Columbus, Ohio – Max & Erma’s, home to America’s Best Cheeseburger, has cooked up a juicy, month-long celebration of National Hamburger Month, now underway.  

            Max & Erma’s Cheeseburger was selected as Best Cheeseburger in the Nation at the 2011 National Hamburger Festival, while festival goers picked its Tortilla Burger as Best Fan Favorite. The restaurant is turning to Facebook to get ideas for its next great burger creations. Submit your favorite burger recipe and name, and you could win a $50 gift card and have your burger appear as a limited-time special in your local restaurant. Winners will be selected weekly.

            Saving the best to last, Max & Erma’s, on Memorial Day, will give away free mini-slider cheeseburgers at participating restaurants.  Just order a beverage and receive a free slider.

            Throughout May, all Max & Erma’s will feature a three-course burger combo.  Starting at $8.99, enjoy a Cheeseburger with seasoned fries, a cup of famous Tortilla Soup or a Side Caesar Salad and one of Erma’s Fresh-Baked Chocolate Chip Cookies.

             “Max & Erma’s started serving up great, gourmet burgers 40 years ago, so it’s only right that we do our part to help burger lovers celebrate this extremely important and momentous month!” said a tongue-in-cheek, napkin-in-hand Steve Weis, Max & Erma’s president.

            In addition to long-time favorites including the Tortilla Burger and Garbage Burger, Max & Erma’s has recently spiced up its burger menu with new offerings that include  the Honky Tonk Burger, one of Max’s hand crushed burgers topped with succulent pulled pork topped with pepper jack cheese, fried pickles & BBQ mayo, all piled high on thick grilled Texas toast. Max and Erma’s also is introducing the new Baja Burger, a hand-crushed burger topped with melted pepper jack cheese, green chilies, guacamole, hickory smoked bacon & topped with chipotle crema.

Photos and more about Max & Erma’s: http://pressroom.maxandermas.com/.

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Contact:

Brad Ritter
Brad Ritter Communications
866.284.2170
BRitter@bradritter.com

Max & Erma’s Promotes Steve Weis to President
Columbus-based exec credited with leading restaurant chain’s turnaround

COLUMBUS, Ohio-Max & Erma’s, home to America’s Best Cheeseburger, has named Steve Weis president. Parent company American Blue Ribbon Holdings, LLC (ABRH) hired Weis last summer as vice president of operations.

“Steve has been extremely effective in directing Max & Erma’s turnaround,” said Hazem Ouf, ABRH chief executive. “His leadership, enthusiasm and creative ability can be felt throughout the organization. Our sales have grown, and the level of service has significantly improved.” Until Weis’ promotion, Ouf had served as Max & Erma’s president, with Weis responsible for day-to-day operations.

Max & Erma’s last month reopened a location in the Toledo, Ohio area that the previous owner closed, while a Missouri franchisee has recently opened two new restaurants. Max & Erma’s also is in the midst of a large-scale program to remodel both company and franchised units.

Previously, Weis was vice president of Operations for Thomas & King, Inc., one of Applebee’s largest franchisees. Before that he was senior vice president of Operations for Jillian’s Entertainment. He, his wife and family are Columbus residents.

Acquired in September 2010 by Denver-based ABRH, the casual restaurant chain with strong heritage has undergone a remarkable transformation that includes a reversal of double-digit sales declines, a revamped menu, a renewed focus on guest service, a new marketing strategy and introduction of a new restaurant design. Max & Erma’s continues to be known for its fun, quirky personality, fresh never-frozen burgers, community involvement and charitable donations.

Max & Erma’s, founded in Columbus in 1972, operates or franchises some 75 restaurants in 10 states.

More information about Max & Erma’s is available at
http://pressroom.maxandermas.com/

Media Contact:
Brad Ritter
Brad Ritter Communications, LLC
866.284.2170
BRitter@bradritter.com

April 10, 2012

Max and Erma’s to Award Free Cookies for a Year to Local ‘Cookie Queens’ and ‘Cookie Kings’ Tomorrow, Wednesday, April 11

Drawings, Crowning Ceremonies Start at 11 a.m. 

            Columbus, Ohio – Calling all “cookietarians,” (that’s a cookie lover for the uninitiated), Max & Erma’s One Millionth Cookie Giveaway Celebration is Wednesday, April 11. Amid much fanfare, one lucky guest at each participating restaurant will be crowned cookie queen or king and will win free cookies every week for a year.

            Since last fall, Max & Erma’s has been giving away Erma’s famous, fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies on Free Cookies Wednesdays. When the program started, the restaurant announced plans to serve one million free cookies. That milestone has been reached.

            Between 11 a.m. and noon, guests will have the opportunity to fill out an entry card. A random drawing to pick the cookie queen or king will be held shortly after noon.  

           Big crowds of cookietarians are expected to join in the fun. Each restaurant has created its own celebration and will host a unique crowning ceremony.

