14 Fast Food Mascots Everyone Forgot About
Fast food chains have used many mascots over the years, but some were eventually retired and forgotten.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
Mascots were once a major part of fast food advertising, often used to connect with children and families. While some, like Ronald McDonald, became iconic, many others disappeared with time and changing marketing strategies. These mascots now remain as little-known parts of advertising history.
1. Mac Tonight (McDonald’s)
McDonald’s on Wikimedia Commons
Introduced in the 1980s, Mac Tonight was created to promote dinner sales at McDonald’s. The character had a crescent moon head, wore sunglasses, and played a piano while singing a version of “Mack the Knife.” He gained short-term popularity but was eventually phased out in the 1990s. Today, he is remembered mostly by people who saw the original commercials.
2. The Noid (Domino’s Pizza)
Will Vinton Studios, Domino’s Pizza on Wikimedia Commons
The Noid appeared in the late 1980s as a claymation character who tried to ruin pizza deliveries. He wore a red suit with rabbit-like ears and was meant to show how Domino’s overcame delivery challenges. The mascot was discontinued after negative associations with a criminal incident in 1989. Domino’s brought him back briefly in recent years, but he never returned to his former recognition.
3. Mayor McCheese (McDonald’s)
Syced on Wikimedia Commons
Mayor McCheese was introduced in 1971 as part of the McDonaldland characters. He had a cheeseburger for a head, wore a sash and top hat, and served as a cartoon mayor in commercials. The character was popular with children but disappeared from advertising in the 1980s. Today, he is mostly referenced in nostalgic discussions about McDonaldland.
4. Uncle O’Grimacey (McDonald’s)
McDonald’s on Wikimedia Commons
Uncle O’Grimacey was a green character connected to Grimace and used to advertise the Shamrock Shake. He appeared in commercials during the 1980s and early 1990s around St. Patrick’s Day. The mascot was eventually retired and has not been used for decades. He is now only mentioned in relation to the Shamrock Shake’s history.
5. Speedee (McDonald’s)
Dirk Tussing on Wikimedia Commons
Speedee was McDonald’s original mascot, created in 1948. He was a chef character who represented fast service and efficiency. When Ronald McDonald was introduced in the 1960s, Speedee was gradually removed from advertising. Today, his image only appears in some vintage signs and merchandise.
6. Wendy the Snapple Lady (Snapple)
annulla on Wikimedia Commons
Wendy Kaufman became known as the Snapple Lady in the 1990s. She appeared in commercials where she read and responded to customer letters. Her relatable style made her popular, but she was dropped after Quaker Oats bought the brand in 1994. She briefly returned later but is no longer part of Snapple advertising.
7. Jack in the Box Clown Head (Jack in the Box)
George on Wikimedia Commons
In the early years, Jack in the Box used a clown head on drive-thru intercoms as its mascot. The design was simple and mainly used to attract children. The character was phased out after the 1980s as the company shifted to a more modern image. It was later replaced by the human-like Jack mascot still used today.
8. Big Boy (Bob’s Big Boy)
Junkyardsparkle on Wikimedia Commons
The Big Boy mascot was created in 1936 for the Big Boy restaurant chain. He wore checkered overalls and held a large hamburger. While he became a cultural symbol in the mid-20th century, the chain declined and the mascot lost visibility. Statues of Big Boy still exist in some locations, but he is less recognized today.
9. Clara Peller (Wendy’s)
Hullian111 on Wikimedia Commons
Clara Peller was an elderly actress featured in Wendy’s commercials in 1984. She became famous for asking “Where’s the beef?” which became a national catchphrase. Despite the success, her contract with Wendy’s ended in 1985 after disagreements about her use in other ads. She is remembered as a short-lived but impactful figure in advertising history.
10. Rodney the Rodent (Chuck E. Cheese, early design)
Try to Love Again on Wikimedia Commons
When Chuck E. Cheese was first created in 1977, he was designed as a cigar-smoking rat. This version was considered unappealing for a family restaurant. The company redesigned him into a friendlier mouse character in the 1980s. The original design is rarely mentioned and has been largely forgotten.
11. The King (Burger King, 1970s version)
grassrootsgroundswell on Wikimedia Commons
Burger King originally used a cartoon-style king mascot in the 1970s. He appeared in commercials and children’s items but failed to gain lasting popularity. The character was dropped before being reinvented in the 2000s as the “Creepy King.” The earlier version is overshadowed by the later and more recognizable redesign.
12. Fido Dido (7Up)
ＤＡＶＩＤ on Wikimedia Commons
Fido Dido was introduced in 1987 as a cartoon mascot for 7Up. He was drawn as a laid-back character with a simple sketch style, appealing to younger audiences. The mascot appeared in ads through the 1990s but was eventually dropped. Today, he is only remembered in retro branding materials.
13. Mr. Six (Six Flags)
Six Flags on Wikimedia Commons
Mr. Six was introduced in 2004 as the dancing elderly man in Six Flags commercials. Although he was not connected to food, his mascot role was similar to those in fast food advertising. He became recognizable for a short time but was removed in 2010. He has since become a minor part of advertising history.
14. Little Caesar (Little Caesars, early design)
Greg on Wikimedia Commons
The Little Caesar mascot was introduced in 1959 as a cartoon character in a toga. He became widely known for saying “Pizza! Pizza!” in television ads. Over time, the design was simplified, and the character was used less frequently. The earlier version has mostly disappeared from current advertising.