Speedee was the McDonald's logo mascot replaced by the Golden Arches in the 1960s.
Speedee had represented the company since 1948, when McDonald's branding emphasized speed and standardized service. The character was a natural fit for the early “Speedee Service System,” which helped define the restaurant's operating model.
As the chain expanded, the Golden Arches offered a stronger and more flexible corporate symbol. The arches could identify buildings, signs, packaging, and advertising without depending on a character illustration. They therefore became the dominant visual mark while Speedee faded from mainstream branding.
This transition is sometimes mistaken for the introduction of Ronald McDonald, but Ronald was a separate advertising mascot. The change from Speedee to the arches was primarily a shift in the company's main logo identity.