What advertising slogan did McDonald's launch in 1971 with its famous group jingle?

McDonald's launched the advertising slogan “You Deserve a Break Today” in 1971.

The campaign presented a visit to McDonald's as a deserved pause from everyday work and routine. Its memorable jingle helped make the phrase one of the most recognizable parts of the company's twentieth-century advertising history.

The slogan is sometimes mixed up with “I'm Lovin' It,” which McDonald's introduced decades later. “You Deserve a Break Today” belonged to an earlier advertising era, when broadcast jingles were central to fast-food branding.

The campaign also illustrates how McDonald's sold an emotional benefit rather than only a menu item. The message connected the restaurant with convenience, relief, and a short personal reward.