McMuffins for dinner? McDonald’s tests all-day breakfast

Egg McMuffins aren’t just for breakfast anymore, at least at some San Diego McDonald’s restaurants.

The Oak Brook, Ill., company said Monday that it was testing all-day breakfast there.

“We know our customers love McDonald’s breakfast, and they tell us they’d like to enjoy it beyond the morning hours,” the company said in a statement. “We look forward to learning from this test, and it’s premature to speculate on any outcomes.”

Analysts say breakfast is the only area with big growth potential in the fast-food industry, prompting chains to increase coffee offerings and other morning items. Last week, Taco Bell introduced the biscuit taco to ramp up interest in its breakfast menu.

In other breakfast-related news, Dunkin’ Donuts said Monday that 10% of all eggs used in its breakfast sandwiches in the U.S. would be cage-free by the end of next year.

Building on a previous goal to source 5% cage-free eggs by 2013, which the company said it achieved, the Canton, Mass.-based business said it would also map its international supply chain to determine the feasibility of transitioning to 100% cage-free egg use.

The company also said it would source only gestation crate-free pork by 2022, according to a company statement.

“Dunkin’ Brands and our franchisee community care about the welfare of animals and their humane treatment,” said Christine Riley Miller, senior director of corporate social responsibility for Dunkin’ Brands, the parent company of Dunkin’ Donuts.

Monday’s announcement was in partnership with the Humane Society of the United States, an animal advocacy organization.

“Dunkin’s commitment to improve the lives of farm animals is taking another positive step,” said Josh Balk, senior food policy director for the Humane Society of the United States. “This new policy is further testament that consumers and companies are aligned in shifting the egg and pork industries away from confining animals in cages.”

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