McDonald's used the name Big Mac for the hamburger created by franchisee Jim Delligatti in 1967.
Delligatti operated McDonald's restaurants in the Pittsburgh area and developed a larger sandwich with two beef patties, a middle bun layer, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, and sauce. McDonald's introduced the Big Mac nationally in 1968 after its initial regional testing. Its name emphasized a larger, more substantial version of the standard hamburger.
The Big Mac became a major part of McDonald's product branding because it had a distinctive name, construction, and advertising identity. The “special sauce” associated with the sandwich also became a memorable part of its public image.
The creation date and national introduction date are sometimes blended together. Delligatti created the sandwich in 1967, while McDonald's introduced it nationally in 1968. The product's name, however, was Big Mac from its early commercial history.