Yellow and red are the colors most associated with McDonald's classic Golden Arches identity.
The arches themselves became famous for their bright golden-yellow appearance, while red was widely used in restaurant signs, packaging, uniforms, and advertising. Together, the colors created a high-contrast visual system that was easy to recognize from roads and across busy commercial areas.
The color pairing supported the brand's early emphasis on visibility. McDonald's restaurants were designed to stand out to motorists, and strong primary colors helped the signs remain noticeable at a distance and in different weather conditions.
McDonald's has used other color palettes in particular restaurant designs and contemporary campaigns, so the company is not limited to only these two colors. Yellow and red describe the classic, widely recognized branding combination associated with the Golden Arches.