Coffee giant has new pumpkin drink

Pumpkin spice season has arrived at Krispy Kreme.

While the chain’s Classic Pumpkin Spice Cake Doughnut and Pumpkin Spice Latte are available through Thanksgiving, for one week there are two limited-time specials.

This week only through Sept. 8, Krispy Kreme’s Pumpkin Spice Original Glazed Doughnut returns along with the new Pumpkin Spice Original Filled Doughnut that is filled with “cheesecake Kreme,” the company announced Monday.

Krispy Kreme also is offering a “Pumpkin Spice Purchase Protection” plan through Sunday at participating locations nationwide. If you’ve been disappointed by any pumpkin spice product on the market, trade it in for a Krispy Kreme freebie.

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“Bad pumpkin spice products shouldn’t happen to good people,” said Dave Skena, Krispy Kreme chief marketing officer, in a statement. “If you’ve been impacted by the proliferation of pumpkin spice products that don’t make sense, come to Krispy Kreme and we’ll make it all better with a free pumpkin spice doughnut.”

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Pumpkin spice fans, here’s another reason to get pumped up.

Starbucks has added a second pumpkin drink – the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew – in addition to the Pumpkin Spice Latte or PSL for short, which returned Aug. 27.

This is Starbucks’ first new pumpkin coffee drink since it launched the PSL – the drink that experts say started the pumpkin craze – in 2003. The drink is made with Starbucks Cold Brew, vanilla, and is finished with a pumpkin cream cold foam and a pumpkin spice topping.

“With customer excitement for PSL sweeping the nation each fall, we wanted to create a new beverage that combines two of our customers’ favorite things, pumpkin spices and cold brew,” said Matthew Thornton, of Starbucks beverage research and development team, in a statement to USA TODAY.

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According to Starbucks, the PSL is its top-selling seasonal beverage of all time with more than 424 million sold in the U.S. since its release 16 years ago. The PSL is available hot, iced or as a Frappuccino-blended beverage.

As part of the fall menu, Starbucks also is bringing back the Salted Caramel Mocha, pumpkin cream cheese muffin and pumpkin scone. 

Apester, a digital storytelling content platform, said 62.5% of consumers surveyed said they thought Starbucks is releasing its pumpkin drink too early this year. Last year, pumpkin returned to Starbucks on Aug. 28, a day dubbed Pumpkinox.

But Starbucks isn’t the only place offering an early taste of fall. 

The pumpkin pandemonium started Aug. 21 at Dunkin’ locations nationwide when its new fall lineup with new and returning items arrived. The return was six days earlier than in 2018.

Now available

7-Eleven: Pumpkin spice hot coffee and pumpkin spice latte are available for a limited time. With the convenience store’s 7Rewards program, get any size cup for $1.

Baskin-Robbins: The September Flavor of the Month is Pumpkin Cheesecake.

Bruegger’s Bagels: Pumpkin bagels, pumpkin cream cheese and pumpkin spice coffee are available for a limited time.

Cracker Barrel: The Pumpkin Pie Latte is available nationwide.

Dairy Queen: The seasonal Pumpkin Pie Blizzard is back for a limited time.

Denny’s:  Pumpkin pancakes are back for a limited time.

Dunkin’: Dunkin’s Pumpkin Flavored Coffee, pumpkin doughnut, muffins and Munchkins donut holes are back along with the new Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Signature Latte. Pumpkin flavor swirl can be added to hot, iced coffee, Cold Brew, espresso drinks, frozen coffee and frozen chocolate.

Einstein Bros. Bagels: The chain’s pumpkin bagel and shmear launches nationwide Aug. 29.

Mimi’s Bistro & Bakery: Mimi’s brought back its Pumpkin Spice Muffin and Pumpkin Spice Latte Aug. 28.

Pilot Flying J: Available while supplies last, participating Pilot and Flying J Travel Centers will have a new pumpkin drink, the Pumpkin Maple Cappuccino.

PJ’s Coffee: Pumpkin items including Pumpkin Praline Velvet Ice, Pumpkin Latte and Pumpkin Swirl Bread is available Sept. 1 through Oct. 31.

TCBY: Pumpkin Pie soft serve frozen yogurt is available starting Sept. 1 for a limited time.

Starbucks: The fall menu returned Aug. 27.

