For many Starbucks customers, it’s not fall until Starbucks says it is, with the return of the Pumpkin Spice Latte and other favorites. This year, customers turned out for the season they’ve been waiting for, making Aug. 25 the strongest fall launch day across the U.S. and Canada in Starbucks history.
It took one icon to announce another with Martha Stewart kicking off the return of PSL in an ad with “Off Campus” star Belmont Cameli (who was enjoying an Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte).
More than two decades after the Pumpkin Spice Latte debuted, it remains a seasonal icon, bringing customers together around familiar flavors, comforting rituals and moments of connection.
This year, in addition to returning favorites like Pumpkin Spice Latte and Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, Starbucks also debuted a number of other new seasonal drinks and food that customers are already passionate about. One new standout: the new Iced Pumpkin Cream Shaken Espresso. Also, the new Hedgehog Cake Pop delivered record-breaking single-day sales for fall launch, making it Starbucks top-selling fall cake pop ever.
“Whether you’re enjoying your first PSL of the year or discovering a new seasonal favorite, there’s nothing like feeling the joy of fall in our coffeehouses,” said Tressie Lieberman, Starbucks global chief brand officer.
The excitement extends far beyond Starbucks coffeehouses. Customers and creators flooded social media with posts of first sips, favorite drinks and overall joy for the return of the fall season.
The strong start is a reflection of the unique role Starbucks continues to play in the season. As fall beverages roll out to more than 85 markets around the world, Starbucks is celebrating another season of comfort, connection and the iconic products customers return for year after year.
The return of the fan-favorite Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) on Aug. 25, 2026, invites you to embrace everything you love about fall, unapologetically. Starbucks has teamed up with Martha Stewart and Belmont Cameli, everyone’s favorite campus athlete, for a playful nod to the return of the seasonal icon including all of the conversations that come with it.
For years, the Pumpkin Spice Latte has been a defining symbol of fall, an icon. It has inspired memes, sparked commentary, and become an unmistakable sign that the season has arrived. Just ask Martha Stewart, the queen of fall and keeping it real. Known for her thoughts on the beverage’s mainstream popularity, she confidently portrays that the PSL fits perfectly in fall, while Cameli grabs own Pumpkin Spice Latte beverage iced, of course.
The Pumpkin Spice Latte started a movement and Starbucks wants to celebrate the community of fans that sets it apart. So, alongside this clever campaign, Starbucks will highlight the excitement behind PSL with real content, from real fans, to showcase the cultural phenomenon that is the Pumpkin Spice Latte made with real pumpkin.
Fall can be basic, and it’s perfect. Just ask Martha and the fans.
Starbucks chairman and chief executive officer Brian Niccol shared a note of thanks to partners (employees) earlier today for making the return of our iconic Unicorn Frappuccino Blended Beverage one for the record books. Read the full message below.
Message from Brian: A Record Unicorn Weekend
Together, you helped make the weekend return of our iconic Unicorn Frappuccino® Blended Beverage one for the record books. It was a terrific cultural moment for Starbucks that every partner helped bring to life. You made it fun. You provided great service. You created millions of memorable moments for customers. And, to no one’s surprise, it became our best North America company-operated sales weekend ever.
In coffeehouses across the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East, customers came in with friends and family to experience a moment of nostalgia and joy. They shared photos, posted videos and made memories. You made Starbucks part of a worldwide cultural conversation and gave people a reason to connect with our partners and each other.
Over the weekend, we sold more than 2 million Unicorn Frappuccino® Blended Beverages in our North America company-operated coffeehouses, with August 15 becoming our biggest Saturday sales day ever for our North America company-operated business.
To our green apron partners, thank you. You delivered in a big way. You showed up for our customers and one another with energy, creativity and care. You executed with brilliance. And made every coffeehouse and every interaction feel special.
To our support partners, thank you for crafting the moment with intent and for the thought you put into setting our coffeehouses up for success. You got the inventory ready, built the training, created the buzz and cleared the path so green apron partners could focus on customers and execute with excellence at scale.
This is Starbucks at its best. Together, we led a global cultural moment. We built momentum. We delivered world class customer service with consistency and speed. We showed up as visible, relevant and loved. And we did it in a way only Starbucks can.
Thank you for embracing the moment and making this weekend possible.
Dana Pellicano, senior vice president, global product experience
At Starbucks, innovation starts with listening to customers and partners (employees) and exploring new ways to evolve the Starbucks experience. As consumer interest in refreshment and sparkling beverages continues to grow, particularly in the afternoon, we’re testing new beverage experiences to better understand customer demand.
