Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 02, 2016 USD ($) Distribution_Route operating_segment	Jan. 03, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 28, 2013 USD ($) shares	Oct. 31, 2014
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Fair Value Inputs, Long-term Revenue Growth Rate	3.50%	3.70%
Promotional Allowances	$ 25,400,000	$ 22,800,000
Fiscal Year Number of Weeks	52	53	52
Number of Operating Segments | operating_segment	1
Distribution routes | Distribution_Route	3,100
Acquisition of remaining interest in Michaud Distributors	$ 0	$ 0	$ 10,150,000
Stop-loss insurance coverage each year, per person	400,000
Accruals of medical insurance benefits	3,800,000	$ 3,600,000
Claims in excess of deductible insured per individual claim	$ 100,000,000
Reserves discount rate	2.00%	2.00%
Estimated discounted self-insurance reserves	$ 16,200,000	$ 18,100,000
Self Insurance Assets	5,200,000	5,900,000
Advertising costs	31,800,000	34,100,000	30,400,000
Shipping and handling costs	$ 112,600,000	$ 114,500,000	$ 110,600,000
Late July Snacks Llc [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent		80.00%		18.70%
Noncontrolling Interest owned by employees		20.00%
Patriot Snacks Real Estate [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent		51.00%
Noncontrolling Interest owned by employees		49.00%
Ownership percentage in related party	100.00%
Michaud Distributors [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent			80.00%
Noncontrolling Interest owned by employees			20.00%
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues | shares			342,212
Acquisition of remaining interest in Michaud Distributors			$ 10,200,000
Ownership percentage in related party	100.00%
Workers Compensation [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Insurance deductible	$ 800,000
Workers Compensation And Auto Liability [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Insurance deductible	500,000
Auto physical damage [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Insurance deductible	300,000
General And Product Liability [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Insurance deductible	500,000
Cost of Sales [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Research and development expense	$ 6,200,000	$ 7,600,000	$ 7,800,000
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Minimum
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Vesting period	3 years