Glacier Inks Deal To Buy Max & Erma’s

Glacier Restaurant Group is buying the 51-unit Max & Erma’s restaurant chain from American Blue Ribbon Holdings.

The casual-dining concept has a presence in 10 states, primarily in the Midwest. The sale was announced in January, not long after ABRH announced the closing of 13 underperforming Max & Erma locations. ABRH, among the largest full-service restaurant holding companies in the United States, owns Baker’s Square and Village Inn, along with other brands.

Glacier, based in Whitefish, Mont., also operates MacKenzie River Pizza Grill & Pub, Ciao Mambo, Craggy Range Bar & Grill and Latitude 48. With Max & Erma’s in its portfolio, it will now have restaurants in 14 states.

Max & Erma’s was founded in 1972 in a Columbus, Ohio, tavern operated by Max and Erma Visocnik. Its décor of quirky artifacts was influential in creating the theme restaurant trend of the 1970s.