Herb Peterson, McMuffin Inventor, Is Dead at 89
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: March 28, 2008
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Herb Peterson, who invented the Egg McMuffin as a way to introduce breakfast to McDonald’s restaurants, died Tuesday at his home in Santa Barbara, Calif. He was 89.
His death was announced by Monte Fraker, vice president for operations of McDonald’s restaurants in Santa Barbara.
Mr. Peterson came up with the idea for the menu item, the signature McDonald’s breakfast dish, in 1972. The Egg McMuffin made its debut at a restaurant in Santa Barbara that Mr. Peterson owned with his son, David Peterson. Modeled on eggs Benedict, it consists of an egg formed in a Teflon circle with the yolk broken, topped with a slice of cheese and grilled Canadian bacon. It is served on a toasted and buttered English muffin.
Mr. Peterson began his relationship with the McDonald’s Corporation as vice president of the company’s advertising firm, D’Arcy Advertising, in Chicago. He eventually became a franchisee and at his death was a co-owner and operator of six McDonald’s restaurants.
Besides his son, his survivors include his wife, Barbara; 3 daughters; 11 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren.
