Feasibility Project for Store Brand Macaroni and Cheese Prepared by Group 2 Jenna Forrest, Christina Gatti, Anna Flobeck, Dylan Fawcett Terry Smith TECM 2700.003 April 23, 2014
Table of Contents Table of Contents... 2 Executive Summary... 3 Introduction... 4 Methods of Evaluation... 5 List of Options... 5 List of Criteria... 5 Explanation of Criteria Value... 5 Survey Questions... 5 Explanation of Study... 6 Results... 7 Option One... Error! Bookmark not defined. Option Two... 8 Option Three... 13 Option Four... 15 Option Five... Error! Bookmark not defined. Conclusion... 20 Recommendations... 22
Executive Summary The Introduction Section of the feasibility project describes our audience and our test subject, store brand macaroni and cheese. The Methods of Evaluation Section outlines the way that we gathered our information. The Results Section analyzes the information we gathered in our study. The Conclusion Section analyzes our results and methods and guides them to the best product. The Recommendations Section gives our official and final store brand macaroni and cheese recommendation. The audience of this feasibility study is customers that are interested in getting the best store brand macaroni and cheese for their money. Their shared value is on the best product, as determined by our testers, for the lowest price. Our store brand macaroni and cheese options include Albertsons Brand (Essential Everyday) macaroni and cheese, Kroger Brand (Kroger) macaroni and cheese, Target Brand (Archer Farms) macaroni and cheese, Tom Thumb Brand (Safeway) macaroni and cheese, and Walmart Brand (Great Value) macaroni and cheese. The criteria we are judging the product off of is the amount in ounces per container, the amount in ounces per serving, the price per ounce, the taste, and the nutritional information. We will use these criteria to evaluate each store brand macaroni and cheese options we have chosen. We have surveyed 36 workers from Flexxray Company based in Mansfield, Texas and asked them to rate the taste of the store brand macaroni and cheese on a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being the best tasting in their opinion. The other criteria we have evaluated looking for the healthiest, largest, and best priced option for store brand macaroni and cheese. Based on this evaluation we have concluded that the Tom Thumb brand macaroni and cheese is the best store brand macaroni and cheese for a customer to purchase.
Introduction The purpose of this feasibility project is to identify the store brand macaroni and cheese that satisfies our criteria. Our criteria is the amount, in ounces, of macaroni and cheese per serving; the price of the macaroni and cheese per ounce; the nutritional information; the taste of the macaroni and cheese; and the amount of servings of macaroni and cheese in a single box. The topic of this feasibility project is store brand macaroni and cheese and how they compare to one another. Our testers for this feasibility project are workers from Flexxray Company based in Mansfield, Texas. Our report will recommend the most cost effective, most nutritious, best portion to cost ratio, and best tasting, according to the testers, macaroni and cheese. The feasibility project will relate to the readers by recommending the best deal, according to our testers, macaroni and cheese. This will help the readers make an educated decision when purchasing macaroni and cheese.
Methods of Evaluation List of Options Albertsons Brand (Essential Everyday) macaroni and cheese Kroger Brand (Kroger) macaroni and cheese Target Brand (Archer Farms) macaroni and cheese Tom Thumb Brand (Safeway) macaroni and cheese Walmart Brand (Great Value) macaroni and cheese List of Criteria Taste Serving Container Price Nutritional Information Explanation of Criteria Value These criteria will determine the best tasting, healthiest, and largest quantity of store brand macaroni and cheese for the least amount of money. The amount in ounces per container will show which store brand macaroni and cheese has the most amount of macaroni and cheese in the container. The amount in ounces per serving will show which store brand macaroni and cheese has the most per single serving. These are beneficial factors for a customer looking for the most amount of macaroni and cheese. The price will show which store brand macaroni and cheese has the best value. This is beneficial for a customer looking for the best deal for macaroni and cheese. The taste will show which store brand macaroni and cheese is chosen as a favorite based on flavor by our testers, who are workers from Flexxray Company based in Mansfield, Texas. This is beneficial for a customer looking for a great tasting, according to our survey, macaroni and cheese. The nutritional information will show which store brand macaroni and cheese is the healthiest option based on a 2,000 calorie diet by analyzing the calories, fat, sodium, and carbohydrates. This is beneficial for a customer looking for a healthy macaroni and cheese option. All of these criteria together will average together to show the best store brand macaroni and cheese for our customers to buy, according to this feasibility report. Survey Questions 1. On a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being the best and 5 being the worst, rate the store brand macaroni and cheese. 2. Which store brand macaroni and cheese would you purchase for yourself? 3. Which store brand macaroni and cheese would you say tastes the healthiest? 4. Which store brand macaroni and cheese would you say tastes the most expensive? These survey questions will evaluate the taste of the store brand macaroni and cheese.
