What logo symbol did McDonald's add to its packaging and advertising in 1962?

McDonald's added the Golden Arches symbol to its packaging and advertising in 1962.

The Golden Arches developed from the large yellow arches used in McDonald's restaurant architecture. In 1962, the arches were combined into the stylized “M” logo associated with the company. Jim Schindler is credited with creating the modern logo form by joining the two arches visually.

The symbol helped McDonald's create a recognizable identity that could work beyond an individual building. Its bright yellow shape was visible from roads and remained distinctive in print, signs, packaging, and later digital applications.

The architectural arches and the logo are related but not identical. Early buildings displayed separate structural arches, while the 1962 corporate mark turned that visual feature into a single stylized emblem. The Golden Arches are therefore both an architectural reference and a branding device.