Significant Accounting Policies - Noncontrolling Interest and Joint Ventures (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2016 USD ($) restaurant entity	Sep. 27, 2015 USD ($) restaurant	Sep. 25, 2016 USD ($) restaurant entity	Sep. 27, 2015 USD ($) restaurant
Income Amounts Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Disclosures
Noncontrolling interests	$ 1,183	$ 1,005	$ 4,623	$ 4,696
Total income before income taxes	$ 31,627	$ 26,257	$ 108,236	$ 80,224
Joint ventures
Noncontrolling Interests
Number of Joint Ventures Having Noncontrolling Interests | entity	4		4
Number of Restaurants | restaurant	215	208	215	208
Income Amounts Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Disclosures
Papa John's International, Inc.	$ 1,879	$ 1,570	$ 7,168	$ 7,240
Noncontrolling interests	1,183	1,005	4,623	4,696
Total income before income taxes	$ 3,062	$ 2,575	$ 11,791	$ 11,936