10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

[X] Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 25, 2012

OR

[  ] Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Commission File Number:  0-21660

PAPA JOHN'S INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	61-1203323
(State or other jurisdiction of		(I.R.S. Employer Identification
incorporation or organization)		number)

2002 Papa Johns Boulevard

Louisville, Kentucky  40299-2367

(Address of principal executive offices)

(502) 261-7272

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days:

Yes [X]    No [   ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes [X]    No  [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  [X]	Accelerated filer  [   ]
Non-accelerated filer    [   ]	Smaller reporting company  [   ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  [   ]    No  [X]

At April 25, 2012, there were outstanding 23,822,608 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share.

INDEX

PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION	Page No.
Item 1.	Financial Statements
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets –
	March 25, 2012 and December 25, 2011		2
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income – Three Months Ended March 25, 2012 and March 27, 2011		3
	Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity – Three Months Ended March 25, 2012 and March 27, 2011		4
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Three Months
	Ended March 25, 2012 and March 27, 2011		5
	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements		6
Item 2.	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		13
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		22
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures		23
PART II.	OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings		23
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds		23
Item 5.	Other Information		24
Item 6.	Exhibits		25

1

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

Papa John’s International, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)	March 25, 2012			December 25, 2011
	(Unaudited)			(Note)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	45,112		$	18,942
Accounts receivable, net		30,251			28,169
Notes receivable, net		4,278			4,221
Inventories		18,969			20,091
Prepaid expenses		9,395			10,210
Other current assets		4,342			3,522
Deferred income taxes		6,858			7,636
Total current assets		119,205			92,791
Property and equipment, net		184,167			185,132
Notes receivable, less current portion, net		11,498			11,502
Goodwill		75,328			75,085
Other assets		26,407			25,872
Total assets	$	416,605		$	390,382
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	34,953		$	32,966
Income and other taxes payable		13,819			3,969
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		46,468			44,198
Total current liabilities		95,240			81,133
Deferred revenue		8,478			4,780
Long-term debt		50,000			51,489
Other long-term liabilities		23,795			22,014
Long-term accrued income taxes		3,993			3,597
Deferred income taxes		7,264			9,147
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock		-			-
Common stock		368			367
Additional paid-in capital		266,783			262,456
Accumulated other comprehensive income		2,060			1,849
Retained earnings		315,551			298,807
Treasury stock		(366,822	)		(353,826	)
Total stockholders' equity, net of noncontrolling interests		217,940			209,653
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries		9,895			8,569
Total stockholders’ equity		227,835			218,222
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	416,605		$	390,382
Note: The balance sheet at December 25, 2011 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial
statements at that date, but does not include all information and footnotes required by accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States for a complete set of financial statements.
See accompanying notes.

2

Papa John's International, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
(In thousands, except per share amounts)	March 25, 2012			March 27, 2011
North America revenues:
Domestic Company-owned restaurant sales	$	143,815		$	138,671
Franchise royalties		20,518			19,731
Franchise and development fees		222			185
Domestic commissary sales		137,610			127,672
Other sales		12,258			13,447
International revenues:
Royalties and franchise and development fees		4,486			3,762
Restaurant and commissary sales		12,367			8,999
Total revenues		331,276			312,467
Costs and expenses:
Domestic Company-owned restaurant expenses:
Cost of sales		32,456			32,100
Salaries and benefits		38,813			37,649
Advertising and related costs		12,699			12,789
Occupancy costs		7,898			7,869
Other operating expenses		20,418			19,915
Total domestic Company-owned restaurant expenses		112,284			110,322
Domestic commissary and other expenses:
Cost of sales		112,838			106,443
Salaries and benefits		9,003			9,011
Other operating expenses		14,306			13,585
Total domestic commissary and other expenses		136,147			129,039
International operating expenses		10,392			7,728
General and administrative expenses		31,596			29,074
Other general expenses		5,674			781
Depreciation and amortization		7,927			8,312
Total costs and expenses		304,020			285,256
Operating income		27,256			27,211
Investment income		170			177
Interest expense		(288	)		(608	)
Income before income taxes		27,138			26,780
Income tax expense		9,068			9,231
Net income, including noncontrolling interests		18,070			17,549
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		(1,326	)		(1,122	)
Net income, net of noncontrolling interests	$	16,744		$	16,427
Basic earnings per common share	$	0.70		$	0.64
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution	$	0.69		$	0.64
Basic weighted average shares outstanding		24,053			25,484
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		24,438			25,757
Comprehensive income	$	18,281		$	18,822
See accompanying notes.

3

Papa John's International, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity

(Unaudited)

	Papa John's International, Inc.
	Common								Accumulated
	Stock					Additional			Other							Noncontrolling			Total
	Shares			Common		Paid-In			Comprehensive		Retained		Treasury			Interests in			Stockholders'
(In thousands)	Outstanding			Stock		Capital			Income		Earnings		Stock			Subsidiaries			Equity
Balance at December 26, 2010		25,439		$	361	$	245,380		$	849	$	243,152	$	(291,048	)	$	8,506		$	207,200
Net income		-			-		-			-		16,427		-			1,122			17,549
Other comprehensive income		-			-		-			1,273		-		-			-			1,273
Exercise of stock options		63			1		1,313			-		-		-			-			1,314
Tax effect of equity awards		-			-		31			-		-		-			-			31
Acquisition of Company
common stock		(143	)		-		-			-		-		(4,119	)		-			(4,119	)
Net contributions (distributions) -
noncontrolling interests		-			-		-			-		-		-			(1,729	)		(1,729	)
Stock-based compensation expense		-			-		1,795			-		-		-			-			1,795
Other		-			-		(50	)		-		-		152			-			102
Balance at March 27, 2011		25,359		$	362	$	248,469		$	2,122	$	259,579	$	(295,015	)	$	7,899		$	223,416
Balance at December 25, 2011		24,019		$	367	$	262,456		$	1,849	$	298,807	$	(353,826	)	$	8,569		$	218,222
Net income		-			-		-			-		16,744		-			1,326			18,070
Other comprehensive income		-			-		-			211		-		-			-			211
Exercise of stock options		116			1		3,727			-		-		-			-			3,728
Tax effect of equity awards		-			-		(351	)		-		-		-			-			(351	)
Acquisition of Company
common stock		(372	)		-		-			-		-		(13,820	)		-			(13,820	)
Stock-based compensation expense		-			-		1,694			-		-		-			-			1,694
Issuance of restricted stock		30			-		(591	)		-		-		591			-			-
Other		-			-		(152	)		-		-		233			-			81
Balance at March 25, 2012		23,793		$	368	$	266,783		$	2,060	$	315,551	$	(366,822	)	$	9,895		$	227,835
See accompanying notes.

4

Papa John's International, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
(In thousands)	March 25, 2012			March 27, 2011
Operating activities
Net income, including noncontrolling interests	$	18,070		$	17,549
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for uncollectible accounts and notes receivable		547			39
Depreciation and amortization		7,927			8,312
Deferred income taxes		(1,057	)		2,664
Stock-based compensation expense		1,694			1,795
Excess tax benefit on equity awards		(129	)		(107	)
Other		678			43
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable		(2,670	)		(3,011	)
Inventories		1,122			(28	)
Prepaid expenses		815			(324	)
Other current assets		(820	)		85
Other assets and liabilities		764			(721	)
Accounts payable		1,987			(4,818	)
Income and other taxes payable		9,850			4,874
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		1,221			296
Long-term accrued income taxes		396			366
Deferred revenue		3,698			(327	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		44,093			26,687
Investing activities
Purchase of property and equipment		(6,403	)		(4,823	)
Loans issued		(687	)		(165	)
Repayments of loans issued		703			1,468
Other		5			-
Net cash used in investing activities		(6,382	)		(3,520	)
Financing activities
Net repayments on line of credit facility		(1,489	)		(51,000	)
Excess tax benefit on equity awards		129			107
Tax payments for restricted stock		(303	)		-
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		3,728			1,314
Acquisition of Company common stock		(13,820	)		(4,119	)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests		-			(1,729	)
Other		82			(10	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(11,673	)		(55,437	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		132			(6	)
Change in cash and cash equivalents		26,170			(32,276	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		18,942			47,829
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	45,112		$	15,553
See accompanying notes.

5

Papa John's International, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

March 25, 2012

1.   Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three months ended March 25, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2012. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for Papa John’s International, Inc. (referred to as the “Company”, “Papa John’s” or in the first person notations of “we”, “us” and “our”) for the year ended December 25, 2011.

2.   Significant Accounting Policies

Comprehensive Income

The Company adopted the required Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) Nos. 2011-05 and 2011-12, Comprehensive Income: Presentation of Comprehensive Income in the first quarter of 2012 on a retrospective basis. The updated guidance does not change the components of comprehensive income, but eliminates certain options for presenting comprehensive income in the financial statements. In accordance with this updated guidance, we are no longer permitted to present comprehensive income in our Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity. Instead, we are now required to present components of comprehensive income in either one continuous financial statement with two sections, net income and comprehensive income, or in two separate but consecutive statements. For the first quarter of 2012, we elected the one continuous financial statement approach.

Noncontrolling Interests

The Consolidation topic of the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) requires all entities to report noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries as equity in the consolidated financial statements, but separate from the equity of the parent company. The Consolidation topic further requires that consolidated net income be reported at amounts attributable to the parent and the noncontrolling interest, rather than expensing the income attributable to the noncontrolling interest holder. Additionally, disclosures are required to clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent company and the interests of the noncontrolling owners, including a disclosure on the face of the consolidated statements for income attributable to the noncontrolling interest holder.

6

Papa John’s had two joint venture arrangements as of March 25, 2012 and March 27, 2011, which were as follows:

	Restaurants as of March 25, 2012		Restaurants as of March 27, 2011		Restaurant Locations	Papa John's Ownership*			Noncontrolling Interest Ownership*
Star Papa, LP		76		75	Texas		51	%		49	%
Colonel's Limited, LLC		52		52	Maryland and Virginia		70	%		30	%
*The ownership percentages were the same for both the 2012 and 2011 periods presented in the accompanying
consolidated financial statements.

The income before income taxes attributable to the joint ventures for the three months ended March 25, 2012 and March 27, 2011 was as follows (in thousands):

	March 25,		March 27,
	2012		2011
Papa John's International, Inc.	$	2,043	$	1,798
Noncontrolling interests		1,326		1,122
Total income before income taxes	$	3,369	$	2,920

The noncontrolling interest holders’ equity in the joint venture arrangements totaled $9.9 million as of March 25, 2012 and $8.6 million as of December 25, 2011.

Deferred Income Tax Accounts and Tax Reserves

We are subject to income taxes in the United States and several foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes and the related assets and liabilities. The provision for income taxes includes income taxes paid, currently payable or receivable and those deferred. We use an estimated annual effective rate based on expected annual income to determine our quarterly provision for income taxes. Discrete items are recorded in the quarter in which they occur.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities, and are measured using enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences reverse. Deferred tax assets are also recognized for the estimated future effects of tax loss carryforwards. The effect on deferred taxes of changes in tax rates is recognized in the period in which the new tax is enacted. As a result, our effective tax rate may fluctuate. Valuation allowances are established when necessary on a jurisdictional basis to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts we expect to realize. As of March 25, 2012, we had a net deferred tax liability of approximately $400,000.

Tax authorities periodically audit the Company. We record reserves for identified exposures. We evaluate these issues on a quarterly basis to adjust for events, such as court rulings or audit settlements, which may impact our ultimate payment for such exposures.

7

Subsequent Events

Effective April 23, 2012, the Company acquired 56 franchised Papa John’s restaurants in the Denver and Minneapolis markets, six of which were subsequently refranchised. The purchase price, which was paid in cash, was $5.1 million net of the divestiture proceeds from the six restaurants sold. The acquisition is not expected to have a material impact on our 2012 operating results.

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

3.   Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) is comprised of the following (in thousands):

	Foreign Currency		Interest Rate Swaps (a)			Defined Pension Plan			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Beginning balance - December 26, 2010	$	1,008	$	(159	)	$	-		$	849
Current period other comprehensive income		1,114		159			-			1,273
Ending balance - March 27, 2011	$	2,122	$	-		$	-		$	2,122
Beginning balance - December 25, 2011	$	1,872	$	6		$	(29	)	$	1,849
Current period other comprehensive income (loss)		291		(80	)		-			211
Ending balance - March 25, 2012	$	2,163	$	(74	)	$	(29	)	$	2,060
(a) Amounts are shown net of tax of $89,000 and $47,000 for the three months ended March 27, 2011
and March 25, 2012, respectively.

4.   Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures

The Company is required to determine the fair value of financial assets and liabilities based on the price that would be received to sell the asset or paid to transfer the liability to a market participant. Assets and liabilities carried at fair value are required to be classified and disclosed in one of the following categories:

●   Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

●   Level 2: Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

●   Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

8

Our financial assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 25, 2012 and December 25, 2011 are as follows (in thousands):

	Carrying		Fair Value Measurements
	Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
March 25, 2012
Financial assets:
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies *	$	12,341	$	12,341	$	-	$	-
Financial liabilities:
Interest rate swap		118		-		118		-
December 25, 2011
Financial assets:
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies *	$	11,387	$	11,387	$	-	$	-
Interest rate swap		11		-		11		-
* Represents life insurance held in our non-qualified deferred compensation plan.

