Retail News CRM

Tag: manger

  • Taco Bell’s Former Asia Pacific MD, Anita McDonnell, Snapped Up by Pret A Manger as New International President

    Taco Bell’s Former Asia Pacific MD, Anita McDonnell, Snapped Up by Pret A Manger as New International President

    Anita McDonnell, formerly the Managing Director for Taco Bell in the Asia Pacific region, has recently been designated as the International President for Pret A Manger. This new appointment will commence in late August.

    McDonnell comes to the position with a wealth of experience spanning over twenty years in the food and beverage franchise industry. Her professional journey includes impressive stints at Domino’s and Costa Coffee. Pret A Manger’s CEO, Pano Christou, expressed his delight at her appointment, citing her substantial global experience and profound knowledge of franchise businesses as key assets. He commended her proven leadership abilities, which have been continually demonstrated across numerous markets.

    In her new role, McDonnell will be cooperating with Felipe Athayde, the President for North America, and Ross Warnes, the company’s representative for the UK and Ireland. Christou expressed his anticipation of working with her to fortify Pret A Manger’s international business and offer support to the franchise partners worldwide. He acknowledged the rarity of finding an individual with such comprehensive expertise in the food, coffee, and hospitality sectors across an array of Asian markets.

    McDonnell is replacing Eira Jarvis, who has dedicated thirteen years of service to Pret A Manger. Jarvis will remain in her current role until the year concludes to ensure a smooth transition of duties. Recognizing her impactful contributions, Christou praised Jarvis for her instrumental role in laying the foundation for the company’s international business and her unwavering support to teams and franchise partners across various markets. Jarvis’ role as a mentor to many colleagues, wherein she has generously imparted her experience and nurtured the future leaders of Pret, was also highly commended.

    Questions & Answers

    Who has been appointed the International President of Pret A Manger?
    Anita McDonnell, the former Managing Director for Taco Bell in the Asia Pacific region, has been appointed as the International President of Pret A Manger.

    What experience does Anita McDonnell bring to her new role at Pret A Manger?
    Anita McDonnell brings over two decades of experience in the food and beverage franchise industry to her new role. Her impressive track record includes roles at Domino’s and Costa Coffee.

    Who will Anita McDonnell be succeeding in her new position?
    Anita McDonnell will be succeeding Eira Jarvis, who has served Pret A Manger for thirteen years and will continue in her role till the end of the year to facilitate a smooth transition.

  • Pret-a-Manger owner JAB Holding in difficult position

    Pret-a-Manger owner JAB Holding in difficult position

    JAB Holding, the German owner of Krispy Kreme and Pret-a-Manger, has pledged to pay US$11.3 million to charity after the family-owned company’s ties to the Nazi party were revealed. The German newspaper uncovered a significant historical connection between the wealthy Reimann family and the Nazis. The Reimann forebears were ardent anti-semites and strong supporters of Hitler, and used both Russian and French slaves in their factories.

    JAB Holding recently divested the Jimmy Choo and Bally businesses to shift its focus from apparel to food. It also owns Green Mountain Coffee, Panera bread, Mighty Leaf Tea, Caribou Coffee, Jacobs Douwe Egberts, Einstein Bros Bagels and a 38-per-cent stake in cosmetics giant Coty, among other investments.

    According to the German newspaper report, back in the Hitler era, its factory workers were treated brutally, with female slaves forced to attend barracks checks naked – suffering beatings and sexual abuse as punishment for refusal.

    In a 1937 letter to SS leader Heinrich Himmler, Albert Reimann Jr – the father of the four Reimann family members who now own the businesses – wrote that his company was more than 100 years old, and that the owners at the time were unconditional followers of the race theory.

    “It is all correct,” family spokesman Peter Harf, who is one of two managing partners of JAB Holdings told. “Reimann Senior and Reimann Junior were guilty. The two men have passed away, but they actually belonged in prison.”

    The family has commissioned historian, Paul Erker of Munich University, to study its ties to the Nazi regime. Already four years in the making, more information will be released to the public when it is complete.

    The report was commissioned by the family because it wanted to better understand the extent of their past connection to the Nazi regime. They are currently the second richest family in Germany.