Table of Contents Introduction 1 Methods for Evaluating the Options 1 Determining the Options..1 Determining the Criteria..1 Results of the Evaluation...2 Taste for Richness in Chocolate Flavor..3 Chewiness/Softness of the Brownies...4 Calories in the Brownies..5 Prices of the Brownie Mixes 6 Conclusions.7 Recommendations..8
1 Introduction When people decide which foods to eat, a couple things come to mind when choosing their items. People choose what to buy based upon the quality, tastiness, calories, and cost of their foods. They even weigh in these factors for the simplest things such as brownies. Brownies are a common dessert enjoyed by many people. In order to help shoppers choose the best brownies that are worth their money, we conducted a study to test the quality, taste, calories, and cost of several brownie brands. In the process of evaluating which brands of brownies meet these factors, we have chosen to test the top three brand name brownies found at all Wal-Mart supermarkets. These three brownie brands include: Betty Crocker Fudge Brownies Pillsbury Fudge Brownies Duncan Hines Fudge Brownies In the report that follows, we examine the three brownie brands that we have chosen. This report will cover the experiments, observations, conclusions, and recommendations that we have made for our feasibility study from April 12, 2011 until April 21, 2011. Method To determine which brand name brownie box mix is the best, we will evaluate the following criteria: Taste Chewiness Calories Price Determining the Options We first narrowed down our options to three brands by taking the top brand name brownies that Wal-Mart had in their baking aisle. These brands included the Betty Crocker brand, the Duncan Hines brand, and the Pillsbury brand. We chose to specifically test the 13 x 9 family size, traditional fudge brownie mix. All three brownie boxes are equal in size and could provide exactly 20 servings. Determining the Criteria We came up with each of these criterion by determining how each of our team members would categorize the brownie mix. We agreed upon what we considered was the best way to determine which brand of brownie mix to buy. We determined that when we go to the local Wal-Mart, we
2 each look at the price when choosing a mix. Then, we look at the calories and see which ones are healthier and which ones are more fattening. This feasibility study will give brownie shoppers an idea of which brand name brownie mix is the best to buy when they are looking at the four criteria listed above. Before testing these four criteria, we baked three separate batches of brownies. We baked each batch of brownies according to the directions that the separate brands of Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, and Duncan Hines had given on the back of their brownie box. Test 1: Taste For the taste portion of the criteria, we surveyed 20 people. We defined the brownie as being either rich in chocolate flavor or being bland. We measured the taste of the brownies with an evaluation scale rating from 1 to 5. One represented the brownie tasting bland and 5 represented the brownie tasting rich in chocolate flavor. We used the scale below to test for taste. Bland 1 3 5 Rich Flavor Test 2: Chewiness Using the same evaluation scale of ratings from 1 to 5, we had participants rate the chewiness of the brownie as being soft or hard. One represented the hardness of the brownie and a 5 represented the softness/chewiness of the brownie. We used the scale below to test for chewiness. Hard 1 3 5 Chewy/Soft Test 3: Calories We measured the calories by looking in the back of the brownie boxes and seeing how many calories there were in a single brownie serving. Since the regular calorie count for the three brownie brands were the same, we decided to evaluate the calories from fat in a single brownie serving. In doing this, we would have something to compare and in turn make our conclusions. Test 4: Price Lastly, we determined the price of the brownie mix by how much Wal-Mart charged us for a specific brownie brand box that we bought. For all three of the brownie brand boxes, we bought the 13 x 9 family size, traditional fudge brownie mix. All three of the brownie brand boxes were equal in size for the number of servings that it could provide; each box could make exactly 20 brownie servings. Even though the size and the number of servings within each box were the same, the prices for each brand varied. Results of the Feasibility Test To determine the feasibility for which brownie brand is the best, we evaluated three brownie
3 brands according to the criteria of taste, chewiness, calories, and cost. The following section is an analysis of the results that we gathered from our feasibility test. Taste for Richness in Chocolate Flavor The Betty Crocker brownies are the richest in chocolate flavor followed by the Duncan Hines brownies, and then the Pillsbury brownies. Betty Crocker Brownies Among the twenty surveys that we had participants take when they tried the brownies, the majority of the twenty participates rated the Betty Crocker brownies as being the richest in chocolate flavor. When we averaged the ratings of the Betty Crocker brownies, the overall rating was 4.225. Duncan Hines Brownies The same twenty participants also tasted the Duncan Hines brownies. Based on the surveys, the majority of the participants thought that the Duncan Hines brownies were the second richest in chocolate flavor. When we averaged the ratings of the Duncan Hines brownies, the overall rating was a 3. Pillsbury Brownies The majority of the participants thought that the Pillsbury brownies lacked the most chocolate flavor compared to the Betty Crocker brownies and the Duncan Hines brownies. When we averaged the ratings of the Pillsbury brownies, the overall rating was 2.875. Figure 1 is a graphic representation of the results from the taste test of the three brownie brands. Figure 1: Test for Richness in Chocolate for Each Brand
