CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 25, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 151,692	$ (410,627)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	108,411	156,706
Foreign currency transaction loss (gain)	(5,620)	9,594
Accretion of bond discount	342	339
Impairment expense	1,342	11,640
Loss on property disposals	5,134	177
Share-based compensation	465	418
Deferred income tax benefit	0	(10,707)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	8,153	3,645
Trade accounts and other receivables	(3,172)	(42,871)
Inventories	(94,972)	101,565
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(1,120)	34,824
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities	9,636	18,625
Income taxes	(14,428)	1,030
Deposits	734	2,180
Long-term pension and other postretirement obligations	(7,120)	(3,848)
Other operating assets and liabilities	(3,516)	(2,170)
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	155,961	(129,480)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment	(62,110)	(121,869)
Purchases of investment securities	(162)	(4,536)
Proceeds from sale or maturity of investment securities	688	14,631
Proceeds from property disposals	28,687	7,502
Cash used in investing activities	(32,897)	(104,272)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from revolving line of credit and long-term borrowings	595,800	804,689
Payments on revolving line of credit, long-term borrowings and capital lease obligations	(853,008)	(669,832)
Proceeds from note payable to JBS USA Holdings, Inc.	0	50,000
Payment of note payable to JBS USA Holdings, Inc.	(50,000)	0
Proceeds from sale of common stock, net	198,282	0
Purchase of remaining interest in subsidiary	0	(2,504)
Payment of capitalized loan costs	0	(4,395)
Other financing activities	0	(106)
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(108,926)	177,852
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(717)	(3,273)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	13,421	(59,173)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	41,609	106,077
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 55,030	$ 46,904