“Big Mac” became a registered trademark in 1968 and strengthened McDonald's menu identity.
The Big Mac was created by Jim Delligatti, a McDonald’s franchisee who operated restaurants in the Pittsburgh area. It was introduced nationally in 1968 after being tested and sold in selected markets. The sandwich used two beef patties, a middle bun section, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, and Big Mac sauce.
Its name became one of the company’s most recognizable product brands. McDonald’s product naming often used distinctive constructions, but “Big Mac” developed an identity that extended beyond the menu: it appeared in advertising, international restaurant culture, and comparisons of purchasing power.
The trademark date is sometimes confused with the sandwich’s earlier local development. Delligatti had tested the larger sandwich before the national launch, while 1968 marks the important nationwide introduction and trademark-era milestone associated with the brand.