The McDonald’s character identified by a black-and-white striped outfit and a hamburger-stealing theme is the Hamburglar.
The Hamburglar was one of the best-known characters in McDonaldland, the fictional setting used in McDonald’s advertising. His central joke was simple: he tried to obtain or steal hamburgers, especially McDonald’s signature burgers. The striped clothing, cape, and exaggerated role made him immediately recognizable in television commercials and promotional material.
The character’s appearance changed over time. Early versions were smaller and more mischievous, while later redesigns made the Hamburglar look more like a human child or young trickster. These changes reflected shifting ideas about how a family restaurant should present its fictional characters.
The Hamburglar is often confused with Grimace because both were major McDonaldland figures. Their product associations were different: the Hamburglar was linked to hamburgers, while Grimace was historically connected with milkshakes.