The McDonald’s sandwich introduced by Jim Delligatti in 1967 was named the Big Mac.
Delligatti, a McDonald’s franchisee in the Pittsburgh area, developed the larger sandwich to compete with other restaurants selling substantial double-decker burgers. It used two beef patties, a middle bun section, cheese, lettuce, pickles, onions, and the company’s special sauce.
The product was first tested regionally before becoming a national menu item in the United States in 1968. Its name became one of McDonald’s most recognizable pieces of product branding.
A common mix-up is to confuse the Big Mac with the Quarter Pounder. The Quarter Pounder refers to the weight of its beef patty before cooking, while the Big Mac is defined by its two patties and three-part bun.