What was McDonald's first national breakfast menu item, introduced in 1971?

The Egg McMuffin was McDonald's first national breakfast menu item, introduced in 1971.

Herb Peterson developed the sandwich in California as a breakfast version of a familiar fast-food meal. It combined an English muffin with egg, cheese, and Canadian bacon, creating a compact product suited to quick restaurant service.

The Egg McMuffin helped establish breakfast as a major part of McDonald's brand identity. Before its expansion, McDonald's was primarily associated with hamburgers, fries, and lunch or dinner service. Breakfast allowed the company to attract customers during a new daypart.

The product is sometimes confused with later breakfast launches, such as the McGriddle. The Egg McMuffin came first and remains one of the clearest examples of McDonald's extending its branding beyond burgers.