Selected Quarterly Financial Data Selected Quartely Financial Data (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 24, 2013	Jun. 25, 2013	Mar. 26, 2013	Dec. 25, 2012	Sep. 25, 2012	Jun. 26, 2012	Mar. 27, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 25, 2012	Dec. 27, 2011
Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]
Revenue, Net	$ 661,732	$ 572,480	$ 589,011	$ 561,779	$ 571,549	$ 529,338	$ 530,591	$ 498,579	$ 2,385,002	$ 2,130,057	$ 1,822,032
Operating profit	85,447	64,569	83,435	76,305	83,312	59,999	72,203	67,356	309,756	282,870	220,259
Net income attributable to Panera Bread Company	$ 54,248	$ 42,762	$ 51,042	$ 48,117	$ 51,612	$ 36,515	$ 44,137	$ 41,184	$ 196,169	$ 173,448	$ 135,952
Earnings Per Share, Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.97	$ 1.49	$ 1.75	$ 1.65	$ 1.77	$ 1.25	$ 1.51	$ 1.41	$ 6.85	$ 5.94	$ 4.59
Earnings Per Share, Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.96	$ 1.48	$ 1.74	$ 1.64	$ 1.75	$ 1.24	$ 1.50	$ 1.40	$ 6.81	$ 5.89	$ 4.55