Central business number
When your business has multiple locations, giving every branch its own phone number creates confusion — for customers and for your team. Customers do not know which number to call, branches cannot cover for each other, and you lose oversight.
A central business number solves this. One memorable national or toll-free number that routes callers to the right branch automatically. Whether you have 2 locations or 200, every call reaches the right place without the caller having to think about it.
- One national number for all locations
- Route calls by area code or postcode
- Scales from 2 to 200+ branches
- Callers always reach the nearest location
Benefits of a central business number
See how one number for all your locations simplifies communication and improves the caller experience.
Route by area code
CallFactory reads the caller's area code and routes the call to the matching branch automatically. The caller does not notice anything — no menu, no waiting, just a direct connection to the nearest location.
Route by postcode
The caller enters their postcode digits and is connected to the assigned branch. This is more precise than area code routing — especially useful when you have multiple locations in the same area.
Smart combination
Combine both methods. Use area code routing where you have one branch per area, and ask for the postcode where multiple branches overlap. If someone calls from a mobile or withheld number, the system asks for the postcode as a fallback.
How central number routing works
You choose a single national or toll-free number and we configure the routing behind it. When a call comes in, the system identifies the caller’s location and connects them to the right branch.
The routing can work by area code (automatic, invisible to the caller), by postcode (the caller enters a few digits), or by a combination of both. You tell us which branches serve which areas, and the system handles the rest. Hundreds of simultaneous calls can be distributed across all your locations without any manual intervention.
Turn a strong website into a national phone channel
If your website already attracts visitors from across the country, a central national number is the natural next step. Place one number on your site and distribute the incoming calls to local operators, regional offices, or franchise partners — wherever the caller is located. Your website does the marketing, the central number does the routing.
This is especially effective for businesses that generate leads online but serve customers locally. The caller dials one number, and without noticing anything, they are connected to the operator nearest to them.
One number your customers remember
A single central number is easier for customers to remember, easier to print on marketing materials, and easier to manage. Instead of listing a different phone number for every branch on your website, invoices, and business cards, you use one number everywhere.
When a customer calls, they do not need to know which branch handles their area. The system figures it out. This creates a professional, consistent experience — no matter how many locations you have or how often branches open and close.
Branches cover for each other
With a central number, you can configure overflow routing between branches. If one location is busy or closed, calls automatically go to the next nearest branch or to a central team. During holidays or renovations, temporarily reroute a branch’s calls without changing the number customers dial.
This flexibility means you never miss a call just because one location is unavailable. The central number absorbs the complexity and the caller always gets through to someone.
Combine with other features
A central number works seamlessly with the rest of your call flow. Add a phone menu so callers can choose a department before being routed to a branch. Use a welcome message to greet callers and set expectations. Route after-hours calls to voicemail or an on-call number with calendar-based routing.
For businesses with branches in multiple countries, combine a central business number with international numbers — each with their own local routing — all managed from one CallFactory account.
Included with every number
Central number routing is included with every CallFactory number. Depending on the number of branches, a small monthly surcharge per branch may apply.
This feature is available with every business number or international number.
Learn more about other features
Find more information about our features that can boost your business communications.
Phone menu (IVR)
Help callers reach the right person immediately. With a simple menu, you route every call to the right employee or department.
Calendar-based call routing
Automatically route calls based on your schedule. Office hours, rotating shifts, holidays, and on-call rosters — calls always reach the right person at the right time.
Change final destinations
Forward calls to any phone — mobile, landline, or VoIP. Change destinations anytime through the dashboard, add as many extensions as you need, and route calls to colleagues anywhere in the world.
Central business number FAQ
Get clear answers about central business numbers and how they work for multi-location businesses.
When a call comes in, the system reads the caller’s area code and routes the call to the branch assigned to that area. The caller does not notice anything — no menu, no delay. It is completely automatic.
If the caller’s number does not have a recognisable area code — for example a mobile number — the system can ask the caller to enter their postcode instead. This ensures they still reach the right branch.
Yes. If a branch is closed, busy, or temporarily unavailable, we can reroute its calls to another branch or to a central team. Contact our support team and the change is live immediately.
Yes. You can add a phone menu so callers choose a department first — for example, press 1 for sales, press 2 for support — and then get routed to the right branch based on their location.
There is no limit. Whether you have 2 locations or 200, the system scales to handle the routing. Hundreds of simultaneous calls can be distributed across all your branches.
Yes. You can use a London 020 number, a regional number, or any national or toll-free number as your central number. The routing works the same regardless of the number type.
That depends on the number type. National numbers are included in most calling plans at no extra cost to the caller. 0800 numbers are free to call. Local numbers are charged at local rates.
Central number routing is included with every CallFactory number. Depending on the number of branches, a small monthly surcharge per branch may apply.









