McDonald’s first signature burger introduced in 1967 was the Big Mac.
The sandwich was created by Jim Delligatti, a McDonald’s franchisee in the Pittsburgh area, as a larger burger with two beef patties, a middle bun section, sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and onions. Its distinctive three-part bun helped separate it from the chain’s standard hamburgers.
The name “Big Mac” was proposed by Esther Glickstein Rose, a company secretary, during an internal naming process. McDonald’s initially considered other names, but “Big Mac” became the lasting product identity.
The Big Mac is often confused with later menu items such as the McDouble, which has a different construction and name history. Its signature sauce is also commonly called “Big Mac sauce,” reinforcing the burger’s role as a major McDonald’s brand within the broader brand.