Explanation of Study We surveyed 36 from Flexxray Company based in Mansfield, Texas. We cooked one box of each of the 5 store brand macaroni and cheese from our list of options and placed them each in a separate unlabeled bowl. We then asked each tester to rate the taste of the macaroni and cheese on a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being the best tasting store brand macaroni and cheese and 5 being the worst tasting. We recorded the information given to us by the testers. We averaged each store brand macaroni and cheese s score and chose the product with the lowest score. The store brand macaroni and cheese that had the lowest score was the Tom Thumb Brand. We recorded which store brand macaroni and cheese had the most amount in ounces per serving and which store brand macaroni and cheese had the most amount in ounces per container. These results showed that each store brand macaroni and cheese had the same amount in ounces per serving, 16 ounces, and the same amount in ounces per container, 64 ounces. We then evaluated the price of each product to find the lowest costing. The lowest costing store brand macaroni and cheese was the Walmart Brand, $0.99. We chose which store brand macaroni and cheese fulfilled the most of these criteria and deemed that the best store brand macaroni and cheese to buy. We then evaluated the nutritional information of each store brand macaroni and cheese and found the brand with the least amount of calories, fat, sodium, and carbohydrates. We chose based on which store brand macaroni and cheese had the lowest amount of calories, fat, sodium, and carbohydrates overall. The healthiest store brand macaroni and cheese was the Kroger brand.
Results To determine the feasibility of choosing the best value for store brand macaroni and cheese, we evaluated four options according to the criteria of the amount in ounces per container, the amount in ounces per serving, the taste, and the nutritional information. We examined our results and rated the products according to these categories. Please consider the following results.
Option One We evaluated Tom Thumb store brand macaroni and cheese according to amount in ounces per container, the amount in ounces per serving, the taste, and the nutritional information. (See Table 1.1). Tom Thumb store brand macaroni and cheese received top ratings (See Table 1.2) in the following category: Taste Tom Thumb store brand macaroni and cheese performed well (See Table 1.2) in the following categories: Price Nutritional Information Serving Container Tom Thumb store brand macaroni and cheese did not perform poorly (See Table 1.2) in any category. Tom Thumb store brand macaroni and cheese was overall rated number one (See Table 1.2). Table 1.1 Tom Thumb Store Brand Macaroni and Cheese Analysis Product Name Taste Price Nutritional Information (based on a 2,000 calorie diet) Tom Thumb Store Brand Macaroni and Cheese 2.5* $2.54 Fat (g): 2 Calories: 500 Sodium (mg): 480 Carbs: 54 Serving Container 16 ounces 64 ounces *Based on a scale of 1-5, 1 being the best tasting, 5 being the worst
Table 1.2 Tom Thumb Store Brand Macaroni and Cheese Rating Product Name Taste Price Nutritional Information Tom Thumb Store Brand Macaroni and Cheese Serving 1 2 2 2 2 Container Based on a scale of 1-3, 1 being the best, 3 being the worst.
