Big Mac was the product name coined for McDonald’s double-decker hamburger introduced in 1967.
The sandwich was created by franchisee Jim Delligatti, who operated several McDonald’s restaurants in the Pittsburgh area. He developed a larger hamburger with two beef patties, a middle bun, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, and special sauce. McDonald’s introduced it across the United States in 1968 after regional testing.
The name is sometimes dated to the nationwide release rather than the earlier introduction. The product first appeared in 1967, while the broader United States rollout followed in 1968. A competing proposed name, “The Aristocrat,” was rejected before the final name was selected.
The Big Mac became more than a menu item: its name, two-tier construction, and special sauce became durable parts of McDonald’s product branding. The sandwich also later inspired the Big Mac Index used in informal economic comparisons.