Industry sector · Form 5500 business code 72xxxx
Accommodation and food services: retirement plans
Plans whose sponsor entered a business code in this sector on Form 5500.
Form 5500 information is as filed by the plan administrator with the Department of Labor and may be amended. Figures reflect the plan year shown, not current balances. The business code is chosen by the filer from the list in the Form 5500 instructions.
For plan year 2024, 1,358 retirement plans in accommodation and food services with 100 or more participants filed Form 5500: 1,319 defined contribution and 39 defined benefit. They reported 4,064,392 participant records and $77.6B in net assets, counting every plan on the form.
The median defined contribution plan held $11,827 per participant, well below the national median of $53,031, and its employer put in $503 per active participant (national: $2,174). Among plans reporting Schedule C compensation the median was $54.28 per participant against $123 nationally.
Employers contributed $2.45B and participants $3.97B during the year, and the plans paid out $7.47B in benefits.
In 2009 the same group numbered 2,062 plans with $29.7B; by 2024 it was 1,358 plans (down 34%) and $77.6B (up 161%). From plan year 2023 the 100-participant line counts participants with account balances, which moved many plans to the short form.
Medians compared with all US plans
| Median plan, plan year 2024 | Industry: DC | US: DC | Industry: DB | US: DB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net assets per participant | $11,827 | $53,031 | $27,107 | $86,234 |
| Employer contributions per active participant | $503 | $2,174 | $4,875 | $10,244 |
| Schedule C compensation per participant | $54.28 | $123 | $121 | $344 |
| Schedule C compensation, share of net assets | 0.49% | 0.26% | 0.47% | 0.42% |
| Administrative expenses per participant | $53.29 | $116 | $217 | $527 |
Medians across plans with 100 or more participants (1,261 DC and 39 DB plans with a Schedule H here). Fee medians cover plans reporting an amount. DC: defined contribution, such as 401(k) and 403(b). DB: defined benefit pension.
Distribution of DC plans
| Measure | 25th percentile | Median | 75th percentile | Plans |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net assets per participant | $5,096 | $11,827 | $23,167 | 1,261 |
| Employer contributions per active participant | $199 | $503 | $1,050 | 1,155 |
| Schedule C compensation per participant | $23.22 | $54.28 | $108 | 1,178 |
| Administrative expenses per participant | $21.05 | $53.29 | $105 | 1,242 |
Trend by plan year
| Plan year | Plans 100+ | Participants | Net assets | Employer contributions | Participant contributions | Median DC assets / participant | Median DC Sch. C / participant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025partial | 165 | 372,021 | $8.70B | $248M | $486M | $12,124 | $59.04 |
| 2024 | 1,358 | 4,064,392 | $77.6B | $2.45B | $3.97B | $11,827 | $54.28 |
| 2023 | 1,397 | 3,738,534 | $66.5B | $2.15B | $3.60B | $11,186 | $49.84 |
| 2022 | 2,094 | 3,873,808 | $62.5B | $1.86B | $3.39B | $8,314 | $44.10 |
| 2021 | 1,974 | 3,572,665 | $73.2B | $1.39B | $2.67B | $10,778 | $48.36 |
| 2020 | 1,975 | 3,433,877 | $65.9B | $1.20B | $2.35B | $10,009 | $45.44 |
| 2019 | 2,023 | 3,760,142 | $61.4B | $1.69B | $2.95B | $8,082 | $35.64 |
| 2018 | 1,932 | 3,651,536 | $52.0B | $1.71B | $2.72B | $7,278 | $31.64 |
| 2017 | 1,888 | 3,575,908 | $55.4B | $1.65B | $2.50B | $8,204 | $28.08 |
| 2016 | 1,886 | 3,552,350 | $48.0B | $1.45B | $2.33B | $7,181 | $25.11 |
| 2015 | 1,848 | 3,426,251 | $44.7B | $1.53B | $2.17B | $6,977 | $23.56 |
| 2014 | 1,850 | 3,403,906 | $44.8B | $1.37B | $1.99B | $7,313 | $21.91 |
| 2013 | 1,839 | 3,462,149 | $42.5B | $1.23B | $1.84B | $7,044 | $19.99 |
| 2012 | 1,891 | 3,453,984 | $36.9B | $1.21B | $1.75B | $5,952 | $18.99 |
| 2011 | 1,919 | 3,335,996 | $33.5B | $1.14B | $1.68B | $5,289 | $19.55 |
| 2010 | 1,972 | 3,342,430 | $33.1B | $1.01B | $1.58B | $5,194 | $18.88 |
| 2009 | 2,062 | 3,338,586 | $29.7B | $1.17B | $1.60B | $4,599 | $16.52 |
Plan year is the year in which the plan year began. The drop in large plans from 2023 follows a rule change: the 100-participant line now counts participants with account balances, so many plans moved to the short form.
