CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for full-service restaurants in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Full-service restaurants in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area: 432 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 27-person team.
- Establishments
- 432CBP 2023
- Employees
- 11,468mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 73.5U.S. 76.0
- Rank
- 100th of 925areas by count
How many full-service restaurants are in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
There were 432 full-service restaurants in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 722511, Full-Service Restaurants). They employed 11,468 people in mid-March and paid $285.7 million in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 100th out of 925 areas with published figures for full-service restaurants.
Measured against its 588,000 residents (2024 estimate), the area has 73.5 full-service restaurants per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 76.0, so Chattanooga, TN-GA is 3.4% below the national figure. The average establishment here has 26.5 employees, compared with 20.8 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $24,917, 11.1% below the national $28,018.
| Measure | Chattanooga, TN-GA | Tennessee | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 432 | 4,962 | 258,626 |
| Mid-March employees | 11,468 | 121,246 | 5,387,020 |
| Annual payroll | $285,747,000 | $3,236,433,000 | $150,931,656,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 26.5 | 24.4 | 20.8 |
| Payroll per employee | $24,917 | $26,693 | $28,018 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 73.5 | 68.7 | 76.0 |
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 full-service restaurants in Chattanooga, TN-GA are
Of the full-service restaurants in Chattanooga, TN-GA that had employees in March 2023, 19.4% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 26.3%). 31.3% 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 | 84 | 19.4% | 26.3% |
| 5–9 employees | 51 | 11.8% | 17.1% |
| 10–19 employees | 107 | 24.8% | 21.1% |
| 20–49 employees | 117 | 27.1% | 24.7% |
| 50 or more employees | 73 | 16.9% | 10.8% |
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.
Why the phone matters for full-service restaurants in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Restaurants take reservations, takeout orders and catering inquiries by phone during the same rush when staff are busiest. Unanswered calls during service often mean lost covers. That holds for full-service restaurants in Chattanooga, TN-GA as much as anywhere.
Typical inbound and outbound calls for full-service restaurants in Chattanooga, TN-GA:
- A customer calls in a takeout order.
- A guest calls to book a table for six on Saturday.
- An event planner calls about a private room.
Business texting for full-service restaurants
Restaurants text reservation confirmations and table-ready alerts.
Because carriers require registration for business texting from local numbers, Callata files a 10DLC registration for a one-time $49; after approval, anyone on the team can reply from the business number.
What a phone system costs a full-service restaurant in Chattanooga, TN-GA
The average full-service restaurant in Chattanooga, TN-GA has 26.5 employees, so a 27-person team is a reasonable benchmark. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $673.65 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $810.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $539.00 a month for 27 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $3,252 less than RingCentral for a full-service restaurant in Chattanooga, TN-GA 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 | $539.00 | $6,468.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $513.00 | $6,156.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $621.00 | $7,452.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $673.65 | $8,083.80 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $729.00 | $8,748.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $810.00 | $9,720.00 |
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 Chattanooga, TN-GA
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 3 area codes. 423 has the most, with 203 of 236 exchanges (86%). A local number lets guests in Chattanooga, TN-GA 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 423 | 203 | Eastern and Central | 1995 | 729 |
| 706 | 26 | Eastern | 1992 | 762 |
| 762 | 7 | Eastern | 2006 | 706 |
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 full-service restaurants
Callata Office costs $99 per month for up to 5 people, and each additional user is $20 a month. That covers up to 3 local numbers, calling from a browser or your cell, transcribed voicemail, recorded calls with AI summaries, after-hours routing and E911 on each number.
Porting a number you already use in Chattanooga, TN-GA 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 full-service restaurants are there in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Census County Business Patterns counted 432 full-service restaurants in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area in 2023. They employed 11,468 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 27-person full-service restaurant?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 27 users cost $810.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $673.65 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $539.00.
What area code should a full-service restaurant in Chattanooga, TN-GA use?
Area code 423 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 706 and 762. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a full-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.