McDonald's first sold the Big Mac as its signature sandwich in 1968.
The Big Mac was created by franchisee Jim Delligatti and introduced nationally in the United States in 1968. Its two beef patties, middle bun section, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, and special sauce gave McDonald's a highly distinctive product for advertising and brand recognition.
The sandwich became more than a menu item: its name, packaging, jingle, and memorable structure made it one of the company's strongest global brand symbols. The Big Mac Index later used the sandwich as a familiar comparison for prices and purchasing power across countries.
A frequent mix-up is the Quarter Pounder, which was introduced earlier, in 1971. The Filet-O-Fish also predates the Big Mac, arriving in 1963. The Big Mac is specifically the 1968 sandwich associated with McDonald's global identity.