Photo by LEXEY SWALL
Tom Monaghan, right, the founder of Domino's Pizza and Ave Maria University, will be opening Gyrene Burger on the corner of Central Avenue and U.S. 41 in Naples. Adrian Martinez, left, will be the manager of the business that will offer two types of gourmet hamburgers and will focus on delivery and have no seating. Lexey Swall/Staff
DETROIT — Around the time he sold Domino’s Pizza and the Detroit Tigers about 20 years ago, Tom Monaghan stopped doing most interviews. He devoted himself to Catholic education, most prominently by founding Ave Maria University, now based near Naples, Fla., where he spends much of his time these days raising money for the school.
But in a rare Michigan appearance recently, Monaghan, who just turned 75, showed he still has a knack for making the sort of comments that made him swear off doing interviews two decades ago.
Known as a devout Roman Catholic who attends daily Mass, Monaghan told an audience of non-profit fund raisers, “If it wasn’t for my faith I’d make Hugh Hefner look like a piker.”
And while acknowledging that he was speaking to a mixed audience, he freely criticized brands of Catholic religious practice that are theologically looser than his own strict faith, particularly in Catholic schools and universities today: “The worst thing you can do is send your kids to a Catholic school if you want them to retain their faith.”
If off-putting to some listeners, Monaghan also had people lining up after his talk for him to autograph their copies of his 1986 autobiography “Pizza Tiger,” which his staff gave out to the audience at the start of the breakfast meeting.
The event that drew Monaghan was the annual meeting of the Planned Giving Roundtable of Southeast Michigan, a professional association of people who raise money for the likes of universities, foundations and charities.
“I don’t think anybody’s thought more about how to invest their charitable dollars than I have,” he told the audience. “I never found anybody that came up with a better idea than helping people get to heaven.”
Speaking of raising money to further Catholic education at Ave Maria, he said, “It’s not a short-term investment. It’s a very, very, very long-term investment. It’s eternity.”
There were lighter moments, too, as when he drew laughter by saying, “I wanted to be a priest from the time I was in the second grade, until I sat behind Lois in the seventh grade.”
Monaghan estimated that he has given away 90 percent to 95 percent of his pizza fortune, which the media in the late ’80s estimated at $1 billion. He said the only wealth he has left is a lot of real estate at the Domino’s Farms complex in Ann Arbor, property that is mortgaged.
The vast majority of his wealth went to building Ave Maria University. Monaghan said he recently realized, “Maybe I can make more money than I can raise,” so he has started a new hamburger delivery company.
Called Gyrene Burger (the name a nod to Monaghan’s days in the U.S. Marine Corps and to Ave Maria’s team nickname), the company operates one outlet in Naples, Fla., but Monaghan said he wants to build the chain up to 20,000 outlets — almost four times as many outlets as Domino’s had when he owned the company.
Gyrene’s employees wear military-style camouflage uniforms and salute when making deliveries. The stores will resemble military-style Quonset huts covered with camouflage.
If building a new business at 75 seems ambitious, Monaghan has no worries. His said his doctor told him he is healthy enough to live to 100. He exercises daily on a stair machine and lifts weights. He complains of spending too much on airplanes due to a heavy travel schedule, spending most weekdays at Ave Maria and weekends home with his wife in Ann Arbor. He was getting over a sore throat Friday and his voice was a little raspy.
Raised in a Catholic orphanage, Monaghan rose to prominence in the 1960s and ’70s by building up a single pizza outlet to the world’s largest pizza delivery chain, with several thousand units by the 1980s.
Known for his many enthusiasms, he bought the Tigers in 1982, collected classic cars, and owned a museum-quality collection of Frank Lloyd Wright memorabilia, even designing Domino’s headquarters in Ann Arbor in Wright’s classic Prairie School style.
But by the late 1980s, the pull of his Catholic faith caused him to turn his life in a different direction. He sold the Tigers and Domino’s, halted worked on a vast Wright-inspired mansion he was building for himself near Ann Arbor, and vowed to give away his fortune before he died.
Other thoughts Monaghan shared:
—On the Detroit Tigers’ performance so far this season: “Frustrating. They seem to have everything they need. I’m confident they’ll break loose.”
