Which advertising slogan did McDonald's introduce in 1971 with a famous singing television commercial?

McDonald’s introduced the advertising slogan “You Deserve a Break Today” in 1971 with a widely remembered singing television commercial.

The campaign presented McDonald’s as a cheerful pause from daily routines. Its jingle became one of the best-known pieces of fast-food advertising and helped connect the restaurant with convenience, relaxation, and family visits.

The slogan is sometimes confused with “You Deserve a Break Today,” the name of the campaign, and the separate “You’re Lovin’ It” platform introduced decades later. The 1971 wording emphasized taking a break rather than describing a menu item.

McDonald’s later replaced the campaign with other slogans, but this one remained important in discussions of memorable American advertising. Its success also showed how a short phrase and a singable melody could become part of a restaurant’s identity.