It’s a matter of taste – and that’s why it’s important to choose the right partner when conducting taste tests. Whether you’re introducing a new product or improving an existing one, this research provides an opportunity to understand your product and consumers better and ensure a successful launch.
These companies specialize in a range of solutions for both in-person and virtual needs, from fully stocked test kitchens to remote moderation and observation tools. Whether your research needs require home-use tests, in-market environments or extensive in-facility work, the following companies are equipped to meet the specifications of your next project.
AnswerQuest, LLC
Founded 2005 | 21 employees
Jason R. Miller, CEO
With almost 10,000 feet of space just outside Boston, AnswerQuest is the Northeast’s premier sensory facility. AQ’s test kitchen comes fully equipped with both upright and walk-in coolers and freezers, stainless prep counters, tables and serving carts, residential ovens and dozens of microwaves. Abundant storage, plentiful outlets and an additional 400 free amps is available for specialized equipment. Our team is experienced in sensory, and our sensory director (a trained chef) oversees every test personally. With a database of almost 100,000, we can tackle even the most challenging specifications and our trained recruiters fulfill quotas on time and within budget.
Phone 1-781-897-1822
www.answerquestresearch.com
Area Wide Market Research Inc.
Founded 1988
Ann Weinstein, CEO
Area Wide’s seasoned staff pours three decades of experience into every project. Our professional, in-house recruiting team – the most skilled in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia – can fill any group, from an intimate few to many hundreds. Recruiting low-incidence? That’s when we do our most creative sourcing! For central location tests, we staff and manage the entire process seamlessly. On-site, enjoy classroom-style or individual booth configurations, ample free parking directly outside our door to ensure on-time starts and a stocked kitchen with two fridges, two freezers, four microwaves, two ovens and its own viewing room. Plus, our building is privately owned. No product, from cigarettes to alcohol, is off limits!
Phone 1-301-590-1160
www.AreaWideMarketResearch.com
Blending Views
Founded 2018
Brian Styx, CEO
Blending Views was born from decades of hands-on research with Fortune 500 powerhouses but we’re not your typical research firm. We’re a small business with massive capabilities in the Chicago market and a serious knack for making things seamless. From day one, we’ve made it our mission to deliver a testing experience that feels effortless – for both our clients and respondents. Our commercial kitchen is meticulously maintained, features an open layout and is upgraded regularly to meet the highest industry standards. The Blending Views facility isn’t just functional – it’s eco-conscious, people-forward and built for good vibes. Around here, innovation meets hospitality and there’s always a smile waiting for you.
E-mail bstyx@blendingviews.com
Phone 1-708-826-3200
www.blendingviews.com
BLS Research & Consulting
Founded 2016
Dr. Brittany L. Stalsburg, CEO
BLS Research & Consulting is a full-service market research and communication strategy firm based in the NYC metro area. We use both qualitative and quantitative methods to deliver actionable insights that drive innovative strategies for organizations, brands and companies. Product and taste testing are our core strengths. We help brands assess product performance and identify ways to optimize for their target customers. Our holistic approach goes beyond performance metrics to explore how products can better meet consumer needs while also identifying market gaps for innovation. Our capabilities include surveys as well as in-person and virtual focus groups, IDIs and ethnographies. We also stay at the cutting edge of research methodologies and offer more authentic product and taste testing experiences through in-person intercepts and organic recruitment.
E-mail brittany@blsresearch.com
Phone 1-860-227-3875
www.blsresearch.com
CSS/datatelligence
Founded 1987 | 100+ employees
Carolyn Corbett, VP of Sensory
CSS/datatelligence: Advancing sensory and consumer research into strategic growth. CSS/datatelligence is a market research expert specializing in global sensory and consumer research, dedicated to helping brands understand and optimize the complete product and packaging experience. Our mission is to transform complex sensory and consumer data into clear, actionable insights that fuel innovation and growth. We support clients across diverse categories including food and beverage, personal care, fragrances, cosmetics and home care, by designing and executing research grounded in proven methodologies such as CLTs, HUTs and consumption and satiety protocols. Our multidisciplinary team includes sensory scientists, behavioral psychologists and predictive intelligence experts. We collaborate closely with clients to uncover nuanced consumer preferences and translate them into strategic recommendations. To ensure authentic, real-world insights, our state-of-the-art test studios feature sensory booths, fragrance chambers, laundry and residential environments and dedicated spaces for CLTs, focus groups and client observation. Partner with CSS/datatelligence to gain a deeper understanding of the sensory and consumer landscape – and transform these insights into a competitive advantage.
