Did you just see turquoise arches at a McDonald's instead of the iconic golden ones? There's only one place in the world where you could be.
Here’s Why You May See Turquoise Arches at McDonald’s
Updated on Jun. 26, 2025
There’s a reason the McDonald’s logo is red and yellow, just like many others in the fast food and media world. That bright yellow m is one of the most recognized symbols worldwide, crowning McDonald’s restaurants from coast to coast and beyond. The Golden Arches have become so iconic, they’re basically shorthand for McDonald’s itself. But a lone location bucks the trend in a bright shade of blue. That’s right: In one town, you’ll find turquoise arches at McDonald’s.
Curious? We were too, so we tracked down the details. Keep reading to uncover the reason why one location forgoes the famous golden arches in favor of turquoise. It might convince you to make a special trip for your next Big Mac.
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Where can you find turquoise arches at McDonald’s?
If you’ve been to Sedona, Arizona, and caught sight of those unusual blue-green arches (or even seen a photo), you’re not looking at a McDonald’s ripoff. That’s a legit Mickey D’s, and there’s a specific reason for its logo’s color change.
The city of Sedona, located in the center of Arizona, is famous for its stunning natural beauty—namely, its mountainous landscape of red rock. Because of said landscape, there are strict rules in place for buildings in Sedona to make sure that no structure intrudes too much on the surrounding natural scenery.
When McDonald’s was built there in 1993, city officials believed that a bright yellow m would do just that. They claimed that gold would clash with the surrounding red rocks and opted for a more pleasing soft blue. You read that right—the arches are blue because gold didn’t match the city’s (natural) aesthetic. Whatever the reason, though, the color change certainly makes this McDonald’s stand out. In fact, these turquoise arches at McDonald’s have become an essential tourist destination for Sedona travelers.
Do any other McDonald’s feature turquoise arches?
If you’re looking to spot the turquoise arches at McDonald’s, you’ll need to book a trip to Sedona, as there is only one McDonald’s with those teal arches in the world. It also features teal signs, tables and umbrellas.
Aside from the turquoise signage, though, this McDonald’s is just like any other: full of guilty-pleasure burgers, Happy Meals and addictive fries.
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Sources:
- ABC Arizona: “There is a McDonald’s with blue arches in Arizona”
- Sedona, Arizona Government: “Land Development Code: Scenic Beauty”
- AOL: “McDonald’s in Sedona, Arizona is the only one in the world with turquoise arches”
