The man who claims that he invented flamin' hot cheetos didn't
Turns out the story of Richard Montañez, a Frito-Lay janitor who rose through the ranks and invented hot cheetos, isn't true. A junior employee named Lynne Greenfeld actually came up with the name "and shepherded the line into existence."
However, he did come up with flamin' hot popcorn, and other products - just not the original hot cheeto.
Montañez's story is supposed to be turned into a biopic directed by Eva Longoria.
The whole piece from the LATimes is very good - give it a read!
Exclusive: For years, Richard Montañez told the rags-to-riches story of how he invented Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. He’s built a career out of it with speaking events and a movie deal.
Here’s what happened when @SamAugustDean asked Frito-Lay about his story: https://t.co/T5kb1EDJ7P
- Los Angeles Times (@latimes) May 16, 2021
Source
However, he did come up with flamin' hot popcorn, and other products - just not the original hot cheeto.
Montañez's story is supposed to be turned into a biopic directed by Eva Longoria.
The whole piece from the LATimes is very good - give it a read!
Exclusive: For years, Richard Montañez told the rags-to-riches story of how he invented Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. He’s built a career out of it with speaking events and a movie deal.
Here’s what happened when @SamAugustDean asked Frito-Lay about his story: https://t.co/T5kb1EDJ7P
- Los Angeles Times (@latimes) May 16, 2021
Source