How Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Became America’s Favorite Snack

It seems like you can’t go anywhere without seeing Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Since launching Flamin' Hot Cheetos in 1992, Frito-Lay is continuing to expand their Flamin’ Hot product line. There are 15 Flamin' Hot snacks from popcorn to Doritos.

It's easy to mistake Flamin' Hot’s popularity as just another social media trend. But experts say, its success is actually a reflection of America's shifting demographics and their desire for more intense flavors. Here’s how Flamin’ Hot went from a janitor’s vision to a world-wide phenomenon.

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How Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Became America’s Favorite Snack

[corgems]

Disappointed how little of this video focused on Montanez; he was a janitor who intrapreneured one of Frito Lay's most successful products!

[mordred]

I remember when hot cheetos and hot fries were only sold in hood stores and gas stations. Now look at it

[blixx]

But.. what did the Janitor get out of this for coming up with the idea?! We want to know.... I hope he’s chillin in a mansion right now

[erickmaya]

Hot Cheetos have always been it, white people just started eating them lmaoooo

[BCFHardHitterz]

Bruh ain’t nobody eating flamin hot chips becuz of social media influencers n celebrities...we eatin it cuz it’s spicy n dank... if anybody deserves any credit...it should be medicinal marijuana

[patw.]

This guy hopefully getting some nice royalties

[hermes]

"I have a PHD. I've been Poor, Hungry, and Determined.". 👏🏽👏🏽

[Erika]

This is the content I never thought I needed!

[ough]

Idk if it’s healthy or not, I’m gonna die one day, mine aswell enjoy the foods I eat

[treefiddytwoo]

i’m italian cuban and puerto rican and grew up around the lifestyle of an immigrant family. i’ve always loved spicy foods but my black friends put me on to flamin hot cheetos when we were mad young. i never thought it was a cultural thing, just that some ppl like hot foods and others don’t. i’ve always noticed though that my white friends don’t like anything that tastes amazing lmaoooo

[zucc]

I have a legit addiction to them. Not proud

[NoCurrMadison]

Anyone remember when the extra hot Cheetos were limited time?

[skatarest]

Why is this still up? Fritos called him a fake.

[kb]

This video makes me wanna eat some Cheetos..

[CJ-fhxq]

My favorite snack in High School. We only had the baked section but its so good

[vic]

I’ve been eating these all my life ... and shall continue to do so.

[ynnel]

Got to meet Montañez and hear his story. He's really amazing

[whatever]

Montañez spoke at my university’s commencement 2 years ago!! It was so cool

[juliovillasenor]

Proud consumer since 1999, when I was 4 years old!

[OrigamiTree]

I just ordered my first bag of Flamin' Hot Cheetos...thanks to this video (marketing!) 😂