Source: The Daily Economy
by Michael Munger
“Burger Chef had always been an innovator. Years before McDonald’s introduced the Big Mac, Burger Chef had launched the Big Shef, a double-decker burger that one could describe as ‘two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, and cheese on a sesame seed bun.’ It also developed an imaginative cast of cartoon mascots — including Burger Chef & Jeff, Count Fangburger, Burgerini the magician, Burgerilla the talking ape, and Cackleburger the witch — decades before the Ronald McDonald’s cartoon universe was developed into the McDonaldland characters. But the biggest and most important marketing idea came in 1973: the Fun Meal …. a hamburger, fries, drink, cookie, and a toy — all packaged in a colorful, game-filled box featuring Burger Chef’s cartoon characters. … Of course, here comes McDonald’s …” (08/22/25)