We’re well into fall now, and we’ve already stared seeing holiday flavours making their way onto QSR menus. QSRs have been adding seasonal LTOs earlier and earlier each year, featuring flavours like pumpkin spice as early as August. This practice seems to apply to all seasonal favourites, including the holidays, which are starting to appear now on many menus.
Beginning on November 2, Starbucks dropped its seasonal specials, along with its signature holiday cups. This year’s newest feature is the iced gingerbread oat milk chai, and several past favourites have returned like their peppermint mocha, caramel brulée latte, chestnut praline latte, and the sugar cookie almond milk latte. As well, they’ve updated their holiday cups this year with new prints including peppermint swirl, bauble wrap, party plaid, and ribbon spool, now available in stores.
Launching on November 1, Tim Horton’s also revealed its festive flavours for the year, including peppermint mocha, brown butter caramel, and gingerbread, available in hot and cold beverages. Through November 28, customers ordering one of these drinks through the app will receive one dollar off their purchase. They have also added peppermint Timbits, a donut tree (available after November 15), and other notable holiday treats.
Dunkin’ Donuts has also made the transition from fall to the holidays, with the return of a few of its seasonal most-wanted, including the peppermint mocha latte, cookie cold brew, and more. They have also added a brand-new spiced cookie coffee and have festive donut packaging to encourage customers to bring them along to holiday festivities as host/hostess gifts. Members will receive a free donut with the purchase of any of these beverages until December 31.
Cinnabon has gotten into the spirit this year, launching two new holiday-themed items on November 6. Two new cold brews, peppermint mocha and red velvet mocha, have been added to the menu as the first coffee updates since its arrival on the menu in 2018.
Kentucky Fried Chicken is getting into the festive spirit, starting November 12. They are adding a mac and cheese wrap and the Colonel’s homestyle brownie, along with a $20 fill up option that features this year’s seasonally inspired buckets.
LTOs drive traffic, create a buzz, and offer your guests something new to try. Many QSRs will be making the most of the benefits that LTOs bring right through until the end of the holiday season.
