Posted on 11/30/2016 11:25:47 AM PST by Buckeye McFrog
THE inventor of the Big Mac has died at the age of 98.
Michael “Jim” Delligatti came up with the iconic McDonald’s burger nearly 50 years ago.
McDonald’s initially did not approve of deviating from its strict formula of simple hamburgers, cheeseburgers and milkshakes.
But the creation of a two-patty burger with lettuce, cheese, gherkins, onions and “special sauce” proved an instant hit, and was rolled out to his other 47 outlets across the US.
McDonald’s spokeswoman Kerry Ford confirmed that Delligatti died at his home in Fox Chapel, Pittsburgh, surrounded by his family on Monday night.
He opened his first McDonald’s restaurant in 1957 and went on to spread the brand across Pennsylvania and beyond.
His son revealed that Delligatti ate at least one 540 calorie Big Mac every week, according to CBS.
In 1970, he invented the Egg McMuffin which paved the way for the breakfast menu which started two years later.
Delligatti is said to have created the Hotcakes and Sausage breakfast meal to feed the state’s steelworkers at the end of their night shift.
“We will remember Jim as an insightful franchisee, a knowledgeable businessman, and an honorable gentleman who left a legacy of four generations of family members running great restaurants in Pennsylvania and North Carolina.”
The Big Mac became one of the defining symbols of McDonalds and the fast food business.
In 2007, Delligatti opened the Big Mac Museum in Pennsylvania, with financial help from McDonalds Corp, which included a bust of the burger’s inventor.
After studying at Michigan State University, the innovative businessman became one of McDonald’s original franchisees in the 1950s.
The fast food icon has left behind his two sons, his loving wife Ellie – as well as five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
(Excerpt) Read more at thesun.co.uk ...
In Paris, they call a Quarter Pounder, a “Royale with Cheese.”
Great minds think alike.
RIP.
agreed
The only McDonald’s sandwich I would consider eating now is the Filet O’ Fish.
Metric system!
you guys got in ahead of me. ;>)
Always liked it better than the Big Mac
“Check out the big brain on Headstamp.”
I do not have a sophisticated palate but I find a Big Mac to be bland and flavorless. Plus, I have sworn off McD's. After two incidents where they could not fill an order or seem to give a crap, I'm done.
As for the egg muffins they peddle...crap too. I can make one that is 1000 times better and the ones that can be had at any Mobil-Mart or Dunkins is 500 times better.
</rant>
FART POWER
The Michelin Man™ had kids? Who knew?
Put some ham on that Hula Burger and it’d be pretty good... but not for Lent.
Good for you.....
Gherkins??
We always just called ‘em pickles.
Did the Big Boy have that weird useless third bun in the middle?
Delligatti in the Big Mac Museum.
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