The Big Mac, introduced in 1968, became one of McDonald’s signature products.
The sandwich was created by Jim Delligatti, a McDonald’s franchisee who operated restaurants in the Pittsburgh area. It used two beef patties, a middle bun section, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, and the sauce associated with the sandwich.
The Big Mac’s distinctive three-part bun and layered construction gave McDonald’s a memorable product identity that could be recognized in advertising and restaurant menus. Its name also became strongly linked with the company’s international branding.
The Big Mac is often confused with other major McDonald’s sandwiches. The Quarter Pounder is identified by the weight of its beef patty before cooking, while the Filet-O-Fish is a fish sandwich. The Big Mac’s defining feature is its two patties and middle bun layer.