Beginning July 28, we will launch a small market test for handcrafted, sparkling refreshment beverages in approximately 100 coffeehouses across Austin and San Antonio and St. Louis. The test will evaluate customer demand, operational execution and the role sparkling beverages could play in our long-term refreshment strategy, while supporting our focus on menu innovation and afternoon growth.
Building on the success of Starbucks Refreshers, we are extending a platform that has already demonstrated strong customer appeal. And we are also introducing the Starbucks Spritz Collection which brings together real fruit with coffee, tea or lemonade.
Participating coffeehouses will offer the following sparkling versions of Starbucks Energy Refreshers, as well as the classic version:
Super Mango Energy Refresher: All in on mango with a handcrafted blend of bold mango flavors, balanced by bright lemonade and refreshing dragonfruit, hand-shaken with ice, real dragonfruit pieces and topped with sparkling water for a light taste and refreshing finish.
Sparkling Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade Energy Refresher: A sparkling blend of mango and dragonfruit flavors, vibrant lemonade and real dragonfruit pieces for a bright, tropical sip.
Sparkling Mango Strawberry Lemonade Energy Refresher: Sweet mango and juicy strawberry flavors come together with lemonade and sparkling water, hand-shakes with real strawberry pieces.
Sparkling Strawberry Açaí Lemonade Energy Refresher: Sweet strawberry and açaí flavors are paired with lemonade and sparkling water, finished with real strawberry pieces for a bright, refreshing sip.
The Starbucks Spritz Collection includes:
Sparkling Cold Brew Sour Spritz: A sparkling fusion of coffee and citrus flavors, crafted with cold brew, lemonade, classic syrup and light bubbles, served over ice for a bright, uplifting sip.
Strawberry Sunset Spritz: A sparkling fusion of real strawberry purée, lemonade, green tea, and light bubbles, served over ice for a bright, juicy sip.
Golden Peach Spritz: A sparkling fusion of peach and citrus flavors, handcrafted with real peach fruit purée, lemonade, Passion Tango® tea and light bubbles, served over ice for a bright, juicy finish.
Strawberry Matcha Spritz: A sparkling combination of real strawberry purée and sweetened matcha, served over ice for a bright, refreshing sip.
Together, these beverages showcase the versatility of the sparkling platform, spanning fruit-forward refreshment, tea-based beverages and coffee innovation, offering handcrafted beverages that are uniquely Starbucks.
The test builds on more than a decade of refreshment innovation at Starbucks, beginning with the launch of Starbucks Refreshers beverages in 2012. Since then, the platform has grown to include customer-created favorites like the Pink Drink, seasonal flavors, texture additions like raspberry-flavored pearls, and the most recent innovations such as customizable Energy Refreshers and Blended Refreshers.
Today, Refreshers is a $2 billion platform for Starbucks in U.S. company-operated coffeehouses, and new additions continue to drive new occasions and expand customer usage throughout the day. Sparkling beverages represent the next step in creating even more ways for customers to enjoy the category Starbucks helped pioneer.
Starbucks and Delta are bringing back a fan-favorite way for members to turn their Starbucks runs into future travel.
Starting Aug. 5, linked Starbucks Rewards ® and Delta SkyMiles ® members will earn 1 mile per $1 spent at participating Starbucks coffeehouses. The update brings back a simple and intuitive way to earn rewards, making it easier for members to see their Starbucks purchases add up to their next memorable trip with Delta.
Fly. Sip. Earn. Repeat.
Since launching their loyalty partnership in 2022, Starbucks and Delta have given members the opportunity to turn coffee into travel. Now, Starbucks runs get members closer to their next adventure with miles earned for eligible Starbucks purchases. To be eligible, linked members must have flown a qualifying Delta flight within the previous 12 months.
Even if it’s been a while since linked members took a flight, linked members will have a one-time grace period on eligibility to earn through Oct. 5, 2026.
Double Stars on Delta travel days are here to stay! Whether picking up their favorite drink before heading to the airport or grabbing coffee along the way, eligible linked members can also continue to earn Double Stars on Starbucks purchases made on days they have a scheduled Delta flight.
Exclusive offers and experiences
Beyond everyday earning, linked members will continue to get special access to exclusive events, limited-time offers and drops they won’t want to miss – all because their accounts are linked.
How to get started:
Join Starbucks Rewards and Delta SkyMiles, if not already a member.
Starting Aug. 5, eligible linked members can earn 1 mile per $1* spent at Starbucks.*
Treat yourself
To celebrate, customers can enjoy the Delta and Starbucks secret menu drink that tastes like Delta’s iconic cookie. Here’s how to order:
Grande Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
(+) Line the cup with caramel sauce (+) 1 pump of Chai (+) Extra cinnamon powder
*Excludes taxes, gratuities, gift cards, and alcoholic beverages. Miles can only be earned by flight-active SkyMiles members who have flown a qualifying Delta here flight within the previous 12 months. Newly linked members are eligible to earn for the first 12 months and will need to take a qualifying Delta flight to continue earning beyond that date.For full terms & conditions visitdeltastarbucks.com
Every year, more than one million people apply to work at Starbucks. A big reason why is the company’s longstanding commitment to investing in partners who wear the green apron.