There were no transfers among levels within the fair value hierarchy during the three months ended March 25, 2012.

The fair value of our interest rate swap is based on the sum of all future net present value cash flows. The future cash flows are derived based on the terms of our interest rate swap, as well as considering published discount factors, and projected London Interbank Offered Rates (“LIBOR”).

5.   Debt

Our debt is comprised entirely of the revolving line of credit.  The balance was $50.0 million as of March 25, 2012 and $51.5 million as of December 25, 2011.

In September 2010, we entered into a five-year, $175.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility (“Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility was amended in November 2011 (the “Amended Credit Facility”), which extended the maturity date of the Credit Facility to November 30, 2016. Under the Amended Credit Facility, outstanding balances are charged interest at 75 basis points to 150 basis points over LIBOR or other bank developed rates at our option (previously charged 100 basis points to 175 basis points above LIBOR). The remaining availability under the Amended Credit Facility, reduced for outstanding letters of credit, approximated $111.5 million as of March 25, 2012. The fair value of the outstanding debt approximates the carrying value since the debt agreements are variable-rate instruments.

The Credit Facility contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, including financial covenants requiring the maintenance of specified fixed charges and leverage ratios. At March 25, 2012, we were in compliance with these covenants.

In August 2011, we entered into a new interest rate swap agreement that provides for a fixed rate of 0.53%, as compared to LIBOR, with a notional amount of $50.0 million. The new interest rate swap agreement expires in August 2013. We had two interest rate swap agreements that expired in January 2011. The previous swap agreements provided for fixed rates of 4.98% and 3.74%, as compared to LIBOR, with each having a notional amount of $50.0 million.

Our swaps are derivative instruments that are designated as cash flow hedges because the swaps provide a hedge against the effects of rising interest rates on borrowings. The effective portion of the gain or loss on the swap is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the swap affects earnings. Gains or losses on the swap representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in current earnings. Amounts payable or receivable under the swap are accounted for as adjustments to interest expense. As of March 25, 2012, the swap is a highly effective cash flow hedge.

9

The weighted average interest rates for our revolving credit facilities, including the impact of the swap agreements, were 1.3% and 3.3% for the three months ended March 25, 2012 and March 27, 2011, respectively. Interest paid, including payments made or received under the swaps, was $249,000 and $878,000 for the three months ended March 25, 2012 and March 27, 2011, respectively. As of March 25, 2012, the portion of the $118,000 interest rate swap liability that would be reclassified into earnings during the next twelve months as interest expense approximates $83,000.

6.   Calculation of Earnings Per Share

The calculations of basic earnings per common share and earnings per common share – assuming dilution are as follows (in thousands, except per-share data):

	Three Months Ended
	March 25,		March 27,
	2012		2011
Basic earnings per common share:
Net income, net of noncontrolling interests	$	16,744	$	16,427
Weighted average shares outstanding		24,053		25,484
Basic earnings per common share	$	0.70	$	0.64
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution:
Net income, net of noncontrolling interests	$	16,744	$	16,427
Weighted average shares outstanding		24,053		25,484
Dilutive effect of outstanding equity awards		385		273
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		24,438		25,757
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution	$	0.69	$	0.64

Shares subject to options to purchase common stock with an exercise price greater than the average market price for the quarter were not included in the computation of earnings per common share – assuming dilution because the effect would have been antidilutive. The weighted average number of shares subject to the antidilutive options was 439,000 for the three months ended March 27, 2011 (none for the three months ended March 25, 2012).

7.   Commitments and Contingencies

In connection with the 2006 sale of our former Perfect Pizza operations in the United Kingdom, we remain contingently liable for payment under approximately 40 lease agreements, primarily associated with Perfect Pizza restaurant sites for which the Perfect Pizza franchisor was primarily liable. As the initial party to the lease agreements, we are liable to the extent the primary obligor does not satisfy its payment obligations.

On August 1, 2011 the High Court of Justice Chancery Division, Birmingham District Registry entered an order placing Perfect Pizza in administration, thereby providing Perfect Pizza with protection from its creditors in accordance with UK insolvency law. On the same date, the administrators entered into an agreement to sell substantially all of the business and assets of Perfect Pizza. In accordance with the terms of the agreement, the buyer has an option period up to nine months to determine which Perfect Pizza leases they will assume.

10

The buyer is finalizing its lease assessment. Based on communications with the buyer, we believe we will remain contingently liable for the majority of these leases, which have varying terms with most expiring by the end of 2015. The estimated maximum amount of undiscounted rental payments we would be required to make in the event of non-payment under all such leases is approximately $2.0 million, net of amounts previously reserved in 2011 of approximately $800,000.

We are subject to claims and legal actions in the ordinary course of business. We believe that all such claims and actions currently pending against us are either adequately covered by insurance or would not have a material adverse effect on us if decided in a manner unfavorable to us.

8.   Segment Information

We have defined six reportable segments: domestic Company-owned restaurants, domestic commissaries, North America franchising, international operations, variable interest entities (“VIEs”) and “all other” units.

The domestic Company-owned restaurant segment consists of the operations of all domestic (“domestic” is defined as contiguous United States) Company-owned restaurants and derives its revenues principally from retail sales of pizza and side items, such as breadsticks, cheesesticks, chicken strips, chicken wings, dessert pizza, and soft drinks to the general public. The domestic commissary segment consists of the operations of our regional dough production and product distribution centers and derives its revenues principally from the sale and distribution of food and paper products to domestic Company-owned and franchised restaurants. The North America franchising segment consists of our franchise sales and support activities and derives its revenues from sales of franchise and development rights and collection of royalties from our franchisees located in the United States and Canada. The international operations segment principally consists of our Company-owned restaurants and distribution sales to franchised Papa John’s restaurants located in the United Kingdom, Mexico and China and our franchise sales and support activities, which derive revenues from sales of franchise and development rights and the collection of royalties from our international franchisees. International franchisees are defined as all franchise operations outside of the United States and Canada. BIBP Commodities, Inc., a franchisee-owned corporation, which operated through February 2011, was a VIE in which we were deemed the primary beneficiary, and is the only activity reflected in the VIE segment. All other business units that do not meet the quantitative thresholds for determining reportable segments, which are not operating segments, we refer to as our “all other” segment, which consists of operations that derive revenues from the sale, principally to Company-owned and franchised restaurants, of printing and promotional items, risk management services, and information systems and related services used in restaurant operations, including our online and other technology-based ordering platforms.

Generally, we evaluate performance and allocate resources based on profit or loss from operations before income taxes and eliminations. Certain administrative and capital costs are allocated to segments based upon predetermined rates or actual estimated resource usage. We account for intercompany sales and transfers as if the sales or transfers were to third parties and eliminate the activity in consolidation.

Our reportable segments are business units that provide different products or services. Separate management of each segment is required because each business unit is subject to different operational issues and strategies. No single external customer accounted for 10% or more of our consolidated revenues.

11

Our segment information is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended
	March 25, 2012			March 27, 2011
Revenues from external customers:
Domestic Company-owned restaurants	$	143,815		$	138,671
Domestic commissaries		137,610			127,672
North America franchising		20,740			19,916
International		16,853			12,761
All others		12,258			13,447
Total revenues from external customers	$	331,276		$	312,467
Intersegment revenues:
Domestic commissaries	$	41,537		$	38,100
North America franchising		549			548
International		54			47
Variable interest entities		-			25,117
All others		3,021			2,555
Total intersegment revenues	$	45,161		$	66,367
Income (loss) before income taxes:
Domestic Company-owned restaurants	$	12,321		$	10,883
Domestic commissaries		11,166			9,554
North America franchising		18,140			18,009
International		272			(816	)
All others		395			(378	)
Unallocated corporate expenses		(15,166	)		(9,769	)
Elimination of intersegment profits		10			(703	)
Total income before income taxes	$	27,138		$	26,780
Property and equipment:
Domestic Company-owned restaurants	$	177,423
Domestic commissaries		87,014
International		18,047
All others		41,053
Unallocated corporate assets		133,452
Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(272,822	)
Net property and equipment	$	184,167

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Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations and Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Papa John’s International, Inc. (referred to as the “Company,” “Papa John’s” or in the first person notations of “we,” “us” and “our”) began operations in 1985. At March 25, 2012, there were 3,933 Papa John’s restaurants (626 Company-owned and 3,307 franchised) operating in all 50 states and 33 countries. Our revenues are principally derived from retail sales of pizza and other food and beverage products to the general public by Company-owned restaurants, franchise royalties, sales of franchise and development rights, sales to franchisees of food and paper products, printing and promotional items, risk management services, and information systems and related services used in their operations.

The results of operations are based on the preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires management to select accounting policies for critical accounting areas and make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements. Significant changes in assumptions and/or conditions in our critical accounting policies could materially impact the operating results. We have identified the following accounting policies and related judgments as critical to understanding the results of our operations:

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Notes Receivable

We establish reserves for uncollectible accounts and notes receivable based on overall receivable aging levels and a specific evaluation of accounts and notes for franchisees and other customers with known financial difficulties.

Intangible Assets - Goodwill

We evaluate goodwill annually in the fourth quarter or whenever we identify certain triggering events or circumstances that would more-likely-than-not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit (defined as an operating segment, or one level below an operating segment) below its carrying amount. Such tests are completed separately with respect to the goodwill of each of our reporting units. Events or circumstances that might indicate an interim evaluation is warranted include, among other factors, unexpected adverse business conditions, macro and reporting unit specific economic factors (for example, worsening results in comparison to projections, commodity inflation, or loss of key personnel), unanticipated competitive activities, and acts by governments or courts.

When evaluating goodwill, we determine, on a reporting unit basis, whether a qualitative or quantitative analysis is warranted. If the qualitative analysis provides a more-likely-than-not conclusion that the fair value is greater than the carrying value, a quantitative analysis is not performed. When a quantitative assessment is performed, we generally calculate the fair value using an income approach that projects net cash flow over a 10-year discrete period and a terminal value, which are discounted using appropriate rates. The selected discount rate considers the risk and nature of the reporting unit’s cash flow and the rates of return market participants would require to invest their capital in the reporting unit. In the fourth quarter of 2011, we performed a qualitative analysis on both our domestic Company-owned restaurants and China reporting units and performed a quantitative analysis of our United Kingdom reporting unit (“PJUK”).

The goodwill allocated to PJUK was approximately $15.1 million at March 25, 2012. We have previously recorded goodwill impairment charges for this entity. We believe our PJUK reporting unit will continue to improve its operating results through ongoing growth initiatives, by increasing Papa John’s brand awareness in the United Kingdom, improving sales and profitability for individual franchised restaurants and increasing PJUK franchised net unit openings over the next several years. Future impairment charges could be required if adverse economic events occur in the United Kingdom or if PJUK is unable to improve its operating results.

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Insurance Reserves

Our insurance programs for workers’ compensation, general liability, owned and non-owned automobiles and health insurance coverage provided to our employees are self-insured up to certain individual and aggregate reinsurance levels. Losses are accrued based upon undiscounted estimates of the aggregate retained liability for claims incurred using certain third-party actuarial projections and our claims loss experience. The estimated insurance claims losses could be significantly affected should the frequency or ultimate cost of claims significantly differ from historical trends used to estimate the insurance reserves recorded by the Company.

Deferred Income Tax Accounts and Tax Reserves

We are subject to income taxes in the United States and several foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes and the related assets and liabilities. The provision for income taxes includes income taxes paid, currently payable or receivable and those deferred. We use an estimated annual effective rate based on expected annual income to determine our quarterly provision for income taxes. Discrete items are recorded in the quarter in which they occur.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities, and are measured using enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences reverse. Deferred tax assets are also recognized for the estimated future effects of tax loss carryforwards. The effect on deferred taxes of changes in tax rates is recognized in the period in which the new tax rate is enacted. As a result, our effective tax rate may fluctuate. Valuation allowances are established when necessary on a jurisdictional basis to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts we expect to realize. As of March 25, 2012, we had a net deferred income tax liability of approximately $400,000.

Tax authorities periodically audit the Company. We record reserves for identified exposures. We evaluate these issues on a quarterly basis to adjust for events, such as court rulings or audit settlements, which may impact our ultimate payment for such exposures.

Non-GAAP Measures

In connection with a new multi-year supplier agreement, the Company received a $5.0 million supplier marketing payment in the first quarter of 2012. The Company contributed the supplier marketing payment to the Papa John’s National Marketing Fund (“PJNMF”), an unconsolidated, non-profit corporation, for the benefit of domestic restaurants. The Company is recognizing the supplier marketing payment evenly as income over the five-year term of the agreement. The Company’s contribution to PJNMF was fully expensed in the first quarter of 2012. The impact of these transactions in the first quarter of 2012 was a reduction in income before income taxes of $4.7 million (diluted earnings per share reduction of $0.13). The impact for the full-year 2012 will be a reduction in income before income taxes of approximately $4.0 million (diluted earnings per share reduction of $0.11). The Company will recognize the remaining $4.0 million of income associated with the supplier marketing payment evenly over the remaining term of the supplier agreement (2013 through 2016).

