<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 
PJ America's proforma combined financial statements for the 9 months ended 
September 29, 1996 and for the year ended December 31, 1995 and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>                      <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-29-1996              DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-1996              DEC-26-1994
<PERIOD-END>                              SEP-29-1996              DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                      1,065,412                  478,459
<SECURITIES>                                        0                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  99,065                   33,188
<ALLOWANCES>                                        0                        0
<INVENTORY>                                   175,064                  136,357
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            2,151,848                  937,280
<PP&E>                                      6,803,264                5,984,999
<DEPRECIATION>                            (1,828,025)              (1,195,583)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              7,875,685                6,344,722
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       1,846,294                  863,601
<BONDS>                                     2,020,000                1,708,739
<COMMON>                                        5,125                    5,085
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0                        0
<PREFERRED>                                         0                        0
<OTHER-SE>                                  2,417,921                2,271,451
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                7,875,865                6,344,722
<SALES>                                    21,724,287               23,099,050
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           21,724,287               23,099,050
<CGS>                                       7,342,172                7,827,113
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              11,385,295               12,194,515
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            1,224,597                1,042,714
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0                        0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                            208,217                  234,798
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             1,581,034                1,813,242
<INCOME-TAX>                                  577,077                  661,833
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         1,003,957                1,151,409
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0                        0
<CHANGES>                                           0                        0
<NET-INCOME>                                1,003,957                1,151,409
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0.32                     0.37
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.32                     0.37
        

</TABLE>