Represents total number of years of projected cash flow used in goodwill impairment test.

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	pzza_
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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the maximum amortization period of deferred costs.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pzza_MaximumAmortizationPeriodOfDeferredCosts
Namespace Prefix:	pzza_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	pzza_PropertyAndEquipmentAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	pzza_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents unamortized systems development costs at the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	pzza_UnamortizedSystemsDevelopmentCosts
Namespace Prefix:	pzza_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Sum of the carrying amounts of deferred costs that are expected to be recognized as a charge against earnings in periods after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 17

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.10)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DeferredCostsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of expense recognized in the current period that reflects the allocation of the cost of tangible assets over the assets' useful lives. Includes production and non-production related depreciation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Depreciation
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Useful life of long lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Examples include, but not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Period which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=pzza_UnitedKingdomSubsidiaryMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=pzza_RestaurantCommissaryAndOtherEquipmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=us-gaap_BuildingAndBuildingImprovementsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=us-gaap_LeaseholdImprovementsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Significant Accounting Policies (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Stock-Based Compensation
Vesting period	3 years
Property and Equipment
Depreciation expense	$ 39.1us-gaap_Depreciation	$ 34.5us-gaap_Depreciation	$ 32.1us-gaap_Depreciation
Deferred Costs
Deferred costs, maximum amortization period	5 years
Deferred costs	3.3us-gaap_DeferredCosts	3.3us-gaap_DeferredCosts	2.7us-gaap_DeferredCosts
Unamortized systems development costs	$ 8.7pzza_UnamortizedSystemsDevelopmentCosts	$ 7.5pzza_UnamortizedSystemsDevelopmentCosts
Reporting unit of the subsidiary located in the United Kingdom ("PJUK")
Intangible Assets - Goodwill
Number of years of projected cash flow used in goodwill impairment test	10 years
Restaurant, commissary and other equipment \| Minimum
Property and Equipment
Estimated useful lives	5 years
Restaurant, commissary and other equipment \| Maximum
Property and Equipment
Estimated useful lives	10 years
Buildings and improvements \| Minimum
Property and Equipment
Estimated useful lives	20 years
Buildings and improvements \| Maximum
Property and Equipment
Estimated useful lives	40 years
Leasehold improvements \| Minimum
Property and Equipment
Estimated useful lives	5 years
Leasehold improvements \| Maximum
Property and Equipment
Estimated useful lives	10 years