Max & Erma’s to Give Away More Than $50,000 worth of Free Burgers at March 27 Maumee, Ohio Grand Reopening

Whoever said, “You can’t go home again,” didn’t know Max and Erma, whose namesake restaurant reopens in Maumee on Tuesday, March 27.The Ohio-based restaurant, known for America’s Best Cheeseburger and Free Cookies Wednesday, is returning home to its 1391 Arrowhead Drive location. A previous owner closed it in August 2010. To celebrate the homecoming, a full day of special community events is planned.

Starting at 6 a.m., guests are invited to line up for a chance to receive free burgers for a year, including the ones awarded Best Cheeseburger in the Nation and Best Fan Favorite at the most recent National Hamburger Festival. The first 100 people in line at 11 a.m. will be given gift cards equal in value to 52 of Max & Erma’s famous burgers. That’s more than $50,000 worth of free food.

At 11 a.m., the Maumee Chamber of Commerce will join company and city officials in a “cookie cutting” ceremony to rededicate the completely remodeled and updated restaurant. It will then open to the public.

That evening at 7 p.m., teams of student athletes from Maumee High School will compete to see who can build the tastiest, most creative and eye-appealing burger. Local celebrities will judge the entries. One team will win the coveted Max & Erma’s “Burgermeister” award. On behalf of the winning team, Max & Erma’s will make a $2,500 contribution to the Maumee Athletic Boosters.

Friends, family and the public are invited to watch the competition and to cheer on the young burgermeisters. The winning burger will be available in the Maumee restaurant throughout April.

In addition to the $2,500 contribution, Max & Erma’s will donate $1 for every order of cookies sold at the Maumee restaurant between March 27 and April 30 to the Maumee Schools PTOs.

Last, all week long Max & Erma’s is giving away free appetizer pretzels to guests who stop in and enroll in its Good Neighbor Rewards program. Of course, Wednesday, March 28 will be Free Cookies Wednesday at all three Toledo-area Max & Erma’s. Guests will receive two of Erma’s famous fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies for free, with the purchase of any food item.

Hours will be Sunday through Thursday: 11 a.m. to midnight; Friday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Call (419) 887-1682 for more information and to place carryout orders.