The architectural feature that became McDonald’s most recognizable brand symbol was the Golden Arches.
The arches originated as physical structures on McDonald’s early restaurant buildings. Architect Stanley Clark Meston designed the distinctive restaurant form for the company’s San Bernardino location, and the arches were intended to make the buildings visible from the road. Their bright yellow color helped them stand out.
The symbol later became more than an architectural feature. In 1962, Jim Schindler combined two arches into the familiar “M” form used in McDonald’s corporate identity. That graphic treatment helped turn a building design into a globally recognizable logo.
The Golden Arches are often confused with the logo itself. Historically, the arches first existed as separate architectural elements, while the golden “M” is the later graphic interpretation. The term can therefore refer both to the physical arches and to the broader McDonald’s brand symbol.