CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for caterers in Lakeland, FL
Caterers in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area: 17 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs an 8-person team.
- Establishments
- 17CBP 2023
- Employees
- 142mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 2.0U.S. 3.9
- Rank
- 114th of 401areas by count
Caterers in Lakeland, FL by the numbers
There were 17 caterers in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 722320, Caterers). They employed 142 people in mid-March and paid $3,324,000 in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 114th out of 401 areas with published figures for caterers.
Measured against its 853,000 residents (2024 estimate), the area has 2.0 caterers per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 3.9, so Lakeland, FL is 48.7% below the national figure. The average establishment here has 8.4 employees, compared with 11.2 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $23,408, 24.2% below the national $30,873.
| Measure | Lakeland, FL | Florida | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 17 | 993 | 13,222 |
| Mid-March employees | 142 | 8,208 | 148,684 |
| Annual payroll | $3,324,000 | $204,419,000 | $4,590,259,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 8.4 | 8.3 | 11.2 |
| Payroll per employee | $23,408 | $24,905 | $30,873 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 2.0 | 4.2 | 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 Lakeland, FL
Of the caterers in Lakeland, FL that had employees in March 2023, 100.0% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 55.0%). 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 | 100.0% | 55.0% |
| 5–9 employees | not published | — | 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 Lakeland, FL 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 Lakeland, FL might handle in a typical week include:
- The caterer calls a venue about setup times.
- A couple calls about catering a wedding.
- A client calls to update a headcount.
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.
Callata vs. per-seat pricing for caterers in Lakeland, FL
The average catering company in Lakeland, FL has 8.4 employees, so an 8-person team is a reasonable benchmark. Priced per seat, 8 users would run $240.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $199.60 on Ooma Office Pro (month-to-month list prices, checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $159.00 a month for 8 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $972 less than RingCentral for a catering company in Lakeland, FL 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 | $159.00 | $1,908.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $152.00 | $1,824.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $184.00 | $2,208.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $199.60 | $2,395.20 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $216.00 | $2,592.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $240.00 | $2,880.00 |
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 Lakeland, FL
The exchanges in the area's named cities and towns are all in area code 863 (301 exchanges in NANPA's file). A local number lets clients in Lakeland, FL 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 863 | 301 | Eastern | 1999 | 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 Lakeland, FL
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 Lakeland, FL 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 Lakeland, FL?
Census County Business Patterns counted 17 caterers in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area in 2023. They employed 142 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for an 8-person catering company?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 8 users cost $240.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $199.60 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $159.00.
What area code should a catering company in Lakeland, FL use?
Area code 863 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places. 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.