Business Acquisitions - Pro Forma (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jul. 02, 2016	Jul. 04, 2015	Jul. 02, 2016	Jul. 04, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Net revenue	$ 609,500	$ 609,335	$ 1,201,879	$ 1,234,554
Net income/(loss) attributable to Snyder's-Lance, Inc.	$ 19,681	$ 25,050	$ 43,392	$ (7,085)

The pro forma net Income or Loss for the period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (h)(2)-(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56956515&loc=d3e1392-128463

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration