McDonald's original chef-hat mascot was named Speedee.
Speedee appeared in McDonald's early branding after Richard and Maurice McDonald developed their Speedee Service System in 1948. The character represented fast, standardized restaurant service and was shown wearing a chef's hat and bow tie.
Speedee predates Ronald McDonald and the later McDonaldland cast by more than a decade. The name is sometimes confused with the restaurant's later advertising characters, but Speedee was the earliest prominent mascot associated with the McDonald's brand.
The Golden Arches eventually became McDonald's dominant visual symbol. As the arches and other modern design elements took over, Speedee disappeared from most consumer-facing branding, although the character remains important in accounts of the company's early history.