From TFA, there is an article from 1993 that indicates Montañez invented Flamin' Hot Popcorn, which fits the timeline(s) of those involved more closely. Given

From TFA, there is an article from 1993 that indicates Montañez invented Flamin' Hot Popcorn, which fits the timeline(s) of those involved more closely. Given that that article is from just a single year after the date in which Montañez claims the story to have occurred, and the timeline for Flamin' Hot Cheetos isn't even close to matching up, it seems like confusing Cheetos with popcorn is the most likely mistake in the popular story.