Starbucks adding breakfast fare

CHICAGO, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Starbucks plans to offer healthier breakfast options next week in a new effort by the U.S. coffee chain to lure McDonald's morning crowd.

Starbucks new items, to be offered Wednesday, include an apple bran muffin, oatmeal and a fruit and nut bar. And, there's a "power protein plate" featuring a hard-boiled egg, whole wheat bagel, fruit, peanut butter and cheese.

The move is part of a plan by Howard Schultz, CEO and founder of the Seattle chain, which posted a sales drop last year, Crain's Chicago Business reports.

McDonald's executives say breakfast is growing faster than any other meal of the day.