Which McDonald's character became the chain's fictional hamburger thief in 1971?

The Hamburglar became McDonald's fictional hamburger thief in 1971.

The character was introduced as part of McDonald's expanding group of fantasy figures aimed largely at children. His role was simple and memorable: he tried to steal hamburgers, especially the company's signature Big Macs, while other characters pursued or confronted him.

The original Hamburglar design was more elaborate and eerie than the later version. Over time, McDonald's simplified his appearance into a small, cartoon-like character wearing a black-and-white outfit, cape, mask, and large hat. The redesign made him friendlier and more consistent with the rest of the McDonaldland cast.

The Hamburglar is sometimes confused with Grimace or Officer Big Mac because all three appeared in the same fictional advertising world. Grimace was associated with milkshakes, while Officer Big Mac was a law-enforcement-themed character. Their distinct roles helped give McDonaldland a connected brand universe.