The Big Mac was invented by Michael James "Jim" Delligatti, an early McDonald's franchisee in the Pittsburgh area. He created the sandwich in 1967 at his McDonald's restaurant in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. The Big Mac features two beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, and a three-part sesame seed bun. It was designed to compete with the Big Boy hamburger and became a signature menu item after being added nationwide in 1968
. Although Delligatti is credited with creating the Big Mac, he acknowledged that he did not invent the concept of a double-decker burger but adapted it from the Big Boy chain's sandwich. The name "Big Mac" was coined by Esther Glickstein Rose, a 21-year-old advertising secretary at McDonald's corporate headquarters, after two other names failed in the marketplace
. Jim Delligatti's invention significantly expanded McDonald's appeal to adults and became one of the company's most iconic products, with millions sold annually in the U.S. alone
