Wendy Steele said she has that business gene, that entrepreneurial spirit.
And when she chose to open a restaurant in Augusta, she chose to buy into a franchise chain — and in the middle of a recession.
In April, Ms. Steele and two partners, Stuart and Marian Gertman, opened Einstein Bros. Bagels on Washington Road.
“It’s wonderful to have a franchise because all the creativity has already been done. I am a very creative person but I think in this instance, it makes it easier. It flows, very simply,” Ms. Steele said.
The franchising industry has grown “pretty significantly” over the past two years, said Alisa Harrison, a spokeswoman for the International Franchise Association.
Photo: Annette M. Drowlette.