<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from 
PJ America's restated consolidated financial statements for the years ended
December 29, 1996 and December 31, 1995 and is qualified in its entirety by 
reference to such financial statements. 
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED> 
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                      <C> 
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                     YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-29-1996              DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                            JAN-01-1996              DEC-26-1994
<PERIOD-END>                              DEC-29-1996              DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                          4,076                      507
<SECURITIES>                                   12,058                        0
<RECEIVABLES>                                      28                       26
<ALLOWANCES>                                        0                        0
<INVENTORY>                                       229                       92
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               16,835                      781
<PP&E>                                          8,379                    3,386
<DEPRECIATION>                                (2,442)                    (804)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 23,614                    3,628
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           2,025                    1,568
<BONDS>                                             0                        0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0                        0
<PREFERRED>                                         0                        0
<COMMON>                                           50                        3
<OTHER-SE>                                     21,468                    1,882
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   23,614                    3,628
<SALES>                                        24,550                   16,744
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               24,550                   16,744
<CGS>                                           8,064                    5,630
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  20,637                   14,001
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                1,402                      887
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0                        0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               (11)                       77
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 2,521                    1,778
<INCOME-TAX>                                      250                        9
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             2,271                    1,769
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0                        0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0                        0
<CHANGES>                                           0                        0
<NET-INCOME>                                    2,271                    1,769
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0.61                     0.52
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.61                     0.52
        

</TABLE>