The Golden Arches were McDonald's 1960s branding symbol used as a standalone yellow M on signs and packaging.
The symbol originated in the arches built into McDonald's restaurant designs. During the 1960s, the arches were combined into an M-shaped corporate logo, allowing the brand to be recognized even when the full restaurant facade or name was not visible.
Golden Arches is often confused with Speedee, the earlier chef-hat mascot associated with McDonald's original service-system identity. Speedee belongs to the company's earlier branding, while the arches became the enduring corporate symbol.
The mark's simplicity made it highly adaptable. It could appear on roadside signs, paper packaging, uniforms, advertising, and restaurant buildings, helping create a consistent visual identity as McDonald's expanded.