The Hamburglar was introduced in 1971 as McDonald’s masked hamburger thief.
The character was part of McDonaldland, the fictional world created for McDonald’s advertising. In his original design, the Hamburglar was a small, mischievous figure associated with stealing hamburgers. His striped clothing, mask, and distinctive costume made him visually recognizable in television commercials and promotional materials.
The Hamburglar’s design changed substantially over time. The earliest version looked more like a short, elderly trickster, while later advertising presented him as a younger character with a more streamlined appearance. These redesigns can make historical images seem to show different characters even though they represent the same McDonald’s figure.
He was not a real criminal or a product mascot in the ordinary sense. His role was comic and family-friendly, providing a recurring story element alongside Ronald McDonald, Grimace, and other McDonaldland characters.