The Big Mac was the hamburger introduced by McDonald's in 1967 that became one of its most enduring branded products.
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 layered construction gave McDonald's a product that could be marketed by name rather than described simply as a hamburger.
The Big Mac became a major part of McDonald's visual and verbal identity. Its name, two-tier appearance, and advertising made it recognizable across markets, although exact ingredients and presentation can vary by country.
The 1967 date refers to the sandwich's introduction, while nationwide availability in the United States followed in 1968. The Big Mac should not be confused with the Quarter Pounder, which is a separate McDonald's burger introduced later in the United States.