The Hamburglar was McDonald's advertising character who tried to steal hamburgers.
The Hamburglar was one of the central figures in the McDonaldland cast. His name combines “hamburger” with “burglar,” immediately explaining his comic role: he schemed to take hamburgers while Ronald McDonald and the other characters tried to stop or outwit him.
Early versions of the character had a more exaggerated appearance, including a small stature and a black-and-white striped outfit. McDonald's later redesigned him with a more child-friendly appearance, including a red cape and a wide-brimmed hat. The design changes reflected shifts in the tone of the company's family advertising.
The Hamburglar is sometimes confused with Captain Crook, whose character was associated with Filet-O-Fish sandwiches and a pirate theme. He is also distinct from Officer Big Mac, who represented law enforcement in McDonaldland. The Hamburglar's defining branding function was his playful obsession with hamburgers.