Around 300 young people gathered outside a fast-food outlet in Forest, a municipality of Brussels, on April 22, 2026, prompting police presence and leading the operator to cancel a planned promotional event.
The gathering occurred ahead of the opening of a novel Crousty outlet, a fast-food concept specializing in breaded chicken and rice dishes served with sauce, typically accompanied by fries or chicken wings. The operator had advertised 100 free portions for the first 100 customers, along with a raffle offering a PlayStation 5 and an electric scooter as prizes.
According to Forest Mayor Charles Spapens (PS), as reported by Bruzz, approximately 300 youths were counted at the site. In response to the crowd size and associated safety concerns, the business owner, in coordination with local authorities and police, decided to postpone the opening and cancel the promotional action.
The mayor confirmed that no altercations were ultimately observed and that attendees complied with police instructions. The owner of Crousty Night later issued an apology on Instagram and announced plans to organize a future event that would be “more secure and better organized.”
The incident underscores the strong appeal of limited-time fast-food promotions among younger demographics in Belgium, particularly when combined with high-value giveaways and social media-driven marketing.
