Speedee was McDonald's original mascot and symbol for its speedy service system.
The Speedee character appeared after Richard and Maurice McDonald redesigned their San Bernardino restaurant around fast, standardized service in 1948. He was depicted as a chef-like figure with a hamburger-shaped head and a large letter M on his hat.
The name connected directly with the McDonald brothers' early “Speedee Service System,” which emphasized limited menus, assembly-line preparation, and quick customer service. Speedee appeared in signs and promotional material before the Golden Arches became dominant.
Many people associate McDonald's immediately with Ronald McDonald, but Ronald arrived later. Speedee belongs to the chain's earliest branding period and was gradually replaced as the company adopted newer visual symbols and characters.