The Big Mac became a central part of McDonald's family branding when it launched nationally in 1968.
The Big Mac is a double-decker hamburger with two beef patties, a special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and onions on a three-part bun. Its distinctive name and construction made it more than a menu item: it became one of the most recognizable product brands in fast food.
Jim Delligatti, a McDonald's franchisee in Pennsylvania, developed the sandwich before its national launch. The product was created to appeal to customers seeking a larger, more substantial hamburger while still fitting McDonald's standardized service system.
The Big Mac is sometimes confused with the Quarter Pounder because both are signature McDonald's hamburgers. The Quarter Pounder is identified by the weight of its beef patty before cooking, while the Big Mac is identified by its two patties and distinctive three-part bun.