—On expecting to live to 100: “That’s an awesome responsibility, to have 25 years left. How am I best going to use it? I want to do as much good as I can while I’m still around.”
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Comments » 77
gl1800 writes:
I hope Monaghan's life inspires people. He started with nothing, built a financial empire, gave most of it away for a cause that he believes in.
conchsoup writes:
Parents of deployed men and women are sickened by Monaghan exploiting the uniform for his profit. Hamburger delivery people saluting...really? While our soldiers are risking their lives in war zones?
If he wants to give away his fortune hoping it will bring him eternal life after he dies, then that's his business....but he could have done a whole lot more by helping to fund day care centers for working families or providing help for injured returning soldiers or myriad other endeavors.
I absolutely will never patronize his newest business.
lilme writes:
How do you know that he is not providing help for our wounded warriors??
rbuonamici writes:
It's unfortunate that Tom Monaghan never opened a science book while making his millions. If he had, he would be donating his money to scientific research, rather than to a church whose basic premise is false. There is not one iota of fact that a god exist. There is no supreme being anywhere that is watching over you or the earth.
RichMKing writes:
Prove it.
SunStar writes:
Great guy! He is not blasting his fortune on yachts and mansions. The new university & township project will help bring several jobs to the county and region.
Beachglow writes:
Decent, hard-working, kind, smart, religious people just take the blunt of blogs and envy. It will never change, while the rest just sit back and hold out their hand and say, give me.
wentfishn writes:
Cause they dont serve conch soup. I get it.
miamia writes:
What a bunch of B.S. Is he living in poverty; I doubt it! Those who go to heaven (if there is such a place) will be those like Mother Teresa who give of themselves and don't make a big deal about it. Just what is he depriving himself of to do such good for the rest of the world?
In all his lavish fund raising parties why is he never accompanied by his long time wife if he, indeed, still has one.
If he's such a good Catholic, why is his acknowledged best friend a retired cardinal who was indicted by a grand jury for protecting pedophile priests?
I think he's just an egotistical fake!
mewillandale writes:
Is anybody else tired of hearing this guy flap his lips? or People writing about him?
So he got lucky and made some money, big deal.
MisterK writes:
Interesting man. There are many Catholic Universities, and towns in Florida that were already available for enhanced development. I don't understand why he created his own school and town, instead of building within already provided infrastructure.
babbas writes:
Man cannot predict the future. The Old Testament contains predictions of the future that were fulfilled. How? Well, basically God breathed his words into the Bible simultaneous to it being written by man. What predictions were fulfilled? The birth and death of Jesus, the rise and fall of nations (by name!), the persecution of the Jewish people (which continues to this day), and predictions of the actual names of future rulers, just to name a few. Try to explain that away and also explain how such intelligently designed living systems, such as animals or man, exist. The way blood flows from arteries to veins to capillaries with the ultimate goal of reaching and nourishing every cell in the body was accomplished through evolution? Explain the missing link?
There is far too much intelligent design surrounding us to NOT believe in God.
conchsoup writes:
Because his personal promotional materials would have mentioned it. He is only interested in trying to save his soul by buying his way into the good graces of the Catholic hierarchy, which is his choice, but denigrating the American forces by dressing hamburger counterpeople and delivery people in camouflague is ripe for contempt. He is seriously insulting the men and women who are our fighting forces.
We know a young man who died in his uniform in Iraq and his memory and those of his compatriots deserve our hallowed respect.
cozyboy writes:
How are their burgers, hopefully better than that pizza?
Gifted1 writes:
How right you are. He also is available for speeches on how the world might just still be flat also. it also seems that He is always on the attack. When on Sundays is that taught?
AM_Johnny writes:
Cool, maybe he can pick up the cost of the healthcare that his University just dropped for employees and students.....what a guy
Beachtowel writes:
Best burgers in Naples. Puts 5 guys to shame. Keep up the good work Tom.
miamia writes:
And another nice thing to do with his money would be to refund the price of the homes he duped people into buying thinking they were entering an advertised "Catholic Town" that turned out to be a hoax. And now they're stuck
in Ave Maria like it or not!
mewillandale writes:
Every person in business will dedicate a large portion of their success to luck and/or timing.
