Papa John's International (PZZA) 10-Q5 Nov 132013 Q3 Quarterly reportFinancial data

Company Profile

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information	Sep. 29, 2013	Oct. 28, 2013
Document and Entity Information	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	29-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Trading Symbol	'PZZA	'
Entity Registrant Name	'PAPA JOHNS INTERNATIONAL INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000901491	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-29	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	21,544,498

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$13,689	$16,396
Accounts receivable, net	47,642	44,647
Notes receivable	5,506	4,577
Inventories	22,918	22,178
Deferred income taxes	9,263	10,279
Prepaid expenses	12,373	12,782
Other current assets	7,896	7,767
Total current assets	119,287	118,626
Property and equipment, net	207,415	196,661
Notes receivable, less current portion, net	12,305	12,536
Goodwill	79,024	78,958
Other assets	33,408	31,627
Total assets	451,439	438,408
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	34,081	32,624
Income and other taxes payable	5,918	10,429
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	55,192	60,528
Total current liabilities	95,191	103,581
Deferred revenue	6,215	7,329
Long-term debt	120,000	88,258
Deferred income taxes	12,471	10,672
Other long-term liabilities	41,118	40,674
Total liabilities	274,995	250,514
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	6,948	6,380
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock	'	'
Common stock	373	371
Additional paid-in capital	290,888	280,905
Accumulated other comprehensive income	1,700	1,824
Retained earnings	401,352	356,461
Treasury stock	-524,817	-458,047
Total stockholders' equity	169,496	181,514
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and stockholders' equity	$451,439	$438,408

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013		Sep. 23, 2012
Total revenues	$346,342	$325,514	$1,051,132		$975,369
General and administrative expenses	31,780	30,426	98,064		93,485
Other general expenses	1,260	1,211	4,042		8,020
Depreciation and amortization	8,605	8,192	25,672		24,223
Total costs and expenses	324,894	304,309	973,111		902,581
Operating income	21,448	21,205	78,021		72,788
Net interest (expense) income	-185	-342	147		-939
Income before income taxes	21,263	20,863	78,168		71,849
Income tax expense	6,385	7,038	24,926		24,256
Net income, including redeemable noncontrolling interests	14,878	13,825	53,242		47,593
Income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	-602	-794	-2,510		-3,292
Net income, net of redeemable noncontrolling interests	14,276	13,031	50,732	[1]	44,301	[1]
Basic earnings per common share	$0.66	$0.56	$2.32		$1.87
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution	$0.65	$0.55	$2.27		$1.84
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	21,591	23,268	21,855		23,685
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	22,084	23,721	22,381		24,107
Dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.25	'	$0.25		'
Domestic commissary and other	'	'	'		'
Cost of sales	115,563	111,114	347,386		328,364
Salaries and benefits	10,347	9,654	30,678		27,875
Other operating expenses	15,965	14,082	47,740		41,886
Total costs and expenses	141,875	134,850	425,804		398,125
International	'	'	'		'
Royalties and franchise and development fees	5,454	4,582	15,912		13,769
Restaurant and commissary sales	16,934	13,449	47,539		38,496
International restaurant and commissary expenses	14,372	11,394	40,008		32,761
North America \| Domestic Company-owned restaurants	'	'	'		'
Total revenues	152,662	143,299	465,713		430,641
Cost of sales	38,233	34,054	113,131		99,391
Salaries and benefits	41,701	39,587	127,026		118,239
Advertising and related costs	14,424	13,920	43,894		39,897
Occupancy costs	9,583	9,185	27,233		25,702
Other operating expenses	23,061	21,490	68,237		62,738
Total costs and expenses	127,002	118,236	379,521		345,967
North America \| North America franchising	'	'	'		'
Franchise royalties	19,419	18,777	60,382		58,396
Franchise and development fees	263	160	1,028		588
North America \| Domestic commissaries	'	'	'		'
Total revenues	138,044	132,666	421,941		396,869
North America \| Other	'	'	'		'
Total revenues	$13,566	$12,581	$38,617		$36,610

[1]	Net income at September 29, 2013 and September 23, 2012 is net of $2,510 and $3,292, respectively, allocable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests for our joint venture arrangements.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013		Sep. 23, 2012		Sep. 29, 2013		Sep. 23, 2012
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income	'		'		'		'
Net income, including redeemable noncontrolling interests	$14,878		$13,825		$53,242		$47,593
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:	'		'		'		'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	1,980		1,256		259		1,102
Interest rate swap	-529	[1]	-15	[1]	-456	[1]	-151	[1]
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	1,451		1,241		-197		951
Income tax effect:	'		'		'		'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-733		'		-96		'
Interest rate swap	196	[2]	6	[2]	169	[2]	56	[2]
Income tax effect	-537		6		73		56
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	914		1,247		-124		1,007
Comprehensive income, including redeemable noncontrolling interests	15,792		15,072		53,118		48,600
Comprehensive income, redeemable noncontrolling interests	-602		-794		-2,510		-3,292
Comprehensive income, net of redeemable noncontrolling interests	$15,190		$14,278		$50,608		$45,308

[1]	Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") into net interest (expense) income included $165 and $254 for the three and nine months ended September 29, 2013, respectively, and $37 and $107 for the three and nine months ended September 23, 2012, respectively.
[2]	The income tax effects of amounts reclassified out of AOCI into net interest (expense) income were $61 and $94 for the three and nine months ended September 29, 2013, respectively, and $14 and $39 for the three and nine months ended September 23, 2012, respectively.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income	'	'	'	'
Net interest (expense) income	($185)	($342)	$147	($939)
Income tax effects	6,385	7,038	24,926	24,256
Qualifying as hedges \| Interest rate swap \| Amount reclassified from AOCI	'	'	'	'
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income	'	'	'	'
Net interest (expense) income	165	37	254	107
Income tax effects	$61	$14	$94	$39

