You may not even be aware that the Ostrich burger at your local Ruby Tuesday is being offered for a limited time, in a limited market. But, as travellers, maybe you're more aware, since you might discover your new favorite is not offered at the Ruby Tuesday in Battle Creek.

I've lived in quite a few places and travelled to many more. I'm not a food snob and do eat in a number of chain restaurants. I've noticed differences from time to time and can't recall many, but would love to know what's currently being test marketed in your town.

The best limited offering I recall was the Triple Ripple cone at some McDonalds in the 60's; a sort of Nutty Buddy with Neapolitan ice cream. Unfortunately, it was gone in 3 months, and by the end they were tasting pretty freezer-burned.

Anyone else?

I was part of the test market for Mr Pibb in 19[barhum-hum-hum], and to this day I have a fondness for it. In college I tried, unsuccesfully, to create a tipple using Mr Pibb.

Years ago I somehow got on a mailing list for test marketing, still dont know how I got on the list but it paid 50.00 per test and as a starving college students I jumped at the chance
I tested
Instant mashed potatoes
Coke vs pepsi
Frozen Pizza
Frozen yogurt
Peanut butter
and the list goes on I did this for two years at a rate of about 1 test per week
These were blind tests so you really didnt know what brand you were tasting
but for 50.00 it was worth an hours time

Macaroni Grill used Denver as a test market for their "create your own pasta" which, AFAIK, is now nationwide. The trial was about three years ago IIRC.

I remember trying the McDonald's Arch Deluxe (in California) before its national introduction. Also at the McDs in downtown Chicago (the so-called "Rock-n-Roll" location) I remember seeing soups and pizza on the menu. From what I understand, all ideas for new McDonalds chainwide products come from the franchise locations.

I grew up near Sacramento, which apparently fits some sort of demographic blend for an ideal "test market." I've tried many things up there that weren't in Southern California when I returned from visiting family. Jack In the Box, as one example, does much of their test marketing there.

I grew up near Sacramento, which apparently fits some sort of demographic blend for an ideal "test market." I've tried many things up there that weren't in Southern California when I returned from visiting family. Jack In the Box, as one example, does much of their test marketing there.

You're right, there are definitely places that qualify and places that don't. I'm not sure of the criteria - I would say some degree of isolation is required; from outside media I suppose, but the internet has diluted that possibility. I have lived in a place or 2 that were used to test-market and read about it in the local press at the time, but that must have been a long time ago and I don't remember much. Never been to Sacramento, but it looks sufficiently isolated from the closest large media markets. Depending on the product, different demographics would be important. You would test market adult diapers in Florida and not test market african-american hair products in South Dakota - that sort of thing. Food - who knows? Income, ethnicity and age groups certainly play a role but I'm not sure what else.