McDonald's first advertising mascot, introduced in 1948 as a chef-like figure, was Speedee.
Speedee represented the original McDonald's Speedee Service System, which emphasized fast food preparation and efficient kitchen work. The character was shown wearing a chef's hat and was associated with a hamburger-shaped face and a speed-themed identity.
Speedee predates Ronald McDonald, who became the chain's best-known mascot in the 1960s. The character also appeared in early McDonald's signs and packaging, making Speedee part of the company's earliest visual branding.
A common mix-up is confusing Speedee with the Golden Arches. The arches became the dominant corporate symbol later, while Speedee belonged to the restaurant's earlier service-focused identity. McDonald's eventually retired Speedee from mainstream branding as the company developed a broader family-oriented image.