Max & Erma's is an American casual dining restaurant chain based in Columbus, Ohio. As of April 2024[update], the company operates seven locations in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, down from a peak of 110 restaurants across more than 12 states in the mid-2000s.[1] It was founded in 1972 by Todd Barnum and Barry Zacks. The two businessmen purchased a local tavern in Columbus's German Village which had been operated by Max and Erma Visocnik since 1958; Erma died in 1977, and Max died in 1995.[2] Barnum and Zacks retained the Max & Erma's name and created the theme restaurant, which featured a converted bathtub serving as a sundae bar.[3]
 | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 1972 |
| Headquarters | |
Key people | Todd Barnum and Barry Zacks (co-founders) |
| Parent | Glacier Restaurant Group |
| Website | www.maxandermas.com |
Max & Erma's was purchased by Pittsburgh-based equity investor G&R Acquisition Inc. in a $10.2 million deal in April 2008.[4] The company declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy on October 26, 2009.[5] It was acquired by American Blue Ribbon Holdings, owners of the Village Inn and Bakers Square restaurant chains, in 2010.[citation needed]
On January 25, 2016, it was announced that Glacier Restaurant Group had purchased Max & Erma's from American Blue Ribbon Holdings. The sale followed the closure of 19 of the restaurant's locations that were described as underperforming.[6]
On July 28, 2017, Glacier announced that the original German Village Max & Erma's location would close on August 7, 2017, citing a lack of financial viability.[2]
Gallery
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The original Max & Erma's, Columbus, Ohio -
Old Max & Erma's logo from 1972 to 2005 and as alternate logo from 2005 to 2007 -
Max and Erma's location in Springboro, Ohio
References
edit- ^ Eaton, Dan (January 11, 2024). "The Max & Erma's story: How the restaurant chain went from a regional giant to just seven remaining locations". Columbus Business First. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ a b Malone, JD (July 28, 2017). "Original Max & Erma's in German Village to close Aug 7". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on August 1, 2017. Retrieved 17 Sep 2024.
- ^ "Our Memories". Max and Erma's. Archived from the original on 2010-11-26. Retrieved Nov 13, 2010.
- ^ Eaton, Dan (April 28, 2008). "Max & Erma's to be acquired for $10.2M". Columbus Business First. Retrieved 2019-11-22.
- ^ "Max & Erma's files for bankruptcy". The Columbus Dispatch. October 26, 2009. Archived from the original on October 10, 2012.
- ^ Press Release: GLACIER RESTAURANT GROUP BUYS MAX & ERMA’S TO ADD TO ITS GROWING PORTFOLIO http://www.grgfood.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/GRG-Acquires-Max-and-Ermas-1.25.16-2.pdf
External links
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