The Big Mac, introduced in 1967, became one of McDonald’s most famous branded menu names.
The sandwich was created by franchisee Jim Delligatti, who operated McDonald’s restaurants in the Pittsburgh area. It used two beef patties, a middle bun section, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, and special sauce, giving it a distinctive identity within the menu.
The name is often confused with the date of national rollout. The Big Mac was created and sold regionally before McDonald’s introduced it nationwide in 1968.
Its importance to branding extends beyond the sandwich itself. The name became a cultural reference, the “Big Mac Index” used the burger for international price comparisons, and the product helped establish McDonald’s as a globally familiar food brand.