Summary of Results of Operations for Business Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014		Mar. 30, 2013		Dec. 28, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 372,478	[1]	$ 327,451	[1]
Income from operations	55,933		42,195
Depreciation and amortization expense	10,521		14,023
Net capital expenditures	3,231		3,923
Total assets	1,915,842		1,697,754		1,819,206
Commercial Foodservice
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	234,050		197,362
Income from operations	54,962	[1]	49,750
Depreciation and amortization expense	4,884	[1]	4,375
Net capital expenditures	2,243	[1]	1,502
Total assets	1,020,845		876,935
Food Processing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	75,586		71,438
Income from operations	12,122	[1]	11,480
Depreciation and amortization expense	2,121	[1]	2,025
Net capital expenditures	449	[1]	848
Total assets	308,442		313,601
Residential Kitchen [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	62,842	[1]	58,651
Income from operations	207	[1]	(7,241)
Depreciation and amortization expense	3,091	[1]	7,219
Net capital expenditures	539	[1]	1,487
Total assets	491,465		436,250
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	0		0
Income from operations	(11,358)		(11,794)
Depreciation and amortization expense	425		404
Net capital expenditures	0		86
Total assets	$ 95,090		$ 70,968

[1] Non-operating expenses are not allocated to the operating segments. Non-operating expenses consist of interest expense and deferred financing amortization, foreign exchange gains and losses and other income and expense items outside of income from operations.