Music Go Round

Music Go Round

Information based on 2024 FDD

Retail · Other Retail Businesses

Investment min
$309K
Total: $309K–$395K
Avg gross revenue
$1M
Unit-level, 2024
Franchise fee
$25K
Per current disclosure
Royalty
4%
of gross revenue
Locations
37
Franchising since 1994

Description

What is Music Go Round?

Music Go Round is a unique retail franchise concept that has been striking the right chord with music enthusiasts since 1986. This specialized resale business creates a vibrant marketplace where musicians of all skill levels can buy, sell, and trade quality used and new musical instruments and equipment.

What sets Music Go Round apart is its dedication to creating an inclusive, welcoming environment where both beginners and seasoned musicians feel comfortable exploring their passion for music. Their expert staff members are known for their deep product knowledge, honest advice, and ability to help customers find the perfect instrument or equipment for their needs and budget.

The business model combines the growing trend of sustainable retail with the evergreen appeal of musical instruments. By offering high-quality used gear at competitive prices, Music Go Round makes musical instruments more accessible while providing musicians a trusted platform to sell their unused equipment. Their thorough inspection and testing process ensures that all pre-owned items meet strict quality standards.

Beyond just being a retail store, Music Go Round locations often become community hubs where local musicians gather, share knowledge, and discover new gear. Their reputation for exceptional customer service, fair pricing, and authentic musical expertise has earned them loyal customers across their locations. Whether it's a parent looking for their child's first instrument, a gigging musician needing reliable equipment, or a collector searching for vintage gear, Music Go Round provides a trustworthy and value-driven shopping experience that resonates with music lovers of all backgrounds.
  • 41% higher revenue than sub-sector average ($1.32M vs $937K)
  • 31% below average investment requirements for market entry
  • 38 years proven business model since 1986
  • Multiple revenue streams through buy-sell-trade model
  • Strong musician community brand recognition
  • Owner-operators typically musicians with product expertise

Location Analysis

Where Music Go Round wins

Music Go Round maintains a strategic presence across multiple states, with notable concentrations in the Midwest and Mountain regions. The franchise shows particular strength in key markets across Colorado and Minnesota, along with significant presence in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Indiana, suggesting successful market penetration in regions with strong music cultures and active entertainment scenes. This geographic distribution indicates potential for significant expansion, particularly in the Northeast and West Coast markets where presence is currently limited.

The franchise's focus on musical instrument retail and resale positions it uniquely in secondary and tertiary markets where competition from major national chains may be less intense. Successful locations typically thrive in areas with robust local music scenes, proximity to colleges and universities, and demographically diverse communities with median household incomes supporting discretionary spending on musical instruments.

Ideal locations for new franchises should target metropolitan areas with populations between 100,000-500,000, strong arts communities, and multiple educational institutions. The current geographic footprint suggests opportunities for expansion in underserved states, particularly in music-centric markets across the Southeast and Southwest. Key success factors include visibility in retail corridors, proximity to complementary businesses like music schools and performance venues, and areas with strong youth populations.
Total US locations
37
Franchise units
37
Corporate locations
0
Avg. sq. footage
N/A

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Financial Analysis

The numbers behind Music Go Round

Avg gross revenue$1,322,547
Investment range$309,300 – $394,800
Investment midpoint$352,050
Brand fund$1,500/y
Royalty4%
Franchise fee$25,000
Min. net worth
Min. liquid capital
Music Go Round requires an initial investment of $309,300-$394,800, positioning it as an accessible entry point in the retail franchise sector. This investment level sits 31% below the sub-sector average minimum of $453,266, making it attractive for emerging entrepreneurs seeking established brand recognition without premium capital requirements.

The franchise demonstrates exceptional revenue performance, generating $1,322,547 in gross revenue—41% above the sub-sector average of $937,273. This superior revenue generation combined with below-average investment requirements creates an attractive return profile for potential franchisees in the musical instrument resale market.

With 37 units and 38 years of operation since 1986, Music Go Round demonstrates operational stability and proven business processes. The mature franchise system offers established brand recognition within music communities, with stores typically owned and operated by musicians who understand customer needs and product quality requirements.

The buy-sell-trade model creates multiple revenue streams while building customer loyalty through repeat transactions. Inventory management complexity and product expertise requirements demand operators with music industry knowledge or willingness to develop specialized skills.

Ideal investors should possess adequate working capital for inventory acquisition and demonstrate passion for music retail. The business model suits owner-operators who can leverage personal music knowledge and community connections, particularly in locations near music schools, performance venues, or areas with active musician populations.
Did you know? Starting your own Music Go Round franchise - where music lovers can buy, sell, and trade new and used instruments - requires a total investment between $309,300 and $394,800, which includes the $25,000 franchise fee plus all the startup costs needed to launch your musical marketplace and tap into the thriving $7 billion musical instrument industry.

Financing partners

Vetted partners, tailored to franchisees

Your Franzy advisor can connect you with these partners later in the process — competitive rates, specialized in franchise financing.

FranFund

Lender

CRF USA

Nonprofit SBA lender; provides financing for franchise acquisitions, startups, and expansion.

Lender

First Bank of the Lake

Lender

Pension Pros

Lender

FDD Item 7

Initial investment range

$309K–$395K
Most common
$309,300
Minimum
$352,050
Midpoint
$394,800
Maximum

Per FDD Item 7, total initial investment ranges from $309,300 to $394,800. The midpoint $352,050 is what most franchisees report at signing — financing typically reduces cash-at-close by 80–90%. Knowing the investment range helps you plan confidently and ensure you're fully prepared to make the leap.

FDD Item 19

Average gross sales

$2M$1M$900K$600K$300KN/A
$1M
$1M
$1M
2022
2023
2024
Avg
$1M
YOY change (2023 -> 2024)
+3%

According to Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document, Music Go Round has an average gross revenue of $1M. (Note: This information is based on the latest FDD in our records. Please review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and confirm this information directly with the brand. We make no claims of accuracy for the information presented.)

Growth over time

Franchise footprint

0% YoY
50403020100
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
37 units open as of 2024 FDD

2024 Franchise Disclosure

FDD documents

Below are items 2, 3, 4, 7, 11 and 19 for Music Go Round's 2024 FDD. The complete FDD is delivered to you directly by the franchisor, per the FTC Franchise Rule.

Estimated initial investment
FDD Item 7 · PDF
Financial performance representations
FDD Item 19 · PDF
Members-only items
Executive team
FDD Item 2 · PDF
Litigation
FDD Item 3 · PDF
Bankruptcy
FDD Item 4 · PDF
Franchisor assistance
FDD Item 11 · PDF
Members only
Unlock the 2024 FDD

Connect to download Items 2, 3, 4, and 11 — direct from the franchisor.

Buyer FAQs

Frequently asked questions

The initial investment for a Music Go Round franchise typically ranges between $309,300.00 and $394,800.00. This includes the franchise fee, equipment, real estate, and other startup costs. To get a detailed breakdown and better understand the financial requirements, we recommend scheduling a call with the Franzy team. We'll walk you through the specifics and answer any questions you might have. For more detailed information, refer to the financial sections of the FDD.

Disclaimer. The information provided on this page is based on the latest Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) that is publicly available and that we have on record, which was issued in 2024. This information is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal, financial, or business advice. We make no guarantees or claims regarding the completeness or accuracy. For the most current and detailed information, we recommend consulting the franchisor directly for the most recent FDD and regarding any questions that you may have about the information provided.

Music Go Round
Music Go Round
$1M avg revenue · 37+ US franchises

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