What music should you play in a kebab or fast-casual shop?
A kebab shop runs on footfall, rhythm and character. Music can keep service flowing and give the venue personality, as long as you get the tempo and style right. Here is how to soundtrack a fast-casual spot, without any legal missteps.
A place of footfall, a real identity
Kebab shops and Middle Eastern fast-casual restaurants live on footfall: the lunch rush, the late-night crowd after a night out, a flow that never really stops. Music plays two roles here: supporting service so it flows smoothly, and giving the venue an identity, often more polished than people expect in this sector. A good sonic atmosphere is what sets an anonymous takeaway spot apart from an address people actually recommend.
The style: urban, current, a touch of identity
What works, without leaning into cliche:
- urban, current sounds (hip-hop, afrobeat, current pop) that speak to a young customer base and a neighborhood spot;
- a touch of Middle Eastern or Mediterranean influence if it fits your identity, for an extra bit of character;
- consistency above all: a confident, single direction beats a random mix.
Tempo: brisk, to support the flow
A fast-casual restaurant is not a place where people linger. A fairly brisk tempo supports the pace, energizes the wait and the checkout, and matches the venue’s energy. In the evening, once the bars start emptying out, you can turn it up a notch. The point to watch remains volume: upbeat does not mean deafening, or you risk tiring out both customers and staff. The right level stays present without forcing anyone to raise their voice.
Compliance: yes, royalties apply
A kebab shop that plays music is subject to public performance royalties, like any fast-casual restaurant, under the standard fast-food fee schedule. And watch out: playing YouTube, Spotify or similar services from a personal account is off-limits in a business, on top of the ad breaks that interrupt service. You need a source licensed for professional use.
In practice
Soundtracking a kebab shop means finding the right mix between service energy and neighborhood identity, at a controlled volume and from a legal source. Horra gives you curated playlists suited to high-footfall venues, time-of-day scheduling to match the rhythm of the day, and human support to stay compliant, at clear, public pricing.
Frequently asked questions
What music should you play in a kebab shop?
A mix that works well: urban, current sounds for the lunch and evening rush, possibly with a touch of Middle Eastern or Mediterranean influence for character, at a fairly brisk tempo that supports fast service. The key is staying consistent with your customers and your neighborhood.
Should a fast-casual restaurant play upbeat music?
Generally, yes. A brisk tempo supports the flow, keeps the wait and the checkout moving, and matches the energy of a takeaway spot. Just watch the volume though: upbeat does not mean deafening.
Does a kebab shop have to pay public performance royalties?
Yes. Like any fast-casual restaurant, a kebab shop that plays music is subject to public performance royalties, under the standard fast-food fee schedule.
Can I play YouTube or Spotify in my kebab shop?
No. These consumer services are for personal use only and are off-limits in a business. You need a source licensed for professional use, without ads or interruptions mid-service.
An atmosphere that works for you
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