CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 02, 2016	Oct. 04, 2015	Oct. 02, 2016	Oct. 04, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 227,403	$ 154,771	$ 603,191	$ 299,567
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(8,533)	(26,631)	5,053	(51,681)
Pension and post-retirement benefit plans	7,395	9,969	9,884	20,896
Cash flow hedges:
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedging derivatives	1,144	(43,914)	(34,789)	21,023
Reclassification adjustments	(898)	(6,214)	(7,985)	(17,711)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(892)	(66,790)	(27,837)	(27,473)
Total comprehensive income	226,511	87,981	575,354	272,094
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	751	(820)	2,040	2,111
Comprehensive income attributable to The Hershey Company	$ 227,262	$ 87,161	$ 577,394	$ 274,205