An unauthorised promotional giveaway by an influencer at a newly opened restaurant in central Paris on Saturday drew an estimated 3,000 people, prompting clashes with police, the use of tear gas and the erection of security barriers to disperse the crowd.
The event at Krousty Sabaidi in the Châtelet‑Les Halles district was organised to mark the restaurant’s opening and to hand out 1,000 free portions of “Krousty,” a rice-and-fried-chicken dish. It had been promoted by influencer Fares Salvatore, who has millions of followers on social media, and by a troupe called Influence Games. Police said the turnout greatly exceeded forecasts and that the gathering was not authorised.
Officials at Paris police headquarters described the crowd as "compact" and composed largely of young people who gathered outside the restaurant after Salvatore's post. "Around 3,000 people" were present, a police source told the French press. As the crowd became difficult for security agents to manage, the organiser cancelled the event, the source said.
Video footage posted on social media showed large groups moving through the area, scuffles among attendees and projectiles being thrown at officers. Riot police intervened to clear the scene, deploying tear gas and setting up barriers. Authorities said three of the most aggressive event‑goers were apprehended and taken into custody; Le Figaro reported that two people were arrested on site on suspicion of committing robberies amid the chaos. Police reported no serious injuries.
Krousty Sabaidi posted a message on TikTok after the incident thanking security forces and the police for their response and saying the turnout had "greatly exceeded all the forecasts, causing a massive influx and crowd movements in front of our establishment." The restaurant said it cancelled the event in the interest of public safety, pledged to honour its promise to offer the 1,000 Krousty at a later date, and expressed gratitude to those who had waited on site.
The clashes drew criticism on social media, particularly from right‑wing politicians. Matthieu Valet, a member of the European Parliament for the National Rally and a former police officer, praised officers for arrests made during the disorder and for restoring order.
Paris authorities declined immediate comment on whether organisers would face fines or other penalties for holding an unauthorised gathering in a busy commercial district. The prefecture required the cancellation after concluding that public order could not be guaranteed, according to the police source.
The incident underscores challenges for city officials and businesses when large‑scale, influencer-driven promotions attract crowds in densely populated urban areas. Organisers of public events in Paris must obtain authorisation and coordinate with local authorities on security and crowd management; when that coordination is absent, police said, rapid crowd growth can create risks for both attendees and passersby. The restaurant said it would communicate new arrangements for distributing the free meals at a later time.