Option Two We evaluated Target store brand macaroni and cheese according to amount in ounces per container, the amount in ounces per serving, the taste, and the nutritional information. (See Table 2.1). Target store brand macaroni and cheese did not receive top ratings (See Table 2.2) in any category. Target store brand macaroni and cheese performed well (See Table 2.2) in the following categories: Taste Nutritional Information Serving Container Target store brand macaroni and cheese performed poorly (See Table 2.2) in the following categories: Price Target store brand macaroni and cheese was overall rated number two (See Table 2.2). Table 2.1 Target Store Brand Macaroni and Cheese Analysis Product Name Taste Price Nutritional Information (based on a 2,000 calorie diet) Target Store Brand Macaroni and Cheese 2.9* $2.99 Fat (g): 3 Calories: 550 Sodium (mg): 510 Carbs: 51 Serving Container 16 ounces 64 ounces *Based on a scale of 1-5, 1 being the best tasting, 5 being the worst
Table 2.2 Target Store Brand Macaroni and Cheese Rating Product Name Taste Price Nutritional Information Target Store Brand Macaroni and Cheese Serving 2 3 2 2 2 Container Based on a scale of 1-3, 1 being the best, 3 being the worst.
Option Three We evaluated Kroger store brand macaroni and cheese according to amount in ounces per container, the amount in ounces per serving, the taste, and the nutritional information. (See Table 3.1). Kroger store brand macaroni and cheese did not receive top ratings (See Table 3.2) in any category. Kroger store brand macaroni and cheese performed well (See Table 3.2) in the following categories: Taste Nutritional Information Serving Container Kroger store brand macaroni and cheese performed poorly (See Table 3.2) in the following categories: Price Kroger store brand macaroni and cheese was overall rated number three (See Table 3.2). Table 3.1 Kroger Store Brand Macaroni and Cheese Analysis Product Name Taste Price Nutritional Information (based on a 2,000 calorie diet) Kroger Store Brand Macaroni and Cheese 3* $3.50 Fat (g): 1 Calories: 590 Sodium (mg): 500 Carbs: 50 Serving Container 16 ounces 64 ounces *Based on a scale of 1-5, 1 being the best tasting, 5 being the worst
Table 3.2 Kroger Store Brand Macaroni and Cheese Rating Product Name Taste Price Nutritional Information Kroger Store Brand Macaroni and Cheese Serving 2 3 2 2 2 Container Based on a scale of 1-3, 1 being the best, 3 being the worst.
Option Four We evaluated Albertsons store brand macaroni and cheese according to amount in ounces per container, the amount in ounces per serving, the taste, and the nutritional information. (See Table 4.1). Albertsons store brand macaroni and cheese did not receive top ratings (See Table 4.2) in any category. Albertsons store brand macaroni and cheese performed well (See Table 4.2) in the following categories: Price Nutritional Information Serving Container Albertsons store brand macaroni and cheese performed poorly (See Table 4.2) in the following categories: Taste Albertsons store brand macaroni and cheese was overall rated number three (See Table 4.2). Table 4.1 Albertsons Store Brand Macaroni and Cheese Analysis Product Name Taste Price Nutritional Information (based on a 2,000 calorie diet) Albertsons Store Brand Macaroni and Cheese 3.2* $2.75 Fat (g): 2 Calories: 605 Sodium (mg): 540 Carbs: 56 Serving Container 16 ounces 64 ounces *Based on a scale of 1-5, 1 being the best tasting, 5 being the worst Table 4.2 Albertsons Store Brand Macaroni and Cheese Rating
Product Name Taste Price Nutritional Information Albertsons Store Brand Macaroni and Cheese Serving 3 2 2 2 2 Container Based on a scale of 1-3, 1 being the best, 3 being the worst.
Option Five We evaluated Walmart store brand macaroni and cheese according to amount in ounces per container, the amount in ounces per serving, the taste, and the nutritional information. (See Table 5.1). Walmart store brand macaroni and cheese received top ratings (See Table 5.2) in the following category: Price Walmart store brand macaroni and cheese performed well (See Table 5.2) in the following categories: Serving Container Walmart store brand macaroni and cheese performed poorly (See Table 5.2) in the following categories: Taste Nutritional Information Walmart store brand macaroni and cheese was overall rated number three (See Table 5.2). Table 5.1 Walmart Store Brand Macaroni and Cheese Analysis Product Name Taste Price Nutritional Information (based on a 2,000 calorie diet) Walmart Store Brand Macaroni and Cheese 3.3* $0.99 Fat (g): 1 Calories: 570 Sodium (mg): 510 Carbs: 52 Serving Container 16 ounces 64 ounces *Based on a scale of 1-5, 1 being the best tasting, 5 being the worst
Table 5.2 Walmart Store Brand Macaroni and Cheese Rating Product Name Taste Price Nutritional Information Walmart Store Brand Macaroni and Cheese Serving 3 1 3 2 2 Container Based on a scale of 1-3, 1 being the best, 3 being the worst.
