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Company Behind Panera, Krispy Kreme, Noah's Bagels Admits Nazi Past

Krispy Kreme

JAB Holdings, which owns large stakes of numerous American brands, helped the Nazis during World War II and used slave labor.

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Germany's second-richest family is promising to donate $11 million to charity after a report exposed their company's ties to the Third Reich in the 1930 and '40s.

The company, JAB Holdings, is owned by the Reimann family; the report in German newspaper Bild showed that Albert Reimann Sr. and Albert Reimann Jr., both deceased, were anti-Semites and Hitler supporters who aided the Nazis. The company employed Russian civilians and French prisoners of war as slaves who were "involved in chemicals-related manufacturing mostly for the food industry," according to The Washington Post. The company's factories also produced weapons for the Nazi war machine.

The Reimanns' company has been in business since the early 19th century and has amassed a fortune. It has a significant stakehold in the American food and pharmaceutical industries, with large stakes in iconic chains and brands, including Panera Bread, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Einstein Bros., Noah's New York Bagels, Manhattan Bagel, Peet's Coffee, Stumptown Coffee, Intelligentsia, Mucinex, Woolite, and Durex condoms.

"It is all correct," family spokesman and JAB Holdings executive Peter Harf told Bild. "Reimann Senior and Reimann Junior were guilty. The two men have passed away, but they actually belonged in prison."

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Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.
Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.