SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

When it comes to testing your product on consumers, there are many effective ways of going about it. But if you have a product that requires tasting or smelling, sometimes you need to find new ways to delve deeper into what consumers are thinking and feeling; ways that go beyond answering survey questions or conducting interviews.

Through the use of sensory research, you can utilize the five senses – sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch – to uncover consumer insights. Allowing consumers to use their senses to test and observe your product can give you much deeper and more useful insights into how your product compares to the competition, even looking at the shelf life and the overall satisfaction of your product. To help you do this, you need a sensory research company that can give you the tools and methods you need to test your product and receive useful consumer feedback. If you’re looking to test your new food or beverage product on consumers, these companies can provide test kitchens and taste tests to give you the best insight. These companies are also there for you when you need facilities equipped with audio and video capabilities to enhance the consumers’ experiences. Or they can provide eye-tracking capabilities to get an in-depth glimpse of what the consumer sees. If you want to dive deep into how consumers truly interact and understand your product, these sensory research companies can help.

AnswerQuest, LLC

Founded 2005, became a sensory facility in Boston in 2009 | 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 781-897-1822
www.answerquestresearch.com  

Area Wide Market Research, Inc.

Founded 1988 | 20 employees

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, 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, four ovens and its own viewing room. Plus, our building is privately-owned. No product, from cigarettes to alcohol, is off limits!

Phone 301-590-1160
www.areawidemarketresearch.com

C&C Market Research

Founded 1992 | 700 employees

Thomas Morrison, Project Director

C&C Market Research is the complete answer to all your data collection needs. For over 25 years our data collection specialists and field locations, coupled with our proprietary programming and data transmission capabilities, have ensured countless successful projects for all our clients. We are the largest privately-owned and -operated data collection company in the U.S. and have remained a leader in today’s marketplace through hard work, ingenuity and a dedication to quality. During this time, we have worked on numerous sensory-related projects in each of our facilities. Whether it be a fine fragrance, cosmetic, home good or any other sensory-related project, we have experience across the board.

Phone 479-785-5637
www.ccmarketresearch.com

CEC Research

Founded 2013 | 10+ employees

Maryana Kaplan, CEO

CEC Research is your premier field and tab partner – delivering proven research methodologies, superior recruiting capabilities, state-of-the-art database management technology and impeccable study execution. CEC Research provides personalized solutions to meet diverse consumer product and sensory research needs of clients from the flavor, fragrance and consumer products industries. CEC’s brand new, state-of-the-art facility is technologically equipped to accommodate any testing our clients require. CEC has an extensive and diverse consumer database ready to meet our clients’ varied research needs. The CEC Research testing facility is located in a premium business park in Cranford, N.J., a short drive from New York City.

Phone 908-967-6790
www.cecresearch.com  

Creative Consumer Research

Founded 1976 | 76 employees

Patricia Pratt, CEO

For 40 years CCR’s mission has been to provide clients accurate and actionable information to develop strategic solutions. This includes having an expertise in mystery shops, on-site interviewing, in-store intercepts and store audits on a national level. CCR has the capability and location space to conduct studies with up to 200 respondents. Our experience includes all aspects of taste tests and sensory, as well as interactive research with automobiles, farm equipment, motorcycles, large appliance testing, cosmetic products, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and a variety of food products specifically focused to targeted ethnic groups, low-incidence usage, adults 55+ and children. CCR has partnered within a variety of industries including health care, automotive and consumer goods.

Phone 281-240-9646
www.ccrsurveys.com

CRG Global Test America

Founded 1989 | 450 employees

Mary Cunningham, CEO

CRG Global Test America is the premier data collection resource in North America. We have expertise in product testing in every category of consumer packaged goods, from fine fragrances to pet care to alcoholic beverages and everything in between. Our consumer test studios are purpose-built for a wide array of product testing, featuring sensory booths, ventilated fragrance chambers with sinks and mirrors, fully-equipped test kitchens (consumer and commercial), laundry rooms, large testing areas with client viewing and more. We specialize in both traditional and niche recruiting, and our use of advanced technologies is a key component to enabling a seamless blending of multiple methodologies. CRG’s Survey Passport Mobile app and QualTopics SMS chat moderation software enable in-the-moment, in-depth consumer interactions. Datatelligence Online is our online community of over 400,000 households.

