Which McDonald’s slogan was used in the major 1971 campaign built around taking a break?

“You Deserve a Break Today” was the McDonald’s slogan used in the major 1971 campaign built around taking a break.

The slogan became one of the defining lines in McDonald’s advertising history. It presented a visit to the restaurant as a small reward in the middle of a busy day, linking the brand with convenience, relaxation, and an upbeat family experience.

The campaign was notable for its memorable song, which helped make the wording recognizable beyond the printed advertisement. Advertising Age later ranked the jingle highly among twentieth-century advertising songs.

This slogan is sometimes confused with McDonald’s later “Have You Had Your Break Today?” campaign. The two lines share the idea of a break, but they are separate phrases from different periods. The 1971 wording is the one that begins “You Deserve.”