I know this "loser" does
DinNaples writes:
Wow! I read all of these comments regarding the man doing good in his own way and all these people want to do is to tear him apart. Why?
What have we become as a people to have so many with caustic and angry feelings toward others?
anotherPOV writes:
I for one, want to know what he did. He attends mass EVERY DAY and is trying his best to buy his way into heaven(gotta love those Catholics). Whatever he is trying to atone for must be a doozy.
mewillandale writes:
I for one have no problem with anyone making money or going about their lives.
The problem is his public arrogance. The statements he makes are repulsive.
lilme writes:
First, may I express my sympathy for your loss. I had 3 cousins serve, one came back wounded; so I know very well how my family languished. I approached a very famous gentleman in Naples for a favor for one of them and his buddies serving outside of Nangarhar, Afghanistan. He could not do enough. My family has photographs of his gifting. It never made the radio, it never made the newspapers, it never made TV, and probably was not talked about in his circle. If you want to speak about the 100's of undocumented workers who built the Ave Maria, have at it. But who is to say if this venture takes off there won't be many returning veterans that will be put into regional positions by Mr. Monihan.
Further, many Catholics are now scorned because of recent scandals. Still this is an extremely charitable religion. If you take a hard look you will see that there are other so called religions out there that are not charitable.
Seriously, why don't you approach a veteran or member of the armed forces - you may be surprised that they feel honored in some way. I ran this by a WW2 veteran who is dying of Cancer. Again, I asked someone famous (Philadelphia Phillies) to pay him a visit. He thought the idea of camoflouge was novel. At least it is not a hoodie.
ChevyGirl writes:
You're an idiot! You have absolutely no idea what he does with his money... nor is it anyones business actually. Think before you type!
staghorn writes:
the people.famous website has a lovely photo of tom AND his wife, Marjorie Zybach.
see for yourself.
http://people.famouswhy.com/Thomas_Mo...
lilme writes:
THANK YOU, Chevy Girl! And please forgive the spelling I used, Tom Monaghan.
willburgolf writes:
Trying to buy his way in to Heaven, does not work.
No he is HELL Bent, but will see all of his Tea-party buddys there.
conchsoup writes:
From the article:
"Monaghan estimated that he has given away 90 percent to 95 percent of his pizza fortune, which the media in the late ’80s estimated at $1 billion.
The vast majority of his wealth went to building Ave Maria University. Monaghan said."
GreenEyedGirl writes:
My husband (A retired GySgt with the USMC) thought the place was great! I guess parents of soldiers cant think what the want but a Marine thinks it GREAT!
staghorn writes:
In 1956 Monaghan enlisted in the United States Marine Corps by mistake; he had meant to join the Army.
enlisted in the Marines by mistake?? ...WHAT??
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Mona...
lilme writes:
"You Go Green Eyed Girl" 1 Marine, 1 Seal and 1 Ranger here. Besides....who doesn't like hamburgers!
LEOM writes:
That's YOUR opinion! And, God gives you the right to your opinion and choice. Have a blessed day!! :)
Badge676 writes:
Bye!
Captian_Cataracts writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
DinNaples writes:
I usually don't offend easily. Probably only the second time I've ever suggested removal of a comment. Your hate is over-the-top.
ChevyGirl writes:
Again.... you're an idiot! Do you honestly believe everything you read? If so, let me tell you bout some land I got for sale south of I-75 and North of U.S. 41... I will giv you a grrrreeeeeat deal !
beetlejuice writes:
really??????
camo buildings sound pathetic
rbuonamici writes:
The proof is all around you. Look at the vastness of the universe. Read Darwin, he has it right with all the proof one would need.
rbuonamici writes:
There is a big difference between opinion and scientific fact!
