The Big Mac was introduced in 1967 and became one of McDonald’s signature branded sandwiches.
Jim Delligatti, a McDonald’s franchisee in the Pittsburgh area, developed the sandwich as a larger, more substantial alternative to the standard hamburger. Its defining construction uses two beef patties, a middle bun section, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, and the sauce commonly associated with the sandwich.
The product was first tested regionally before becoming available more broadly. Its distinctive three-part bun and memorable name helped make it more than a menu item: it became a recognizable symbol of McDonald’s branding.
The Big Mac is sometimes confused with the Quarter Pounder because both are flagship burgers. The Big Mac is identified by its middle bun and layered construction, while the Quarter Pounder is named for the weight of its beef patty before cooking.