Provider share
Service provider organisations named most often on the Schedule C of the 1,368 plans on this page's list, by number of plans. A plan usually names several providers.
Largest plans
The 50 largest by participants of 1,368 plans with a page on this site.
| Plan | Sponsor | State | Type | Participants | Net assets | Per participant | Employer / active | Sch. C / participant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compass Group Retirement Plan | Compass Group USA, Inc. | NC | DC | 312,914 | $2.48B | $7,913 | $207 | $13.95 |
| Darden Savings Plan | Darden Restaurants, Inc. | FL | DC | 210,222 | $1.59B | $7,540 | $222 | $8.48 |
| Western Unite Here and Employers Pension Fund | Board of Trustees, Western Unite Here and Employers | CA | DB | 154,012 | $3.67B | $23,847 | $3,116 | $84.07 |
| Marriott Retirement Savings Plan | Marriott International, Inc. | MD | DC | 152,118 | $11.7B | $76,819 | $2,188 | $34.67 |
| Sodexo 401 (K) Employees' Retirement Savings Plan and Trust | Sodexo, Inc. | MD | DC | 130,486 | $2.45B | $18,739 | $399 | $59.31 |
| Culinary and Bartenders 401(k) Plan | Trustees of the Culinary and Bartenders 401(k) Trust | NV | DC | 126,837 | $246M | $1,940 | $0 | $9.76 |
| Aramark Hourly 401(k) Plan | Aramark Services, Inc. Retirement Benefits | PA | DC | 96,767 | $252M | $2,601 | $56 | $8.01 |
| Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. 401(k) Plan | Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. | CA | DC | 96,636 | $293M | $3,030 | $176 | $8.45 |
| Panda Retirement Plan | Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. | CA | DC | 59,074 | $610M | $10,323 | $363 | $14.78 |
| Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. and Affiliates Employee Savings Plan | Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. | TN | DC | 57,285 | $225M | $3,933 | $100 | $8.07 |
| Brinker International 401(k) Savings Plan | Brinker International, Inc. | TX | DC | 56,522 | $565M | $9,989 | $305 | $12.68 |
| New York Hotel Trades Council and Hotel Association of New York City, Inc. Pension Fund | Board of Trustees | NY | DB | 56,488 | $2.60B | $46,097 | $7,088 | $214 |
| Aimbridge Parent, Inc. 401(k) Plan | Aimbridge Parent, Inc. | TX | DC | 46,108 | $470M | $10,195 | $164 | $12.74 |
| Hyatt Corporation Retirement Savings Plan | Hyatt Corporation | IL | DC | 45,742 | $2.49B | $54,491 | $1,264 | $25.44 |
| Inspire Brands, Inc. 401(k) Retirement Plan | Irb Holding Corporation | GA | DC | 43,661 | $596M | $13,660 | $478 | $16.76 |
| Whataburger 401(k) Savings Plan | Whataburger Restaurants LLC | TX | DC | 41,380 | $262M | $6,331 | $275 | $30.82 |
| Hilton 401(k) Plan | Hilton Domestic Operating Company, Inc. | VA | DC | 36,894 | $2.30B | $62,274 | $1,866 | $34.81 |
| McDonald's Corporation 401(k) Plan | McDonald's Corporation and Subsidiaries | IL | DC | 32,254 | $3.74B | $115,958 | $1,792 | $54.58 |
| Raising Cane's Retirement Savings Plan | Raising Cane's USA, LLC | TX | DC | 28,298 | $155M | $5,492 | $447 | $9.14 |
| Yum Brands 401(k) Plan | Yum Brands, Inc. | KY | DC | 28,163 | $1.06B | $37,810 | $907 | $48.19 |
| In-N-Out Burger Associates' Profit Sharing Plan | In-N-Out Burger, Inc. | CA | DC | 27,846 | $947M | $34,020 | $1,528 | $7.40 |
