From behind the counter of L’Osteria in Regensburg to managing over 200 restaurants in ten countries: Arthur Käser's career is a story of passion, vision, and putting people before business.
Not all gastronomic stories begin in pots and pans: some sprout behind a counter, between orders, and mature with the dedication of those who observe the restaurant world with curious eyes and a passionate heart. This is the case of Arthur Käser, the new Chief Operating Officer of L'Osteria Group, the chain that has transformed Italian pizza and casual dining into a recognized presence in ten European countries, as reported by Rolling Pin. His history with the brand began many years ago when, as a university student from Bavaria, he worked as a bartender at L'Osteria in Regensburg, which at the time consisted of just three restaurants.
Far from today's fame and international expansion, those first steps already showed clear potential. Käser saw not just a part-time job, but fertile ground for growth. From that small counter, amid beer and the aroma of pizza, a true vocation was born. He soon joined the management team of the Rosenheim restaurant and remained immersed in La Famiglia for over ten years, learning every nuance of the business: from training new managers to overseeing strategic openings, including the first freestanding restaurant in Augsburg in 2009.
Together with founders Friedemann Findeis and Klaus Rader, Käser helped lay the foundations for the central administrative structures, consolidating processes and expertise. After a decade of intense experience, he decided to take a break from the brand to explore new horizons, while never losing touch with L’Osteria, either emotionally or professionally. “L'Osteria has always been a piece of home for me. For me, the feeling of home is not just tied to a place, but to the people and the atmosphere,” says Käser, emphasizing how the brand concept continues to captivate with its combination of offerings, business model, and restaurant spirit.
Käser's return was not a simple comeback: in 2019, he returned as a joint venture partner, opening his first restaurant in Wiesbaden, followed by three more in Frankfurt and Aschaffenburg. This phase allowed him to look at the brand from a new perspective: that of an entrepreneur. With four restaurants and 150 employees, he had to refine his ability to motivate the team and satisfy guests without losing sight of strategic and commercial objectives.
This dual experience – operational and strategic – has shaped his leadership style. “I’ve been able to observe at close quarters what makes our brand so powerful, and I’m convinced that we have all the potential to become the European champion of casual dining,” says Käser. His mission as COO is clear: to build bridges between strategy and everyday life, between vision and implementation. The goal is to harness the energy of L’Osteria where it matters most: inside the restaurants, at the tables, in the smiles of the staff, and in the eyes of the guests.
The board of directors has also expressed its full confidence in the choice. CPO Ingo Gugisch comments: “Arthur not only has a wealth of operational and strategic experience in systemic catering, but also a deep understanding of the brand and a genuine passion for La Famiglia and our values.”
As of August 1, 2025, Käser has assumed operational responsibility for all 205 L’Osteria restaurants in ten countries, with a clear focus: to strengthen the brand, evolve the concept, and make the L’Osteria spirit tangible in every restaurant, among customers and employees alike. His leadership promises to combine innovation and tradition, with the ambition of consolidating the chain's European presence and making every dining experience an authentic moment of sharing.
In an industry where growth often outpaces people, Käser's return is an example of how professionalism, emotional memory, and passion can coexist in a long and layered career. From student barman to top manager, his career tells a story of dedication, curiosity, and foresight, a mix that promises to guide L'Osteria toward new horizons while keeping intact the warmth of a family that, between pizzas and toasts, has made casual dining a true life experience.
With Käser at the helm, L'Osteria aims to do more than just serve tasty dishes: it aims to bring together vision and practicality, strategy and everyday life, transforming each restaurant into a laboratory of taste, enthusiasm, and innovation. And as he himself says, the essence of the brand is revealed where everything really happens: in people, in relationships, and in those moments when a meal becomes a shared emotion.
