TREASURY STOCK ACTIVITY - SCHEDULE OF TREASURY STOCK ACTIVITY (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		9 Months Ended
	Feb. 13, 2023	Sep. 29, 2024
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Treasury stock, shares, acquired (shares)		2,505,097
Shares issued for stock options and incentive compensation (shares)		(457,998)
Total net share repurchases (shares)		2,047,099
Excise tax associated with net share repurchases (shares)		0
Net change (shares)		2,047,099
Treasury stock, shares, acquired		$ 494,191
Shares issued for stock options and incentive compensation		(19,058)
Total net share repurchases		475,133
Excise tax associated with net share repurchases		4,751
Net change		$ 479,884
Employee stock options
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Treasury stock, shares, acquired (shares)		483,033
Treasury stock, shares, acquired		$ 94,191
Hershey Trust Company
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Treasury stock, shares, acquired (shares)	1,000,000
Treasury stock, shares, acquired	$ 239,910
Hershey Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Treasury stock, shares, acquired (shares)		2,022,064
Treasury stock, shares, acquired		$ 400,000