# Pumpkin Spice Latte

> Starbucks' seasonal Pumpkin Spice Latte passed a reported 600 million sales.

- Owner: Starbucks
- Kind: Food & drink
- Sector: Food & beverage
- Seed date: 2003-10-10
- Observed peak date: Week of Aug 24, 2025
- Date basis: Observed peak within the documented measurement window; not an all-time maximum. Dates use the stated precision; chart positions are date anchors.
- Spread Score: 47 (Notable), v1.2
- Mechanics: Identity badge, Scarcity drop, Mascot persona, Controversy, Platform jump

## Summary

Starbucks tested PSL in 2003 and rolled it out nationally the next year. Seasonal returns drew fan posts, a character account and backlash. CNN reported more than 600 million sales by 2022.

## Timeline

- 2003-10-10 — Starbucks (Retail) — Starbucks tested Pumpkin Spice Latte in about 100 stores in Vancouver and Washington, D.C.
- By end of 2004 — Starbucks (Retail) — Starbucks rolled PSL out nationally in 2004.
- 2011-08-22 — Starbucks (Facebook) — Starbucks launched a Facebook contest to let fans bring PSL to their city early.

The full timeline, metrics and sources are on the case page, or via the Pro API (https://howitspread.com/developers).

Canonical URL: https://howitspread.com/cases/pumpkin-spice-latte

Cite as: How It Spread (2026). “Pumpkin Spice Latte.” Case HIS-01349. Spread Score v1.2: 47/100. Updated 2026-10-22. https://howitspread.com/id/HIS-01349