Consolidated Statements of Operations - 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 Sales	$ 809,675	$ 853,762	$ 859,315	$ 874,694	$ 1,000,203	$ 978,665	$ 1,031,283	$ 946,292	$ 3,397,446	$ 3,956,443	$ 1,802,268
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses						22,900	24,300	14,900	2,654,025	3,123,171	1,339,819
Selling, general and administrative expense									322,574	374,580	170,825
Depreciation and amortization									269,904	269,517	98,787
Acquisition and integration costs	500	1,300	1,200	5,300	2,400	2,200	4,200	15,900	8,299	24,667	23,271
Total costs and expenses									3,254,802	3,791,935	1,632,702
Operating income	32,719	38,808	39,292	31,825	39,662	49,925	75,485	(564)	142,644	164,508	169,566
Other expense:
Interest expense									(105,530)	(135,416)	(38,108)
Foreign currency gains/(losses)								12,600	(4,911)	(13,548)	28,107
Other income/(expense), net									(6,839)	299	(3,547)
Total other expense									(117,280)	(148,665)	(13,548)
Equity in net income of unconsolidated subsidiaries									73,416	65,609	7,660
Income from operations before income taxes	84,737	502	9,602	3,939	73,580	27,090	50,078	(69,296)	98,780	81,452	163,678
Income taxes									13,501	13,141	54,711
Net income	85,875	(7,357)	4,937	1,824	68,788	15,954	34,575	(51,006)	85,279	68,311	108,967
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,446)	(1,730)	(1,857)	(1,715)	1,155	(1,636)	(1,818)	(1,797)	(6,748)	(4,096)	0
Net income attributable to Darling	$ 84,429	$ (9,087)	$ 3,080	$ 109	$ 69,943	$ 14,318	$ 32,757	$ (52,803)	$ 78,531	$ 64,215	$ 108,967
Net income per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.51	$ (0.06)	$ 0.02	$ 0.00	$ 0.42	$ 0.09	$ 0.20	$ (0.32)	$ 0.48	$ 0.39	$ 0.91
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.51	$ (0.06)	$ 0.02	$ 0.00	$ 0.42	$ 0.09	$ 0.20	$ (0.32)	$ 0.48	$ 0.39	$ 0.91