End of a coffee era? ‘Visionary’ JAB Holding Company founder Peter Harf retires

Harf was instrumental in the formation of JAB Holding Company in 2012 and the development of its $23bn-plus coffee and hospitality portfolio, which includes JDE Peet’s, Panera Brands and Pret A Manger

Peter Harf, the driving force behind JAB Holding Company’s coffee and foodservice acquisition strategy, has announced his retirement after more than 40 years at the firm. Harf’s departure marks the end of an era for the investment giant, which became one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies in the 2010s, but has since prioritised insurance industry investments.