CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for caterers in Portland, ME
Caterers in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area: 41 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 7-person team.
- Establishments
- 41CBP 2023
- Employees
- 290mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 7.2U.S. 3.9
- Rank
- 56th of 401areas by count
How many caterers are in Portland, ME?
There were 41 caterers in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 722320, Caterers). They employed 290 people in mid-March and paid $12.6 million in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 56th out of 401 areas with published figures for caterers.
Measured against its 572,000 residents (2024 estimate), the area has 7.2 caterers per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 3.9, so Portland, ME is 84.5% above the national figure. The average establishment here has 7.1 employees, compared with 11.2 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $43,555, 41.1% above the national $30,873.
| Measure | Portland, ME | Maine | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 41 | 70 | 13,222 |
| Mid-March employees | 290 (moderate noise) | 346 | 148,684 |
| Annual payroll | $12,631,000 | $16,327,000 | $4,590,259,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 7.1 | 4.9 | 11.2 |
| Payroll per employee | $43,555 | $47,188 | $30,873 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 7.2 | 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 Portland, ME are
Of the caterers in Portland, ME that had employees in March 2023, 51.2% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 55.0%). 73.2% 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 | 21 | 51.2% | 55.0% |
| 5–9 employees | 9 | 22.0% | 16.9% |
| 10–19 employees | 8 | 19.5% | 13.5% |
| 20–49 employees | 3 | 7.3% | 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 Portland, ME 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 Portland, ME might handle in a typical week include:
- A couple calls about catering a wedding.
- An office calls about a lunch meeting order.
- A client calls about dietary restrictions.
What caterers text about
Caterers text headcount confirmations and delivery windows.
Team texting on Callata runs from your business number, so replies come from the practice or shop rather than someone's personal phone. It turns on after the one-time $49 carrier registration (10DLC) is approved.
What a phone system costs a catering company in Portland, ME
The average catering company in Portland, ME has 7.1 employees, so a 7-person team is a reasonable benchmark. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $174.65 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $210.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $139.00 a month for 7 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $852 less than RingCentral for a catering company in Portland, ME 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 | $139.00 | $1,668.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $133.00 | $1,596.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $161.00 | $1,932.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $174.65 | $2,095.80 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $189.00 | $2,268.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $210.00 | $2,520.00 |
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 Portland, ME
The exchanges in the area's named cities and towns are all in area code 207 (269 exchanges in NANPA's file). A local number lets clients in Portland, ME 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 207 | 269 | Eastern | 1947 | 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.
How Callata works for caterers
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 Portland, ME 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 Portland, ME?
Census County Business Patterns counted 41 caterers in the Portland-South Portland, ME metro area in 2023. They employed 290 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 7-person catering company?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 7 users cost $210.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $174.65 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $139.00.
What area code should a catering company in Portland, ME use?
Area code 207 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.