The Big Mac became McDonald’s first billion-selling menu item.
Jim Delligatti, a McDonald’s franchisee, created the Big Mac in 1967. The sandwich used two beef patties, a middle bun layer, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, and a special sauce. Its distinctive stacked construction made it an especially recognizable part of McDonald’s product branding.
The Big Mac was first introduced at Delligatti’s restaurant in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and became a national menu item in 1968. Its sales success helped make the sandwich a global symbol of McDonald’s.
The billion-selling distinction refers to units sold, not revenue. The Big Mac is also often confused with the Quarter Pounder, which is another major McDonald’s burger but has a different patty size and construction.