| Aramark Retirement Savings Plan for Salaried Employees | Aramark Retirement Savings Plan for Salaried Employees | PA | DC | 27,719 | $1.43B | $51,647 | $754 | $27.92 |
| Panera Bread Company 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan | Panera Bread Company | MO | DC | 27,108 | $285M | $10,515 | $488 | $17.40 |
| New York Hotel Trades Council & Hotel Association of New York City, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan | The Board of Trustees | NY | DC | 26,852 | $813M | $30,280 | — | $45.32 |
| Restaurant Brands International Savings Plan | Restaurant Brands International | FL | DC | 26,777 | $193M | $7,189 | $274 | $0.39 |
| Los Angeles Hotel-Restaurant Employer-Union Retirement Fund | Board of Trustees, Los Angeles Hotel-Restaurant | CA | DB | 26,576 | $421M | $15,857 | $3,227 | $64.27 |
| Flynn Restaurant Group 401(k) Retirement Plan | Flynn Restaurant Group LP | OH | DC | 25,164 | $119M | $4,711 | $107 | $15.39 |
| Pyramid Advisors 401(k) Plan | Pyramid Advisors Limited Partnership | MA | DC | 23,382 | $247M | $10,555 | $431 | $10.49 |
| HGV Retirement Savings Plan | Hilton Resorts Corporation | FL | DC | 22,047 | $706M | $32,005 | $2,217 | $54.68 |
| Hmshost Hudson 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan | Host International, Inc. | MD | DC | 20,377 | $485M | $23,780 | $622 | $37.39 |
| Four Seasons Hotels Retirement Benefit Plan | Four Seasons Hotels Limited Pension & Profit Sharing Committee | — | DC | 20,112 | $978M | $48,646 | $1,465 | $86.25 |
| Boyd Gaming Corporation 401(k) Plan and Trust | Boyd Gaming Corporation | NV | DC | 18,991 | $537M | $28,283 | $332 | $32.20 |
| Omni Hotels 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan | Omni Hotels Management Corporation | TX | DC | 17,413 | $258M | $14,822 | $615 | $27.49 |
| Legends 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan | Legends Hospitality, LLC | NY | DC | 17,161 | $106M | $6,164 | $328 | $3.37 |
| Travel + Leisure Co. Employee Savings Plan | Travel + Leisure Co. | FL | DC | 16,663 | $962M | $57,746 | $2,359 | $52.02 |
| Hotel Industry-Ilwu Pension Plan | Board of Trustees of the Hotel Industry-Ilwu Pension Plan | HI | DB | 16,470 | $316M | $19,183 | $1,409 | $113 |
| Ihg 401(k) Savings and Retirement Plan | Six Continents Hotels, Inc. | GA | DC | 16,442 | $1.27B | $77,500 | $2,587 | $36.09 |
| Avis Budget Group, Inc. Employee Savings Plan | Avis Budget Group, Inc. | NJ | DC | 16,412 | $718M | $43,760 | $985 | $38.94 |
| Hard Rock Futurecare 401(k) Plan | Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Inc. Hard Rock International | FL | DC | 16,256 | $255M | $15,678 | $577 | $30.64 |
| Yum Brands Retirement Plan | Yum Brands, Inc. | KY | DB | 16,102 | $644M | $39,979 | — | $137 |
| First Watch 401(k) Savings Plan | First Watch Restaurants, Inc. | FL | DC | 15,597 | $48.4M | $3,103 | $153 | $15.11 |
| Hotel Union and Hotel Industry of Hawaii Pension Plan | Board of Trustees of the Hotel Union & Hotel Industry of Hawaii Pensio | HI | DB | 14,918 | $763M | $51,134 | $5,322 | $154 |
| Sky Chefs, Inc. Moneysmart 401(k) Savings and Retirement Plan | Sky Chefs, Inc. | TX | DC | 14,105 | $257M | $18,203 | $312 | $33.68 |
