WW International (WW) 10-K 4 Mar 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Jan. 31, 2015	Jun. 27, 2014
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	3-Jan-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	WTW
Entity Registrant Name	WEIGHT WATCHERS INTERNATIONAL INC
Entity Central Index Key	105319
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-2
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		56,711,534
Entity Public Float			$571,205,322

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015		Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$301,212		$174,557
Receivables (net of allowances: January 3, 2015-$3,287 and December 28, 2013-$3,477)	31,960		36,248
Inventories	32,382		40,939
Deferred income taxes	23,744		24,457
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	38,430		39,524
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS	427,728		315,725
Property and equipment, net	74,650		87,052
Franchise rights acquired	799,795		836,835
Goodwill	106,820		79,294
Trademarks and other intangible assets, net	68,115		45,297
Deferred financing costs, net	32,742		42,046
Other noncurrent assets	5,337		2,682
TOTAL ASSETS	1,515,187		1,408,931
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Portion of long-term debt due within one year	24,000		30,000
Accounts payable	54,474		45,496
Salaries and wages payable	64,785		65,810
Accrued marketing and advertising	20,540		15,509
Accrued interest	22,965		22,776
Other accrued liabilities	81,653		82,321
Derivative payable	42,423		7,578
Deferred revenue	66,190		76,330
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES	377,030		345,820
Long-term debt	2,334,000		2,358,000
Deferred income taxes	171,529		164,064
Other	16,883		15,669
TOTAL LIABILITIES	2,899,442		2,883,553
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	5,553		0
TOTAL DEFICIT
Common stock, $0 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; 112,195 shares issued at January 3, 2015 and 111,988 shares issued at December 28, 2013	0		0
Treasury stock, at cost, 55,485 shares at January 3, 2015 and 55,562 shares at December 28, 2013	-3,253,597		-3,256,406
Retained earnings	1,883,349		1,773,267
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	-19,560	[1]	8,517	[1]
TOTAL DEFICIT	-1,389,808		-1,474,622
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND TOTAL DEFICIT	$1,515,187		$1,408,931
[1]	Amounts in parentheses indicate debits

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Receivables, allowances	$3,287	$3,477
Common stock, par value	$0	$0
Common stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	112,195	111,988
Treasury stock, shares	55,485	55,562

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Service Revenues, net	$1,181,945	$1,360,761	$1,425,065
Product sales and other, net	297,971	363,362	414,367
Revenues, net	1,479,916	1,724,123	1,839,432
Cost of services	535,320	558,451	559,325
Cost of product sales and other	142,045	164,560	186,289
Cost of revenues	677,365	723,011	745,614
Gross profit	802,551	1,001,112	1,093,818
Marketing expenses	262,258	295,628	353,673
Selling, general and administrative expenses	240,979	243,561	229,340
Indefinite-lived intangible impairments	26,057	1,166	0
Operating income	273,257	460,757	510,805
Interest expense	122,984	103,108	90,537
Other expense, net	3,206	599	1,979
Gain on Brazil acquisition	-10,540	0	0
Early extinguishment of debt	0	21,685	1,328
Income before income taxes	157,607	335,365	416,961
Provision for income taxes	59,014	130,640	159,535
Net income	98,593	204,725	257,426
Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	54	0	0
Net income attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.	$98,647	$204,725	$257,426
Earnings Per Share attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.
Basic	$1.74	$3.65	$4.27
Diluted	$1.74	$3.63	$4.23
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic	56,607	56,144	60,294
Diluted	56,705	56,394	60,923
Dividends declared per common share	$0	$0.53	$0.70

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015		Dec. 28, 2013		Dec. 29, 2012
Net income	$98,593		$204,725		$257,426
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-18,528		-10,363		763
Income tax effect on foreign currency translation adjustments	7,226		4,022		-225
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes	-11,302		-6,341		538
Changes in (loss) gain on derivatives	-28,283		3,277		11,016
Income tax effect on changes in gain (loss) on derivatives	11,030		-1,278		-4,296
Changes in (loss) gain on derivatives, net of taxes	-17,253		1,999		6,720
Net current period other comprehensive loss	-28,555	[1]	-4,342	[1]	7,258
Comprehensive income	70,038		200,383		264,684
Less: Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	54		0		0
Less: Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes attributable to the noncontrolling interest	478		0		0
Comprehensive loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	532		0		0
Comprehensive income attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.	$70,570		$200,383		$264,684
[1]	Amounts in parentheses indicate debits

