CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for limited-service restaurants in Hawaii
1,414 limited-service restaurants operated in Hawaii in 2023. Where they are, how big their teams are, and what phone service costs them.
- Establishments
- 1,414CBP 2023
- Employees
- 20,822mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 97.8U.S. 79.4
- State rank
- 38th of 51by count
How many limited-service restaurants operate in Hawaii
The Census Bureau counted 1,414 limited-service restaurants in Hawaii in its 2023 County Business Patterns (NAICS 722513). They employed 20,822 people in mid-March and reported $536.1 million in annual payroll. That is the 38th highest count among the 51 states and DC with published figures. Limited-service restaurants make up 4.3% of the 32,911 business establishments in the state.
Per 100,000 residents (2024 estimate) Hawaii has 97.8 limited-service restaurants, 23.1% above the national rate of 79.4. The average establishment has 14.7 employees against 18.4 nationally. Payroll per employee is $25,749, 23.5% above the U.S. figure of $20,857.
| Measure | Hawaii | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 1,414 | 270,088 |
| Mid-March employees | 20,822 | 4,965,080 |
| Annual payroll | $536,140,000 | $103,557,315,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 14.7 | 18.4 |
| Payroll per employee | $25,749 | $20,857 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 97.8 | 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.
Limited-service restaurants by metro area in Hawaii
Census published limited-service restaurant counts for 4 metro or micropolitan areas that include part of Hawaii. The largest is Urban Honolulu, HI, with 1,027 establishments. Single-state metro and micropolitan areas account for 100% of the statewide total; the rest are outside any published area or in areas Census suppressed.
| Area | Establishments | Employees | Per 100k residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu, HI | 1,027 | 15,572 | 102.8 |
| Hilo, HI | 165 | 2,068 | 78.7 |
| Kahului, HI | 131 | 2,061 | 80.0 |
| Kapaa, HI | 91 | 1,121 | 123.2 |
Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023; population from Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Team sizes at limited-service restaurants in Hawaii
27.7% of Hawaii's limited-service restaurants with employees had fewer than five people in March 2023, compared with 24.3% nationally. 51.6% 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.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 392 | 27.7% | 24.3% |
| 5–9 employees | 337 | 23.8% | 16.2% |
| 10–19 employees | 340 | 24.0% | 24.6% |
| 20–49 employees | 269 | 19.0% | 28.4% |
| 50 or more employees | 76 | 5.4% | 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 Hawaii 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.
A few of the calls that come in to limited-service restaurants in Hawaii:
- A delivery driver calls for directions.
- A customer calls about an order mistake.
- An office calls about catering for a meeting.
Business texting for limited-service restaurants
Restaurants text order-ready notices.
Texting from a local number in Hawaii requires carrier registration (10DLC), a one-time $49 fee on Callata.
Callata vs. per-seat pricing for limited-service restaurants in Hawaii
Limited-service restaurants in Hawaii average 14.7 employees, so the comparison uses a 15-person team. Per-seat business phone plans bill every one of those people. At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 15 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $450.00 a month and 15 on Ooma Office Pro cost $374.25. Callata comes to $299.00 a month for 15 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $1,812 less than RingCentral for a limited-service restaurant in Hawaii 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 | $299.00 | $3,588.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $285.00 | $3,420.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $345.00 | $4,140.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $374.25 | $4,491.00 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $405.00 | $4,860.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $450.00 | $5,400.00 |
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.
Area codes in Hawaii
Hawaii has 1 geographic area code in service according to NANPA. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, so a limited-service restaurant can hold a number in more than one of them.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 808 | 693 | — | 1957 | 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 limited-service restaurants in Hawaii
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 Hawaii 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 in Hawaii?
1,414 in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns. They employed 20,822 people in mid-March.
Which Hawaii metro area has the most limited-service restaurants?
Urban Honolulu, HI, with 1,027 establishments in 2023.
What does a phone system cost a 15-person limited-service restaurant?
$450.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core or $374.25 on Ooma Office Pro at month-to-month list prices (checked September 28, 2026); $299.00 on Callata ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user).
Do I need to register to text customers from a Hawaii number?
Yes. US carriers require business texting from local numbers to be registered (10DLC). On Callata the registration is a one-time $49 fee, and texting turns on once it is approved.