The following various research methodologies are examples of those that I have applied to obtain certain types of results.
 

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Awareness, Usage and Image Studies Distributor Surveys of Brand Movement Opportunity Assessments Chain Headquarters Study Brand share tracking Market Size Projections Menu incidence and price monitor Forecast Awareness, Usage and Image Studies Purpose: To collect information from operators on products menu, preparation methods, serving styles, buying factors, points of difference, likes/dislikes, distribution source, brand awareness and brand image. Research Methodology: 100 to 500 telephone interviews of 5 to 10 minutes duration using a structured questionnaire. Sample can consist of category users or users and non users. Benefits: We provide entirely in-house design, fielding, tabulation and data analysis  to maximize the control of your research process. Distributor Surveys of Brand Movement Purpose: Collect information from distributors in order to provide an objective measure of competitive brand strengths relative to client brand. Research Methodology: For a nationally projectable samples, 500 completions with randomly selected distributors are required. For a market area canvas, completions are required with 3 of the 5 leading distributors in a given market plus half of all remaining distributors. Measurement Criteria: 1.Rating of brands in category for attributes such as consistence of quality, depth of product line, consistence of product availability, demand, effectiveness of promotions, and product delivery reliability. 2.Product categories sold; brands sold; types/forms/varieties/flavors/sizes sold; and case/gallon/pound/dollar volume sold by brand. 3.Operations considerations such as case quantity per slot, required turns per month per product. 4.Selling considerations such as DSR incentive programs. 5.Concept statement and evaluation, if needed. Opportunity Assessments Purpose: In situations where time is at a premium, semi-structured ad hoc interviews with distributors can provide "general direction" information and "map the terrain" Research Methodology: Ten to twenty distributors are contacted by telephone. Caution is advised because results are directional in nature and are not predictable to all distributors. Benefits: Quick responce. Chain Headquarters Study Purpose: 1.Determine short and long term opportunities for adding menu items/new concepts/new equipment. 2.Collect information on strengths/weaknesses of supplier companies as perceived by operations and merchandising executives at chain headquarter level. 3.Identify success criteria for new items such as profit contribution, servings per day, market testing requirements. Research Methodology: Mail surveys along with monetary honorarium followed by telephone survey. Client generally identifies 50 - 100 chains from which  20 - 40 completed interviews were obtained. Brand share tracking Purpose: To provide manufacturers with information on market segments that show over time, an increasing/decreasing tendency to use the client's or competitors brands. Research Methodology: An unaided procedure is used that calls for operators to verbally indicate the name of the primary they use. Features: For any product category, brand share trend data can be made available for twenty-one market segments, nine census regions, plus other demographic variables. Advantages: Information for some brands is based upon as many as 6800 telephone interviews conducted over an extensive period. Data is predictable to the entire foodservice industry, unlike publisher studies which are conducted over circulation lists. Market Size Projections Purpose: Manufacturers are fully aware of total pound/gallon/case/volume for their foodservice brands. Information on the total market, however is difficult to project Research Methodology The method used to conduct MSP's is identical to methods used successfully for numerous foodservice manufacturers ranging from avocado to yogurt. By scripting a direct method that is based upon information gathered from operators. An essential part of the method is the weighted projection factor which is based on the relationship of the universe figures to the actual sample. Competitive methods: Association studies generally are not supported by more than 30 or 40% of association members plus some association members have been known to distort their own reported shipments. Associations studies are not able to provide volumetric data by market segment. Comparisons cannot be made between the results derived from different methodologies. Benefits: Of critical importance is the volume share data by market segment and region.   Menu incidence and price monitor Purpose: Identify market segments which are most likely to list various menu items, servings per week, selling price and form/type of product used to prepare.   Research Methodology: Telephone survey of 500 or 1000 foodservice operators Benefits: Menu studies conducted by magazines are close-ended, and list only a few items per category. As an example, 15 soups may be listed on a magazine census but in reality there may be 60 soups mentioned or more that are actually menued Features: Proprietary and exclusive use of results. Data projected to total operations menuing. Includes special analyses on share of total servings by menu item. Operator Perception Forecast (OPF) Purpose: Provide a basis for category projections, from 'front line' foodservice product use experience. Correlated with our Historical Data Bank answers the questions "What has happened? What is happening? What will happen"   Research Methodology: During the survey operators are asked, about the their perception if the demand for a specific category will increase, decrease or stay the same over the next twelve months and by what percentage. Benefits: Past data tells us where we've been, but not necessarily where we are going. While it is true that past behavior can be a good predictor of future performance, past trends don't take into account how operators perceive future developments. Tracked over time, past trend data will will be compared to the Operator Perception Forecast..