Question
CHOCOHOLICS Two cousins, Krissy Karklins and Ingo Pavelson decided to take their passion for chocolate and turn it into a profession. Both were recent graduates
CHOCOHOLICS
Two cousins, Krissy Karklins and Ingo Pavelson decided to take their passion for chocolate and turn it into a profession. Both were recent graduates of the Ryerson hospitality program, where Ingo demonstrated a passion for cooking while Krissy, a competent chef in her own right, enjoyed the managerial side of restaurant operations. After graduation they decided to open a unique chocolate-themed restaurant, where all products (from appetizers to mains to desserts and even beverages) incorporated chocolate in some way. Their first restaurant opened in their hometown of Haliburton in 1998 to rave reviews. Two years later, they established a second restaurant in Gravenhurst.
By 2008 they were confident enough in their business model that they were ready to try their luck in a larger market. The third store opened in Brampton in April 2008. But no business is without its struggles - 2009 was a particularly difficult year. Ingo took an extended sabbatical from the business to deal with personal matters after the passing of his father. When an early spring thaw resulted in flooding damage to both the Gravenhurst and Haliburton stores in mid March, Krissy was left to manage the required repairs and renovations. To make sure the stores would be ready for the busy summer season, it was decided to close for renovations. The Gravenhurst store reopened in late May, but the Haliburton store saw its first customers back only on June 10th.
With the difficult times behind them, Ingo and Krissy were ready to open another store, this time on Hess St. in downtown Hamilton in 2010 and another in Cambridge in 2011. By 2012 it was clear to the pair that the Hamilton market was unique in many ways (including a lack of demand for chocolate-based foods other than donuts) and the decision was made not to renew the lease when it came up for renewal at the end of the year.
The loss of the Hamilton store was a disappointment, but by 2014 they were ready to try again. This time they were going all out - a store right in the heart of Mississauga. With access to a market this large, they suspected this store would either be a tremendous success or an absolute failure.
The quarterly sales figures for each store for 2007-2015, as well as the total combined sales for all stores are provided in Table 1. Data is also available for the first quarter of 2016, but only partial data (April and May) is included in the quarter 2 results as June's totals haven't yet been realized. Krissy and Ingo have hired your team to provide them with a sales forecast for the rest of 2016 and all of 2017. In your initial conversations with them (over chocolate martinis and chicken mole), Ingo explains they would also like to learn as much as they can about the nature of their business and the relative performance of each of their stores.Later (over a shared slice of chocolate ganache torte accompanied by a generous shot of Godiva liqueur) Krissy reveals that she and Ingo have been agonizing over the question of whether or not to open up another store in 2017, and if so, where.
You politely decline the offer of a chocolate flavoured cigar to seal the deal, but agree to have your team showcase a report for Krissy and Ingo based on the information they have provided.
Complete the Analysis
- fully analyze the situation using line graphs and simple linear regression (time index) and multiple regression (time index and binary variables for seasonality), and
- to present the results of your analysis along with your resulting recommendations in a brief memo to the owners.
The conclusions may be based on one or several regression time series analyses. These should be included in the appendices of your report and should be BRIEFLY documented:
- a brief statement of why the model was chosen for evaluation,
- the model result (equation),
- summary comments on the quality of the model results.
The goal in the analysis is to try to learn as much as you can about the business environment and Chocoholics' degree of success, in order to help you better advise the owners.
Ideally, the owners would like as much guidance as possible on:
- How each restaurant is likely to perform;
- An indication of the influence of seasonality on the business in general and on a store by store basis;
- Potential trouble spots in terms of anticipated under-performing establishments.
- The advisability of their opening another store in 2017 and (if recommended) guidance regarding where such a store should be located.
Questions
a) The owners would like to know the insights of their business based on forecasts, insights and recommendations arising from the analysis. Please include the following:
- an ANNUAL sales forecast for the business for the next two years (perhaps under more than one scenario),
- insights or comparisons regarding the individual stores,
- comments and suggestions regarding business strategies (including possible expansion plans).
b) Please share the following graphs.
