CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for caterers in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Caterers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area: 38 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 9-person team.
- Establishments
- 38CBP 2023
- Employees
- 341mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 2.8U.S. 3.9
- Rank
- 59th of 401areas by count
Caterers in Memphis, TN-MS-AR by the numbers
There were 38 caterers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 722320, Caterers). Together they reported 341 mid-March employees and $8,369,000 of payroll for the year. That ranks 59th of the 401 metro and micropolitan areas where Census published a count for this industry.
With 1.3 million residents in the Census 2024 estimate, that is 2.8 caterers per 100,000 people, 27.0% below the national rate of 3.9. Establishments average 9.0 employees, 20.2% below the U.S. average of 11.2. Payroll per employee comes to $24,543, 20.5% below the national $30,873.
| Measure | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | Tennessee | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 38 | 190 | 13,222 |
| Mid-March employees | 341 (moderate noise) | 2,099 | 148,684 |
| Annual payroll | $8,369,000 | $56,236,000 | $4,590,259,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 9.0 | 11.0 | 11.2 |
| Payroll per employee | $24,543 | $26,792 | $30,873 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 2.8 | 2.6 | 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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR are
Of the caterers in Memphis, TN-MS-AR that had employees in March 2023, 54.1% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 55.0%). 70.3% had fewer than ten. 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 | 20 | 54.1% | 55.0% |
| 5–9 employees | 6 | 16.2% | 16.9% |
| 10–19 employees | 6 | 16.2% | 13.5% |
| 20–49 employees | 5 | 13.5% | 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.
Why the phone matters for caterers in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR:
- A client calls to update a headcount.
- An office calls about a lunch meeting order.
- The caterer calls a venue about setup times.
After-hours calls
Evening inquiry calls are common for event catering.
Callata transcribes voicemail and triages it for urgency, so the first callback in the morning can go to the caller who needs it most.
What a phone system costs a catering company in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
The average catering company in Memphis, TN-MS-AR has 9.0 employees, so a 9-person team is a reasonable benchmark. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $224.55 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $270.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). On Callata the same 9 people cost $179.00 a month, less than either per-seat plan.
The annual difference against RingCentral's monthly list price comes to $1,092. Some vendors discount annual contracts; the table shows month-to-month prices.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $179.00 | $2,148.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $171.00 | $2,052.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $207.00 | $2,484.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $224.55 | $2,694.60 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $243.00 | $2,916.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $270.00 | $3,240.00 |
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.
Getting a local number in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 4 area codes. 901 has the most, with 606 of 709 exchanges (85%). Callata's plan includes up to 3 local numbers; you can pick them in the area codes your clients recognize, subject to carrier inventory, or port the number you already have for free.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 901 | 606 | Central | 1947 | none |
| 662 | 79 | Central | 1999 | 471 |
| 870 | 22 | Central | 1997 | 327 |
| 327 | 2 | Central | 2024 | 870 |
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR 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.
If you already have a number in Memphis, TN-MS-AR, porting it to Callata is free. Texting from a local number requires a one-time carrier registration (10DLC, $49), and the numbers available in any area code depend on carrier inventory when you choose them.
Optional AI agents (receptionist, sales, support or scheduler) can answer calls after hours or when nobody picks up, take messages, text, email and transfer to your team. They are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute, identify themselves as AI, and may only place outbound calls to people who consented, between 8am and 9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many caterers are there in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Census County Business Patterns counted 38 caterers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area in 2023. They employed 341 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 9-person catering company?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 9 users cost $270.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $224.55 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $179.00.
What area code should a catering company in Memphis, TN-MS-AR use?
Area code 901 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 662 and 870. 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.