Starbucks Announces Fall Menu Return with Pumpkin Spice Latte and New Creations

Starbucks' fall menu launches on August 26, 2025, featuring returning classics and new creative offerings. The lineup includes the Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL), Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai, Pecan Oatmilk Cortado, and Italian Sausage Egg Bites. The menu offers a mix of sweet and savory choices, with fan-favorite pastries like the Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin and Baked Apple Croissant returning to delight customers.

Starbucks and Dunkin' are gearing up for the fall season with the return of their iconic pumpkin spice offerings. Starbucks' fall menu will launch nationwide on August 26, 2025, featuring returning classics and new creative additions. The lineup includes the beloved Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL), Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai, Pecan Oatmilk Cortado, and Italian Sausage Egg Bites. The menu offers a mix of sweet and savory choices, with fan-favorite pastries like the Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin and Baked Apple Croissant returning to delight customers [1].

Dunkin', aiming to capture early market share, is set to introduce its fall offerings a week earlier on August 20, 2025. The chain's Pumpkin Spice Signature Latte will be available in hot or iced varieties, along with new items such as the Cereal N’ Milk Latte, Iced Pumpkin Loaf, Mixed Berry Daydream Refresher, Chipotle Loaded Hash Browns, and Kreme Delight Donut. Returning classics like the Maple Sugar Bacon Sandwich, Pumpkin Donut, and Pumpkin Munchkins will also be available, with some reports indicating a two-phase launch extending into October for Halloween-themed treats [2].

Both chains are incorporating plant-based choices to cater to growing consumer preferences. Starbucks' Pecan Crunch Latte and Dunkin's dairy-free refreshers are examples of this trend. Nutritional details vary, with a grande PSL containing about 390 calories and 50 grams of sugar, prompting some chains to offer lighter versions.

The early arrival of fall flavors reflects a broader industry shift, with chains competing to extend seasonal sales amid rising demand for limited-time flavors. The PSL alone generates significant revenue for Starbucks, contributing to billions in annual sales from fall promotions. In 2015, the drink didn’t appear until September 8, but dates have crept forward, with the past seven years landing in late August. Analysts attribute this to consumer anticipation, amplified by social media, where #PSL posts surge annually [1].

Starbucks plans additional fall merchandise, including themed tumblers, while Dunkin’ ties promotions to its rewards app. Customers can check availability via the companies’ apps or websites. With Labor Day on September 1, these launches precede the holiday, extending the season for flavor fans.

The competition between Starbucks and Dunkin’ highlights evolving consumer tastes, with both chains adapting menus based on feedback. In Southern Maryland, where coffee shops serve as community hubs, these offerings add to local autumn traditions.

References:
[1] https://southernmarylandchronicle.com/2025/08/19/starbucks-fall-menu-returns-amid-early-pumpkin-spice-craze/
[2] https://www.cincinnati.com/story/life/food/2025/08/22/starbucks-pumpkin-spice-latte-fall-2025-menu-new-items-dunkin/85775723007/