E-mail Carolyncorbett@cssdatatelligence.com
Phone 1-386-677-5644 x225
www.crgglobalinc.com
Curion
Founded 2017 | 300 employees
Keren Novack, President
Curion specializes in delivering impactful insights to the world’s top CPG companies, helping them develop winning, repeatedly purchased products. Curion’s deep data-driven product insights, sensory expertise and state-of-the-art consumer centers enable them to uncover responses to critical client objectives. With over five decades of experience in the product testing industry, Curion is dedicated to guiding clients with their proprietary XP Xperience Performance platform, connecting brands to consumers at every step. An innovator in the industry, Curion recently developed a groundbreaking benchmarking product testing method, the Curion Score™, which has become a trusted and sought-after tool within the industry. As one of the largest product and consumer insights companies in the U.S., Curion has built a reputation for excellence and trust among the world’s leading consumer brands. Curion’s commitment to innovation and expertise, coupled with a passion for delivering actionable insights, makes Curion a valuable partner for companies looking to develop and launch successful products.
E-mail info@curioninsights.com
Phone 1-224-632-1919
www.curioninsights.com
Decision Analyst
Founded 1978 | 120 employees
Jerry W. Thomas, CEO
Bonnie Janzen, President
Felicia Rogers, Executive Vice President
Decision Analyst is a recognized leader in in-home usage testing (IHUTs), taste testing and product optimization. We have tested thousands of consumer packaged goods and durable goods over the past 45 years. Our product testing services include central location taste tests, product clinics, IHUTs and product optimization techniques using choice modeling. We favor monadic testing of products but also design and execute paired-comparison, sequential-monadic and protomonadic tests. Optima®, our product testing system, predicts consumer acceptance, determines the optimal set of ingredients or features and optimizes pricing. Our team members have extensive experience in conducting and analyzing taste tests and optimization studies. We own and operate consumer panels for IHUTs and have our own facilities for processing and shipping test products. We offer research and analytical services to help our clients improve existing products and create new products.
Phone 1-817-640-6166
www.decisionanalyst.com/services/producttesting
Fieldwork
Founded 1980/Insights 1960 | 350 employees
Nikki Darre, President
Our specialties include taste tests and sensory research, medical, CX/UX, B2B, mock jury, consumer and global research. For over 40 years Fieldwork has recruited the highest-quality consumer, business and medical respondents both through and far beyond databases, using proven methods to reach your audience. We believe in a customized approach to recruitment. Fieldwork provides unsurpassed project management and hosting. Fieldwork is your qualitative research partner. Focus on the research. We’ll do the rest! What do you need? Contact me today: SarahK@fieldwork.com.
E-mail Info@Network.Fieldwork.com
Phone 1-800-863-4353
www.fieldwork.com/market-research-services
Focus & Testing – an Insights Center Facility
Founded 1995 | 35 employees
Spence Bilkiss, CEO
Focus & Testing, an Insights Center Facility, has skillfully executed food and beverage research through CLTs and focus groups for over 30 years. Since our inception, sensory testing has been our focus, allowing us to emerge as the prominent sensory center in Los Angeles. The 12,500-square-foot facility features the ultimate commercial-grade kitchen for everything from CPG to restaurant menu testing and anything in between. The facility also includes a secondary kitchen, observable CLT suite with 46 respondent stations, a second CLT suite with 36 stations and two focus group suites. Our tenured and ServSafe-certified team sets us apart, enabling Focus & Testing to execute projects like a well-oiled machine.
