When Lucas uncovers the plans for "Music Town" he says "in the immortal words of The Doors, "the time to hesitate is through'". This is from their song "Light My Fire".
A DVD version released in 2003 entitled "Empire Records Remix, the Fan Edition" featured a new edit of the film with scenes never seen before, along with new deleted scenes, special features, and more.
Most of the actors in this movie, Anthony LaPaglia, Rory Cochrane, Johnny Whitworth, Robin Tunney, Ethan Embry, and Ben Bode, were later cast as main characters or guest stars in one or more popular crime drama.
When Lucas is in the casino at the craps table, after winning the first roll, he picks up the dice and then goes into his "save the empire" speech. After stating he would buy the table a drink if he wins again, the table attendant pushes the dice over to him.
At the end of the film, when Eddie and Mark are talking about bands, they discuss Henry Rollins. Eddie incorrectly credits Henry Rollins as the lead singer for The Misfits. Rollins was the lead for Black Flag. Glen Danzig was the lead for the Misfits.