signs from overpowering its natural surroundings.
The goal was to make the restaurant blend more comfortably with the red rocks, desert landscape, and Southwestern architectural style rather than stand out with a bright yellow sign. The official Sedona McDonald’s history says the turquoise arches resulted from discussions between the restaurant and city planning officials about matching the surrounding shopping center and local design guidelines.
And it worked.
Instead of looking like a giant yellow advertisement against the landscape, the restaurant has become a distinctive part of Sedona itself.
Is It Really the Only One?
The Sedona location is widely recognized as the only McDonald’s in the world with turquoise arches. An Arizona food-safety newsletter published in 2026 also identifies the Sedona restaurant as the only McDonald’s with blue/turquoise arches.
There are other McDonald’s locations that have used nontraditional arch colors, but Sedona’s turquoise version is particularly famous.