PJNMF elected to distribute the $5.0 million supplier marketing payment to the domestic system as advertising credits in the first quarter of 2012. Our domestic Company-owned restaurants’ portion of the advertising credits resulted in an increase in income before income taxes of approximately $1.0 million (increase in diluted earnings per share of $0.03).

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The overall impact of these transactions, defined as the “Incentive Contribution,” in the first quarter of 2012 was a net reduction to income before income taxes of approximately $3.7 million (diluted earnings per share reduction of $0.10). The impact for full-year 2012 will be a reduction to income before income taxes of approximately $3.0 million (diluted earnings per share reduction of $0.08). The following table reconciles our GAAP financial results to the adjusted financial results, excluding the impact of the Incentive Contribution, for the first quarter ended March 25, 2012:

	First Quarter
	Mar. 25,		Mar. 27,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)	2012		2011		Increase
Income before income taxes, as reported	$	27,138	$	26,780	$	358
Incentive Contribution		3,721		-		3,721
Income before income taxes, excluding Incentive Contribution	$	30,859	$	26,780	$	4,079
Net income, as reported	$	16,744	$	16,427	$	317
Incentive Contribution		2,439		-		2,439
Net income, excluding Incentive Contribution	$	19,183	$	16,427	$	2,756
Earnings per diluted share, as reported	$	0.69	$	0.64	$	0.05
Incentive Contribution		0.10		-		0.10
Earnings per diluted share, excluding Incentive Contribution	$	0.79	$	0.64	$	0.15

The non-GAAP measures we present in this report, which exclude the Incentive Contribution, should not be construed as a substitute for or a better indicator of the Company’s performance than the Company’s GAAP measures. Management believes presenting the financial information excluding the impact of the Incentive Contribution is important for purposes of comparison to prior year results. In addition, management uses these non-GAAP measures to allocate resources, and analyze trends and underlying operating performance. Annual cash bonuses, and certain long-term incentive programs for various levels of management, were based on financial measures that excluded the Incentive Contribution. The presentation of the non-GAAP measures in this report is made alongside the most directly comparable GAAP measures. See Discussion of Operating Results below for further analysis regarding the impact of the Incentive Contribution.

In addition, we present free cash flow in this report, which is not a term defined by GAAP. We define free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities (from the consolidated statements of cash flows) less the purchases of property and equipment. We view free cash flow as an important measure because it is one factor that management uses in determining the amount of cash available for discretionary investment. Free cash flow is not a term defined by GAAP and as a result our measure of free cash flow might not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Free cash flow should not be construed as a substitute for or a better indicator of our performance than the Company’s GAAP measures. See Liquidity and Capital Resources for a reconciliation of free cash flow to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

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Restaurant Progression

	Three Months Ended
	March 25, 2012			March 27, 2011
Papa John's Restaurant Progression:
North America Company-owned:
Beginning of period		598			591
Opened		-			1
Closed		(1	)		-
End of period		597			592
International Company-owned:
Beginning of period		30			21
Closed		(1	)		-
End of period		29			21
North America franchised:
Beginning of period		2,463			2,346
Opened		47			32
Closed		(12	)		(7	)
End of period		2,498			2,371
International franchised:
Beginning of period		792			688
Opened		23			23
Closed		(6	)		(8	)
End of period		809			703
Total restaurants - end of period		3,933			3,687

Results of Operations

Summary of Operating Results - Segment Review

Discussion of Revenues

Consolidated revenues were $331.3 million for the first quarter of 2012, an increase of $18.8 million, or 6.0%, over the corresponding 2011 period. The increase in revenues for the first quarter of 2012 was primarily due to the following:

●   Domestic Company-owned restaurant sales increased $5.1 million, or 3.7%, reflecting an increase of 3.0% in comparable sales during the first quarter of 2012. “Comparable sales” represents sales generated by restaurants open for the entire twelve-month period reported.

●   North America franchise royalty revenue increased approximately $800,000, or 4.0%, primarily due to an increase in net franchise units over the prior year.

●   Domestic commissary sales increased $9.9 million, or 7.8%, due to an increase in the volume of sales and increases in the prices of certain commodities.

●   International revenues increased $4.1 million, or 32.1%, primarily due to an increase in the number of restaurants and an increase in comparable sales of 8.4% calculated on a constant dollar basis.

●   Other sales decreased approximately $1.2 million, or 8.8%, primarily due to a decline in sales at our print and promotions subsidiary, Preferred Marketing Solutions, partially offset by an increase in online sales.

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Discussion of Operating Results

First quarter 2012 income before income taxes was $27.1 million, compared to the first quarter of 2011 income before income taxes of $26.8 million, or a 1.3% increase. Excluding the net impact of the $3.7 million Incentive Contribution (see “Non-GAAP Measures”), first quarter 2012 income before income taxes was $30.9 million, an increase of $4.1 million, or 15.2%, over the prior year comparable period. Income before income taxes is summarized in the following table on a reporting segment basis (in thousands):

	First Quarter
	Mar. 25,			Mar. 27,			Increase
	2012			2011			(Decrease)
Domestic Company-owned restaurants (a)	$	12,321		$	10,883		$	1,438
Domestic commissaries		11,166			9,554			1,612
North America franchising		18,140			18,009			131
International		272			(816	)		1,088
All others		395			(378	)		773
Unallocated corporate expenses (b)		(15,166	)		(9,769	)		(5,397	)
Elimination of intersegment loss (profit)		10			(703	)		713
Total income before income taxes	$	27,138		$	26,780		$	358

(a)   Includes the benefit of a $1.0 million advertising credit from PJNMF related to the Incentive Contribution in the first quarter of 2012.

(b)   Includes a $4.7 million net reduction related to the Incentive Contribution in the first quarter of 2012.

First quarter 2012 income before income taxes increased $358,000, or 1.3%, ($4.1 million, or 15.2%, excluding the $3.7 million impact of the Incentive Contribution). The change in income before income taxes was due to the following:

●   Domestic Company-owned Restaurant Segment. Domestic Company-owned restaurants’ operating income increased $1.4 million in the first quarter of 2012, including the $1.0 million advertising credit from PJNMF. The remaining increase of approximately $400,000 was primarily due to profits from the higher comparable sales results as well as various supplier incentives, offset somewhat by higher commodities.

●   Domestic Commissary Segment. Domestic commissaries’ operating income increased approximately $1.6 million for first quarter primarily due to increased sales volumes, slightly offset by higher distribution costs due to higher volumes and fuel prices.

●   North America Franchising Segment. North America Franchising operating income increased approximately $100,000 to $18.1 million for the first quarter of 2012, as compared to the comparable 2011 period. The increase was due to the previously mentioned royalty revenue increases, substantially offset by an increase in development incentive costs.

●   International Segment. The operating income during the first quarter of 2012 for the international segment was approximately $300,000 as compared to a loss of approximately $800,000 in the first quarter of 2011. The improvement of approximately $1.1 million in the operating results was primarily due to increased royalties due to growth in the number of units and the 8.4% increase in comparable sales, and improved operating results in our Beijing and North China Company-owned restaurants as well as our United Kingdom commissary.

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●   All Others Segment. The “All others” reporting segment reported income of approximately $400,000 for the first quarter of 2012, as compared to a loss of approximately $400,000 in the first quarter of 2011. The increase of approximately $800,000 was primarily due to an improvement in our eCommerce operations due to higher online sales. These improved results were somewhat offset by reduced operating results of Preferred Marketing Solutions due to the previously noted reduction in sales.

●   Unallocated Corporate Segment. Unallocated corporate expenses increased approximately $5.4 million for the first quarter of 2012, including the previously discussed $4.7 million related to the Incentive Contribution, as compared to the corresponding quarter in 2011. The components of unallocated corporate expenses were as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended
	March 25,			March 27,			Increase
	2012			2011			(decrease)
General and administrative (a)	$	8,661		$	7,385		$	1,276
Supplier marketing payment (b)		4,750			-			4,750
Net interest		122			431			(309	)
Depreciation		1,735			2,178			(443	)
Other income		(102	)		(225	)		123
Total unallocated corporate expenses	$	15,166		$	9,769		$	5,397

(a)	Unallocated general and administrative costs increased primarily due to additional costs related to our operators’ conference and an increase in legal costs.
(b)	See previous discussion in “Non-GAAP Measures” for further information.

Diluted earnings per share were $0.69 in the first quarter of 2012 ($0.79 excluding the Incentive Contribution), compared to $0.64 in the first quarter of 2011. Excluding the impact of the Incentive Contribution, diluted earnings per share increased $0.15, or 23.4%. Diluted weighted average shares outstanding decreased 5.1% in the first quarter of 2012 from the prior year period. Diluted earnings per share increased $0.04 due to the reduction in shares outstanding.

Review of Consolidated Operating Results

Revenues. Domestic Company-owned restaurant sales were $143.8 million for the first quarter of 2012, an increase of $5.1 million, or 3.7%, compared to the first quarter of 2011, primarily due to the previously mentioned increase of 3.0% in comparable sales during the first quarter of 2012.

North America franchise sales for the first quarter of 2012 increased 4.2% to $470.0 million from $451.0 million for the same quarter in 2011, as equivalent units increased 5.2%. “Equivalent units” represents the number of restaurants open at the beginning of a given period, adjusted for restaurants opened, closed, acquired or sold during the period on a weighted average basis. Franchise restaurant sales are not included in Company revenues. North America franchise royalties were $20.5 million in the first quarter of 2012, compared to $19.7 million in the same quarter of 2011. The increase in royalties was primarily due to the previously noted increase in franchise sales.

Average weekly sales for comparable units include restaurants that were open throughout the periods presented below. The comparable sales base for domestic Company-owned and North America franchised restaurants includes restaurants acquired by the Company or divested to franchisees during the previous twelve months. Average weekly sales for non-comparable units include restaurants that were not open throughout the periods presented below and include non-traditional sites. Average weekly sales for non-traditional units that do not have continuous operations are calculated based upon actual days open.

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The comparable sales base and average weekly sales for 2012 and 2011 for domestic Company-owned and North America franchised restaurants consisted of the following:

	Three Months Ended
	March 25, 2012						March 27, 2011
	Company			Franchised			Company			Franchised
Total domestic units (end of period)		597			2,498			592			2,371
Equivalent units		592			2,413			586			2,293
Comparable sales base units		582			2,193			578			2,104
Comparable sales base percentage		98.3	%		90.9	%		98.6	%		91.8	%
Average weekly sales - comparable units	$	18,818		$	15,404		$	18,295		$	15,426
Average weekly sales - total non-comparable units	$	11,631		$	10,790		$	11,476		$	11,817
Average weekly sales - all units	$	18,702		$	14,983		$	18,201		$	15,128

Domestic commissary sales increased 7.8% to $137.6 million for the first quarter of 2012, from $127.7 million in the comparable 2011 quarter, reflecting an increase in the volume of sales and an increase in the prices of certain commodities.

Other sales decreased $1.2 million, or 8.8%, resulting from a decline in sales at our print and promotions subsidiary, Preferred Marketing Solutions, partially offset by an increase in eCommerce sales, resulting from an increase in online sales.

International revenues increased 32.1% to $16.9 million for the first quarter of 2012, compared to $12.8 million for the comparable quarter in 2011, reflecting an increase in the number of restaurants in addition to an 8.4% increase in comparable sales, calculated on a constant dollar basis.

Costs and expenses.  The restaurant operating margin for domestic Company-owned units was 21.9% in the first quarter of 2012 (21.2% excluding the $1.0 million advertising credit from PJNMF) compared to 20.4% for the same period in 2011. The restaurant operating margin increase of 1.5% consisted of the following differences:

● Cost of sales was 0.6% lower for the first quarter of 2012, as compared to the first quarter of 2011, due to various supplier incentives, offset somewhat by higher commodity costs in the first quarter of 2012.

● Salaries and benefits were 0.2% lower as a percentage of sales in the first quarter of 2012, compared to the first quarter of 2011, primarily due to the benefit from increased sales.

● Advertising and related costs as a percentage of sales were 0.4% lower due to the $1.0 million related to the advertising credit received from PJNMF, slightly offset by an increase in local marketing costs.

● Occupancy costs and other operating costs, on a combined basis, as a percentage of sales, were 0.3% lower in the first quarter of 2012, primarily due to the benefit from increased sales.

Domestic commissary and other margin was 9.2% in the first quarter of 2012, compared to 8.6% for the same period in 2011, consisting of the following differences:

● Cost of sales was 75.3% of revenues in the first quarter of 2012, compared to 75.4% for the same period in 2011.

● Salaries and benefits were 6.0% of revenues in the first quarter of 2012, compared to 6.4% of revenues in the first quarter of 2011, reflecting the benefit of increased sales.

