The Big Mac, introduced in 1967, became one of McDonald’s most recognizable brand symbols.
The sandwich was created by franchisee Jim Delligatti, who operated McDonald’s restaurants in the Pittsburgh area. It originally had regional names, including the “Big Mc” and the “Aristocrat,” before the Big Mac name was selected.
The final sandwich used two beef patties, a sesame-seed bun, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, and the sauce commonly associated with the product. Its distinctive stacked appearance made it easy to identify in advertising and helped turn it into an international symbol of McDonald’s.
The Big Mac is sometimes confused with the Quarter Pounder because both are signature burgers. Their defining differences are the Big Mac’s two smaller patties, middle bun layer, and special sauce. The Big Mac’s branding also inspired the Big Mac Index, an informal comparison of purchasing power between currencies.