In Sedona, Arizona, the only McDonald’s with turquoise arches stands out against its traditional golden counterparts. This deviation honors the area’s cultural ties and architectural style. Turquoise, significant in the region’s heritage, represents concepts like “Mother Earth” and “Skystone” for the locals.
Local building codes, prioritizing harmony with the desert landscape, influenced this choice. McDonald’s opted for turquoise in 1993 to blend with Sedona’s red, orange, and tan hues, respecting the area’s mineral-rich environment.
This respect for local culture extends elsewhere. For instance, Roswell, New Mexico, hosts a UFO-shaped McDonald’s, embracing the town’s quirky vibe and extraterrestrial fame. Across the U.S., McDonald’s locations mirror their surroundings, like a New York outlet housed in a 1700s farmhouse and a Las Vegas site with giant arches reflecting the city’s bold architecture.