Related Party Transactions - Founder, Chairman and CEO and PJMF (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 25, 2016	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Transactions With Founder, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Related party transactions
Cash paid for charter aircraft services	$ 732,000	$ 653,000	$ 770,000
Papa John's Marketing Fund (PJMF)
Related party transactions
Loyalty program reimbursement received	1,100,000	841,000	634,000
Other reimbursements received	$ 1,400,000	$ 1,400,000	$ 1,200,000