QSR Restaurants Launch Limited-Time Fall Flavors

As summer comes to a close, the bathing suits and sunscreen get put away and the warmer clothes get put back into the rotation, but there’s one solace for hungry Americans: the flavors of fall. Inevitably, every September, chains across the country roll out pumpkin, cranberry, apple spice and other fall-inspired flavors. Whether it’s in coffee, tea, muffin or donut form, Americans love fall flavors and brands love the boost in sales from fall menu items.

Philly Pretzel Factory, a 150-plus-unit pretzel chain born and raised in Philadelphia, is getting in the game with its unique and tasty annual fall offering: pumpkin dip for its pretzels, which launched in its stores system wide in September.

“We were inspired due to the ever-increasing market and consumer demand for pumpkin-flavored products in the fall months,” said Adam Terranova, marketing manager for Philly Pretzel Factory. “Our pretzels are fantastic on their own but come to life when paired with our dips and sauces. Our pumpkin dip offers our guests the chance to enjoy the best of both worlds:  our world-famous pretzels and the star flavor of fall: pumpkin.”

Philly Pretzel Factory launched the dip in 2014, and enjoyed great initial success, leading the brand to bring it back every year following. In 2016, Philly Pretzel Factory saw a ten percent increase in sales of pumpkin dip over 2015. The pumpkin dip offers a sweet complement to Philly Pretzel Factory’s menu of pretzels, pretzel dogs, pretzel cheesesteaks, pretzel spicy sausages, pepperoni pretzel melts, cinnamon pretzels and rivets as well as other dips and sauces.

As the world’s largest Philly-style bakery, Philly Pretzel Factory delivers customers delicious soft pretzels “served hot outta the oven.” Each is twisted with a mix of the finest and freshest ingredients to ensure quality and authenticity.

In addition to Philly Pretzel Factory’s offering, pumpkin fans eagerly await Starbucks’ classic Pumpkin Spice Latte, which was officially available September 6, after a preview period in which customers could unlock early access to the famed drink prior to the launch. In addition to the PSL, Starbucks introduced a new fall drink: the Chile Mocha, featuring ancho chile, cayenne pepper, paprika and sea salt.

Other fall offerings at popular chains include pumpkin lattes, donuts, MUNCHKINS, coffees and macchiatos and Salted Caramel flavored coffee, lattes and macchiatos at Dunkin Donuts’, Pumpkin Pie and Apple Pie Blizzard Treats at Dairy Queen*, a full menu of autumn flavors including a Pumpkin Croissant, Pumpkin Blondie and Chai Pumpkin Spice Latte at Au Bon Pain, and Crème Brulee Boudino and Pumpkin Pie Latte at Caribou Coffee.

For years, the pumpkin craze has dominated headlines from the end of August through Thanksgiving, with brands like Philly Pretzel Factory leading the charge in feeding America’s insatiable appetite for all things fall – and reaping the benefits.