The Hamburglar joined McDonald's advertising characters in 1971.
He was created as a cartoon thief whose comic goal was to steal hamburgers, especially the brand's signature burgers. His striped clothing, cape, and exaggerated character design made him recognizable in McDonald's television commercials and promotional materials.
The original Hamburglar was presented as a more sinister-looking character, while later redesigns made him shorter, friendlier, and more child-oriented. This evolution reflects the broader shift in McDonald's advertising toward a colorful fantasy world for children.
The Hamburglar is sometimes confused with Grimace, but their roles were different. Grimace was generally a large, friendly purple companion, whereas the Hamburglar's defining trait was his playful burger-stealing persona.