Everyone’s buzzing about a Costco knockoff in California

In May, the Gardena, California, Skechers outlet hatched a plan to draw in customers that was as bizarre as it was brilliant: attach a Costco-style food court to the store. 

Yes, Skechers. The shoe company. 

Skechers CEO Michael Greenberg told Eater that the concession area, called Food Spot, has boosted the store’s sales, describing it as “a beautiful concept.” Eater reported that on a weekday visit, lines were long and the outdoor seating area was full.

At least part of the buzz is attributable to Food Spot’s unsubtle emulation of Costco, whose low-cost food courts are a highlight of any visit to the bulk retailer. Even from a graphic design standpoint, the Food Spot menu (pictured above) is an uncanny copy of Costco’s, right down to the hospital-blue font and red borders bracketing each item. 

The food offerings run parallel to Costco’s suite of lunches and treats, featuring pepperoni pizza, hot dogs, churros, Caesar salads and soft serve sundaes.

But Food Spot takes things up a notch with some exclusive offerings you won’t be able to find while shopping for a year’s supply of toilet paper: Nashville hot chicken sandwiches, citrus-chile roast chicken sandwiches and parmesan fries. While the prices outpace Costco’s notoriously cheap offerings (a slice of cheese pizza costs $1.99 at Costco in Santa Clara but $2.50 at Food Spot, according to photos of the menu posted on Yelp), at least there’s no membership fee.

Still, the menu has one glaring absence: Food Spot has no chicken bake, an item regarded by some as the crown jewel of Costco’s food court menu.