● Other operating expenses as a percentage of sales were 9.5% in the first quarter of 2012, compared to 9.6% in the prior comparable period, primarily due to the benefit of increased sales, slightly offset by higher distribution costs.

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International operating expenses were 84.0% of international restaurant and commissary sales as compared to 85.9% in the first quarter of 2011. The improvement in operating expenses as a percentage of sales was primarily due to an improvement in operating results in our Beijing and North China Company-owned restaurants and our PJUK commissary.

General and administrative costs were $31.6 million or 9.5% of revenues in the first quarter of 2012, as compared to $29.1 million or 9.3% of revenues in the same period of 2011. The increase is primarily due to increased costs related to our operators’ conference and an increase in legal costs.

Other general expenses reflected net expense of $5.7 million, including the $4.7 million related to the Incentive Contribution, in the first quarter of 2012 compared to $781,000 for the comparable period in 2011 as detailed below (in thousands):

	March 25,			March 27,		Increase
	2012			2011		(Decrease)
Supplier marketing payment (a)	$	4,750		$	-	$	4,750
Disposition and valuation-related (gain) loss		(35	)		185		(220	)
Provision for uncollectible accounts and notes receivable		103			82		21
Franchise and development incentives (b)		732			272		460
Other		124			242		(118	)
Total other general expenses	$	5,674		$	781	$	4,893

(a)  See previous discussion included in “Non-GAAP Measures” for further information.

(b)  Includes incentives provided to domestic franchisees for opening new restaurants.

Depreciation and amortization was $7.9 million (2.4% of revenues) for the first quarter of 2012 and $8.3 million (2.7% of revenues) for the first quarter of 2011.

Net interest. Net interest expense was approximately $100,000 in the first quarter of 2012 as compared to approximately $400,000 in the first quarter of 2011, reflecting a lower average outstanding debt balance and a lower effective interest rate.

Income tax expense.  The effective income tax rate was 33.4% for the first quarter of 2012 and 34.5% for the same period in 2011. The effective rate may fluctuate from quarter to quarter for various reasons, including discrete items, such as the settlement or resolution of specific federal and state tax issues.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our debt is comprised entirely of the revolving line of credit.  The balance was $50.0 million as of March 25, 2012 and $51.5 million as of December 25, 2011.

In September 2010, we entered into a five-year, $175.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility (“Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility was amended in November 2011 (the “Amended Credit Facility”), which extended the maturity date of the Credit Facility to November 30, 2016. Under the Amended Credit Facility, outstanding balances are charged interest at 75 to 150 basis points over the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or other bank developed rates at our option (previously charged 100 to 175 basis points over LIBOR). The commitment fee on the unused balance under the Credit Facility and Amended Credit Facility ranges from 17.5 to 25.0 basis points. The increment over LIBOR and the commitment fee are determined quarterly based upon the ratio of total indebtedness to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), as defined by the Credit Facility.

We have used interest rate swaps to hedge against the effects of potential interest rate increases on borrowings under our revolving credit facility. We currently have a swap with a fixed rate of 0.53%, as compared to LIBOR, with a notional amount of $50.0 million. See the notes to condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information.

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Our Credit Facility contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, including the following financial covenants, as defined by the Credit Facility:

		Actual Ratio for the
		Quarter Ended
	Permitted Ratio	March 25, 2012
Leverage Ratio	Not to exceed 2.5 to 1.0	0.5 to 1.0
Interest Coverage Ratio	Not less than 3.5 to 1.0	5.4 to 1.0

Our leverage ratio is defined as outstanding debt divided by consolidated EBITDA for the most recent four fiscal quarters. Our interest coverage ratio is defined as the sum of consolidated EBITDA and consolidated rental expense for the most recent four fiscal quarters divided by the sum of consolidated interest expense and consolidated rental expense for the most recent four fiscal quarters. We were in compliance with all covenants at March 25, 2012.

Cash flow provided by operating activities was $44.1 million for the three months ended March 25, 2012, compared to $26.7 million for the same period in 2011.  The increase of approximately $17.4 million was primarily due to favorable working capital changes.

Our free cash flow for the three months ended March 25, 2012 and March 27, 2011 was as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended
	March 25,			March 27,
	2012			2011
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	44,093		$	26,687
Purchase of property and equipment		(6,403	)		(4,823	)
Free cash flow (a)	$	37,690		$	21,864

(a) Free cash flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities (from the consolidated statements of cash flows) less the purchases of property and equipment. We believe free cash flow is an important measure because it is one factor that management uses in determining the amount of cash available for discretionary investment. See previous “Non-GAAP Measures” for discussion about this non-GAAP measure, its limitations and why we present free cash flow alongside the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

We require capital primarily for the development, acquisition, renovation and maintenance of restaurants, the development, renovation and maintenance of commissary and print and promotions facilities and equipment and the enhancement of corporate systems and facilities. Capital expenditures were $6.4 million during the three months ended March 25, 2012.

During the three months ended March 25, 2012, capital expenditures of $6.4 million and common stock repurchases of $13.8 million (372,000 shares at an average price of $37.19 per share) were funded by cash flow from operations. Subsequent to March 25, 2012, through April 25, 2012, we repurchased an additional 264,000 shares with an aggregate cost of $9.9 million and an average cost of $37.63 per share. As of April 25, 2012, $47.8 million remained available for repurchase of common stock under our Board of Directors’ authorization.

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Forward-Looking Statements

Certain matters discussed in this report, including information within Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and other Company communications constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Generally, the use of words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “will,” “forecast,” “plan,” “project,” or similar words identify forward-looking statements that we intend to be included within the safe harbor protections provided by the federal securities laws. Such statements may relate to projections concerning business performance, revenue, earnings, contingent liabilities, commodity costs, margins, unit growth, and other financial and operational measures. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those matters expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements.

The risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are involved in our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: aggressive changes in pricing or other marketing or promotional strategies by competitors which may adversely affect sales, including an increase in or continuation of the aggressive pricing and promotional environment; new product and concept developments by food industry competitors; the ability of the Company and its franchisees to meet planned growth targets and operate new and existing restaurants profitably, which could be impacted by challenges securing financing, finding suitable store locations or securing required domestic or foreign government permits and approvals; our ability to successfully integrate the operations of franchised restaurants we acquire; the credit performance of our franchise loan program; adverse macroeconomic or business conditions; general economic and political conditions and resulting impact on consumer buying habits; changes in consumer preferences; increases in or sustained high costs of food ingredients and other commodities, paper, utilities and fuel; increased employee compensation, benefits, insurance and similar costs (including the impact of federal health care legislation); the ability of the Company to pass along increases in or sustained high costs to franchisees or consumers; the impact of current or future legal claims and current or proposed legislation impacting our business; the impact that product recalls, food quality or safety issues, and general public health concerns could have on our restaurants; currency exchange and interest rates; credit risk associated with parties to leases of restaurants and commissaries, including those Perfect Pizza locations formerly operated by us, for which we remain contractually liable; risks associated with security breaches, including theft of Company and customer information; and increased risks associated with our international operations, including economic and political conditions in our international markets and difficulty in meeting planned sales targets for our international operations. These and other risk factors as discussed in detail in “Part I. Item 1A. – Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our 2011 fiscal year could materially affect the Company’s business, financial condition or operating results. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of future events, new information or otherwise, except as required by law.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Our debt at March 25, 2011 was comprised of a $50.0 million outstanding principal balance on our $175.0 million unsecured revolving line of credit. The interest rate on the revolving line of credit is variable and is based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus a 75 to 150 basis point spread, as amended effective November 2011, tiered based upon debt and cash flow levels, or other bank developed rates at our option.

In August 2011, we entered into a new interest rate swap agreement that provides for a fixed rate of 0.53%, as compared to LIBOR, with a notional amount of $50.0 million. The new interest rate swap agreement expires in August 2013. We had two interest rate swap agreements that expired in January 2011. The previous swap agreements provided for fixed rates of 4.98% and 3.74%, as compared to LIBOR, with each having a notional amount of $50.0 million.

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The effective interest rate on the revolving line of credit, including the impact of the interest rate swap agreement, was 1.3% as of March 25, 2012. An increase in the present market interest rate of 100 basis points on the line of credit balance outstanding as of March 25, 2012, net of the swap, would have no impact on interest expense.

We do not enter into financial instruments to manage foreign currency exchange rates since approximately 5% of our total revenues are derived from sales to customers and royalties outside the contiguous United States.

In the ordinary course of business, the food and paper products we purchase, including cheese (historically representing 35% to 40% of our food cost), are affected by changes in commodity prices and, as a result we are subject to on-going volatility in our food costs. We have pricing agreements with our vendors, including forward pricing agreements for a portion of our cheese purchases for our domestic Company-owned restaurants, which are accounted for as normal purchases; however, we still remain exposed to on-going commodity volatility.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“1934 Act”)), as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon their evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

We also maintain a system of internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the 1934 Act) designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. During our most recent fiscal quarter, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We are subject to claims and legal actions in the ordinary course of our business. We believe that none of the claims and actions currently pending against us would have a material adverse effect on us if decided in a manner unfavorable to us.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Our Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $925.0 million of common stock under a share repurchase program that began on December 9, 1999 and expires on December 31, 2012. Through March 25, 2012, a total of 47.8 million shares with an aggregate cost of $867.3 million and an average price of $18.13 per share have been repurchased under this program. Subsequent to March 25, 2012, through April 25, 2012, we acquired an additional 264,000 shares at an aggregate cost of $9.9 million. As of April 25, 2012, approximately $47.8 million remained available for repurchase of common stock under this authorization.

23

The following table summarizes our repurchases by fiscal period during the first three months of 2012 (in thousands, except per-share amounts):

						Total Number		Maximum Dollar
	Total		Average			of Shares		Value of Shares
	Number		Price			Purchased as Part of		that May Yet Be
	of Shares		Paid per			Publicly Announced		Purchased Under the
Fiscal Period	Purchased		Share			Plans or Programs		Plans or Programs
12/26/2011 - 01/22/2012		60	$	37.72			47,533	$	69,292
01/23/2012 - 02/19/2012		-		-	*		47,533	$	69,292
02/20/2012 - 03/25/2012		312	$	37.19			47,845	$	57,719

* There were no share repurchases during this period.

The Company utilizes a written trading plan under Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, from time to time to facilitate the repurchase of shares of our common stock under this share repurchase program. There can be no assurance that we will repurchase shares of our common stock either through a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan or otherwise.

In March 2012, approximately 8,000 shares of the Company’s common stock were acquired from employees to satisfy minimum tax withholding obligations that arose upon (i) vesting of restricted stock granted pursuant to approved plans, and (ii) distribution of shares of common stock issued pursuant to deferred compensation obligations.

Item 5. Other Information

Departure of Directors or Certain Officers

On April 30, 2012, Chris Sternberg, the Company's Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications and General Counsel, notified the Company of his intention to resign from his position in order to resume the private practice of law. It is expected that Mr. Sternberg will continue to provide services to the Company on an interim basis in a transition role.

Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

On April 25, 2012, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved the Papa John’s International, Inc. Severance Pay Plan (the “Severance Plan”). Pursuant to the terms of the Severance Plan, if employment at the level of vice president or above is terminated without cause as defined in the Severance Plan, provided he or she signs a release of claims, the employee will receive base salary and COBRA benefits continuation for a period of six months following termination, pro-rata portions of any bonus payouts based upon period of service during the year employment terminates under any incentive-based compensation plans then in effect (provided that any applicable performance measures are achieved), and six  months outplacement services.  The Severance Plan also provides for certain benefits for full-time employees below the level of vice president in the event of a loss of employment due to a reduction in force, permanent layoff, or position elimination.

The Company may amend or terminate the Severance Plan at any time, but any termination or amendment will not affect the rights to benefits accrued prior to termination or amendment. As previously disclosed, certain members of the Company’s executive management team are parties to employment agreements with the Company. If an employee is entitled to severance under the Severance Plan and pursuant to any other agreement, the employee shall be limited to the greater of severance payments under the Severance Plan or such other agreement in effect.

The foregoing describes only the material terms of the Severance Plan and is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions of the complete plan. A copy of the Severance Plan is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated by reference into this Item.

24

Item 6.  Exhibits

Exhibit
Number	Description
10.1*	Papa John’s International, Inc. Severance Pay Plan.
10.2*	Employment Agreement between Papa John’s International, Inc., and Anthony N. Thompson dated March 5, 2012. Exhibit 10.1 to our report on Form 8-K filed on March 7, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference.
10.3*	Employment Agreement between Papa John’s International, Inc., and Christopher J. Sternberg dated March 5, 2012. Exhibit 10.2 to our report on Form 8-K filed on March 7, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference.
10.4*	Employment Agreement between Papa John’s International, Inc., and Lance F. Tucker dated March 5, 2012. Exhibit 10.3 to our report on Form 8-K filed on March 7, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference.
10.5*	Employment Agreement between Papa John’s International, Inc., and Andrew M. Varga dated March 5, 2012. Exhibit 10.4 to our report on Form 8-K filed on March 7, 2012 is incorporated herein by reference.
31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e), As Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e), As Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101	Financial statements from the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Papa John’s International, Inc. for the quarter ended March 25, 2012, filed on May 1, 2012, formatted in XBRL: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

*A management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit to this report pursuant to Item 6 of Form 10-Q.