That commitment is reflected in the results of Aon’s 2025 Benefits Index analysis, which found that Starbucks provides more valuable benefits to retail hourly partners than any of the more than 60 U.S. companies included in the study, including Fortune 200 and Fortune 500 companies. Aon, one of the world’s leading global benefits and workforce consulting firms, found Starbucks ranks above average across every major benefit category.
In an industry where benefits are often limited by hours, tenure or role, Starbucks has spent decades building a benefits package that looks fundamentally different than most retailers. In 1988, Starbucks became one of the first major retailers to offer healthcare benefits to both full- and part-time employees. Today, eligible partners working just 20 hours per week on average can access comprehensive benefits designed to meet their needs throughout their careers and lives.
What benefits do Starbucks partners receive
From medical, dental and vision coverage to up to 18 weeks of paid parental leave, company stock grants and the most comprehensive education benefits in retail with 100% upfront tuition coverage, Starbucks meets partners with relevant benefits through life’s most important moments. Whether caring for their families, investing in their future or pursuing personal goals, full- and part-time partners have access to benefits that help meet their needs at Starbucks and beyond.
Why Starbucks invests in partner benefits
Great customer experiences begin with partners who feel cared for and are empowered to grow.
That’s why whether a partner is pursuing a college degree, growing their family, planning for the future or building a long-term career, Starbucks provides meaningful benefits that help partners thrive. It’s a reason more people choose to work at Starbucks, stay with the company longer, and build careers here. Today, nearly 95% of partners are receiving their preferred schedules, Starbucks turnover rates are among the lowest in the industry––nearly half––and partner retention is at its highest.
Learn more about Starbucks benefits
Explore these benefits available to eligible Starbucks partners and more at Partner Page.
The legendary Unicorn Frappuccino® blended beverage will return to Starbucks coffeehouses around the world for one magical weekend to close out the summer starting August 15.
We’re unlocking the Starbucks vault and bringing back the original 2017 Unicorn Frappuccino® blended beverage recipe. The fan-favorite sweet and tart blend of creamy mango flavors, tangy blue drizzle, whipped cream, and pink and blue topping is back exactly as remembered. A swirl of the cup reveals color-changing enchantment and a transformation of flavors.
Unicorn Frappuccino weekend is even more magical when you join the fun. Break out of your brightest colors, sparkles and most whimsical accessories, and come dressed as your best unicorn-inspired self. Whether you’re going all out or adding a touch of shimmer, we can’t wait to see how you celebrate the return of this legendary beverage.
We’re ready to welcome customers with added support in coffeehouses to keep the magic flowing all weekend long. To support demand, the Unicorn Frappuccino will be available in one size, grande (16 oz), with limited customizations.
The vibrant beverage, which became a viral sensation in 2017 (and popped up earlier this year at Coachella Music Festival) will be coming to Starbucks Coffeehouses across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and North Africa.
For decades, customers have expressed their connection to Starbucks through more than what’s in their cup. It shows up in the mug they reach for every morning, the collectible they keep for years or the small rituals they share with friends and family.
That connection is only getting stronger — and it’s evolving.
Today, customers are looking for products and experiences that reflect who they are and what they love. They want to see their identity, their passions and their creativity come to life through the brands they choose. And that shift is creating real momentum for our merch business.
As part of our Back to Starbucks plan, we’re focused on being visible, relevant and loved everywhere. Merch plays a critical role in that, extending the Starbucks experience beyond our coffeehouses and creating new, meaningful ways for customers to engage with our brand.
A defining moment came during the holidays last year, when the Glass Bearista™ Cold Cup went viral and sold out in less than a day. That wasn’t just a successful product launch, it was an inflection point. Bearista showed us what happens when we show up at the intersection of coffee, culture and community in a way that feels authentic to our brand. Customers didn’t just buy it, they shared it, celebrated it and made it part of the broader cultural conversation.
And that’s when momentum really accelerated.
Our approach to merch is grounded in what has always made Starbucks special: iconic products, meaningful rituals and real human connection. But we’re also approaching it with a clear point of view, culture isn’t a campaign for us. It’s how we operate, how we innovate and how we build demand every day.
You’re seeing that come to life in the collections we’re launching:
Collaborations with Peanuts, Hello Kitty®, Miffy and Roller Rabbit have connected with customers across generations and markets, showing the power of culturally relevant design to travel globally.
