Jim Delligatti
| Jim Delligatti | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Born |
Michael James Delligatti August 2, 1918 Uniontown, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Died | November 28, 2016 (aged 98) Fox Chapel, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Education | Fairmont Senior High School |
| Occupation | Businessperson |
| Known for | Creating the Big Mac |
| Spouse(s) | Ann Vunora Eleanor "Ellie" Delligatti |
| Children | 2 sons |
Michael James "Jim" Delligatti (August 2, 1918 – November 28, 2016) was an American entrepreneur. Delligatti was an early franchisee of the fast food restaurant chain McDonald's, opening the first of his eventual 48 branches in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, in 1957. Delligatti is also credited as the creator of McDonald's "Big Mac" hamburger in 1967.
Michael James Delligatti was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, on August 2, 1918, the son of James Delligatti, a farrier, cobbler and candy maker, and his wife, Lucille Dandrea. He was educated there and at Fairmont Senior High School in Fairmont, West Virginia, before serving in Europe during World War II with the United States Army, where he was discharged after suffering from trench foot.
After the war, Delligatti owned a drive-through restaurant in Newport Beach, California and, after meeting Ray Kroc at a restaurant fair in 1955, Delligatti started as a McDonald's franchisee in 1957. His franchise was based in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, about 40 miles (64 km) south of Pittsburgh, and his holdings grew to 48 stores.
Delligatti thought up the concept for the Big Mac in 1965 and started serving it at his Uniontown McDonald's in April 1967 for 45 cents. By 1968, the Big Mac was on the menu of every American McDonald's, and in 1969, it accounted for 19% of total sales. According to a 1970s jingle the burger contains: "two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame-seed bun."
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