25

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	PAPA JOHN’S INTERNATIONAL, INC.
	(Registrant)
Date:  May 1, 2012	/s/ Lance F. Tucker
	Lance F. Tucker
	Senior Vice President and
	Chief Financial Officer

EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

SUMMARY PLAN DESCRIPTION

OF

PAPA JOHN’S INTERNATIONAL, INC.

SEVERANCE PAY PLAN

May 1, 2012

SUMMARY PLAN DESCRIPTION

OF

PAPA JOHN’S INTERNATIONAL, INC.

SEVERANCE PAY PLAN

This Summary Plan Description is intended to summarize the provisions of the Papa John’s International, Inc. Severance Pay Plan (the "Plan").  The purpose of the Plan is to provide severance benefits to certain eligible employees of Papa John’s International, Inc. and its subsidiaries as designated by the Administrator (as defined below) whose employment with the Company and its subsidiaries terminates under certain prescribed conditions.  The term “the Company” in this summary plan description shall mean the Company and its subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires.

Section 1. General Information.

A. Name of Plan.  The name of the Plan is the Papa John’s International, Inc. Severance Pay Plan.  The effective date is May 1, 2012.

B. Company.  The Company is Papa John’s International, Inc.  The Employer Identification Number of the Company 61-1203323.  The Administrator shall have the discretion to designate which subsidiaries of the Company are included within the scope of the Plan, such that employees of any subsidiaries designated as outside the scope of the Plan would not be eligible to be participants in the Plan.  Until otherwise designated by the Administrator, the following subsidiaries of the Company shall be included within the scope of the Plan:  Papa John’s USA, Inc., PJ Food Service, Inc., Trans Papa Logistics, Inc., Star Papa LP, Risk Services, Inc. and Preferred Marketing Solutions, Inc.

C. Administrator.  The Plan is administered by the Company (the "Administrator").  The Administrator is responsible for maintaining records, determining eligibility and making decisions with respect to claims for benefits.  The Administrator, in its discretion, shall adopt such rules for the administration of the Plan as he or she considers desirable, and may construe the Plan, correct defects, supply omissions, and reconcile inconsistencies to the extent necessary to effectuate the Plan.  Any actions taken pursuant to this paragraph are discretionary actions of the Administrator, and shall be conclusive and binding on all parties, subject to the claims procedure in Section 5.

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D. Addresses and Telephone Numbers.  The business address of the Company is 2002 Papa John’s Boulevard, Louisville, Kentucky 40299-2367 and the telephone number is (502) 261-7272.

E. Application for Benefits or Inquiries.  Any application for benefits, claims, requests for information, inquiries about the Plan or inquiries about present or future rights under the Plan must be submitted to the Administrator in writing, by mail, addressed to the Administrator, Papa John’s International, Inc., 2002 Papa John’s Boulevard, Louisville, Kentucky 40299-2367, Attention:  Head of Human Resources.

F. Type of Plan.  The Plan is an employee welfare benefit plan designed to provide severance benefits to certain eligible employees whose employment with the Company terminates under certain prescribed conditions.

Benefits under this Plan are not insured by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

G. Service of Process.  The Company has been designated as the agent for the service of legal process.

H. Funding.  Plan benefits are not paid from a trust or similar funding arrangement.  The Plan is self-funded by the Company.

Section 2. Eligibility for Participation and Severance Benefits.

A. The Company will provide the severance benefits set forth in this Plan to regular full-time employees of the Company that work at least 32 hours per week,  who experience a loss of employment due to a reduction in force (RIF), permanent layoff, position elimination or, for Vice Presidents and above, termination of employment by the Company without cause.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) restaurant level team members below the level of Director of Operations are not eligible to participate in this Plan and (ii) only U.S. employees of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company designated by the Administrator to be within the scope of the Plan may be considered eligible to participate in this Plan. All decisions with respect to eligibility to participate in the Plan or eligibility for severance benefits under the Plan will be made by the Administrator, subject to the claims procedure contained in Section 5 below.

B. The Severance Schedule set forth in the attachment to this summary plan description provides the amount of severance payment for which employees will be eligible in connection with any termination of employment resulting from a RIF, permanent layoff, position elimination, and for Vice Presidents and above, termination of employment by the Company without cause.  The Severance Schedule may be modified only upon the approval of The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) or the Compensation Committee of the Board.  The Chief Executive Officer of the Company determines all position levels within the Severance Schedule. All amounts set forth on the Severance Schedule are in addition to payout of credited but unused vacation time, which such credited but unused vacation time shall be paid in a lump sum in the first regularly scheduled payroll following the date of the termination of employment in accordance with Company policy.

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C. For purposes of this Plan, “cause” means, as determined by the Board, and unless otherwise defined in an employment agreement between the eligible employee and the Company, (i) gross negligence or willful misconduct in connection with the performance of duties; (ii) conviction of a criminal offense (other than minor traffic offenses) that is, or may reasonably be expected to be, injurious to the Company, its business, reputation, prospects, or otherwise; (iii) material breach of any term of any agreement between the eligible employee and the Company, including any employment, consulting or other services, confidentiality, intellectual property, non-competition or non-disparagement agreement; (iv) acts or omissions involving willful or intentional malfeasance or misconduct that is, or may reasonably be expected to be, injurious to the Company, its business, reputation, prospects, or otherwise; or (v) commission of any act of fraud or embezzlement against the Company. 

D. If the severance is in connection with the sale or transfer of a facility or the Company to a third party, and the employee accepts employment with the party acquiring the facility or declines a reasonable and comparable position with the acquiring party, that employee will not be entitled to any severance payment from the Company.

E. If the severance is in connection with an internal restructuring within the Company, and the employee accepts a new position with the Company or declines a reasonable and comparable position with the Company, that employee will not be entitled to any severance payment from the Company

F. No Duplication of Benefits.  This Plan may not constitute all of the agreements between the eligible employees and the Company providing for severance payments in connection with a termination of employment; provided, however, that if an eligible employee is entitled to severance payments pursuant to this Plan and pursuant to any other oral or written agreements, commitments or understandings calling for severance payments in connection with a termination of employment, the severance payments paid to the employee by the Company in connection with such termination of employment shall be limited to the greater of (i) severance payments provided pursuant to this Plan or (ii) severance payments provided by the Company pursuant to such other oral or written agreements, commitments or understandings.  If the employee is entitled to severance payments pursuant to this Plan and pursuant to any other oral or written agreements, commitments or understandings calling for severance payments in connection with a termination of employment, the employee shall determine, in the employee's sole discretion, by notice given in writing to the Company, which payments are greater.

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Section 3. Severance Administration.

A. For Vice Presidents and above, the severance amount (excluding any pro-rata bonus) shall be paid as salary continuation over the severance period set forth in the Severance Schedule beginning on the first regularly scheduled payroll period coincident with or after delivery of the General Release (as defined in Section 3.E below) and expiration of any revocation period without revocation occurring. The first such cash payment shall include payment of all amounts that otherwise would have been due prior to the expiration of the revocation period for the General Release under the terms of this Plan applied as though such payments commenced immediately upon the employee’s termination of employment, and any payments made thereafter shall continue as provided herein. For Vice Presidents and above, any pro-rata bonus payable to the employee shall be paid to the employee in the same manner and at the same time that the corresponding incentive-based compensation plan bonus payments are made to current employees of the Company, but no earlier than the first regularly scheduled payroll period following the expiration of all applicable rescission periods provided by law and no later than March 15th of the year following the year in which the loss of employment occurs.  For all other positions, the severance amount shall be paid in a lump sum payment coincident with or after delivery of the General Release and expiration of any revocation period without revocation occurring.  Severance pay is subject to tax withholdings as required by law.  In addition to the payment of the severance amount, if the employee should elect it, the employee and covered dependents shall at the expense of the Company be entitled to continued participation under the same terms and conditions in such medical and dental coverage in which the employee and the employee’s dependents were participating immediately prior to the date of termination for the time period set forth in the Severance Schedule attached to this summary plan description.  Such medical and dental coverage shall be provided pursuant to the provisions of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”).

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B. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, to the extent any portion of an employee’s severance pay is not exempt from Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, but would otherwise be payable within the first six (6) months following the date of the employee’s date of termination, such severance pay will not be paid to the employee until the first payroll date of the seventh (7th) month following the date of termination.

C. No employee discharged for "cause" shall be entitled to any severance payment under this Plan, unless specifically approved by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. In addition, an employee shall not receive severance payments if employment terminates due to (i) voluntary resignation, (ii) death, (iii) disability, (iv) retirement, (v) failure to return from a leave of absence, (vi) temporary layoff, or (vii) any other reason than termination as provided in Section 2.A.

D. Specific procedures for carrying out severance will be coordinated with the Human Resources Department.

E. As a condition of eligibility for severance under this Plan, employees will be required to (i) execute a general release in a form satisfactory to the Company within twenty-one (21) days of termination of employment (the “General Release”), (ii) return all Company property held by such employee, (iii) hold confidential any and all information concerning the Company with respect to its business, plans and strategies, customers, operations, finances, assets (including intellectual property), employees or otherwise, (iv) cooperate with the Company to facilitate the transition of matters with which the employee is familiar or is responsible to other employees and make himself reasonably available to answer questions or give assistance after his severance from employment, (v) arbitrate any disputes between the Company and such employee and (vi) execute and deliver such forms as the Administrator in its sole discretion shall decide, including an agreement to honor the terms of any non-competition, non-solicitation and non-disparagement covenants and any other agreements, as applicable.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, eligible employees will have forty-five (45) days following the date of termination to execute a General Release if such longer period is required by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967.  If, in the judgment of the Administrator, the participant violates any of these conditions, the Administrator may elect to either require repayment of the severance allowance paid or discontinue the payment of severance benefits.  If the twenty-one (21) day or forty-five (45) day post-termination period, as applicable, begins in one taxable year and ends in the next taxable year, regardless of when the participant executes the release during such period, the General Release will be deemed to have been executed in the later taxable year.

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F. All severance payments made pursuant to the terms of this Plan shall be subject to any and all Company recoupment or “clawback” policies of the Company, or required by law or regulation, whether currently in place or adopted in the future.

G. Nothing in this Plan shall be construed to constitute an employment contract or a future right of employment; rather, all employment with the Company continues to be at-will.

H. Except as set forth in this Plan, the Company does not have, and will not have, any obligation to provide any employee at any time in the future with any severance benefits.

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Section 5. Claims Procedure.

Any claims concerning eligibility, participation, benefits or other aspects of the Plan must be submitted in writing and directed to the Administrator within sixty (60) days of receiving the disputed benefit.  Within thirty (30) days after receiving a claim, the Administrator will (i) either accept or deny the claim completely or partially and (ii) notify the participant of acceptance or denial of the claim.  If a claim is partially or wholly denied, the Administrator will provide a written denial to the participant no later than thirty (30) days from receipt of the initial claim request.  The written denial shall include specific reasons for the denial, specific references to the Plan provisions upon which the denial was based, a description of any additional material or information necessary for the participant to perfect the claim, an explanation of why such material is necessary and instructions on the Plan’s claim review procedure.  If the Administrator requires additional time to process a claim because of special circumstances, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may extend the period thirty (30) additional days.  The Administrator must notify the participant of any such extension prior to the expiration of the thirty (30) day period commencing from the date the Administrator first received written submission of the claim.

The participant may request in writing to the Administrator a review of a denied claim within thirty (30) days of receipt of such denial.  Such written request must contain an explanation as to why the participant is seeking a review.  A decision on such review will be rendered in writing within thirty (30) days of the Administrator’s receipt of a request for review, unless special circumstances require an extension of time for processing, in which case a decision will be rendered as soon as possible but no later than sixty (60) days after receipt of the request for review provided that written notice is provided to the participant or the participant’s authorized representative before the extension commences.  A written notice affirming the denial of a claim will set forth the specific reasons for the decision and make specific reference to Plan provisions upon which the decision or appeal is based.  In preparation for filing such a request for review, the employee or his or her duly authorized representative may review pertinent plan documents and employment records, and as part of the written request for review, may submit issues and comments concerning the claim.  No claim may be brought before or submitted to a court of law or other governmental entity unless and until the claims process under this Section 5 has been exhausted.

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Section 6. Statement of ERISA Rights.

As a participant in the Plan, you are entitled to certain rights and protections under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"). ERISA provides that all Plan participants shall be entitled to:

1. Examine, without charge, all Plan documents at the office of the Head of Human Resources of the Company, or such other location designated by the Administrator.

