ladbible homepage
ladbible homepage
  • iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK
    • US
    • World
    • Ireland
    • Australia
    • Science
    • Crime
    • Weather
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV
    • Film
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • Netflix
    • Disney
  • Sport
  • Technology
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Money
  • Originals
    • FFS PRODUCTIONS
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • SPORTbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
McDonald’s had an original mascot before Ronald McDonald that had to be replaced

Home> Lifestyle> Food & Drink

Published 21:19 20 Oct 2023 GMT+1

McDonald’s had an original mascot before Ronald McDonald that had to be replaced

McDonald's original mascot is still branded in some of their oldest restaurants.

Anish Vij

Anish Vij

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Maccies fans you might be in for a shock after finding out that Ronald McDonald was not the original McDonald's mascot.

And the real reason why the OG mascot was ditched has now been revealed.

From what I can remember growing up, getting a Maccies happy meal was the highlight of the day, playing with the cheap toy once and never using it again.

Advert

And the image of the iconic McDonald's clown was always attached to the experience.

Ronald was the primary mascot of the American fast-food chain for over 50 years, first portrayed on TV by Willard Scott in 1963.

Willard Scott in an early McDonald's commercial.
McDonald's

Although Ronald McDonald still remains in some restaurants around the world, McDonald's distanced themselves from the mascot after the killer clown craze began to appear on social media back in August 2016.

Around the world, people in clown masks would display acts of violence ahead of an upcoming horror movie, and in Florida, an incident took place which saw a family being attacked by a group of 20 people in clown masks.

McDonald's released a statement at the time, which read: "McDonald's and franchisees in the local markets are mindful of the current climate around clown sightings in communities and as such are being thoughtful in respect to Ronald McDonald's participation in community events for the time being."

Despite 2016 largely being the end of McDonald's clown, it turns out here was actually a mascot before him called Speedee - a chef whose face was a hamburger.

Speedee was the OG McDonald's mascot.
McDonald's fandom

Speedee was the first ever McDonald's mascot and was also the first company logo before the use of the Golden Arches design from 1962.

Sadly for Speedee, the mascot was short-lived after people started confusing him with Alka-Seltzer's mascot Speedy, according to Delish.

However, another reason why Speedee was ditched, according to Alan Hess's research for the Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians, was because it lacked a connection with consumers.

"Market research showed that people identified McDonald's primarily with the golden arches [instead of Speedee]," the journal reads.

The good thing is, Maccies fans can still take a look at good ol' Speedee, who's hamburger-shaped head remains on show at the oldest McDonald's outlet in Downey, California.

Just last year, a man was shocked to discover a 60-year-old McDonald's meal in the walls of his bathroom.

Rob discussed the bizarre find further with Newsweek, explaining he is currently renovating both his kitchen and bathroom and that he found the McDonald's while removing a fixture.

The McDonald's bags had somehow been perfectly preserved.
u/slamminsammy2109/Reddit

"I noticed a piece of cloth stuck behind plaster and pulled it out to show my wife," he said. "It was balled up and we could tell there was something else inside.

"When we unwrapped it and found the old McDonald's bag and fries we were very surprised and grateful that is all we found hidden."

And guess what, Speedee's hamburger head was on the packaging.

Featured Image Credit: James Leynse/Corbis via Getty Images / Matt Cardy/Getty Images

Topics: McDonalds, Food And Drink

Anish Vij
Anish Vij

Anish is a Journalist at LADbible Group and is a GG2 Young Journalist of the Year 2025. He has a Master's degree in Multimedia Journalism and a Bachelor's degree in International Business Management. Apart from that, his life revolves around the ‘Four F’s’ - family, friends, football and food. Email: [email protected]

X

@Anish_Vij

Recommended reads

Coachella issued fine after Justin Bieber set broke golden ruleKevin Mazur/Getty Images for CoachellaJimmy Bullard 'refusing to return for I'm a Celeb final' as Adam Thomas bust-up finally shownITVPatrick Muldoon’s sister shares tragic details of his final moments before sudden deathEmma McIntyre/Getty ImagesRules on how X-rated Euphoria is allowed to get after Sydney Sweeney goes fully nudeHBO

Advert

Choose your content:

a day ago
2 days ago
  • Thierry Monasse/Getty Images
    a day ago

    500 flights cut for 'maintenance' as experts warn Europe to run out of fuel in 'weeks'

    The head of the International Energy Agency said there were only a few weeks supply of jet fuel left

    Lifestyle
  • sentdefender/X
    2 days ago

    US army 'going hungry' after horrifying images of food emerge

    The US Navy has weighed in on whether there really is a 'food shortage'

    Lifestyle
  • Getty/Bloomberg
    2 days ago

    Signs emerge warning Sainsbury's shoppers they will be prosecuted for swapping eggs

    Make sure you check your cartons before spending your hard-earned cash

    Lifestyle
  • Getty Stock Image
    2 days ago

    'Zebra striping' is new drinking method people are using to completely change their nights out

    Honestly, we are happy to try anything to reduce hangover chances

    Lifestyle
  • McDonald’s fans fuming over decision to secretly remove hugely popular menu item
  • Chilling reason Ronald McDonald was phased out and is no longer seen
  • Doctor issues warning to anyone using McDonald’s fries and coke to ‘fix’ migraine better than medication
  • McDonald’s fans left in shock after finding out what is in Sweet ’N Sour dip