CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for caterers in Raleigh, NC
Caterers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area: 60 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 16-person team.
- Establishments
- 60CBP 2023
- Employees
- 953mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 3.8U.S. 3.9
- Rank
- 45th of 401areas by count
How many caterers are in Raleigh, NC?
There were 60 caterers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 722320, Caterers). Together they reported 953 mid-March employees and $26.2 million of payroll for the year. That ranks 45th of the 401 metro and micropolitan areas where Census published a count for this industry.
With 1.6 million residents in the Census 2024 estimate, that is 3.8 caterers per 100,000 people, in line with the national rate of 3.9. Establishments average 15.9 employees, 41.2% above the U.S. average of 11.2. Payroll per employee comes to $27,544, 10.8% below the national $30,873.
| Measure | Raleigh, NC | North Carolina | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 60 | 356 | 13,222 |
| Mid-March employees | 953 (moderate noise) | 3,713 | 148,684 |
| Annual payroll | $26,249,000 | $104,017,000 | $4,590,259,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 15.9 | 10.4 | 11.2 |
| Payroll per employee | $27,544 | $28,014 | $30,873 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 3.8 | 3.2 | 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.
Team sizes at caterers in Raleigh, NC
Of the caterers in Raleigh, NC that had employees in March 2023, 52.6% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 55.0%). 68.4% 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 | 30 | 52.6% | 55.0% |
| 5–9 employees | 9 | 15.8% | 16.9% |
| 10–19 employees | 7 | 12.3% | 13.5% |
| 20–49 employees | 11 | 19.3% | 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 Raleigh, NC 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.
Typical inbound and outbound calls for caterers in Raleigh, NC:
- A couple calls about catering a wedding.
- A client calls to update a headcount.
- An office calls about a lunch meeting order.
Calls after closing time
Evening inquiry calls are common for event catering.
With business-hours routing, calls after closing can go to transcribed voicemail or an optional AI receptionist instead of ringing an empty room.
Callata vs. per-seat pricing for caterers in Raleigh, NC
The average catering company in Raleigh, NC has 15.9 employees, so a 16-person team is a reasonable benchmark. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $399.20 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $480.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). On Callata the same 16 people cost $319.00 a month, less than either per-seat plan.
The annual difference against RingCentral's monthly list price comes to $1,932. 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 | $319.00 | $3,828.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $304.00 | $3,648.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $368.00 | $4,416.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $399.20 | $4,790.40 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $432.00 | $5,184.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $480.00 | $5,760.00 |
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 Raleigh, NC
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 2 area codes. 919 has the most, with 439 of 602 exchanges (73%). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 919 | 439 | Eastern | 1954 | 984 |
| 984 | 163 | Eastern | 2012 | 919 |
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 Raleigh, NC get with Callata
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.
If you already have a number in Raleigh, NC, 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 Raleigh, NC?
Census County Business Patterns counted 60 caterers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area in 2023. They employed 953 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 16-person catering company?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 16 users cost $480.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $399.20 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $319.00.
What area code should a catering company in Raleigh, NC use?
Area code 919 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 984. 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.