Simple, scalable sound systems tailored for busy restaurant spaces
Pho: Various UK Locations
This case study explores how Middlesex Sound & Lighting delivered clean, cost-effective audio systems for multiple Pho locations – starting with the Brunswick Centre – to meet the needs of a growing national brand, without overcomplicating things.
About Pho
Founded in 2005, Pho is a national restaurant group bringing Vietnamese street food to the UK high street. With over 30 locations across the country, they’re known for their authentic flavours, vibrant branding, and stylish casual dining spaces. Each location aims to deliver a consistent experience – from the menu to the soundtrack.
As part of their continued expansion, Pho needed a reliable partner to install simple yet effective audio systems across a range of new and refurbished sites. That’s where Middlesex Sound & Lighting stepped in.
The Project
Pho’s requirement was clear: provide great sound coverage across their trading floor – music that enhances the atmosphere without dominating it. Equally important was ensuring the system was intuitive to use, given that day-to-day operation would fall to front-of-house staff with no technical background.
From an install perspective, the systems needed to be easy to scale and replicate across multiple restaurant types – including high-street units, shopping centre spaces, and other commercial sites.
The Challenges
While none of the Pho projects involved listed buildings or particularly complex architecture, there were still logistical challenges typical of multi-site rollouts:
- Consistency across locations: Each restaurant layout varied, so speaker placements had to be carefully mapped to ensure the same coverage and performance from site to site.
- Discreet installation: Maintaining Pho’s clean, modern aesthetic meant that speaker visibility and cabling needed to be minimised.
- Ease of operation: Systems had to be genuinely plug-and-play, requiring no training and minimal user input.
The Solution
At Brunswick Centre and other sites, Middlesex Sound & Lighting supplied and installed systems that balance simplicity with performance. A typical setup includes:
Speakers:
Optimal Audio Cuboid 5s – compact wall-mounted loudspeakers, chosen for their sound quality and subtle design.
Amplification:
Optimal Audio SmartAmp 20 or equivalent – small footprint, reliable, and perfect for the requirements.
Control:
Wall-mounted SmartTouch zone controller giving staff local volume control and simple, intuitive access.
Signal source:
Background music players managed by Pho’s head office, ensuring consistent playlists and scheduling across the estate.
All cabling was routed discreetly along existing cable trays or within ceiling voids, ensuring that the equipment integrates seamlessly into the restaurant environment.
Training and Support
With ease-of-use baked into the system design, Pho staff require no specialist training. The wall-mounted volume controls are clearly labelled and user-friendly, and background music is managed automatically via a central platform.
For peace of mind, Middlesex Sound & Lighting remains on hand for any support needs across the Pho estate. Their familiarity with the brand and install standards means maintenance and upgrades are handled efficiently, with minimal disruption.
Why Middlesex Sound & Lighting?
Pho chose MSL thanks to our:
- Proven experience with rollouts for national hospitality brands
- Track record of delivering value without compromising quality
- Reputation for discretion and professionalism on live restaurant sites
- Reliable ongoing support and quick response times
With scalable designs and expert coordination, MSL has helped Pho ensure the music matches the food – fresh, consistent, and effortlessly delivered.