<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 
PJ America's restated consolidated financial statements for the six months ended
June 29, 1997 and June 30, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
such financial statements. 
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED> 
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                      <C> 
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS                    6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-28-1997              DEC-29-1996
<PERIOD-START>                            DEC-30-1996              JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                              JUN-29-1997              JUN-30-1996
<CASH>                                          3,426                      687
<SECURITIES>                                   12,436                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      65                       53
<ALLOWANCES>                                        0                        0
<INVENTORY>                                       238                      115
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               16,333                      896
<PP&E>                                          9,713                    3,752
<DEPRECIATION>                                (2,612)                  (1,036)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 24,560                    3,905
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           1,873                    1,942
<BONDS>                                             0                        0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0                        0
<PREFERRED>                                         0                        0
<COMMON>                                           50                        3
<OTHER-SE>                                     22,470                    1,220
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   24,560                    3,905
<SALES>                                        22,591                   10,020
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               22,591                   10,020
<CGS>                                           7,198                    3,344
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  18,970                    8,385
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                1,280                      685
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0                        0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              (324)                       46
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 2,665                      904
<INCOME-TAX>                                      882                        9
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             1,783                      895
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0                        0
<CHANGES>                                           0                        0
<NET-INCOME>                                    1,783                      895
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0.35                     0.44
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.35                     0.44
        

</TABLE>