We Just Found Out The Hidden Meanings Behind Famous Fast Food Logos

Kasia Mikolajczak
Subway sandwich shop logo
Unsplash | Matheus Bardemaker

If you're a fan of fast food, you're going to really enjoy what I'm about to share with you about two very famous joints. I'm talking about Subway and McDonald's. Most of us have eaten at either or both of them, huh?

But did you know that there are hidden meanings behind their logos? Oh, yeah. That's right. So listen up, I'm going to share that little bit of history with you. I promise it's pretty fascinating. Check it out.

Okay, so let's start with McDonald's

McDonald's
Unsplash | Thabang

The company's golden arches are recognizable around the world. Am I right? No matter where you are, you can't miss them, ha, ha. But what I'm going to share with you about those arches might surprise you. Heck, it might even shock you a bit, too.

What do the golden arches make you think of, huh?

McDonald's sign
Unsplash | a befendo

Would it surprise you if I said, motherly love? Well, apparently, that's what Louis Cheskin told McDonald's executives back when they first designed the arches. McDonald's hired this design consultant and psychologist, and he clearly had an insight into people's minds.

But here's what shocking about it all.

surprised woman
Giphy | TV One

Cheskin convinced McDonald's executives to design the golden arches so they actually looked like breasts and would — get this — help boost their sales. Um, what? Oh, yeah. He even called the golden arches "mother McDonald's breasts." Okay, that's a little creepy, right?

Well, as it turns out he was on to something.

Girl standing in front of McDonald's
Unsplash | William Enrico Jr Quijano

He literally claimed they provided some type of Freudian significance in the subconscious mind of customers. And since it's been 57-years, McDonald's golden arches are still the most recognizable fast-food symbols, and people are constantly flocking to eat at the restaurant. Hmm, how fascinating is that?

So, let's move on to Subway

Subway restaurant logo
Unsplash | Szymon12455

There's no way you haven't noticed the two arrows in Subway's logo, huh? I mean, they're pretty hard to miss. So what's the story behind them? Well, let's dig deeper into it. Shall we? Let's go.

Let's look at this logo a little closer.

Oprah
Giphy

The Subway signage features white and yellow lettering, with arrows coming off the “S” and the “Y.” Why is that? As it turns out, it's not just aesthetics. Oh, no! There's more to that than that.

Check this out.

subway car
Unsplash | Soroush Karimi

The arrows represent the entering and exiting of a subway car. Aha! That's starting to make more sense to me now. So what this logo symbolizes is the speedy service that Subway employees offer to their customers.

Nice, eh?

Guy saying "cool beans" gif
Giphy

That's pretty clever. Isn't it? I love when companies come up with cool stuff like that. I mean, after all, Subway sandwiches are delicious, the service is quick, and there are many locations around just like the subway. Well, except for the tasty part, ha, ha.

Let me ask you: did you know about these secrets of fast food logos?

McDonald's logo
Unsplash | Joshua Austin

Or were you just as surprised by these facts as I was? I definitely didn't know this about McDonald's. Looking at those golden arches will never going to be the same, right?