What advertising slogan did McDonald’s launch in 1971 with the words “You Deserve a Break Today”?

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

The slogan framed a McDonald’s visit as a welcome pause from everyday work and household responsibilities. Rather than focusing only on price or a specific menu item, it sold the emotional idea of taking a convenient break.

The campaign became one of the most recognizable advertising efforts in the company’s history. Its wording also helped McDonald’s position itself as a familiar part of daily life, not merely a place to buy a hamburger.

The slogan is sometimes confused with later McDonald’s lines such as “I’m Lovin’ It,” introduced decades afterward. It is also distinct from Burger King’s “Have It Your Way,” which promoted customization rather than a break from routine.