Franchise owner, 98, who created Big Mac hamburger

PITTSBURGH — Before it became the single greatest selling sandwich in the history of the world, before it became an actual economic index scrutinized by professors and policy-makers, before it became a symbol of the American appetite, even before it became the subject of an unforgettable tonguetwisting advertising jingle, the Big Mac was the product of the ingenuity of a Pennsylvania man.

Michael Delligatti, of Fox Chapel, died Nov. 28. He was 98. He really was the local man who made it big — a big sandwich, a big American statement, and a big caloric load (550 calories — including the special sauce — roughly a quarter of the recommended daily allowance, in fact).

Delligatti, known as “Jim,” also later came up with the concept of breakfast at McDonald’s.

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

A native of Uniontown, he was a sergeant in the European Theater during World War II. When he returned home, he hitchhiked across the country, where he worked at drive-ins and carhops. He brought that experience back to Pittsburgh and, with partner John Sweeney, opened Delney’s — a drive-in.

In 1955, he traveled to Chicago for a restaurant convention. Fatefully, it was the only year Ray Kroc and McDonald’s had a booth at the show.

“He thought he could do better with some costs, so he signed up with them to open a franchise in Western Pennsylvania,” his son, Michael Delligatti, said. That first location opened in 1957. A decade later in the same kitchen, at age 49, Jim Delligatti created the signature sandwich that has left an indelible grease stain on American pop culture and sated billions of hungry bellies the world over.

“He’d opened some restaurants at that point, and he was looking to improve and gain more sales,” his son said. “He wanted to create a larger sandwich that people would really like. He asked McDonald’s and they turned him down several times. Finally, they said OK.

“He was fooling around and came up with the Big Mac. But the buns he had wouldn’t work . ... So he went to a local bakery and got a double cut bun with sesame seeds, which was more visually appealing.”

He is survived by his wife, Ellie Delligatti; sons James and Michael; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.