Starbucks pumpkin spice latte launching earlier than ever
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Starbucks is bringing back its pumpkin spice lineup earlier than ever before.
Why it matters: The coffee giant has been reeling from a slowdown in sales in recent months and has been under pressure to make changes.
- Last week, Starbucks appointed Brian Niccol as its chairman and CEO effective Sept. 9.
When does Starbucks fall menu 2024 start
Driving the news: Starbucks announced Wednesday that its fall menu will return Thursday, Aug. 22 — two days earlier than last year.
- The pumpkin spice craze was born 21 years ago in 2003 when the pumpkin drink first debuted.
Starbucks PSL, seasonal drinks drive sales
The big picture: Seasonal drinks and limited-time offers have driven sales and traffic for the company in the past.
- Starbucks says 10% of sales come from returning favorites of its most popular seasonal beverage.
What we're watching: There's been strong consumer demand for fall products launching earlier between Summerween trending on social with 124.3 million TikTok posts, #CodeOrange (67,000 posts on TikTok) and the Augtober trend.
Starbucks fall menu includes pumpkin, apple drinks
Zoom in: The 2024 fall menu includes the classic Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew and the Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai that debuted in 2023.
- The Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato and Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso also return and are joined by the new Iced Apple Crisp Nondairy Cream Chai.
- For food, the Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin and Baked Apple Croissant return and are joined by the new Raccoon Cake Pop.
- Two additional fall drinks are only available in the Starbucks app — the Iced Caramel Apple Cream Latte and the Iced Honey Apple Almondmilk Flat White.
What they're saying: The chain said the new drinks are to "complement the range of beverages designed to meet the flavor profiles of our Gen Z and Millennial customers" who "increasingly favor tea-based, cold and non-dairy beverages."
Dunkin' pumpkin spice 2024 release date
What's next: Dunkin' hasn't confirmed when it will launch its pumpkin and fall menu but the 2024 release is already late compared to recent years.
- In 2022, Dunkin' launched pumpkin products on Aug. 10 and it returned Aug. 16 last year.
Yes, but: The brand's pumpkin coffee creamers have returned and Dunkin' Spiked Pumpkin Spice Iced Latte is available in grocery stores across 27 states.
More from Axios:
