What two-word visual symbol became the central logo of McDonald's branding?

The Golden Arches became the central visual symbol of McDonald's branding.

The arches originated as architectural features of McDonald's restaurants in the 1950s. Architect Stanley Clark Meston designed the distinctive curved structures for the company's restaurants, giving the buildings a recognizable roadside profile.

In 1962, McDonald's converted the architectural idea into a stylized logo. The design combined two arches into an “M,” making the symbol work both as an abbreviation of McDonald's and as a strong standalone sign.

The Golden Arches are sometimes confused with the original restaurant buildings themselves. The earliest arches were physical structures, while the familiar logo is a simplified graphic interpretation. Their bright yellow color and frequent placement on red made the mark especially visible from roads and highways.