Max & Erma's
Max & Erma's is an American casual dining restaurant chain based in Columbus, Ohio. It operates throughout parts of the Eastern and Midwestern United States, and 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. They retained Max & Erma's name and created the theme restaurant which featured a converted bathtub that served as a sundae bar.[1]
 | |
| Type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 1972 |
| Headquarters | |
Number of locations | 7 |
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.[2] The company declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy on October 26, 2009.[3] It was acquired by American Blue Ribbon Holdings, owners of the Village Inn and Bakers Square restaurant chains, in 2010.
On January 25, 2016, it was announced that Glacier Restaurant Group had purchased Max & Erma's from American Blue Ribbon Holdings. This sale occurred after the closing of 19 of the restaurant's locations that were described as underperforming.[4]
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.[5]
Gallery
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
- "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
- 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.