Giving restaurants a boost in profit through music

25th June 2009, 10:58am

Research has found that there is a real desire for music from both staff and customers in pubs and restaurants. So what does this mean for those that run businesses in the hospitality sector?

The study, conducted by MusicWorks, revealed that 80% of diners would like to hear music when they eat out.

The survey also found that 78% said that it helps them relax, 74% said they were likely to enjoy their meal, and 41% of diners said they would consider going to another restaurant if it stopped playing music.

Music is a key element to creating atmosphere, motivating staff, differentiating from competitors, attracting customers, enhancing their experience and influencing their spending behaviour.  

If you haven't tried music you could consider adding it back of house to help improve staff productivity or front of house to set the mood for your dinners.  The research even shows that picking the right music may even lead to dinners paying a little extra for their meal. 

Getting the right music is essential of course and tailoring the genre to the dinning experience is important – your customers may even have some great suggestions for you to start. 

One place that has started using music with considerable success is Riff's Bar in Swindon. When the bar first opened, its remote location meant that it only attracted local customers. By introducing a varied live music programme, the bar now attracts customers from further afield.

Andy Pett, the bar manager, has explained his top tips: "Diversify - to keep things fresh we don't have the same bands back too often.... Our advice is to try different styles of music and see what works best. We do this by covering all genres of music from rock to blues, folk to country, reggae to jazz."

Featuring live bands and playing music does come with a small up-front investment, as all UK establishments using music require a licence from PRS for Music and PPL.

PRS for Music collects the license fee on behalf of song writers, composers and publishers. PPL collects the license fee on behalf of the performers and record companies. Together the two companies ensure that creators and companies who invest in creators are fairly remunerated.

It is a legal requirement for any establishment, if music is being played or used in public, to have both licences. The cost of each licence varies depending on the type and size of the premises and the nature and extent to which the music is used.

But this can be balanced out nicely by the business benefits that music delivers, which is welcome news for many struggling restaurateurs. You're also safe in the knowledge that your licence fee goes back to the people who created and performed the music. 

Top 10 songs played in restaurants:

Spotlight - Jennifer Hudson
You make it real - James Morrison
If i were a boy - Beyonce
Forgive me - Leona Lewis
Rule the world - Take That
Don't call this love - Leon Jackson
Apologize - Timbaland, One Republic
Run - Snow Patrol
Grace - Will Young & Louisa Fuller
Don't believe in me - Dido

Related Articles:

• 22 Oct 2009 - Over £15m refunds won for hospitality industry in music copyright battle
• 22 Jun 2009 - Music could boost hotel profits

Click here to submit a comment!

colin

16 November 2009 at 9:18pm

We use www.rfmradio.co.uk quality music from unsigned bands and artists with no prs or ppl fees to pay Cds are available where there is no internet access

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