Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of voting equity interests acquired at the acquisition date in the business combination.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65885119&loc=d3e1392-128463

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

In a business combination in which the amount of net identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed exceeds the aggregate consideration transferred or to be transferred (as defined), this element represents the amount of gain recognized by the entity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 25
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6911189&loc=d3e6393-128476

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of business during the period. The cash portion only of the acquisition price.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Investing Activities
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

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-Publisher FASB
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+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=hsy_ShanghaiGoldenMonkeyFoodJointStockCo.Ltd.Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES - 2016 SHANGHAI GOLDEN MONKEY (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 03, 2016	Jul. 03, 2016	Jul. 05, 2015	Jul. 03, 2016	Jul. 05, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to acquire businesses				$ 35,762	$ 0
Business combination, gain recognized				26,650	0
Shanghai Golden Monkey Food Joint Stock Co., Ltd.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of voting interests acquired	20.00%					100.00%
Payments to acquire businesses	$ 35,762
Business combination, gain recognized	$ 26,650	$ 0	$ 0	$ 26,650	$ 0