Which McDonaldland character was introduced in 1971 as a burger-stealing trickster?

The Hamburglar was introduced in 1971 as a burger-stealing trickster in McDonaldland advertising.

The character’s basic role was easy for audiences to understand: he wanted to take hamburgers, especially Big Macs, and was frequently stopped or exposed by other characters. His early appearance was darker and more elaborate than the later version most audiences remember.

McDonald’s subsequently simplified the Hamburglar’s design. The familiar later version wore a striped outfit, cape, gloves, and a wide-brimmed hat, giving the character a playful rather than menacing identity. His repeated catchphrase-like speech helped distinguish him in commercials.

The Hamburglar was part of a larger fictional setting that included Ronald McDonald, Grimace, Mayor McCheese, and other characters. He should not be confused with Captain Crook, whose stories focused on Filet-O-Fish sandwiches.