Hamburglar was the McDonald's character known for trying to steal hamburgers.
The Hamburglar became part of McDonaldland, the fictional advertising setting developed around McDonald's characters. He was portrayed as a mischievous, hamburger-obsessed figure whose repeated attempts to grab burgers created simple storylines for commercials and promotional material.
His original appearance was more elaborate and threatening than the later child-friendly version. McDonald's eventually redesigned him with a smaller, cartoon-like look and a black-and-white striped outfit. The redesign helped align the character with the bright, playful tone of the brand's family advertising.
Hamburglar is often confused with Mayor McCheese or Officer Big Mac, who were also McDonaldland figures. Their roles were different: Mayor McCheese was a civic leader, while Officer Big Mac was associated with law enforcement. Hamburglar's defining trait was his pursuit of hamburgers.