McDonald’s announced this week that its iconic pumpkin spice latte will be absent from the chain’s fall menu for the first time in a decade. In its place, the fast‑food giant is rolling out a caramel apple pie latte, positioning the new drink as the sole autumn coffee offering.
Why the change matters
While McDonald’s has never been the market leader for pumpkin spice beverages—those honors belong to Starbucks and Dunkin’—the decision signals that the nation’s appetite for the once‑ubiquitous flavor may be waning. According to Datassential, an analytics firm that tracks food‑service trends, 86% of consumers have tried a pumpkin spice latte, but recent data show a slowdown in its growth.
Datassential’s trendologist Clare Conaghan noted a sharp rise in interest for apple‑based flavors. “Apple, especially caramel apple, is emerging as a potential new autumn staple,” Conaghan told CNN. The firm found that 99% more coffee establishments sold apple‑pie flavors and 49% more sold caramel apple compared with a year ago, while only 37% more sold pumpkin spice lattes.
Consumer searches point to new favorites
Search data from Pinterest support the shift. In August, searches for banana latte syrup surged 916%, blueberry coffee rose 384%, and marshmallow cold foam increased 250%. These numbers suggest that coffee drinkers are eager for novel, “funkier” flavor combinations rather than the familiar pumpkin spice profile.
Other chains are already expanding their seasonal menus. Dunkin’ introduced a Lemon Drop Suncloud Lemonade and a Fluffernutter frozen coffee, while Starbucks continues to dominate the pumpkin spice market but has not yet announced a major flavor overhaul.
McDonald’s broader strategy
The caramel apple pie latte aligns with McDonald’s recent focus on drinks as one of its three core menu categories. The company has added fruit‑based refreshers such as Strawberry Watermelon and Mango Pineapple, and it plans to keep experimenting with seasonal offerings.
McDonald’s reported its slowest growth since 2025, with U.S. sales up just 0.8% in the second quarter. CEO Chris Kempczinski attributed part of the slowdown to longer service times caused by a high volume of value‑priced items. He said the chain will re‑evaluate its menu selection to better meet customer preferences.
Public reaction
Social media responses to the caramel apple pie latte have been mixed. Some reviewers praised the drink’s layered toppings—salted caramel whipped cream, apple‑pie crumble, and caramel apple syrup—while others compared its taste to a candle. A TikTok user noted, “I need this drink to look good for me to love it,” after receiving a version without the whipped topping.
Despite the divided opinions, a portion of the audience still longs for pumpkin spice. One comment on the platform read, “Petition for them to bring back pumpkin spice,” highlighting that the flavor retains a loyal fan base.
What’s next for seasonal coffee?
As McDonald’s pivots toward caramel apple, industry observers expect more experimentation across the coffee sector. The rise in searches for alternative syrups and the growing popularity of apple‑based drinks suggest that the next fall menu could feature a broader array of flavors, giving consumers more choices beyond the traditional pumpkin spice latte.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
