There are a few things to clarify:
* Ronald McDonald is still the mascot of McDonald's. He has been for decades and continues to be featured in their advertising and branding.
* Large Ronald McDonald statues used to be common outside McDonald's restaurants. They were a popular marketing tool for many years.
* The number of these statues has significantly decreased in recent years. There are a few reasons for this:
* Changing marketing strategies: McDonald's is focusing on more modern and digital marketing approaches. Large statues might not be as effective in attracting customers today.
* Cost and maintenance: The statues can be expensive to maintain and keep in good condition.
* Safety concerns: In some cases, the statues have become targets of vandalism or other issues.
So, while you might not see as many large Ronald McDonald statues around anymore, Ronald McDonald himself is still very much a part of the McDonald's brand.