Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 03, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014	Oct. 03, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 853,762	$ 978,665	$ 2,587,771	$ 2,956,240
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses	671,321	764,161	2,024,118	2,328,872
Selling, general and administrative expenses	75,026	95,077	245,951	279,740
Acquisition and integration costs	1,280	2,191	7,807	22,304
Depreciation and amortization	67,327	67,311	199,970	200,478
Total costs and expenses	814,954	928,740	2,477,846	2,831,394
Operating income	38,808	49,925	109,925	124,846
Other expense:
Interest expense	(24,828)	(25,355)	(82,222)	(110,783)
Foreign currency gain/(loss)	(2,461)	1,522	(3,299)	(12,281)
Other income/(expense), net	1,004	2,053	(704)	28
Total other expense	(26,285)	(21,780)	(86,225)	(123,036)
Equity in net income/(loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries	(12,021)	(1,055)	(9,657)	6,062
Income/(loss) before income taxes	502	27,090	14,043	7,872
Income tax expense	7,859	11,136	14,639	8,349
Net income/(loss)	(7,357)	15,954	(596)	(477)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,730)	(1,636)	(5,302)	(5,251)
Net income/(loss) attributable to Darling	$ (9,087)	$ 14,318	$ (5,898)	$ (5,728)
Basic income per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.06)	$ 0.09	$ (0.04)	$ (0.03)
Diluted income per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.06)	$ 0.09	$ (0.04)	$ (0.03)