Starbucks is bringing the Pumpkin Spice Latte back earlier than ever as customers grow desperate for 2020 to end. Here's how this year's launch compares to PSL seasons past.

• The Pumpkin Spice Latte returns to Starbucks' menu on Tuesday, August 25.
• This is the earliest ever recorded return of the PSL.
• A particularly stressful and chaotic 2020 seems to have helped convince chains to start Pumpkin Spice season earlier than ever.

PSL season has officially begun at Starbucks.

On Tuesday, the coffee giant announced that it was launching its fall menu. Seasonal menu items include:

• Pumpkin Spice Latte, returning for the 17th year
• Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, which was first introduced in 2019
• Salted Caramel Mocha
• Pumpkin bakery items, including the Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin and Pumpkin Scone

The August 25 launch date is the earliest ever recorded return of the Pumpkin Spice Latte.

Business Insider's analysis of Pumpkin Spice Latte launch dates at Starbucks since 2011 shows that, prior to 2018, the chain always launched the PSL the Tuesday after Labor Day — typically allowing PSL super fans to order the drink a few days earlier with an unofficial launch. For the last two years, Starbucks has begun serving the Pumpkin Spice Latte the Tuesday before Labor Day.

This year, Starbucks will start serving the Pumpkin Spice Latte two Tuesdays before Labor Day.

Dunkin' also launched its fall menu early this year, with the company calling its August 19 debut the chain's earliest ever launch. Dunkin's Vice President of Marketing Strategy Jill Nelson, in a statement to USA TODAY, said that, "While there is so much uncertainty heading into the fall, one thing our fans can count on is the return of pumpkin at Dunkin."

In other words, a particularly stressful and chaotic 2020 prompted the chains to bring back the beloved drink earlier than ever. On social media, people have been calling for the return of the PSL for weeks.

—JV (@JVFarrell) August 11, 2020

—Women Who Love Wine (@wwlwine) August 23, 2020

—Janette (@Backstreetsmac) August 21, 2020

—Jenna Kausner (@Jennananana) August 5, 2020