Which McDonald's slogan became famous in the 1970s after debuting in a 1971 advertising campaign?

“You Deserve a Break Today” was the McDonald's slogan that became famous after debuting in a 1971 advertising campaign.

The line positioned a McDonald's visit as a small reward or pause in a busy day. Its wording connected the brand with convenience and emotional comfort rather than focusing only on a particular menu item.

The campaign became especially memorable through its jingle, which helped the phrase travel beyond print advertisements and into popular culture. McDonald's used many slogans over the decades, but this one is among the chain's most historically recognizable.

It is sometimes confused with “I'm Lovin' It,” the later slogan introduced globally in 2003. The two campaigns belong to different eras and used different creative strategies.