Which McDonald’s advertising character is portrayed as a hamburger thief?

The Hamburglar is the McDonald’s advertising character portrayed as a hamburger thief.

He was one of the central figures in McDonaldland, a fictional world created for McDonald’s advertising. The character’s basic role was simple: he tried to steal hamburgers, usually while being stopped or exposed by Ronald McDonald and the other characters.

The Hamburglar is sometimes mixed up with Captain Crook, another McDonaldland villain associated with Filet-O-Fish sandwiches. Mayor McCheese was a civic character, while Grimace began as a character associated with milkshakes. Their distinct roles helped McDonald’s build a recognizable cast around its food and restaurant experience.

The Hamburglar’s appearance changed over the years. Early versions were more exaggerated and villainous, while later redesigns gave him a younger, more playful appearance. Across those changes, hamburger theft remained his defining branding trait.