McMuffin breakfast served to night owls

McDonald's is taking a small step toward offering breakfast items outside its usual breakfast hours -- at least if you're a night owl.

Starting this month, the fast-food chain says 24-hour restaurants in select locations will offer an "After Midnight" menu that includes its oatmeal, Hot Cakes with Sausage and the Sausage Burrito. McDonald's CEO Don Thompson said earlier this year the company was open to expanding its breakfast hours.

Fans of McDonald's breakfast have long wanted the chain to make its Egg McMuffins and biscuits available later in the day. A company spokeswoman did not immediately know how many of its more than 14,000 U.S. restaurants would offer the menu.