Pennsylvania McDonald's franchisee who created Big Mac dies

The Associated Press
Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016 2:39 p.m. | Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016 2:39 p.m.

As the Big Mac turns 50, burger lovers can thank its creator, early McDonalds franchisee Michael 'Jim' Delligatti, who whipped up the first one in 1967 in his Uniontown restaurant. Delligatti, who died in 2016 at 98, is seen here at his 90th birthday party in Canonsburg.

The Pittsburgh-area McDonald's franchisee who created the Big Mac nearly 50 years ago has died. Michael “Jim” Delligatti was 98.

McDonald's spokeswoman Kerry Ford confirmed that Delligatti died Monday night at home surrounded by his family.

Delligatti's franchise was based in Uniontown, about 40 miles south of Pittsburgh, when he invented the chain's signature burger with two all-beef patties, “special sauce,” lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun.

Delligatti told The Associated Press in 2006 that Oak Brook, Illinois-based McDonald's resisted the idea at first because its simple lineup of hamburgers, cheeseburgers, fries and shakes were selling well.

But Delligatti wanted to offer a bigger burger and it went over so well it spread to the rest of Delligatti's 47 stores, then went national in 1968.

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