The Hamburglar was McDonald’s 1970s character who wore stripes and was obsessed with stealing hamburgers.
He became one of the recognizable residents of McDonaldland, appearing as a mischievous figure in television commercials and promotional material. His name combined “hamburger” with “burglar,” making his role immediately clear to audiences in different markets.
The Hamburglar’s appearance changed over time. Early versions were shorter and more childlike, while later advertising used a taller character wearing a black-and-white striped outfit, cape, gloves, and a broad-brimmed hat.
The character was not McDonald’s principal mascot. Ronald McDonald occupied that role, while the Hamburglar supplied comic conflict in stories centered on hamburgers. Grimace, another frequent co-star, was a separate character with a very different personality and appearance.