Introduction to the Pumpkin Spice Latte
The Pumpkin Spice Latte has returned to Starbucks menus in the U.S. and Canada, bringing a taste of autumn to the summer month of August. This seasonal beverage is Starbucks’ most popular seasonal drink, with hundreds of millions sold since its launch in 2003. The Pumpkin Spice Latte has also inspired a host of imitations, with other coffee chains like Dunkin’ and McDonald’s introducing their own pumpkin-flavored drinks in recent years.
History of the Pumpkin Spice Latte
The Pumpkin Spice Latte was first introduced in 2003, during a test run in 100 Starbucks stores in Vancouver and Washington. The following year, it launched nationally and has since become a staple of the Starbucks menu. The drink’s popularity has endured for over two decades, with its sales contributing to Starbucks’ significant revenue growth. In 2024, Starbucks’ net revenue was $36.2 billion, up from $4.1 billion in 2003 when the Pumpkin Spice Latte first went on sale.
The Pumpkin Spice Latte by the Numbers
Here are some key statistics about the Pumpkin Spice Latte:
— 100: Number of Starbucks stores that sold the Pumpkin Spice Latte during a test run in Vancouver and Washington in 2003. The following year it launched nationally.
— 79: Number of markets where Starbucks sold the Pumpkin Spice Latte in 2024. At the time, the company had stores in 85 markets around the world. It now operates in 88 markets.
— $36.2 billion: Starbucks’ net revenue in its 2024 fiscal year, which ended last September. Starbucks’ net revenue was $4.1 billion in 2003, when the Pumpkin Spiace Latte first went on sale.
— 33.8%: Increase in mentions of pumpkin spice on U.S. menus between the fall of 2014 and the fall of 2024, according to Technomic.
— 4: Number of spices in McCormick’s Pumpkin Pie Spice. They are cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice.
— 2022: The year Merriam-Webster added “pumpkin spice” to the dictionary. Less common, it said, is the term “pumpkin pie spice.”
— 3: The Pumpkin Spice Latte was the third seasonal beverage introduced by Starbucks, after the Eggnog Latte and the Peppermint Mocha.
— Sept. 8: Date the Pumpkin Spice Latte went on sale in 2015. The on-sale date has edged earlier since then.
— 24%: Amount foot traffic rose at U.S. Starbucks last year on Aug. 22, the day the Pumpkin Spice Latte went on sale, according to Placer.ai. The company compared traffic that Thursday to the previous eight Thursdays.
— 45.5%: Amount foot traffic rose at Starbucks stores in North Dakota on Aug. 22, 2024, the most of any state, according to Placer.ai. Foot traffic in Mississippi rose the least, at 4.8%.
— 42,000: Number of members of the Leaf Rakers Society, a private Facebook group Starbucks created in 2018 to celebrate fall all year long.
Impact of the Pumpkin Spice Latte
The Pumpkin Spice Latte has had a significant impact on the coffee industry and popular culture. Its introduction has led to a proliferation of pumpkin-flavored drinks and products, with many companies seeking to capitalize on the drink’s popularity. The Pumpkin Spice Latte has also become a cultural phenomenon, with many people eagerly anticipating its annual release and sharing their experiences on social media.
Conclusion
The Pumpkin Spice Latte is a beloved seasonal beverage that has become a staple of the Starbucks menu. Its enduring popularity is a testament to the power of effective marketing and the human desire for comforting, familiar flavors. As the Pumpkin Spice Latte continues to be a major driver of sales for Starbucks, it’s clear that this drink is here to stay.
FAQs
Q: When was the Pumpkin Spice Latte first introduced?
A: The Pumpkin Spice Latte was first introduced in 2003, during a test run in 100 Starbucks stores in Vancouver and Washington.
Q: How many Pumpkin Spice Lattes have been sold since its launch?
A: Hundreds of millions of Pumpkin Spice Lattes have been sold since its launch in 2003.
Q: What is the significance of the Pumpkin Spice Latte in popular culture?
A: The Pumpkin Spice Latte has become a cultural phenomenon, with many people eagerly anticipating its annual release and sharing their experiences on social media.
Q: How has the Pumpkin Spice Latte impacted the coffee industry?
A: The Pumpkin Spice Latte has led to a proliferation of pumpkin-flavored drinks and products, with many companies seeking to capitalize on the drink’s popularity.
