INTEREST EXPENSE (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Apr. 01, 2012	Apr. 03, 2011
Net Interest Expense
Interest expense	$ 26,945	$ 26,546
Interest income	(646)	(790)
Capitalized Interest	(2,275)	(1,279)
Interest expense, net	$ 24,024	$ 24,477

The net amount of nonoperating interest income (expense).

No definition available.

Name:	hsy_InterestIncomeExpenseNonoperatingNet
Namespace Prefix:	hsy_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	hsy_ScheduleOfNetInterestExpenseAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	hsy_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of interest that was capitalized during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 34

-Paragraph 21

-Subparagraph b

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InterestCostsCapitalized
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the portion of interest incurred in the period on debt arrangements that was charged against earnings.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 8

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 34

-Paragraph 21

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InterestExpenseDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Income derived from investments in debt securities and on cash and cash equivalents the earnings of which reflect the time value of money or transactions in which the payments are for the use or forbearance of money.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 115

-Paragraph 14

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 7

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration