Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2024	Jul. 01, 2023	Jun. 29, 2024	Jul. 01, 2023
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,455,292	$ 1,757,621	$ 2,875,591	$ 3,548,793
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses	1,128,421	1,359,702	2,245,087	2,726,675
Loss/(gain) on sale of assets	222	259	(352)	(68)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	129,731	136,751	268,874	272,217
Restructuring and asset impairment charges	0	896	0	5,420
Acquisition and integration costs	1,130	1,706	5,184	8,728
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	(33,122)	(7,499)	(58,371)	(7,499)
Depreciation and amortization	124,605	122,086	252,114	238,092
Total costs and expenses	1,350,987	1,613,901	2,712,536	3,243,565
Equity in net income of Diamond Green Diesel	44,197	212,964	122,616	307,301
Operating income	148,502	356,684	285,671	612,529
Other expense:
Interest expense	(69,225)	(70,193)	(132,101)	(120,492)
Foreign currency gain	413	2,490	649	7,494
Other income/(expense), net	(568)	5,079	8,088	11,238
Total other expense	(69,380)	(62,624)	(123,364)	(101,760)
Equity in net income of other unconsolidated subsidiaries	3,017	1,849	5,327	1,969
Income before income taxes	82,139	295,909	167,634	512,738
Income tax expense	774	40,712	4,681	67,686
Net income	81,365	255,197	162,953	445,052
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(2,499)	(2,814)	(2,930)	(6,868)
Net income attributable to Darling	$ 78,866	$ 252,383	$ 160,023	$ 438,184
Basic income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.49	$ 1.58	$ 1.00	$ 2.74
Diluted income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.49	$ 1.55	$ 0.99	$ 2.69