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)		Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings	Treasury Stock
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified		Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings	Treasury Stock
Balance at Dec. 25, 2011		$205,647	$367	$262,456	$1,849	$294,801	($353,826)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 25, 2011		'	24,019	'	'	'	'
Comprehensive income:		'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income, net of redeemable noncontrolling interests	[1]	44,301	'	'	'	44,301	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)		1,007	'	'	1,007	'	'
Comprehensive income		45,308	'	'	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		'	399	'	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options		11,399	4	11,395	'	'	'
Tax effect of equity awards		695	'	695	'	'	'
Acquisition of Company common stock (in shares)		'	-1,472	'	'	'	'
Acquisition of Company common stock		-64,146	'	'	'	'	-64,146
Stock-based compensation expense		4,932	'	4,932	'	'	'
Issuance of restricted stock (in shares)		'	65	'	'	'	'
Issuance of restricted stock		'	'	-1,568	'	'	1,568
Other		172	'	-99	'	'	271
Balance at Sep. 23, 2012		204,007	371	277,811	2,856	339,102	-416,133
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 23, 2012		'	23,011	'	'	'	'
Balance at Dec. 30, 2012		181,514	371	280,905	1,824	356,461	-458,047
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 30, 2012		'	22,241	'	'	'	'
Comprehensive income:		'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income, net of redeemable noncontrolling interests	[1]	50,732	'	'	'	50,732	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)		-124	'	'	-124	'	'
Comprehensive income		50,608	'	'	'	'	'
Cash dividends paid on common stock		-5,370	'	21	'	-5,391	'
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		'	245	'	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options		4,193	2	4,191	'	'	'
Tax effect of equity awards		2,246	'	2,246	'	'	'
Acquisition of Company common stock (in shares)		'	-1,128	'	'	'	'
Acquisition of Company common stock		-69,137	'	'	'	'	-69,137
Stock-based compensation expense		5,642	'	5,642	'	'	'
Issuance of restricted stock (in shares)		'	69	'	'	'	'
Issuance of restricted stock		'	'	-2,165	'	'	2,165
Change in redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interests		-450	'	'	'	-450	'
Other		250	'	48	'	'	202
Balance at Sep. 29, 2013		$169,496	$373	$290,888	$1,700	$401,352	($524,817)
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 29, 2013		'	21,427	'	'	'	'

[1]	Net income at September 29, 2013 and September 23, 2012 is net of $2,510 and $3,292, respectively, allocable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests for our joint venture arrangements.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto1

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity	'	'	'	'
Income allocable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	$602	$794	$2,510	$3,292
Accumulated other comprehensive income	1,700	2,856	1,700	2,856
Unrealized foreign currency translation gains	2,053	2,974	2,053	2,974
Net unrealized loss on the interest rate swap agreement	353	89	353	89
Pension plan liability	'	$29	'	$29

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012
Operating activities	'	'
Net income, including redeemable noncontrolling interests	$53,242	$47,593
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Provision for uncollectible accounts and notes receivable	1,130	1,250
Depreciation and amortization	25,672	24,223
Deferred income taxes	6,994	424
Stock-based compensation expense	5,642	4,932
Excess tax benefit on equity awards	-4,108	-1,717
Other	1,260	4,375
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-4,666	-6,018
Inventories	-740	-1,188
Prepaid expenses	410	2,766
Other current assets	-129	372
Other assets and liabilities	-3,254	-840
Accounts payable	1,457	1,106
Income and other taxes payable	-4,511	6,248
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	-3,217	7,258
Deferred revenue	-349	3,989
Net cash provided by operating activities	74,833	94,773
Investing activities	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment	-38,537	-26,425
Loans issued	-3,830	-3,951
Repayments of loans issued	3,687	2,620
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	'	-6,175
Proceeds from divestitures of restaurants	'	1,068
Other	324	4
Net cash used in investing activities	-38,356	-32,859
Financing activities	'	'
Net proceeds (repayments) on line of credit facility	31,742	-1,489
Cash dividends paid on common stock	-5,414	'
Excess tax benefit on equity awards	4,108	1,717
Tax payments for restricted stock issuances	-1,862	-846
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	4,193	11,399
Acquisition of Company common stock	-69,137	-64,146
Contributions from redeemable noncontrolling interest holders	850	'
Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interest holders	-3,200	-2,431
Other	-501	174
Net cash used in financing activities	-39,221	-55,622
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	37	119
Change in cash and cash equivalents	-2,707	6,411
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	16,396	18,942
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$13,689	$25,353

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation	Sep. 29, 2013
Basis of Presentation	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	1. Basis of Presentation

	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the nine months ended September 29, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2013. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for Papa John’s International, Inc. (referred to as the “Company,” “Papa John’s” or in the first person notations of “we,” “us” and “our”) for the year ended December 30, 2012.

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies	Sep. 29, 2013
Significant Accounting Policies	'
Significant Accounting Policies	'
	2. Significant Accounting Policies

	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

	Effective December 31, 2012, we adopted Accounting Standards Update 2013-02, “Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” on a prospective basis. The updated standard requires the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). We are required to disclose the effect of significant items reclassified out of AOCI into our consolidated statements of income either parenthetically in the consolidated statements of income for each caption impacted or in a note to the condensed consolidated financial statements. We reclassified $165,000 and $254,000 from AOCI to net interest (expense) income during the three and nine months ended September 29, 2013 and reclassified $37,000 and $107,000 for the three and nine months ended September 23, 2012.

	Noncontrolling Interests

	The Consolidation topic of the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) requires all entities to report noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries separate from the equity of the parent company. The Consolidation topic further requires that consolidated net income be reported at amounts attributable to the parent and the noncontrolling interest, rather than expensing the income attributable to the noncontrolling interest holder. Additionally, disclosures are required to clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent company and the interests of the noncontrolling owners, including a disclosure on the face of the consolidated statements for income attributable to the noncontrolling interest holder.

