Speedee was the name of McDonald's original 1948 mascot shown on early restaurant signs.
Speedee was depicted as a chef-like character with a hamburger-shaped head. The mascot represented the McDonald brothers' Speedee Service System, which emphasized fast preparation and standardized kitchen procedures at their San Bernardino restaurant.
Speedee appeared in McDonald's early branding before Ronald McDonald became the chain's best-known character. The name is also connected to the restaurant's early service philosophy, so it should not be confused with a later food product or advertising slogan.
The Golden Arches eventually became more important than Speedee in McDonald's visual identity. Ronald McDonald later replaced Speedee as the chain's major mascot, while the arches became the enduring corporate symbol.