German family that owns Krispy Kreme to donate $11m after learning of Nazi past
Reimann family, which also owns Pret a Manger and Peet’s Coffee, says ancestors ‘belonged in jail’ for use of Russian civilians and French POWs as forced laborers
BERLIN — One of Germany’s richest families says it plans to give millions of euros to charity after learning about ancestors who enthusiastically supported the Nazis and used forced labor.
Bild newspaper reported Sunday that documents revealed Albert Reimann Sr. and Albert Reimann Jr. used Russian civilians and French POWs as forced laborers.
Family spokesman Peter Harf, who heads the Reimanns’ JAB Holding Company, says recent internal research confirmed Bild’s findings.
He says the family never spoke of the Nazi era but the evidence shows the father and son, who died in 1954 and 1984, “belonged in jail.”
Reimann family spokesman Peter Harf, who heads the Reimanns’ JAB Holding Company. (Soeren Stache/dpa via AP)
Harf says the heirs plan to publish the research and donate 10 million euros ($11.3 million) to charity.
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JAB has controlling stakes in restaurant chain Pret a Manger, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Peet’s Coffee and other businesses.
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