Who created McDonald's Big Mac sandwich, a major branded menu icon?

Jim Delligatti created McDonald's Big Mac sandwich.

Delligatti was a McDonald's franchisee in the Pittsburgh area who developed the sandwich in the 1960s. He wanted a larger hamburger that could compete with other substantial sandwiches being sold by nearby restaurants. The result used two beef patties, a middle bun layer, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and onions.

The Big Mac was introduced in 1967 and became nationally available in the United States the following year. Its name, stacked construction, and distinctive sauce gave McDonald's a menu item that functioned as a strong brand symbol as well as a product.

People sometimes attribute the sandwich to Ray Kroc because Kroc led McDonald's expansion. Kroc was important to the company's growth, but Delligatti was the franchisee credited with creating the Big Mac. The sandwich's recipe and presentation have changed in small operational ways, while its basic identity has remained stable.