2. Obtain copies of all Plan documents and other Plan information upon written request to the Administrator.

In addition to creating rights for Plan participants, ERISA imposes duties upon the people who are responsible for the operation of the employee benefit plan.  The people who operate your Plan, called "fiduciaries" of the Plan, have a duty to do so prudently and in the interest of you and other Plan participants and beneficiaries.  No one, including your employer or any other person, may fire you or otherwise discriminate against you in any way to prevent you from exercising your rights under ERISA.  If your claim for a benefit under the Plan is denied in whole or in part you must receive a written explanation of the reason for the denial. You have the right to have the Administrator review and reconsider your claim.  Under ERISA, there are steps you can take to enforce the above rights. For instance, if you request materials from the Administrator and do not receive them within 30 days, you may file suit in a federal court.  In such a case, the court may require the Administrator to provide the material and pay you up to $110 a day until you receive the materials, unless the materials were not sent because of reasons beyond the control of the Administrator. If you have a claim for benefits which is denied or ignored, in whole or in part, you may file suit in a state or federal court.  If you are discriminated against for asserting your rights, you may seek assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor, or you may file suit in a federal court.  The court will decide who should pay court costs and legal fees.  If you are successful, the court may order the person you have sued to pay these costs and fees.  If you lose, the court may order you to pay these costs and fees, for example, if it finds your claim is frivolous. If you have any questions about your Plan, you should contact the Administrator.  If you have any questions about this statement or about your rights under ERISA, you should contact the nearest Office of the U.S. Labor-Management Services Administration, Department of Labor.

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Section 7. Termination or Amendment of the Plan.

The Company reserves the rights to amend or terminate the Plan at any time.  Termination or amendment of the Plan shall not affect the rights of any employee to benefits accrued prior to such termination or amendment, as the case may be, to the extent such amount is payable under the terms of the Plan prior to the effective date of such termination or amendment.  Benefits under the Plan accrue at the time employment is terminated.

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Severance Schedule

● Vice Presidents and above:

o Six months base salary (paid over six month severance period) and COBRA coverage continuation benefits

o Pro-rata portions of any bonus payouts based upon period of service during the year employment terminates under any incentive-based compensation plans then in effect (provided that any applicable performance measures are achieved)

o Six months outplacement services

● Sr. Directors and Directors:

o Three months base salary plus one week for each year of service, with a maximum of six months total severance (paid in a lump sum)

o Three months COBRA coverage continuation benefits

o Three months outplacement services

● Sr. Managers and Managers:

o One month base salary plus one week for each year of service, with a maximum of three months total severance (paid in a lump sum)

o Two months COBRA coverage continuation benefits

o Two months outplacement services

● All other team members:

o One month base salary plus one week for each year of service, with a maximum of three months total severance (paid in a lump sum)

o One month COBRA coverage continuation benefits

o One month outplacement services

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EX-31.1

EXHIBIT 31.1

 SECTION 302

CERTIFICATION

I, John H. Schnatter, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Papa John’s International, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:  May 1, 2012	/s/ John H. Schnatter
	John H. Schnatter
	Founder, Chairman and
	Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

EXHIBIT 31.2

 SECTION 302

CERTIFICATION

I, Lance F. Tucker, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Papa John’s International, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:  May 1, 2012	/s/ Lance F. Tucker
	Lance F. Tucker
	Senior Vice President and
	Chief Financial Officer

EX-32.1

EXHIBIT 32.1

SECTION 906

CERTIFICATION

I, John H. Schnatter, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Papa John’s International, Inc. (the “Company”), certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that:

1. The Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarterly period ended March 25, 2012 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m); and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date:  May 1, 2012	/s/ John H. Schnatter
	John H. Schnatter
	Founder, Chairman and
	Chief Executive Officer

EX-32.2

EXHIBIT 32.2

SECTION 906

CERTIFICATION

I, Lance F. Tucker, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Papa John’s International, Inc. (the “Company”), certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, that:

1. The Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarterly period ended March 25, 2012 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m); and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: May 1, 2012	/s/ Lance F. Tucker
	Lance F. Tucker
	Senior Vice President and
	Chief Financial Officer

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Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 25, 2012
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Transfers among levels within the fair value hierarchy	$ 0

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Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures

3 Months Ended

Mar. 25, 2012

Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures

4.   Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures

The Company is required to determine the fair value of financial assets and liabilities based on the price that would be received to sell the asset or paid to transfer the liability to a market participant. Assets and liabilities carried at fair value are required to be classified and disclosed in one of the following categories:

●   Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

●   Level 2: Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

●   Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

Our financial assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 25, 2012 and December 25, 2011 are as follows (in thousands):

	Carrying		Fair Value Measurements
	Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
March 25, 2012
Financial assets:
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies *	$	12,341	$	12,341	$	-	$	-
Financial liabilities:
Interest rate swap		118		-		118		-
December 25, 2011
Financial assets:
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies *	$	11,387	$	11,387	$	-	$	-
Interest rate swap		11		-		11		-
* Represents life insurance held in our non-qualified deferred compensation plan.

There were no transfers among levels within the fair value hierarchy during the three months ended March 25, 2012.

The fair value of our interest rate swap is based on the sum of all future net present value cash flows. The future cash flows are derived based on the terms of our interest rate swap, as well as considering published discount factors, and projected London Interbank Offered Rates (“LIBOR”).

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Commitments and Contingencies (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 25, 2011	Mar. 25, 2012 Contract
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of lease agreements the company is contingently liable		40
Estimated amount of undiscounted payments, maximum		$ 2,000,000
Other general expenses, remaining rentals, taxes and insurance related to leases	$ 800,000
Majority Expiration [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Lease expiration, year		2015

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Calculation of Earnings Per Share - Narrative (Detail) (Stock Options [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 25, 2012	Mar. 27, 2011
Stock Options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount	0	439,000

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Segment Information - Narrative (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 25, 2012 Entity
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Reportable segments, number	6
Concentration risk, percentage	10.00%
Concentration risk, number	0

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Segment Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 25, 2012	Mar. 27, 2011	Dec. 25, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	$ 331,276	$ 312,467
Intersegment revenues	45,161	66,367
Income (loss) before income taxes	27,138	26,780
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(272,822)
Net property and equipment	184,167		185,132	[1]
Domestic Company-owned Restaurants [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	143,815	138,671
Income (loss) before income taxes	12,321	10,883
Property and equipment, gross	177,423
Domestic Commissaries [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	137,610	127,672
Intersegment revenues	41,537	38,100
Income (loss) before income taxes	11,166	9,554
Property and equipment, gross	87,014
North America Franchising [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	20,740	19,916
Intersegment revenues	549	548
Income (loss) before income taxes	18,140	18,009
International [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	16,853	12,761
Intersegment revenues	54	47
Income (loss) before income taxes	272	(816)
Property and equipment, gross	18,047
All Other Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Other sales	12,258	13,447
Intersegment revenues	3,021	2,555
Income (loss) before income taxes	395	(378)
Property and equipment, gross	41,053
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Intersegment revenues		25,117
Unallocated Amount to Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes	(15,166)	(9,769)
Property and equipment, gross	133,452
Intersegment Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes	$ 10	$ (703)

[1] The balance sheet at December 25, 2011 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date, but does not include all information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for a complete set of financial statements.

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 25, 2012

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

3.   Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) is comprised of the following (in thousands):

	Foreign Currency		Interest Rate Swaps (a)			Defined Pension Plan			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Beginning balance - December 26, 2010	$	1,008	$	(159	)	$	-		$	849
Current period other comprehensive income		1,114		159			-			1,273
Ending balance - March 27, 2011	$	2,122	$	-		$	-		$	2,122
Beginning balance - December 25, 2011	$	1,872	$	6		$	(29	)	$	1,849
Current period other comprehensive income (loss)		291		(80	)		-			211
Ending balance - March 25, 2012	$	2,163	$	(74	)	$	(29	)	$	2,060
(a) Amounts are shown net of tax of $89,000 and $47,000 for the three months ended March 27, 2011
and March 25, 2012, respectively.

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Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 25, 2012	Dec. 25, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 45,112	$ 18,942	[1]
Accounts receivable, net	30,251	28,169	[1]
Notes receivable, net	4,278	4,221	[1]
Inventories	18,969	20,091	[1]
Prepaid expenses	9,395	10,210	[1]
Other current assets	4,342	3,522	[1]
Deferred income taxes	6,858	7,636	[1]
Total current assets	119,205	92,791	[1]
Property and equipment, net	184,167	185,132	[1]
Notes receivable, less current portion, net	11,498	11,502	[1]
Goodwill	75,328	75,085	[1]
Other assets	26,407	25,872	[1]
Total assets	416,605	390,382	[1]
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	34,953	32,966	[1]
Income and other taxes payable	13,819	3,969	[1]
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	46,468	44,198	[1]
Total current liabilities	95,240	81,133	[1]
Deferred revenue	8,478	4,780	[1]
Long-term debt	50,000	51,489	[1]
Other long-term liabilities	23,795	22,014	[1]
Long-term accrued income taxes	3,993	3,597	[1]
Deferred income taxes	7,264	9,147	[1]
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock			[1]
Common stock	368	367	[1]
Additional paid-in capital	266,783	262,456	[1]
Accumulated other comprehensive income	2,060	1,849	[1]
Retained earnings	315,551	298,807	[1]
Treasury stock	(366,822)	(353,826)	[1]
Total stockholders' equity, net of noncontrolling interests	217,940	209,653	[1]
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	9,895	8,569	[1]
Total stockholders' equity	227,835	218,222	[1]
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 416,605	$ 390,382	[1]

[1] The balance sheet at December 25, 2011 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date, but does not include all information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for a complete set of financial statements.

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Basis of Presentation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 25, 2012

Basis of Presentation

1.   Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three months ended March 25, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2012. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for Papa John’s International, Inc. (referred to as the “Company”, “Papa John’s” or in the first person notations of “we”, “us” and “our”) for the year ended December 25, 2011.

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Significant Accounting Policies (Pre-Tax Income Attributable to Joint Ventures) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 25, 2012	Mar. 27, 2011
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interests	$ 1,326	$ 1,122
Total income before income taxes	27,138	26,780
Corporate Joint Venture [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Total income before income taxes, net of noncontrolling interests	2,043	1,798
Noncontrolling interests	1,326	1,122
Total income before income taxes	$ 3,369	$ 2,920

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Fair Value Measurements (Schedule of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 25, 2012		Dec. 25, 2011
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies	$ 12,341	[1]	$ 11,387	[1]
Interest rate swap assets			11
Interest rate swap liabilities	118
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies	12,341	[1]	11,387	[1]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Interest rate swap assets			11
Interest rate swap liabilities	$ 118

[1] Represents life insurance held in our non-qualified deferred compensation plan.

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Significant Accounting Policies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 25, 2012

Significant Accounting Policies

2.   Significant Accounting Policies

Comprehensive Income

The Company adopted the required Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) Nos. 2011-05 and 2011-12, Comprehensive Income: Presentation of Comprehensive Income in the first quarter of 2012 on a retrospective basis. The updated guidance does not change the components of comprehensive income, but eliminates certain options for presenting comprehensive income in the financial statements. In accordance with this updated guidance, we are no longer permitted to present comprehensive income in our Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity. Instead, we are now required to present components of comprehensive income in either one continuous financial statement with two sections, net income and comprehensive income, or in two separate but consecutive statements. For the first quarter of 2012, we elected the one continuous financial statement approach.

Noncontrolling Interests

The Consolidation topic of the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) requires all entities to report noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries as equity in the consolidated financial statements, but separate from the equity of the parent company. The Consolidation topic further requires that consolidated net income be reported at amounts attributable to the parent and the noncontrolling interest, rather than expensing the income attributable to the noncontrolling interest holder. Additionally, disclosures are required to clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent company and the interests of the noncontrolling owners, including a disclosure on the face of the consolidated statements for income attributable to the noncontrolling interest holder.

Papa John’s had two joint venture arrangements as of March 25, 2012 and March 27, 2011, which were as follows:

	Restaurants as of March 25, 2012		Restaurants as of March 27, 2011		Restaurant Locations	Papa John's Ownership*			Noncontrolling Interest Ownership*
Star Papa, LP		76		75	Texas		51	%		49	%
Colonel's Limited, LLC		52		52	Maryland and Virginia		70	%		30	%
*The ownership percentages were the same for both the 2012 and 2011 periods presented in the accompanying
consolidated financial statements.

The income before income taxes attributable to the joint ventures for the three months ended March 25, 2012 and March 27, 2011 was as follows (in thousands):

	March 25,		March 27,
	2012		2011
Papa John's International, Inc.	$	2,043	$	1,798
Noncontrolling interests		1,326		1,122
Total income before income taxes	$	3,369	$	2,920

The noncontrolling interest holders’ equity in the joint venture arrangements totaled $9.9 million as of March 25, 2012 and $8.6 million as of December 25, 2011.

