<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 28, 1997 and December 29, 1996 and is qualified in its entirety by 
reference to such financial statements. 
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>                       <C> 
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR                      YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                         DEC-28-1997               DEC-29-1996
<PERIOD-START>                            DEC-30-1996               JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                              DEC-28-1997               DEC-29-1996
<CASH>                                          6,674                     4,076
<SECURITIES>                                   21,232                    12,058
<RECEIVABLES>                                       0                         0
<ALLOWANCES>                                        0                         0
<INVENTORY>                                       311                       229
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               17,286                    16,835 
<PP&E>                                         12,801                     8,378
<DEPRECIATION>                                (3,382)                   (2,442)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 40,283                    23,614
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           2,945                     2,025
<BONDS>                                             0                         0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                               0                         0
<PREFERRED>                                         0                         0
<COMMON>                                           58                        50
<OTHER-SE>                                     36,749                    21,468
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   40,283                    23,614
<SALES>                                        48,128                    24,550
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               48,128                    24,550
<CGS>                                          15,251                     8,064
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  40,596                    20,638
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                2,558                     1,402
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                    0                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              (864)                      (11)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 5,838                     2,521
<INCOME-TAX>                                    1,943                       250
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             3,895                     2,271
<DISCONTINUED>                                      0                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                     0                         0
<CHANGES>                                           0                         0
<NET-INCOME>                                    3,895                     2,271
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    0.71                      0.61
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    0.69                      0.61
        

</TABLE>