Who created the Big Mac in 1967 for McDonald's restaurants in Pennsylvania?

Jim Delligatti created the Big Mac in 1967 for McDonald's restaurants in Pennsylvania.

Delligatti was a McDonald's franchisee who operated restaurants in the Pittsburgh area. He developed the sandwich because he wanted a larger, more substantial hamburger that could compete with other oversized burgers. The result used two beef patties, a middle bun layer, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, and sauce.

The sandwich was first tested in the Pittsburgh region before becoming available more broadly. Its distinctive three-part bun and special sauce gave McDonald's a signature product that also became a powerful branding symbol.

Ray Kroc is often incorrectly credited as the Big Mac's inventor because he led McDonald's corporate expansion. Kroc approved and supported the product, but Delligatti created it. The Big Mac's name, packaging, and recognizable structure later made it one of the most internationally identifiable items in the McDonald's menu.