If you grew up hearing “Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun!” then congratulations — you’ve been officially hypnotized by one of the most successful jingles in fast-food history.
But where did the legendary Big Mac come from? Let’s take a tasty walk back in time…
⭐ Born in Pennsylvania (1967) — Famous by 1968
The Big Mac was created by franchise owner Jim
Delligatti in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, in 1967.
The double-decked burger was such a hit that McDonald’s rolled it out nationwide in 1968, officially marking the Big Mac’s birthday.
At the time? It cost 45 cents.
⭐ Fun Big Mac Facts You Never Knew
• It almost had awful names.
Before “Big Mac,” McDonald's tried calling it The Aristocrat and The Blue Ribbon Burger—both flopped.
A young secretary named Esther Glickstein suggested “Big Mac,” and history was made.
• The secret sauce isn’t the original sauce.
The sauce was reformulated in 1972 into the tangy version we know today.
• It inspired an economic tool.
The Economist created the Big Mac Index, comparing global currencies using the price of the sandwich.
• One man has eaten over 34,000 Big Macs.
Don Gorske of Wisconsin has eaten one (or two!)
nearly every day since the 1970s.
• There’s a Big Mac Museum.
Located in North Huntingdon, PA — complete with the world’s largest Big Mac statue.
⭐ The Jingle That Took Over America
In 1974, McDonald’s launched the now-famous jingle.
People memorized it instantly, and McDonald’s even ran promotions where if you could recite it perfectly in five seconds, you got a free Big Mac.
Not bad for a tongue-twister.
Final Bite
From a small-town experiment to an international icon, the Big Mac has been part of American pop culture for over half a century. And yes — the jingle still slaps.
If you want more nostalgia, food history, or Indy favorites, keep reading the Indy Chicken Soup Newsletter. BJ’s got you covered!