Billy’s launches franchise program

Billy’s Downtown Diner, a Bethlehem staple since 2000, is known for its modern take on the classic diner experience. Now, the brand is preparing to bring its signature blend of bold flavors, welcoming vibes and community-first ethos to neighborhoods across the country.

With a loyal customer base, a creative menu, and a strong track record, Billy’s is officially launching a nationwide franchise program – and this could be a great story.

To support this expansion, Billy’s has partnered with Franchise Well, the franchise consulting firm led by industry veteran Dr. Ben Litalien, CFE, who now serves as the brand’s chief development officer. Together, they’ve built a strategic franchise model focused on value, operational efficiency and local economic impact.

Alongside its flagship location that opened in 2000 in Bethlehem, the brand has successfully opened a second Billy’s Downtown Diner in Easton. “We started Billy’s Downtown Diner because of our unwavering passion for the industry and our community. Now, through Franchise Well, Dr. Litalien and his team are offering us an unparalleled franchising experience, giving us the confidence to craft an effective growth strategy for Billy’s Downtown Diner,” said founder and CEO Billy Kounoupis, an entrepreneur and author with a recipe for restaurant success. As the son of Greek immigrants, Billy’s journey culminates in a franchise opportunity that’s both proven and accessible, where franchisees can embark on a culinary adventure. “It was crucial for us to ensure both owner-operators and investors could succeed, and we’ve developed an innovative approach to achieve that by offering both single-unit and regional developer growth paths. We are thrilled to be launching our franchise program in the coming weeks as we already have a long list of interested parties.”

Traditions marks 20th anniversary

Traditions of Hanover is celebrating 20 years of joy Join us on our community’s walking path on Thursday, May 15, from 4-6 p.m., at 5300 Northgate Drive, Bethlehem, and help commemorate this exciting milestone.

Enjoy complimentary appetizers, wine, music and more! Please call Megan at 610-882-0400 or email msedlock@traditionsofhanover.com.

Traditions of Hanover is a unique, award-winning retirement community offering Independent Living residences on an affordable month-to-month lease with no buy-in fees. Resident services and apartment features include meals, housekeeping, social events, transportation and full kitchens. For more information, please call 610-882-0400 or visit traditionsofhanover.com.

Grandview partnership goes forward

Grand View Health and St. Luke’s University Health Network have signed a definitive agreement to partner, strengthening the two organizations’ shared commitment to delivering the highest quality care to patients. The boards of Grand View and St. Luke’s were unanimous in their decision and approval to move forward.

Grand View Health is a community health system in Sellersville, an hour north of Philadelphia. It has served generations of local residents since 1913. Grand View offers inpatient and outpatient services in the areas of cancer, cardiology, vascular surgery, critical care, radiation oncology, labor and delivery, orthopedics, post-acute care, robotic surgery, hospice care and women’s and children’s health. In 2021, the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation accredited Grand View as a Level II Trauma Center, making it the highest-level trauma center in northern Bucks County.

The transaction is expected to be completed in mid-to-late 2025, pending customary federal and state regulatory review and completion of closing conditions. In September, Grand View and St. Luke’s announced they had signed a nonbinding Letter of Intent to partner.

GIANT supports BASD food program

As part of its Feeding School Kids initiative, The GIANT Company together with its customers raised more than $1.2 million to combat hunger throughout local public school districts in the communities it serves.

The GIANT Company will present a $15,079 donation to the Bethlehem Area School District to be used in support of its school food programs.

From Jan. 1 through March 31, customers at GIANT, MARTIN’S and GIANT Heirloom Market stores were invited to round up their grocery purchases to the nearest dollar or convert their CHOICE points into a donation to support their local public school districts’ food programs. The GIANT Company also donated $100,000 to the program. Through Feeding School Kids, public school districts have been able to support meal programs and address food insecurity, from supplying backpacks with weekend food to clearing outstanding student lunch debt to building on-campus food pantries and establishing garden programs.

St. Luke’s invests in MRI technology

GE HealthCare (Nasdaq: GEHC), a leading medical technology innovator, and St. Luke’s University Health Network recently announced that St. Luke’s has made a $30+ million investment in leading-edge Magnetic Resonance Imaging technology and service from GE HealthCare. The investment is intended to expand patient access to advanced imaging that can help to enhance image quality while reducing scan times and patient discomfort.

This latest MRI investment follows previous commitments to GE HealthCare’s imaging solutions, including a $30 million investment in CT technology in 2023 and an $11 million investment in ultrasound technology in 2020.

St. Luke’s will be one of the first network health systems in the United States to implement Intelligent™ Radiation Therapy (iRT) for MR, a software solution that can help to improve and accelerate the radiation oncology care pathway. This software allows more precise radiation therapy planning and can help to enable a shorter timeline to treatment over conventional CT for certain types of cancers.

Yoga Loft of Bethlehem is expanding

Owner Rachel Abott, alongside Mayor J. William Reynolds, announced recently that the local wellness studio will open a second location later this year. The new space, named Oasis: Community Well-being Hub, will be located within the newly constructed Walnut Street Garage in downtown Bethlehem later this year.

The Oasis space will offer a thoughtfully designed environment featuring a tea and juice bar, yoga and fitness classes, wellness workshops and community events. The center will also include a dedicated room for private treatments and consultations, providing a range of services that support physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

The Bethlehem Parking Authority, which is overseeing the development of the new garage, has welcomed Oasis as their second tenant in the mixed-use facility.

The existing location will continue to provide all offerings that the community knows and loves.

For more information on Oasis, visit theyogaloftofbethlehem.com/ or follow @theyogaloftofbethlehem on social media.