Which McDonald's slogan introduced in 1971 promised customers, “You deserve a break today”?

“You Deserve a Break Today” was the McDonald's slogan introduced in 1971.

The line presented a McDonald's visit as a small reward or pause in a busy day. It shifted the advertising emphasis beyond speed and low prices toward emotional appeal. The slogan became especially memorable through a jingle used in television and radio advertising.

McDonald's had used other slogans before and after it, including “Look for the Golden Arches” and “We Love to See You Smile.” Because many McDonald's campaigns were built around short musical phrases, wording and dates are often mixed up in recollections of the brand's history.

The slogan also belongs to the period when McDonald's advertising was becoming more nationally coordinated. By the early 1970s, the chain had a large enough network for a single line and musical identity to reach audiences across the United States.