CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for caterers in Augusta, GA-SC
Caterers in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area: 17 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 4-person team.
- Establishments
- 17CBP 2023
- Employees
- 66mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 2.7U.S. 3.9
- Rank
- 112th of 401areas by count
How many caterers are in Augusta, GA-SC?
There were 17 caterers in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 722320, Caterers). They employed 66 people in mid-March and paid $1,617,000 in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 112th out of 401 areas with published figures for caterers.
Measured against its 637,000 residents (2024 estimate), the area has 2.7 caterers per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 3.9, so Augusta, GA-SC is 31.3% below the national figure. The average establishment here has 3.9 employees, compared with 11.2 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $24,500, 20.6% below the national $30,873.
| Measure | Augusta, GA-SC | Georgia | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 17 | 383 | 13,222 |
| Mid-March employees | 66 (moderate noise) | 3,547 | 148,684 |
| Annual payroll | $1,617,000 | $115,882,000 | $4,590,259,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 3.9 | 9.3 | 11.2 |
| Payroll per employee | $24,500 | $32,670 | $30,873 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 2.7 | 3.4 | 3.9 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Team sizes at caterers in Augusta, GA-SC
Of the caterers in Augusta, GA-SC that had employees in March 2023, 80.0% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 55.0%). 100.0% had fewer than ten. When a business has only a few people, whoever is free answers the phone, and calls that arrive while everyone is busy go to voicemail unless they are routed somewhere else.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 12 | 80.0% | 55.0% |
| 5–9 employees | 3 | 20.0% | 16.9% |
| 10–19 employees | not published | — | 13.5% |
| 20–49 employees | not published | — | 10.3% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 4.2% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
What caterers in Augusta, GA-SC use the phone for
Caterers book events through inquiry calls and then coordinate menus, headcounts and timing over many follow-ups. Fast responses to inquiries win events.
Calls a catering company in Augusta, GA-SC might handle in a typical week include:
- A couple calls about catering a wedding.
- The caterer calls a venue about setup times.
- An office calls about a lunch meeting order.
Texting clients
Caterers text headcount confirmations and delivery windows.
Texts sent from a local business number in Augusta, GA-SC have to be registered with carriers first (10DLC); on Callata that is a one-time $49 fee, after which the whole team can text from the shared number.
Callata vs. per-seat pricing for caterers in Augusta, GA-SC
The average catering company in Augusta, GA-SC has 3.9 employees, so a 4-person team is a reasonable benchmark. Per-seat business phone plans bill every one of those people. At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 4 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $120.00 a month and 4 on Ooma Office Pro cost $99.80. Callata comes to $99.00 a month for 4 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $252 less than RingCentral for a catering company in Augusta, GA-SC of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $99.00 | $1,188.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $76.00 | $912.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $92.00 | $1,104.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $99.80 | $1,197.60 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $108.00 | $1,296.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $120.00 | $1,440.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Getting a local number in Augusta, GA-SC
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 5 area codes. 803 has the most, with 52 of 117 exchanges (44%). A local number lets clients in Augusta, GA-SC call without dialing out of area. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, and which numbers are open in an area code depends on carrier inventory when you choose.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 803 | 52 | Eastern | 1947 | 839 |
| 706 | 23 | Eastern | 1992 | 762 |
| 762 | 20 | Eastern | 2006 | 706 |
| 839 | 17 | Eastern | 2020 | 803 |
| 478 | 5 | Eastern | 2000 | none |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
Setting up Callata for a catering company in Augusta, GA-SC
For $99 a month, Callata puts a team of up to 5 on one plan ($20 for each person after that): up to 3 local numbers, unlimited inbound calls, a pooled allowance of 1,500 outbound US and Canada minutes per user, browser and cell calling, voicemail transcription with urgency triage, recorded calls with AI summaries and business-hours routing, with E911 on every number.
Porting a number you already use in Augusta, GA-SC is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many caterers are there in Augusta, GA-SC?
Census County Business Patterns counted 17 caterers in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area in 2023. They employed 66 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 4-person catering company?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 4 users cost $120.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $99.80 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $99.00.
What area code should a catering company in Augusta, GA-SC use?
Area code 803 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 706 and 762. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a catering company?
Yes. Callata's optional AI agents can answer when the team is busy or closed, take a message, text, email or transfer the call. They disclose that they are AI and are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute.