Which McDonald's breakfast sandwich did Herb Peterson invent?

Herb Peterson invented the Egg McMuffin.

Peterson developed the sandwich in 1972 while operating a McDonald’s restaurant in Goleta, California. He wanted a fast-food breakfast inspired by eggs Benedict, traditionally made with an English muffin, poached egg, Canadian bacon, and hollandaise sauce.

The McDonald’s version replaced the poached egg with an egg cooked in a round ring, added Canadian bacon and American cheese, and served everything on a toasted, buttered English muffin. The shape helped make the sandwich consistent and easy to prepare.

A common mix-up is crediting McDonald’s generally rather than Peterson specifically. Hotcakes were already a separate breakfast item, while McGriddles arrived decades later, in 2003. The Egg McMuffin helped establish breakfast as a major part of McDonald’s business.