Who created McDonald’s Big Mac, the sandwich whose name became a major brand symbol?

Jim Delligatti created McDonald’s Big Mac.

Delligatti was a McDonald’s franchisee who developed the sandwich in the 1960s. He operated one of the company’s early restaurants and experimented with a larger burger featuring two beef patties, a middle bun, cheese, lettuce, pickles, onions, and sauce.

McDonald’s introduced the Big Mac in selected markets in 1967 and made it available nationwide in the United States in 1968. Its distinctive name, stacked appearance, and advertising jingle helped turn it into more than a menu item: it became one of the company’s strongest product brands.

Ray Kroc led McDonald’s expansion but did not invent the sandwich. Jim Schindler designed the Golden Arches logo, while Delligatti’s contribution was culinary and commercial. The Big Mac recipe and promotional presentation have varied somewhat by country.