Frito-Lay Says Story About Janitor Inventing ‘Flamin’ Hot Cheetos’ Is False

An investigative report by Sam Dean published by the Los Angeles Times reveals that Richard Montañez did not create Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Montañez, who worked as a janitor for Frito-Lay, has been credited with creating the popular chips.

“None of our records show that Richard was involved in any capacity in the Flamin’ Hot test market,” Frito-Lay said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times. “We have interviewed multiple personnel who were involved in the test market, and all of them indicate that Richard was not involved in any capacity in the test market.”

“That doesn’t mean we don’t celebrate Richard but the facts do not support the urban legend.”

Montañez claims he took undusted Cheetos home after a machine broke and dusted them with spicy chile powder after being inspired by elote vendors.

Frito-Lay conducted an internal investigation in 2018 after Lynne Greenfeld contacted them. Greenfeld claimed that she came up with the name “Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.”

The Times says that they obtained an email from Leanne Oliver, general counsel at Frito-Lay, which stated, “Frito-Lay will continue to take the position that Flamin’ Hot Cheetos was created by a team of people and, as with all of our products, we do not credit one person with a product invention or flavor extension.”

Roberto Siewczynski, Montañez’s former co-worker, told the publication that Montañez was heavily involved with the launch of the Sabrositas.

Montañez retired in 2019 from an executive position at Frito-Lay.

“I don’t care what room you’re in, there’s always somebody in the room that’s going to try to steal your destiny. They may even say you never existed,” Montañez said in a video posted on Instagram. “I want you to do this: write down your history, because if you don’t, somebody else will. Remember that. And also remember this, the best way to destroy a positive message is to destroy the messenger. Never allow that to happen to you. I’m certainly not going to allow it to happen to me.”

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A film based on the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos creation was announced in 2018. Eva Longoria is the director of the film. A book about the creation of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, “Flamin’ Hot: The Incredible True Story of One Man’s Rise from Janitor to Top Executive,” will hit shelves next month.