Max & Erma's is an American casual dining restaurant chain based in Columbus, Ohio. , 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. Barnum and Zacks retained the Max & Erma's name and created the theme restaurant, which featured a converted bathtub serving as a sundae bar.[2]
Max & Erma's was purchased by Pittsburgh-based equity investor G&R Acquisition Inc. in a $10.2million deal in April 2008.[3] The company declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy on October 26, 2009.[4] It was acquired by American Blue Ribbon Holdings, owners of the Village Inn