The two-arched symbol that became McDonald’s most recognizable brand mark is called the Golden Arches.
The arches originated as architectural features of McDonald’s early restaurants. The brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald used large yellow arches on their San Bernardino restaurant to make the building visible from the road. The design was later adapted into a standalone corporate logo, turning an architectural feature into a global trademark.
The arches are commonly described as forming an M, although their original purpose was architectural rather than typographic. Their bright yellow color made them conspicuous against restaurant façades and roadside settings, helping customers identify McDonald’s before digital signs and standardized highway branding became common.
The Golden Arches are sometimes confused with the original Speedee mascot or with the company’s later slogan “I’m lovin’ it.” Speedee represented the early service system, while the arches became the enduring visual shorthand for the McDonald’s name. Their use has changed in different logo versions, but the paired-arch idea remains central.