McDonald's introduced the Big Mac in 1967. The sandwich was created by franchisee Jim Delligatti, who operated several McDonald's restaurants in the Pittsburgh area.
Delligatti developed the larger hamburger to appeal to customers seeking a more substantial meal. Its defining structure used two beef patties, a middle bun layer, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, and the sauce later strongly associated with the product. The sandwich first appeared in selected markets before becoming a national menu item.
The Big Mac's name and distinctive construction made it more than an ordinary menu addition. It became a branded product with its own packaging, advertising, and recognition independent of the core McDonald's name. The product's three-part bun is particularly important because it distinguishes the sandwich from standard two-bun hamburgers.
The introduction year is sometimes misremembered as 1968, the year the Big Mac expanded nationally. The product began in 1967, while broader availability followed afterward.