Rainer Schaller – Founder of RSG Group
Rainer Schaller is the founder of RSG Group and was the owner and CEO until 2022.
Berlin, December 15th 2022
He began his career with an apprenticeship as a retail salesman, after which he worked as a franchisee at Edeka. He owned four of his own shops, one of which was in his hometown of Schlüsselfeld. Even at a young age, his passion was fitness. In 1995, he set up a gym in the attic of his parents’ house before opening the first McFIT in Würzburg in 1997. Contrary to the prevailing wellness trend at the time, he was a pioneer in his industry, transferring the discount principle to the fitness industry and establishing it there with great success.
In just two decades, Rainer Schaller succeeded in turning the former “fitness centre for everyone” into a globally operating group with 10,000 employees in more than 30 countries at over 900 locations. He continuously developed his company and built it “360 degrees around the customer”. He fulfilled a lifelong dream in 2020 with the acquisition of the American fitness cult brand Gold’s Gym.
On 21 October 2022, Rainer Schaller died in a plane crash off the coast of Costa Rica together with his partner, her daughter, their son, an employee and the pilot.
Rainer Schaller was more than just the founder and leading figure of our company. He was someone who inspired people to reach for the stars. Who encouraged others to believe in themselves and their own potential and was firmly convinced that there are no limits to those who pursue common goals with united forces.
As a visionary, he pushed ideas forward and made them a reality. With his irrepressible willpower for new things, he has achieved the unimaginable, even if no one else believed in it at the beginning.
As founder, owner and managing director, he created and lived a corporate culture in which trust is sown and true friendship is reaped alongside success.
As a friend and mentor, he was there for others unconditionally. At eye level, approachable and open, he listened to others and gave them security – especially when they needed it most.
In 25 years, there have been countless moments when we have worked, celebrated, laughed and motivated each other together. We will remember every single one of them that has shaped us as a company and as an RSG Group family – gratefully and proudly. All these moments will be our drive to continue Rainer’s vision and to let his values, which are firmly rooted in our everyday life, live on.
In December 2022, Hagen Wingertszahn and Dr Jobst Müller-Trimbusch took over the management of RSG Group as the new dual leadership. The company remains in family ownership.
In just two decades, Rainer Schaller succeeded in turning the former “fitness centre for everyone” into a globally operating group with 10,000 employees in more than 30 countries at over 900 locations. He continuously developed his company and built it “360 degrees around the customer”. He fulfilled a lifelong dream in 2020 with the acquisition of the American fitness cult brand Gold’s Gym.
On 21 October 2022, Rainer Schaller died in a plane crash off the coast of Costa Rica together with his partner, her daughter, their son, an employee and the pilot.
Rainer Schaller was more than just the founder and leading figure of our company. He was someone who inspired people to reach for the stars. Who encouraged others to believe in themselves and their own potential and was firmly convinced that there are no limits to those who pursue common goals with united forces.
As a visionary, he pushed ideas forward and made them a reality. With his irrepressible willpower for new things, he has achieved the unimaginable, even if no one else believed in it at the beginning.
As founder, owner and managing director, he created and lived a corporate culture in which trust is sown and true friendship is reaped alongside success.
As a friend and mentor, he was there for others unconditionally. At eye level, approachable and open, he listened to others and gave them security – especially when they needed it most.
In 25 years, there have been countless moments when we have worked, celebrated, laughed and motivated each other together. We will remember every single one of them that has shaped us as a company and as an RSG Group family – gratefully and proudly. All these moments will be our drive to continue Rainer’s vision and to let his values, which are firmly rooted in our everyday life, live on.
In December 2022, Hagen Wingertszahn and Dr Jobst Müller-Trimbusch took over the management of RSG Group as the new dual leadership. The company remains in family ownership.