Who created the stylized Golden Arches logo used by McDonald’s from 1968?

Jim Schindler created the stylized Golden Arches logo adopted by McDonald’s in 1968.

Earlier McDonald’s restaurants used physical arches inspired by the buildings designed for the chain. Schindler’s work transformed those separate architectural forms into the overlapping “M” mark associated with McDonald’s worldwide.

The 1968 design was a major step toward a modern corporate identity. It made the brand easier to reproduce on signs, packaging, advertising, uniforms, and other materials than a literal picture of a restaurant building.

A common mix-up is crediting Ray Kroc or architect Stanley Meston with the logo itself. Kroc led the company’s expansion, while Meston designed an important early restaurant building; Schindler designed the later stylized symbol.