What symbol did McDonald's adopt as its primary logo in 1962?

McDonald's adopted the Golden Arches as its primary logo in 1962.

The symbol developed from the large yellow arches built into early McDonald's restaurant buildings. In 1962, the arches were combined into a stylized “M,” creating a logo that could work on signs, packaging, advertising, and other brand materials.

The Golden Arches replaced the earlier Speedee-centered identity as McDonald's main visual mark. Speedee represented the restaurant's original emphasis on quick service, while the arches provided a simpler symbol that could travel easily across locations and media.

The arches are sometimes described as a literal letter M, although their design originated in architecture rather than ordinary typography. Their color, proportions, and surrounding layouts have changed over time, but the basic symbol has remained central to McDonald's branding.