CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for caterers in Columbia, SC
Caterers in the Columbia, SC metro area: 26 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 15-person team.
- Establishments
- 26CBP 2023
- Employees
- 382mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 3.0U.S. 3.9
- Rank
- 80th of 401areas by count
How many caterers are in Columbia, SC?
County Business Patterns counts 26 caterers (NAICS 722320, Caterers) in the Columbia, SC metro area for 2023. They employed 382 people in mid-March and paid $8,181,000 in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 80th out of 401 areas with published figures for caterers.
Measured against its 870,000 residents (2024 estimate), the area has 3.0 caterers per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 3.9, so Columbia, SC is 23.1% below the national figure. The average establishment here has 14.7 employees, compared with 11.2 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $21,416, 30.6% below the national $30,873.
| Measure | Columbia, SC | South Carolina | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 26 | 165 | 13,222 |
| Mid-March employees | 382 | 1,866 | 148,684 |
| Annual payroll | $8,181,000 | $45,096,000 | $4,590,259,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 14.7 | 11.3 | 11.2 |
| Payroll per employee | $21,416 | $24,167 | $30,873 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 3.0 | 3.0 | 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 Columbia, SC
Of the caterers in Columbia, SC that had employees in March 2023, 48.0% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 55.0%). 64.0% had fewer than ten. Small teams usually share the phone: the person who answers is often also serving a customer or doing the job, which is when calls get missed.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 12 | 48.0% | 55.0% |
| 5–9 employees | 4 | 16.0% | 16.9% |
| 10–19 employees | 5 | 20.0% | 13.5% |
| 20–49 employees | 4 | 16.0% | 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 Columbia, 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 Columbia, SC might handle in a typical week include:
- A client calls to update a headcount.
- The caterer calls a venue about setup times.
- A client calls about dietary restrictions.
What caterers text about
Caterers text headcount confirmations and delivery windows.
Texts sent from a local business number in Columbia, 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.
What a phone system costs a catering company in Columbia, SC
The average catering company in Columbia, SC has 14.7 employees, so a 15-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, 15 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $450.00 a month and 15 on Ooma Office Pro cost $374.25. Callata comes to $299.00 a month for 15 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $1,812 less than RingCentral for a catering company in Columbia, 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 | $299.00 | $3,588.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $285.00 | $3,420.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $345.00 | $4,140.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $374.25 | $4,491.00 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $405.00 | $4,860.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $450.00 | $5,400.00 |
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.
Local area codes for caterers in Columbia, SC
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 5 area codes. 803 has the most, with 324 of 372 exchanges (87%). A local number lets clients in Columbia, 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 | 324 | Eastern | 1947 | 839 |
| 839 | 43 | Eastern | 2020 | 803 |
| 864 | 3 | Eastern | 1995 | 821 |
| 843 | 1 | Eastern | 1998 | 854 |
| 854 | 1 | Eastern | 2015 | 843 |
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 Columbia, SC
Callata is a business phone system priced at $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user. Callata Office includes up to 3 local business numbers, unlimited inbound calling, 1,500 pooled outbound US and Canada minutes per user each month, a browser softphone that can also ring your cell, voicemail with transcription, call recording with AI summaries, business-hours routing and E911 on every number.
Porting a number you already use in Columbia, 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 Columbia, SC?
Census County Business Patterns counted 26 caterers in the Columbia, SC metro area in 2023. They employed 382 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 15-person catering company?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 15 users cost $450.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $374.25 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $299.00.
What area code should a catering company in Columbia, SC use?
Area code 803 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 839 and 864. 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.