McDonald's first restaurant mascot before the Golden Arches became its main symbol was Speedee.
Speedee appeared in the company's early identity as a chef-like figure connected with the Speedee Service System. That system was introduced by Richard and Maurice McDonald when they reorganized their San Bernardino restaurant around faster, more standardized service.
The Golden Arches later became the stronger visual identifier for McDonald's, first as architectural elements and then as the overlapping “M” logo. This transition illustrates how the company moved from a mascot-and-service message toward a highly recognizable corporate symbol.
Ronald McDonald came later as a child-oriented mascot, while Birdie and Mayor McCheese belonged to later character campaigns. These figures should not be placed at the beginning of McDonald's branding history.