Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2016	Jul. 04, 2015	Jul. 02, 2016	Jul. 04, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 877,341	$ 859,315	$ 1,656,982	$ 1,734,009
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses	677,115	668,276	1,276,008	1,352,797
Selling, general and administrative expenses	76,158	84,294	157,627	170,925
Acquisition and integration costs	70	1,208	401	6,527
Depreciation and amortization	69,531	66,245	141,787	132,643
Total costs and expenses	822,874	820,023	1,575,823	1,662,892
Operating income	54,467	39,292	81,159	71,117
Other expense:
Interest expense	(23,980)	(34,285)	(47,881)	(57,394)
Foreign currency gain/(loss)	8	1,622	(2,595)	(838)
Other expense, net	(2,373)	(1,199)	(3,678)	(1,708)
Total other expense	(26,345)	(33,862)	(54,154)	(59,940)
Equity in net income of unconsolidated subsidiaries	13,852	4,172	19,495	2,364
Income before income taxes	41,974	9,602	46,500	13,541
Income tax expense	7,983	4,665	9,846	6,780
Net income	33,991	4,937	36,654	6,761
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,992)	(1,857)	(3,576)	(3,572)
Net income attributable to Darling	$ 31,999	$ 3,080	$ 33,078	$ 3,189
Basic income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.19	$ 0.02	$ 0.20	$ 0.02
Diluted income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.19	$ 0.02	$ 0.20	$ 0.02