A free chicken giveaway promoted by a French influencer turned into chaos on Saturday when thousands of fans gathered at a busy Paris train station, leading to violent clashes with police. The event at Châtelet-Les Halles station had to be canceled due to safety concerns after the crowd far exceeded expectations.
The promotional event was organized by Krousty Sabaïdi, an Asian fast-food chain, in partnership with French influencer Fares Salvatore to mark the opening of their new restaurant. Salvatore, who has over 3.4 million followers on Snapchat and nearly half a million on Instagram, promoted the event promising free chicken and rice meals to the first 1,000 customers.
In a statement apologizing for the disruption, Krousty Sabaïdi said the “attendance far exceeded all our expectations,” forcing them to cancel the event for safety reasons. The restaurant confirmed that the 1,000 free meals would still be honored at a later date. The company had expected only hundreds of people but approximately 3,000 fans arrived at the train station, which is one of the world’s largest underground stations.
Event organizers overwhelmed by massive turnout
The situation quickly spiraled out of control as groups of young people clashed with officers at the busy transport hub. Videos shared on social media showed projectiles being thrown and police pushing crowds back. The Paris Police Commissioner’s Office posted footage of the unrest on social media, describing the scene as “pathetic” and noting clashes between youths and law enforcement.
According to reports, three people were taken into custody during the disorder. The promotional event had also offered 21 participants the chance to win tickets to the final of Salvatore’s Influence Games competition in the Dominican Republic. Influencer events can sometimes spiral into unexpected territory, as businesses and content creators navigate the unpredictable nature of social media marketing.
Châtelet-Les Halles is a major transit hub in central Paris that hosts 750,000 travelers per weekday. The station connects three RER commuter rail lines and five Metro lines, making it a particularly challenging location for crowd control. The area around the station includes the Forum des Halles shopping mall, which adds to the usual foot traffic.
On Snapchat, Salvatore said he was glad the event was canceled amid safety concerns. The incident highlights how quickly social media promotions can escalate beyond control, particularly when involving popular influencers with millions of followers. Krousty Sabaïdi, which operates over 20 restaurants across France, specializes in Asian cuisine and is known for its signature “Krousty” dish featuring crispy chicken and rice.
Published: Sep 16, 2025 04:05 pm