Conclusion This is the data that our group gathered when researching which store brand macaroni and cheese would be the best for customers to buy. The results were often close, such as the nutrition information and the amount per serving and per container. However, the taste test and the price distinguished the winner, Tom Thumb, when added into the amounts and the nutrition information. The results for our taste test concluded thusly. The Tom Thumb brand macaroni and cheese was the best tasting, scoring a 2.5 (on a scale from 1-5, 1 being the best) from our taste testers. The Target brand macaroni and cheese was the second best tasting, scoring a 2.9. The Kroger brand macaroni and cheese placed third in our taste test, scoring a 3. The Albertsons brand macaroni and cheese placed fourth in our taste test, scoring a 3.2. Lastly, the Walmart brand macaroni and cheese placed fifth, the last place, in our taste test, scoring a 3.3. There were no outrageous scores on either side, neither extremely delicious nor disgusting, according to our testers. Two of our criteria, amount per serving and amount per container, showed surprising results. There was no variation in amount per serving nor amount per container in any of the macaroni and cheeses. Each store brand macaroni and cheese had 16 ounces per serving and each had 64 ounces per container, or 4 servings per container. The prices for our store brand macaroni and cheese were not surprising. The Walmart brand had the lowest price, $0.99. The Tom Thumb brand had the second lowest price, $2.54. The Albertsons brand was the third lowest price, $2.75. The Target brand had the fourth lowest price, $2.99. Last, the Kroger Brand was the most expensive, priced at $3.50. Walmart store brand products tend to be relatively cheap while Kroger brands tend to be rather pricey. The nutrition information for the macaroni and cheese brands was close, but just different enough to distinguish the healthy from the unhealthy. Both the Albertsons and Target brands had the lowest amount of fat, only one gram each. The Kroger and Walmart brands came next, with only 2 grams of fat. The Tom Thumb brand had the most amount of fat out of our options, 3 grams. The Kroger brand had the least amount of calories, 500. The Tom Thumb brand came next with 550 calories, then the Target brand with 570 calories. In fourth place, with 590 calories, was the Albertsons brand, and last place was the Walmart brand with 605 calories. The Kroger brand had the least amount of sodium, 480 mg. In second place was Albertsons with 500 mg. Both the Tom Thumb and Target brands came in third place with 510 mg of sodium each. The Walmart brand had 540 mg of sodium, coming in last place again. The Albertsons brand came in first place with the lowest amount of carbohydrates, 50. In second was the Tom Thumb brand with only 51 carbohydrates. Next came the Target brand with 52 carbohydrates. In fourth place was the Kroger brand, with 54, and in last place once again, came the Walmart brand with 56 carbohydrates. The Walmart brand was overall the unhealthiest brand for macaroni and cheese, where the Kroger and Albertsons brands were neck in neck for the first place. The nutrition information of foods depends mostly on the individual costumer and what their health concerns are.
There was a clear pattern between the nutritional information and the prices of the macaroni and cheese. The higher the price was, the healthier the macaroni and cheese was. This pattern was, surprisingly, the only one. Our group hypothesized that the highest priced store brand macaroni and cheese would also be the best tasting. However, the highest priced brand, Kroger, scored a 3, the third place score. Our hypothesis was correct when concerning the Walmart brand, however. We hypothesized that this brand would be the lowest scoring in our taste test and the unhealthiest brand, both of which were true. We did not think, though, about how price would affect the nutrition information in a positive way, which surprised us when the pattern emerged.
Recommendations The course of action recommended by this study would be to purchase the Tom Thumb store brand macaroni and cheese.