FAQ

ABOUT INDUSTRY INFLUENCER

What is Industry Influencer?  

Industry Influencer is Technomic’s paid research panel composed of foodservice professionals. Technomic, a leading foodservice research firm with nearly 60 years of industry expertise, facilitates research studies where restaurant operators, chefs, suppliers and other culinary experts share insights on industry trends, product development, business strategies and more.  

How does Technomic’s Industry Influencer program work?  

  • Qualified foodservice professionals join our vetted research community of over 20,000 members 
  • Members receive invitations to participate in paid research opportunities 
  • Surveys cover topics like menu innovation, consumer behavior and operational challenges 
  • Participants earn compensation for sharing their professional expertise  
  • Members also receive complimentary industry reports and exclusive invitations to industry events 

How does Industry Influencer differ from other research panels? 

Our research panel stands out from traditional research panels through our exclusive focus on foodservice professionals and industry-specific insights. Unlike generic consumer panels, we specialize in connecting with decision-makers across restaurants, hospitality, education, healthcare and other foodservice segments. 

Key differentiators include: 

    • Industry expertise—Our panel consists exclusively of foodservice professionals with real-world experience 
    • Decision-maker focus—We target owners, managers, chefs and other key influencers who drive purchasing and operational decisions  
    • Sector diversity—Representation across all foodservice segments, ranging from fine dining to institutional catering  
    • Quality over quantity—Carefully vetted professionals who provide meaningful, actionable insights

What foodservice professionals and job roles are eligible to join Industry Influencer? 

Industry Influencer welcomes foodservice professionals across all industry segments, including restaurants, hospitality, education, healthcare and more.  

Qualifying roles for our research panel include: 

  • Restaurant owners and operators  
  • General managers and kitchen managers 
  • Franchise owners and multiunit operators  
  • Executive chefs and culinary directors  
  • Menu development professionals  
  • Food and beverage managers 

What are the benefits of joining Industry Influencer?  

Professional Impact:  

  • Influence industry innovation—Your insights shape new products and services  
  • Guide strategic decisions—Help companies make better choices for the foodservice sector  
  • Drive meaningful change—Impact solutions that affect your daily operations  
  • Stay ahead of trends—Access cutting-edge industry research and insights  

Personal Benefits:  

  • Earn monetary rewards—Share your professional expertise  
  • Flexible participation—Complete surveys on your schedule  
  • Network with peers—Connect with other industry professionals  
  • Professional development—Stay engaged with industry evolution  

Is Industry Influencer right for me?  

Industry Influencer is perfect for foodservice professionals who want to:  

  • Share expertise on industry trends and operational challenges  
  • Influence product development that impacts their business  
  • Earn compensation for their time and professional insights  
  • Stay connected with cutting-edge foodservice research  
  • Make their voice heard in strategic industry decisions  

 

ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT

How do I log into my Industry Influencer account?  

Access your account using your registered email address at:

https://technomicpanel.com/member-login/  

What login credentials do I need?  

Your username is your email address used during account registration. If you can’t remember your registration email, contact [email protected] for assistance.  

How do I reset a forgotten password?  

Quick password reset:  

  1. Visit https://technomicpanel.com/Reset-Password/  
  2. Enter your registered email address  
  3. Check your email for reset instructions  
  4. Follow the link to create a new password  

Need additional help? Email [email protected] for manual password reset assistance.  

Can I update my account email address?  

Yes, you can change your account email by contacting [email protected] with your update request.  

 Where can I find available research opportunities?  

To access your research opportunities:  

  1. Log into your Industry Influencer account  
  2. Click the “Your Surveys” tab  
  3. Browse and select the survey you want to complete  

 

REWARDS AND COMPENSATION: 

How do I earn points through Industry Influencer?   

Point-earning opportunities:  

  • Survey completion—Immediate points upon finishing surveys  
  • Bulletin board discussions—Multiday online discussions 
  • In-depth interviews—One-on-one call session with one of our inhouse researchers 
  • Focus groups—Group discussion and feedback sessions  
  • Product testing—Evaluation of new foodservice products or services  

What’s the process for redeeming earned points?  

Step-by-step redemption:  

  1. Log into your account: https://technomicpanel.com/member-login/  
  2. Navigate to the “Redeem Points” tab  
  3. Review your current point balance  
  4. Browse available gift card options  
  5. Select your preferred reward and complete redemption  

What’s the minimum point requirement for rewards?  

You need 10 points minimum to redeem rewards. We recommend accumulating 100 points for access to premium reward options.  

What reward options can I choose from?  

Popular gift card categories:  

  • Retail: Amazon, Target, Macy’s, Walmart  
  • Technology: Apple, Best Buy, Microsoft  
  • Beauty & Personal Care: Sephora, Ulta Beauty  
  • Travel: Delta Airlines and hotel chains  
  • Dining: Restaurant chains and food delivery services  
  • Entertainment: Streaming services and gaming platforms  

Gift card selection may vary based on current partnerships and availability.  

When will I receive my points?  

Survey points are awarded immediately upon completion, while multiday online discussions, interviews and focus groups typically take one to two weeks to be manually awarded. 

Important note: Bulletin board discussions require consistent daily participation to receive full point allocation.  

Do Industry Influencer points expire?  

Yes, points expire 12 months after being credited to your account.  

 

SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE 

Who should I contact for help with my account?  

For questions not addressed in this FAQ, contact [email protected].  

What information helps resolve support requests quickly?  

Include these details when contacting support:  

  • Your account username (email used to create account) 
  • Clear description of the issue you’re experiencing  
  • Any error messages or codes you’re seeing  
  • Screenshots of problems (when applicable)  
  • Device and browser information (for technical issues)  

 

PRIVACY & DATA 

How do I deactivate my Industry Influencer account?  

Account closure options:  

  • Use unsubscribe links in email communications  
  • Click “unsubscribe” within your account profile  
  • Visit our unsubscribe page: https://technomicpanel.com/unsubscribe/ 

What happens to my data if I don’t complete a survey? 

Your survey responses are only used for research purposes when you fully complete a study. If you start but don’t finish a survey, your partial data will not be included in any research analysis or reporting. 

Are my responses anonymous or confidential? 

Your responses are confidential, meaning we know who provided them but protect your identity in all reporting. Research findings are presented without any personally identifiable information. Individual responses are never attributed to specific participants in client reports.