| P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Inc. 401(k) Plan | P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Inc. | AZ | DC | 14,081 | $50.1M | $3,558 | $51 | $13.26 |
| Pappas Restaurants 401(k) Plan | Pappas Restaurants, Inc. | TX | DC | 14,047 | $62.7M | $4,465 | $42 | $7.42 |
| UFCW Local 2013 Annuity Fund | Board of Trustees UFCW Local 2013 Annuity Fund | NY | DC | 13,811 | $34.7M | $2,514 | $623 | $48.05 |
| Sports, Hospitality and Entertainment 401(k) Plan | Fertitta Entertainment, Inc. | TX | DC | 13,742 | $181M | $13,201 | $101 | $37.35 |
| Bob Evans Restaurants, LLC 401(k) Retirement Plan | Bob Evans Restaurants, LLC | OH | DC | 13,675 | $107M | $7,828 | $32 | $15.16 |
| Elior, Inc. 401(k) Plan | Elior, Inc. | NC | DC | 12,946 | $102M | $7,881 | $156 | $44.00 |
| Loews Hotels 401(k) Plan | Loews Hotels Holding Corporation | NY | DC | 12,923 | $288M | $22,284 | $798 | $28.61 |
By plan size
By state
Business codes in this sector
| Code | Principal business activity | Plans 100+ | Participants | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 721110 | Hotels (except Casino Hotels) & Motels | 417 | 1,103,725 | $37.7B |
| 722511 | Full-Service Restaurants | 382 | 924,889 | $7.18B |
| 722513 | Limited-Service Restaurants | 246 | 707,968 | $13.7B |
| 722300 | Special Food Services (including food service contractors & caterers) | 160 | 859,940 | $10.4B |
| 721120 | Casino Hotels | 67 | 404,443 | $7.46B |
| 721199 | All other Traveler Accommodation | 35 | 18,805 | $660M |
Codes with 20 or more plans of 100+ participants in plan year 2024. Labels are from the official Form 5500 instructions.
Questions and answers
How many retirement plans are there in accommodation and food services?
1,358 plans with 100 or more participants filed Form 5500 for plan year 2024, out of 3,908 pension plans on the full form. Smaller plans file Form 5500-SF and are counted separately where shown.
What is the typical 401(k) balance in accommodation and food services?
The median defined contribution plan reported $11,827 in net assets per participant (middle half of plans: $5,096 to $23,167); nationally it was $53,031. This is a plan-level average that includes former employees, not a typical person's balance.
What do employers contribute in accommodation and food services?
The median defined contribution plan received $503 in employer contributions per active participant, against $2,174 nationally. Plans with no employer contribution are included at zero.
What are average 401(k) fees in accommodation and food services?
Among defined contribution plans that report any Schedule C compensation, the median was $54.28 per participant and 0.49% of net assets (nationally $123 and 0.26%). Schedule C leaves out fund expense ratios and fees the employer pays, so it understates total cost.
Where does this come from?
Form 5500 annual reports in the EBSA research files, with filings received through 24 Aug 2026. Medians are computed by this site across plans with 100 or more participants.
Provenance
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Form 5500 research files, public domain, with filings received through 24 Aug 2026. Totals count every pension plan on the full form; medians and the plan list cover plans with 100 or more participants. See the methodology.