Who created the Big Mac in 1967, adding a major product brand to McDonald’s history?

Jim Delligatti created the Big Mac in 1967.

Delligatti was a McDonald’s franchisee who developed the sandwich at his Uniontown, Pennsylvania, restaurant. The Big Mac used two beef patties, a middle bun section, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and onions, creating a distinctive product identity within the McDonald’s menu.

McDonald’s introduced the sandwich nationally in 1968 after regional testing. Its name, layered construction, and recognizable ingredients made it 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 Big Mac. The McDonald brothers founded the original business, while Delligatti is specifically credited with creating this signature sandwich.