I'm going to force my close friend out as a business partner
Do you think that you can run the business more effectively on your own?
Yes I have been thinking about it for a long time.
It is hard to mix business with pleasure so it is understandable that you don't want to work with your friend anymore. However, you should be aware that they may be contractually entitled to their stake in the business.
It's time for me to be a bussiness man now.
Well in that case, you should work with your former partner and with a lawyer to make sure that the split is fair and legitimate.  You don't want to cause legal problems or unnecessary harm to your friendship over a business decision.