Tom Monaghan, founder and former CEO of Domino’s Pizza, will deliver a Legends of Business lecture at 5 p.m., Wednesday, April 4 in the LaRose Digital Theatre, located in the Koury Business Center. Details...

Monaghan’s lecture, titled "Domino's Pizza: The Story of a True Entrepreneur" is part of the Legends of Business Series at the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business. The series brings successful business leaders to campus to share their experiences with students and the community.

Monaghan established Domino’s in 1960, while still a student at the University of Michigan. He and his brother, James, borrowed $900 to buy a small pizza store called Dominick’s, and Monaghan eventually turned it into the world’s largest pizza delivery chain. He did so with a straightforward business formula that included simplifying the menu, limiting toppings and pizza sizes, and making deliveries in record time. In 1984, the company was the fastest growing chain in the United States. When Monaghan sold Domino’s Pizza to Bain Capital Inc. in 1998, the chain had 6,250 stores.

Throughout his career, Monaghan has been noted for his hard work and ethical business practices. He frequently worked seven days a week and emphasized that success in business is nothing unless achieved honestly and fairly.

Today, Monaghan devotes his time to nonprofit endeavors. He is specifically focused on underwriting Catholic higher education through the Ave Maria Foundation, which he founded in 1983.

As chairman of the Foundation’s board, Monaghan has overseen the creation and support of the Ave Maria Institute (now Ave Maria College) in Michigan and Ave Maria University in Florida. The Catholic liberal arts institutions were designed to prepare students for leadership in academics, professional occupations, and service to the community. Monaghan serves as chairman of the college’s board of trustees and the university’s chancellor.