What two arches inspired McDonald's iconic logo?

The two arches that inspired McDonald's iconic logo are called the Golden Arches.

Architect Stanley Clark Meston designed large yellow arches for a McDonald's restaurant in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1953. The arches were part of the building's roadside architecture, helping the restaurant stand out to motorists.

When viewed from certain angles, the separate arches visually combined into an M-like form. In 1962, Jim Schindler adapted that architectural idea into the recognizable corporate logo, turning a building feature into a global brand symbol.

The Golden Arches are often described simply as the McDonald's “M,” but their origin was architectural rather than typographic. Their golden-yellow color and repeated use on restaurant signs made them one of the world's most recognizable commercial symbols.