Three Questions to Ask the Employee in Charge of Selecting Your Business Music

Walk into almost any store, restaurant, or office and you’ll hear someone’s playlist running in the background. In many cases, it’s an employee who loves music and means well, but the soundtrack they’ve chosen might not fit the brand, the mood, or the moment. It’s probably coming from a personal Spotify account, which means it’s unlicensed and illegal to use in a business environment.

At first, the music might sound fine. The system might be reliable. But the playback is repetitive, the energy changes unpredictably, and eventually customers notice. The same chorus, the same artist, the same vibe day after day. It’s not fresh, it’s not intentional, and it’s definitely not designed for your brand.

Now imagine a different version of that same scenario. Your most music-savvy employee still curates your playlists, but they do it through Custom Channels using fully licensed music, clean edits, and tracks programmed specifically for business use. Every day feels new, every transition is smooth, and every song fits your atmosphere and your audience. That’s what it means to take charge of the music that defines your brand.

Here are three questions every business should ask about the music playing in their space, and what the answers reveal about how in control you really are.

1. Does the Music Fit My Business?

The music playing in your space should do more than fill silence. It should reinforce your brand’s identity. Is it curated for your business, or is it just someone’s personal playlist?

At Custom Channels, we’ve seen what happens when brands take control of their sound. When CAVA launched its Spice World campaign in 2025, they didn’t just change their menu; they changed their music. Our team worked with them to build a special seasonal playlist that matched their new colors, flavors, and energy. Guests could feel the brand from the moment they walked in.

We’ve done the same for Aviator Nation, blending their laid-back California vibe with the legacy sound of the Grateful Dead for a three-day in-store experience, and for AdventHealth, where we created a custom Disney mix for pediatric hospitals that turned waiting rooms into welcoming spaces.

The right licensed music connects customers emotionally, builds recognition, and keeps your sound fresh and on-brand. The wrong mix or random Spotify playlists can confuse your atmosphere and send mixed messages to your guests.

With Custom Channels’ professionally curated business music solutions, you can build brand-focused playlists that match your audience, your energy, and your vision. When your music fits your business, customers feel it.

2. Is the Music Licensed?

Even if your playlists sound perfect, they might not be legal. Consumer apps like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and Pandora are not licensed for public or commercial use. Playing them in your business violates copyright laws and can lead to hefty fines or legal notices from performing rights organizations like ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, and GMR.

At Custom Channels, we make licensing simple. Our commercial licensing agreements cover every major PRO, which means you pay one price, and we handle all the reporting and royalty payments behind the scenes. You can legally play music in your store, restaurant, or office knowing that every artist and copyright holder is compensated fairly.

When Erewhon partnered with Custom Channels to debut André 3000’s Blue Sun album, every track was properly licensed for in-store play. That partnership proved you can deliver a unique, buzz-worthy experience while staying compliant and professional.

Businesses that try to save money by using unlicensed consumer platforms risk lawsuits and brand damage. A professional provider like Custom Channels ensures your music is legal, reliable, and aligned with your values.

3. Is Your Music System Reliable?

Running a business is challenging enough. Your music shouldn’t add to the stress. A reliable system keeps your brand consistent, your employees focused, and your customers engaged.

Consumer apps and personal devices can buffer, stop, or play explicit content without warning. Custom Channels’ business-grade platform is designed for uptime, consistency, and control. Our technology allows you to schedule playlists, automate music scheduling, and manage music across all locations from one dashboard.

We also offer lifetime-warrantied hardware and U.S.-based support that resolves issues in minutes, not days. Whether you manage one café or hundreds of retail stores, you can trust that your fully licensed music will always play clearly and consistently.

Reliable. Licensed. Curated for You.

These three questions about fit, licensing, and reliability form the foundation of a strong business sound strategy. When your music aligns with your brand, your customers notice. When it’s licensed, your business is protected. And when it’s reliable, your staff can focus on creating exceptional experiences, not fixing playlists.

At Custom Channels, we help you take ownership of the music that defines your brand. From national restaurant rollouts like CAVA, to cultural partnerships like Erewhon x André 3000, to in-store activations with Aviator Nation, we’ve proven that the right sound doesn’t just play in the background; it tells your brand story.

Ready to take charge of who’s playing your music and how it represents your business?

Explore our licensed music solutions or contact our team today to see how Custom Channels can help your business sound as good as it looks.