	Papa John’s has joint ventures in which there are redeemable noncontrolling interests, including the following as of September 29, 2013 and September 23, 2012:

			Number of		Restaurant Locations		Papa John’s		Reedeemable
			Restaurants				Ownership		Noncontrolling
									Interest
									Ownership
	29-Sep-13
	Star Papa, LP		78		Texas		51	%	49	%
	Colonel’s Limited, LLC		52		Maryland and Virginia		70	%	30	%
	PJ Minnesota, LLC		31		Minnesota		80	%	20	%
	PJ Denver, LLC		25		Colorado		60	%	40	%

	23-Sep-12
	Star Papa, LP		76		Texas		51	%	49	%
	Colonel’s Limited, LLC		52		Maryland and Virginia		70	%	30	%
	PJ Minnesota, LLC		29		Minnesota		80	%	20	%

	The income before income taxes attributable to the joint ventures for the three and nine months ended September 29, 2013 and September 23, 2012 was as follows (in thousands):

			Three Months						Nine Months
			Sept. 29,			Sept. 23,			Sept. 29,			Sept. 23,
			2013			2012			2013			2012

	Papa John’s International, Inc.		$	805		$	1,259		$	3,597		$	5,157
	Noncontrolling interests		602			794			2,510			3,292
	Total income before income taxes		$	1,407		$	2,053		$	6,107		$	8,449

	The Colonel’s Limited, LLC agreement contains a mandatory redemption clause and, accordingly, the Company has recorded this noncontrolling interest as a liability at its redemption value in other long-term liabilities. The redemption value is adjusted at each reporting date and any change is recorded in net interest (expense) income. The redemption value was $10.7 million as of September 29, 2013 and $11.8 million as of December 30, 2012.

	As part of the other joint venture agreements, the noncontrolling interest holders have the option to require the Company to purchase their interests. Since redemption of the noncontrolling interests is outside of the Company’s control, the noncontrolling interests are presented in the caption “Redeemable noncontrolling interests” in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and include the following joint ventures:

	· The Star Papa, LP agreement contains a redemption feature that is not currently redeemable, but it is probable to become redeemable in the future. Due to specific valuation provisions contained in the agreement, this noncontrolling interest has been recorded at its carrying value.

	· The PJ Minnesota, LLC and PJ Denver, LLC agreements contain redemption features that are currently redeemable and, therefore, these noncontrolling interests have been recorded at their current redemption values. The change in redemption value is recorded as an adjustment to “Redeemable noncontrolling interests” and “Retained earnings” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending recorded values of the redeemable noncontrolling interests for the nine months ended September 29, 2013 is as follows (in thousands):

	Balance at December 30, 2012		$	6,380
	Net income		1,268
	Contributions from redeemable noncontrolling interest holders		850
	Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interest holders		(2,000		)
	Change in redemption value		450
	Balance at September 29, 2013		$	6,948

	Deferred Income Tax Accounts and Tax Reserves

	We are subject to income taxes in the United States and several foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes and the related assets and liabilities. The provision for income taxes includes income taxes paid, currently payable or receivable and those deferred. We use an estimated annual effective rate based on expected annual income before income taxes to determine our quarterly provision for income taxes. Discrete items are recorded in the quarter in which they occur.

	Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities, and are measured using enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences reverse. Deferred tax assets are also recognized for the estimated future effects of tax loss carryforwards. The effect on deferred taxes of changes in tax rates is recognized in the period in which the new tax is enacted. As a result, our effective tax rate may fluctuate. Valuation allowances are established when necessary on a jurisdictional basis to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts we expect to realize. As of September 29, 2013, we had a net deferred tax liability of approximately $3.2 million.

	Tax authorities periodically audit the Company. We record reserves and related interest and penalties for identified exposures as income tax expense. We evaluate these issues on a quarterly basis to adjust for events, such as statute of limitations expirations, court rulings or audit settlements, which may impact our ultimate payment for such exposures.

	Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures

The Company is required to determine the fair value of financial assets and liabilities based on the price that would be received to sell the asset or paid to transfer the liability to a market participant. Fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity specific measurement. The fair value of certain assets and liabilities approximates carrying value because of the short-term nature of the accounts, including cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable. The fair value of our notes receivable net of allowances also approximates carrying value. The fair value of the amount outstanding under our revolving credit facility approximates its carrying value due to its variable market-based interest rate.

Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are required to be classified and disclosed in one of the following categories:

· Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
· Level 2: Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
· Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

Our financial assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012 are as follows (in thousands):

		Balance Sheet		Carrying			Fair Value Measurements
		Location		Value			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3

29-Sep-13
Financial assets:
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies *		Other assets		$	15,896		$	15,896		$	—		$	—

Financial liabilities:
Interest rate swap		Other long-term liabilities		471			—			471			—

30-Dec-12
Financial assets:
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies *		Other assets		$	13,551		$	13,551		$	—		$	—

Financial liabilities:
Interest rate swap		Other long-term liabilities		104			—			104			—


* Represents life insurance policies held in our non-qualified deferred compensation plan.

There were no transfers among levels within the fair value hierarchy during the nine months ended September 29, 2013.

The fair value of our interest rate swap is based on the sum of all future net present value cash flows. The future cash flows are derived based on the terms of our interest rate swap, as well as considering published discount factors, and projected London Interbank Offered Rates (“LIBOR”).

Cash_Dividends_and_TwoforOne_S

Cash Dividends and Two-for-One Stock Split	9 Months Ended
Cash Dividends and Two-for-One Stock Split	Sep. 29, 2013
Cash Dividends and Two-for-One Stock Split	'
Cash Dividends and Two-for-One Stock Split	'
	3. Cash Dividends and Two-for-One Stock Split

	On August 2, 2013, our Board of Directors approved the initiation of quarterly cash dividends to shareholders. A quarterly dividend of $0.25 per common share, or $5.4 million in the aggregate, was paid on September 20, 2013 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on September 6, 2013.

	Subsequent to third quarter, on October 29, 2013, our Board of Directors declared a fourth quarter cash dividend of $0.25 per common share (or approximately $5.4 million in the aggregate based on current shareholders of record). The dividend will be paid on November 22, 2013 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 11, 2013.

	Subsequent to third quarter, the Board of Directors declared a two-for-one split of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock, effected in the form of a stock dividend. The stock dividend entitles each shareholder of record at the close of business on December 12, 2013 to receive one additional share for every outstanding share of common stock held on the record date. The stock dividend will be distributed on December 27, 2013.

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
Debt	Sep. 29, 2013
Debt	'
Debt	'
	4. Debt

	Our debt is comprised entirely of a revolving credit facility. The outstanding balance under this facility was $120.0 million as of September 29, 2013 and $88.3 million as of December 30, 2012.

