News Briefs

Target Corp. is removing the interim label from the executive leading its proprietary in-house retail media network.

In an email to Chain Store Age, Target announced it is appointing Matt Drzewicki as senior VP of Roundel, the retail media network it initially launched in 2019. Effective June 1, 2025, Drzewicki will lead the Roundel business.

Prior to being named senior VP, Drzewicki served as interim leader of Roundel beginning in January 2025, following Sarah Travis’ appointment to executive VP and chief digital and revenue officer. 

Drzewicki joined Roundel in May 2022 as VP, partner solutions group. His prior experience in traditional and digital media, includes more than 10 years in Google’s advertising and sales business as well as 12 years holding leadership roles in sales, marketing and product development at media and marketing services company Valassis. 

Drzewicki will lead the Roundel team in its goal of doubling the size of its media business over the next five years. Roundel currently generates nearly $2 billion of value for Target and saw double-digit growth in the first quarter of 2025.

[READ MORE: Target aims to drive $15 billion-plus in sales growth by 2030; plans include..]

"I’m thrilled to step into this new role with Roundel and continue working with our amazing team," said Drzewicki. "I’m excited to lead Roundel into its next chapter in close collaboration with our strategic partners, while also expanding and developing new partnerships to continue innovating in the retail media landscape."

Roundel intends to improve data collaboration capabilities this year by introducing an improved media buying and selling model, leveraging Target’s first-party data and real-time signals to help brands drive more effective campaigns. 

Big Lots is entering its final wave of store reopenings under its new owners. 

The discounter will reopen 78 additional locations on June 5. The stores are located in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

The openings, which come under the direction of new owners Variety Wholesales, follow a phased reopening strategy that began in April. This latest round will bring the total number of reopened Big Lots stores to 219. 

Variety Wholesales said the success of the reopenings has spurred it to explore options for acquiring additional Big Lots locations, further signaling its commitment to the brand’s long-term growth and expansion.

“The connection with the communities we serve, and the positive customer feedback has been more than we could have imagined,” said Lisa Seigies, president and CEO of Variety Wholesalers. “This enthusiastic response reinforces our belief that taking Big Lots! back to the roots of what made it a huge success resonates with our customers. Providing great value will always be our core mission.”

Variety operates more than 400 stores across 18 states. In addition to Big Lots, its retail banners  include Big Lots, Roses Discount Stores, Roses Express and Maxway.

Earlier this year, Big Lots closed a previously announced sale agreement with Gordon Brothers Retail Partners. As part of the deal, Variety was set to acquire about 200 Big Lots stores. The agreement came as the bankrupt chain was holding store closing sales at its approximate 950 locations nationwide.

A fast-growing Midwestern quick-serve chain has touched down in Canada.

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers will open its first Canadian location on Tuesday, June 3 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The chain has a master franchise and development agreement in Canada with veteran Canadian franchisees Jim Werschler and Gregg Most of North 49 Frozen Custard and Steakburgers. The Manitoba area franchise owners include John Hall and Turner Ethans.

“Freddy’s is committed to providing high-quality menu items cooked fresh to order with genuine hospitality in a clean and relaxing environment,” said Hall. “We’re thrilled to enter the Canadian market with our first location in Kildonan Crossing. Our convenient location makes us an easily accessible dining option for guests travelling by Regent Avenue and Lagimodière Boulevard, as well as guests looking for a great place to eat after shopping at our retail neighbors.”

Drive-thru service and mobile ordering through the Freddy’s app and website will also be available for the new Canadian locations.

[READ MORE: Freddy's adds 21 stores to pipeline; to enter new state]

Founded in 2002, Freddy’s is known for cooked-to-order steakburgers, shoestring fries, freshly churned frozen custard treats and more. The Witchita, Kas.-based chain operates more than 550 locations in the United States.

SRS Real Estate Partners has brought a power player into its Atlanta office.

