going to pretend otherwise. But when the occasion calls for smoked brisket, pulled pork, real pit BBQ technique, and a team that handles everything so you can actually enjoy your own event, that’s what we’re built for.
We cover CT, NY, and NJ. Get in touch and we’ll put together something specific for what you’re hosting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Costco Catering
Does Costco do catering?
Yes, through a deli pre-order system at most US warehouses. Costco offers four core party platters you order in person at the deli kiosk with at least 24 hours’ notice and pick up yourself. There is no delivery, no staffing, and no online ordering. It’s self-serve bulk food at a low cost per person, not full-service catering in the traditional sense.
Does Costco cater weddings?
Costco party platters can work as supplemental items at a casual wedding, particularly for cocktail hour grazing or a late-night snack table. As the primary food service for a formal wedding reception, the limitations are significant: no delivery, no customization, no dietary accommodation, no staffing. Most couples use professional catering for the main meal and may supplement with warehouse items for specific elements.
Can you order Costco catering online?
No. As of 2026, Costco deli catering trays cannot be ordered online. The process is in-person at the deli kiosk only, with a paper order form. Some deli departments will take phone orders if you call directly, but there is no online cart, no app-based ordering, and no delivery option.
How much does Costco catering cost per person?
Costco party platters run roughly $1.67 to $2.78 per person for food only, depending on which platter and how many guests it serves. The shrimp platter at $55.99 for 24 to 28 people is the strongest per-person value. These figures cover food cost only and do not include your time, transportation, serving equipment, or any labor to manage the food on the day of the event.
What is on the Costco catering menu for 2026?
Many US warehouses currently offer four platters: the Artisan Bread Sandwich Platter ($49.99, feeds 18 to 20), a Croissant Sandwich Platter (fillings and pricing vary by location), the Fruit, Meat, and Cheese Platter ($39.99, feeds 18 to 24), and the Shrimp Platter ($55.99, feeds 24 to 28). Availability varies by warehouse and Costco does not publish a national menu or price list. Confirm with your local deli before ordering.
Does Costco have catering delivery?
No. All Costco deli catering orders require in-warehouse pickup. You place the order in person, return at the agreed pickup time, and transport the food yourself. Costco Business Delivery ships bulk packaged goods to offices but does not deliver fresh deli platters.
What is Costco Business Delivery and how is it different from catering?
Costco Business Delivery ships bulk snacks, beverages, and fresh baked goods directly to businesses. It’s designed for recurring office needs like kitchen stocking and team events rather than event-day food service. Items arrive in cases for you to put out. It’s not catering in the meal sense but pairs well with deli platter pickup for larger office events.
How does Costco catering compare to Sam’s Club catering?
Sam’s Club offers online ordering and a slightly broader platter menu, making logistics easier. Costco offers larger individual portions and generally stronger per-person value on the platters. For informal supplemental trays, both are solid depending on which membership you hold and which warehouse is closer to your event location.
Is a Costco membership required to order catering?
Yes. Buying in a Costco warehouse, including placing a deli catering order and picking it up, requires an active Costco membership. Have your membership available when you visit. Current membership pricing is on Costco’s website as rates are subject to change.
What are the best Costco party platters for a large event?
For large events where the platters are the primary food source, the shrimp platter offers the best cost per person and the most visual impact. The artisan bread sandwich platter is the most filling as a standalone meal. A combination of two to three different platters gives guests variety and keeps the table interesting. For events over 50 people, plan for at least three to four platters plus supplemental grab-and-go items from the produce and deli sections.
Final Thoughts
Costco catering is real, it feeds people well, and the cost per person is genuinely hard to beat. What it isn’t is catering in the full-service sense, and the events where that distinction matters are exactly the ones where you shouldn’t rely on a warehouse deli alone.
For casual gatherings, budget-conscious events, and situations where you have the help to manage food service yourself, Costco catering options are a legitimate and practical choice. For the events where the food needs to show up hot, be managed by someone who isn’t you, and reflect something about the occasion itself, that’s a different conversation.
Use it where it works. Supplement it where it falls short. And if you’re in the tri-state area and the event calls for real BBQ catering, you know where to find us.
Pricing estimates in this article reflect typical U.S. warehouse pricing as of 2026 and vary by location and availability. Always confirm current pricing and platter options directly with your local Costco deli before placing your order.
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