McDonald’s introduced its modern M-shaped corporate logo in 1968.
The mark developed from the golden arches that had appeared on McDonald’s restaurant buildings. Instead of showing two separate architectural arches, the graphic logo joined them into a single, highly legible M that could work on signs, packaging, uniforms, and printed advertising.
The change reflected the needs of a growing chain. A building design could vary in scale and setting, but a compact symbol could be reproduced consistently in many media and recognized even when no restaurant facade was visible.
The logo’s underlying inspiration is architectural, but its corporate use is distinct from the original building design. Earlier versions and later refinements exist, while 1968 identifies the introduction of the familiar unified M form.