Pizza Today -March 2023 - 36

faster, while slow-tempo music makes
them stay longer, " says Unsalan. Or as
Lehman puts it, " certain times of day
you want butts in seats, and during
rush you want just the opposite. "
Music is your secret weapon to influence
your pizzeria's pace.
You can also use upbeat, poppy
music to keep your employees
motivated and energized, or quiet,
clear background music to increase
the elegance factor. Lastly, think about
any future expansions. Do you plan to
add TVs for sports? Is karaoke in your
future? These options will impact your
audiovisual design.
Consider Room Size and Layout
The general concept for commercial
audio hasn't changed much. " You need
a source or storage device for music
and an amplifier that'll actually get the
signal pushed out to your set of two
or four speakers, " says Lehman, " and
possibly a second amplifier and set
of speakers for the back of the house,
which is often overlooked. "
Consider whether you have special
zones that will need to be addressed
individually, such as a private dining
room or an outdoor patio. " Zoning in
different areas is also very popular now,
sometimes with different music playing
in certain areas or with different
volumes, " says Turner.
What's New in the Commercial
Audio World
Bluetooth wireless technology is
the biggest shift in commercial audio
36 / PIZZATODAY.COM / MARCH 2023
in recent years. " Many pizzerias like
to incorporate wireless music streaming
via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth from their
personal device, " says Turner. " We can
add this feature to any system, or they
can easily plug in a media streaming
box like an XM radio receiver or other
wired source. "
He also notes that " many systems
now offer smart phone control, where
you can adjust volumes and sound
levels without going back to the main
rack while also allowing you to stream
back to the primary system wirelessly. "
Unsalan observes that " wireless
speakers are trending for sure, especially
within small-size venues. They
don't require cabling and construction,
which could be costly. There are
great options with excellent sound
distribution, but wireless speakers rely
on a steady wireless network. If the
network is unstable, these speakers will
keep cutting off and even worse, stop
working. "
Lehman suggests that a very small
FOH with just a couple of tables
might be adequately served with a
simple Bluetooth speaker. With no
wires and no amplifier, this is a simple
and attractive option for some small
spaces.
How Much You Should Expect to
Spend
The budget range varies widely,
according to Turner. " We have small,
simple-to-use background music systems
for small square footage that start
at $500 or so. Or we have systems that
can run north of five figures, depending
on the size of the space, the level of
technology we want to integrate, and
how rocking of a package you would like
to build. " For example, pizzerias with a
sports bar or nightlife environment need
" larger speakers with more amplifiers,
which ultimately translates to more
dollars. "
Lehman urges operators not to
" cheap out. " Some buyers resist spending
an extra $25-$30 per speaker,
but " no one's ever gonna remember
that you saved 120 bucks. People will
remember always that it doesn't sound
good in there. It's an expense that only
comes around every 15 or 20 years
because this stuff is designed to last
forever. "
Don't forget to include installation
costs in your budgeting process. " The
labor of getting the sucker installed is
equal to the cost of the hardware in
many instances, " says Lehman, especially
with increased fuel surcharges
for installing outside of major metropolitan
areas.
Finally, Lehman reminds buyers
to get a manufacturer's warranty and
make certain their installer is licensed
and insured.
People eat with all the senses, so be
sure to appeal to their ears with the
right music, along with your signature
package of fabulous fragrance and tantalizing
taste. The right audio system
for your square footage, layout and
budget will help you build customer
loyalty and a successful business.
ANNELISE KELLY is a Portland, Oregonbased
freelance writer.
http://www.PIZZATODAY.COM
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