Controversy Behind Hot Cheetos Inventor

For many years, Richard Montanez has told his inspiring story about how he went from being the Frito-Lay janitor to the inventor of the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. A story so inspiring that Eva Longoria is directing a biopic about it. The problem is that an LA Times reporter claims that  Richard had nothing to do with it.

According to a recent statement from Frito-Lay, Montañez didn’t actually invent the spicy snack. “None of our records show that Richard was involved in any capacity in the Flamin’ Hot test market,” Frito-Lay told the L.A. 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.”

Well, that’s probably because the company didn’t put on record what a janitor had to say. But, that doesn’t mean he didn’t play a role in the invention and/or nationwide rollout of the popular snack. A spokesperson for Montañez responded in a comment to Entertainment Weekly, saying none of Montañez’s contributions were documented as a result of his position as a general utility machine operator and janitor at the time. “Richard is going to continue to stand by his story,” his spokesperson said. “After 42 years, he doesn’t understand why Frito-Lay’s taking the position they’re taking.”

Frito-Lay said the conflicting information “doesn’t mean [they] don’t celebrate Richard” and his success. “But the facts do not support the urban legend.”

In any case, will this affect the movie Eva Longoria is set to direct? I guess only time will tell…