Featured Image Credit: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images
Topics: McDonalds, Food and Drink
Lucy Devine
Have you ever wondered why the McDonald's logo is red and yellow?
The iconic golden arches are internationally recognised and have been a part of the brand's history since 1961, along with its iconic clown mascot, Ronald McDonald debuting two years later, though since 2016, he's taken a back seat in terms of advertising.
But did you know there's actually a psychological meaning behind the colors of the McDonald's logo?
Over the years, experts have commented on its appearance, and how the combination of red and yellow can help draw in customers.
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According to expert Karen Haller, who runs a behavioural design company, big brands use vibrant colors to influence people into engaging with them.
Writing on her website, she said (via The Mirror US): "Looking at the positive psychology qualities of red and yellow in relation to the fast food industry, red triggers stimulation, appetite, hunger, it attracts attention. Yellow triggers the feelings of happiness and friendliness.
"When you combine red and yellow it’s about speed, quickness. In, eat and out again.
"Yellow is also the most visible colour in daylight, which is why the McDonald’s M can be seen from a far distance.
"The language of colour is communicated quicker to the brain than words or shapes as they work directly on our feelings and emotions."
In recent years, though, Maccies hasn't stopped at red and yellow. In a bid to appeal to more environmentally conscious consumers, Haller says, the chain has altered its branding in some areas.
She added: "You may have noticed that McDonalds are changing a lot of their store colours to green. Notice the different feeling this gives.
"Green elicits the feelings of nature, natural and environmentally friendly. It’s no longer about rushing in for a quick bite to eat. You can relax, get comfortable, linger over a coffee (almost dare I say, a bit like Starbucks)."
Meanwhile, TikToker @vincent.ttcoach says the colors have a huge impact on our mind and bodies, grabbing our attention and making us hungry.
He says the color red increases our heart rates, while yellow really stands out and is seen more easily.
There are a handful of McDonald's restaurants around the world that don't have the brand's iconic colours, however.
Located in Sedona, Arizona, you can find 'the blue arches'.
It is the only McDonald's on the planet that has the colorway but other than the outside, it is like any other you'd find.
It was built back in 1993 and surprisingly city officials thought the golden arches would mar Sedona's beautiful red rock landscape.
In order for the McDonald's to go ahead, they imposed an order on them to change its otherwise yellow logo to the teal color.
Speaking about it to ABC 15, Cari Meyer, Senior Planner of the Department of Community Development for the City of Sedona, said: "McDonald's was built in the early 1990s, right after the city was incorporated in 1989.
"Someone suggested it would be interesting if they did something else than golden arches to fit in with the identity that the city decided to establish."