CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for caterers in Dayton, OH
Caterers in the Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH metro area: 15 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 20-person team.
- Establishments
- 15CBP 2023
- Employees
- 298mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 1.8U.S. 3.9
- Rank
- 122nd of 401areas by count
The catering company market in Dayton, OH
County Business Patterns counts 15 caterers (NAICS 722320, Caterers) in the Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH metro area for 2023. They employed 298 people in mid-March and paid $6,510,000 in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 122nd out of 401 areas with published figures for caterers.
Measured against its 822,000 residents (2024 estimate), the area has 1.8 caterers per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 3.9, so Dayton, OH is 53.0% below the national figure. The average establishment here has 19.9 employees, compared with 11.2 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $21,846, 29.2% below the national $30,873.
| Measure | Dayton, OH | Ohio | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 15 | 490 | 13,222 |
| Mid-March employees | 298 (moderate noise) | 5,431 | 148,684 |
| Annual payroll | $6,510,000 (moderate noise) | $119,533,000 | $4,590,259,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 19.9 | 11.1 | 11.2 |
| Payroll per employee | $21,846 | $22,009 | $30,873 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 1.8 | 4.1 | 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.
Establishment size: caterers in Dayton, OH
Of the caterers in Dayton, OH that had employees in March 2023, 33.3% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 55.0%). 66.7% 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 | 4 | 33.3% | 55.0% |
| 5–9 employees | 4 | 33.3% | 16.9% |
| 10–19 employees | not published | — | 13.5% |
| 20–49 employees | 4 | 33.3% | 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 Dayton, OH 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 Dayton, OH might handle in a typical week include:
- The caterer calls a venue about setup times.
- A client calls to update a headcount.
- A couple calls about catering a wedding.
Business texting for caterers
Caterers text headcount confirmations and delivery windows.
Because carriers require registration for business texting from local numbers, Callata files a 10DLC registration for a one-time $49; after approval, anyone on the team can reply from the business number.
Phone system pricing for a 20-person catering company
The average catering company in Dayton, OH has 19.9 employees, so a 20-person team is a reasonable benchmark. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $499.00 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $600.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $399.00 a month for 20 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $2,412 less than RingCentral for a catering company in Dayton, OH 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 | $399.00 | $4,788.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $380.00 | $4,560.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $460.00 | $5,520.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $499.00 | $5,988.00 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $540.00 | $6,480.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $600.00 | $7,200.00 |
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.
Which area code to use in Dayton, OH
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 8 area codes. 937 has the most, with 382 of 436 exchanges (88%). A local number lets clients in Dayton, OH 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 937 | 382 | Eastern | 1996 | 326 |
| 326 | 29 | Eastern | 2020 | 937 |
| 513 | 14 | Eastern | 1947 | 283 |
| 419 | 4 | Eastern | 1947 | 567 |
| 740 | 2 | Eastern | 1997 | 220 |
| 330 | 2 | Eastern | 1996 | 234 |
| 567 | 2 | Eastern | 2002 | 419 |
| 283 | 1 | Eastern | 2023 | 513 |
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.
How Callata works for caterers
Callata Office costs $99 per month for up to 5 people, and each additional user is $20 a month. That covers up to 3 local numbers, calling from a browser or your cell, transcribed voicemail, recorded calls with AI summaries, after-hours routing and E911 on each number.
Porting a number you already use in Dayton, OH 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 Dayton, OH?
Census County Business Patterns counted 15 caterers in the Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH metro area in 2023. They employed 298 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 20-person catering company?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 20 users cost $600.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $499.00 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $399.00.
What area code should a catering company in Dayton, OH use?
Area code 937 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 326 and 513. 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.