Dairy Queen and rivals unveil pumpkin spice fall 2025 menus

Fall 2025 is arriving early in the fast-food world, with major chains like Dairy Queen, Starbucks, Dunkin', and Krispy Kreme unveiling seasonal menus with fan-favorites and new items in a race to get ahead of the competition.

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While it means sunny skies and warm days will soon turn to falling brown leaves and chilly air, it also signals the return of cozy flavors like pumpkin spice, maple, and caramel, bringing the taste of autumn just a little closer.

Dairy Queen has released its 2025 Fall Treat Collection menu, featuring a returning fan-favorite seasonal Blizzard and two new limited-time menu items, including a Blizzard and a shake.

Full list of Dairy Queen's 2025 Fall Treat Collection:

Pumpkin Pie Blizzard Treat: Soft-serve ice cream mixed with real pumpkin pie pieces, topped with whipped cream, and sprinkled with nutmeg.
New Caramel Toffee Cookie Blizzard Treat: Soft-serve ice cream mixed with cookie pieces and caramel.
New Maple Cookie Shake: Soft-serve ice cream blended with milk and maple cookie crumbles, and topped with whipped cream.

Dairy Queen's seasonal fall treats will be available at all participating locations nationwide for a limited time starting August 29. Although no end date has been confirmed, the seasonal menu items typically run through late October or early November while supplies last.

The pumpkin-spice craze is upon us as fast-food chains unveil their fall 2025 menus.

Image source: Baltimore Sun/Getty Images

Rival food chains that have launched their fall menus

But Dairy Queen isn't the only chain jumping into fall before summer wraps up. Several rivals are also rolling out their seasonal menus early, unveiling their fall offerings and release dates just days apart.

Starbucks (SBUX) recently confirmed the return of its iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte, set to launch on August 26. The fan-favorite drink will be joined by four fall-inspired beverages, four seasonal food items including a Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin, and various grocery products already making their way to store shelves nationwide.

Not far behind, Dunkin' is bringing back its fall menu on August 20. This year's offerings include three seasonal drinks, including the Pumpkin Spice Latte, six food items, two donuts and Munchkins, plus special promotions like the $6 Meal Deal.

Dunkin' also revealed its Halloween-themed menu, which hits stores on October 15.

Krispy Kreme (DNUT) , however, plans to beat them all, launching its fall menu on August 11. The seasonal lineup includes a Pumpkin Spice Latte, a Pumpkin Spice Coffee, and two Pumpkin Spice Donuts.

But this year, Krispy Kreme's Original Glazed Pumpkin Spice Donut will only be available through August 17, vanishing well before summer ends.

Food companies' strategy behind releasing seasonal menus

While it might seem excessive for nearly every food chain to roll out seasonal or limited-time menus, there's a strategic reason for this madness.

These exclusive offerings create a sense of urgency, especially when releasing fan favorites. Customers feel compelled to get them as soon as possible or have them as often as they can before they disappear again.

There's also a sense of tradition when it comes to seasonality. Whether it's the coziness of pumpkin spice in the fall or the refreshing taste of lemon in the summer, these flavors often spark nostalgia or simply feel appropriate for the time of year.

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Introducing new items also generates buzz. In today's social media world, the more craze and virality a product creates, the better it is for the brand's visibility and reach.

The end goal is the same for all food chains: drive foot traffic and boost sales by launching products that feel exclusive because they only come around once a year.