McDonald's pre-mascot character was named Speedee.
Speedee appeared in the early McDonald's brand identity as a smiling chef figure with a hamburger-shaped head. The character represented the restaurant's emphasis on quick service and was used with the Speedee Service System developed by Richard and Maurice McDonald in the 1940s.
The Speedee image appeared on signs, packaging, and other early promotional material. It belonged to the period when McDonald's branding focused on speed and streamlined preparation rather than the later McDonaldland cast of characters.
Speedee is often confused with Ronald McDonald because both are associated with McDonald's mascot history. They served different branding eras, however. Ronald McDonald became the company's best-known public mascot after his advertising debut in 1963, while Speedee was the earlier figure connected to the restaurant's original service concept.