The Big Mac became McDonald’s first nationally advertised signature hamburger in 1968.
Jim Delligatti, a McDonald’s franchisee in the Pittsburgh area, created the sandwich by adding a third bun and a second beef patty. The layered burger also included lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, and the sauce that became closely associated with the product.
McDonald’s introduced the Big Mac nationally in 1968 after regional testing. Its distinctive construction gave the company a visually memorable product that could serve as a branding symbol, not just another menu item. The Big Mac later became one of the world’s best-known fast-food products.
The Quarter Pounder is another major McDonald’s hamburger, but it was introduced nationally in 1971. The Big Mac therefore predates it as the company’s widely promoted signature burger.