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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 EAdMUh/JdFLslD+kgt7C7tUfCds3FSN0uJBII5GGLSCKCZ/ouPHP0J0bCfJjuRXk
 ts141KfZwSzLG4h7rzc39Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-07-072556.txt : 20071002
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-07-072556.hdr.sgml : 20071002
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20071002092043
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-07-072556
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20070928
FILED AS OF DATE:		20071002
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20071002

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PAPA JOHNS INTERNATIONAL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000901491
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-EATING PLACES [5812]
		IRS NUMBER:				611203323
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1227

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2002 PAPA JOHNS BOULEVARD
		CITY:			LOUISVILLE
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			40299-2334
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5022617272

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 99900
		CITY:			LOUISVILLE
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			40269-9990

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			McCue Peter
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001377166

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-21660
		FILM NUMBER:		071147612

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		502-261-7272

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P.O. BOX 99900
		CITY:			LOUISVILLE
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			40269
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>a4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-09-28</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000901491</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PAPA JOHNS INTERNATIONAL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PZZA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001377166</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>McCue Peter</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>P.O. BOX 99900</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LOUISVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>KY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>40269</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Senior Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Phantom stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-09-28</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>28.33</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>24.44</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>28.33</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>234.62</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Converts to common stock on a one-for-one basis</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The shares of phantom stock become payable in cash in a lump sum or in installments upon termination of service, or earlier in accordance with certain in-service elections available under a deferred compensation plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Kenneth M. Cox, by power of attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-10-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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