Pink Vibes exceeded expectations on launch day and is on track to be one of our best performing merch collections this year.
Recently, the limited-edition Pink Bearista Glass Cold Cup mostly sold out by 7 a.m. across North America on the day it went on sale — another signal of the demand for highly anticipated, collectible drops.
Later this summer, we’ll launch a collaboration with Dandy Worldwide, a modern streetwear label rooted in individuality and self-expression.
At the same time, we’re expanding how customers access these products. Earlier this year, we launched Starbucks Shop, our new online destination for some of our most unique coffees, merch and apparel. Currently available to Starbucks Rewards members, it will expand to all customers later this year ahead of the holiday season.
What started with a viral Bearista has become something much bigger. It’s a powerful example of how we’re building at the intersection of culture, connection and commerce, creating products customers are excited to carry, share and come back for again and again.
Twelve Starbucks Rewards members are heading to Tokyo this fall for the trip of a lifetime.
The winners, selected from across the United States and Canada, get a trip for two to Japan as part of Starbucks first-ever Global Coffee Experience. The new experience for Starbucks Rewards Reserve status members is designed to bring the brand’s most passionate customers closer to the craft, culture and community behind every cup.
The Global Coffee Experience features a coffee-forward itinerary designed to immerse the travelers in the rich culture of Starbucks and Tokyo. The six-day trip includes:
A tour of Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo, offering an inside look at one of the company’s most iconic global destinations, with opportunities to see coffee roasting up close, engage with baristas and discover the craft behind small-lot, premium coffees.
Visits to some of Starbucks most distinctive coffeehouses in Tokyo, where they’ll explore unique design, learn about innovative brewing methods and experience how Starbucks brings local culture to life in each space.
In-depth explorations of Tokyo’s food and culture, from bustling markets and sushi tastings to guided visits through historic neighborhoods and modern landmarks, showcasing the city’s blend of tradition and innovation.
The quarterly Best of Starbucks Reward offers new ways for partners to share in the success of the company with up to $1,200 per year, weekly pay and expanded tip options, building on our competitive pay and industry-leading benefits.*
Across North America, green apron partners (employees) are bringing Back to Starbucks to life every day by creating welcoming coffeehouses, delivering consistent experiences and strengthening connections with customers.
Starbucks announced in April that we’d be introducing new ways for eligible partners to earn more through the Best of Starbucks Reward program.*With the fiscal year 2026 fourth quarter now underway, elements of the program are going live. It’s designed to recognize and reward many of the behaviors and contributions that help create a great Starbucks experience every day, from showing up for scheduled shifts and delivering excellent customer service to helping coffeehouses meet key performance expectations.
To support this next phase of the program, we’re also introducing new tools, reporting and expectations designed to provide greater clarity, transparency and accountability across eligible coffeehouses. This will help more clearly identify the rewards that individual partners qualify for at their coffeehouses.
Clear expectations are important to our partners. That’s why we’re bringing greater transparency and consistency to how success is measured across our coffeehouses.
What’s changing:
More visibility into Best of Starbucks Reward eligibility
Clearer performance measures, including sales, staffing, inventory and Grow performance
More consistent attendance expectations, supported by a new points system
The goal is to make it easier for partners to understand how coffeehouse success is measured, how rewards are earned and how their contributions support coffeehouse performance.
Today, more than 98% of scheduled shifts are filled on average, and 95% of partners receive their preferred schedules.
Investing in partners
Over the past year, Starbucks has invested in coffeehouses to improve both the partner and customer experience, from staffing and operational improvements to additional leadership support, including the new coffeehouse coach role, while offering industry-leading pay and comprehensive benefits.
The Best of Starbucks Reward program is a way for eligible partners to share in Starbucks success. Collectively, these investments provide the potential for eligible partners to earn an additional 5 to 8% on average, on top of their current compensation.
The opportunity to earn a new quarterly Best of Starbucks Reward worth up to $1,200 per year ($300 per quarter)
Expanded tipping options for customers on top of the digital and in cafe options that exist today (starting July 22)
Weekly pay (starting July 31)
Looking ahead
The progress we’re seeing today is partner-led. With the first quarterly Best of Starbucks Reward period underway for eligible coffeehouses, we’re creating more opportunities to recognize the contributions that help coffeehouses succeed and customers feel welcome. The Best of Starbucks Reward program, together with continued investments in partners, is helping strengthen a culture where great work is recognized and success is shared.
*This Best of Starbucks Reward, weekly pay and expanded tip options, at the approximately 5% of U.S. locations where partners have a union, will be subject to collective bargaining as required by federal law.
