Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 25, 2012	Dec. 27, 2011	Dec. 28, 2010
Revenue, Net	$ 2,130,057,000	$ 1,822,032,000	$ 1,542,489,000
Bakery-cafe expenses:
Cost of food and paper products	552,580,000	470,398,000	374,816,000
Labor	559,446,000	484,014,000	419,140,000
Occupancy, Net	130,793,000	115,290,000	100,970,000
Other Cost and Expense, Operating	256,029,000	216,237,000	177,059,000
Bakery Cafe Expenses	1,498,848,000	1,285,939,000	1,071,985,000
Fresh dough and other product cost of sales to franchisees	131,006,000	116,267,000	110,986,000
Depreciation and amortization	90,939,000	79,899,000	68,673,000
General and administrative expenses	117,932,000	113,083,000	101,494,000
Pre-opening expenses	8,462,000	6,585,000	4,282,000
Total costs and expenses	1,847,187,000	1,601,773,000	1,357,420,000
Operating profit	282,870,000	220,259,000	185,069,000
Interest expense	1,082,000	822,000	675,000
Other (income) expense, net	(1,208,000)	(466,000)	4,232,000
Income before income taxes	282,996,000	219,903,000	180,162,000
Income taxes	109,548,000	83,951,000	68,563,000
Net Income	173,448,000	135,952,000	111,599,000
Less: net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	(267,000)
Net income attributable to Panera Bread Company	173,448,000	135,952,000	111,866,000
Earnings per common share attributable to Panera Bread Company:
Earnings Per Share, Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 5.94	$ 4.59	$ 3.65
Earnings Per Share, Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 5.89	$ 4.55	$ 3.62
Weighted average shares of common and common equivalent outstanding:
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic (in shares)	29,217	29,601	30,614
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted (in shares)	29,455	29,903	30,922
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment	364,000	33,000	64,000
Other Comprehensive Income	364,000	33,000	64,000
Comprehensive Income	173,812,000	135,985,000	111,930,000
Operating Segments [Member]
Bakery-cafe expenses:
Depreciation and amortization	90,939,000	79,899,000	68,673,000
Company Bakery Cafe Operations [Member]
Revenue, Net	1,879,280,000	1,592,951,000	1,321,162,000
Bakery-cafe expenses:
Depreciation and amortization	78,198,000	68,651,000	57,031,000
Franchise Operations [Member]
Revenue, Net	102,076,000	92,793,000	86,195,000
Fresh dough and other product operations [Member]
Revenue, Net	$ 148,701,000	$ 136,288,000	$ 135,132,000