The Big Mac gave McDonald's its first nationally promoted signature burger.
Jim Delligatti, a McDonald's franchisee in the Pittsburgh area, created the sandwich in 1967. It used two beef patties, a special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and onions on a three-part sesame-seed bun. The sandwich was first tested locally before McDonald's introduced it across the United States in 1968.
The Big Mac became more than a menu item: its name, stacked shape, and distinctive packaging made it a powerful branding symbol. McDonald's later used it in advertising, merchandise, nutritional comparisons, and international promotions.
The Big Mac is sometimes credited directly to corporate headquarters, but Delligatti developed the sandwich as a franchisee. It is also often confused with the Quarter Pounder, which has a different patty format and was introduced nationally later.