Robert Mariano, Roundy's resident TV pitchman and c.e.o., this Friday will kick off a five-city tour through the Midwest to tout the company's own-brand products.

The tour will start with a barbecue event for Milwaukee-area shoppers at the Brookfield Pick 'n Save. Mariano will be serve up $1 lunches featuring Roundy's own brand products, including Roundy's Select Italian sausage, fresh bratwurst, or hot dog, plus potato chips; Roundy's Select soda or bottled water to drink; and a scoop of ice cream for dessert.

Mariano's first stop on Friday will be one of several similar events planned this summer across Wisconsin and Minnesota, at Pick 'n Save, Copps, and Rainbow stores. The proceeds from each event will be donated to local charities. All proceeds from the Brookfield event will be donated to Brookfield Public Library, the company said.

 "Our stores are a big part of the community, and I wanted to take the time to meet the people and offer them a taste of our own products," said Mariano. "I personally guarantee the freshness and quality of every Roundy's product through my signature on our labels, and these barbecue events will be a fun way for our shoppers to give their approval to our products."

The "Chairman Bob" television commercials specifically highlight Roundy's premium original orange juice, Roundy's barbecue potato chips and Roundy's Select ice cream. In each commercial, Mariano is surrounded by his "Bobtourage" as he makes a surprise visit to Roundy's chip factory to approve the chip recipe, travels to an orange grove to pick out the sweetest orange for Roundy's orange juice, and dons a parka to brave the freezer in the quest to taste and approve Roundy's ice cream.

Roundy's operates 152 retail grocery stores under the Pick 'n Save, Copps, Rainbow and Metro Market banners in Wisconsin and Minnesota.