What was McDonald’s advertising slogan introduced in 1971 that promised customers a break?

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

The line framed a McDonald’s visit as a welcome pause from work, errands, or household responsibilities. It appeared in a major advertising campaign and became one of the best-known slogans in the company’s history.

The phrase is often remembered through the jingle that accompanied it. McDonald’s advertising used music heavily, helping short slogans become recognizable beyond printed signs and menus.

This slogan is sometimes confused with “Have You Had Your Break Today?”, another McDonald’s line used in a different period. The wording “You Deserve a Break Today” is the specific 1971 slogan and should not be shortened to the more general idea of taking a break.