Jessica Dempsey
[email protected]
Phone: 215.525.1165 x142
Education:
- J.D. Widener University Delaware School of Law, Wilmington, DE; Dean’s List, Member of the Journal of Law, Economics, and Race
- B.A. University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; History; Mayor’s Scholarship recipient
Areas of Practice:
Experience:
Jessica Dempsey counsels franchisors on the legal and strategic aspects of building and scaling their brands. Her experience includes preparing and updating Franchise Disclosure Documents, managing state registrations, and advising on franchise system expansion.
She regularly works with multi-unit and area-representative structures, helping franchisors grow in ways that maintain brand consistency while supporting operator success. Jessica also has extensive experience working with state examiners, guiding clients through the registration process and efficiently resolving comments.
Focus:
Jessica focuses on helping franchisors balance compliance with practical, real-world business needs.
She frequently advises on multi-unit and area representative agreements, helping clients strike the right balance between control and flexibility—especially when working with experienced operators. Her work includes setting clear performance expectations, structuring development obligations, and helping franchisors select the right partners for long-term success.
Jessica also takes a thoughtful approach to FDD disclosures:
“I err on the side of disclosure. In my experience, most franchisees aren’t deterred from buying a franchise based upon an Item 3 or 4 disclosure unless there is a pattern of fraud or deceptive practices.”
In addition, she assists with Item 19 financial performance representations, helping franchisors present meaningful data that aligns with their sales process without overwhelming or confusing prospects.
Passion & Approach
Jessica is passionate about helping franchisors grow with confidence. She takes a practical, collaborative approach—focused on solutions that are both legally sound and easy to implement.
She values clarity and preparation in her work, whether she’s refining disclosures, structuring agreements, or working through state examiner comments.
“I respectfully ask state examiners to point to the legal authority or provide my own if I think they’re overreaching. We look at examiner comments from the previous year when we compile our list of annual firmwide updates.”
Jessica’s goal is to make complex franchise regulations more approachable, giving clients the guidance they need to move forward and scale successfully.
Jessica is a lifelong Philadelphian. She lives with her husband, two boys, and a rescue pup in South Philly and enjoys experiencing everything the city has to offer. She has also been recognized as a “Legal Eagle” by The Franchise Times.
