McDonald’s introduced the Filet-O-Fish sandwich in 1962.
The sandwich was created by Lou Groen, a McDonald’s franchise owner in Cincinnati, Ohio. His restaurant was in a predominantly Catholic neighborhood, where many customers avoided meat on Fridays. Hamburger sales dropped sharply on those days, so Groen developed a fish sandwich to attract those customers.
Ray Kroc tested Groen’s idea alongside the Hula Burger, a meatless sandwich made with grilled pineapple and cheese. The Filet-O-Fish sold far better and became McDonald’s first non-hamburger menu item. It was added to menus more broadly in 1963 and achieved nationwide status in 1965.
The basic format has remained recognizable: a fried, breaded fish fillet, a steamed bun, tartar sauce, and American cheese. The fish used has changed in different periods and markets because of taste, supply, and sustainability considerations. The 1962 invention date is often confused with 1965, which marks its nationwide rollout rather than its creation.