Jim Schindler created McDonald’s recognizable arches logo in 1962.
Schindler was McDonald’s head of construction and engineering. He adapted the restaurant’s two architectural arches into a graphic mark that resembled the letter M. This transformation made the arches useful on signs, packaging, and advertising rather than only on restaurant buildings.
The 1962 design helped establish the Golden Arches as McDonald’s central visual identity. It followed the earlier use of arches as physical structures at individual restaurants. The logo therefore developed from architecture into a portable corporate symbol.
A common mix-up is assigning the logo’s creation to Ray Kroc, the businessman who expanded McDonald’s nationally. Kroc was crucial to the company’s growth, but Schindler is credited with the 1962 arches logo. The logo has been modified in presentation over time, while the basic golden M remains one of the world’s most recognizable brand marks.