Significant Accounting Policies - Noncontrolling Interest and Joint Ventures (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2021 USD ($) entity restaurant	Mar. 29, 2020 USD ($) entity restaurant
Noncontrolling Interests
Percentage of domestic restaurants franchised	80.00%
Number of Joint Ventures Having Noncontrolling Interests | entity	4	4
Income Amounts Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Disclosures
Net income attributable to the Company	$ 33,883	$ 8,443
Joint ventures
Noncontrolling Interests
Number of Restaurants | restaurant	188	192
Income Amounts Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Disclosures
Papa John's International, Inc.	$ 2,349	$ 1,131
Noncontrolling interests	1,400	550
Net income attributable to the Company	$ 3,749	$ 1,681