The Hamburglar was the McDonald’s character known as the villain who stole hamburgers in early McDonaldland advertising.
He was introduced as a small, mischievous figure whose central joke was trying to take hamburgers from McDonald’s restaurants or other characters. His striped clothing, cape, mask, and later redesign made him one of the most recognizable members of the McDonaldland cast.
The character changed considerably over time. Early versions were more sinister and adult-looking, while later versions were shorter, friendlier, and designed more clearly for children. These redesigns helped McDonald’s keep the character suitable for family advertising.
The Hamburglar is sometimes confused with Captain Crook, another McDonaldland villain. Captain Crook was associated primarily with Filet-O-Fish, whereas the Hamburglar’s signature target was the hamburger.