McDonald's reintroduces the Hamburglar as a strangely attractive suburban dad
What does McDonald's public image need in 2015? A dadbod, apparently
Quarter Pounders aren't the only things McDonald's serves hot.
The fast food giant unveiled anew look for one of its classic characters, the Hamburglar, on Wednesday with a TV spot and promotional images showing off his new image as a suburbandad with questionable fashion sense.
In the photos, the new Hamburglar is seen wearing a rumpled black coat, his trademark black-and-white striped shirt, red gloves, a comedically-oversized burger-pattern neck tie, an large fedora and a domino mask.
Wait, is this who we think it is??! https://t.co/rc9xhQrAUi
—@McDonalds
The commercial, which McDonald's shared on its Twitter account, shows a suburban dad grilling burgers while wearing a striped apron. His face isn't seen, but he gets a strange urge when he hears a radio ad for what else a new lineof McDonald's burgers calledthesirloin third-pounders.
This redesign was publicized just days afterthe corporation announced it would be stripping away the excess fat in its bureaucracyafter seeingprofits drop 15 per cent last year with sales dipping in regions around the world.
"He's had some time to grow up a bit and has been busy raising a family in the suburbs and his look has evolved over time,"McDonald's'VicePresidentof U.S. MarketingJoelYashinskytold Mashable, in a distressingly earnest effort to talk about the character as if he were a real person.
The original Hambuglar was one of the costumed characters in the McDonaldland series of commercials and merchandise that centred around its clownish mascot, Ronald McDonald.
Introduced in the 1970s, the Hamburgler became known as a childish scamp who was always out to steal hamburgers.
The character faded from McDonald's advertising in the early 2000s, along with other characters like Grimace and Mayor McCheese.
Ronald still makes appearances in promotional material today, he himself having undergone a makeover of sorts last April.
Social media users fond of theHamburglar (neHamilton B. Urglar) had strong feelings as soon as the revamped character was revealed.
Hiswell-coifed beard, stoic eyes and dare we say it dadbod-like physique pulled the internetecho chamber into a moral quandry over whether he was looking hot or looking likesome creepy dude in a stock image.
The old Hamburglar was moon-faced thief who loved McDonalds. The new Hamburglar looks like he doesn't own a TV. pic.twitter.com/vhCjid0YiO
—@briangaar
What idiot called this guy The Hamburglar and not Mumford and Buns pic.twitter.com/51sNKyHbRl
—@ElizaBayne
New Hamburglar immediately became my Tinder picture
—@curtofranklin
If anyone should have dadbod, it's the new Hamburglar.
—@erinruberry
McDonald's, making the Hamburglar a hot beardy man isn't staying true to canon. He wouldn't need to steal. I'd give him burgers willingly.
—@feedmehappy
my god what idiot called him the "hamburglar" and not the "beef thief"
—@SimonMaloy
Some compared the new design to a comic books-like gritty reboot, comparing the Hamburglarto the likewise trenchcoated vigilante Rorscach from Alan Moore's Watchmen.
So .@McDonalds: Can we expect The Hamburglar to break the 4th wall and talk about the human condition? #Watchmen pic.twitter.com/ElvPuTK4pF
—@RthompAK13
Others said he bore a striking resemblance to another kleptomaniac from years past, the WWE wrestler Repo Man.
Dear @McDonalds, You don't need to steal back your burgers with the #Hamburglar. We know a guy. #RepoMan #WWE pic.twitter.com/7srMQNqqI5
—@WWEUniverse
Of course, Ottawa Senators fanshad some fun with the announcement, thanks in part to goalie Andrew Hammond, who is nicknamed the Hamburglar for stealing away goals and games from the opposing team.
IDK if the new Hamburglar will ultimately be successful you guys... pic.twitter.com/RqwOA1Auzt
—@wyshynski