Phone 866-209-2553
www.crgglobalinc.com

CSS/datatelligence

Founded 1989 | 110 employees

Mary Cunningham, CEO

CSS/datatelligence offers expertise in a wide variety of cutting-edge research methodologies, unequaled savings and the benefit of working with a vertically-integrated supplier for your business initiatives. With 20+ facilities in the United States and 400,000+ members in our online panel, we have unparalleled access to the American consumer. Our U.S. capabilities, combined with long-standing international partnerships, give us a worldwide reach, allowing us to conduct projects globally in a broad range of categories including fragrances, health and beauty aids, food and beverages and more.

Phone 866-209-2553
www.cssdatatelligence.com

Focus World International, Inc.

Founded 1980 | 44 employees

Gary Eichenholtz, CEO/CFO

Focus World International (FWI) celebrates 37 years of success in market research. Only FWI can provide a purpose-built, custom-designed sensory testing facility complete with 16 E-Sense chambers to meet the tight deadlines and complex randomizations of sensory research studies! With our guaranteed data validity and our paid-to-pay-attention approach to project management, complemented by our ability to maintain control of all possible variables within the evaluation environment (aeration/exhaust, lighting, humidity, facial reaction, crosstalk-contamination, etc.) that could adversely affect the integrity of data, our clients are able to make actionable decisions with confidence based on the facts, not just a leap of faith. Our chambers are rated “best” in the industry by an independent third party. Experience the difference!

Phone 732-946-0100
www.focusworldinternational.com and
www.focusworldint.com

Food Perspectives, Inc.

Founded 1990 | 75 employees

Nancy Eicher, CEO

Food Perspectives, a Covance Food Solutions company, offers our clients end-to-end product research services, including product design and prototyping, descriptive analysis, sensory optimization and consumer validation. With academic backgrounds in sensory science and market research plus extensive industry experience, the FPI team custom designs research to your needs. Proven scientific methodologies ensure the highest levels of accuracy and reliability while advance analytics and insightful interpretation provide confidence in your product development decisions. Our Minneapolis-based headquarters features state-of-the-art kitchens and research spaces to accommodate even the most complex needs. FPI conducts research across the U.S. and Canada as well.

Phone 763-254-2770
www.foodperspectives.com

Herron Associates, Inc.

Founded 1958 | 45 employees

Sue McAdams, CEO

Leading sensory clients choose Herron for years of experience, large state-of-the-art facilities in Indianapolis and Tampa and seamless deliverables on projects anywhere. We partnered with leading culinary teams to bring you kitchens designed by experts for the best culinary experience. Our spacious Indy facility offers a 960-square-foot commercial kitchen with large research suites accommodating up to 50 respondents. Our Tampa office offers a large kitchen as well as large research suites accommodating up to 30 respondents. Partner with Herron on your next project for a fresh perspective on your sensory study and see why clients always make Herron their first call.

Phone 800-392-3828
www.herron-research.com  

INGATHER Research & Sensory

Founded 2001 | 25 employees

Bob Chapin, CEO

INGATHER Research & Sensory® is The Leader in Marketing Research In-Context™. Providing both traditional and alternative qualitative and quantitative research, INGATHER’s Unsalted Cracker Lab™ is ideal for new menu testing and includes a full commercial kitchen, bar and restaurant within the space. The Common Sensory™ is perfect for both ingredient and CPG research, housing full consumer testing capabilities with break out rooms. INGATHER’s 12,000-sq.-foot facility was built by researchers/scientists to meet the evolving sensory needs of today and the innovative in-context needs of the future. Whether it’s cleaning products, fragrance, automotive, cosmetics, pharma or gaming, INGATHER can handle your sensory testing needs.

