Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 25, 2012	Dec. 27, 2011
Revenue, Net	$ 2,385,002,000	$ 2,130,057,000	$ 1,822,032,000
Bakery-cafe expenses:
Cost of food and paper products	625,622,000	552,580,000	470,398,000
Labor	625,457,000	559,446,000	484,014,000
Occupancy, Net	148,816,000	130,793,000	115,290,000
Other Cost and Expense, Operating	295,539,000	256,029,000	216,237,000
Bakery Cafe Expenses	1,695,434,000	1,498,848,000	1,285,939,000
Fresh dough and other product cost of sales to franchisees	142,160,000	131,006,000	116,267,000
Depreciation and amortization	106,523,000	90,939,000	79,899,000
General and administrative expenses	123,335,000	117,932,000	113,083,000
Pre-opening expenses	7,794,000	8,462,000	6,585,000
Total costs and expenses	2,075,246,000	1,847,187,000	1,601,773,000
Operating profit	309,756,000	282,870,000	220,259,000
Interest expense	1,053,000	1,082,000	822,000
Other (income) expense, net	(4,017,000)	(1,208,000)	(466,000)
Income before income taxes	312,720,000	282,996,000	219,903,000
Income taxes	116,551,000	109,548,000	83,951,000
Net Income	196,169,000	173,448,000	135,952,000
Earnings per common share attributable to Panera Bread Company:
Earnings Per Share, Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 6.85	$ 5.94	$ 4.59
Earnings Per Share, Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 6.81	$ 5.89	$ 4.55
Weighted average shares of common and common equivalent outstanding:
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic (in shares)	28,629	29,217	29,601
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted (in shares)	28,794	29,455	29,903
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment	(1,005,000)	364,000	33,000
Other Comprehensive Income	(1,005,000)	364,000	33,000
Comprehensive Income	195,164,000	173,812,000	135,985,000
Operating Segments [Member]
Bakery-cafe expenses:
Depreciation and amortization	106,523,000	90,939,000	79,899,000
Company Bakery Cafe Operations [Member]
Revenue, Net	2,108,908,000	1,879,280,000	1,592,951,000
Bakery-cafe expenses:
Depreciation and amortization	90,872,000	78,198,000	68,651,000
Franchise Operations [Member]
Revenue, Net	112,641,000	102,076,000	92,793,000
Fresh dough and other product operations [Member]
Revenue, Net	$ 163,453,000	$ 148,701,000	$ 136,288,000