The Origin Story Of McDonald's Beloved Egg McMuffin

Once upon a time, McDonald's didn't serve any morning meals, which puts some perspective on being disappointed that the restaurant stopped serving breakfast all day. Thankfully, that all began to change in 1970 when some restaurant operators started considering breakfast as an option. One operator in particular, Herb Peterson, wanted to showcase something unique to customers. His determination is the reason we can all enjoy an Egg McMuffin any day before 10:30 am.

In 1971, Peterson envisioned offering customers an eggs Benedict meal. It was an ambitious idea, but Peterson soon realized that pre-made hollandaise sauces just weren't working. He would have to pivot. Instead of sauce, Peterson opted for cheese atop the egg, along with Canadian bacon. To cook the egg in a uniform shape that fits perfectly over an English muffin, he developed Teflon-coated egg rings. Although it didn't yet carry the name, it was at this point that the Egg McMuffin officially came into existence.

By 1972, the newly designed menu item was sold in test markets for a whopping 63 cents, quite a contrast to McDonald's most expensive menu item in Lebanon today. By 1975, the Egg McMuffin was on the menu at all McD's locations nationwide. With the sandwich enjoying widespread acclaim, the restaurant decided it was time for a dedicated breakfast menu. In 1977, folks wanting an early meal could drop by the Golden Arches for hotcakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, hash browns, a toasted English muffin, a danish, or, of course, the newly-minted Egg McMuffin.

It might not currently be McDonald's best-selling menu item, but the popular Egg McMuffin has now been a breakfast staple for over 50 years, and the company wanted to observe that incredible milestone by offering customers special deals on their favorite morning bites. March 2, 2025 marked National Egg McMuffin Day, and to get everyone to join in on the celebration, McD's sold the Egg McMuffin and Sausage McMuffin with Egg breakfast sandwich for only $1. The deal was exclusively offered through the McDonald's app. Breakfast enthusiasts were also treated to a BOGO deal on Sausage McMuffins with Egg when ordering for delivery through the app. What's more, for the first time ever, everybody in the United States was able to order a McDonald's breakfast sandwich on a bagel.