What color pairing became standard for McDonald's Golden Arches and restaurant signs?

Yellow and red became the standard color pairing for McDonald's Golden Arches and restaurant signs. Bright yellow made the arches highly visible at roadside distances, while red supplied a strong contrasting field and became central to the chain's visual identity.

The colors were used on signs, building exteriors, packaging and advertising as McDonald's expanded through the United States and internationally. Their high contrast also helped the logo remain recognizable in photographs and television commercials.

Modern restaurants may add gray, white, green or other architectural colors, especially in updated interiors and sustainability-focused designs. Those variations do not replace the classic yellow-and-red combination that most strongly defines the historic McDonald's brand.