What slogan did McDonald’s introduce in 1971 in the advertising campaign featuring a memorable break from routine?

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

The campaign was created by Needham Harper Steers and became one of the best-known advertising lines in fast-food history. Its message connected McDonald’s with a brief, enjoyable pause during a busy day, rather than focusing only on a particular menu item.

The wording helped establish a warmer, more emotional style for McDonald’s advertising. Earlier promotions often emphasized speed, price, or product features. This campaign instead presented the restaurant as a small reward or escape.

The slogan is sometimes confused with later McDonald’s lines such as “I’m Lovin’ It,” which began decades afterward. “You Deserve a Break Today” belongs to the early 1970s and is one of the company’s classic historical taglines.