What was the name of McDonald's original service system that emphasized a limited menu and rapid preparation?

McDonald's original limited-menu, rapid-preparation model was called the Speedee Service System.

Richard and Maurice McDonald introduced the system in 1948 after redesigning their restaurant operation in San Bernardino, California. They reduced the menu, standardized preparation, and organized the kitchen around efficiency, allowing employees to produce food more quickly and consistently.

The system was central to McDonald's early identity because it turned speed and uniformity into visible brand promises. It also provided a model that could be taught to franchise operators, helping the company expand beyond a single restaurant.

The name is sometimes confused with Speedee, the mascot used in early branding. They are related but not identical: Speedee was the character, while the Speedee Service System was the operating method. The later McDonald's corporation built on this foundation while adding the Golden Arches and more elaborate advertising.