Klaus Rader: L'Osteria founder dies in rally accident

According to media reports, the co-founder of the system catering chains L'Osteria and Vapiano, Klaus Rader, died in a rally accident on Mallorca. He was 63 years old. The entrepreneur leaves behind his wife and their four children.

Rader, a passionate racing driver, drove his car off the road during the “550 Challenge Mallorca” rally on a mountain road between the towns of Pollença and Lluc, “Bild” and “Bunte” both report. The car therefore fell into a ravine. The "Mallorca Zeitung" reports, citing the Guardia Civil, that the driver died in the accident. “Bild” writes that a business partner confirmed the incident.

The 39-year-old passenger suffered injuries to her spinal cord, reports the “Mallorca Zeitung”. According to “Bild”, the woman is the professional co-pilot Christina Ettel.

The organizers stopped the rally. “This is a painful but irrevocable decision that was made with the greatest respect and consideration for the difficult circumstances,” it said in a statement: “In such moments, no result, no rating and no sporting goal should be more important than what really counts. Competition takes a back seat and respect, humanity and solidarity must come before everything else.«

The “Mallorca Zeitung” reports that the accident victims were traveling with starting number 000, which basically stands for the test car before the start of the rally. “The vehicle was supposed to check the route for the participants,” says the report.

Rader and Friedemann Findeis founded the L'Osteria chain in 1999, which is particularly known for its large pizzas. In 2023 the chain got a new owner, and Rader remained involved as a minority shareholder. In 2002, Rader was also one of the co-founders of the Vapiano chain.