What name did McDonald's use for its original 1948 mascot?

McDonald's used the name Speedee for its original 1948 mascot.

Speedee was a chef-like character associated with the McDonald brothers' Speedee Service System. The character represented fast food preparation and the restaurant's emphasis on quick service, which was central to the business model introduced in the late 1940s.

Speedee appeared in early McDonald's identity before Ronald McDonald and the later McDonaldland cast. The company eventually moved away from Speedee as its branding became more focused on the Golden Arches and Ronald.

Speedee is sometimes confused with the name of a menu item or a restaurant location. It was primarily a mascot and symbol of the original service concept, not the name of the later clown character.