	In September 2010, we entered into a five-year, $175 million unsecured revolving credit facility, which was amended in November 2011 to extend the maturity date to November 30, 2016. On April 30, 2013, we amended and restated our revolving credit facility to increase the amount available for borrowing thereunder to $300 million and extend the maturity date to April 30, 2018. The interest rate charged on outstanding balances is LIBOR plus 75 to 175 basis points. The commitment fee on the unused balance ranges from 15 to 25 basis points. The remaining availability under the revolving credit facility, reduced for outstanding letters of credit, was approximately $160.3 million as of September 29, 2013.

	The revolving credit facility has affirmative and negative covenants, including financial covenants requiring the maintenance of specified fixed charges and leverage ratios. At September 29, 2013, we were in compliance with these covenants.

	In August 2011, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement that resulted in a fixed rate of 0.53%, instead of the variable rate of LIBOR, with a notional amount of $50.0 million and a maturity date of August 2013. On December 31, 2012, we amended our interest rate swap agreement to extend the maturity date to December 30, 2015. The amendment resulted in a change to the fixed rate (to 0.56% from 0.53%) but did not impact the notional amount of the interest rate swap agreement. On July 30, 2013, we terminated the $50 million swap and entered into a new $75 million swap. The new swap has an interest rate of 1.42% and a maturity date of April 30, 2018, which coincides with the maturity date of our revolving credit facility. The termination of the previous swap did not have a material impact on our third quarter results.

	Our swap is a derivative instrument that is designated as a cash flow hedge because the swap provides a hedge against the effects of rising interest rates on borrowings. The effective portion of the gain or loss on the swap is reported as a component of AOCI and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the swap affects earnings. Gains or losses on the swap representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in current earnings. Amounts payable or receivable under the swap are accounted for as adjustments to interest expense. As of September 29, 2013, the swap is a highly effective cash flow hedge with no ineffectiveness for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 29, 2013.

	The weighted average interest rates for our revolving credit facility, including the impact of the swap agreement, were 1.6% and 1.3% for the three and nine months ended September 29, 2013, and 1.3% for the three and nine months ended September 23, 2012. Interest paid, including payments made or received under the swap, was $431,000 and $237,000 for the three months ended September 29, 2013 and September 23, 2012, respectively, and $1.2 million and $718,000 for the nine months ended September 29, 2013 and September 23, 2012, respectively.

Calculation_of_Earnings_Per_Sh

Calculation of Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Calculation of Earnings Per Share	'
Calculation of Earnings Per Share	'
	5. Calculation of Earnings Per Share

	The calculations of basic earnings per common share and earnings per common share — assuming dilution are as follows (in thousands, except per-share data):

		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		Sept. 29,		Sept. 23,		Sept. 29,		Sept. 23,
		2013		2012		2013		2012

	Basic earnings per common share:
	Net income, net of redeemable noncontrolling interests	$	14,276	$	13,031	$	50,732	$	44,301
	Weighted average shares outstanding	21,591		23,268		21,855		23,685
	Basic earnings per common share	$	0.66	$	0.56	$	2.32	$	1.87

	Earnings per common share - assuming dilution:
	Net income, net of redeemable noncontrolling interests	$	14,276	$	13,031	$	50,732	$	44,301

	Weighted average shares outstanding	21,591		23,268		21,855		23,685
	Dilutive effect of outstanding equity awards	493		453		526		422
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	22,084		23,721		22,381		24,107
	Earnings per common share - assuming dilution	$	0.65	$	0.55	$	2.27	$	1.84

	The Company grants time-based restricted shares, which are participating securities. The Company evaluated earnings per common share under the “two class method” and determined there were no material differences from the amounts disclosed.

	Shares subject to options to purchase common stock with an exercise price greater than the average market price are not included in the computation of earnings per common share — assuming dilution because the effect would be antidilutive. The weighted average number of shares subject to antidilutive options was 24,000 and 129,000 for the three and nine months ended September 29, 2013, respectively (none for the three and nine months ended September 23, 2012).

Litigation

Litigation	9 Months Ended
Litigation	Sep. 29, 2013
Litigation	'
Litigation	'
	6. Litigation

	The Company is involved in a number of lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings, including those specifically identified below, consisting of intellectual property, employment, consumer, commercial and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. In accordance with ASC 450 “Contingencies,” the Company has made accruals with respect to these matters, where appropriate, which are reflected in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. We review these provisions at least quarterly and adjust these provisions to reflect the impact of negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel and other information and events pertaining to a particular case.

	Agne v. Papa John’s International, Inc. et al. is a class action filed on May 28, 2010 in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington seeking damages for violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and Washington State telemarketing laws alleging, among other things that several Papa John’s franchisees retained a vendor to send unsolicited commercial text message offers primarily in Washington and Oregon. The court granted plaintiff’s motion for class certification in November 2012; we filed a petition for permission to appeal the court’s ruling on class certification to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

	In February 2013, the parties tentatively agreed to the financial terms of a settlement of the litigation. The court preliminarily approved the terms in June 2013 and granted final approval of the settlement and fee award in October 2013, following the close of the claims period. Due to a lower claimant participation rate, the actual settlement cost of $2.9 million was less than our original estimate at December 30, 2012 of $3.3 million, a decrease of approximately $400,000. We expect all settlement and fee payments to be made in 2013.

	Perrin v. Papa John’s International, Inc. and Papa John’s USA, Inc. is a conditionally certified collective action filed in August 2009 in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Missouri, alleging that delivery drivers were reimbursed for mileage and expenses in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Approximately 3,900 drivers out of a potential class size of 28,800 have opted into the action. A motion to certify five additional state classes is pending and could result in another 14,000 plaintiffs if granted.

	We intend to vigorously defend against all claims in this lawsuit. However, given the inherent uncertainties of litigation, the outcome of this case cannot be predicted and the amount of any potential loss cannot be reasonably estimated. A negative outcome in this case could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Segment Information	'
Segment Information	'
	7. Segment Information

	We have defined five reportable segments: domestic Company-owned restaurants, domestic commissaries, North America franchising, international operations, and “all other” units.

