"The brand has gone through a handful of changes over the years, including being bought out for 10.2 million and filing for bankruptcy. When Max & Erma's first started, the focus was on fun. Telephones were set onto tables for customers to make phone calls across the restaurant while waiting for burgers to arrive. Patties made with 10 ounces of fresh beef quickly won over hearts and stomachs, and the chain ballooned."
"A franchise business model helped the company float throughout the 1990s, but a crowded market meant that Max & Erma's had to play in the same arena as other casual restaurants and fast food establishments. As these initiatives flooded the dining landscape, executives at Max & Erma's looked for ways to differentiate and stay relevant. The playful telephones were taken away, new hires took place, added decor filled dining spaces, and the menu grew."
Max & Erma's began in Columbus, Ohio, and expanded into over 100 restaurants across a dozen states before contracting to seven locations in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Pennsylvania. The brand experienced ownership changes, a $10.2 million buyout, and a bankruptcy filing. Early attractions included table telephones, 10-ounce fresh beef patties, and game rooms for kids, which drove rapid expansion. A franchise model supported growth through the 1990s, but a crowded casual-dining market forced menu and decor overhauls. Executives removed playful elements, hired new staff, expanded menus, and implemented weekly dish reviews and small recipe tweaks to try to regain relevance.
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