Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte Is More Than Just a Drink

While Labor Day weekend unofficially marks the end of summer for many people, the release of Starbucks' (NASDAQ: SBUX) Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) has become a major signal of the arrival of fall.

The drink, which was officially released Sept. 5, hits menus on a slightly different day each year. That uncertainty helps build anticipation, which the company fuels by having some stores sell it early so a social media buzz can build.

It's a crafty marketing plan that drives traffic to Starbucks stores while also increasing check size as regulars who normally get basic coffee indulge in the pricier, highly caloric (380 calories in the 16-ounce version made with 2% milk and with whipped cream) drink. The PSL is not the first seasonal restaurant offering, but it has become the standard by which all others are judged.

Source: Fool.com