Which McDonald’s menu brand is named for its quarter-pound beef patty?

The Quarter Pounder is the McDonald’s menu brand named for its quarter-pound beef patty before cooking.

The burger was created by franchisee Al Bernardin and introduced in 1971. Its name made the portion size the central selling point, using an everyday measurement that customers could understand without knowing the burger’s recipe or price.

As with other McDonald’s products, the exact sandwich composition has varied by country and over time. The defining branding idea is the quarter-pound pre-cooked beef portion, not a universal list of toppings or bun specifications.

The Quarter Pounder is sometimes confused with the Big Mac because both are major McDonald’s burger brands. The Big Mac is identified by its layered construction and special sauce, while the Quarter Pounder’s name directly describes its patty weight.