Short answer: The McGriddle was created by Tom Ryan, McDonald’s former Worldwide Chief Concept Officer, with the help of his team; it debuted in 2003. Details:

• Tom Ryan led the concept and development effort for a breakfast item that could be eaten with one hand and combined maple-flavored syrup inside pancake-like buns. This innovative approach used syrup-infusion technology and included syrup crystals within the bun dough to melt at eating temperature, delivering the signature maple flavor. Ryan is widely credited as the principal inventor, with acknowledgment of contributions from his team and suppliers involved in the syrup-inclusion process.

• The McGriddle concept originated in the late 1990s and entered the market in 2003, aligning with McDonald’s breakfast expansion and the push for craveable, portable morning options.

• Since its launch, the McGriddle has remained a staple on McDonald’s breakfast menu, with variations such as Sausage, Egg & Cheese and Bacon, Egg & Cheese. Its role in McDonald’s breakfast strategy has been noted in multiple industry profiles and retrospectives about Tom Ryan’s innovations.

If you’d like, I can pull exact quotes or summarize reputable sources detailing Tom Ryan’s specific contributions and the development timeline.