Would You Miss Max & Erma’s?

I read in today’s Dayton Business Journal that Max & Erma’s, a regional restaurant chain, was being acquired by a firm out of Pittsburgh. Borrowing a question that my friend John Moore poses regularly on his blog Brand Autopsy, “Would you miss them if they were gone?” Details of the buyout of the chain of 100+ restaurants mention nothing of shutting any of them down, but if it did would there be an outcry?

As a kid, I can remember my friends coming back from one of the original locations in Columbus and telling me stories of how the tables had phones where you could call people at other tables in the restaurant. They also went on and on about “garbage burgers” loaded up with artery clogging goodness.

I can remember 15 (ish) years ago, when Max & Erma’s opened in Beavercreek, it was a big deal. There were lines out the door of the place. In college, I had room mates who loved working there because it was always packed - which equaled great tips for servers and bussers (which usually equaled ample amounts of beer money). It seems that over time, the magic has gone away.

Now, I question just how relevant the chain is anymore. I will own up to still eating there, usually for carry out, more than once a month. Generally my choice is based on the geographic proximity to my home as opposed to actually loving the restaurant. Convenience does matter. Still, would I miss Max & Erma’s if it were gone? Probably not - at least as it exists now.

Perhaps the new ownership group will figure out some ways to bring the magic back to Max & Erma’s. I hope they do. It is a long drive to anywhere else and gas is not cheap. My first suggestion would be to go back to making the burgers from scratch. No more frozen patties. Make me a garbage burger that is sloppy, messy, and perfectly imperfect in form and you will at least get my attention. Just my thoughts.

What do you think? Will a change in ownership be good for Max & Erma’s? Would you miss the restaurant if it were gone tomorrow? If you bought the chain, what would you do to turn things around?

Max & Erma’s to be acquired for $10.2M - Dayton Business Journal:

Would You Miss Max & Erma’s?

I read in today’s Dayton Business Journal that Max & Erma’s, a regional restaurant chain, was being acquired by a firm out of Pittsburgh. Borrowing a question that my friend John Moore poses regularly on his blog Brand Autopsy, “Would you miss them if they were gone?” Details of the buyout of the chain of 100+ restaurants mention nothing of shutting any of them down, but if it did would there be an outcry?

As a kid, I can remember my friends coming back from one of the original locations in Columbus and telling me stories of how the tables had phones where you could call people at other tables in the restaurant. They also went on and on about “garbage burgers” loaded up with artery clogging goodness.

I can remember 15 (ish) years ago, when Max & Erma’s opened in Beavercreek, it was a big deal. There were lines out the door of the place. In college, I had room mates who loved working there because it was always packed - which equaled great tips for servers and bussers (which usually equaled ample amounts of beer money). It seems that over time, the magic has gone away.

Now, I question just how relevant the chain is anymore. I will own up to still eating there, usually for carry out, more than once a month. Generally my choice is based on the geographic proximity to my home as opposed to actually loving the restaurant. Convenience does matter. Still, would I miss Max & Erma’s if it were gone? Probably not - at least as it exists now.

Perhaps the new ownership group will figure out some ways to bring the magic back to Max & Erma’s. I hope they do. It is a long drive to anywhere else and gas is not cheap. My first suggestion would be to go back to making the burgers from scratch. No more frozen patties. Make me a garbage burger that is sloppy, messy, and perfectly imperfect in form and you will at least get my attention. Just my thoughts.

What do you think? Will a change in ownership be good for Max & Erma’s? Would you miss the restaurant if it were gone tomorrow? If you bought the chain, what would you do to turn things around?

Max & Erma’s to be acquired for $10.2M - Dayton Business Journal:

If Your Company Closed Tomorrow Would Anyone Care?

Last spring, when author and Marketeer John Moore came to Dayton, he spoke about what makes a business or brand important. One thing that has stuck with me from his fantastic presentation was this. “If your business was gone tomorrow, would anyone care?” What a profound question, and great way to gauge if your business is truly relevant. This should really be a focal point of Marketers. How do you create not just a loyalty, but a love for your company. This point came back to mind today when I read in the Dayton Business Journal that Don Pablos in Vandalia and Ruby Tuesday’s at the Dayton Mall had closed. Immediately I thought to myself “Who cares?” I can remember the hype only a few years back when Don Pablos opened that location. For a time, the place was packed - as people flocked to check it out. Unfortunately, poor quality, a lack of cleanliness, and intense competition led to its inevitable demise. The question I pose is “does anyone care?” What about your business - would anyone care if your company closed up shop tomorrow?

Two long-time restaurants close - Dayton Business Journal: