Court Case to Determine the True Inventor of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos

A legal battle is brewing over the origins of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, with former PepsiCo executive Richard Montañez claiming he invented the popular snack flavor. Montañez has filed a lawsuit against the company, alleging that it damaged his career after he challenged their narrative regarding the creation of the spicy snack. The lawsuit, submitted to California Superior Court on July 18, has prompted PepsiCo to refrain from commenting on the ongoing case. Montañez, who grew up in a migrant labor camp as the son of a Mexican immigrant, recounts a pivotal moment when a machine malfunction left a batch of unflavored Cheetos. He claims to have taken the opportunity to create a spicy version by adding chili powder, inspired by the traditional Mexican dish elote. According to Montañez, his innovative idea caught the attention of a company executive, leading to the launch of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos in 1992 and subsequent promotions of his story. Despite his successful career trajectory, which included a promotion to vice president of multicultural marketing and sales, Montañez alleges that PepsiCo turned against him in 2021. This shift followed a Los Angeles Times article suggesting that other employees were already developing spicy snacks prior to Montañez's involvement. He claims this has adversely affected his speaking engagements and other opportunities, prompting him to seek damages for discrimination, fraud, and defamation.