Selected Quarterly Financial Data Selected Quartely Financial Data (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jul. 01, 2014	Apr. 01, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 24, 2013	Jun. 25, 2013	Mar. 26, 2013	Dec. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 25, 2012
Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]
Revenue, Net	$ 672,497	$ 619,890	$ 631,055	$ 605,753	$ 661,732	$ 572,480	$ 589,011	$ 561,779	$ 2,529,195	$ 2,385,002	$ 2,130,057
Operating profit	77,037	57,959	73,942	67,005	85,447	64,569	83,435	76,305	275,943	309,756	282,870
Net income attributable to Panera Bread Company	$ 48,492	$ 39,214	$ 49,192	$ 42,395	$ 54,248	$ 42,762	$ 51,042	$ 48,117	$ 179,293	$ 196,169	$ 173,448
Earnings Per Share, Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.82	$ 1.47	$ 1.83	$ 1.55	$ 1.97	$ 1.49	$ 1.75	$ 1.65	$ 6.67	$ 6.85	$ 5.94
Earnings Per Share, Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.82	$ 1.46	$ 1.82	$ 1.55	$ 1.96	$ 1.48	$ 1.74	$ 1.64	$ 6.64	$ 6.81	$ 5.89