The Big Mac was the McDonald’s product that supplied the “Big Mac” name used prominently in the company’s branding.
McDonald’s introduced the Big Mac in 1967 at a franchise in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, operated by Jim Delligatti. The sandwich used two beef patties, a middle bun layer, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, and the company’s distinctive sauce. It was designed as a larger, more substantial menu item.
The Big Mac quickly became more than a menu product. Its unusual name, distinctive construction, and later advertising made it an important part of McDonald’s brand identity. The sandwich also became a widely cited informal indicator of international price differences through the Big Mac Index.
The product is sometimes confused with the Quarter Pounder, which is named for the weight of its beef patty rather than its layered construction. The Big Mac’s branding centers on its name and signature format.