Meet the Franchising Team
Billy Kounoupis
Owner & Co-Founder
Billy Kounoupis, born and raised in Easton PA, is the owner and creative force behind Billy’s Downtown Diner, with over twenty years in the restaurant industry, Billy is no stranger to the art of customer service, efficiency, and business strategy. His restaurants are an extension of the communities that they are located in. His slogan ‘Not Your Ordinary Diner’, is the best way to describe the fare at Billy’s which puts the ‘comfort’ in ‘comfort food’. Billy’s restaurants have become a staple and family favorite in the Lehigh Valley. Billy is also an avid writer, published author, and entrepreneur, well versed in uplifting audiences and motivating people to pursue their goals and ambitions.
He has published three books and is currently writing his fourth. In his latest book ‘The It Factor: The Mindset of an Entrepreneur’, Billy presents a thought-provoking look into the mind of a successful entrepreneur. He has appeared on many campuses and television shows in the Lehigh Valley, sharing his thoughts on success and the restaurant industry. The book, chock full of practical advice from the seasoned business veteran and owner, is a testament to his continued dedication to improving oneself and thriving in both trade ventures and personal endeavors.
Dr. Ben Litalien CFE
Chief Development Officer (CDO)
Ben has invested over two decades in the franchise community, with a broad range of management and franchise-building experience. His specific strengths are in strategic planning, organizational development, concept management, and franchise system growth. He has developed and implemented strategic plans for a diverse group of companies including a major oil company, quick-serve concepts including a sandwich and catering franchise, and a national franchiser of food court cafes. Under his direction and management, he forged significant expansion in the United States and abroad, as well as increasing brand awareness and improving profitability.
Ben earned his Doctor of Management degree at University of Maryland, Global Campus where he also teaches business courses focused on entrepreneurship, franchising, and strategy. Additionally, Ben teaches a Franchise Certificate Program at Georgetown University and the University of Denver.
Dr. Rocco Rinaldi
Director of Training
Rocco has over two decades in entrepreneurship and franchising, with a wide breadth of experience in strategic management, brand-building, and leading field support teams. His strengths are in operational leadership, brand management, concept development, strategic planning, and franchise systems growth. Aside from coaching emerging franchisors he teaches business courses at two local Universities in Delaware. Inspired by famous running legend Steve Prefontaine, who said, “To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift” Rocco sincerely tries to bring out the best in everyone he coaches and teaches.
Rebecca Church
Director of Franchise Marketing
Rebecca is an award-winning entrepreneur and a network growth expert with a passion for community engagement. With her decades of experience in the beauty and wellness industries she has developed integral relationship building skills, innovative clientele growth strategies, proven sales techniques and a repeatable, impressive system for creating and building brands. Her goal is to help those around her achieve their optimal potential and has had the pleasure of working with elite franchise organizations such as fit20, BNI and Zerorez. Rebecca and her husband, Patrick, own Malawi’s Pizza, a fast-casual restaurant, in Fredericksburg, Virginia and are parents to 9-year-old Benjamin and a German Shepherd-Akita mix, Lucky Rose.
Fred Pierson FMP, PCI, CWP, PCQI
Director of Food & Beverage
Fred founded Tennessee based BNA Restaurant Advisors, a food service consulting firm, in 2011. Prior to that, he was President and Franchisee of a 21-unit Applebee’s franchise in TN & KY. He also held various culinary and management positions at Hyatt House Hotels, Morrison Inc, and Chef’s International. Fred is a veteran of the U. S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard Reserve and was educated at Cornell University-School of Hotel Administration, The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY and St. Helena, CA and is a graduate of Georgetown University’s Franchise Management Program. Fred resides in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife Ronna, their Golden Retriever, Goldie, and American Tabby, Izzy.