Speedee was the name of McDonald's original chef mascot used in its early branding.
Speedee appeared as a small chef character and represented the restaurant's speedy service. The symbol was connected to the “Speedee Service System,” the streamlined food-preparation method developed by Richard and Maurice McDonald at their San Bernardino restaurant. Its emphasis on limited menus, assembly-line work, and quick service became fundamental to fast-food branding.
Speedee is sometimes mistaken for Ronald McDonald because Ronald later became the company's best-known mascot. Ronald was introduced in the 1960s, whereas Speedee belonged to the earlier period, before McDonald's developed its later family-oriented character lineup.
The Speedee character also reflected the restaurant's original promise more directly than later mascots did. It communicated efficiency, consistency, and convenience—ideas that helped distinguish the McDonald brothers' system from a traditional drive-in restaurant.