THE GREAT CORONAVIRUS ECONOMIC DEPRESSION: Franchisee Ed Doherty, owner of 146 outlets, on laying off his 7,500 workers. Hugh O'Lunney on why he stopped paying rent on his famous Times Square pub.

The coronavirus pandemic has cut a wide swathe of despair and destruction across the globe. The shocking loss of human life and the soaring caseloads of COVID-19, are heartbreaking for families, friends and communities. This is a tragedy unprecedented in recent history. The toll on health services and governments everywhere is staggering. As nations scramble to "flatten the curve," the business community is also grappling with a hard new reality: survival.  Two leading business owners in the New York metro region tell their story.  Ed Doherty, Chairman & CEO of Doherty Enterprises, is the 15th largest franchisee in the United States, operating in 146 locations. Many are based in the New York metro region. Hugh O'Lunney, a native of CO. Cavan, Ireland, operates the iconic O'Lunney's Times Square Pub in the heart of New York's theater district.  Then there is Mike Miranti, home alone and out of work, since his job as head server at an upscale Italian restaurant in Manhattan ended because of the coronavirus shutdowns.  He shares his deepest thoughts and story. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-aidan-byrne0/support