# Southwest-Style Pasta Salads Friendly's Has a New Southwest Pasta Spiked with Sriracha By Katherine Pendrill | Published 2022-08-13 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/southwest-pasta References: [fastfoodpost](https://www.fastfoodpost.com/friendlys-adds-new-southwest-pasta-to-happy-ending-menu-offers-free-sundae-with-purchase/)  Pasta salad is a summer staple and now you can get your fix at Friendly's with the launch of the chain's new Southwest Pasta. Added to the chain's existing [Happy Ending Menu](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/happy-ending-meal-deal), the new Southwest Pasta is a Southwestern-style take on a [cold pasta salad](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/summer-salad1). The dish is made with spiraled pasta and Southwest-style chopped beef spiked with Sriracha. The whole thing is then topped with shredded Monterey Jack cheese, jalapeños, and diced tomato. The pasta salad is also served with a grilled ciabatta roll on the side. The new dish joins other popular options on the Happy Ending's Menu, including the tasty Turkey Club Supermelt Sandwich, [Doritos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chorizo-nachos) Cool Ranch Chopped Cheeseburger, $100,000 Cobb Salad, and more. Image Credit: Friendly's ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.1/10 - Popularity: 32% | Activity: 50% | Freshness: 12% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Southwest-style Pasta Salads:** The trend of incorporating Southwestern flavors and sriracha in pasta salads offers an innovative opportunity for restaurant menus and packaged food products. - **Happy Ending's Menu:** The Happy Ending's Menu trend presents a unique opportunity for restaurants to offer limited-time menu items that appeal to consumers seeking new and exciting food options. - **Cold Pasta Salads:** The rise in popularity of cold pasta salads as a summer staple presents an opportunity for food companies to offer innovative and convenient ready-to-eat options for consumers. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Restaurant Industry:** Restaurants can capitalize on the trend of Southwest-style pasta salads by offering unique menu items that cater to consumer preferences for bold and spicy flavors. - **Packaged Foods Industry:** The increasing demand for convenient and flavorful ready-to-eat pasta salads offers opportunities for packaged food companies to innovate and offer new product options to consumers. - **Fast Food Industry:** The Happy Ending's Menu trend presents an opportunity for fast food chains to offer limited-time menu items that appeal to consumers seeking new and exciting food options. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Kid-Friendly Salads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/green-machine-salad.md) - [Saucy Chicken Parm Sandwich](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crispy-chicken-parm-sandwich.md) - [Spicy Ranch Dressing Salads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spicy-jalapeo-ranch-salad.md) - [Winter Pasta Promotions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pasta-palooza.md) - [Summery BBQ Chicken Salads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/backyard-bbq-chicken-salad.md) - [Spiral-Cut Southwest Potatoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/loaded-southwest-potato-twists.md) - [Seasonal Lobster Roll Specials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/maine-style-lobster-roll.md) - [Chicken Tender-Topped Salads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/southern-fried-salad.md) - [Hot Honey Pasta Salads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/orzo-pasta-salad.md)