CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for caterers in Houston, TX
Caterers in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area: 248 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 12-person team.
- Establishments
- 248CBP 2023
- Employees
- 2,879mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 3.2U.S. 3.9
- Rank
- 11th of 401areas by count
How many caterers are in Houston, TX?
County Business Patterns counts 248 caterers (NAICS 722320, Caterers) in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area for 2023. They employed 2,879 people in mid-March and paid $79.2 million in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 11th out of 401 areas with published figures for caterers.
Measured against its 7.8 million residents (2024 estimate), the area has 3.2 caterers per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 3.9, so Houston, TX is 18.2% below the national figure. The average establishment here has 11.6 employees, compared with 11.2 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $27,492, 10.9% below the national $30,873.
| Measure | Houston, TX | Texas | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 248 | 866 | 13,222 |
| Mid-March employees | 2,879 | 8,463 | 148,684 |
| Annual payroll | $79,150,000 | $265,813,000 | $4,590,259,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 11.6 | 9.8 | 11.2 |
| Payroll per employee | $27,492 | $31,409 | $30,873 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 3.2 | 2.8 | 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.
How big caterers in Houston, TX are
Of the caterers in Houston, TX that had employees in March 2023, 58.1% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 55.0%). 79.3% had fewer than ten. For a business of a few people, phone coverage is a staffing question as much as a technology one: someone has to be free to pick up, or the call needs somewhere sensible to go.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 143 | 58.1% | 55.0% |
| 5–9 employees | 52 | 21.1% | 16.9% |
| 10–19 employees | 28 | 11.4% | 13.5% |
| 20–49 employees | 18 | 7.3% | 10.3% |
| 50 or more employees | 5 | 2.0% | 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 Houston, TX 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 Houston, TX might handle in a typical week include:
- A client calls to update a headcount.
- A couple calls about catering a wedding.
- An office calls about a lunch meeting order.
What caterers text about
Caterers text headcount confirmations and delivery windows.
Texts sent from a local business number in Houston, TX 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 Houston, TX
The average catering company in Houston, TX has 11.6 employees, so a 12-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, 12 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $360.00 a month and 12 on Ooma Office Pro cost $299.40. Callata comes to $239.00 a month for 12 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $1,452 less than RingCentral for a catering company in Houston, TX 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 | $239.00 | $2,868.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $228.00 | $2,736.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $276.00 | $3,312.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $299.40 | $3,592.80 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $324.00 | $3,888.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $360.00 | $4,320.00 |
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 Houston, TX
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 8 area codes. 713 has the most, with 747 of 2,385 exchanges (31%). A local number lets clients in Houston, TX 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 713 | 747 | Central | 1947 | 281, 346, 621, 832 |
| 832 | 547 | Central | 1999 | 281, 346, 713 |
| 281 | 393 | Central | 1996 | 346, 621, 713, 832 |
| 346 | 382 | Central | 2014 | 281, 621, 713, 832 |
| 936 | 144 | Central | 2000 | none |
| 979 | 100 | Central | 2000 | none |
| 409 | 71 | Central | 1982 | none |
| 806 | 1 | Central | 1957 | 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.
What caterers in Houston, TX get with Callata
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 Houston, TX 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 Houston, TX?
Census County Business Patterns counted 248 caterers in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area in 2023. They employed 2,879 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 12-person catering company?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 12 users cost $360.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $299.40 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $239.00.
What area code should a catering company in Houston, TX use?
Area code 713 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 832 and 281. 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.