6 Major Coffee Chains Serving Up Exciting Fall Menus
In most parts of the country, the days are still long and leaves haven't begun changing color quite yet. But subtle hints of autumn's fast approach are all around, and among them is the return of fall-inspired drinks and treats to coffee chain menus nationwide.
Cold-weather flavors like apple, pumpkin, and cinnamon are coming in hot, and some may already be available at your go-to coffee chain. Read on to find out what seasonal selections a few of America's largest and most popular coffee chains are expected to serve up during fall 2022.
Peet's Coffee
Peet's Coffee is going big this year with the introduction of four brand new fall drink offerings, in addition to three returning fan favorites. Starting on August 24, the java shop will bring back its staple Pumpkin Latte, limited-edition Vine & Walnut Blend coffee, and its sweet and savory Peet's Chicken & Waffles Sandwich.
New imaginative latte selections—served both hot or cold—will also make their debut including a Caramel Apple Latte, plant-based Pumpkin Cold Brew Oat Latte with Brown Sugar Jelly, and an Apple Cinnamon Oat Latte available exclusively for Peetnik Rewards Members.
Plus, customers will be able to enjoy the taste of Peet's seasonal craft coffee at home with the release of Pumpkin Spice Flavored K-Cup pods. The fall offerings will be available up to November 1 at participating stores, with the exception of the Chicken & Waffles Sandwich, which can be enjoyed until January 3, 2023.
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Tim Hortons
Over at the Canadian restaurant chain, the sweet taste of pumpkin is taking over, also beginning on August 24. For a limited time, beverage options include a Pumpkin Spice Iced Capp, Pumpkin Spice Cream Cold Brew with Cold Foam, and of course, a standard Pumpkin Spice Latte (or PSL) will grace Tim Hortons' menu board yet again.
If that's not enough to satisfy a year's worth of built-up pumpkin cravings, Pumpkin Spice Muffins and Glazed Donuts will also be ripe for the picking this autumn.
Starbucks
Starbucks enthusiasts can rest easy knowing the chain's iconic PSL will soon be up for grabs once again–although this time at a slightly higher price point. The iconic drink, its cold brew counterpart, and a lineup of other fall coffees and snacks will be added to menus as early as August 30.
Expand your palate with a hot or cold Chai Tea Latte, or a reimagined Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato this season. Or pick up a flavorful food item like Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins, iced Pumpkin Scones, and Instagram-worthy Owl Cake Pops.
Dunkin'
If you frequent the local Dunkin' shop, you may have noticed fall came a little early this year. Festive items officially hit stores on August 10, according to the company's news release. Glazed Pumpkin Cake Donuts, Pumpkin Munchkins, Pumpkin Muffins, and Maple Sugar Bacon Breakfast Sandwiches have taken over the bakery.
Customers can additionally wash these tasty bites down with a Pumpkin Spice Signature Latte, Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, or take a walk on the wild side with one of two show-stopping new drinks: a hot or iced Nutty Pumpkin Coffee or the citrusy Blood Orange Refresher.
These offerings will stick around through November 1. And exciting Halloween specials will follow closely behind—set to launch on October 12.
Dutch Bros
Although nothing is official yet, rumors from the coffee blog A Cup Every Day say that Dutch Bros will be launching its fall menu on September 1. This is when the coffee chain released its seasonal drinks in both 2021 and 2020, and fall selections have historically lasted until the end of October.
For the past two years, Dutch Bros featured the Caramel Pumpkin Brulée flavor, served as a breve, cold brew, or Dutch Freeze. The Citrus Cinnabear energy drink was also launched in unison in 2020, and last year customers were able to try the dreamy Cinnamon Swirl Oat Milk Latte.
Only time will tell what the company has in store for 2022.
Caribou Coffee
Midwest-based Caribou Coffee has kept its fall plans on the down low so far this year. However, in a statement to Restaurant Business, the chain's beverage category manager Gretchen Hashemi-Rad shared that "pumpkin spice season intentionally starts at the very end of August."
In a different interview with Mashed, chief brand and marketing officer at Caribou, Erin Newkirk, revealed even more about the 2022 fall flavors. "It's hard not to love the upcoming season as a coffee lover, and Caribou will look forward to bringing back some of our favorite seasonal offerings. Try an Iced Crafted Press with real pumpkin!" she said.
The 2021 autumn lineup was launched on August 26 and featured pumpkin beverages like a Nitro Pumpkin Latte and a Pumpkin White Mocha, as well as apple-inspired options like the Hot Apple Blast—Caribou's take on a hot apple cider mixed with caramel.