ChevyGirl writes:
who give's a @&^! what color scheme the man chooses... honestly! The color of your home may sound pathetic to someone...
noname5 writes:
this is such a bunch of BS... who else gets away with donating their fortune to themselves and then talking about how they give it all away to charity? he gave it to his own screwed up charities... it shouldn't count.
lilme writes:
Really, what have you started and long after you are gone will still be here - and please don't tell this blog about any losers you may have propagated....or perhaps noname5 says it all.
wolfdog777 writes:
Tom Monaghan is a total phony and failure, just not in his own mind. He got lucky with a likely marketing adviser touting the 30 minute delivery promise, that's what made him his billion. Dominoes was on the brink of bankruptcy when he sold. He bought the Detroit Tigers right when they were a powerhouse, won the World Series, then again ran the team (business) into the ground and had to sell, ironically to the owner of Little Caeser's. Then he moves on to Ave Maria, proclaiming to give up all his luxurious belongings, somehow forgetting the millions of cars and assets which he doesn't remember he owns. He did sell his house near Everglades City, not sure about the beach house in Naples, but I'm sure his house(s) in Michigan aren't small cottages. Then, the man who "creates" so many jobs laid off hundreds when his failure of a university in the middle of the Everglades couldn't make money. This all after strong-arming employees to buy tiny houses in the middle of nowhere in the middle of a housing disaster at prices from the housing boom. He couldn't even stay in charge of his own school, he was such a failure he put Mother Teresa's lawyer in charge. Why did Mother Teresa need a lawyer anyway? Doesn't understand technology, how about internet classes, how about offering education and business degrees? Nope can't control the student's lives that way. Still drives his $100,000 Audi and Jaguar. Gyrene Burger will fail because he has no concept of marketing, again someone got his ear and was lucky with the 30 min idea with Dominoes, now he's desperately trying to recreate his past glory. Trying to buy his way into Heaven is exactly what he's trying to do, but in reality, he's selling his soul to anyone who will donate a buck.
starvingartist writes:
Phil Lewis at the NDN said that "a change was coming". Please speed your changes for the comments to the editorials often turn into indecent public attacks by people cloaked in anonymity. In this case made of a well meaning philanthropists like Mr. Monagahan by some apparently very bitter people
tucknrun3 writes:
I find it more than interesting how adamant so many of the bloggers are about bashing this guy. I don't agree with the degree of his religious beliefs but how many of you have 1)created a business and sold it for $1bil and then 2) donated 95% of that support your religion?
None of you. Now go back to your mindless rants while the guy keeps working.
justright (Inactive) writes:
Some people refuse see good in good. Thank you Tom for building a stairway to heaven. People have the choice to throw rocks or step up. Step up. God bless.
noname5 writes:
haha you're most obviously on the payroll... i have every right to my opinion even if i don't have a "name"
volochine writes:
I respect the man, but he has lost it. I don't know if it was guilt or abuse, but this is not a rational 75 year old man.
The comment that disturbed me the most as a catholic was..."I wanted to be a priest until I smelled the girl in front of me"....That implys that all priests are gay. That is just wrong!
titanbite writes:
A superstitious,egotistical fake!
Monaghan knows the deal,according to his,"good",book,the rich won't get to enjoy eternal life unless they separate themselves from their money beforehand,its no different than throwing salt over your shoulder or knocking on wood,superstition is superstition no matter how you practice it.
If Monaghan wasn't trying to stroke his own ego he would have built his university anonymously,but,he didn't,obviously,when it comes to Monaghan's,"faith",getting into some imaginary dreamland is a secondary goal,with the first being his own self-promotion.
vasnowbird writes:
“If it wasn’t for my faith I’d make Hugh Hefner look like a piker."
I find such comments sad. It suggests a man who has no personal strength of character. Should the faith tradition inform the man, yes. Should the man demand a faith tradition of such orthodoxy because of his personal weakness, no. Mr. Monahan seems to be one of those Conservative Cafeteria Catholics who doesn't want the progressives to focus on column B because he wants all of his "dishes" from column A. There is so much more to the Catholic faith and traidtion than stern warnings of sin and blastedation. The Savior offered us a way of life that, if followed will lead us to peace, joy and salvation. But, our God is a God who is all knowing, all loving, and all forgiving. I have to believe that our God will forgive Hugh Hefner, Mr. Monahan, and me because he loves all of us equally. We are all of his creation.
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