How a janitor at Frito-Lay invented Flamin’ Hot Cheetos
June 26, 2019 11:54 AM Subscribe
Speaking as someone who's eaten too many spicy cheetos, it cannot be over stated how far he left cleaning toilets behind.
posted by Reyturner at 12:11 PM on June 26, 2019 [19 favorites]
posted by Reyturner at 12:11 PM on June 26, 2019 [19 favorites]
Previously on MeFi: The Flamin' Hot Cheetos origin story
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 12:14 PM on June 26, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 12:14 PM on June 26, 2019 [1 favorite]
From the article:
posted by Fizz at 12:24 PM on June 26, 2019 [34 favorites]
“I do have a Ph.D.,” he responded. “I’ve been poor, hungry and determined.”*drops mic*
posted by Fizz at 12:24 PM on June 26, 2019 [34 favorites]
I love this story. Reminds me of another triumphant tale of corporate snack R&D, Deep Inside Taco Bell’s Doritos Locos Taco:
The real tale of how the DLT emerged from disappointing tests to become a massive hit involves a range of challenges and innovations, especially in engineering and manufacturing. “We knew this was a breakthrough idea, so we put on our relentless hats and were determined to not let [this thing] beat us,” Creed says.posted by migurski at 12:26 PM on June 26, 2019 [2 favorites]
For the first group of testers, the problem was the taste. The combination of Doritos with Taco Bell’s shells didn’t capture either the zest of Doritos chips or the punch of Taco Bell’s tacos. Rather, they formed a displeasing amalgamation of the two flavor profiles. “This idea of merging a chip and a shell together–it sounds simple, but it’s very hard to make a reality,” Gomez says. “To tackle this huge challenge, for months we shared know-how between the technical teams at Frito-Lay and Taco Bell.”
Mod note: I'm calling this post ok despite a different version of the story having been posted before.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 12:29 PM on June 26, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 12:29 PM on June 26, 2019 [5 favorites]
I would like to have a relentless hat.
posted by chavenet at 12:29 PM on June 26, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by chavenet at 12:29 PM on June 26, 2019 [4 favorites]
Not to detract from his hard work in the slightest, but it's really important to not see this as another "you can make it if you work hard" story.
One of the big differences is that he had a supportive family and a CEO who was willing to take a gamble on an idea from an unorthodox source.
America spends so much time on success stories, and far too little on talking about the preconditions for these success stories.
posted by explosion at 12:40 PM on June 26, 2019 [46 favorites]
One of the big differences is that he had a supportive family and a CEO who was willing to take a gamble on an idea from an unorthodox source.
America spends so much time on success stories, and far too little on talking about the preconditions for these success stories.
posted by explosion at 12:40 PM on June 26, 2019 [46 favorites]
Speaking as someone who's eaten too many spicy cheetos, it cannot be over stated how far he left cleaning toilets behind.
Well, people have been saying that the oral history genre is played out.....
posted by thelonius at 12:41 PM on June 26, 2019 [4 favorites]
Well, people have been saying that the oral history genre is played out.....
posted by thelonius at 12:41 PM on June 26, 2019 [4 favorites]
One of the big differences is that he had a supportive family and a CEO who was willing to take a gamble on an idea from an unorthodox source.
Indeed. In many universes this story ends when the secretary hangs up on him.
posted by mikelieman at 12:47 PM on June 26, 2019 [17 favorites]
Indeed. In many universes this story ends when the secretary hangs up on him.
posted by mikelieman at 12:47 PM on June 26, 2019 [17 favorites]
Indeed. In many universes this story ends when the secretary hangs up on him.
...or being fired for making the phone call, and never being allowed back on the premises.
posted by trackofalljades at 12:58 PM on June 26, 2019 [15 favorites]
...or being fired for making the phone call, and never being allowed back on the premises.
posted by trackofalljades at 12:58 PM on June 26, 2019 [15 favorites]
What is left out of this story is the part where this guy is far and away smarter and more driven than the average Joe. He is setting himself up as a motivational speaker and mythic figure, and so has to present himself as being like you or me with just a little more gumption. No, baby. He went from being a janitor who had a really great idea to vice president of multicultural sales for PepsiCo America. There must be steps that have been left out of the story, steps involving staying up late reading and studying, learning very quickly on his feet, never forgetting anything, and working like a machine. This is a really cool guy, but he is not really the sort of person that most of us can imitate except in a very limited way.
