Whether you love or hate its burgers, most people are familiar with the iconic red and yellow logo of McDonald's.
The fast food giant's golden arches are found all over the world and it turns out there's a clever reason why it features the two bold colours. Many will assume that it's a simple design choice, while others believe it to be those shades to match ketchup and mustard.
However, these colours are part of a very specific plan that tempts patrons into the fast food chain's doors without even realising it. According to psychologist and leading colour expert Karen Haller, the shade selection is anything but accidental and there's a scientific explanation.
On Karen's official behavioural consultancy website, she says in a post that the "mood this combination of colours emits is perfect for their target market", therefore drawing in more customers.
As reported by the Mirror, she explained: "Looking at the positive psychology qualities of red and yellow in relation to the fast food industry, red triggers stimulation, appetite, hunger, it attracts attention.
"Yellow triggers the feelings of happiness and friendliness. When you combine red and yellow it's about speed, quickness. In, eat and out again."
She continued: "Yellow is also the most visible colour in daylight, which is why the McDonald's M can be seen from a far distance. The language of colour is communicated quicker to the brain than words or shapes as they work directly on our feelings and emotions."
Karen then proceeds to touch on why exactly McDonald's has changed a number of branch colours to green in recent times, which instead "elicits the feelings of nature, natural and environmentally friendly."
This interesting choice gives a more relaxed, and less rushed feel, in a way that Karen compares with fellow high street giant, Starbucks.
Many people were left amazed by Karen's explanation, with one impressed person commenting: "Thanks for sharing – I'll be paying more attention to branding and colour in future!"
Another remarked: "I always thought McDonald's chose red and yellow because it's the colours of ketchup and mustard - which makes you think of hamburgers! It works for me anyway."
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