Which McDonald's character was designed with a cheeseburger for a head?

Mayor McCheese was the McDonald's character designed with a cheeseburger for a head. He was a central figure in the McDonaldland advertising world, appearing as the town's mayor in commercials and promotional material.

The character wore a formal suit, sash, and mayoral accessories, contrasting with the exaggerated hamburger head. This combination made the character instantly connect civic authority with McDonald's signature product. His name was a pun on “mayor” and “cheese.”

Mayor McCheese was especially prominent during the 1970s and 1980s, when McDonaldland was a major part of McDonald's children's marketing. He interacted with Ronald McDonald and other characters in stories built around food, friendship, and playful adventure.

Mayor McCheese is sometimes confused with Officer Big Mac, another McDonaldland character whose head was shaped like a Big Mac. The distinction is useful in branding history: Mayor McCheese had a cheeseburger head, while Officer Big Mac had the more specifically layered Big Mac design.