The Mystery Behind the Blue Arches: Why This McDonald’s Sign Isn’t Yellow

The Problem: The city believed that the classic, bright neon-yellow McDonald’s arches would clash terribly with the surrounding red rocks and distract from the desert scenery.

The Solution: Rather than lose out on a prime location, McDonald’s corporate agreed to adapt. Local franchise owners worked with the city council to choose a color that would harmonize with the environment. They landed on a soft, distinct turquoise—a color meant to mirror the desert sky and celebrate the region’s famous Native American turquoise jewelry traditions.