The Inventor of the Frozen Burrito Has Died

Few modern inventions have had a bigger impact on our nation than the frozen burrito. How much American productivity has been fueled by late nights spent chowing down on these microwaveable wonders? How many startups have been founded amidst mouthfuls of soggy tortilla bolstered by gooey bean and cheesey goodness? The full impact of this modern marvel may never be truly known. Unfortunately, the inventor of this magnificent invention has died.

Duane Roberts, the inventor in question, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, “just days shy of his 89th birthday,†according to a statement from his wife, Kelly Roberts. “I feel so blessed to have shared 35 wonderful years of marriage with Duane,†Kelly wrote in a Facebook post. “Together, we built a beautiful life working side by side, sharing in the joy, purpose, and love that defined our journey together.â€

Roberts, who came up with the idea for the frozen burrito not long after graduating from high school, went on to do quite well for himself in the meat and dining industries. TMZ writes that, at the time of his death, he was considered to be a billionaire.

Roberts’ most fateful innovation occurred in 1956, when he was only 19-years old and working for a company called Butcher Boy Food Products. In an interview with The Orange County Register in 2007, the inventor explained the genesis of his lucrative innovation:

My family had a small meat company, and my father sold patties to the original McDonald’s in San Bernardino. They became so successful other people copied them. As (burger joints) got more competitive, people wanted to add more items to their menu. So, we asked, “What else could we make? We (our company) had a Hispanic butcher, and he said, “Why don’t you make a burrito?†I loved Mexican food, but I had no idea what a burrito was.

There you have it. A simple matter of iterating the frozen burger led to the frozen burrito. I think a shoutout to Roberts’ Hispanic butcher would also appear to be in order.

In addition to his noble invention, Roberts was also known for buying and renovating the historic Mission Inn hotel in Riverside, California, which he owned from 1992 until the time of his death. When asked about what inspired him to procure the landmark hotel, Roberts said: “I like beautiful old things. The Mission Inn is the fabric that binds the community together. It’s a heart-welling thing to own. Some (wealthy) people have sports teams; I have my Mission Inn.â€