	The domestic Company-owned restaurant segment consists of the operations of all domestic (“domestic” is defined as contiguous United States) Company-owned restaurants and derives its revenues principally from retail sales of pizza and side items, such as breadsticks, cheesesticks, chicken poppers, chicken wings, dessert pizza, and soft drinks to the general public. The domestic commissary segment consists of the operations of our regional dough production and product distribution centers and derives its revenues principally from the sale and distribution of food and paper products to domestic Company-owned and franchised restaurants. The North America franchising segment consists of our franchise sales and support activities and derives its revenues from sales of franchise and development rights and collection of royalties from our franchisees located in the United States and Canada. The international operations segment principally consists of our Company-owned restaurants and distribution sales to franchised Papa John’s restaurants located in the United Kingdom, Mexico and China and our franchise sales and support activities, which derive revenues from sales of franchise and development rights and the collection of royalties from our international franchisees. International franchisees are defined as all franchise operations outside of the United States and Canada. All other business units that do not meet the quantitative thresholds for determining reportable segments, which are not operating segments, we refer to as our “all other” segment, which consists of operations that derive revenues from the sale, principally to Company-owned and franchised restaurants, of printing and promotional items, risk management services, and information systems and related services used in restaurant operations, including our online and other technology-based ordering platforms.

	Generally, we evaluate performance and allocate resources based on profit or loss from operations before income taxes and intercompany eliminations. Certain administrative and capital costs are allocated to segments based upon predetermined rates or actual estimated resource usage. We account for intercompany sales and transfers as if the sales or transfers were to third parties and eliminate the activity in consolidation.

	Our reportable segments are business units that provide different products or services. Separate management of each segment is required because each business unit is subject to different operational issues and strategies. No single external customer accounted for 10% or more of our consolidated revenues.

	Our segment information is as follows (in thousands):

		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		Sept. 29, 2013			Sept. 23, 2012			Sept. 29, 2013			Sept. 23, 2012

	Revenues from external customers:
	Domestic Company-owned restaurants	$	152,662		$	143,299		$	465,713		$	430,641
	Domestic commissaries	138,044			132,666			421,941			396,869
	North America franchising	19,682			18,937			61,410			58,984
	International	22,388			18,031			63,451			52,265
	All others	13,566			12,581			38,617			36,610
	Total revenues from external customers	$	346,342		$	325,514		$	1,051,132		$	975,369

	Intersegment revenues:
	Domestic commissaries	$	46,408		$	42,313		$	139,320		$	123,802
	North America franchising	530			546			1,635			1,656
	International	69			60			209			171
	All others	3,718			2,758			10,204			8,443
	Total intersegment revenues	$	50,725		$	45,677		$	151,368		$	134,072

	Income (loss) before income taxes:
	Domestic Company-owned restaurants	$	5,535		$	5,549		$	24,666		$	27,228
	Domestic commissaries	6,473			6,846			26,278			25,990
	North America franchising	16,516			16,070			52,134			50,829
	International	945			625			2,152			1,217
	All others	590			732			2,402			1,598
	Unallocated corporate expenses	(8,544		)	(9,201		)	(28,475		)	(34,784		)
	Elimination of intersegment profits	(252		)	242			(989		)	(229		)
	Total income before income taxes	$	21,263		$	20,863		$	78,168		$	71,849

	Property and equipment:
	Domestic Company-owned restaurants	$	191,839
	Domestic commissaries	103,362
	International	25,832
	All others	39,753
	Unallocated corporate assets	153,186
	Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(306,557		)
	Net property and equipment	$	207,415

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Sep. 29, 2013
Significant Accounting Policies	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

	Effective December 31, 2012, we adopted Accounting Standards Update 2013-02, “Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” on a prospective basis. The updated standard requires the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). We are required to disclose the effect of significant items reclassified out of AOCI into our consolidated statements of income either parenthetically in the consolidated statements of income for each caption impacted or in a note to the condensed consolidated financial statements. We reclassified $165,000 and $254,000 from AOCI to net interest (expense) income during the three and nine months ended September 29, 2013 and reclassified $37,000 and $107,000 for the three and nine months ended September 23, 2012.

Noncontrolling Interests	'
	Noncontrolling Interests

	The Consolidation topic of the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) requires all entities to report noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries separate from the equity of the parent company. The Consolidation topic further requires that consolidated net income be reported at amounts attributable to the parent and the noncontrolling interest, rather than expensing the income attributable to the noncontrolling interest holder. Additionally, disclosures are required to clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent company and the interests of the noncontrolling owners, including a disclosure on the face of the consolidated statements for income attributable to the noncontrolling interest holder.

	Papa John’s has joint ventures in which there are redeemable noncontrolling interests, including the following as of September 29, 2013 and September 23, 2012:

		Number of		Restaurant Locations		Papa John’s		Reedeemable
		Restaurants				Ownership		Noncontrolling
								Interest
								Ownership
	29-Sep-13
	Star Papa, LP	78		Texas		51	%	49	%
	Colonel’s Limited, LLC	52		Maryland and Virginia		70	%	30	%
	PJ Minnesota, LLC	31		Minnesota		80	%	20	%
	PJ Denver, LLC	25		Colorado		60	%	40	%

	23-Sep-12
	Star Papa, LP	76		Texas		51	%	49	%
	Colonel’s Limited, LLC	52		Maryland and Virginia		70	%	30	%
	PJ Minnesota, LLC	29		Minnesota		80	%	20	%

	The income before income taxes attributable to the joint ventures for the three and nine months ended September 29, 2013 and September 23, 2012 was as follows (in thousands):

		Three Months						Nine Months
		Sept. 29,			Sept. 23,			Sept. 29,			Sept. 23,
		2013			2012			2013			2012

	Papa John’s International, Inc.	$	805		$	1,259		$	3,597		$	5,157
	Noncontrolling interests	602			794			2,510			3,292
	Total income before income taxes	$	1,407		$	2,053		$	6,107		$	8,449

	The Colonel’s Limited, LLC agreement contains a mandatory redemption clause and, accordingly, the Company has recorded this noncontrolling interest as a liability at its redemption value in other long-term liabilities. The redemption value is adjusted at each reporting date and any change is recorded in net interest (expense) income. The redemption value was $10.7 million as of September 29, 2013 and $11.8 million as of December 30, 2012.

