Flamin's Hot Cheetos sues

Richard Montañez, who claims to have invented Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, has filed a lawsuit against PepsiCo and its subsidiary Frito-Lay for fraud, defamation, and racial discrimination, after the companies publicly denied his role in their creation. The 62-page lawsuit, filed in California, alleges that a 2021 Los Angeles Times article misrepresented his contributions and caused him significant harm, affecting his career as a public speaker. Montañez insists that he developed the spicy seasoning to appeal to the Latino community while working at Frito-Lay and that he was later excluded from the product development process. He seeks a jury trial, damages, and a court order preventing the companies from denying his contributions. The lawsuit also references his rise from a janitor to a senior executive at PepsiCo, emphasizing his impact on the company’s success. PepsiCo had previously stated that their records do not support Montañez's claims, suggesting that he is part of an 'urban legend'.