Pizza Ranch
Update research proposal:

Research Proposal
Problem Definition and Background
Our client for our research is going to be Todd Pharis. Pizza Ranch has a strong presence in the Midwest and are always expanding into new markets. Pizza Ranch does not have a location in Vermillion, South Dakota. Vermillion has a lot of pizza places to eat at but nothing compares to the buffet style dining that Pizza Ranch has to offer. Pizza Ranch could be a force in the college town of Vermillion because of their buffet loaded with pizza and chicken, something Pizza Hut does not have. This could be a quick fix for a college students appetite to run to Pizza Ranch where the buffet is ready.
Research Design and Data Sources
This will be a descriptive and exploratory research design. Exploratory based off of ideas and insights of previous ideas that pizza companies are already doing in Vermillion. The descriptive portion will be used to see what variables the students that attend USD prefer such as what pizza place they are currently going to. Why do they choose Dominos over a Pizza Hut’s buffet style? Also try to find out how much they eat pizza a week, and to see how many people they bring with them when they eat pizza.
Most of the data used will be of primary sources. We will obtain this primary data from students who attend the University of South Dakota using an online survey. Secondary data will tell us the demographics of the population of Vermillion and the University of South Dakota to help us find patterns.
Sampling Plan
Sample size is going to be around 100 students. This will give us a decent insight into what students prefer in a pizza place. This will also help us decide what they do at pizza places such as carry out, dine in, or have the pizza delivered.
Data Collection Form[HDW5]
• Tailor made data collection forms, according to the sampling plan. It could be included survey questionnaires, which focusing on consumer preference for buffet style dining, daily dining habits, etc.
• As for other already had samplings or some secondary sources, which may incl. the sales data, the bestselling product statistic, the regional market share situations of pizza industry, and some previous ideas from the pizza companies already doing in certain areas. Also we need to select and classify the valuable statistics and information into observation checklists or develop guidebooks, and so forth.
• Develop several appendix to collect and display different data, and we also need to make sure the reliability and validity of all those data resources.
Analysis
• After all of the data forms are ready, we should move to the next step, data analysis. Editing and proofreading the questionnaire which collected from local consumers, peeling off the invalid data, using specialized statistical techniques to work out the final performance from the observation checklists. Then compare the statistics, such as the total number of the existed pizza brands, the pizza industrial market share situations in Houston or Dallas, and consumer dining habits, etc., then discuss and give insight explanation for each parts. Finally select and quote the most usable data to guide to specific analysis and final conclusion, if Pizza Ranch would be able to sustain and possibly take over the market share of some of the other big time pizza places in those cities.
• Also, it is important to develop an appendix, which is a specific outline of your data analysis and result derivation logic.

Personal Requirements & Cost Estimate
-no cost required, each person should be do their portion equally.
The data analysis will be split into 3 portions one for each student, on the google doc we can each go over and proofread just so it goes thru 3 people proofreading instead of just one and changes on google docs will be instant.
Appendices- all work will be done on the google doc so every team member is aware of what is going one and what changes are being made, doc should be in the same format the book shows