Fastest Way to Add Stroke/Path to Outside of Logos

The way I would do it is similar to yours, but in bulk.

1) Collect as many of your logos on one layer as possible -- or all the ones that will get the same size outline.

2) Duplicate that layer, move it below the original layer, and turn off the original layer (click the eye icon).

3) Select everything on that new layer, and combine all at once (expanding appearance if needed). Once combined I would assign them all the same solid fill (say 100% magenta).

4) With all shapes still selected, offset paths as desired. IMMEDIATELY AFTER - while the offsets are still all selected, assign them a different fill (say, yellow).

5} At this point you may have to do an Ungroup. Then select one of the unneeded magenta shapes and do Select > Same > Fill, then delete them all at once.

You will be left with the outline paths on one layer located exactly behind the logos on the original layer (if you haven't moved anything). Turn on both layers and merge, if desired.

No fewer steps, perhaps, but you can do it in big batches, instead of one at a time.

I hope this helps.

--OB

Completely depends on the exact nature of your logos and what exactly you expect to get.

Maybe an action could do this, but to decide we would need a sample file and an exact description of what should be applied.

e.g., you could group all the objects and in the appearance panel add a stroke, put that under the "Contents", apply the effect > Path > Outline stroke to it.

Then Expand appearance to convert all this to paths if needed. But really: an exact description and sample file would be needed