Phone 1-818-577-4022
www.focusandtesting.com
Insights Center
Founded 2016 | 25 employees
Jeff Bryles, Managing Partner
Insights Center is a unique organization offering specialty facilities across the U.S. that offers commercial kitchens and spacious focus suites. We built the organization to answer a growing need in the marketplace for facilities that could host both qualitative and quantitative studies. Our test kitchens include walk-in refrigeration, ventilation, fryers and stainless prep space. Our CLT labs are capable of seating up to 50 at a time and our ServSafe-trained personnel handle even the most complex studies with ease. Whether it’s a sequential monadic, paired comparison or discrimination test, our clients know they can rely on the data we collect.
Phone 1-720-787-7630
www.insightscenters.com
Karchner Marketing Research, LLC, WBE
Founded 2003
Helen and Mike Karchner, Co-Founding Moderators
In today’s fast-paced market, staying ahead demands agility, insight and innovation. Karchner Marketing Research (KMR) has been delivering this since 2003! Empowering business owners with deep customer/consumer/prosumer insights through PMR accomplishes this goal. From national CPG, beverage, restaurant (QSR, FCR, FSR) brands to a small (mom and pop, local, family-owned) business, leveraging respondents’ sensorial input during taste tests impacts their opinion/decisions. How do we effervesce a respondent’s internal inclinations? Well, KMR conducts PMR in a very unique way for taste tests. We identify the aha journey, the propensity for a respondent to actively respond to a product or service, either at our KMR Research Studio or at the restaurant location or at an alternative neutral location. Our proprietary strategic approach strengthens a client’s product portfolio by uncovering missed opportunities or potential risks before resources are wasted. By anticipating tomorrow’s needs today, our clients remain strategically advanced and continue outpacing competitor innovation. Elevate your business with KMR’s expertise – because smarter decisions lead to lasting success. KMR – your strategic partner from quick gut-check projects to multiphase global studies. Value establishes KMR’s prominence!
E-mail helen@kmrinsights.com
Phone 1-610-564-9624
www.KMRResearchStudio.com
MarketView Research
Founded 1999 | 25+ employees
Jessica Cardella, Senior Vice President
MarketView Research is the go-to authority in taste testing and product testing research – trusted by top brands to turn consumer insights into winning products. For over 25 years, we’ve helped clients uncover the flavors, textures and experiences that drive real market appeal and fuel innovation. Our deep expertise spans every stage of product development, from early concept testing to in-market validation. We deliver clear, actionable insights grounded in what consumers truly want – whether you’re refining a recipe, comparing products or preparing to launch something new. We handle everything from start to finish: study design, survey creation, recruiting, fieldwork, data tabulation and analysis. With experienced in-house teams and a relentless focus on client success, we make the entire taste-testing process seamless, strategic and built to move your product forward with confidence.
Phone 1-201-840-5264
www.mvrg.com
Murray Hill National
Founded 2013 | 35 employees
Susan Owens, COO
Clients trust Murray Hill National with thousands of studies per year as their research partner. In return, we deliver valuable solutions, high-quality recruitment and data collection for their consumer, health care and B2B market research needs. Specializing in all methodologies and audiences, we can host and deliver your results across the U.S. For the last 25 years, the executives at Murray Hill National LLP have worked diligently and advanced to one of the leading data collection and recruitment companies in the U.S. Our teams are committed to meeting your research needs. We provide high-quality recruitment with access to 5 million consumers, 650,000+ B2B executives/professionals, 750,000 physicians, nurses and more, and we organize 150+ patient panels. Any audience, any methodology specializing in B2B and health care. Our qualitative services extend far beyond the traditional focus group. Our services include online, digital, remote, home-use test and any other methodology needing to find an audience with feedback or expert knowledge. Call us today for your next project, your “regional or national” recruiting experts!
Phone 1-972-707-7645
www.murrayhillnational.com
Precision Research Inc.
