Long before Arthur Cunanan began doling out ice cream-filled donuts and towering milkshakes, a passion for community was central to his life. Cunanan toiled for five years in the U.S. Navy, followed by another five years of service with the federal government in Washington, D.C. He then earned his master’s degree in business administration and joined Shell Oil Company (now Shell USA), where he stayed for a decade.
Cunanan eventually decided it was time for a new venture that would put him at the helm of his own career.
“I knew I wanted to start my own business,” he says.
Through colleagues at Shell, Arthur discovered Yonutz, a colorful donut and ice cream franchise founded in Florida. When a closed location in Kingwood became available, he saw an opportunity to bring his dreams to fruition. Arthur purchased and reopened Yonutz Kingwood in January 2026.
“The perfect opportunity came up at this Kingwood location because it had previously closed,” Arthur explains. “I was really hoping to bring a sense of community to this space.”
Yonutz has become a cult favorite known for its smashed donut, which pairs the warm confection with cold ice cream. Team members slice through a plain donut, place a scoop of ice cream inside, and use a hot press to quickly heat the outside while keeping the center cool. The Simply Smashed version is rolled in sugar, while signature creations are finished with icing and playful toppings.
“It’s such a unique experience,” Arthur says. “When some of the kids take the first bite, you can see on their face just how good it is.”
According to Arthur, popular local flavors include the Biscoff Cookie Butter and Strawberry Shortcake smashed donuts. Nutella Crunch, another decadent creation, won a People’s Choice Award at the Dessert Wars National Championship in 2023. Customers can also design their own creations.
Yonutz serves big and mini donuts, ice cream, breakfast sandwiches, and premium milkshakes loaded with toppings. Arthur’s personal favorite is the Reese’s Peanut Butter smashed milkshake, which includes a peanut-butter-and-chocolate-filled shake crowned with a mini donut. Gluten-friendly options are also available.
In its short time back in business, Yonutz has become a convenient gathering place for families throughout Kingwood, Atascocita, and Humble. Located just around the corner from Kingwood High School, the shop offers teenagers a safe neighborhood space to meet up with friends, use the free Wi-Fi, or wait for a ride after school.
“I wanted it to be a welcoming place to just hang out, fellowship, and get together as friends,” Arthur says.
Families can enjoy complimentary arts and crafts on Saturdays, with supplies set out on tables so children can create during their visit. Some Saturdays also feature mini donut decorating kits. After welcoming the Easter Bunny in the spring, Cunanan is looking ahead to fall with plans to participate in community Halloween trick-or-treating.
New donut flavors are introduced with the start of each season.
Yonutz offers catering with breakfast sandwiches and donut assortments, as well as a mobile smashed donut service, with donuts prepared fresh at the customer’s location.
For Cunanan, the most rewarding part of franchise ownership is interacting with the community and watching people form relationships. He wants older visitors to rediscover the nostalgia of gathering at a neighborhood sweet shop while children and teenagers form new memories of their own.
“That’s my goal,” he says, “to make sure that they have a family-friendly spot to hang out.”
Instagram: @yonutz_kingwoodtx