Why are the McDonald’s arches in Sedona, Arizona blue?

McDonald’s is one of the biggest and most recognizable brands in the world. Its logo- the iconic golden arches- calls out to lovers of burgers and fries everywhere… but not in one of the fast food chain’s locations in Sedona, Arizona.

The branch bears the only blue McDonald’s among the more than 41,000 locations all over the world. Considering how closely tied the golden arches are with the chain’s brand, it’s surprising that the company agreed to this anomaly.

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Why are the McDonald’s arches in Sedona, Arizona blue?

Sedona, Arizona is known for its spectacular natural landscape, particularly its wide expanse of mountainous red rock. To maintain this view, the city implements building regulations to ensure that structures do not mar the scenery too much.

When McDonald’s constructed a branch in the city in 1993, local officials informed the company that the stark yellow of the arches would have this effect, since it would clash with the color of the red rocks.

The compromise was a soft blue, described as turquoise by some, and teal by others.

The unique color of the restaurant’s arches has made the location a tourist spot, and a visit to Sedona usually merits a photo for uploading to social media.

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What McDonald’s locations have arches that are not golden?

Sedona may have the only blue McDonald’s logo in the world, but there are other places where the golden arches have been replaced by another color. In Monterey, California, the mission-style branch bears a black logo to be more in harmony with the local scenery, which was also dictated by the law. A restaurant in Champs-Elysées in Paris, France and one in Bruges, Belgium feature white arches.