Max_&_Erma's
Max & Erma's is an American casual dining restaurant chain based in Columbus, Ohio. As of April 2024, the company operates 7 locations in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. 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. They retained Max & Erma's name and created the theme restaurant which featured a converted bathtub that served as a sundae bar.[1]
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.[citation needed]
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]