White Castle Employs Predictive Analysis in Chicken Sandwich Development
White Castle's Game-Changing Approach
White Castle might seem like a regional fast-food empire, but in its key markets, it stands tall against titans like McDonald's and Burger King. According to Kim Bartley, VP of marketing at White Castle, their biggest challenge is competing with the big-budget giants.
One advantage White Castle boasts is that it's not a franchise. This means they own the data collected at all of their 400-plus outlets, providing them with valuable insights into customers' preferences. However, dealing with multiple reports from various departments often led to a confusing mix of information.
To tackle this head-on, White Castle teamed up with predictive modeling software company APT last year. APT's cloud-based solution, built on test-driven decision making, helps users design, implement, and analyze statistical tests. This allows White Castle's decision-makers to make informed choices regarding product development and other strategic decisions.
Testing the Perfect Bite
One exciting project White Castle used APT for was the development of a new product: a grilled chicken sandwich, affectionately called a "slider."
To perfect the recipe, White Castle initially tested two products with distinct cooking processes. Consumer feedback guided them in choosing the better product. Next, they ran market tests in select stores to measure the sandwich's popularity.
APT helped White Castle determine which stores to test the product in, based on their representation of the chain as a whole. By testing the product across various price points, toppings, and locations, they identified the most promising grilled chicken sandwich variation.
After four iterations, White Castle launched the optimized sandwich in August, but it's too early to judge its success. The company is expanding the use of APT internally, hoping to expedite decision-making and boost productivity.
Empowering Teams with Data
APT not only assists White Castle's marketing and accounting departments but also educates staff in its stores to understand the statistical reports produced. By visualizing the analysis, APT ensures that people without a statistical or data analysis background can still benefit from the insights, making informed decisions easier.
White Castle's use of APT showcases a shift in the fast-food industry toward data-driven decision-making and product development. By employing AI and analytics, companies like White Castle can anticipate customer preferences and tailor their menus to meet evolving tastes. This innovative approach paves the way for a bright, data-driven future in the fast-food industry.
- White Castle's collaboration with APT in data-and-cloud-computing has facilitated the empowement of teams in their stores, enabling them to understand statistical reports and make informed decisions, thereby, contributing to a lifestyle change in fast-food industry.
- In the realm of finance, White Castle's ownership of the data collected across their 400-plus outlets has proven beneficial, providing valuable insights into customers' preferences that helped them launch a successful grilled chicken sandwich product, the "slider".
- As technology advances, businesses like White Castle are leveraging predictive modeling software like APT, not just for strategic decisions, but also to transform food-and-drink offerings, striving to meet the evolving demands of customers and stay competitive in the business landscape.
