Prompt Cast
The disputed claim of who invented Flaming Hot Cheetos
TLDR Richard Montañez did not invent Flaming Hot Cheetos, but he played a key role in its creation by coming up with the idea for the spicy snack while working as a janitor at the Frito-Lay factory. His pitch to the CEO emphasized the untapped Latino market for spicy snacks, leading to the successful launch and popularity of Hot Cheetos.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
The episode explores the disputed claim that Richard Montañez invented Flaming Hot Cheetos, revealing inconsistencies in the timeline and clarifying that he was not directly involved in the creation of the product.
03:11
Richard Montañez started working at the Frito-Lay factory as a janitor in 1976, where he eventually came up with the idea for Hot Cheetos by taking home unseasoned Cheetos that were discarded when the machine broke down.
06:47
Richard Montañez grew up in a farm worker community in California during the civil rights movement, where he faced challenges fitting in at school but discovered his talent for entrepreneurship at a young age.
10:06
Richard Montañez impresses his bosses at Frito-Lay by taking initiative as a janitor, leading to promotions and opportunities to contribute ideas for the company.
13:23
Richard Montañez gets the idea to create a spicy chip after noticing a lack of spicy options in the Frito-Lay product line, leading to the invention of the Hot Cheeto with the help of his wife and kids.
16:58
Richard Montañez, a janitor at the Cucamonga plant, pitches the idea of creating a spicier snack to the CEO of Frito-Lay, emphasizing the untapped Latino market for spicy snacks.
20:29
Richard Montañez's idea for Hot Cheetos impresses the Frito-Lay CEO, leading to the product's successful launch and subsequent popularity.
24:07
Hot Cheetos proved the Latino market's importance, leading to the creation of various flavors and products, including Thakis, appealing to a diverse audience.
