Michael Jim Delligatti, Big Mac Donald inventor dies at 98

Pennsylvania,Dec1:Michael “Jim” Delligatti, who invented McDonald’s two-tiered burger at his Uniontown, Pa., franchise, dies at 98.

He added a second burger and six other ingredients. But he labored for two years to come up with the right combo for his “special sauce.”

Delligatti first introduced the seven-ingredient sandwich at his Pennsylvania restaurant in 1967. The burger — two beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun — was available nationwide the following year.

Today, we celebrate the 98 inspirational years of Big Mac inventor, Michael “Jim” Delligatti. Jim, we thank and will forever remember you. pic.twitter.com/wmEFrmazdn

— McDonald’s (@McDonalds) November 30, 2016

Today McDonald’s sells 900 million Big Macs a year worldwide. The burger can be found in more than 100 countries.

“Jim was a legendary franchisee within McDonald’s system who made a lasting impression on our brand,” McDonald’s said in a statement.

McDonald’s sent out a tweet to honor the Big Mac inventor, quoting him saying, “I would never have dreamed that my creation would turn into a piece of Americana.”

McDonald hasn’t changed since 1967.