Music Go Round: Revolutionizing Musical Instrument Resale

Founded in 1986 by Bill Shell in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Music Go Round has established itself as a premier retailer specializing in the buying and selling of quality used musical instruments and equipment. Acquired by Winmark Corporation in 1993, the brand began franchising in 1994 and has since expanded to over 35 locations across North America.

Music Go Round offers a diverse inventory that includes guitars, keyboards, percussion instruments, pro sound equipment, and accessories. By purchasing used gear from customers and reselling it at affordable prices, the company provides musicians with access to high-quality instruments without the premium price tag.

What sets Music Go Round apart is its commitment to sustainability and community engagement. The brand recycles over 225,000 items annually, keeping millions of pounds of instruments and accessories out of landfills. Additionally, the stores serve as hubs for musicians to connect, offering a clean, curated space managed by knowledgeable staff who are passionate about music.

By focusing on the resale of musical instruments, Music Go Round occupies a unique niche in the $8 billion music industry, catering to both novice and professional musicians seeking quality gear at reasonable prices.

Training

The franchise Music Go Round® provides a comprehensive three-part training program for franchisees. Here's how it's structured:

1. Initial Training Session
   This session is designed to introduce general business topics relevant to running a privately owned retail store. It includes real estate matters, personnel management, business planning, inventory handling, purchasing used products, and using the franchisor’s preferred vendor program. This session typically lasts at least four days.
2. Business Operations Training
   The second part focuses on core operational competencies such as sales and marketing strategies, inventory purchasing, computer operations, and store management. This session is generally at least five days long.
3. Hands-On In-Store Training
   Conducted at an existing Music Go Round® store, this session gives practical experience in store operations. It typically lasts a minimum of two days and provides hands-on exposure to running a Music Go Round® location.

Territory Protection

Music Go Round® offers its franchisees an “Exclusive Territory” surrounding their store location. This area is typically a 3 to 5-mile radius and is determined using computer modeling that factors in population density, income levels, and traffic patterns.

During the term of the agreement, the franchisor commits not to establish another franchised or company-owned Music Go Round® store within this Exclusive Territory. However, this territorial protection comes with limitations.

The franchisor and other franchisees are allowed to advertise within a franchisee’s Exclusive Territory and serve customers from it. Additionally, the franchisor retains the right to distribute products via alternative channels, such as the Internet, so long as those actions benefit the franchise network collectively and are not solely for the franchisor’s gain.