The rise of the TikTok queue in Amsterdam – where tourists flock to enjoy a stroopwafel or cake recommended by their peers on social media – has led city officials to tell one popular snack bar it cannot have more than 10 people waiting for their French fries once they have ordered.

Officials have inserted a new clause in the Fabel Friet operating permit placing a limit on the size of the queue. If more than 10 people have paid and have not been served, the outlet will have to close its second till until the waiting customers have been served.

 The shop owners have said it can’t be done and have now taken the issue to court, the Parool reported on Friday. 

The shop in the Negen Straatjes in the city centre, opened four years ago and has become so popular it has started employing minders to keep the queue in order. Tourists are happy to queue across the bridge over the Keizersgracht for French fries with parmesan cheese or other more exotic toppings than plain mayonnaise. 

Fabel Friet is not the only catering outlet with a queue problem, and even the Boerenjongen cannabis café in the Utrechtstraat has brought in people to manage the crowds.

But this is the first time the city council has tried to intervene, following mounting complaints from other shop owners and local residents. 

The company says it has done all it can to prevent problems, including simplifying the menu so orders don’t take so long to process. It also cleans up the rubbish, even though at least half of the litter does not originate on the premises. 

The court will rule on the new licencing terms in two weeks, the Parool said.

In the meantime, some of the 77 locals who have complained about the nuisance plan to object to the council’s new operating permit if it does get granted anyway.