Edward J. and Agnes V. Ackley Executive Professor of Entrepreneurship

Office: CS-4-110A Carol Simon Hall
Phone: (585) 276-3500
Email: dennis.kessler@simon.rochester.edu

Professor Kessler is co-owner of Kessler Restaurants LLC, a Rochester, N.Y.-based owner and operator of 21 Burger King and 41 Friendly’s restaurants. Kessler has 27 years experience in restaurant ownership, real estate and human resource development. He employs about 3,000 workers in central and western New York State and is the largest Friendly’s franchise restaurant owner in the country. He has led a number of successful start-up companies and is a member of the Council of Advisors for Gerson Lehrman Group Inc., an international association of academic and industry thought leaders consulting for leading investment professionals worldwide.

Kessler is a member of the board of trustees of the University of Rochester Medical Center and The Boy Scouts of America, and serves as an advisor to local law enforcement agencies on matters pertaining to business.

B.S.,

City University of New York

M.A., Sociology,

John Jay College of Criminal Justice

M.S.L.,

Yale University Law School