Which fast food chain's mascot is a clown named Ronald?

Which fast food chain's mascot is a clown named Ronald? McDonald's.

Ronald McDonald is the clown mascot associated with McDonald’s, the American fast-food restaurant chain. He was created for advertising and became the central character in the fictional McDonaldland world, alongside figures such as the Hamburglar, Grimace, Mayor McCheese, Birdie the Early Bird, and the Fry Kids.

The character first appeared in local television advertisements in Washington, D.C., in 1963. Willard Scott, who had played Bozo the Clown on local television, was the first performer to portray Ronald. Ronald later appeared in national advertising, including a 1965 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade appearance. Circus performer Michael Polakovs helped establish the familiar costume and makeup in the mid-1960s.

The mascot is sometimes confused with McDonald’s Golden Arches, but the arches are the company’s logo rather than a character. Ronald McDonald’s public appearances declined after 2016, though the character remains identified with the brand and still appears in selected events and media.