- a line graph showing the sales of each individual restaurant over time
- a line graph showing the total sales for Chocoholics over time
- the linear regression models you built to understand the business. Clearly label each model. Summarize your conclusions regarding the quality of the model in a SINGLE STATEMENT directly in the regression output.
============== Data ===================
Sales Data For Chocoholics | |||||||||
(thousands of dollars) | |||||||||
Year | Quarter | Store 1 | Store 2 | Store 3 | Store 4 | Store 5 | Store 6 | Total Sales | |
2007 | 1 | 403.75 | 216.3 | 620.05 | |||||
2 | 353 | 274.575 | 627.575 | ||||||
3 | 494.25 | 369.6 | 863.85 | ||||||
4 | 407 | 311.325 | 718.325 | ||||||
2008 | 1 | 462.15 | 257.25 | 719.4 | |||||
2 | 406 | 266.175 | 218.5 | 890.675 | |||||
3 | 510.8 | 393.75 | 249.5 | 1154.05 | |||||
4 | 427.7 | 336 | 405.5 | 1169.2 | |||||
2009 | 1 | 522.9 | 290.85 | 374.5 | 1188.25 | ||||
2 | 221.85 | 111.325 | 240 | 573.175 | |||||
3 | 463.75 | 325.25 | 299.5 | 1088.5 | |||||
4 | 510.8 | 346.5 | 495 | 1352.3 | |||||
2010 | 1 | 560.7 | 337.05 | 486.5 | 1384.25 | ||||
2 | 492.65 | 373.275 | 280 | 1145.925 | |||||
3 | 638.9 | 488.775 | 329.5 | 296.5 | 1753.675 | ||||
4 | 553.15 | 460.425 | 584 | 317 | 1914.575 | ||||
2011 | 1 | 595.35 | 404.775 | 617.5 | 358.5 | 1976.125 | |||
2 | 583 | 433.125 | 283 | 305.5 | 1604.625 | ||||
3 | 662.8 | 576.975 | 313 | 269.5 | 193.5 | 2015.775 | |||
4 | 571.0588 | 451.5 | 525.5 | 246 | 236 | 2030.059 | |||
2012 | 1 | 589.8517 | 416.85 | 696 | 201.5 | 155 | 2059.202 | ||
2 | 560.7 | 437.325 | 370 | 157 | 129.5 | 1654.525 | |||
3 | 672.25 | 645.75 | 375.5 | 130.5 | 209 | 2033 | |||
4 | 587.9 | 510.3 | 841 | 68 | 261 | 2268.2 | |||
2013 | 1 | 650.5 | 437.85 | 765.5 | 176 | 2029.85 | |||
2 | 626.5 | 485.625 | 405.5 | 141 | 1658.625 | ||||
3 | 693.95 | 742.875 | 461.5 | 234 | 2132.325 | ||||
4 | 555.0094 | 576.45 | 757 | 284.5 | 2172.959 | ||||
2014 | 1 | 643.65 | 459.375 | 861.5 | 220.5 | 2185.025 | |||
2 | 572.3 | 539.175 | 337 | 166.5 | 205.5 | 1820.475 | |||
3 | 704.2 | 854.175 | 387.5 | 278.5 | 223 | 2447.375 | |||
4 | 621.6 | 562.48 | 908.5 | 338.5 | 408.5 | 2839.58 | |||
2015 | 1 | 672.55 | 528.22 | 882 | 257.5 | 578 | 2918.27 | ||
2 | 612.8 | 569.887 | 370.5 | 203 | 365.5 | 2121.687 | |||
3 | 712.75 | 849.76 | 465 | 319 | 386.5 | 2733.01 | |||
4 | 630.25 | 523.84 | 1011.5 | 379 | 601 | 3145.59 | |||
2016 | 1 | 689.23 | 551.36 | 896.2 | 272.1 | 621.3 | 3030.19 | ||
2 * | 356.2 | 398.77 | 212.5 | 170 | 298 | 1435.47 | |||
* Note: 2016 Quarter 2 sales consist of only April and May results (June has not yet been incorporated into the totals). |
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