Whole Foods, Workers Get First Nod for $2 Million 401(k) Accord

Whole Foods Market Inc. secured initial court approval for a $2 million class settlement aimed at resolving allegations that its retirement plan charged excessive fees.

The deal represents about 17% of the workers’ maximum estimated damages and is expected to benefit nearly 100,000 people. Judge Robert Pitman granted preliminary approval to the settlement and scheduled a Jan. 15, 2026, fairness hearing in an order issued Thursday in the US District Court for the Western District of Texas.

• Whole Foods was accused of violating the Employee Retirement Income Security Act by failing to rein in the annual fees its employees paid ...