Which McDonald's slogan debuted in the 1970s campaign featuring the line “You deserve a break today”?

The McDonald's slogan was “You Deserve a Break Today.”

McDonald's introduced the line in 1971 as part of a major advertising campaign. The slogan framed a visit to the restaurant as a small reward or pause in a busy day, broadening the brand message beyond speed and low prices. Its memorable melody helped make it one of the company's most recognizable advertising themes.

The campaign was created by Needham Harper Steers and became closely associated with McDonald's television, radio, and print advertising. It reflected a period when the company increasingly presented its restaurants as welcoming places for families and everyday occasions.

The phrase is sometimes confused with later McDonald's slogans such as “I'm Lovin' It,” which began in 2003. “You Deserve a Break Today” belongs to the early 1970s and is particularly notable for turning a simple advertising promise into a widely remembered jingle.