Which McDonald's slogan introduced in 1971 said customers deserved a break today?

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

The line positioned a McDonald's visit as a small reward or pause in a busy day. Its wording broadened the brand beyond food and speed by connecting the restaurant with relaxation, convenience, and everyday emotional appeal.

The slogan became one of McDonald's best-known advertising lines and was supported by a widely remembered musical campaign. It belongs to the period when McDonald's advertising increasingly used national slogans and jingles to create a consistent identity across restaurants.

It is easy to confuse this slogan with later McDonald's lines, including “Have You Had Your Break Today?” The two phrases share the word “break” but are separate campaigns from different periods. “You Deserve a Break Today” is the line associated with the 1971 launch.