What was McDonald’s first restaurant logo phrase, used before the Golden Arches became dominant?

McDonald’s first restaurant logo phrase was “McDonald’s Famous Barbecue.”

The wording reflected the company’s original drive-in identity in San Bernardino, California. When Richard and Maurice McDonald opened their first restaurant in 1940, barbecue foods were central to the menu and the branding.

The business later changed direction. In 1948, the brothers reopened with a smaller menu and a faster self-service model focused on hamburgers, fries, and beverages. The brand therefore moved away from its original barbecue-centered name.

This early phrase is often confused with later McDonald’s names and slogans. It was an early restaurant identifier, not a nationwide advertising campaign or the modern corporate logo. The Golden Arches became much more prominent only after the company’s later expansion.