	As part of the other joint venture agreements, the noncontrolling interest holders have the option to require the Company to purchase their interests. Since redemption of the noncontrolling interests is outside of the Company’s control, the noncontrolling interests are presented in the caption “Redeemable noncontrolling interests” in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and include the following joint ventures:

	· The Star Papa, LP agreement contains a redemption feature that is not currently redeemable, but it is probable to become redeemable in the future. Due to specific valuation provisions contained in the agreement, this noncontrolling interest has been recorded at its carrying value.

	· The PJ Minnesota, LLC and PJ Denver, LLC agreements contain redemption features that are currently redeemable and, therefore, these noncontrolling interests have been recorded at their current redemption values. The change in redemption value is recorded as an adjustment to “Redeemable noncontrolling interests” and “Retained earnings” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending recorded values of the redeemable noncontrolling interests for the nine months ended September 29, 2013 is as follows (in thousands):

	Balance at December 30, 2012	$	6,380
	Net income	1,268
	Contributions from redeemable noncontrolling interest holders	850
	Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interest holders	(2,000		)
	Change in redemption value	450
	Balance at September 29, 2013	$	6,948

Deferred Income Tax Accounts and Tax Reserves	'
	Deferred Income Tax Accounts and Tax Reserves

	We are subject to income taxes in the United States and several foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes and the related assets and liabilities. The provision for income taxes includes income taxes paid, currently payable or receivable and those deferred. We use an estimated annual effective rate based on expected annual income before income taxes to determine our quarterly provision for income taxes. Discrete items are recorded in the quarter in which they occur.

	Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities, and are measured using enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences reverse. Deferred tax assets are also recognized for the estimated future effects of tax loss carryforwards. The effect on deferred taxes of changes in tax rates is recognized in the period in which the new tax is enacted. As a result, our effective tax rate may fluctuate. Valuation allowances are established when necessary on a jurisdictional basis to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts we expect to realize. As of September 29, 2013, we had a net deferred tax liability of approximately $3.2 million.

	Tax authorities periodically audit the Company. We record reserves and related interest and penalties for identified exposures as income tax expense. We evaluate these issues on a quarterly basis to adjust for events, such as statute of limitations expirations, court rulings or audit settlements, which may impact our ultimate payment for such exposures.

Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures	'
	Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures

	The Company is required to determine the fair value of financial assets and liabilities based on the price that would be received to sell the asset or paid to transfer the liability to a market participant. Fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity specific measurement. The fair value of certain assets and liabilities approximates carrying value because of the short-term nature of the accounts, including cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable. The fair value of our notes receivable net of allowances also approximates carrying value. The fair value of the amount outstanding under our revolving credit facility approximates its carrying value due to its variable market-based interest rate.

	Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are required to be classified and disclosed in one of the following categories:

	· Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	· Level 2: Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
	· Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

	Our financial assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012 are as follows (in thousands):

		Balance Sheet		Carrying			Fair Value Measurements
		Location		Value			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3

	29-Sep-13
	Financial assets:
	Cash surrender value of life insurance policies *	Other assets		$	15,896		$	15,896		$	—		$	—

	Financial liabilities:
	Interest rate swap	Other long-term liabilities		471			—			471			—

	30-Dec-12
	Financial assets:
	Cash surrender value of life insurance policies *	Other assets		$	13,551		$	13,551		$	—		$	—

	Financial liabilities:
	Interest rate swap	Other long-term liabilities		104			—			104			—


	* Represents life insurance policies held in our non-qualified deferred compensation plan.

	There were no transfers among levels within the fair value hierarchy during the nine months ended September 29, 2013.

	The fair value of our interest rate swap is based on the sum of all future net present value cash flows. The future cash flows are derived based on the terms of our interest rate swap, as well as considering published discount factors, and projected London Interbank Offered Rates (“LIBOR”).

Significant_Accounting_Policie2

Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	Sep. 29, 2013
Significant Accounting Policies	'
Schedule of Joint Venture Arrangements	'
	Papa John’s has joint ventures in which there are redeemable noncontrolling interests, including the following as of September 29, 2013 and September 23, 2012:

		Number of		Restaurant Locations		Papa John’s		Reedeemable
		Restaurants				Ownership		Noncontrolling
								Interest
								Ownership
	29-Sep-13
	Star Papa, LP	78		Texas		51	%	49	%
	Colonel’s Limited, LLC	52		Maryland and Virginia		70	%	30	%
	PJ Minnesota, LLC	31		Minnesota		80	%	20	%
	PJ Denver, LLC	25		Colorado		60	%	40	%

	23-Sep-12
	Star Papa, LP	76		Texas		51	%	49	%
	Colonel’s Limited, LLC	52		Maryland and Virginia		70	%	30	%
	PJ Minnesota, LLC	29		Minnesota		80	%	20	%

Schedule of Income Before Income Taxes Attributable to Joint Ventures	'
	The income before income taxes attributable to the joint ventures for the three and nine months ended September 29, 2013 and September 23, 2012 was as follows (in thousands):

		Three Months						Nine Months
		Sept. 29,			Sept. 23,			Sept. 29,			Sept. 23,
		2013			2012			2013			2012

	Papa John’s International, Inc.	$	805		$	1,259		$	3,597		$	5,157
	Noncontrolling interests	602			794			2,510			3,292
	Total income before income taxes	$	1,407		$	2,053		$	6,107		$	8,449

Schedule of Recorded Values of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests	'
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending recorded values of the redeemable noncontrolling interests for the nine months ended September 29, 2013 is as follows (in thousands):

	Balance at December 30, 2012	$	6,380
	Net income	1,268
	Contributions from redeemable noncontrolling interest holders	850
	Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interest holders	(2,000		)
	Change in redemption value	450
	Balance at September 29, 2013	$	6,948

Schedule of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis	'
	Our financial assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012 are as follows (in thousands):

		Balance Sheet		Carrying			Fair Value Measurements
		Location		Value			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3

	29-Sep-13
	Financial assets:
	Cash surrender value of life insurance policies *	Other assets		$	15,896		$	15,896		$	—		$	—

	Financial liabilities:
	Interest rate swap	Other long-term liabilities		471			—			471			—

	30-Dec-12
	Financial assets:
	Cash surrender value of life insurance policies *	Other assets		$	13,551		$	13,551		$	—		$	—

	Financial liabilities:
	Interest rate swap	Other long-term liabilities		104			—			104			—


	* Represents life insurance policies held in our non-qualified deferred compensation plan.

