Other General Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2019	Dec. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
General and Administrative Expenses
Provision (credit) for uncollectible accounts and notes receivable	$ 3,139	$ 6,849	$ 29
Advertising and related costs	54,300	60,800	72,300
General and administrative expenses	223,460	193,534	150,866
General and administrative expenses
General and Administrative Expenses
Starboard option valuation	5,600
Provision (credit) for uncollectible accounts and notes receivable	2,764	3,338	(1,441)
Loss on disposition of fixed assets	1,130	2,233	2,493
Franchise support initiative		34	2,986
Other (income) expense	(915)	(1,725)	343
Other general expenses	2,979	3,880	5,427
Special charges	41,322	35,316
Marketing fund investment amount	27,500	10,000
Advisory and legal costs	5,900	19,500
Severance costs	2,400
Reimaging costs		5,800
Administrative expenses	223,460	193,534	150,866
Management incentive costs and professional fees	24,800
Technology initiative costs and contribution to Papa John's foundation		8,900
Contribution to Papa Johns Foundation		1,500
General and administrative expenses	179,159	$ 154,338	145,439
General and administrative expenses | Series B Preferred Stock
General and Administrative Expenses
Aggregate purchase price of shares	$ 50,000
Papa Rewards | General and administrative expenses
General and Administrative Expenses
Advertising and related costs			$ 1,046