CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for caterers in Slidell, LA
Caterers in the Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA metro area: 15 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 10-person team.
- Establishments
- 15CBP 2023
- Employees
- 148mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 5.4U.S. 3.9
- Rank
- 126th of 401areas by count
Caterers in Slidell, LA by the numbers
The Census Bureau's 2023 County Business Patterns lists 15 establishments classified as Caterers (NAICS 722320) in the Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA metro area. They employed 148 people in mid-March and paid $2,821,000 in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 126th out of 401 areas with published figures for caterers.
Measured against its 278,000 residents (2024 estimate), the area has 5.4 caterers per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 3.9, so Slidell, LA is 39.0% above the national figure. The average establishment here has 9.9 employees, compared with 11.2 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $19,061, 38.3% below the national $30,873.
| Measure | Slidell, LA | Louisiana | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 15 | 189 | 13,222 |
| Mid-March employees | 148 (moderate noise) | 2,162 | 148,684 |
| Annual payroll | $2,821,000 (moderate noise) | $52,580,000 | $4,590,259,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 9.9 | 11.4 | 11.2 |
| Payroll per employee | $19,061 | $24,320 | $30,873 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 5.4 | 4.1 | 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 Slidell, LA are
Of the caterers in Slidell, LA that had employees in March 2023, 72.7% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 55.0%). 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 | 8 | 72.7% | 55.0% |
| 5–9 employees | not published | — | 16.9% |
| 10–19 employees | 3 | 27.3% | 13.5% |
| 20–49 employees | not published | — | 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.
Calls a catering company in Slidell, LA 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. That holds for caterers in Slidell, LA as much as anywhere.
A few of the calls that come in to caterers in Slidell, LA:
- A client calls about dietary restrictions.
- A client calls to update a headcount.
- The caterer calls a venue about setup times.
Business texting for caterers
Caterers text headcount confirmations and delivery windows.
Texts sent from a local business number in Slidell, LA have to be registered with carriers first (10DLC); on Callata that is a one-time $49 fee, after which the whole team can text from the shared number.
What a phone system costs a catering company in Slidell, LA
The average catering company in Slidell, LA has 9.9 employees, so a 10-person team is a reasonable benchmark. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $249.50 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $300.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $199.00 a month for 10 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $1,212 less than RingCentral for a catering company in Slidell, LA 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 | $199.00 | $2,388.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $190.00 | $2,280.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $230.00 | $2,760.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $249.50 | $2,994.00 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $270.00 | $3,240.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $300.00 | $3,600.00 |
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.
Which area code to use in Slidell, LA
The exchanges in the area's named cities and towns are all in area code 985 (110 exchanges in NANPA's file). A local number lets clients in Slidell, LA 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 985 | 110 | Central | 2001 | 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 Slidell, LA 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 Slidell, LA?
Census County Business Patterns counted 15 caterers in the Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA metro area in 2023. They employed 148 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 10-person catering company?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 10 users cost $300.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $249.50 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $199.00.
What area code should a catering company in Slidell, LA use?
Area code 985 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.