Speedee was McDonald’s original mascot, depicted as a speedy hamburger character.
The character appeared in McDonald’s early branding during the 1940s and was associated with the restaurant’s fast service. Speedee’s name reinforced the company’s emphasis on quick preparation and efficient customer service.
Speedee was eventually displaced in public-facing branding by Ronald McDonald and the broader McDonaldland cast. The golden arches also became increasingly important as McDonald’s visual identity expanded.
People sometimes confuse Speedee with the Speedee Service System, the restaurant method developed by Richard and Maurice McDonald. They are related historically, but one was a mascot and the other was an operating system.