McDonald's replaced its earlier Speedee mascot with Ronald McDonald in its 1960s advertising.
Speedee was a chef-like character introduced in the late 1940s, when the restaurant emphasized its fast service. His name referred to the original Speedee Service System developed by Richard and Maurice McDonald. The character appeared in early signs and promotional material before Ronald became the chain's better-known spokesman.
Ronald McDonald was introduced in 1963 and was designed to appeal especially to children and families. His arrival reflected McDonald's growing focus on family-oriented restaurant experiences, playgrounds, television advertising, and branded characters.
Speedee is sometimes confused with later McDonaldland figures such as the Hamburglar or Grimace. Those characters belonged to the fictional world used in later campaigns, while Speedee was the earlier standalone symbol of speed and efficient service.