Which McDonald’s sandwich inspired the name of the character Mayor McCheese?

Mayor McCheese’s name was inspired by the cheeseburger, the sandwich represented by the character’s oversized cheese-shaped head.

Mayor McCheese was one of the central figures in McDonaldland advertising during the 1970s. He was depicted as the mayor of the fictional setting and wore formal civic clothing, including a mayoral sash and chain.

His head was designed as a large cheeseburger, making the connection to McDonald’s food visually immediate. The character’s name combined the title “Mayor” with “McCheese,” a playful reference to the product category rather than to one specific branded sandwich.

Mayor McCheese is sometimes confused with the Big Mac Bird because both belonged to the same period of McDonaldland advertising. Their designs and food references were different: Mayor McCheese represented a cheeseburger, while Big Mac Bird referenced the Big Mac.