Simply pressing “play” isn’t an option when you’re running a multi-location business. Instead, you need to map the music needs for every location in your enterprise and ensure that you’re meeting those needs every day. 

Multi-location business owners also need to keep tight control over the music, making dashboards and other digital tools critical to success. 

Pandora CloudCover is the best solution. Music is fully licensed, and this commercial multi-location music provider offers a 14-day free trial with no credit card required for the trial.

Why Multi-Location Music Requires a Specialized Strategy 

Complex businesses with several locations need a detailed music plan, ensuring customers and staff hear the right songs at the right time. Here’s why that planning is so crucial: 

Brand Consistency 

Music matters to customers, especially when it matches your brand promise. Researchers say sales increase by 37% when brand-fit music is playing. Customers know they’re in the right place, and they spend accordingly. 

For multi-location businesses, consistency is even more important. Customers must have the same quality experience in each place they stop. 

Local Community Impact 

For some businesses, location flair is a brand promise. They want to signal to consumers that they’re integral to the community, and that they understand what their customers want. 

Tailoring playlists by location can help with that signaling. For example, a company with one location in New York and another in Dallas might lean on hip hop for urban customers and country for rural shoppers. 

Licensing & Compliance

Music is protected by copyright law, and fines for noncompliance can range from $750 to $30,000 or more per violation. If you’re playing music without a license, these fines could overwhelm your business and force its closure. 

Multi-location music service providers like Pandora CloudCover provide fully licensed music to ensure compliance, so you can focus on your business. 

Operational Efficiency & Scale 

The ability to manage the music played in all locations is critical. One dashboard makes it easy for you to manage playlists and volume, making adjustments as needed to keep your customers and staff happy. 

Improved Customer Experience & Dwell Times

The right music has been scientifically proven to keep customers in place for longer periods. The longer they stay, the more likely they are to purchase more and improve your bottom line. Perfect playlists can make customers enjoy the experience more as well. 

The right multi-location strategy can improve your customer experience. For example, you might play a kid-friendly playlist in your location close to a daycare and lean on oldies for the location next to a retirement home. Taking the time to get to know your clientele can guide your music selection.

What to Look for in a Multi-Location Solution 

Your perfect background music partner should provide a mix of control and convenience. With the right tools, you can manage music like a pro and avoid common problems.

Q: Does Pandora CloudCover offer a centralized dashboard?
A: Yes. Pandora CloudCover’s dashboard for multiple locations is easy to use and manage from a single device.

Centralized Control 

A perfect partner will provide one dashboard that provides both visualization and control. You should be able to log in and see what’s playing, how loud it is, and how long it’s been playing. You should also be able to make changes on the fly. 

A system like this can:

• Ensure every location is playing approved music. 
• Make quick changes as needed. 
• Provide appropriate oversight of music choices. 

Without this tool, it’s impossible to know what’s playing or how to change it. 

Multi-Zone Ability & Scheduling 

Zones are areas within your business that have slightly different musical needs. Your provider should allow you to set up appropriate zones and manage them throughout the day. 

Your zones should also be controlled with dayparting, allowing you to change the music by the time of day to enhance the customer experience. 

Commercial Licensing & Reporting

Your provider should offer legal music that’s licensed per copyright laws. You should have a contract that’s signed by both parties and outlines your legal responsibilities. You should also have access to reports which you could use to  prove your compliance.

Remote Management & Monitoring

Your partner should provide access to your dashboard from any connected device, including your phone. That remote access ensures you’re always in control, even when you’re not in your office. 

Integration 

Your solution should integrate with your existing hardware and sound systems, so you can plug and play without extensive remodeling and rewiring. 

Pandora CloudCover can integrate with most hardware and sound systems. We also offer CloudBox, which allows for plug-and-play capabilities. 

How Pandora CloudCover Can Help Multi-Location Businesses 

At Pandora CloudCover, we offer the full suite of services you need to manage music at multiple locations. Your contract provides the following:

• Centralized control 
• Zoning abilities
• Dayparting 
• Licensing 
• Remote management
• Integration

‍Contact us to find out how it works and start a free trial.

Common Mistakes to Avoid 

Multi-location business owners often make these mistakes, costing them both time and money.

Using Personal Streaming Accounts

Nearly 78% of businesses use personal accounts (like Apple or Spotify) to play music, which may be a violation of copyright law. You need a business license to play background music at a business. Without that license, you could be subject to lawsuits and fines. 

Allowing Independent Music Choices 

Some companies allow the staff to choose the songs they play, resulting in a wildly different experience from location to location. Sometimes, that freedom even leads to inappropriate songs and complaints. 

Not Maximizing Dayparting and Scheduling

Some companies play the same songs throughout their enterprise despite the time of day. A smarter strategy is to set zones and use dayparting. This option allows you to lead customers through the space and sync the songs with their natural rhythms. The result is a more soothing, customized, and profitable experience. 

Neglecting Hardware

The best sound systems for business offer crisp, controlled sound that fills the space. Business owners who neglect their hardware can offer their customers crackling, muffled sounds that can chase them away before they’re ready to leave. 

Ignoring Analytics & Feedback

Business owners should track their song selections and tie them to metrics like sales and dwell time. This analysis ensures you’re sharing the right mix that meets your business goals. 

Get Started With Pandora CloudCover

At Pandora CloudCover, we offer plans that are made for businesses with multiple locations. Our suite of services is easy to use and built with power and convenience in mind. 

References

Does Playing Music Increase Sales? The Power of Music in Retail. (March 2025). Forbes.

Chapter 5: Copyright Infringement and Remedies. U.S. Copyright Office.

Chew That Beat! How Music Tempo Influences Eating Behaviors and Emotions. (September 2024). Food Quality and Preference. 

‍78% of Small-to-Midsize Businesses in the U.S. Currently Misuse Personal Streaming Accounts to Play Music to Their Customers. (February 2024). Music Business Worldwide.

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