Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Net Sales	$ 1,000,203	$ 978,665	$ 1,031,283	$ 946,292	$ 447,939	$ 445,130	$ 443,542	$ 465,657	$ 3,956,443	$ 1,802,268	$ 1,772,552
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses		22,900	24,300	14,900	19,200	19,300	19,900	20,200	3,123,171	1,339,819	1,303,727
Selling, general and administrative expense									374,580	170,825	151,713
Depreciation and amortization									269,517	98,787	85,371
Business Combination, Acquisition and Integration Related Costs	2,400	2,200	4,200	15,900					24,667	23,271	0
Total costs and expenses									3,791,935	1,632,702	1,540,811
Operating income	39,662	49,925	75,485	(564)	18,536	41,652	50,802	58,576	164,508	169,566	231,741
Other expense:
Interest expense									(135,416)	(38,108)	(24,054)
Foreign currency gains (losses)				12,600					(13,548)	28,107	0
Other income/(expense), net									299	(3,547)	1,760
Total other expense									(148,665)	(13,548)	(22,294)
Equity in net income of unconsolidated subsidiaries									65,609	7,660	(2,662)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	73,580	27,090	50,078	(69,296)	23,078	45,024	42,753	52,823	81,452	163,678	206,785
Income taxes									13,141	54,711	76,015
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	68,788	15,954	34,575	(51,006)					68,311	108,967	130,770
Net income attributable to Darling	69,943	14,318	32,757	(52,803)	22,493	27,651	26,418	32,405	64,215	108,967	130,770
Net income per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.42	$ 0.09	$ 0.20	$ (0.32)	$ 0.18	$ 0.23	$ 0.22	$ 0.27	$ 0.39	$ 0.91	$ 1.11
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.42	$ 0.09	$ 0.20	$ (0.32)	$ 0.18	$ 0.23	$ 0.22	$ 0.27	$ 0.39	$ 0.91	$ 1.11
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 1,155	$ (1,636)	$ (1,818)	$ (1,797)					$ (4,096)	$ 0	$ 0