FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -- The end of summer isn't here yet, and the first pumpkin spice products already have hit stores. Cumberland Farms has brought back its pumpkin-flavored items for the season.
Beginning Sept. 5, fans of the flavor can purchase the convenience-store retailer’s pumpkin spice cappuccino. Customers can also add pumpkin spice flavor shots to the chain’s hot or iced Farmhouse Blend coffees for 99 cents. The c-store chain will also offer limited-time bakery items, such as the Pumpkin Yogurt Muffin for $1.59.
This year, Starbucks began the pumpkin spice season earlier than ever on Aug. 28. The move continues a trend of introducing the drink earlier and earlier. In 2017, McDonald’s and Dunkin' Donuts brought back the beverage in late August, ahead of the Seattle-based coffee giant.
The pumpkin spice flavor profile also seems to be evolving. Top flavor pairings for pumpkin spice include vanilla, caramel, coconut and blueberry, according to CSP sister research company Technomic’s Menu Monitor.
Cumberland Farms is based in Framingham, Mass., and operates more than 500 c-stores along the Eastern Seaboard. It is No. 16 on CSP’s 2018 Top 202 ranking of c-store chains by number of company-owned retail outlets.
Photograph courtesy of Cumberland Farms
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