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

The income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes but after deducting the portion attributable to noncontrolling interest.

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	pzza_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of Income (Loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

+ References

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

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 51

-Paragraph 38

-Subparagraph a

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses from ongoing operations, after income or loss from equity method investments, but before income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 10

-Article 5

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