McDonald's introduced the Big Mac in 1967.
The sandwich was created by Jim Delligatti, a McDonald's franchisee in the Pittsburgh area. It used two beef patties, a middle slice of bread, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, and the sauce later associated with the Big Mac. The item was developed to compete with larger, more elaborate hamburgers sold by rival restaurants.
The Big Mac first appeared in select markets before becoming a national menu item in the United States. Its distinctive name, stacked format, and later advertising made it an important part of McDonald's product branding.
Some sources distinguish between the 1967 introduction and the 1968 national rollout. The commonly cited introduction year is 1967, while 1968 is often associated with broader availability. That distinction explains why both dates sometimes appear in discussions of the sandwich.