Big Mac became McDonald’s signature hamburger brand after its 1967 introduction.
The sandwich was created by Jim Delligatti, a McDonald’s franchisee in the Pittsburgh area. It used two beef patties, a middle bun section, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, and a special sauce. Its distinctive three-part bun and two-patty construction made it easy to recognize in advertising.
The Big Mac was first sold in selected locations before becoming a national menu item in the United States. Its name and visual presentation gave McDonald’s a flagship product that could anchor advertising and brand recognition beyond the company’s general burger menu.
The Big Mac is sometimes confused with the Quarter Pounder, but the products have different constructions and histories. The Big Mac’s defining feature is its layered three-bun design, while the Quarter Pounder is identified primarily by the weight of its beef patty before cooking.