The Hamburglar was the McDonald’s character originally presented as a villain who stole hamburgers.
He was one of the best-known inhabitants of McDonaldland, the fictional advertising setting used by McDonald’s. Early versions of the character were portrayed as a small, mischievous figure whose main goal was to take hamburgers. His striped clothing, mask, and cape made him visually distinct in television commercials and promotional materials.
The character’s presentation changed over time. Later versions made the Hamburglar look younger and more playful, reducing the emphasis on him as a threatening villain. This helped McDonald’s keep the character suitable for children while preserving his recognizable role as a mischievous hamburger thief.
The Hamburglar is sometimes confused with Grimace, whose early advertising role was connected to milkshakes. The two characters belonged to the same McDonaldland world, but their original brand functions were different.