The Big Mac gave McDonald's a major brand name trademark in 1968.
McDonald's introduced the Big Mac nationally in the United States in 1968 after the sandwich had been developed and tested in the 1960s. Its distinctive two-beef-patty format and special sauce made it more than a menu item: it became a standalone brand associated with McDonald's.
The name was created by Esther Glickstein Rose, a McDonald's advertising secretary. The sandwich had earlier working names, but “Big Mac” became the enduring public name.
The product's branding helped McDonald's market a signature item that could be recognized independently of the wider menu. Its name, stacked construction, and dedicated advertising made it one of the most identifiable branded hamburgers in the world.