Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Apr. 28, 2020
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 29, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	0-21660
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	61-1203323
Entity Address, Address Line One	2002 Papa John’s Boulevard
Entity Address, City or Town	Louisville
Entity Address, State or Province	KY
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	40299-2367
City Area Code	502
Local Phone Number	261-7272
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	PZZA
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		32,466,249
Entity Registrant Name	PAPA JOHNS INTERNATIONAL INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000901491
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-27
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false