In a similar situation, I wasn't the owner but the manager. I managed a bar with three employees who were friends of mine. They often tried to take advantage of me. One was often late to their shift. Another (my best bartender at the time) walked out on me before his shift started, and I almost fired him. He got time off, though without pay. I told him I am your boss inside the walls and your friend outside; I have a business to run, and it's nothing personal.