Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 955,800	$ 425,786	$ 2,894,194	$ 1,294,801
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses	725,170	310,089	2,218,115	942,697
Selling, general and administrative expenses	111,203	42,588	328,451	124,843
Acquisition and integration costs	2,191	8,326	22,304	9,157
Depreciation and amortization	67,311	23,131	200,478	67,074
Total costs and expenses	905,875	384,134	2,769,348	1,143,771
Operating income	49,925	41,652	124,846	151,030
Other expense:
Interest expense	(25,355)	(5,313)	(110,783)	(16,607)
Foreign currency gain/ (loss)	1,522	0	(12,281)	0
Other income/ (expense), net	2,053	(3,268)	28	(2,619)
Total other expense	(21,780)	(8,581)	(123,036)	(19,226)
Equity in net income/ (loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries	(1,055)	11,953	6,062	8,796
Income/ (loss) before income taxes	27,090	45,024	7,872	140,600
Income tax expense/ (benefit)	11,136	17,373	8,349	54,126
Net income/ (Loss)	15,954	27,651	(477)	86,474
Net (income)/ loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,636)	0	(5,251)	0
Net income/ (loss) attributable to Darling	$ 14,318	$ 27,651	$ (5,728)	$ 86,474
Basic income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.09	$ 0.23	$ (0.03)	$ 0.73
Diluted income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.09	$ 0.23	$ (0.03)	$ 0.73