What was McDonald’s first restaurant design concept called, introduced in 1953?

McDonald’s first standardized restaurant design concept, introduced in 1953, was called Red and White.

The design used a red-and-white color scheme and incorporated the distinctive golden arches into the building’s roadside appearance. Architect Stanley Clark Meston developed the restaurant design for the McDonald brothers, helping turn individual locations into a recognizable chain.

The arches were initially architectural elements rather than a separate logo. Their height and bright color helped drivers identify the restaurant from a distance, a crucial advantage during the expansion of car-oriented fast food.

The Red and White buildings are often confused with the later Golden Arches logo. The building concept came first; the standalone corporate symbol was developed afterward. Many original Red and White restaurants were later remodeled or replaced, so surviving examples are now associated with McDonald’s architectural history and preservation efforts.