Deferred Income Tax Accounts and Tax Reserves

We are subject to income taxes in the United States and several foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes and the related assets and liabilities. The provision for income taxes includes income taxes paid, currently payable or receivable and those deferred. We use an estimated annual effective rate based on expected annual income to determine our quarterly provision for income taxes. Discrete items are recorded in the quarter in which they occur.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities, and are measured using enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences reverse. Deferred tax assets are also recognized for the estimated future effects of tax loss carryforwards. The effect on deferred taxes of changes in tax rates is recognized in the period in which the new tax is enacted. As a result, our effective tax rate may fluctuate. Valuation allowances are established when necessary on a jurisdictional basis to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts we expect to realize. As of March 25, 2012, we had a net deferred tax liability of approximately $400,000.

Tax authorities periodically audit the Company. We record reserves for identified exposures. We evaluate these issues on a quarterly basis to adjust for events, such as court rulings or audit settlements, which may impact our ultimate payment for such exposures.

Subsequent Events

Effective April 23, 2012, the Company acquired 56 franchised Papa John’s restaurants in the Denver and Minneapolis markets, six of which were subsequently refranchised. The purchase price, which was paid in cash, was $5.1 million net of the divestiture proceeds from the six restaurants sold. The acquisition is not expected to have a material impact on our 2012 operating results.

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 25, 2012	Mar. 27, 2011
Total revenues	$ 331,276	$ 312,467
General and administrative expenses	31,596	29,074
Other general expenses	5,674	781
Depreciation and amortization	7,927	8,312
Total costs and expenses	304,020	285,256
Operating income	27,256	27,211
Investment income	170	177
Interest expense	(288)	(608)
Income before income taxes	27,138	26,780
Income tax expense	9,068	9,231
Net income, including noncontrolling interests	18,070	17,549
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,326)	(1,122)
Net income, net of noncontrolling interests	16,744	16,427
Basic earnings per common share	$ 0.70	$ 0.64
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution	$ 0.69	$ 0.64
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	24,053	25,484
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	24,438	25,757
Comprehensive income	18,281	18,822
Domestic Company-owned Restaurant [Member]
Revenue from external customers	143,815	138,671
Cost of sales	32,456	32,100
Salaries and benefits	38,813	37,649
Advertising and related costs	12,699	12,789
Occupancy costs	7,898	7,869
Other operating expenses	20,418	19,915
Total costs and expenses	112,284	110,322
North America [Member]
Franchise royalties	20,518	19,731
Franchise and development fees	222	185
Domestic Commissaries [Member]
Revenue from external customers	137,610	127,672
All Other Segments [Member]
Other sales	12,258	13,447
International [Member]
Royalties and franchise and development fees	4,486	3,762
Operating expenses	10,392	7,728
International Restaurant and Commissaries [Member]
Revenue from external customers	12,367	8,999
Domestic Commissary and Other [Member]
Cost of sales	112,838	106,443
Salaries and benefits	9,003	9,011
Other operating expenses	14,306	13,585
Total costs and expenses	$ 136,147	$ 129,039

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Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 25, 2012

Schedule of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Our financial assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 25, 2012 and December 25, 2011 are as follows (in thousands):

	Carrying		Fair Value Measurements
	Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
March 25, 2012
Financial assets:
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies *	$	12,341	$	12,341	$	-	$	-
Financial liabilities:
Interest rate swap		118		-		118		-
December 25, 2011
Financial assets:
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies *	$	11,387	$	11,387	$	-	$	-
Interest rate swap		11		-		11		-
* Represents life insurance held in our non-qualified deferred compensation plan.

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Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 25, 2012	Apr. 25, 2012
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 25, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	PZZA
Entity Registrant Name	PAPA JOHNS INTERNATIONAL INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000901491
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-30
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		23,822,608

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Calculation of Earnings Per Share (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 25, 2012

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted

The calculations of basic earnings per common share and earnings per common share – assuming dilution are as follows (in thousands, except per-share data):

	Three Months Ended
	March 25,		March 27,
	2012		2011
Basic earnings per common share:
Net income, net of noncontrolling interests	$	16,744	$	16,427
Weighted average shares outstanding		24,053		25,484
Basic earnings per common share	$	0.70	$	0.64
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution:
Net income, net of noncontrolling interests	$	16,744	$	16,427
Weighted average shares outstanding		24,053		25,484
Dilutive effect of outstanding equity awards		385		273
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		24,438		25,757
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution	$	0.69	$	0.64

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Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands	Total		Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Retained Earnings	Treasury Stock	Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiaries
Balance at Dec. 26, 2010	$ 207,200		$ 361	$ 245,380	$ 849	$ 243,152	$ (291,048)	$ 8,506
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 26, 2010			25,439
Net income	17,549					16,427		1,122
Other comprehensive income	1,273				1,273
Exercise of stock options (in shares)			63
Exercise of stock options	1,314		1	1,313
Tax effect of equity awards	31			31
Acquisition of Company common stock	(4,119)						(4,119)
Acquisition of Company common stock (in shares)			(143)
Net contributions (distributions) - noncontrolling interests	(1,729)							(1,729)
Stock-based compensation expense	1,795			1,795
Other	102			(50)			152
Balance at Mar. 27, 2011	223,416		362	248,469	2,122	259,579	(295,015)	7,899
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 27, 2011			25,359
Balance at Dec. 25, 2011	218,222	[1]	367	262,456	1,849	298,807	(353,826)	8,569
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 25, 2011			24,019
Net income	18,070					16,744		1,326
Other comprehensive income	211				211
Exercise of stock options (in shares)			116
Exercise of stock options	3,728		1	3,727
Tax effect of equity awards	(351)			(351)
Acquisition of Company common stock	(13,820)						(13,820)
Acquisition of Company common stock (in shares)			(372)
Stock-based compensation expense	1,694			1,694
Issuance of restricted stock (in shares)			30
Issuance of restricted stock				(591)			591
Other	81			(152)			233
Balance at Mar. 25, 2012	$ 227,835		$ 368	$ 266,783	$ 2,060	$ 315,551	$ (366,822)	$ 9,895
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 25, 2012			23,793

[1] The balance sheet at December 25, 2011 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date, but does not include all information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for a complete set of financial statements.

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Commitments and Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 25, 2012

Commitments and Contingencies

7.   Commitments and Contingencies

In connection with the 2006 sale of our former Perfect Pizza operations in the United Kingdom, we remain contingently liable for payment under approximately 40 lease agreements, primarily associated with Perfect Pizza restaurant sites for which the Perfect Pizza franchisor was primarily liable. As the initial party to the lease agreements, we are liable to the extent the primary obligor does not satisfy its payment obligations.

On August 1, 2011 the High Court of Justice Chancery Division, Birmingham District Registry entered an order placing Perfect Pizza in administration, thereby providing Perfect Pizza with protection from its creditors in accordance with UK insolvency law. On the same date, the administrators entered into an agreement to sell substantially all of the business and assets of Perfect Pizza. In accordance with the terms of the agreement, the buyer has an option period up to nine months to determine which Perfect Pizza leases they will assume.

The buyer is finalizing its lease assessment. Based on communications with the buyer, we believe we will remain contingently liable for the majority of these leases, which have varying terms with most expiring by the end of 2015. The estimated maximum amount of undiscounted rental payments we would be required to make in the event of non-payment under all such leases is approximately $2.0 million, net of amounts previously reserved in 2011 of aproximately $800,000.

We are subject to claims and legal actions in the ordinary course of business. We believe that all such claims and actions currently pending against us are either adequately covered by insurance or would not have a material adverse effect on us if decided in a manner unfavorable to us.

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Calculation of Earnings Per Share

3 Months Ended

Mar. 25, 2012

Calculation of Earnings Per Share

6.   Calculation of Earnings Per Share

The calculations of basic earnings per common share and earnings per common share – assuming dilution are as follows (in thousands, except per-share data):

	Three Months Ended
	March 25,		March 27,
	2012		2011
Basic earnings per common share:
Net income, net of noncontrolling interests	$	16,744	$	16,427
Weighted average shares outstanding		24,053		25,484
Basic earnings per common share	$	0.70	$	0.64
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution:
Net income, net of noncontrolling interests	$	16,744	$	16,427
Weighted average shares outstanding		24,053		25,484
Dilutive effect of outstanding equity awards		385		273
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		24,438		25,757
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution	$	0.69	$	0.64

Shares subject to options to purchase common stock with an exercise price greater than the average market price for the quarter were not included in the computation of earnings per common share – assuming dilution because the effect would have been antidilutive. The weighted average number of shares subject to the antidilutive options was 439,000 for the three months ended March 27, 2011 (none for the three months ended March 25, 2012).

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Comprehensive Income (Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 25, 2012		Mar. 27, 2011
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive income beginning balance	$ 1,849	[1]	$ 849
Current period other comprehensive income	211		1,273
Accumulated other comprehensive income ending balance	2,060		2,122
Defined pension plan beginning balance	(29)
Current period other comprehensive income
Defined pension plan ending balance	(29)
Interest rate swaps beginning balance	6		(159)
Current period other comprehensive income (loss)	(80)	[2]	159	[2]
Current period other comprehensive income (loss), tax	(47)		89
Interest rate swaps ending balance	(74)
Foreign currency beginning balance	1,872		1,008
Current period other comprehensive income	291		1,114
Foreign currency ending balance	$ 2,163		$ 2,122

[1] The balance sheet at December 25, 2011 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date, but does not include all information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for a complete set of financial statements.

[2] Amounts are shown net of tax of $89,000 and $47,000 for the three months ended March 27, 2011 and March 25, 2012, respectively.

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Segment Information (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 25, 2012

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment

Our segment information is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended
	March 25, 2012			March 27, 2011
Revenues from external customers:
Domestic Company-owned restaurants	$	143,815		$	138,671
Domestic commissaries		137,610			127,672
North America franchising		20,740			19,916
International		16,853			12,761
All others		12,258			13,447
Total revenues from external customers	$	331,276		$	312,467
Intersegment revenues:
Domestic commissaries	$	41,537		$	38,100
North America franchising		549			548
International		54			47
Variable interest entities		-			25,117
All others		3,021			2,555
Total intersegment revenues	$	45,161		$	66,367
Income (loss) before income taxes:
Domestic Company-owned restaurants	$	12,321		$	10,883
Domestic commissaries		11,166			9,554
North America franchising		18,140			18,009
International		272			(816	)
All others		395			(378	)
Unallocated corporate expenses		(15,166	)		(9,769	)
Elimination of intersegment profits		10			(703	)
Total income before income taxes	$	27,138		$	26,780
Property and equipment:
Domestic Company-owned restaurants	$	177,423
Domestic commissaries		87,014
International		18,047
All others		41,053
Unallocated corporate assets		133,452
Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(272,822	)
Net property and equipment	$	184,167

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Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 25, 2012

Schedule of Joint Venture Arrangements

Papa John’s had two joint venture arrangements as of March 25, 2012 and March 27, 2011, which were as follows:

	Restaurants as of March 25, 2012		Restaurants as of March 27, 2011		Restaurant Locations	Papa John's Ownership*			Noncontrolling Interest Ownership*
Star Papa, LP		76		75	Texas		51	%		49	%
Colonel's Limited, LLC		52		52	Maryland and Virginia		70	%		30	%
*The ownership percentages were the same for both the 2012 and 2011 periods presented in the accompanying
consolidated financial statements.

Schedule of Pre-Tax Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

The income before income taxes attributable to the joint ventures for the three months ended March 25, 2012 and March 27, 2011 was as follows (in thousands):

	March 25,		March 27,
	2012		2011
Papa John's International, Inc.	$	2,043	$	1,798
Noncontrolling interests		1,326		1,122
Total income before income taxes	$	3,369	$	2,920

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Segment Information

3 Months Ended

Mar. 25, 2012

Segment Information

8.   Segment Information

We have defined six reportable segments: domestic Company-owned restaurants, domestic commissaries, North America franchising, international operations, variable interest entities (“VIEs”) and “all other” units.

The domestic Company-owned restaurant segment consists of the operations of all domestic (“domestic” is defined as contiguous United States) Company-owned restaurants and derives its revenues principally from retail sales of pizza and side items, such as breadsticks, cheesesticks, chicken strips, chicken wings, dessert pizza, and soft drinks to the general public. The domestic commissary segment consists of the operations of our regional dough production and product distribution centers and derives its revenues principally from the sale and distribution of food and paper products to domestic Company-owned and franchised restaurants. The North America franchising segment consists of our franchise sales and support activities and derives its revenues from sales of franchise and development rights and collection of royalties from our franchisees located in the United States and Canada. The international operations segment principally consists of our Company-owned restaurants and distribution sales to franchised Papa John’s restaurants located in the United Kingdom, Mexico and China and our franchise sales and support activities, which derive revenues from sales of franchise and development rights and the collection of royalties from our international franchisees. International franchisees are defined as all franchise operations outside of the United States and Canada. BIBP Commodities, Inc., a franchisee-owned corporation, which operated through February 2011, was a VIE in which we were deemed the primary beneficiary, and is the only activity reflected in the VIE segment. All other business units that do not meet the quantitative thresholds for determining reportable segments, which are not operating segments, we refer to as our “all other” segment, which consists of operations that derive revenues from the sale, principally to Company-owned and franchised restaurants, of printing and promotional items, risk management services, and information systems and related services used in restaurant operations, including our online and other technology-based ordering platforms.

