Long Hem Brings Master Donuts to Houston

Long Hem, originally from Cambodia, plans to open his 10th Master Donuts location on Thursday, August 8 in Houston.

Master Donuts, which has locations in Salem and Rolla, was founded in 2012 in Arkansas after Hem worked for his brother, who also owns doughnut shops. The business expanded to Missouri in 2016. Hem earned a master’s degree in political science from Northeastern Illinois University in 2008. Hem’s father was Cambodia’s ambassador to the European Union.

“When I started, I thought it would be a temporary job,” Hem said. “After getting into donuts and interacting with happy customers every day, I fell in love with it.”

The Houston franchise, located at 1488 S. Sam Houston Blvd., will be run by Hem and his sister, Rose, and will feature the same simple menu as Hem’s other locations, including their signature maple bacon doughnuts.

“We pride ourselves on making our products from scratch every day. Our menu will include donuts, kolaches, long johns, apple fritters, breakfast sandwiches, and beverages, among others.”

The store will be open Tuesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to noon.

Hem is known to work 15 hours a day starting at 10:30 p.m. He sleeps from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. He lives in Rolla with his wife Diravy and their son Sambath, 7, and daughter Emmany, 5.

“A Houston resident was instrumental in bringing us to town. She visited our store in Rolla several times and continued to see if we could come to Houston. After several visits, we are thrilled to be in Houston.”