What was McDonald's advertising slogan in its 1971 campaign featuring the phrase about deserving a break?

You Deserve a Break Today was McDonald's advertising slogan in its 1971 campaign.

The line positioned a McDonald's visit as a pleasant pause in a busy day. Rather than focusing only on a particular menu item, it connected the restaurant with relaxation, convenience, and a small everyday reward. The campaign became one of the company's most memorable slogan-based branding efforts.

The slogan belonged to an era when large restaurant chains used repeated television jingles and concise taglines to build national recognition. Its wording helped McDonald's present the restaurant as part of ordinary routines rather than merely a place to buy hamburgers.

This slogan is distinct from later McDonald's lines, including Have You Had Your Break Today? and I'm Lovin' It. Those phrases appeared in different periods, so the campaign date matters when identifying the correct tagline.