One of Germany's richest families, whose company owns a controlling interest in Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Panera Bread, Pret a Manger and other well-known businesses, plans to donate millions to charity after learning about their ancestors' enthusiastic support of Adolf Hitler and use of forced labourers under the Nazis, according to a report Sunday.

"The whole truth must be put on the table.": Family spokesman Peter Harf. Credit:AP

In a four-page report, the Bild newspaper reported that documents uncovered in Germany, France and the US reveal that Albert Reimann Sr. and Albert Reimann Jr. used Russian civilians and French POWs as forced labourers.

Family spokesman Peter Harf, who is one of two managing partners of the Reimann's JAB Holding Company, said recent internal research confirmed Bild's findings.

"It is all correct," he told the newspaper. "Reimann senior and Reimann junior were guilty ... they belonged in jail."