McDonald's introduced its hamburger-service mascot Speedee in 1948.
Speedee was a chef-like character with a hamburger-shaped head, reflecting the McDonald brothers' focus on fast service. The name echoed the restaurant's Speedee Service System, an early production method designed to prepare food quickly and consistently.
Speedee appeared in McDonald's early signs and promotional materials before Ronald McDonald became the company's better-known mascot. The character is sometimes confused with Speedy Gonzales because of the similar name, but they are unrelated. Speedee also predates the modern Golden Arches as the central visual symbol of the brand.
The mascot's role diminished during the 1950s as McDonald's expanded under Ray Kroc and developed a more standardized national identity. Ronald McDonald eventually became the dominant character in advertising, while the arches became the most recognizable corporate mark.