Despite sweltering August temperatures, more stores are rolling out products in what was once the quintessential fall flavor: pumpkin spice.
IHOP will launch its fall-themed lineup on September 1, including pumpkin spice pancakes, pumpkin spice cold foam cold brew, and maple pumpkin cheesecake-flavored pancakes.
And Krispy Kreme unveiled its fall menu even earlier, announcing the return of the pumpkin spice cake doughnut and pumpkin spice latte beginning August 12.
iHOP’s pumpkin spice menu items are pictured in a promotional image.
Pumpkin spice has cemented itself as a fall staple, with Americans spending more than $500 million on pumpkin spice products each year, according to data from Nielsen. And with companies from Starbucks to Bath & Body Works consistently rolling out their own line of pumpkin spice products as the days grow shorter, the flavor has become a well-established part of the consumption calendar.
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But the fall retail season can seem to arrive earlier with each passing year, with stores like Home Depot selling Halloween décor on their website as early as April.
The slew of fall promotions comes during a particularly tense financial environment as unemployment soars, high prices persist and budget-conscious consumers pull away from fast food.
