Big Mac became a major branded McDonald's menu item after its 1967 introduction.
The sandwich was created by Jim Delligatti, a McDonald's franchisee in the Pittsburgh area. It used two beef patties, a middle bun section, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, and sauce, giving the product a distinctive structure and identity within the menu.
Its name became one of McDonald's strongest product brands, functioning almost like a standalone cultural reference. The sandwich was sold nationally in the United States beginning in 1968, after being introduced in selected markets during 1967.
The Big Mac is sometimes dated only to 1968 because that was its national American rollout. The earlier 1967 introduction and the later nationwide expansion are separate milestones in the product's branding history.