Document And Entity Information	4 Months Ended
	Apr. 21, 2012	May 18, 2012
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	FLOWERS FOODS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001128928
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Apr. 21, 2012
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-29
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		135,905,569