<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 
PJ America's restated consolidated financial statements for the nine months 
ended September 28, 1997 and September 29, 1996 and is qualified in its 
entirety by reference to such financial statements. 
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED> 
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                      <C> 
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                    9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-28-1997              DEC-29-1996
<PERIOD-START>                            DEC-30-1996              JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                              SEP-28-1997              SEP-29-1996
<CASH>                                          4,525                      608
<SECURITIES>                                   22,784                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      65                       29
<ALLOWANCES>                                        0                        0
<INVENTORY>                                       248                      139
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               24,853                    1,411
<PP&E>                                         11,663                    4,176
<DEPRECIATION>                                (3,051)                  (1,159)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 38,373                    4,745
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           2,555                    2,614
<BONDS>                                             0                        0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0                        0
<PREFERRED>                                         0                        0
<COMMON>                                           58                        3
<OTHER-SE>                                     35,593                    1,448
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   38,373                    4,745
<SALES>                                        34,481                   15,422
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               34,481                   15,422
<CGS>                                          10,940                    5,176
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  29,049                   12,955
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                1,897                      965
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0                        0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              (578)                       75
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 4,113                    1,427
<INCOME-TAX>                                    1,374                       17
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             2,739                    1,410
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0                        0
<CHANGES>                                           0                        0
<NET-INCOME>                                    2,739                    1,410
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0.49                     0.42
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.49                     0.42
        

</TABLE>