Calculation_of_Earnings_Per_Sh1

Calculation of Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Calculation of Earnings Per Share	'
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	'
	The calculations of basic earnings per common share and earnings per common share — assuming dilution are as follows (in thousands, except per-share data):

		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		Sept. 29,		Sept. 23,		Sept. 29,		Sept. 23,
		2013		2012		2013		2012

	Basic earnings per common share:
	Net income, net of redeemable noncontrolling interests	$	14,276	$	13,031	$	50,732	$	44,301
	Weighted average shares outstanding	21,591		23,268		21,855		23,685
	Basic earnings per common share	$	0.66	$	0.56	$	2.32	$	1.87

	Earnings per common share - assuming dilution:
	Net income, net of redeemable noncontrolling interests	$	14,276	$	13,031	$	50,732	$	44,301

	Weighted average shares outstanding	21,591		23,268		21,855		23,685
	Dilutive effect of outstanding equity awards	493		453		526		422
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	22,084		23,721		22,381		24,107
	Earnings per common share - assuming dilution	$	0.65	$	0.55	$	2.27	$	1.84

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
Segment Information	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	'
	Our segment information is as follows (in thousands):

		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		Sept. 29, 2013			Sept. 23, 2012			Sept. 29, 2013			Sept. 23, 2012

	Revenues from external customers:
	Domestic Company-owned restaurants	$	152,662		$	143,299		$	465,713		$	430,641
	Domestic commissaries	138,044			132,666			421,941			396,869
	North America franchising	19,682			18,937			61,410			58,984
	International	22,388			18,031			63,451			52,265
	All others	13,566			12,581			38,617			36,610
	Total revenues from external customers	$	346,342		$	325,514		$	1,051,132		$	975,369

	Intersegment revenues:
	Domestic commissaries	$	46,408		$	42,313		$	139,320		$	123,802
	North America franchising	530			546			1,635			1,656
	International	69			60			209			171
	All others	3,718			2,758			10,204			8,443
	Total intersegment revenues	$	50,725		$	45,677		$	151,368		$	134,072

	Income (loss) before income taxes:
	Domestic Company-owned restaurants	$	5,535		$	5,549		$	24,666		$	27,228
	Domestic commissaries	6,473			6,846			26,278			25,990
	North America franchising	16,516			16,070			52,134			50,829
	International	945			625			2,152			1,217
	All others	590			732			2,402			1,598
	Unallocated corporate expenses	(8,544		)	(9,201		)	(28,475		)	(34,784		)
	Elimination of intersegment profits	(252		)	242			(989		)	(229		)
	Total income before income taxes	$	21,263		$	20,863		$	78,168		$	71,849

	Property and equipment:
	Domestic Company-owned restaurants	$	191,839
	Domestic commissaries	103,362
	International	25,832
	All others	39,753
	Unallocated corporate assets	153,186
	Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(306,557		)
	Net property and equipment	$	207,415

Significant_Accounting_Policie3

Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'	'	'	'
Net interest (expense) income	($185)	($342)	$147	($939)
Qualifying as hedges \| Interest rate swap \| Amount reclassified from AOCI	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'	'	'	'
Net interest (expense) income	$165	$37	$254	$107

Significant_Accounting_Policie4

Significant Accounting Policies (Details 2)	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012
Significant Accounting Policies (Details 2)	Restaurant	Restaurant
Star Papa, LP	'	'
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	'	'
Number of Restaurants	78	76
Papa John's Ownership	51.00%	51.00%
Reedeemable Noncontrolling Interest Ownership	49.00%	49.00%
Colonel's Limited, LLC	'	'
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	'	'
Number of Restaurants	52	52
Papa John's Ownership	70.00%	70.00%
Reedeemable Noncontrolling Interest Ownership	30.00%	30.00%
PJ Minnesota, LLC	'	'
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	'	'
Number of Restaurants	31	29
Papa John's Ownership	80.00%	80.00%
Reedeemable Noncontrolling Interest Ownership	20.00%	20.00%
PJ Denver, LLC	'	'
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	'	'
Number of Restaurants	25	'
Papa John's Ownership	60.00%	'
Reedeemable Noncontrolling Interest Ownership	40.00%	'

Significant_Accounting_Policie5

Significant Accounting Policies (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012
Income before income taxes attributable to the joint ventures	'	'	'	'
Noncontrolling interests	$602	$794	$2,510	$3,292
Total income before income taxes	21,263	20,863	78,168	71,849
Joint ventures	'	'	'	'
Income before income taxes attributable to the joint ventures	'	'	'	'
Papa John's International, Inc.	805	1,259	3,597	5,157
Noncontrolling interests	602	794	2,510	3,292
Total income before income taxes	$1,407	$2,053	$6,107	$8,449

Significant_Accounting_Policie6

Significant Accounting Policies (Details 4) (Colonel's Limited, LLC, USD $)	Sep. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Colonel's Limited, LLC	'	'
Noncontrolling Interests	'	'
Redemption value	$10.70	$11.80

Significant_Accounting_Policie7

Significant Accounting Policies (Details 5) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013
Noncontrolling interests	'
Beginning Balance	$6,380
Change in redemption value	-450
Ending Balance	6,948
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	'
Noncontrolling interests	'
Beginning Balance	6,380
Net income	1,268
Contributions from redeemable noncontrolling interest holders	850
Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interest holders	-2,000
Change in redemption value	450
Ending Balance	$6,948

Significant_Accounting_Policie8

Significant Accounting Policies (Details 6) (USD $)	Sep. 29, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013
Deferred income tax accounts and tax reserve disclosures	'
Net deferred tax liability	$3.20

Significant_Accounting_Policie9

Significant Accounting Policies (Details 7) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 29, 2013

Dec. 30, 2012

Sep. 29, 2013

Dec. 30, 2012

Sep. 29, 2013

Dec. 30, 2012

Sep. 29, 2013

Dec. 30, 2012

Measured on Recurring Basis

Level 1

Level 2

Carrying Value

Other assets

Other long-term liabilities

Other assets

Other long-term liabilities

Measurement of financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis

Cash surrender value of life insurance policies

$15,896

[1]

$13,551

[1]

$15,896

[1]

$13,551

[1]

Interest rate swap liabilities

471

104

471

104

Transfers among levels within the fair value hierarchy

[1]

Represents life insurance policies held in our non-qualified deferred compensation plan.

