The Big Mac became a major McDonald’s brand identity after its 1967 introduction.
Jim Delligatti, a McDonald’s franchisee in the Pittsburgh area, is credited with creating the sandwich. It used two beef patties, a middle bun section, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, and the sauce commonly associated with the product.
The sandwich was first sold in the Pittsburgh area before becoming a national menu item in 1968. Its distinctive name and three-part bun gave McDonald’s a product that could be marketed as an instantly recognizable signature offering.
The Big Mac is sometimes confused with the Quarter Pounder because both became famous McDonald’s sandwiches. The Big Mac is defined by its two patties and middle bun layer, while the Quarter Pounder name refers to the pre-cooked weight of its beef patty.