McDonald's introduced the Big Mac nationally across the United States in 1968.
The sandwich had been created earlier by franchisee Jim Delligatti, who operated McDonald's restaurants in the Pittsburgh area. It first appeared regionally in 1967 and then became available nationwide in 1968. The product used two beef patties, a middle bun section, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, and Big Mac sauce, giving McDonald's a distinctive signature item.
The Big Mac became more than a menu product: its name, stacked appearance, and special packaging became durable elements of McDonald's branding. The company later used the sandwich in international advertising, comparisons of prices, and cultural references.
The two dates are easy to confuse. 1967 refers to the regional launch, while 1968 refers to the national United States rollout. The sandwich was not invented by Ray Kroc personally; its creation is generally credited to franchisee Jim Delligatti.