Phone 303-988-6808
www.ingatherresearch.com

Insight Evolution

Founded 2010

Thais Senger, Owner

Insight Evolution is a small, personalized sensory and market research company with a large global reach. Our company is devoted to understanding the consumer and their true aspirations and motives that drive appreciation of products and services. This focused personalized view recognizes each project for its own uniqueness, thus enabling us to customize, tweak and develop research techniques that draw from our extensive qualitative and sensory experience. IE has also designed numerous trained sensory panels, mainly in food, personal and home care industries. Highly experienced in all stages of product development and innovation, we view ourselves as an extension of your team.

Phone 201-927-1977
www.insightevolutionllc.com

The Institute for Sensory Research

Founded 2000 | 30 employees

Avishan Amanat, Director

Located just outside New York City, ISR is a nationally-recognized, full-service sensory research organization. We provide discrimination and descriptive panels, sensory testing facilities and client-site sensory solutions. We are one of the most experienced scientific sensory research organizations with 15+ years of working with food, beverage, home care and personal care manufacturers. Our approach links established sensory and scientific methodologies with strict quality controls to provide reliable research results for confident decision-making. Superior sensory facilities including 12 food/beverage booths, 23 sink booths, seven home care rooms (washer, dryer, sink and toilet), washable surfaces and programmable HVAC system.

Phone 914-696-5155
www.sensoryguidance.com

Jackson Associates Research, Inc.

Founded 1957 | 35 employees

Marisa L. Pope, CEO

With over 18,000 feet of research space across two locations in Atlanta, Jackson Associates’ test kitchen, equipped with 142 cubic feet of walk-in refrigeration, 36 feet of stainless prep, fryers and prep tables, is the largest and most conveniently-located in the city. Couple that with our viewable CLT labs and luxurious focus suites and it’s easy to see why clients love our facilities. But it’s our experience that sets us apart; our average manager has more than a decade in research, which means less work for our clients. Our database of almost 200,000 makes even the most challenging recruit achievable.

Phone 770-394-8700
www.jacksonassociates.com

KMR Research Studio

Founded 2014

Helen Karchner, CEO/Co-Founder

The KMR Research Studio is perfect for your sensory research! Located in the true Philadelphia suburbs, it offers a plethora of untapped, research naïve respondents, professionally pleasing atmosphere, at a prudent price. This aesthetically pleasing facility offers an environment whereby respondents are relaxed, allowing them to share more deeply, more openly, more authentically. Evoke, harness, then take advantage of these powerful responses to non-conscious stimuli. Whether health care devices or personal care products, using effective testing (including descriptive and discrimination tests) or affective testing (qualitative consumer focus groups), The KMR Research Studio is the best venue for your sensory evaluation testing!

Phone 610-564-9624              
www.kmrresearchstudio.com

Lucas Market Research, LLC

Founded 1967 | 15 employees

Suzanne Lucas Echelmeyer, CEO

Celebrating 50 years of market research excellence, our redesigned facility boasts amenities for the most discriminating client and is conveniently located 15 minutes from STL Lambert airport. Centrally-located, our professional recruiting staff can deliver a diverse range of respondent demographics from the Metro-STL. Our 1,000-square-foot multi-purpose room is designed to comfortably and securely accommodate 30 testing stations, each equipped with a laptop and high-speed Internet. A fully equipped test kitchen and tenured, fully trained staff on product preparation protocol will deliver a seamless and cost-effective solution to ensure your project is a success. 

