Significant Accounting Policies - Noncontrolling Interest and Joint Ventures (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2021 USD ($) entity restaurant	Jun. 28, 2020 USD ($) entity restaurant	Jun. 27, 2021 USD ($) entity restaurant	Jun. 28, 2020 USD ($) entity restaurant
Noncontrolling Interests
Percentage of domestic restaurants franchised	80.00%		80.00%
Number of Joint Ventures Having Noncontrolling Interests | entity	4	4	4	4
Income Amounts Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Disclosures
Net income attributable to the Company	$ 32,254	$ 20,614	$ 66,137	$ 29,057
Joint ventures
Noncontrolling Interests
Number of Restaurants | restaurant	188	192	188	192
Income Amounts Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Disclosures
Papa John's International, Inc.	$ 2,296	$ 2,320	$ 4,645	$ 3,451
Noncontrolling interests	1,336	1,337	2,736	1,887
Net income attributable to the Company	$ 3,632	$ 3,657	$ 7,381	$ 5,338