Starbucks is bringing back its pumpkin spice latte earlier than ever this year.
The fall favorite that debuted in 2003 will be added to the coffee chain’s fall menu Thursday. That’s two days earlier than the seasonal beverage started brewing last year, according to Axios, which reported the pumpkin spice latte used to make its fall debut a week or so into September.
Starbucks counts the squash-fueled drink as its most popular seasonal offering. It’s made with pumpkin, espresso, steamed milk, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove, then topped off with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spices, according to a press release from the Seattle-based chain. The specialty latte is served hot, iced or blended.
Starbucks named former Chipotle boss its new CEO last week. He’ll try and kickstart the coffee company’s sales numbers when he takes the helm Sept. 9. He’ll collect a $10 million annual salary and receive $75 million in equity awards, according to Yahoo! Finance. Starbucks’ North American transactions reportedly dropped 6% last quarter. Long lines and high prices were largely blamed for that decline.
Starbucks credits its rotating roster of seasonal drinks for 10% of all sales, according to Axios.
There are 350 Starbucks stores in New York City and more than 2,000 nationwide.
The coffee chain is also putting its Iced Apple Crisp Nondairy Cream Chai back on the menu this week. Returning food offerings include a Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin and Baked Apple Croissant.
It’s a good season for fast food comebacks.
Chick-fil-A quieted customers who’ve been clamoring for the return of its banana pudding milkshake since 2011 by adding that sweet treat to its fall menu. It becomes available Aug. 26.
