Consolidated Statements Of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenue	$ 453,023	$ 406,565	$ 1,310,646	$ 1,198,808
Cost of sales	295,429	269,626	862,286	802,568
Gross margin	157,594	136,939	448,360	396,240
Selling, general and administrative	122,110	106,512	356,610	324,864
Impairment charges	0	80	1,900	207
Gain on sale of route businesses, net	(465)	(1,427)	(2,057)	(21,596)
Other (income)/expense, net	(5,099)	537	(8,603)	(124)
Income before interest and income taxes	41,048	31,237	100,510	92,889
Interest expense, net	3,742	1,692	10,702	6,258
Income before income taxes	37,306	29,545	89,808	86,631
Income tax expense	14,194	11,634	33,758	34,930
Net income	23,112	17,911	56,050	51,701
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	213	146	329	397
Net income attributable to Snyder’s-Lance, Inc.	$ 22,899	$ 17,765	$ 55,721	$ 51,304
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.33	$ 0.26	$ 0.80	$ 0.75
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic	69,459	68,598	69,243	68,268
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.33	$ 0.26	$ 0.80	$ 0.74
Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted	70,294	69,526	70,013	69,190
Cash dividends declared per share	$ 0.16	$ 0.16	$ 0.48	$ 0.48