CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for limited-service restaurants in Bismarck, ND
Limited-service restaurants in the Bismarck, ND metro area: 92 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 19-person team.
- Establishments
- 92CBP 2023
- Employees
- 1,703mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 66.1U.S. 79.4
- Rank
- 346th of 925areas by count
The limited-service restaurant market in Bismarck, ND
The Census Bureau's 2023 County Business Patterns lists 92 establishments classified as Limited-Service Restaurants (NAICS 722513) in the Bismarck, ND metro area. They employed 1,703 people in mid-March and paid $38.2 million in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 346th out of 925 areas with published figures for limited-service restaurants.
Measured against its 139,000 residents (2024 estimate), the area has 66.1 limited-service restaurants per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 79.4, so Bismarck, ND is 16.8% below the national figure. The average establishment here has 18.5 employees, compared with 18.4 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $22,459, 7.7% above the national $20,857.
| Measure | Bismarck, ND | North Dakota | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 92 | 510 | 270,088 |
| Mid-March employees | 1,703 | 9,354 | 4,965,080 |
| Annual payroll | $38,247,000 | $195,020,000 | $103,557,315,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 18.5 | 18.3 | 18.4 |
| Payroll per employee | $22,459 | $20,849 | $20,857 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 66.1 | 64.0 | 79.4 |
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 limited-service restaurants in Bismarck, ND
Of the limited-service restaurants in Bismarck, ND that had employees in March 2023, 13.0% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 24.3%). 20.7% had fewer than ten. For a business of a few people, phone coverage is a staffing question as much as a technology one: someone has to be free to pick up, or the call needs somewhere sensible to go.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 12 | 13.0% | 24.3% |
| 5–9 employees | 7 | 7.6% | 16.2% |
| 10–19 employees | 50 | 54.3% | 24.6% |
| 20–49 employees | 17 | 18.5% | 28.4% |
| 50 or more employees | 6 | 6.5% | 6.5% |
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 limited-service restaurant in Bismarck, ND has to catch
Counter-service restaurants take phone orders and catering requests while serving a line of customers. Calls need to be answered quickly or captured for a callback. That holds for limited-service restaurants in Bismarck, ND as much as anywhere.
A few of the calls that come in to limited-service restaurants in Bismarck, ND:
- The restaurant calls a customer about an order delay.
- A customer calls in a lunch order.
- A delivery driver calls for directions.
Texting customers
Restaurants text order-ready notices.
Texts sent from a local business number in Bismarck, ND 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.
Callata vs. per-seat pricing for limited-service restaurants in Bismarck, ND
The average limited-service restaurant in Bismarck, ND has 18.5 employees, so a 19-person team is a reasonable benchmark. Per-seat business phone plans bill every one of those people. At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 19 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $570.00 a month and 19 on Ooma Office Pro cost $474.05. Callata comes to $379.00 a month for 19 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $2,292 less than RingCentral for a limited-service restaurant in Bismarck, ND 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 | $379.00 | $4,548.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $361.00 | $4,332.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $437.00 | $5,244.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $474.05 | $5,688.60 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $513.00 | $6,156.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $570.00 | $6,840.00 |
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.
Local area codes for limited-service restaurants in Bismarck, ND
The exchanges in the area's named cities and towns are all in area code 701 (69 exchanges in NANPA's file). A local number lets customers in Bismarck, ND 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 701 | 69 | Central and Mountain | 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.
What limited-service restaurants in Bismarck, ND get with Callata
For $99 a month, Callata puts a team of up to 5 on one plan ($20 for each person after that): up to 3 local numbers, unlimited inbound calls, a pooled allowance of 1,500 outbound US and Canada minutes per user, browser and cell calling, voicemail transcription with urgency triage, recorded calls with AI summaries and business-hours routing, with E911 on every number.
Porting a number you already use in Bismarck, ND 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 limited-service restaurants are there in Bismarck, ND?
Census County Business Patterns counted 92 limited-service restaurants in the Bismarck, ND metro area in 2023. They employed 1,703 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 19-person limited-service restaurant?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 19 users cost $570.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $474.05 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $379.00.
What area code should a limited-service restaurant in Bismarck, ND use?
Area code 701 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 limited-service restaurant?
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.