Which McDonald's logo feature became the central design after the arches were joined?

The Golden Arches became McDonald's central logo feature after the two arches were joined into an M-shaped mark.

The original arches were separate architectural elements placed on opposite sides of a restaurant. Their bold yellow shape helped buildings stand out to passing motorists, especially at night when illuminated.

In the 1960s, the arches were combined into the familiar logo used around the world. The mark is often described simply as the “Golden Arches,” although its joined form also resembles the letter M for McDonald's. The arches should not be confused with the Speedee chef, which was an earlier mascot, or with individual restaurant signage: the branding symbol grew from the building design itself.