Founded 1959 | 25-49 employees
Scott Adleman, President
Precision Research: a top U.S. taste testing research facility. Precision Research is recognized as one of the premier taste testing research facilities in the United States. Located in Chicago, our state-of-the-art commercial kitchen and testing center is specifically designed for consumer taste tests, sensory evaluation and product comparison studies. We provide a full-service solution – from recruiting qualified respondents to administering tests and collecting in-depth consumer feedback. Our facility supports both qualitative and quantitative research and can accommodate a wide range of food and beverage testing protocols including blind, branded, central location and home-use testing. With a team experienced in managing complex testing logistics and food-safe procedures, Precision delivers accurate, reliable insights that help brands optimize products and drive innovation. Trusted by leading food manufacturers, restaurant chains and CPG companies, Precision Research is your partner for uncovering what consumers truly prefer – and why.
Phone 1-847-257-0827
www.preres.com
Reckner Facilities
Founded 1991
Gina Cassel, Senior Vice President, Reckner
Celebrating 30 years of market research excellence, Reckner provides state-of-the-art taste test and product testing facilities located in the Milwaukee, New York City and Philadelphia MSAs. Spacious, fully-equipped test kitchens offer ample refrigeration and freezer space, microwaves, ovens, abundant counter space and more. Highly-tenured staff are fully-trained in food service and well-versed on the detailed protocols of product preparation and testing. Experience in all food and beverage categories including alcohol, confectionery, dairy, frozen foods and more. Focus group rooms, multipurpose space, product testing rooms and sink booths are also available. Project management staff are highly experienced with CLTs, home-use-tests, large quotas and complex designs, all with quick turnarounds and competitive pricing.
E-mail gcassel@reckner.com
Phone 1-215-822-6220
www.reckner.com
Sensory Center of Atlanta
Founded 2019 | 18 employees
Marisa Pope, President
At the intersection of culinary creativity and consumer connection, our facility is built to elevate your brand. R&D and marketing teams thrive here – side by side. Our 1,350-square-foot test kitchen is purpose-built for food and beverage research, featuring a 16-foot vent hood, gas and electric commercial appliances, dual oven types and walk-in coolers and freezers. It’s efficient, flexible and ready to bring your next product to life. Meanwhile, your marketing team watches it all unfold in comfort – our upscale observation rooms include plush seating, personalized service and even curated dining experiences. Plus, with rooms already vented for health and beauty testing, we’re ready for whatever you’re innovating next. Experience a space designed for progress – yours.
Phone 1-770-394-8700
www.sensorycenteratlanta.com
SIS International Research
Founded 1984 | 50 employees
Ruth Stanat, CEO
Established in 1984, SIS International Research is a global market research and consultancy firm specializing in food taste testing. Our modern facility in the Flatiron section of New York City can accommodate up to 100 taste tests per day. Our taste testing capabilities cover North America, Latin America, the EU, the APAC region and the MENA region, including over 100 countries and 33 languages. Our methods include focus groups, individual taste tests and central location tests. SIS is also known for our advanced data analytics and high-quality reporting. Studies often feature competitive products during taste tests. We can also enhance the research with desk research and competitive analysis. We can expand taste testing to include IHUTs or in-home taste tests. SIS integrates brand research into our taste tests. Our strategy and consulting division assists with analysis and reporting. We provide actionable data for informed decision-making.
E-mail Restanat@sisinternational.com
Phone 1-917-536-0640
www.sisinternational.com
Symmetric, A Decision Analyst Company
Founded 2016 | 25+ employees
Jason Thomas, CEO
Arianne Larimer, President
Symmetric operates American Consumer Opinion® (a worldwide panel of millions of consumers, established in 1995) and five B2B worldwide online panels: Physicians Advisory Council®, Medical Advisory Board®, Executive Advisory Board®, Contractor Advisory Board® and Technology Advisory Board®. We have over 40 years of experience conducting in-home usage tests and taste tests. Our professional team is well trained, dedicated and meticulous. Our product processing and shipping facilities encompass 1,500 square feet with ample space for product storage. Facilities are temperature-controlled and cleaned daily. At Symmetric, we place a high value on representative samples, scientific sampling methods and advanced fraud-detection systems. Our online panels are carefully balanced, continually refreshed and systematically cleaned. In addition to IHUT mailing and taste tests, our services include programming, hosting, online communities, tabulation and coding.
Phone 1-817-649-5243
www.symmetricsampling.com/services/mailing