Which McDonald's mascot replaced Speedee as the company's primary mascot in 1963?

Ronald McDonald replaced Speedee as McDonald's primary mascot in 1963.

Ronald McDonald was created as a clown character for McDonald's advertising and was designed to appeal especially to children and families. His bright costume and exaggerated appearance made him easy to recognize in television commercials, restaurant promotions, and public appearances.

Before Ronald became central to the brand, McDonald's used Speedee, an earlier chef mascot associated with quick service. The change reflected the company's growing focus on family-oriented marketing and the broader use of fictional characters in advertising.

Ronald is sometimes confused with the McDonaldland characters introduced or developed around the same period, including Mayor McCheese, Grimace, and the Hamburglar. Those figures belonged to the advertising world, but Ronald served as McDonald's principal mascot.