Which fast-food chain introduced the Big Mac?
Quick answer
McDonald’s introduced the Big Mac in 1967. It was created by Jim Delligatti, who ran McDonald’s franchises near Pittsburgh, and first sold at his restaurant in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, for 45 cents. It proved so popular that McDonald’s added it to menus across the United States in 1968.
Key facts
- Chain
- McDonald’s
- Created by
- Jim Delligatti, franchise owner
- First sold
- 1967, Uniontown, Pennsylvania
- Nationwide
- 1968
What’s in a Big Mac?
| Layer | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| Top | Sesame seed bun |
| Middle | A third bread layer, the “club” slice |
| Fillings | Two beef patties, special sauce, shredded lettuce, cheese, pickles and onions |
The middle bun helps keep the tall burger from falling apart.
Why it was created
Delligatti wanted a bigger burger to compete with local rivals and attract hungry workers from nearby steel mills. McDonald’s head office was initially reluctant, but allowed the test. A secretary in the company’s advertising department, Esther Glickstein Rose, came up with the name.
The Big Mac Index
In 1986, The Economist magazine created the Big Mac Index, comparing the price of a Big Mac in different countries. Because the burger is almost identical worldwide, it offers a playful way to see whether currencies are overvalued or undervalued.
Big Mac facts
- McDonald’s sells hundreds of millions of Big Macs each year in more than 100 countries.
- In some countries, it’s made with chicken or other meats due to local customs; in India, the Maharaja Mac replaced beef.
- Delligatti, who died in 2016, said he ate at least one Big Mac a week for decades.
- The Big Mac Museum in North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, features a giant Big Mac statue.
McDonald’s history in brief
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1940 | Brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald open a restaurant in San Bernardino, California |
| 1955 | Ray Kroc opens his first franchise in Des Plaines, Illinois |
| 1967 | The Big Mac debuts |
| 1979 | The Happy Meal launches |
For another famous food invention from a franchise kitchen, see where poutine comes from.
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