Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 01, 2017	Apr. 02, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 880,072	$ 779,641
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses	689,627	598,893
Selling, general and administrative expenses	87,917	81,469
Acquisition and integration costs	0	331
Depreciation and amortization	71,114	72,256
Total costs and expenses	848,658	752,949
Operating income	31,414	26,692
Other expense:
Interest expense	(21,680)	(23,901)
Foreign currency loss	(264)	(2,603)
Other expense, net	(960)	(1,305)
Total other expense	(22,904)	(27,809)
Equity in net income of unconsolidated subsidiaries	706	5,643
Income before income taxes	9,216	4,526
Income tax expense	1,818	1,863
Net income	7,398	2,663
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,569)	(1,584)
Net income attributable to Darling	$ 5,829	$ 1,079
Basic income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.04	$ 0.01
Diluted income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.04	$ 0.01