Local market veteran Brittany McCall has joined the Atlanta office of the large real estate advisory firm as a senior vice president and will focus on project leasing and expanding the company’s owner services platform.

Her two decades working in Atlanta has seen McCall handle leasing and landlord representation for many high-profile projects in town such as Inman Quarter, West Paces Shopping Center, Modern Midtown, and The Olmsted.

Before joining SRS, McCall served as a managing member at Vantage Realty Partners, where she played a key role in the company’s leasing initiatives with institutional landlords as well as private ownership groups that included Cousins Properties, South City Partners, Tishman Speyer, and Loudermilk Companies.

“Brittany’s market knowledge and ability to navigate complex leasing strategies are key strengths that align with our retail platform,” said SRS managing partner Henry Poer. “She brings a strong track record of delivering value to property owners while also understanding the needs of tenants in today’s evolving landscape.”

McCall is an avid supporter of the Alzheimer’s Association and participates in several professional organizations, including the International Council of Shopping Centers and the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors.

A fast-casual burger chain seeks to improve customer experience and support growth with video-based feedback from mystery shoppers.

Wayback Burgers is partnering with tech-enabled mystery shopping and customer experience improvement firm Reality Based Group (RBG) in an effort to refine its customer service, operational efficiency, and brand consistency.

"We're eager to hit the ground running with RBG," said Patrick Conlin, president of Jake's Franchising LLC, the parent company of Wayback Burgers. "The insights we hope to glean from this system will be immediately used to elevate the service we're able to provide our customers and, more importantly, ensure it's consistent no matter which restaurant they visit."

[READ MORE: Dave's Hot Chicken boosts customer reviews with video data]

Wayback Burgers has experienced significant growth in the U.S. and internationally and also seeks to support its strategic growth plans using mystery shopping data from RBG.

"Wayback Burgers has built a legacy on serving crave-worthy burgers and creating unforgettable guest experiences," said Josh Stern, CEO of Reality Based Group. "With our tech-driven video mystery shopping solution, we're excited to help them take their customer experience to the next level. This partnership is all about ensuring that every visit to Wayback Burgers is as exceptional as their menu."

Established in 1991 in Newark, Del., Wayback Burgers is fast-casual restaurant chain offering hand-made burgers, hand-dipped milkshakes, and a variety of options like chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, salads, and sides such as fries and onion rings. The company emphasizes community involvement, offering fundraising opportunities and supporting local causes.

A direct-to-consumer “active recovery” footwear brand is entering the physical retail arena.

OOFOS will open its first brick-and-mortar retail experiences across the United States. The locations will launch in May and June at Pentagon City in Arlington, Va., the Mall of Georgia in Buford, Ga. and the Florida Mall in Orlando, Fla. The brand says the new store locations were chosen for their “strong market potential.”

Launched in 2011. OOFOS is known for its proprietary "OOfoam" technology, which absorbs 37% more impact than traditional footwear, and is designed to absorb impact and stress on the body, according to the company said. OOFOS initially focused on a core line of sandals, and has since expanded its product offerings to include clogs and other types of shoes.

At OOFOS stores, customers  will be able to try on a range of OOFOS footwear, including the newer OOmy Stride and OOmy Zen styles and a variety of open-toe and closed-toe styles featuring OOfoam technology. A; are designed to absorb impact and reduce stress on the body.

[READ MORE: Foot Locker to be acquired by Dick's Sporting Goods for $2.4 billion]

OOFOS says the retail launch follows the success of its DTC and wholesale channels as well as pop-up locations that the company has executed around the country, including along the last stretch of Boylston Street at the Boston Marathon for the past few years. Wholesale partners include Dick's Sporting Goods, Nordstrom, Fleet Feet, REI and others.

"We've always believed in building smart, sustainable growth," said Lou Panaccione, co-founder and CEO of OOFOS. "With these new retail locations, we are starting small and being intentional with our strategy, with the goal of complementing our existing DTC and wholesale channels while also offering an additional touch-point to share our mission of helping people feel better.”