Jim Schindler transformed McDonald’s two architectural arches into the familiar stylized “M” logo.
The original arches were separate structural elements on McDonald’s restaurant buildings. In 1962, Schindler combined their shapes into a single graphic mark, creating the recognizable golden “M” associated with the brand.
This change was important because it turned a building feature into a portable identity. The symbol could appear on signs, packaging, uniforms, advertisements, and restaurant materials even when the architecture differed.
Stanley Clark Meston designed the original arches, so the two names are linked but describe different stages of the branding story. Meston created the architectural concept; Schindler adapted it into a corporate logo.