Phone 314-344-0803
www.lucasresearch.net/

Michigan Market Research

Founded 2013 | 20 employees

Roxanne Naszradi, CEO

At MMR our staff is trained in food safety protocols and product testing, while having the experience and dedication to bring your project in quickly and on budget. Our kitchen was designed for efficiency and effectiveness, we have the appliances and 220v outlets for your project. Taste test rooms have viewing and can be configured in many layouts. Beverage research, QSR, prepared foods can all be easily handled in our kitchen with our equipment or feel free to roll in any custom equipment thru our 6-foot doorway. Run taste tests and follow-up focus groups simultaneously. Sensory research is our specialty!

Phone 248-569-7095
www.mimarketresearch.com

Opinions, Ltd.

Founded 1998 | 500+ employees

Chris Sluder, Vice PresidentIris Blaine, Executive Director

Opinions LTD is a well-versed consumer product research company excelling in the areas of project management, study design/protocols, data collection and analysis. With 30 testing facilities, you can be assured you are more directly connected with your target consumer. Because we own and operate these facilities, we can adapt to last-minute requests. Standard methodologies currently requested are: central location testing; home use test; large group/multi-day testing; intercepts; and qualitative. If you work in areas of food and beverage; fragrance evaluations; cosmetic and beauty care; personal care; alcohol testing; luxury brands; or laundry and home care, then contact us for your next research project!

Phone 440-893-0300
www.opinionsltd.com

PVR Research, Inc.

Founded 1965 | 54 employees

Valerie Cansler, CEO

Come experience the PVR difference and see what our clients are raving about! Our large commercial kitchen is ideal for both QSR, fast casual dining and food/beverage testing. Our space features ample freezer and refrigerator storage, multiple electric and gas connections to configure whatever cooking equipment is required. Our professional staff is skilled to provide any culinary support to help prepare and serve the test products in a timely and effective manner. Our CLT room accommodates up to 50 respondents. Culinary research is one of our core competencies, allowing us to provide the desired level of support on any project so that you can make successful marketing decisions.

Phone 770-232-0322
www.pvr-research.com

Q Research Solutions, Inc.

Founded 1992 | 70 employees

David Japhet, CEO

Q Research Solutions (Q) focuses on consumer and sensory research for CPG innovation. With over 30 years of expertise, we design custom research solutions, leveraging our state-of-the-art facilities and technologies, including the isolation of fragrance and aroma through qPOD® mobile technology that permits “in-use” experiences without cross-contamination. Q’s Sensory Specialists have backgrounds which include food and beverage as well as household and personal care expertise with supplier and manufacturer perspectives.  At Q, sensory research interfaces with all aspects of product development guidance from user interface to driving consumer preference to implicit measures of consumer opinion. www.qrsglobal.com

Phone 732-317-5850
www.qrsglobal.com/  

TasteMakers Research Group

Founded 2010 | 15 employees

Andrea Poe, CEO

TasteMakers Research Group provides common-sense consumer product testing solutions that deliver agile, affordable and authentic consumer insights. Our innovative and cultivated methods are built for consumer product innovators, business strategists and marketers who demand quick, quantitative and cost-effective results. TRG’s proprietary PopUp CLT™ (central location test) methodology is a hybrid approach recognized for its unsurpassed ability to conduct in-person consumer product testing, such as taste tests, while achieving breakthrough cost savings and real-time results for clients. Other methodologies currently in use can cost over four times more and take at least three times longer to conduct.

Phone 323-533-5954
www.tastemakersresearch.com

Tobii Pro

Founded 2001 | 130+ employees

Tom Englund, President

Tobii Pro is the global leader in eye-tracking. We offer both solutions and services that allow businesses to add attention measurement to their research portfolio. Whether you are testing shopper behavior, package designs, advertising concepts or user interactions, our innovative eye trackers and expert team of analysts provide you with an unparalleled vantage into the experience of the consumer. Contact us to learn what Google, Ipsos, Toyota, GfK and P&G already know – that eye-tracking from Tobii Pro provides compelling and actionable research insights.

Phone 703-738-1300
go.tobiipro.com/services


Visit Sensory Research for a complete list of companies offering these services.