The man behind one of the most recognisable fast-food sandwiches, McDonald’s Big Mac, died this week at age 98. Michael James Delligatti invented the Big Mac — two beef patties on a hamburger bun — which debuted at a McDonald’s restaurant in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, in 1967. McDonald’s tweeted a message on Wednesday celebrating Delligatti’s contribution to the fast-food company where he was a franchisee. "Today, we celebrate the 98 inspirational years of Big Mac inventor, Michael "Jim" Delligatti. Jim, we thank and will forever remember you", the company said. US media reported that Delligatti died at his Pennsylvania home on Monday. In a 2007 interview with Reuters, Delligatti said it took two years to convince McDonald’s that the Big Mac was a good idea. "I felt that we needed a big sandwich," he said. "But you couldn’t do anything unless they gave you permission." The contents of the sandwich, immortalised by the popular jingle "two-all-beef-patties-special-sauce-lettuce-cheese-p...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.