General (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 03, 2015

General [Abstract]

Net Income per Common Share [Table Text Block]

	Net Income per Common Share (in thousands)
			January 3,					December 28,					December 29,
			2015					2013					2012
	Income		Shares	Per-Share		Income		Shares	Per-Share		Income		Shares	Per-Share
Basic:
Net income attributable to Darling	$	64,215	164,627	$	0.39	$	108,967	119,526	$	0.91	$	130,770	117,592	$	1.11
Diluted:
Effect of dilutive securities
Add: Option shares in the money and dilutive effect of nonvested stock	—		806	—		—		848	—		—		806	—
Less: Pro-forma treasury shares	—		(374)	—		—		(450)	—		—		(309)	—
Diluted:
Net income attributable to Darling	$	64,215	165,059	$	0.39	$	108,967	119,924	$	0.91	$	130,770	118,089	$	1.11