Celebrating the ‘Mac’

Published 1:29 pm Monday, August 13, 2018

McDonald’s iconic Big Mac turned 50 this year.

To celebrate, residents at Rose Mary Brooks Place received a free Big Mac, French fries and a drink during a luncheon Friday.

Jim Bennett, director of operations at McDonald’s, also told the crowd about the history of the Big Mac and asked them a few trivia questions.

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Residents learned about the Big Mac’s origin in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, when franchisee Michael Delligatti had the idea to create a double-decker sandwich with a special sauce in 1967.

After Delligatti gained success adding a sesame seed bun and selling the burger for 45 cents in his Pittsburgh locations, McDonald’s saw its potential and released the Big Mac nationwide in 1968. Delligatti died in 2016.

Many Americans also recall the Big Mac’s famous 1970s jingle: “two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun.”

Despite its half-century of popularity, one resident at Brooks Place said she had never eaten a Big Mac before.

Carol Bennett, marketing director at Brooks Place, said she wanted to thank Healy’s McDonald’s for serving the residents.

Jim Bennett also gave away a few MacCoins, each one worth a free Big Mac at any McDonald’s locations.

“We’re happy to celebrate 50 golden years with the Big Mac at Brooks Place,” he said.

About Lashana Harney

Lashana Harney is a reporter for The Winchester Sun. Her beats include schools and education, business and commerce, Winchester Municipal Utilities and other news. To contact her, email lashana.harney@winchestersun.com or call 859-759-0015.

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