Red became strongly associated with McDonald’s Golden Arches logo during the late 1960s.
The Golden Arches themselves are yellow, but McDonald’s branding frequently presented them against a red field. This red-and-yellow combination became one of the most recognizable color pairings in fast-food advertising and restaurant signage.
The visual identity developed as McDonald’s expanded beyond its early California locations. Bright colors helped the restaurants stand out from roads and commercial areas, while the arches provided a distinctive symbol that could be recognized without reading the full company name.
The background color is sometimes mistaken for part of the arches logo itself. The arches remain yellow; red is the surrounding brand color used in many signs, packaging designs, advertisements, and restaurant exteriors. Individual McDonald’s markets and designs have used additional colors over time.