Music Go Round offers musical instrument sales and trades, providing a diverse selection of new and used instruments for musicians and enthusiasts.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
34
+
-8%
-8%
Franchise fee
?
$25,000
Investment
?
$337,000 - $431,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$1,116,000
+
3.5%
3.5%
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Founded in 1986 by Bill Shell in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Music Go Roundhas 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.
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.
Initial investment
The initial investment required for a Music Go Round franchise is
$337,000 - $431,000.
That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise.
These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchise Fee
$25,000
Fixtures and Supplies
$25,000 to $35,000
Signs
$11,000 to $16,000
Security System and/or Cameras
$1,500 to $4,000
Point-of-Sale (POS) System
$18,050 to $22,000
Leasehold Improvements
$9,000 to $11,000
Build-Out
$30,000 to $45,000
Deposits and Business Licenses
$5,000 to $15,000
Opening Inventory
$120,000 to $130,000
Miscellaneous Pre-Opening Expenses
$35,000 to $50,000
Rent – First 3 Months
$17,500 to $27,500
Additional Funds - 3 Months
$40,000 to $50,000
Total
$337,050 to $430,500
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Type of Expenditure
Amount
Initial Franchise Fee
$25,000
Fixtures and Supplies
$25,000 to $35,000
Signs
$11,000 to $16,000
Security System and/or Cameras
$1,500 to $4,000
Point-of-Sale (POS) System
$18,050 to $22,000
Leasehold Improvements
$9,000 to $11,000
Build-Out
$30,000 to $45,000
Deposits and Business Licenses
$5,000 to $15,000
Opening Inventory
$120,000 to $130,000
Miscellaneous Pre-Opening Expenses
$35,000 to $50,000
Rent – First 3 Months
$17,500 to $27,500
Additional Funds - 3 Months
$40,000 to $50,000
Total
$337,050 to $430,500
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is Music Go Round's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.
Number of units
Music Go Round had 34 total units in 2025, of which 34 were franchised-owned and 0 company-owned.
The franchise Music Go Round® provides a comprehensive three-part training program for franchisees. Here's how it's structured:
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.
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.
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.
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