McDonald’s introduced the Big Mac in 1967.
The sandwich was created by franchisee Jim Delligatti, who operated McDonald’s restaurants in the Pittsburgh area. He developed a larger hamburger with two beef patties, a middle bun layer, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, and the company’s signature sauce. It first appeared in the Pittsburgh market before spreading across the United States.
The Big Mac became an important branding asset because its name was distinctive, memorable, and easy to use in advertising. Its stacked construction also gave McDonald’s a recognizable visual product beyond the restaurant’s general hamburger identity.
A frequent confusion is the national rollout date. The Big Mac was created and tested regionally before becoming available nationwide in the United States in 1968. Thus, 1967 identifies its introduction, while 1968 marks its wider national expansion.