I have a business with 3 friends and we all put the same amount of money in, in the beginning?

It is a legal matter, not one of fairness. By the three of you putting in money to start the business that makes you all partners. If there is no partnership contract all partners are legally, by default, equal partners. You can write an agreement now but the slacker partner is not likely to sign anything indicating his share of profits is less. It would be cleaner to just buy him out if possible but you will still need a partnership agreement. That agreement should include a plan for financial arrangements when a partner leaves the partnership (escape clause).

Offer to buy him out. Problem solved.

I think that was is fair is to follow the partnership agreement. If you went into business without an explicit partnership agreement then you are fools.

it is fair, because you didn't think ahead.

You decided to split the business based on investment and to not pay yourself any wages.

Typical rookie mistake,

You have two choices. You can dissolve the partnership, liquidate the assets and start over; or you can buy him out.

It seems unfair, but that doesn't make it wrong. Was the deal that you all put in equal work? Or that you all put in money to start up and you two guys do most of the work? See, most people establish this type of thing quite clearly when starting a business.

You SHOULD have drafted a partnership agreement in advance stating each partners ownership share, and any compensation for actually working in the business.

I doubt you did that because you can't even be consistent on the NUMBER of partners. If you have a business with 3 friends, there are 4 partners, meaning you CAN'T each get 1/3 of the profit.

Your doing it wrong. It's not fair.

You need to be paid for the hours you work. Profit only comes after paying employees. In this case "employees" includes the owners.

My guess is that your not even making any profits. You can't not pay employees and then call it profit. You have to first pay the worker. So everyone keeps track of their hours and then you pay everyone minimum wage. After that is profit.

If you are actually making a profit, then I suggest you get an accountant to figure out who gets paid what.

It is very unfair.

its capitalism son its about being smart like Trump he owes billions but reneged on the debt 4 times and is still a multi billionaire and the debt people like you took the hit , if your company struggles you put the most in you lose the most get the picture you will feel the pain more your pal will say that's bad luck and move on to other suckers he is smart