The name introduced in 1967 for McDonald’s signature double-decker burger was Big Mac.
Franchisee Jim Delligatti developed the sandwich in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, by placing two beef patties and a middle bun section together with sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and onions. McDonald’s introduced the product nationally in 1968 after regional testing.
The name “Big Mac” was selected from suggestions associated with McDonald’s employees. One frequently cited contributor is Esther Glickstein Rose, a 21-year-old company secretary who proposed the name in 1967.
The Big Mac is sometimes confused with the Quarter Pounder because both became major McDonald’s menu brands. The Quarter Pounder is identified by the weight of its beef patty, while the Big Mac is defined by its double-decker construction and distinctive middle bun.