Which McDonald's character was introduced as a mischievous hamburger thief?

The Hamburglar was introduced as McDonald's mischievous hamburger thief.

The character became part of the McDonaldland advertising universe, where his defining trait was trying to steal hamburgers. Early versions had a more adult, bandit-like appearance, while later redesigns presented him as a smaller, childlike character with a cape and mask.

His name formed a direct wordplay combination of “hamburger” and “burglar,” matching the playful naming style used for several McDonaldland characters. The Hamburglar appeared in television commercials, print advertising, packaging, and other promotional material.

The character is sometimes confused with Grimace because both were prominent McDonaldland figures. Their roles were different: the Hamburglar was defined by comic theft, while Grimace was generally portrayed as a friendly, clumsy companion. The Hamburglar's changing design illustrates how McDonald's adjusted its family branding over time.