What was McDonald's first mascot called?

McDonald's first mascot was called Speedee.

Speedee appeared in 1948, when the McDonald brothers were building their quick-service restaurant identity in San Bernardino, California. He was drawn as a chef and was associated with the restaurant's rapid preparation system. The name reinforced McDonald's central early selling point: customers could receive food quickly.

Speedee belongs to the company's earliest branding period, before the restaurant developed its later cast of colorful characters. He was connected to the Speedee Service System, which used a restricted menu, assembly-line preparation, and standardized portions to increase efficiency.

Many people answer Ronald McDonald because Ronald became the chain's most famous mascot. Ronald was introduced later, in 1963. The Hamburglar and other McDonaldland characters appeared later still, making Speedee the correct answer for the company's original mascot.