The Big Mac was the name created for McDonald’s largest hamburger when the product was introduced in 1967.
Jim Delligatti, a McDonald’s franchisee in the Pittsburgh area, developed the sandwich as a larger alternative to the standard hamburger. It used two beef patties, a sesame-seed bun, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, and the sauce later strongly associated with the product.
The sandwich was first sold in select markets in 1967 and became available throughout the United States in 1968. Its name is sometimes confused with the Quarter Pounder, which refers to the weight of a beef patty rather than the Big Mac’s layered construction.
The Big Mac became more than a menu item: its distinctive name, packaging, jingle, and recognizable appearance made it a durable part of McDonald’s global branding.