Cookietarians will be interested in these morsels of trivia:

• Each cookie takes 14 minutes to bake.  To make 1 million cookies, Erma would be in the kitchen for 9,722 days, which is more than 26 years.

• With each cookie weighing 2 ounces, Max & Erma’s has given away 62.5 tons of free cookies, which would be equal in weight to 5 school buses.

• Each cookie is 85 mm in diameter.  Strung together, they would stretch for 52 miles.

           While only one winner will take home the sweet prize, cookie fans will be happy to know that Max & Erma’s is continuing Free Cookies Wednesday and giving guests two free cookies with a food purchase, until Erma says enough is enough!

# # #

Editor’s note to Columbus, Ohio media: A special celebration will be held at the German Village location, 739 S. Third St., home of the original Max & Erma’s, where the winner will receive free cookies and burgers every week for a year, worth more than $750.

Contact:
Melissa Rapp
614.428.7277
MRapp@bradritter.com

Maumee High School’s Girls Win Max & Erma’s First Ever ‘Burgermeister” Competition

Restaurant Awards $2,500 to School Athletic Boosters, Kicks Off Month-Long Fundraiser for Maumee High School PTO

They may be good on the field and court, but they are just as good in the kitchen. A group of five girls representing Maumee High School athletics, won Max & Erma’s first ever Burgermeister competition, taking home a $2,500 contribution to the Maumee Athletic Boosters.

Max & Erma’s, located at 1391 Arrowhead Drive, hosted the burger-building contest March 27 as part of a day-long celebration to mark its reopening. The girls squared off against a team of five boys from different sports. The aspiring burgermeisters were given burgers, buns and a wide variety of toppings, and ordered to create a tasty, memorable sandwich. A panel of celebrity judges, including Maumee Mayor Timothy L. Wagener; Steve Slivka, sports reporter, WTVG-TV; Norm Van Ness, chief meteorologist, WNWO TV; Jordan Strack, sports reporter BCSN and WTOL-TV; and Hazem Ouf, Max & Erma’s CEO, put the burgers to the test. Each was tasted and judged on creativity, flavor and appearance. Bonus points were awarded for presentation and team spirit.

The girls’ burger featured avocado, bacon and cheese. The boys used bread rather than a bun to create a grilled cheese-inspired burger, also with bacon.

“The judges were really impressed with both creations,” said Steve Weis, Max & Erma’s vice president of operations. “In fact, the winning “Bell Burger” is so good that we are putting it on our menu as an April special.”

Weis also announced that Max & Erma’s is kicking off a month-long fundraiser. For every order of Erma’s famous cookies sold at its Maumee restaurant, Max & Erma’s will donate $1 to the school’s PTOs. “This is our way of being a good neighbor as we get reestablished in Maumee,” he added.

Max & Erma’s previous owners closed the restaurant in August 2010. Under its new owners, the restaurant has been totally remodeled and updated. Max & Erma’s also has made many improvements to its menu, food quality and service.

Southeast Michigan parents have spoken:  Max & Erma’s is their favorite place to enjoy a meal with the kids. Max & Erma’s, with 13 locations in Southeast Michigan, won the Gold Award for Best Family Sit-Down Restaurant in Metro Parent Magazine’s 2012 “best of” parents’ survey. The magazine’s readers selected their favorites in 25 categories, from restaurants to toy stores. The results appear in the January 2012 issue and online here.

Max & Erma’s Rings in 2012 with Another Columbus Makeover
Downtown restaurant latest to get all new look

Columbus, Ohio – “Out with the old, in with the new” almost applies to Max & Erma’s in the Columbus Crowne Plaza hotel.  The popular downtown restaurant and bar is debuting an all-new look, following a major makeover. But guests who love the admittedly kitschy décor that made Max & Erma’s famous won’t be disappointed. While the restaurant has been updated, there’s still plenty of fun memorabilia adorning the place.

Max & Erma’s was acquired in September 2010 by American Blue Ribbon Holdings, LLC. Along with updating and improving the chain’s food and service, a new restaurant design was created. It was introduced in Columbus last November at the Polaris location. According to Max & Erma’s, the updated look brings back the heritage and personality that guests know and love.

The downtown restaurant, owned by Boulevard Inn Limited Partnership and managed by Columbus Hospitality, was given an extensive makeover, including new decor, lighting and flooring. Restrooms were remodeled, and sports fans will enjoy the 12 new high definition televisions. The restaurant closed briefly at the end of December, reopening in time for New Year’s Eve.

Charles Lagarce of Columbus Hospitality says the makeover adds to the Max and Erma’s dining experience. “Max and Erma’s has a strong history in our hometown, offering a great menu at a great price point for all of our guests, both local and from out of town,” he said. “It’s the perfect blend of American casual dining with a neighborhood feel.” Max & Erma’s has operated in the Crowne Plaza for 10 years.

Media Contact:
Brad Ritter
Brad Ritter Communications
866.284.2170
BRitter@bradritter.com

For Immediate Release
November 17, 2011

Burger Wars Heat Up with Max & Erma’s Four New Gourmet Burgers

Aunt Patty meet the Texas Ranger!

