Reese's Pieces research project

Reese’s Pieces Analysis

Samples of product containers (click each image to view a larger version)

Abstract

 This research project is a comparative analysis of the differences in the number of ‘pieces’ contained in a box of Reese’s Pieces and the equivalent number of ‘pieces’ obtained through a hand crank operated machine which dispenses product in 25 cent amounts. The hypothesis was that the number of ‘pieces’ would be greater in the box than through a similar value of product acquired through the hand crank machine. This was premised on the proved marketing technique that selling product in bulk is cheaper to produce therefore cheaper for the consumer. The results were surprisingly different than what was anticipated.

 Introduction

 This research project was independently funded through donations from anonymous sources. The research was carried out under the supervision of qualified professionals and monitored by independent, unbiased third parties. NorPro provided security to ensure there was no tampering with any of the equipment or product used in this research project. The inclusion of a security firm is the direct result of an initial trial attempt during which the process was disrupted by irregularities with the counting process and loss of product that disallowed the research to be repeated.

 As is the case in any research project, additional research is needed to verify the results of this project. Two additional trials are anticipated in the near future. The second of the three trials is schedule for this week. The results of this trial will be incorporated into this document. The researcher is currently waiting for additional funding and currency conversion in order to begin the second trial.

 Method

There are two components that must be reviewed in the methods. The first is in relation to the ‘box’ product and the second is in relation to the ‘hand’ product.

 In the first case (box), a box of Reese’s Pieces was purchased through a vending dispenser machine. This method was chosen to ensure a randomization of the product. If the product had been purchased at a convenience store, it could be construed that the purchaser may have skewed the randomization by selecting a box that presented with a heavier weight than other boxes. By using a vending dispenser machine, this apparent bias is removed, as the next available product would be dispensed regardless of any differences from other items of the same product.

 In the second case (hand), random quarters were placed in the machine. The same hand crank machine was used throughout the entire project. The hand crank was turned at the same slow speed. The slow speed was used based on previous research indicating that turning the hand crank slower allows more of the product to fall through the aperture compared to turning the hand crank faster. This previous research report can be viewed in another page of this website.

 Conclusion

 The results of the initial trial for this analysis found that a box contains 68 pieces while the equivalent value of the same product through a hand crank machine equalled 88 pieces. This results in a per item value of $0.02 for the product distributed through boxes while the 'per item' value for product distributed through the hand crank machines is $0.01.

In a second trial where the preceding results were compared to the newly added sources of Bulk Food Stores, a plastic tub and a family pack bag (these latter two appearing in the photos at the top of this research page), the results were somewhat different. The results of all these trials appear in the table below.

What came as an initial surprise was the discrepancy between the cost per kilogram of purchasing Reese's Pieces in bulk. Upon closer examination of the sources of the bulk, it became evident that there were two 'bulk food' stores (one large chain and one small independent) while the third (the one with the greater cost per kilogram) was a regular grocery store selling Reese's Pieces in bulk. The results follow. The cheapest way to purchase Reese's Pieces is in the family pack bag followed by the three 'bulk' options.

For additional information about Reese's Pieces, please consult the article about them on Wikipedia (link below). 

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reese's_Pieces