Which McDonald's character was known as the chain's striped-shirted food thief?

The Hamburglar was McDonald’s striped-shirted food thief character.

He was one of the central figures in McDonaldland, the fictional world used in McDonald’s advertising beginning in the 1960s. The character’s name and costume linked him directly to hamburgers, while his recurring attempts to steal food created simple comic stories for younger audiences.

The Hamburglar appeared alongside characters such as Ronald McDonald, Mayor McCheese, and Grimace. His design changed over time: the later version was smaller and more childlike than the original, more sinister-looking character.

The Hamburglar was a fictional advertising character, not a real mascot for a separate product. His role was to reinforce McDonald’s hamburger identity through memorable brand storytelling.