Who created the Big Mac for McDonald's, first sold nationally in 1968?

Franchisee Jim Delligatti created the Big Mac for McDonald's, which was first sold nationally in 1968.

Delligatti operated McDonald's restaurants in the Pittsburgh area and developed the larger sandwich to compete with other oversized hamburgers. The final product used two beef patties, a middle bun section, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, and the sauce later strongly associated with the sandwich.

The Big Mac was tested regionally before becoming a national menu item. Its name and layered construction made it more than a new food product: it became one of the most recognizable branded menu items in fast-food history.

A common mistake is crediting Ray Kroc with inventing the sandwich. Kroc led the company during its expansion, but Delligatti, a franchisee, created the Big Mac concept. The national launch date is generally given as 1968, following earlier local testing.