Which McDonald’s character, dressed as a thief, was introduced in 1971?

The Hamburglar, dressed as a thief, was introduced by McDonald’s in 1971.

He was created for the McDonaldland advertising world, where characters personified menu items and playful restaurant themes. The Hamburglar’s name and costume centered on hamburgers: he wore a black-and-white outfit, a cape, and a broad-brimmed hat. Early versions were more mischievous and childlike than the later redesign.

The character is sometimes confused with Captain Crook, another McDonaldland figure, or with Grimace, the purple character introduced in the same broad period. In 2015, McDonald’s redesigned the Hamburglar as an adult character for a marketing campaign, but the thief identity and hamburger theme remained. His name is a blend of “hamburger” and “burglar,” making the branding concept especially direct.