Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015	Oct. 01, 2016	Oct. 03, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 853,856	$ 853,762	$ 2,510,838	$ 2,587,771
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses	671,167	671,321	1,947,175	2,024,118
Selling, general and administrative expenses	76,508	75,026	234,135	245,951
Acquisition and integration costs	0	1,280	401	7,807
Depreciation and amortization	70,653	67,327	212,440	199,970
Total costs and expenses	818,328	814,954	2,394,151	2,477,846
Operating income	35,528	38,808	116,687	109,925
Other expense:
Interest expense	(23,867)	(24,828)	(71,748)	(82,222)
Foreign currency gain/(loss)	354	(2,461)	(2,241)	(3,299)
Other income/(expense), net	(2,007)	1,004	(5,685)	(704)
Total other expense	(25,520)	(26,285)	(79,674)	(86,225)
Equity in net income of unconsolidated subsidiaries	18,138	(12,021)	37,633	(9,657)
Income before income taxes	28,146	502	74,646	14,043
Income tax expense/(benefit)	(744)	7,859	9,102	14,639
Net income/(loss)	28,890	(7,357)	65,544	(596)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(196)	(1,730)	(3,772)	(5,302)
Net income/(loss) attributable to Darling	$ 28,694	$ (9,087)	$ 61,772	$ (5,898)
Basic income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.17	$ (0.06)	$ 0.38	$ (0.04)
Diluted income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.17	$ (0.06)	$ 0.37	$ (0.04)