McDonald’s Slogan

When it comes to fast food cravings, McDonald’s is the place to go. 

For reasonably priced burgers, fries, and nuggets, it can’t be beaten. Whether it’s breakfast on the go or the midnight munchies, McDonald’s has it all. And everyone knows McDonald’s famous slogan. Bright and catchy, it’s a happy little ditty that you just can’t help but hum. But where did it come from?

Well, let’s find out everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the McDonald’s slogan.

Why Do Brands Use Slogans?

De Beers has “a diamond is forever.”. Nike has “just do it.” Every major brand has an individual slogan. But why? Slogans are designed to remind customers of the brand. They’re short and memorable, and immediately make their clients think of the company in question. Coming up with a great hook is an integral part of marketing.

What is The Difference Between a Slogan and a Tagline?

Slogans and taglines are both important for any brand. They’re pretty similar, too. However, there are many differences between the two.

A tagline is a bit like a motto. It tells the public something about a brand’s mission statement. Taglines generally set the tone for the company’s purpose and are often longer than slogans. Whereas slogans are sharp and snappy. They’re phrases that instantly bring the brand to mind. They might come in the form of a short sentence, but more often than not, they’re comprised of just three or four words.

Read more: How to Become a Mortician?

What Is McDonald’s Slogan?

We’ve all heard it. That familiar “bah bah bah bah bah!” Followed by those three immortal words: “I’m lovin’ it.” This has been their slogan since 2003. The company came up with this to boost sales after a slump in popularity during the late nineties. They knew they needed something to pique the public’s interest once again.

Lovin’ it long-term…

While many brands only use slogans for limited periods, “I’m lovin’ it” has stood the test of time. McDonald’s has used other slogans for various short campaigns, like “we love to see you smile.” But “I’m lovin’ it” is the only one that’s endured.

The History Of The McDonalds Slogan

Our story starts back in 2001. McDonald’s was in trouble, and it knew it. Thanks to the craze for diets such as Atkins, sales of McDonald’s delicious but unhealthy products had plummeted.

Time for a revamp…

Instead of directly approaching a specific advertising agency, McDonald’s made their new campaign into a competition, and agencies all around the globe got the opportunity to submit their ideas to win that elusive contract. And after much deliberation, a German organization called Heye & Partner emerged as successful.

Their idea? Those five little notes we all know and love. Topped off with that iconic “I’m lovin’ it,” it instantly became a winning combination.

Face the music…

But the campaign didn’t end there. McDonald’s wanted to go further. A jingle wasn’t enough – they needed a song as well. The brand enlisted the famed jingle writer Butch Stewart to get things started. He then passed his work on to noted singer, writer, and producer Pharrell Williams. Then, all they needed was someone to sing it.

Enter Justin Timberlake…

After leaving N’Sync, Justin Timberlake’s career had gone from strength to strength. His popularity was at an all-time high, and he’d released three wildly successful albums since leaving the band. As far as McDonald’s was concerned, he was exactly what the brand needed.

For $6 million, Timberlake agreed to sing it. And, naturally, it became an instant hit! Since then, it’s remained an important symbol of the McDonald’s empire and was responsible for raising the company’s public image.

What Was McDonald’s First Slogan?

Founded by Dick and Mac McDonald, this classic has been around since 1948. Initially selling 15-cent burgers, it’s grown to include a huge variety of products, from nuggets to pies to ice cream. And in all that time, it’s had a lot of different McDonald’s catchphrases and slogans.

So, what came first?

The first slogan at McDonald’s was” Look for the golden arches.” And while it’s no longer used today, it remains relevant. Almost every McDonald’s restaurant in the world has those famous golden arches above its doors.

It wasn’t created at the same time as the chain became popular, though. It didn’t come around until much later. McDonald’s didn’t start this advertising campaign until 1960.

What Other Slogans Have There Been?

Every brand goes through a huge range of slogans over time. And McDonald’s is no exception. Throughout its life, it’s used a wide variety for its various campaigns and offers.

There have been both good and bad slogans over the years. In the good camp, we have such classics as “you deserve a break today” and “the closest thing to home.’ And who could forget the 1975 classic “we do it all for you.’

Some Real Blunders Too!

But there have been some pretty dreadful slogans, too. “It’s what I eat and what I do,’ was a particularly damp squib. The worst of all had to be “two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, on a sesame seed bun,” which, though informative, did not exactly roll off the tongue.

Is the McDonalds Slogan Trademarked?

Yes, of course it is! Any major corporation like this would be crazy not to trademark its slogan. And McDonald’s is no exception. In fact, McDonald’s owns over 300 trademarks in America alone! These combine slogans, food products, taglines, and more. 

Remember “The simpler, the better,” “here we grow again,” and “serving a quality meal every time”? These are all trademarked by McDonald’s.

Want to know more?

You can find out more about McDonald’s American trademarks right here. It contains links to information about every food item, slogan, and advertising campaign. It also has a short history of McDonald’s trademarks if you want to find out even more.

McDonald’s has had a few problems with its trademarks in the past. Several accusations of trademark bullying have been thrown around, with McDonald’s having to defend itself in court. That’s another story, though, and if you’re interested, you can read about it here.

Have we piqued your interest?

And if all this has piqued your curiosity about McDonald’s in general, you can check out the McDonald’s website. Read about the history of the company, take a look at its quarterly reports, and stay up-to-date with any brand news. And, of course, you can find your closest store for when you’re feeling peckish.

Get Your First Job At Mcdonald’s!

Working in a restaurant is perfect if you’re still in school, you can make cash and have fun at the same time!

So, let’s check out our comprehensive McDonalds Mission and Vision Statement Analysis to learn more about the franchise, followed by Can You Work At McDonalds At 14, How Old Do You Have to Be to Work at McDonalds, and Do McDonalds Pay Weekly?

Now that you have the necessary info, check out our in-depth guide to the McDonalds Application and most frequently asked McDonalds Interview Questions, along with Does McDonalds Run Background Checks and Does McDonalds Drug Test if you have a criminal record?

A few interesting facts you might want to know that we’ve covered include Why Did McDonalds Get Rid Of Ronald McDonald, the Biggest McDonalds In The World, as well as Can You Buy McDonalds Toys and How Much Does McDonalds Franchise Cost in 2023?

Final Thoughts

“I’m lovin’ it” is one of those slogans that will go down in history. Even today, almost 20 years after it was first released, it’s still iconic. It’s a catchy little earworm that is instantly recognizable.

And sure, the brand will come up with new slogans in the future. Times change, and companies have to move with them. But that doesn’t mean ‘I’m lovin’ it” is going anywhere. It’s sure to remain a McDonald’s emblem for many years to come.

So, now you know more about your favorite franchise!