Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 02, 2016	Apr. 04, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 779,641	$ 874,694
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses	598,893	684,521
Selling, general and administrative expenses	81,469	86,631
Acquisition and integration costs	331	5,319
Depreciation and amortization	72,256	66,398
Total costs and expenses	752,949	842,869
Operating income	26,692	31,825
Other expense:
Interest expense	(23,901)	(23,109)
Foreign currency loss	(2,603)	(2,460)
Other expense, net	(1,305)	(509)
Total other expense	(27,809)	(26,078)
Equity in net income/(loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries	5,643	(1,808)
Income before income taxes	4,526	3,939
Income tax expense	1,863	2,115
Net income	2,663	1,824
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,584)	(1,715)
Net income attributable to Darling	$ 1,079	$ 109
Basic income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.00
Diluted income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.00