<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 
PJ America's proforma combined financial statements for the 3 months ended March
30, 1997 and for the year ended December 29, 1996 and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>                      <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                    YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                        DEC-28-1997              DEC-29-1996
<PERIOD-START>                           DEC-30-1996              JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                             MAR-30-1997              DEC-29-1996
<CASH>                                     3,897,002                3,660,843
<SECURITIES>                              12,286,300               12,057,972
<RECEIVABLES>                                 39,131                   20,624
<ALLOWANCES>                                       0                        0
<INVENTORY>                                  224,149                  189,078
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                          16,763,264               16,338,787
<PP&E>                                     8,259,358                7,305,188
<DEPRECIATION>                           (2,301,421)              (2,061,138)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                            23,547,809               22,373,321
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      2,171,376                1,724,601
<BONDS>                                            0                        0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                              0                        0
<PREFERRED>                                        0                        0
<COMMON>                                      47,550                   47,550
<OTHER-SE>                                21,257,703               20,529,990
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>              23,547,809               22,373,321
<SALES>                                    8,769,605               30,264,352
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           8,769,605               30,264,352
<CGS>                                      2,776,776               10,115,854
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              7,323,458               25,949,920
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                             464,522                1,633,812
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   0                        0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                         (155,428)                   86,723
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            1,137,053                2,553,315
<INCOME-TAX>                                 409,339                  912,514
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          727,714                1,640,801
<DISCONTINUED>                                     0                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    0                        0
<CHANGES>                                          0                        0
<NET-INCOME>                                 727,714                1,640,801
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   0.15                     0.48
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   0.15                     0.48
        



</TABLE>