Form: S-8

Initial registration statement for securities to be offered to employees pursuant to employee benefit plans

November 9, 1998

OPINION OF GREENBAUM DOLL & MCDONALD

Published on November 9, 1998



Exhibit 5


[LETTERHEAD OF GREENEBAUM DOLL & MCDONALD PLLC]


November 9, 1998



Papa John's International, Inc.
11492 Bluegrass Parkway, Suite 175
Louisville, Kentucky 40299-2370

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as legal counsel in connection with the preparation of a
Registration Statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Registration Statement"), covering an aggregate of 150,000 shares of
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), of Papa John's
International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), to be issued under
the Wade S. Oney Employment Agreement (the "Agreement").

We have examined and are familiar with the Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation and By-Laws of the Company, and the various corporate records and
proceedings relating to the organization of the Company and proposed issuance of
the Common Stock. We have also examined such other documents and proceedings as
we have considered necessary for the purpose of this opinion.

Based on the foregoing, it is our opinion that the Common Stock has been duly
authorized and, when issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of the
Registration Statement and the Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable.

We hereby consent to the filing of this Opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement, and with such state securities administrators as may
require such opinion of counsel for the registration of the Common Stock. In
giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of
persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, or the Rules and Regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission thereunder.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Greenebaum Doll & McDonald PLLC

Greenebaum Doll & McDonald PLLC