<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND> This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from PJ
America's Restated Consolidated Financial Statements for the three months ended
March 29, 1998 and March 30, 1997 and is qualified in its entirety by reference
to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED> 
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                       <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS                     3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-27-1998               DEC-28-1997
<PERIOD-START>                            DEC-29-1997               DEC-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                              MAR-29-1998               MAR-30-1997
<CASH>                                          4,890                     4,328
<SECURITIES>                                   23,793                    12,286
<RECEIVABLES>                                       0                         0
<ALLOWANCES>                                        0                         0
<INVENTORY>                                       325                       257
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               16,049                    17,266
<PP&E>                                         13,118                     9,359
<DEPRECIATION>                                (3,007)                   (2,722)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 41,744                    24,779
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           3,222                     2,384
<BONDS>                                             0                         0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0                         0
<PREFERRED>                                         0                         0
<COMMON>                                           58                        50
<OTHER-SE>                                     37,933                    22,274
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   41,744                    24,779
<SALES>                                        14,218                    10,606
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               14,218                    10,606
<CGS>                                           4,485                     3,373
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  12,027                     8,861
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                  720                       564
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              (272)                     (155)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 1,743                     1,336
<INCOME-TAX>                                      575                       414
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             1,168                       922
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0                         0
<CHANGES>                                           0                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                    1,168                       922
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0.20                      0.17
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.20                      0.16
        

</TABLE>