Which McDonald's slogan was introduced in 1971 and became one of its best-known taglines?

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

The line presented a McDonald's visit as a welcome pause from everyday responsibilities. It became especially memorable because it was used in a widely recognized advertising campaign and was adapted for musical commercials.

The slogan belongs to an earlier period of McDonald's branding, before the company adopted “I'm Lovin' It” as its global platform in 2003. Comparing the two shows how the brand moved from a message about taking a break to one centered on personal enjoyment.

The phrase is sometimes dated incorrectly to the 1960s because McDonald's had already become a major advertiser by then. Its standard attribution is 1971.