Cash_Dividends_and_TwoforOne_S1

Cash Dividends and Two-for-One Stock Split (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Sep. 20, 2013	Sep. 29, 2013	Oct. 29, 2013
	Sep. 20, 2013	Sep. 29, 2013	Subsequent event
Cash Dividends and Two-for-One Stock Split	'	'	'
Quarterly dividend paid per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.25	'	'
Quarterly dividend paid to shareholders	$5,414,000	$5,414,000	'
Subsequent events	'	'	'
Quarterly dividend declared, per share (in dollars per share)	'	'	$0.25
Quarterly dividend declared	'	'	$5,400,000
Quarterly dividend, date of declaration	2-Aug-13	'	29-Oct-13
Quarterly dividend, date of record	6-Sep-13	'	11-Nov-13
Quarterly dividend, date of distribution	20-Sep-13	'	22-Nov-13
Stock split ratio	'	'	2
Number of shares to be distributed as a stock dividend for each oustanding share held	'	'	1
Stock dividend, date of record	'	'	12-Dec-13
Stock dividend, date of distribution	'	'	27-Dec-13

Debt_Details

Debt (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2013

Sep. 23, 2012

Sep. 29, 2013

Sep. 23, 2012

Jul. 30, 2013

Jan. 01, 2013

Aug. 30, 2011

Jul. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2010

Sep. 29, 2013

Apr. 30, 2013

Dec. 30, 2012

Apr. 30, 2013

Interest rate swap, August 2011

Interest rate swap, July 2013

Revolving credit facility

Minimum

Maximum

LIBOR

Minimum

Maximum

Debt

Revolving line of credit

$120,000,000

$88,300,000

Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity

175,000,000

300,000,000

Line of credit facility, term

'5 years

Interest margin rate on debt

0.75%

1.75%

Percentage of commitment fee on unused credit facility

0.15%

0.25%

Line of credit facility, remaining availability

160,300,000

Interest rate swap agreement, fixed interest rate

0.56%

0.53%

1.42%

Interest rate swap agreement, notional amount

50,000,000

75,000,000

Termination of interest rate swap

50,000,000

Weighted average interest rate for credit facility borrowings, including the impact of interest rate swaps

1.60%

1.30%

Interest paid

$431,000

$237,000

$1,200,000

$718,000

Calculation_of_Earnings_Per_Sh2

Calculation of Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013		Sep. 23, 2012
Basic earnings per common share:	'	'	'		'
Net income, net of redeemable noncontrolling interests	$14,276	$13,031	$50,732	[1]	$44,301	[1]
Weighted average shares outstanding	21,591	23,268	21,855		23,685
Basic earnings per common share	$0.66	$0.56	$2.32		$1.87
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution:	'	'	'		'
Net income, net of redeemable noncontrolling interests	$14,276	$13,031	$50,732	[1]	$44,301	[1]
Weighted average shares outstanding	21,591	23,268	21,855		23,685
Dilutive effect of outstanding equity awards	493	453	526		422
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	22,084	23,721	22,381		24,107
Earnings per common share - assuming dilution	$0.65	$0.55	$2.27		$1.84

[1]	Net income at September 29, 2013 and September 23, 2012 is net of $2,510 and $3,292, respectively, allocable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests for our joint venture arrangements.

Calculation_of_Earnings_Per_Sh3

Calculation of Earnings Per Share (Details 2)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Calculation of Earnings Per Share (Details 2)	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012
Calculation of Earnings Per Share	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive shares excluded from computation of earnings per share	24,000	0	129,000	0

Litigation_Details

Litigation (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013
	Agne litigation	Agne litigation	Perrin Litigation
			Case
			Employee
Loss Contingency Information About Litigation Matters	'	'	'
Actual settlement cost	$2,900,000	'	'
Original estimate of settlement cost	'	3,300,000	'
Decrease in original estimate of settlement cost	$400,000	'	'
Number of employees who opted into the class action	'	'	3,900
Potential class size	'	'	28,800
Additional state classes pending	'	'	5
Number of resultant plaintiffs if pending state classes are granted	'	'	14,000

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
	Entity
Segment Information	'
Reportable segments, number	5
Consolidated revenues	'
Segment Information	'
Concentration risk, number	0

Segment_Information_Details_2

Segment Information (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012	Dec. 30, 2012
Segment Information	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue from external customers	$346,342	$325,514	$1,051,132	$975,369	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	21,263	20,863	78,168	71,849	'
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	-306,557	'	-306,557	'	'
Net property and equipment	207,415	'	207,415	'	196,661
Operating segments \| Domestic company owned restaurants segment	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue from external customers	152,662	143,299	465,713	430,641	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	5,535	5,549	24,666	27,228	'
Property and equipment, gross	191,839	'	191,839	'	'
Operating segments \| Domestic commissaries	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue from external customers	138,044	132,666	421,941	396,869	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	6,473	6,846	26,278	25,990	'
Property and equipment, gross	103,362	'	103,362	'	'
Operating segments \| North America franchising	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue from external customers	19,682	18,937	61,410	58,984	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	16,516	16,070	52,134	50,829	'
Operating segments \| International	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue from external customers	22,388	18,031	63,451	52,265	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	945	625	2,152	1,217	'
Property and equipment, gross	25,832	'	25,832	'	'
Operating segments \| All others	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue from external customers	13,566	12,581	38,617	36,610	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	590	732	2,402	1,598	'
Property and equipment, gross	39,753	'	39,753	'	'
Elimination	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue from external customers	50,725	45,677	151,368	134,072	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	-252	242	-989	-229	'
Elimination \| Domestic commissaries	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue from external customers	46,408	42,313	139,320	123,802	'
Elimination \| North America franchising	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue from external customers	530	546	1,635	1,656	'
Elimination \| International	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue from external customers	69	60	209	171	'
Elimination \| All others	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue from external customers	3,718	2,758	10,204	8,443	'
Unallocated corporate	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	-8,544	-9,201	-28,475	-34,784	'
Property and equipment, gross	$153,186	'	$153,186	'	'