Costco to expand California footprint with two new stores, including North Visalia opening May 21, and standalone gas station planned for Mission Viejo

Costco is planning an expansion of its store footprint in California, with two new locations scheduled to open soon. The company will open a brand-new store in North Visalia in the San Joaquin Valley on May 21 and will replace an existing store in Fresno. In addition, a standalone Costco gas station—the first of its kind—is set to open later this year in Mission Viejo.

California expansion and potential additional location

Costco is also reported to be interested in opening another store in Riverside County’s Menifee. The company’s California expansion comes as it continues to grow across the United States following strong second-quarter earnings reported in March, with sales and income up.

Growth targets and new openings across the U.S. and abroad

During its earnings call, CEO Ron Vachris said Costco aims to open 30 or more warehouses annually over the next five to 10 years, with about half of those openings expected to be in the United States.

California currently has the most Costco warehouse locations of any state, with 135 locations. Costco also plans additional openings beyond California, including new locations in New Braunfels, Texas, and Monterrey, Mexico, this month.

Several more locations are scheduled to open in June, including Syracuse, Utah, Pensacola, Florida, and Chandler, Arizona. Additional openings are planned for August in Albany, New York; Oconomowoc, Wisconsin; and Otsego, Minnesota.

Vachris said international warehouses are expected to open in Mexico, Canada, Asia, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

Costco hot dog combo update

Costco also recently updated its iconic hot dog combo. Customers will now be able to order water instead of soda with their 1/4-pound all-beef hot dog.

Vachris said the price will remain unchanged at $1.50. “The hot dog price will not change as long as I’m around,” he said.