Which McDonald’s character was introduced in 1968 as the mayor of McDonaldland?

Mayor McCheese was introduced in 1968 as the mayor of McDonaldland.

McDonaldland was a fictional advertising setting created to give McDonald’s characters a shared world. Mayor McCheese was one of its most prominent residents: a human-like character with a large cheeseburger for a head, dressed in mayoral clothing.

The character appeared in television commercials, printed promotions, and other children’s marketing connected with McDonald’s. His design made the menu item itself part of the fantasy world, a technique that helped the company turn food names into memorable branded characters.

Mayor McCheese is often confused with other McDonaldland figures, especially the Hamburglar and Grimace. The Hamburglar was associated with stealing hamburgers, while Grimace began as a character linked to shakes. Mayor McCheese’s defining role was civic leadership within the fictional McDonaldland setting.