Guarantor Financial Information Guarantor Financial Information Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jan. 02, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Jul. 04, 2015	Apr. 04, 2015	Jan. 03, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014	Jan. 02, 2016	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Net income	$ 85,875	$ (7,357)	$ 4,937	$ 1,824	$ 68,788	$ 15,954	$ 34,575	$ (51,006)	$ 85,279	$ 68,311	$ 108,967
Foreign currency translation adjustments									(162,436)	(119,684)	(14,502)
Pension adjustments									4,202	(20,381)	15,140
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax									(156,467)	(141,437)	1,906
Total comprehensive income/(loss)									(71,188)	(73,126)	110,873
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests									9,139	10,296	0
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Darling									(80,327)	(83,422)	110,873
Natural Gas Swap [Member]
Total natural gas derivatives										(113)	127
Corn Option [Member]
Total natural gas derivatives									1,767	(1,259)	1,141
Issuer [Member]
Net income									85,279	68,311	108,967
Foreign currency translation adjustments									0	0	0
Pension adjustments									83	(11,844)	15,060
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax									1,850	(13,216)	16,328
Total comprehensive income/(loss)									87,129	55,095
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests									0	0
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Darling									87,129	55,095	125,295
Issuer [Member] | Natural Gas Swap [Member]
Total natural gas derivatives										(113)	127
Issuer [Member] | Corn Option [Member]
Total natural gas derivatives									1,767	(1,259)	1,141
Guarantors [Member]
Net income									101,828	155,250	107,317
Foreign currency translation adjustments									0	0	0
Pension adjustments									109	(34)	0
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax									109	(34)	0
Total comprehensive income/(loss)									101,937	155,216
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests									0	0
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Darling									101,937	155,216	107,317
Guarantors [Member] | Natural Gas Swap [Member]
Total natural gas derivatives										0	0
Guarantors [Member] | Corn Option [Member]
Total natural gas derivatives									0	0	0
Non-guarantors [Member]
Net income									96,543	68,540	(2,139)
Foreign currency translation adjustments									(162,436)	(119,684)	(14,502)
Pension adjustments									4,010	(8,503)	80
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax									(158,426)	(128,187)	(14,422)
Total comprehensive income/(loss)									(61,883)	(59,647)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests									9,139	10,296
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Darling									(71,022)	(69,943)	(16,561)
Non-guarantors [Member] | Natural Gas Swap [Member]
Total natural gas derivatives										0	0
Non-guarantors [Member] | Corn Option [Member]
Total natural gas derivatives									0	0	0
Eliminations [Member]
Net income									(198,371)	(223,790)	(105,178)
Foreign currency translation adjustments									0	0	0
Pension adjustments									0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax									0	0	0
Total comprehensive income/(loss)									(198,371)	(223,790)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests									0	0
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Darling									(198,371)	(223,790)	(105,178)
Eliminations [Member] | Natural Gas Swap [Member]
Total natural gas derivatives										0	0
Eliminations [Member] | Corn Option [Member]
Total natural gas derivatives									$ 0	$ 0	$ 0