Business phone system for caterers in Ohio

How many caterers operate in Ohio

The Census Bureau counted 490 caterers in Ohio in its 2023 County Business Patterns (NAICS 722320). They employed 5,431 people in mid-March and reported $119.5 million in annual payroll. That is the 8th highest count among the 51 states and DC with published figures. Caterers make up 0.19% of the 255,049 business establishments in the state.

Per 100,000 residents (2024 estimate) Ohio has 4.1 caterers, 6.1% above the national rate of 3.9. The average establishment has 11.1 employees against 11.2 nationally. Payroll per employee is $22,009, 28.7% below the U.S. figure of $30,873.

Caterers by metro area in Ohio

Census published catering company counts for 17 metro or micropolitan areas that include part of Ohio. The largest is Columbus, OH, with 131 establishments. Single-state metro and micropolitan areas account for 79% of the statewide total; the rest are outside any published area or in areas Census suppressed.

Team sizes at caterers in Ohio

54.1% of Ohio's caterers with employees had fewer than five people in March 2023, compared with 55.0% nationally. 70.3% had fewer than ten. At that size the phone is shared, so routing (who rings, when, and what happens after hours) matters more than the number of desk phones.

What caterers in Ohio 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 Ohio might handle in a typical week include:

• An office calls about a lunch meeting order.
• The caterer calls a venue about setup times.
• A client calls about dietary restrictions.

What caterers text about

Caterers text headcount confirmations and delivery windows.

Texting from a local number in Ohio requires carrier registration (10DLC), a one-time $49 fee on Callata.

Callata vs. per-seat pricing for caterers in Ohio

Caterers in Ohio average 11.1 employees, so the comparison uses an 11-person team. Per-seat business phone plans bill every one of those people. At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 11 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $330.00 a month and 11 on Ooma Office Pro cost $274.45. Callata comes to $219.00 a month for 11 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.

Over a year, that is $1,332 less than RingCentral for a catering company in Ohio of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.

Area codes in Ohio

Ohio has 15 geographic area codes in service according to NANPA. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, so a catering company can hold a number in more than one of them.

How Callata works for caterers in Ohio

Callata is a business phone system priced at $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user. Callata Office includes up to 3 local business numbers, unlimited inbound calling, 1,500 pooled outbound US and Canada minutes per user each month, a browser softphone that can also ring your cell, voicemail with transcription, call recording with AI summaries, business-hours routing and E911 on every number.

Porting a number you already use in Ohio 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.