CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for caterers in Los Angeles, CA
Caterers in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area: 761 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 12-person team.
- Establishments
- 761CBP 2023
- Employees
- 9,429mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 5.9U.S. 3.9
- Rank
- 2nd of 401areas by count
How many caterers are in Los Angeles, CA?
County Business Patterns counts 761 caterers (NAICS 722320, Caterers) in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area for 2023. They employed 9,429 people in mid-March and paid $250.8 million in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 2nd out of 401 areas with published figures for caterers.
Measured against its 12.9 million residents (2024 estimate), the area has 5.9 caterers per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 3.9, so Los Angeles, CA is 51.4% above the national figure. The average establishment here has 12.4 employees, compared with 11.2 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $26,596, 13.9% below the national $30,873.
| Measure | Los Angeles, CA | California | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 761 | 1,961 | 13,222 |
| Mid-March employees | 9,429 | 22,524 | 148,684 |
| Annual payroll | $250,777,000 | $714,139,000 | $4,590,259,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 12.4 | 11.5 | 11.2 |
| Payroll per employee | $26,596 | $31,706 | $30,873 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 5.9 | 5.0 | 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.
How big caterers in Los Angeles, CA are
Of the caterers in Los Angeles, CA that had employees in March 2023, 60.2% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 55.0%). 76.3% 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 | 457 | 60.2% | 55.0% |
| 5–9 employees | 122 | 16.1% | 16.9% |
| 10–19 employees | 79 | 10.4% | 13.5% |
| 20–49 employees | 68 | 9.0% | 10.3% |
| 50 or more employees | 33 | 4.3% | 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.
Calls a catering company in Los Angeles, CA has to catch
Caterers book events through inquiry calls and then coordinate menus, headcounts and timing over many follow-ups. Fast responses to inquiries win events.
A few of the calls that come in to caterers in Los Angeles, CA:
- A client calls about dietary restrictions.
- A couple calls about catering a wedding.
- A client calls to update a headcount.
What caterers text about
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.
What a phone system costs a catering company in Los Angeles, CA
The average catering company in Los Angeles, CA has 12.4 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 Los Angeles, CA 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 Los Angeles, CA
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 8 area codes. 323 has the most, with 786 of 5,035 exchanges (16%). A local number lets clients in Los Angeles, CA 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 323 | 786 | Pacific | 1998 | 213, 738 |
| 213 | 780 | Pacific | 1947 | 323, 738 |
| 714 | 777 | Pacific | 1951 | 657 |
| 626 | 722 | Pacific | 1997 | none |
| 657 | 643 | Pacific | 2008 | 714 |
| 562 | 541 | Pacific | 1997 | none |
| 949 | 454 | Pacific | 1998 | none |
| 310 | 332 | Pacific | 1991 | 424 |
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 Los Angeles, CA get with Callata
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 Los Angeles, CA 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 Los Angeles, CA?
Census County Business Patterns counted 761 caterers in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area in 2023. They employed 9,429 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 Los Angeles, CA use?
Area code 323 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 213 and 714. 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.