Synopsis
A Call to Deliver: Tom Monaghan, Founder of Domino’s Pizza and the Miracles and Pilgrimage of Ave Maria University by Peggy Stinnet is a compelling biography that traces the remarkable life of Thomas Monaghan, a man whose journey from poverty to pizza magnate and ultimately to Catholic philanthropist is framed as a testament to faith and divine purpose. Born in 1937 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Monaghan faced a challenging childhood marked by the loss of his father at age four on Christmas Eve, leading to years spent in an orphanage and foster homes. These early hardships, coupled with the influence of the Felician Sisters at St. Joseph Home for Children, instilled a deep Catholic faith that would shape his life’s trajectory. Initially aspiring to become a priest, Monaghan’s path shifted after being expelled from St. Joseph’s Seminary for disciplinary issues, leading him to briefly serve in the U.S. Marine Corps before returning to pursue higher education. However, financial constraints led him and his brother Jim to borrow $900 to purchase a small pizzeria called DomiNick’s in Ypsilanti, Michigan, in 1960, a decision that would unexpectedly alter his life’s course.
The book details Monaghan’s transformation of DomiNick’s into Domino’s Pizza, a global empire built on his relentless work ethic and innovative ideas, such as the corrugated pizza box and a focus on delivery to college campuses. Facing numerous setbacks, including financial struggles, legal battles with creditors and Domino Sugar over trademark issues, and personal sacrifices like living in trailers, Monaghan’s perseverance turned Domino’s into the fastest-growing restaurant chain by 1985, with 954 stores opened in a single year. Yet, as his wealth grew, so did his indulgences in worldly pleasures, from collecting Frank Lloyd Wright artifacts to owning the Detroit Tigers. A pivotal moment came after reading C.S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity, particularly its chapter on pride, which prompted Monaghan to confront his own vanity and recommit to his faith. This spiritual awakening led him to sell 93% of Domino’s to Bain Capital in 1998 for approximately $1 billion, freeing him to focus on philanthropy and Catholic causes.
The heart of A Call to Deliver lies in Monaghan’s post-Domino’s mission to use his fortune for God’s work, particularly through the establishment of Ave Maria University and the Ave Maria School of Law. Drawing on lessons from the pizza business about focusing on a single impactful product, Monaghan chose Catholic higher education as his primary vehicle for change, aiming to create institutions that upheld orthodox Catholic values in an era he perceived as marked by moral decline. The book chronicles the challenges of founding Ave Maria, including resistance to his initial plan for a 250-foot crucifix in Ann Arbor and the eventual relocation to a large tract of land in Collier County, Florida, where he partnered with developer Barron Collier to build not only a university but an entire Catholic community. Stinnet emphasizes Monaghan’s vision for Ave Maria as a beacon of faith and academic excellence, with daily Masses, perpetual adoration, and a commitment to fostering vocations, though she notes criticisms from some who viewed his control over the town’s real estate and policies—such as banning pornography and contraceptives—as overly restrictive.
Woven throughout the narrative is a spiritual thread, with Stinnet portraying Monaghan’s life as a divine tapestry where God uses “simple substances” like pizza to achieve miracles. The book highlights Monaghan’s other initiatives, such as founding Legatus, an organization for Catholic business leaders, and supporting anti-abortion causes, though some readers note it focuses heavily on his philanthropy at the expense of detailed insights into Domino’s operations. Monaghan’s personal life, including his marriage to Margie in 1962 and their four daughters, is touched upon, though his wife’s passing in 2023 is not covered, as the book was published in 2015. Stinnet, who moved to Ave Maria in 2007 and contributed to local media, writes with a reverent tone, drawing on her proximity to the community to share anecdotes of Monaghan’s persistence, humility, and faith-driven decisions. While some find the book’s heavy emphasis on his charitable work repetitive, it is celebrated for its inspirational portrayal of a man who, after achieving worldly success, dedicated himself to a higher calling, making A Call to Deliver a story of redemption, faith, and the transformative power of aligning one’s life with spiritual purpose.