Which advertising slogan did McDonald's introduce in 1971, beginning with “You Deserve…”?

McDonald's introduced the advertising slogan “You Deserve a Break Today” in 1971.

The line became one of the chain's most recognizable slogans during a period when McDonald's was expanding rapidly across the United States. It connected a visit to the restaurant with taking a pleasant break from work or daily routines.

The slogan is often confused with later McDonald's lines such as “I'm Lovin' It,” which began in 2003, and “We Love to See You Smile,” used during the 1990s. “You Deserve a Break Today” belongs specifically to McDonald's early-1970s advertising history.

Its success helped establish the idea that a McDonald's campaign could promote an emotional experience, not just a menu item. The phrase was also widely remembered because of its catchy musical treatment in television advertising.