<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> 
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 
PJ America's Consolidated Financial Statements for the three months ended June 
28, 1998 and June 29, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements. 
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                       <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS                     6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-27-1998               DEC-28-1997
<PERIOD-START>                            DEC-29-1997               DEC-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                              JUN-28-1998               JUN-29-1997
<CASH>                                          8,493                     3,426
<SECURITIES>                                   15,162                    12,436
<RECEIVABLES>                                       0                         0
<ALLOWANCES>                                        0                         0
<INVENTORY>                                       372                       238
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               12,134                    16,333
<PP&E>                                         17,434                     9,713
<DEPRECIATION>                                (4,152)                   (2,612)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 44,762                    24,560
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           4,641                     1,873
<BONDS>                                             0                         0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0                         0
<PREFERRED>                                         0                         0
<COMMON>                                           58                        50
<OTHER-SE>                                     39,342                    22,470
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   44,762                    24,560
<SALES>                                        30,717                    22,591
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               30,717                    22,591
<CGS>                                           9,707                     7,198
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  25,987                    18,970
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                1,575                     1,280
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              (513)                     (324)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 3,668                     2,665
<INCOME-TAX>                                    1,210                       882
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             2,458                     1,783
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0                         0
<CHANGES>                                           0                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                    2,458                     1,783
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0.42                      0.35
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.41                      0.35
        


</TABLE>