BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A beloved Lehigh Valley diner concept, known for its fresh and creative dishes for breakfast, brunch and lunch, is expanding operations.
Billy’s Downtown Diner, a Lehigh Valley favorite since 2000 with locations in Bethlehem and Easton, recently launched a national franchise program and has now signed its first franchisee and regional developer.
The brand – with a tagline of “not your ordinary diner” – is expanding to Evansville, Indiana with the first franchise sale to Paul and Kelly Snider who owned and operated McDonald’s restaurants in the area for 30 years, according to a news release.
The Easton location of Billy’s Downtown Diner operates at 123 S. Third St.
Ryan Kneller
The Sniders are also the company’s first regional developers with a 10-unit territory that includes Evansville, Indiana and Owensboro and Bowling Green, Kentucky and the surrounding areas.
Several sites are being considered in the Evansville market, and the first location is slated to open this fall.
“We are very excited about bringing Billy’s Diner to the Evansville community,” the Sniders said.
“Billy’s Diner will bring a needed fresh and flavorful menu to this area. We can’t wait for people to experience it themselves.”
Billy Kounoupis and his wife, Yanna Kounoupis, founded Billy’s Downtown Diner, a 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. diner concept, 25 years ago and have curated a creative menu and large following.
Billy’s Downtown Diner
Billy’s Downtown Diner is known for its “elevated diner experience,” with scratch-made cuisine, fresh ingredients and a modern atmosphere.
Over the past 25 years, the brand has built a loyal following by redefining the breakfast, brunch and lunch experience.
With responsibly sourced, scratch-made cuisine, the menu spans classic and inventive dishes, including options for vegetarians, vegans and gluten-sensitive individuals with gluten sensitive individuals.
“From the start, we knew we were building something special,” Billy said.
“What we didn’t anticipate was how our love for food, people, and community would guide us on an exciting journey into franchising. We are thrilled to embrace this new chapter and bring Billy’s Downtown Diner to communities across the country.”
“The Sniders are ideal partners for Billy’s with their multi-unit franchise experience and their operating partner, James Wittman,” added Dr. Ben Litalien, the concept’s chief development officer.
“They know the market and how to serve the Evansville community. We look forward to working together with them to establish Billy’s as the ‘go-to’ place for breakfast, brunch and lunch. As regional developers they will also be recruiting franchisees to own their own Billy’s restaurant.”
The regional developer model is ideal for entrepreneurs who want to rapidly build the Billy’s Downtown Diner brand in a market without the usual capital required by the area developer model.
Billy’s Downtown Diner
Billy’s Downtown Diner is a leading diner concept with its commitment to being a “beacon of culinary creativity,” the release continues.
Popular dishes include avocado toast, chicken and waffles, huevos rancheros, Paz’s French Toast (challah bread draped with creamy chocolate hazelnut, strawberries and bananas, and drizzled with chocolate syrup and dusted with powdered sugar), Yanna’s Omelette (farm-fresh eggs mixed with spinach, Spanish onions, diced tomatoes and imported Greek feta cheese; served with classic pappas and buttered Texas toast).
Other menu highlights include a variety of breakfast sandwiches, salads and lunch handhelds such as a Cubano, house burger and Downtown Wrap (warm flour tortilla filled with twice-dipped buttermilk fried chicken breast, Monterrey Jack and cheddar cheese, diced tomatoes, buttermilk ranch dressing and Louisiana hot sauce drizzle).
“Every dish tells a story, and every visit feels like coming home,” the release states.
“Whether you’re indulging in a classic favorite or exploring a new flavor sensation, Billy’s Downtown Diner is the place where memories are made and shared.”
Billy’s Downtown Diner
Mike Axiotis, CEO of Lehigh Valley Restaurant Brands and board chairman of the National Restaurant Association, has experienced Billy’s firsthand.
“As a customer of Billy’s for two decades, it’s exciting to see Billy bring this beloved concept to a broader audience through a smart and strategic franchise model,” Axiotis said. “His passion for hospitality and commitment to excellence have always set Billy’s apart, and I have no doubt it will resonate with the Evansville community.”
While Billy’s Diner offers individual restaurant franchises, the focus of its expansion efforts is with regional developers who acquire a territory of one million or more in population, open a flagship location within that territory, and then develop the territory with additional units they own or with independent franchisees.
Regional developers are compensated for attracting franchisees and providing support locally to all Billy’s Downtown Diner restaurants within their territory.
The Billy’s Downtown Diner franchise offers a premium menu offering with a robust operating system.
Its proprietary reporting and management platform is mobile enabled, and an intensive training system and grand opening and turnkey marketing program “keeps restaurant development simple,” the release states.
Billy’s Downtown Diners operate in a small footprint with a small number of employees and can efficiently produce significant results.
Potential franchisees are invited to join the Billy’s Downtown Diner family and contribute to the brand’s legacy of culinary excellence and community engagement.
For more information about Billy’s Downtown Diner Franchise Program, visit BillysDowntownDinerFranchise.com or contact Dr. Ben Litalien, CFE at benl@bddfranchise.com.