Speedee was the McDonald's mascot that preceded Ronald McDonald.
Speedee was drawn as a chef-like character with a hamburger-shaped head. The name connected directly to the original Speedee Service System, which emphasized fast food preparation and service.
McDonald's used Speedee prominently during its early years, before the company shifted toward a broader family-oriented identity. Ronald McDonald was introduced in 1963 and gradually became the chain's best-known mascot.
A common mix-up is assuming the Hamburglar was the first McDonald's character. The Hamburglar appeared much later, as part of the expanding McDonaldland cast. Speedee is also distinct from the Golden Arches, which are a logo and architectural symbol rather than a mascot.