What was McDonald’s original service system called when it was introduced in 1948?

McDonald’s original streamlined operating method was called the Speedee Service System.

Richard and Maurice McDonald introduced the system in 1948 after redesigning their San Bernardino restaurant. They reduced the menu, standardized food preparation, and organized the kitchen for fast, repeatable service.

The system helped shift McDonald’s away from a conventional drive-in model, where customers ordered a broad range of food and received carhop service. Its emphasis on consistency later became central to franchise expansion and brand recognition.

The name also explains the early use of Speedee as a mascot. Speedee represented the promise of quick service, while the Golden Arches later became the more durable visual symbol of the company.