RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Schedule of Related Party Transactions) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Sep. 25, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015	Apr. 01, 2016	Mar. 07, 2016	Dec. 27, 2015	Oct. 26, 2011
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Accounts payable to related parties	$ 9,689		$ 9,689				$ 7,000
JBS Food Company Holdings [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Letter of credit fees expensed	0	$ 317	202	$ 950
Letter of credit, terminated					$ 16,500	$ 40,000
Interest paid			200
JBS Food Company Holdings [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Agreed repayment of debt								$ 56,500
JBS USA Food Company [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Purchases from related parties	28,799	28,765	75,687	83,059
Expenditures paid	17,242	11,514	33,568	28,483
Sales to related party	4,819	5,197	12,235	17,442
Accounts payable to related parties	9,700		9,700				7,000
Account receivable from related parties	3,400		3,400				$ 2,600
Goods in transit	1,300		1,300
JBS USA Food Company [Member] | Expenses Paid By Company On Behalf Of Related Party [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Expenditures paid	1,142	519	9,830	2,548
JBS Chile Ltda. [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Sales to related party	126	35	438	269
JBS Global (UK) Ltd. [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Sales to related party	$ 0	$ 18	$ 122	$ 49