Ronald McDonald is the iconic character and mascot of the fast-food chain McDonald’s. He has been a part of the company’s marketing campaigns and advertisements since the 1960s and has become one of the most recognizable characters in the world. At one point, the fast food mascot was more recognizable than Jesus Christ. What happened?
While the character of Ronald McDonald is often associated with the fast-food chain, he is not limited to it. In recent years, Ronald McDonald has made appearances in a variety of different settings, from public events and charity work to online media and video games.
One of the primary places where Ronald McDonald can be found is in McDonald’s restaurants. He is often used as a greeter or host, welcoming customers and promoting the restaurant’s menu offerings. He is also a frequent visitor to children’s hospitals, where he participates in events and activities aimed at helping sick children feel better.
The 58-year-old always knew how to stand out from the crowd: bright red hair, a painted face, long shoes. Ronald McDonald was a huge part of the fast-food chain’s existence before the 2010s. The character’s entire existence was related to the food brand. However, that is no longer the case as you won’t find Ronald in any McDonald’s now.
In 2016, McDonald’s announced that Ronald would be taking a step back because of that year’s global creepy clown sightings, with two Coventry clowns even chasing children across a park. McDonald’s is evolving into an advanced café and the new theme doesn’t have space for Ronald anymore. With the introduction of McCafé, the rebranded McDonald’s café don’t need Ronald anymore.