Photos: http://pressroom.maxandermas.com/multimedia/

Grab a fork and a knife – and plenty of napkins – and tell your taste buds to get ready! Starting this week, the restaurant that is home to the Best Cheeseburger in the Nation is adding four new gourmet burgers to its menu:

Aunt Patty is the classic patty melt but better, featuring Swiss and cheddar cheeses, caramelized onions and 1000 island dressing served on marble rye.

Texas Ranger is surrounded with chili, shredded Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses, queso, jalapeños and fried pickles

Athena features Balsamic onions, sautéed mushrooms and feta olive spread.

El Diablo is for those who like it hot. Spicy mayo and blue cheese are complemented by celery slaw.

“Max & Erma’s helped start the gourmet burger craze,” said Steve Weis, vice president of Operations. “These new indulgences are incredibly delicious and, like everything else at Max & Erma’s, a little quirky and a lot of fun!”

The new burgers, which are paired with seasoned fries, are offered in six- and ten-ounce sizes. Prices start at $8.99. All of Max & Erma’s burgers are hand-crushed in each restaurant and grilled to order. Great burgers deserve great buns, so Max & Erma’s burgers are now served on an artisan brioche bun. As always, they are prepared from fresh, never frozen beef and feature fresh toppings.

While Max & Erma’s offers a wide variety of menu choices from steaks to salads, its burgers remain the star. Judges at the recent National Hamburger Festival voted Max & Erma’s Cheeseburger as Best Cheeseburger in the Nation, while festival goers picked its Tortilla Burger as the Best Fan Favorite.

Visit www.maxandermas.com for locations and hours.

Media Contact:
Brad Ritter
Brad Ritter Communications
866.284.2170
BRitter@bradritter.com

For Immediate Release:
November 15, 2011

Max and Erma’s Unveils Next Generation Restaurant in Columbus

‘Cookie Cutting’ Ceremony and Camp Mary Orton Fundraiser Held Tuesday

Ribbon Cutting Photo attached: Participants, from left to right: Monty Whitehurst, vice president of franchise development; Niki Wilburn, assistant general manager ; Christina Honeygosky, member services representative; Steve Weis, vice president of operations; Erma, Max, Kevin Campbell, regional manager; Keri Creech,
general manager; and Blaise Malandra, Jr., assistant manager.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Columbus diners were the first to see and experience Max & Erma’s all new restaurant design when the locallybased company unveiled the recently rebuilt Polaris location this week. Community leaders, Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce officials and Max & Erma’s associates and management celebrated the restaurant’s dedication by cutting a large cookie ribbon, provided by Erma, of course.

Since being purchased by American Blue Ribbon Holdings, LLC in September 2010, Max & Erma’s has embarked on an extensive program to rebuild the popular restaurant chain and to reignite growth. The introduction of the new building design is extremely important to Max & Erma’s future. It follows major improvements to food and service, as well as, the launch of the extremely popular Free Cookies Wednesday promotion.

Max & Erma’s operates 13 restaurants in central Ohio which provide about 900 jobs.

Max & Erma’s hosted a private fundraiser on Tuesday for Camp Mary Orton, which serves children, families, schools, churches and corporate groups. It is known for its indoor and outdoor high ropes courses and many adventure activities. Max & Erma’s served complimentary food and beverages, and raised nearly $4,000 for the cause through donations from guests and a matching gift from Max & Erma’s.

Media Contacts:
Brad Ritter
Brad Ritter Communications, LLC
866.284.2170
BRitter@bradritter.com

For Immediate Release
November 10, 2011

Max & Erma’s Opens in Des Peres West County Center

Operation Food Search benefits from fundraiser

St. Louis-area Ed Goergen and Steve Welkener opened their fourth local Max & Erma’s restaurant on Monday, Nov. 7. It is located on the lower level of the West County Center in Des Peres. The eatery previously was a Handley’s.

Known for its quirky décor and fun food, including Garbage Burgers and its all-you-can-eat sundae bar in an antique bathtub, Max & Erma’s is a popular neighborhood gathering spot that frequently hosts community charity events.

Max & Erma’s held a fundraiser on Nov. 5 for Operation Food Search, a St. Louis area food bank that distributes food free of charge to feed the poor and hungry. Max & Erma’s served complimentary food and drinks to the organization’s guests, collected donations at the door and made a $500 contribution to the cause. Operation Food Search intends to use the proceeds to support its green initiatives.

“Max & Erma’s is always a fun place to visit, which makes it a great place for holiday get-togethers,” said co-owner Goergen. “We’re very excited to be opening just in time for the holidays.”

Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information on Max & Erma’s, home to America’s Best Cheeseburger, visit http://pressroom.maxandermas.com.

Media Contacts:
Melissa Rapp
Brad Ritter Communications, LLC
614.428.7277
MRapp@bradritter.com