Big Mac was the trademarked name for McDonald's signature burger introduced nationwide in 1968.
The sandwich was created by franchisee Jim Delligatti, who operated McDonald's restaurants in the Pittsburgh area. He developed a larger burger with two beef patties, a middle bun section, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, and a special sauce. After regional testing, McDonald's added it to menus across the United States in 1968.
The name itself became a major branding asset. “Big Mac” was short, distinctive, and easy to use in advertising, packaging, and international menu systems. The product's layered construction and recognizable sauce also gave McDonald's a flagship item that could be identified separately from its standard hamburger.
The Big Mac is sometimes confused with later larger sandwiches or regional variants. Its defining historical launch date is 1968, while the sandwich's ingredients, calorie information, and price have varied by country and over time.