The Hamburglar is the McDonald's character known for stealing hamburgers.
He became part of the McDonaldland cast in the early 1970s. The character's name, striped clothing, mask, and repeated attempts to grab hamburgers turned the product itself into the focus of a playful advertising story.
The Hamburglar's appearance changed over time. Early versions were depicted as a more sinister, short adult-like character, while later campaigns redesigned him as a younger, more child-friendly figure. This evolution reflected changing expectations for children's advertising and brand mascots.
The Hamburglar is often confused with other McDonaldland characters because the group appeared together in many commercials. Grimace was associated with a large purple form, Birdie with breakfast, and Mayor McCheese with a cheeseburger-shaped head.