Max & Erma’s Restaurants is close to signing agreements to open its first restaurants in the metropolitan Milwaukee market.
The Columbus, Ohio-based restaurant chain has signed a franchise agreement with Maxemum Development in Green Bay. The agreement requires Maxemum to open at least four restaurants in the Green Bay, Appleton or Milwaukee markets, said Rob Lindeman, vice president of franchising for Max & Erma’s.
The company has opened one restaurant in Green Bay and is close to opening its second in that market.
Next up, Milwaukee.
"We’re negotiating a couple of sites in Milwaukee. We are typically free-standing in the suburbs," said Lindeman, who declined to reveal the targeted sites. "We are spending a considerable amount of time looking in the Milwaukee market. Over time, we feel Milwaukee will hold a minimum of four restaurants and a maximum of eight to 10."
Lindeman described the Max & Erma’s casual dining experience as comparable to that of a TGI Friday’s, except, "We’re not as heavy on the bar."
Max & Erma’s operates about 70 restaurants in nine states, primarily in the Midwest.