Generally, we evaluate performance and allocate resources based on profit or loss from operations before income taxes and eliminations. Certain administrative and capital costs are allocated to segments based upon predetermined rates or actual estimated resource usage. We account for intercompany sales and transfers as if the sales or transfers were to third parties and eliminate the activity in consolidation.

Our reportable segments are business units that provide different products or services. Separate management of each segment is required because each business unit is subject to different operational issues and strategies. No single external customer accounted for 10% or more of our consolidated revenues.

Our segment information is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended
	March 25, 2012			March 27, 2011
Revenues from external customers:
Domestic Company-owned restaurants	$	143,815		$	138,671
Domestic commissaries		137,610			127,672
North America franchising		20,740			19,916
International		16,853			12,761
All others		12,258			13,447
Total revenues from external customers	$	331,276		$	312,467
Intersegment revenues:
Domestic commissaries	$	41,537		$	38,100
North America franchising		549			548
International		54			47
Variable interest entities		-			25,117
All others		3,021			2,555
Total intersegment revenues	$	45,161		$	66,367
Income (loss) before income taxes:
Domestic Company-owned restaurants	$	12,321		$	10,883
Domestic commissaries		11,166			9,554
North America franchising		18,140			18,009
International		272			(816	)
All others		395			(378	)
Unallocated corporate expenses		(15,166	)		(9,769	)
Elimination of intersegment profits		10			(703	)
Total income before income taxes	$	27,138		$	26,780
Property and equipment:
Domestic Company-owned restaurants	$	177,423
Domestic commissaries		87,014
International		18,047
All others		41,053
Unallocated corporate assets		133,452
Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(272,822	)
Net property and equipment	$	184,167

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Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 25, 2012

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive Income

The Company adopted the required Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) Nos. 2011-05 and 2011-12, Comprehensive Income: Presentation of Comprehensive Income in the first quarter of 2012 on a retrospective basis. The updated guidance does not change the components of comprehensive income, but eliminates certain options for presenting comprehensive income in the financial statements. In accordance with this updated guidance, we are no longer permitted to present comprehensive income in our Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity. Instead, we are now required to present components of comprehensive income in either one continuous financial statement with two sections, net income and comprehensive income, or in two separate but consecutive statements. For the first quarter of 2012, we elected the one continuous financial statement approach.

Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling Interests

The Consolidation topic of the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) requires all entities to report noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries as equity in the consolidated financial statements, but separate from the equity of the parent company. The Consolidation topic further requires that consolidated net income be reported at amounts attributable to the parent and the noncontrolling interest, rather than expensing the income attributable to the noncontrolling interest holder. Additionally, disclosures are required to clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent company and the interests of the noncontrolling owners, including a disclosure on the face of the consolidated statements for income attributable to the noncontrolling interest holder.

Papa John’s had two joint venture arrangements as of March 25, 2012 and March 27, 2011, which were as follows:

	Restaurants as of March 25, 2012		Restaurants as of March 27, 2011		Restaurant Locations	Papa John's Ownership*			Noncontrolling Interest Ownership*
Star Papa, LP		76		75	Texas		51	%		49	%
Colonel's Limited, LLC		52		52	Maryland and Virginia		70	%		30	%
*The ownership percentages were the same for both the 2012 and 2011 periods presented in the accompanying
consolidated financial statements.

The income before income taxes attributable to the joint ventures for the three months ended March 25, 2012 and March 27, 2011 was as follows (in thousands):

	March 25,		March 27,
	2012		2011
Papa John's International, Inc.	$	2,043	$	1,798
Noncontrolling interests		1,326		1,122
Total income before income taxes	$	3,369	$	2,920

The noncontrolling interest holders’ equity in the joint venture arrangements totaled $9.9 million as of March 25, 2012 and $8.6 million as of December 25, 2011.

Deferred Income Tax Accounts and Tax Reserves

Deferred Income Tax Accounts and Tax Reserves

We are subject to income taxes in the United States and several foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes and the related assets and liabilities. The provision for income taxes includes income taxes paid, currently payable or receivable and those deferred. We use an estimated annual effective rate based on expected annual income to determine our quarterly provision for income taxes. Discrete items are recorded in the quarter in which they occur.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities, and are measured using enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences reverse. Deferred tax assets are also recognized for the estimated future effects of tax loss carryforwards. The effect on deferred taxes of changes in tax rates is recognized in the period in which the new tax is enacted. As a result, our effective tax rate may fluctuate. Valuation allowances are established when necessary on a jurisdictional basis to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts we expect to realize. As of March 25, 2012, we had a net deferred tax liability of approximately $400,000.

Tax authorities periodically audit the Company. We record reserves for identified exposures. We evaluate these issues on a quarterly basis to adjust for events, such as court rulings or audit settlements, which may impact our ultimate payment for such exposures.

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events

Effective April 23, 2012, the Company acquired 56 franchised Papa John’s restaurants in the Denver and Minneapolis markets, six of which were subsequently refranchised. The purchase price, which was paid in cash, was $5.1 million net of the divestiture proceeds from the six restaurants sold. The acquisition is not expected to have a material impact on our 2012 operating results.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 25, 2012

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) is comprised of the following (in thousands):

	Foreign Currency		Interest Rate Swaps (a)			Defined Pension Plan			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Beginning balance - December 26, 2010	$	1,008	$	(159	)	$	-		$	849
Current period other comprehensive income		1,114		159			-			1,273
Ending balance - March 27, 2011	$	2,122	$	-		$	-		$	2,122
Beginning balance - December 25, 2011	$	1,872	$	6		$	(29	)	$	1,849
Current period other comprehensive income (loss)		291		(80	)		-			211
Ending balance - March 25, 2012	$	2,163	$	(74	)	$	(29	)	$	2,060
(a) Amounts are shown net of tax of $89,000 and $47,000 for the three months ended March 27, 2011
and March 25, 2012, respectively.

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Significant Accounting Policies (Joint Venture Arrangements) (Detail)	Mar. 25, 2012 Location		Mar. 27, 2011 Location
Star Papa LP [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants	76		75
Papa John's Ownership	51.00%	[1]
Noncontrolling Interest Ownership	49.00%	[1]
Colonel's Limited LLC [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants	52		52
Papa John's Ownership	70.00%	[1]
Noncontrolling Interest Ownership	30.00%	[1]

[1] The ownership percentages were the same for both the 2012 and 2011 periods presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

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Debt - Narrative (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 25, 2012	Mar. 27, 2011	Dec. 26, 2010 Contract	Dec. 25, 2011
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving line of credit	$ 50,000,000			$ 51,500,000
Number of interest rate derivatives held			2
Interest rate swap agreement, expiration date			Jan. 31, 2011
Weighted average interest rate for credit facility borrowings, including the impact of interest rate swaps	1.30%	3.30%
Interest paid	249,000	878,000
Interest rate swap liabilities	118,000
Interest rate swap liability, portion to be reclassified into earnings during the next twelve months	83,000
Amended Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	175,000,000
Line of credit facility, term	5 years
Interest margin rate on debt, minimum	0.75%
Interest margin rate on debt, maximum	1.50%
Line of credit facility, remaining borrowing capacity, after reduction for outstanding letters of credit	111,500,000
Line of credit facility initiation date	Nov. 30, 2011
Line of credit facility, maturity date	Nov. 30, 2016
Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity			175,000,000
Line of credit facility, term			5 years
Interest margin rate on debt, minimum			1.00%
Interest margin rate on debt, maximum			1.75%
Line of credit facility initiation date			Sep. 02, 2010
0.53% Interest Rate Swap Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Derivative, fixed interest rate	0.53%
Floating rate debt	50,000,000
Number of interest rate derivatives held	1
Interest rate swap agreement, initiation date	Aug. 30, 2011
Interest rate swap agreement, expiration date	Aug. 30, 2013
4.98% Interest Rate Swap Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Derivative, fixed interest rate			4.98%
Floating rate debt			50,000,000
3.74% Interest Rate Swap Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Derivative, fixed interest rate			3.74%
Floating rate debt			50,000,000

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 25, 2012		Mar. 27, 2011
Operating activities
Net income, including noncontrolling interests	$ 18,070		$ 17,549
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for uncollectible accounts and notes receivable	547		39
Depreciation and amortization	7,927		8,312
Deferred income taxes	(1,057)		2,664
Stock-based compensation expense	1,694		1,795
Excess tax benefit on equity awards	(129)		(107)
Other	678		43
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(2,670)		(3,011)
Inventories	1,122		(28)
Prepaid expenses	815		(324)
Other current assets	(820)		85
Other assets and liabilities	764		(721)
Accounts payable	1,987		(4,818)
Income and other taxes payable	9,850		4,874
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	1,221		296
Long-term accrued income taxes	396		366
Deferred revenue	3,698		(327)
Net cash provided by operating activities	44,093		26,687
Investing activities
Purchase of property and equipment	(6,403)		(4,823)
Loans issued	(687)		(165)
Repayments of loans issued	703		1,468
Other	5
Net cash used in investing activities	(6,382)		(3,520)
Financing activities
Net repayments on line of credit facility	(1,489)		(51,000)
Excess tax benefit on equity awards	129		107
Tax payments for restricted stock	(303)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	3,728		1,314
Acquisition of Company common stock	(13,820)		(4,119)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests			(1,729)
Other	82		(10)
Net cash used in financing activities	(11,673)		(55,437)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	132		(6)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	26,170		(32,276)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	18,942	[1]	47,829
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 45,112		$ 15,553

[1] The balance sheet at December 25, 2011 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date, but does not include all information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for a complete set of financial statements.

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Debt

3 Months Ended

Mar. 25, 2012

Debt

5.   Debt

Our debt is comprised entirely of the revolving line of credit.  The balance was $50.0 million as of March 25, 2012 and $51.5 million as of December 25, 2011.

In September 2010, we entered into a five-year, $175.0 million unsecured revolving credit facility (“Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility was amended in November 2011 (the “Amended Credit Facility”), which extended the maturity date of the Credit Facility to November 30, 2016. Under the Amended Credit Facility, outstanding balances are charged interest at 75 basis points to 150 basis points over LIBOR or other bank developed rates at our option (previously charged 100 basis points to 175 basis points above LIBOR). The remaining availability under the Amended Credit Facility, reduced for outstanding letters of credit, approximated $111.5 million as of March 25, 2012. The fair value of the outstanding debt approximates the carrying value since the debt agreements are variable-rate instruments.

The Credit Facility contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, including financial covenants requiring the maintenance of specified fixed charges and leverage ratios. At March 25, 2012, we were in compliance with these covenants.

In August 2011, we entered into a new interest rate swap agreement that provides for a fixed rate of 0.53%, as compared to LIBOR, with a notional amount of $50.0 million. The new interest rate swap agreement expires in August 2013. We had two interest rate swap agreements that expired in January 2011. The previous swap agreements provided for fixed rates of 4.98% and 3.74%, as compared to LIBOR, with each having a notional amount of $50.0 million.

Our swaps are derivative instruments that are designated as cash flow hedges because the swaps provide a hedge against the effects of rising interest rates on borrowings. The effective portion of the gain or loss on the swap is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the swap affects earnings. Gains or losses on the swap representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in current earnings. Amounts payable or receivable under the swap are accounted for as adjustments to interest expense. As of March 25, 2012, the swap is a highly effective cash flow hedge.

The weighted average interest rates for our revolving credit facilities, including the impact of the swap agreements, were 1.3% and 3.3% for the three months ended March 25, 2012 and March 27, 2011, respectively. Interest paid, including payments made or received under the swaps, was $249,000 and $878,000 for the three months ended March 25, 2012 and March 27, 2011, respectively. As of March 25, 2012, the portion of the $118,000 interest rate swap liability that would be reclassified into earnings during the next twelve months as interest expense approximates $83,000.

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Calculation of Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 25, 2012	Mar. 27, 2011
Basic earnings per common share:
Net income, net of noncontrolling interests	$ 16,744	$ 16,427
Weighted average shares outstanding	24,053	25,484
Basic earnings per common share	$ 0.70	$ 0.64
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution:
Net income, net of noncontrolling interests	$ 16,744	$ 16,427
Weighted average shares outstanding	24,053	25,484
Dilutive effect of outstanding equity awards	385	273
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	24,438	25,757
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution	$ 0.69	$ 0.64

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Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Detail) (USD $)					1 Months Ended
	Mar. 25, 2012 Entity	Dec. 25, 2011		Mar. 27, 2011 Entity	Apr. 30, 2012 Subsequent Event [Member] Location	Apr. 23, 2012 Subsequent Event [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Number of joint venture arrangements	2			2
Stockholders' equity attributable to noncontrolling interest	$ 9,895,000	$ 8,569,000	[1]
Net deferred tax liability	400,000
Number of restaurants acquired					56
Number of restaurants sold					6
Purchase price of restaurants, cash paid						$ 5,100,000

[1] The balance sheet at December 25, 2011 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date, but does not include all information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for a complete set of financial statements.