Summary of Lecture: The True Story of Flamin' Hot Cheetos

Introduction

• Lynn Greenfield's Discovery (2018):
  • Uncomfortable with an article claiming Richard Montanez invented Flamin' Hot Cheetos.
  • Greenfield claims she is the real inventor.
  • Contacted Frito-Lay to correct the record.

Richard Montanez's Story

• Background:

  • Janitor at a Frito-Lay plant in the 1980s near Los Angeles.
  • Inspired by CEO Roger Enrico's call for initiative.
  • Noticed lack of spicy chips in grocery stores.

• Creation of Flamin' Hot Cheetos:

  • Experimented with plain Cheetos and spices at home.
  • Called CEO to pitch the idea.

• Presentation to Executives:

  • Created a presentation for Frito-Lay executives.
  • Claimed it was well-received and led to the product's success.
  • Rose through company ranks, became a viral sensation, author, and speaker.

Investigation and Discrepancies

• Frito-Lay's Investigation:

  • Richard was not involved in the Flamin' Hot test market.
  • Idea originated from Chicago and Detroit, not California.
  • Executives do not recall the famous presentation.

• Roger Enrico's Role:

  • Misattributed by Richard as his supporter.
  • Enrico started at Frito-Lay after Flamin' Hot Cheetos were developed.

• Conclusion of Investigation:

  • Frito-Lay credits Richard for contributions but not for inventing Flamin' Hot Cheetos.

Alternative Theories

• Possible Explanations for Discrepancies:
  • Richard Lied: Over time, conflated his story with Flamin' Hot Cheetos.
  • Memory Problems: Misinformation effect could have influenced his memory.
  • Truthful Narrative: Suggests the PR nightmare for Frito-Lay could imply truth in Richard’s story.

Conclusion

• Richard's Legacy:
  • Despite investigation results, Richard remains influential through his storytelling.
  • Continued public support and controversy over the true inventor of Flamin' Hot Cheetos.