He is admirable, though, and admirably modest.
posted by ckridge at 1:16 PM on June 26, 2019 [16 favorites]
He is admirable, though, and admirably modest.
posted by ckridge at 1:16 PM on June 26, 2019 [16 favorites]
the 18-year-old recruited his wife to help
wow that took me aback a second
posted by numaner at 1:20 PM on June 26, 2019 [5 favorites]
wow that took me aback a second
posted by numaner at 1:20 PM on June 26, 2019 [5 favorites]
The word "hero" gets thrown around a lot these days...
posted by UltraMorgnus at 2:31 PM on June 26, 2019
posted by UltraMorgnus at 2:31 PM on June 26, 2019
Yeah, this was just one lucky break - I think the really interesting story is how he made it to VP.
posted by airmail at 4:37 PM on June 26, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by airmail at 4:37 PM on June 26, 2019 [1 favorite]
Deep Inside Taco Bell’s Doritos Locos Taco
...the porn movie you didn't know you wanted
posted by Harvey Kilobit at 7:43 PM on June 26, 2019 [2 favorites]
...the porn movie you didn't know you wanted
posted by Harvey Kilobit at 7:43 PM on June 26, 2019 [2 favorites]
Yeah, I love flaming hot Cheetos (though Trader Joe’s elote chips are some kind of magic) and this story and this dude are incredible, but I have a really hard time believing something like this could ever happen now, in 2019.
posted by sleeping bear at 8:12 PM on June 26, 2019
posted by sleeping bear at 8:12 PM on June 26, 2019
This story is amazing... I really needed this today. It doesn't make everything else in the world okay, but its helping me.
posted by CPAGirl at 8:01 AM on June 27, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by CPAGirl at 8:01 AM on June 27, 2019 [1 favorite]
Indeed. In many universes this story ends when the secretary hangs up on him.
this story had too much positivity in it, thank you for bringing some negativity into the thread
posted by weed donkey at 8:34 AM on June 27, 2019 [1 favorite]
this story had too much positivity in it, thank you for bringing some negativity into the thread
posted by weed donkey at 8:34 AM on June 27, 2019 [1 favorite]
Not to detract from his hard work in the slightest, but it's really important to not see this as another "you can make it if you work hard" story.
I'll bite; where are these stories being extrapolated to this level? It must be happening somewhere out there because I see this comment a lot on MeFI. Are y'all literalists? I'm a person who has difficulties with anxiety and depression, and I find Montañez's determination, hard work, and intelligence inspiring. Am I aiming to become C-level at a multi-national corporation? No. I'd just like to be able to speak up in a meeting.
posted by bluefly at 8:35 AM on June 27, 2019 [3 favorites]
I'll bite; where are these stories being extrapolated to this level? It must be happening somewhere out there because I see this comment a lot on MeFI. Are y'all literalists? I'm a person who has difficulties with anxiety and depression, and I find Montañez's determination, hard work, and intelligence inspiring. Am I aiming to become C-level at a multi-national corporation? No. I'd just like to be able to speak up in a meeting.
posted by bluefly at 8:35 AM on June 27, 2019 [3 favorites]
the part where this guy is far and away smarter and more driven than the average Joe
Yes, but also no. My opinion is that VP level drive and smartness is at the 90th percentile, not the 99.9th. Most of the rest of the difference is just luck, like what this guy had.
And in a good company, drive and smartness also need to be combined with being genuinely interested in people.
posted by ambrosen at 8:37 AM on June 27, 2019
Yes, but also no. My opinion is that VP level drive and smartness is at the 90th percentile, not the 99.9th. Most of the rest of the difference is just luck, like what this guy had.
And in a good company, drive and smartness also need to be combined with being genuinely interested in people.
posted by ambrosen at 8:37 AM on June 27, 2019
"Yes, but also no. My opinion is that VP level drive and smartness is at the 90th percentile, not the 99.9th. Most of the rest of the difference is just luck, like what this guy had."
I disagree. Yeah, for the average VP, 90th percentile is probably a generous estimate. But Montañez is not just another VP -- his story is by far the exception, not the rule. (Especially because I think this story is no longer possible.) I'd guess he's in the 99.9th percentile of "drive and smartness".
My grandfather had a similar story, mailroom to CEO, with little formal education. He died when I was young, but it always fascinated me how someone does what he did.
I've known many extremely intelligent people in my life, but the number who've had this kind of exceptional level of sustained initiative and hard work is very few. I personally don't even register on that scale. I have a tremendous amount of respect for those qualities.
"And in a good company, drive and smartness also need to be combined with being genuinely interested in people."
This is very true.
posted by Ivan Fyodorovich at 11:24 AM on June 27, 2019
I disagree. Yeah, for the average VP, 90th percentile is probably a generous estimate. But Montañez is not just another VP -- his story is by far the exception, not the rule. (Especially because I think this story is no longer possible.) I'd guess he's in the 99.9th percentile of "drive and smartness".
My grandfather had a similar story, mailroom to CEO, with little formal education. He died when I was young, but it always fascinated me how someone does what he did.
I've known many extremely intelligent people in my life, but the number who've had this kind of exceptional level of sustained initiative and hard work is very few. I personally don't even register on that scale. I have a tremendous amount of respect for those qualities.
"And in a good company, drive and smartness also need to be combined with being genuinely interested in people."
This is very true.
posted by Ivan Fyodorovich at 11:24 AM on June 27, 2019
The Flamin' Hot Cheeto burrito, is a thing in this town. I love this story.
posted by Oyéah at 8:04 PM on June 27, 2019
posted by Oyéah at 8:04 PM on June 27, 2019
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posted by praemunire at 12:03 PM on June 26, 2019