Crousty: how halal chicken became France's viral fast-food trend

A crunchy chicken dish served over rice with sauce has become one of France's latest fast-food viral sensations. According to Hyphen, the "crousty" — a simple chicken-and-rice tray popularised on TikTok — is credited to Krousty Sabaïdi, founded by two entrepreneurs from Bordeaux who say they invented the Asian-inspired dish. The chain began with a single small shop in a suburb of Bordeaux in 2012 and now operates 35 locations across France.

The trend has spread widely. According to CNN, Tasty Crousty, a major competitor, has around 50 restaurants across France, Belgium and Algeria, with plans to expand to Canada, Morocco and the United Kingdom. Even KFC has adapted its own version, called Crousty Tenders. According to Hyphen, the chain's pricing — usually between €7 and €11 — and its focus on halal food have contributed to its success. Some locations offer special menus during Ramadan.

The crousty's popularity reflects a broader shift in French dining habits. According to CNN, commercial chain restaurants in France broke the 20 billion euros mark in annual revenues in 2023, a 30% increase from 2019, with that figure reaching 21 billion euros in 2024. According to CNN, more than half of the French restaurant industry's annual revenue is now generated by the fast food and fast casual market. The appeal is strongest among the 35-and-under crowd, who are easily persuaded by influencers and social media trends.

The dish's geography is notable. According to Hyphen, dedicated crousty chains are almost absent from Paris's wealthiest districts, such as the 16th arrondissement. French YouTuber Manon Delcourt has raised concerns about this pattern, arguing that it may reinforce long-standing inequalities. According to Hyphen, she warned that "some communities end up being far more exposed to unhealthy food environments."

The craze has also drawn political attention. According to Hyphen, a rightwing mayor in the Paris suburb of Bussy-Saint-Georges posted a video during municipal election campaigning of himself trying crousty for the first time. According to CNN, a Krousty Sabaïdi giveaway event in Paris in September 2025, promoted by a popular French influencer, attracted around 3,000 people, far exceeding the expected turnout, and riot police were dispatched to disperse crowds, with tear gas deployed and eight people placed in police detention.