Who created the Big Mac, the McDonald's burger that became a major brand symbol?

Jim Delligatti created the Big Mac, the McDonald's burger that became a major brand symbol.

Delligatti was a McDonald's franchisee in the Pittsburgh area. He developed the sandwich in the 1960s by using two beef patties, a middle bun layer, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and onions. The design gave customers a larger, more elaborate hamburger than the standard menu items.

The Big Mac was first sold in the Pittsburgh area in 1967 and became available nationwide in the United States in 1968. Its name and distinctive stacked appearance made it useful not only as a menu item but also as a recognizable part of McDonald's branding.

Ray Kroc is often credited with McDonald's expansion, but Delligatti created the Big Mac itself. The sandwich's “special sauce” is also frequently treated as the whole identity of the burger, although the signature comes from the complete combination of ingredients and presentation.