Significant Accounting Policies (Joint Venture Arrangements) (Detail)	Dec. 25, 2011 Restaurant		Dec. 26, 2010 Restaurant	Dec. 27, 2009 Restaurant
Star Papa LP [Member]
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants	76	[1]	75	75
Papa John's Ownership	51.00%	[1]
Noncontrolling Interest Ownership	49.00%	[1]
Colonel's Limited LLC [Member]
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants	52	[1]	52	52
Papa John's Ownership	70.00%	[1]
Noncontrolling Interest Ownership	30.00%	[1]

[1] The ownership percentages for both joint ventures were the same for the years presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. There were 75 Star Papa, LP restaurants in 2010 and 2009 and 52 Colonel's Limited, LLC restaurants for all three years presented.