Speedee was the McDonald's character used before the McDonaldland fantasy world became central to the brand.
Speedee was drawn as a small chef-like figure and was associated with the restaurant's original emphasis on fast service. The character's name echoed the Speedee Service System, the production method introduced by the McDonald brothers in 1948.
Speedee is sometimes confused with the later Speedee emblem, which showed a smiling chef holding a sign. It is also frequently confused with Ronald McDonald, who was introduced in 1963 and became the company's best-known mascot for many years.
McDonaldland characters appeared in advertising from the early 1970s, creating a larger fictional setting around the restaurant. Speedee belongs to the earlier stage of the company's branding, when the message centered more directly on speed and kitchen efficiency.