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Pumpkin spice season returns earlier than ever

The PSL and other fall beverages are coming to coffee chains in late August.

Patricia Cobe, Senior Editor

August 13, 2019

1 Min Read
Pumpkin Spice
The PSL and other fall beverages are coming to coffee chains in late August.Photograph courtesy of Dunkin Donuts

Just like the start of the new school year, Starbucks’ debut of its Pumpkin Spice Latte signals the end of summer—two events that might be coming much too soon for vacation-lovers. This year, the popular fall beverage is returning Aug. 27, according to tweets from the chain’s baristas and a report in Business Insider. It’s Starbucks’ earliest official PSL launch ever.

But Dunkin’ is one-upping the coffee giant with an Aug. 21 national launch of its pumpkin spice line. And on Wednesday, Aug. 14, customers in select cities can get an even earlier taste. Taking a page from IHOP’s brief stint as IHOB, Dunkin’ is rebranding eight stores to Pumpkin’ on that date to promote its pumpkin-flavored coffees and other treats.

The stores will sport new signage and interior decor to announce the one-day name change, and the first 250 guests will receive a free hot or iced pumpkin coffee and pumpkin-scented lip balm. Participating locations haven’t been identified, but clues will be revealed on the @Dunkin Instagram feed.

Customers can get Dunkin’s complete autumnal lineup the following week. It includes two new items—a cinnamon sugar pumpkin signature latte and apple cider donut holes—along with several pumpkin-flavored coffee drinks and a pumpkin muffin and donut.

About the Author

Patricia Cobe

Senior Editor

Pat plans and executes the menu sections of Restaurant Business and FoodService Director, covering food and beverage trends, Menu R&D, profiles of chefs and restaurateurs and Technomic research. She also contributes to the digital content of both RB and FSD and is editor of two weekly e-newsletters, Recipe Report and On the Menu. Pat’s weekly podcast, MenuFeed, covers a wide range of menu topics through interviews with chefs and operators.

Pat came to Winsight from Hearst, where she was an executive editor. She is the co-author of the Mompreneurs series of books as well as two cookbooks. She graduated from Cornell University and earned a Masters in Journalism from Boston University. She is active in several professional organizations, including Les Dames d’Escoffier and the International Foodservice Editorial Council (IFEC), and serves as a judge for the James Beard Media Awards.

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