4 Chewiness/Softness of the Brownies We used the same survey and had the same participants partake in this portion of the feasibility test. Based upon the results that we gathered, the Betty Crocker brownies are the most chewy/soft followed by the Duncan Hines brownies, and then the Pillsbury brownies. Betty Crocker Brownies The majority of the participants thought that the Betty Crocker brownies were the most chewy/soft. When we averaged the ratings from the surveys for this portion of the test, the overall rating for the Betty Crocker brownies was 4.275. Duncan Hines Brownies The majority of the participants thought that the Duncan Hines brownies were the second most chewy/soft. When we averaged the ratings for chewiness of the Duncan Hines brownies, the overall rating was 3.625. Pillsbury Brownies We tested for the chewiness/softness of the Pillsbury brownies; the majority of participants thought that the Pillsbury brownies were the least chewy/soft. When we averaged the ratings for chewiness of the Pillsbury brownies, the overall rating was 3.525. Figure 2 is a graphic representation of the results from the test for chewiness/softness of the three brownie brands. Figure 2: Test for Chewiness/Softness of Each Brand
5 Calories in the Brownies In the back of all three brownie brand boxes, the displayed regular calorie count for a single brownie serving is 110 calories. Since the regular calorie count for the three brands are all the same, we decided to additionally evaluate the number calories from fat in each brownie serving. By looking at this factor, we were able to make a general conclusion of which brownie brand contained the least amount of Calories. We saw that the Betty Crocker brownies have the least amount of calories. The Duncan Hines and Pillsbury brownies have more calories than the Betty Crocker brownies, but they both contain the same amount of calories in each serving. Betty Crocker Brownies In the back of the Betty Crocker brownie box, the regular calorie count for a single brownie serving was 110 calories. The Betty Crocker brownie box also listed the calories from fat for a single brownie serving, the number listed was 5 calories. Duncan Hines Brownies In the back of the Duncan Hines brownie box, the regular calorie count for a single brownie serving was 110 calories. However, the calories from fat for a single serving of the Pillsbury brownies differed from that of the Betty Crocker brownies. A single serving of the Pillsbury brownies contained 20 calories from fat. Pillsbury Brownies In the back of the Pillsbury brownie box, the regular calorie count for a single brownie serving was 110 calories. A single Pillsbury brownie serving also contained 20 calories from fat. Figure 3 is a graphic representation of the results from the calorie test of the three brownie brands. Figure 3: Test for Calories in a Single Brownie Serving of Each Brand
6 Prices of the Brownie Mixes We purchased all three of the brownie boxes at Wal-Mart. Each brownie box was the 13 x 9 family size, traditional fudge brownie mix. All three brownie boxes are equal in size and could provide exactly 20 servings. The Pillsbury brownie mix is the cheapest, followed by the Betty Crocker brownie mix, and then the Duncan Hines brownies mix. Betty Crocker Brownies When we purchased the Betty Crocker brownie mix, Wal-Mart listed the price of the mix as $1.50. When we compared the prices of all three brownie brands, the Betty Crocker brownie mix was the second cheapest. Duncan Hines Brownies When we purchased the Duncan Hines brownie mix, Wal-Mart listed the price of the mix as $1.64. When we compared the prices of all three brownie brands, the Duncan Hines brownie mix was the most expensive. Pillsbury Brownies When we purchased the Pillsbury brownie mix, Wal-Mart listed the price of the mix as $1.48. When we compared the prices of all three brownie brands, the Pillsbury brownie mix was the cheapest. Figure 4 is a graphic representation of the results from the price test of the three brownie brands. Figure 4: Test for Price of Each Brand
7 Conclusions Each of the three brands of Betty Crocker, Duncan Hines, and Pillsbury varied in every criterion that we tested. However, based upon our analysis of the results, the Betty Crocker brownies have proven to be the most favored among the three brownie brands. The Betty Crocker brownies were the richest in chocolate flavor, and were the most chewy/soft. This brand also contained the least amount of calories within a single serving. Even though the price of the Betty Crocker mix was the second cheapest, the difference in price between the Betty Crocker brand and the cheapest Pillsbury brand was only two cents. After the Betty Crocker brownies, the Duncan Hines brownies were the second preference. The Duncan Hines brownies were the second richest in chocolate flavor, and they were the second most chewy/soft. The Duncan Hines brownies had a tie with the Pillsbury brownies for containing the largest amount of calories within a single serving.the Duncan Hines brownie mix was the most expensive; the difference in price from the cheapest Pillsbury brand was sixteen cents. Lastly, when we compared the results of the three brownie brands, we saw that individuals will most likely disfavor the Pillsbury brownie brand because of the poor scores that it received in nearly all of the criteria that we tested. Although the Pillsbury brownie mix may have been the cheapest brownie brand, participants from our survey rated them as lacking the most richness and chewiness. The Pillsbury brownies also had a tie with the Duncan Hines brownies for containing the largest amount of calories within a single serving. Figure 5 is a graphic representation of the final results. Figure 5: Final Results of Feasibility Option Taste Chewiness Price Betty Crocker Duncan Hines Calories Total (per brownie) (fat) 4.225 4.275.074 5 13.574 3 3.625.082 20 26.707 Pillsbury 2.875 3.525.075 20 29.35
8 Recommendations Because the Betty Crocker brownies prove to offer the highest quality for the dollar and because they are additionally the healthiest among the three brownie brands, we recommend that shoppers buy the Betty Crocker brownie mix.