<P> The arch was conceived by businessman Richard McDonald, an untrained designer with no knowledge of erudite architectural examples . His intent was pragmatic: to be noticed . This determined its scale, position, and simple shape visible over long distances following the precedent of earlier drive - ins with which he was familiar . To McDonald, the arch was an arbitrary form, without symbolic or historic associations, which he hoped would come to symbolize McDonald's . The arches' position implies no traditional use of the arch as an entry, nor are they structural . The architect delineated this formal concept determined by the client in the energetic lines and machine - like surfaces of a popular commercial vernacular style current in the 1940s and 1950s...Meston's design proved successful as design and icon because of, not in spite of, its commercialism . </P> <P> The term "Golden Arches" is sometimes used as metonym, symbolizing capitalism or globalization in phrases such as the "Golden Arches Theory of Conflict Prevention", since McDonald's is one of the more prominent American corporations that have become global in their reach (along with Coca - Cola and Nike). </P> <P> The McDonald's arches in Sedona, Arizona were made turquoise when the yellow colour had been deemed by government officials to be contrasting too much against the scenic red rock . </P> <P> The arches in the restaurant at 610 Del Monte Ave., Monterey, California, are in black . </P>

What colour are the golden arches at the mcdonalds in sedona arizona