Which McDonaldland character was introduced as a mischievous burger thief in 1971?

The Hamburglar was introduced as McDonaldland’s mischievous burger thief in 1971.

His original advertising role was to try to steal hamburgers, especially McDonald’s signature hamburgers, while Ronald McDonald and other characters stopped or outsmarted him. The character’s name combined “hamburger” with “burglar,” making his role immediately understandable to children.

The earliest version looked more like a small adult criminal, with striped clothing and a dark cape. McDonald’s later redesigned him as a shorter, childlike character with a red cape and a more playful appearance. Those changes helped make the character less threatening and more suitable for family advertising.

The Hamburglar is often confused with Grimace because both were prominent McDonaldland figures. Their roles were different: the Hamburglar pursued hamburgers, while Grimace was a large purple character whose identity and advertising role changed over time.