CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive loss	Treasury Stock	Noncontrolling Interest
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 30, 2023		$ 1,604	$ 312,171	$ 2,594,300	$ (47,221)	$ (523,409)	$ 21,271
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
(Issuance) acquisition of shares under incentive stock option plans			343
Stock-based compensation expense			13,476
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	$ 298,528			298,528
Dividends paid or payable to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.				(45,408)
Total other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	(14,085)				(12,941)
Issuance (acquisition) of shares under incentive stock option plans						(2,346)
Repurchase of common stock						(42,994)
Issuance of restricted stock			(227)			227
Investment in Joining Systems JV							0
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests							0
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(6,628)						6,628
Foreign currency translation	(12,026)						(1,144)
Balance at end of period at Jun. 29, 2024		1,604	325,763	2,847,420	(60,162)	(568,522)	26,755
Balance at beginning of period at Mar. 30, 2024		1,604	318,684	2,709,950	(51,754)	(554,110)	23,996
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
(Issuance) acquisition of shares under incentive stock option plans			61
Stock-based compensation expense			7,245
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	160,165			160,165
Dividends paid or payable to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.				(22,695)
Total other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	(8,931)				(8,408)
Issuance (acquisition) of shares under incentive stock option plans						425
Repurchase of common stock						(15,064)
Issuance of restricted stock			(227)			227
Investment in Joining Systems JV							0
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests							0
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(3,282)						3,282
Foreign currency translation	(7,871)						(523)
Balance at end of period at Jun. 29, 2024		1,604	325,763	2,847,420	(60,162)	(568,522)	26,755
Balance at beginning of period at Dec. 28, 2024	2,804,408	1,604	330,532	3,107,838	(80,279)	(586,530)	31,243
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
(Issuance) acquisition of shares under incentive stock option plans			685
Stock-based compensation expense			13,940
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	403,356			403,356
Dividends paid or payable to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.				(55,259)
Total other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	29,210				29,164
Issuance (acquisition) of shares under incentive stock option plans						(4,876)
Repurchase of common stock						(243,615)
Issuance of restricted stock			(251)			251
Investment in Joining Systems JV	600
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests							(12,240)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(4,414)						4,414
Foreign currency translation	27,019						46
Balance at end of period at Jun. 28, 2025	2,940,623	1,604	344,906	3,455,935	(51,115)	(834,770)	24,063
Balance at beginning of period at Mar. 29, 2025		1,604	337,445	3,237,627	(74,837)	(835,402)	20,662
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
(Issuance) acquisition of shares under incentive stock option plans			(78)
Stock-based compensation expense			7,790
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	245,924			245,924
Dividends paid or payable to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.				(27,616)
Total other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	24,564				23,722
Issuance (acquisition) of shares under incentive stock option plans						381
Repurchase of common stock						0
Issuance of restricted stock			(251)			251
Investment in Joining Systems JV							0
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests							0
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(2,559)						2,559
Foreign currency translation	24,100						842
Balance at end of period at Jun. 28, 2025	$ 2,940,623	$ 1,604	$ 344,906	$ 3,455,935	$ (51,115)	$ (834,770)	$ 24,063