The '70s Burger Chain That's Barely Still Holding On

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The '70s Burger Chain That's Barely Still Holding On By Maria Scinto Oct. 8, 2025 1:00 pm EST

Ahh, the '70s, a weird and sometimes wonderful time. It was the heyday of disco (and also disco fries ) as well as being a boom time for Bicentennials, bell-bottoms, baby food for adults , and bygone burger chains. (One of these — Burger Chef, by name — was the first to offer toys with its kids' meal in a move that likely inspired McDonald's Happy Meal some half a decade later.) One regional restaurant that got its start in the '70s is still hanging in there, but just barely. Max & Erma's once boasted over 110 locations in twelve states but is now down to a mere seven stores.

The chain got its start in 1972 in Columbus, Ohio. It still maintains a prese