Steak ’n Shake: The Pumpkin Spice Milkshake is back for a limited time.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf: A limited-edition fall menu arrived Aug. 28 with the Pumpkin Latte and Pumpkin Chocolate Muffin.

Wawa: Pumpkin spice specialty beverages, coffee and cappuccino returned Aug. 26.

Coming soon

Cumberland Farms: Beginning Sept. 4, the convenience store chain will have a variety of fall-inspired coffee flavors and treats, including a pumpkin spice cappuccino and a pumpkin spiced flavor pump. New and remodeled stores will also have a pumpkin-filled pretzel.

Noodles & Company: A new limited-time menu item, the Pumpkin Spice Crispy, arrives Sept. 25 and will be available through Nov. 26 or while supplies last.

Peet’s Coffee: The seasonal lineup featuring a Pumpkin Latte and Pumpkin Chai Latte will be available Sept. 4 through Nov. 5.

At the store

Here are some of the products that are either carving out a spot on store shelves or will soon be added. Selection varies and quantities of these seasonal items are limited. More products are expected to come out before Halloween and additional items will be available at online specialty stores.

Beverages: Multiple brands of pumpkin spice coffee, creamer, teas and cocoa. Creamer options include: Laird Superfood’s Pumpkin Spice Creamer, International Delight Pumpkin Pie Spice Flavored Creamer, Silk Pumpkin Spice Almond Creamer, Coffee mate Pumpkin Spice and natural bliss Pumpkin Spice. Super Coffee has a new Maple Pumpkin bottled coffee, which is keto friendly and has zero grams of sugar, 80 calories, MCT oil and 10 grams of protein. The brand also is launching a Super Espresso and Super Creamer in this line.

Pastries: Grocery stores often have fresh-baked cookies and popular packaged varieties include Milano Pumpkin Spice cookies, Kodiak Cakes’ Pumpkin Dark Chocolate Muffin Unleashed and Base Culture’s Nutty Pumpkin Bread. Thomas’  Pumpkin Spice English Muffins and bagels are expected to arrive in stores Sept. 10 and Sugar Bowl Bakery’s new Pumpkin Madeleines and Pumpkin Fritters will start rolling out stores in September. Pillsbury Grands! Pumpkin Spice Sweet Rolls and other Pillsbury pumpkin products are rolling out to stores now.

Protein bars and powder: Pumpkin has also made its way into some protein drinks and bars. Options that will be available in stores and online include Lenny & Larry’s Pumpkin Spice Complete Cookie, Quest Pumpkin Pie protein bars and ONE Pumpkin Pie bars. BSN SYNTHA-6 Pumpkin Pie protein powder is available at GNC, Vitamin Shoppe and Amazon.

Yogurt: Chobani Greek Yogurt Pumpkin & Spice, Chobani Flip Autumn Harvest Crisp and Dannon Light & Fit Pumpkin Pie, noosa yoghurt in pumpkin and Nounós Pumpkin Spice.

Ice cream: Halo Top’s Pumpkin Pie is returning for the third year and this year there also will be a non-dairy and vegan version. My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream is launching two new fall-themed limited-time flavors including Pumpkin Spice. Bubbies has Pumpkin Mochi at Whole Foods and other grocers and Enlightened Ice Cream’s seasonal Pumpkin Spice Latte returns Sept. 9. Not an ice cream, but Daiya has a plant-based Pumpkin Spice Cheezecake, available in the freezer section.

Miscellaneous: Pumpkin pasta sauce, salsa and pumpkin-flavored Spam. Native Pumpkin Spice Latte deodorant goes on sale online starting Sept. 9.

Snacks: SMASHMALLOW pumpkin pie marshmallows. Nature’s Bakery Pumpkin Spice Fig Bars will be available in Target and Whole Foods nationwide around mid-September. Bobo’s Pumpkin Spice Oat Bar will be available online.

Check back for additional pumpkin products and menu options as this story will be updated.

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Dunkin’ contest

Dunkin’s “Sip. Peel. Win.” promotion is back. Through Sept. 24 or while supplies last, purchase a large or extra-large-sized hot, iced or frozen beverage at participating Dunkin’ locations and get a game piece sticker on your cup.

Prizes include free groceries or gas for a year, clothing, home improvement, Dunkin’ products and more, the company announced in a statement.

There also will be bonus points for DD Perks members and select game pieces will have a unique code to enter a daily and grand prize sweepstakes at SipPeelWin.com. 

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Follow USA TODAY reporter Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko