While the Kansas City Chiefs watched their three-peat dreams go up in smoke faster than a grill on game day, one true champion remained undefeated: the humble hot dog. (“Sit down,” as the legend Kendrick Lamar said, once again, at the halftime show.)
Fox Sports projected a Super Bowl record average audience of 126 million U.S. viewers across television and streaming platforms for the country’s biggest sporting event. According to the USDA, the Super Bowl is the second-largest food consumption day in the U.S., surpassed only by Thanksgiving.
As fans packed into Super Bowl parties nationwide, hot dogs piled high on plates, proving that when it comes to game-day eats, there’s only one true dynasty, and it’s served with mustard and relish. (There is no other way, the Northeasterners said.)
“A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz,” Casablanca actor Humphrey Bogart once said. And before kickoff, Brad Pitt urged America to “huddle up” in a pre-recorded video message about unity. Truly – but what unites us more than a shared love for one of America’s greatest inventions: the hot dog?
Even in the financial world, hot dogs hold weight. Kalshi traders keep a close watch on whether Costco will ever break its promise of the $1.50 combo.
One-in-five fans choose hot dogs at the Super Bowl
Hot dogs remain a Super Bowl stadium staple, though they play second fiddle to beer. At Super Bowl LIII in 2019, fans purchased seven times more beer than hot dogs, averaging 1.7 beers and 0.23 hot dogs per attendee, according to Tim Tucker of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. That means roughly one in five attendees grabbed a hot dog during the game.
Pricing and long concession lines may explain why more fans didn’t opt for one. According to The New York Post, the price of a hot dog at this year’s Super Bowl was $8.
At home, however, hot dogs play an even bigger role in Super Bowl spreads. The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council reports that in 2023 alone, retail stores sold 896 million pounds of hot dogs, totaling $2.99 billion in sales. While no official Super Bowl-specific number exists, it’s safe to say millions of hot dogs were devoured on game day.
Costco's $1.50 hot dog: A price that won't budge
Costco’s $1.50 hot dog and soda combo has remained unchanged since 1985, making it one of the most inflation-resistant deals in America.
When current CEO Craig Jelinek once floated the idea of raising the price, co-founder Jim Sinegal famously shut it down, according to 425 Business: “If you raise the [price of the] effing hot dog, I will kill you. Figure it out.”
To keep costs down, Costco manufactures its own hot dogs and sells them at a loss, using the deal as a loss leader to drive foot traffic.
But for how much longer?
In an interview with Bloomberg, CFO Richard Galanti was asked whether the price could change when he steps down on March 15.
“It’s probably safe for a while,” he responded.
While Costco may take a hit on hot dog margins, the strategy strengthens its reputation for value, making it one of the most beloved perks of a membership.
Still, prediction markets are already betting on when, or if, Costco will finally break its decades-long commitment to the $1.50 hot dog combo. On Kalshi, traders forecast an 11% chance the company will raise its price before 2026.
Hot dog prices as an economic indicator
Economists have long looked at food prices as an informal way to track inflation, and hot dogs are no exception. The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council notes that the average price of a hot dog has risen over the years.
If Costco’s $1.50 combo had kept pace with inflation, it would cost around $4.50 today. Yet, its frozen price contrasts sharply with rising costs everywhere else.
New York’s famous “Recession Special” at Gray’s Papaya is another example of hot dog economics in action. Originally introduced during a financial downturn, the deal – two hot dogs and a tropical fruit drink – has fluctuated in price but remains a budget-friendly staple.
When consumer confidence dips and wallets tighten, sales of the Recession Special tend to rise. Economists often look at trends like these to measure consumer confidence and how spending habits change during economic hardship.
From stadiums to food carts, the price of a hot dog tells a bigger story about America’s economy.
After all, it’s a fridge staple for millions. And really, aren’t we all just consumers in a capitalist society – forever trying to solve the hot dog paradox: Why do sausages come in packs of seven while buns come in packs of eight?
