McDonald's first mascot was Speedee, a chef-like character used in the restaurant's early branding.
Speedee represented the original Speedee Service System, which emphasized fast preparation and standardized food. The character appeared in early McDonald's signage and promotional materials before Ronald McDonald became the company's best-known mascot.
Speedee is sometimes confused with Speedy Gonzales or with later McDonaldland characters, but the name specifically belonged to McDonald's early service branding. The mascot reflected the restaurant's original selling point: quick service rather than the broader family-oriented image developed later.
As McDonald's expanded under Ray Kroc, its visual identity moved toward the Golden Arches, Ronald McDonald, and other recognizable symbols. Speedee therefore remains an important link to the company's pre-expansion history and its 1940s origins.