How did fast food companies learn that red is an appetizing color to use in their packaging and logos?

Answer 1

While I have not found evidence on this entire subject matter that red is indeed a plot other than to be eye catching color there are some theories to the colors of red and orange. The theory lies in our ancestry and evolution. The theory is that perhaps we associate red with food in our subconscious due to the beginning nature of food itself. Ripened fruits often indicate their readiness to eat through the visual color display of dark and bright colors. Red would be one common color associated with the ripeness of fruits such as plums, apples, berries, and so forth. Additionally with our adaptation to hunting, red meant dead which ultimately meant food. In some odd way colors actually effect you mood, Example, if using blue it will make you not want to eat as much. But if you use colors like red and yellow it increases it.