Which McDonald’s character was known as the thief who stole hamburgers?

The McDonald’s character known as the thief who stole hamburgers was the Hamburglar. He was one of the recurring figures in the McDonaldland advertising world.

The Hamburglar’s central joke was simple and highly recognizable: he tried to take hamburgers, usually while Ronald McDonald and other characters noticed or stopped him. His name combined “hamburger” with “burglar,” making the character’s role clear to audiences in multiple countries.

The character’s appearance changed over time. Early versions had a more elaborate, older-looking design, while later versions became smaller and more childlike. This redesign is one reason historical images of the Hamburglar may look very different even though they depict the same mascot.

The Hamburglar is often confused with Grimace or Mayor McCheese, but their roles were distinct. Grimace was associated with a friendly, large purple character, while Mayor McCheese was a civic-style figure with a cheeseburger head.