Divestiture (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2018 USD ($) restaurant lease
Proceeds from divestitures of restaurants	$ 3,690,000
Refranchising gain, net	$ 204,000
Stores in Denver, Colorado market
Number of restaurants divested | restaurant	31
Ownership share in stores refranchised (as a percent)	60.00%
Total consideration for asset sale of restaurants	$ 4,800,000
Proceeds from divestitures of restaurants	3,700,000
Consideration for asset sale, notes financed by Papa John's	1,100,000
Goodwill written off	745,000
Refranchising gain, net	$ 204,000
Number of domestic leases for which the Company is contingently liable | lease	31
Estimated maximum amount of undiscounted payments in the event of nonpayment by primary lessees	$ 3,900,000