COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - COMPONENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016	Apr. 05, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income	$ 229,832	$ 244,737
Pre-Tax Amount
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(20,972)	(61,620)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax	11,183	12,872
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(9,789)	(48,748)
Total comprehensive income	220,043	195,989
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,076	3,509
Comprehensive income attributable to The Hershey Company	221,119	199,498
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Pre-Tax Amount
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications, before tax	12,166	(27,718)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, tax	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications, net of tax	12,166	(27,718)
Pension and Post-retirement benefit plans
Pre-Tax Amount
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	8,680	8,662
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax	(3,579)	(3,201)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	5,101	5,461
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Pre-Tax Amount
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications, before tax	(33,909)	(42,212)
Reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income, current period, before tax	(7,909)	(352)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, tax	11,765	16,120
Reclassification from AOCI, current period, tax	2,997	(47)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications, net of tax	(22,144)	(26,092)
Reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income, current period, net of tax	$ (4,912)	$ (399)