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CHA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN TOTAL DEFICIT (USD $)	Total	Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	Common Stock	Treasury Stock	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Retained Earnings
In Thousands, except Share data
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2011	($409,766)	$0	$0	($1,793,983)	$5,601	$1,378,616
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011			111,988,000	38,390,000
Comprehensive Income	264,684	0			7,258	257,426
Issuance of treasury stock under stock plans (in shares)				-435,000
Issuance of treasury stock under stock plans	10,663			16,341		-5,678
Tax benefit of restricted stock units vested and stock options exercised	3,408					3,408
Cash dividends declared	-39,104					-39,104
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares)	0			18,279,000
Purchase of treasury stock	-1,498,902			-1,498,902
Tender Offer fees	-5,287			-5,287
Compensation expense on share-based awards	8,845					8,845
Ending balance at Dec. 29, 2012	-1,665,459	0	0	-3,281,831	12,859	1,603,513
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 29, 2012			111,988,000	56,234,000
Comprehensive Income	200,383	0			-4,342	204,725
Issuance of treasury stock under stock plans (in shares)				-672,000
Issuance of treasury stock under stock plans	15,121			25,425		-10,304
Tax benefit of restricted stock units vested and stock options exercised	537					537
Cash dividends declared	-29,459					-29,459
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares)	0
Compensation expense on share-based awards	4,255					4,255
Ending balance at Dec. 28, 2013	-1,474,622	0	0	-3,256,406	8,517	1,773,267
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 28, 2013			111,988,000	55,562,000
Comprehensive Income	70,570	-532			-28,077	98,647
Issuance of treasury stock under stock plans (in shares)				-77,000
Issuance of treasury stock under stock plans	250			2,809		-2,559
Tax benefit of restricted stock units vested and stock options exercised	-788					-788
Cash dividends declared	42					42
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares)	0
Compensation expense on share-based awards	10,533					10,533
Acquisition of Wello	4,207					4,207
Acquisition of Wello (Shares)			207,000
Acquisition of Additional Equity Interest in Brazil		6,157
Distribution to noncontrolling interest		-75
Other		3
Ending balance at Jan. 03, 2015	($1,389,808)	$5,553	$0	($3,253,597)	($19,560)	$1,883,349
Ending balance (in shares) at Jan. 03, 2015			112,195,000	55,485,000

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Operating activities:
Net income	$98,593	$204,725	$257,426
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	49,234	44,904	36,640
Amortization of deferred financing costs	9,305	7,672	7,070
Impairment of intangible and long-lived assets	26,709	5,426	0
Share-based compensation expense	10,533	4,255	8,845
Deferred tax provision	22,182	35,380	26,765
Allowance for doubtful accounts	99	596	-1,067
Reserve for inventory obsolescence	11,822	9,580	10,491
Foreign currency exchange rate loss/(gain)	2,984	659	-722
Gain on Brazil acquisition	-10,540	0	0
Loss on disposal of assets	171	1,417	590
Loss on investment	0	0	2,697
Early extinguishment of debt	0	21,685	1,328
Other items, net	-184	0	0
Changes in cash due to:
Receivables	3,777	345	5,870
Inventories	-3,218	-2,226	-1,341
Prepaid expenses	-722	1,037	-639
Accounts payable	9,870	-3,607	-11,794
Accrued liabilities	10,361	4,988	28,042
Deferred revenue	-7,915	-10,521	1,539
Income taxes	-1,442	4,473	2,408
Cash provided by operating activities	231,619	323,516	336,707
Investing activities:
Capital expenditures	-9,097	-40,657	-48,807
Capitalized software expenditures	-42,589	-21,277	-29,926
Cash paid for acquisitions	-16,678	-83,825	-30,400
Other items, net	-628	411	-323
Cash used for investing activities	-68,992	-145,348	-109,456
Financing activities:
Proceeds from new term loans	0	2,400,000	1,449,397
Net borrowings/(payments) on revolver	0	70,000	30,000
Payments on long-term debt	-30,000	-2,488,364	-124,833
Payment of dividends	-80	-29,571	-51,961
Payments to acquire treasury stock	0	0	-1,504,189
Deferred financing costs	0	-44,817	-26,248
Proceeds from stock options exercised	658	16,187	12,688
Tax benefit of restricted stock units vested and stock options exercised	1	2,132	4,026
Cash used for financing activities	-29,421	-74,433	-211,120
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents and other	-6,551	607	885
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	126,655	104,342	17,016
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of fiscal year	174,557	70,215	53,199
Cash and cash equivalents, end of fiscal year	301,212	174,557	70,215
United Kingdom
Changes in cash due to:
UK self-employment liability	$0	($7,272)	($37,441)

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Basis of Presentation	1	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Weight Watchers International, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries. The terms “Company” and “WWI” as used throughout these notes is used to indicate Weight Watchers International, Inc. and all of its operations consolidated for purposes of its financial statements. The Company’s “meetings” business refers to providing access to meetings to the Company’s monthly commitment plan subscribers, “pay-as-you-go” members, Total Access subscribers and other meeting members. “Online” refers to Weight Watchers Online, Weight Watchers OnlinePlus, Personal Coaching and other digital subscription products.
	As further discussed in Note 3, (1) as a result of the acquisition of an additional equity interest in Vigilantes do Peso Marketing Ltda. (“VPM”) in March 2014, the Company gained a direct controlling financial interest in VPM and has therefore begun consolidating this entity as of the date of acquisition; and (2) as a result of the acquisition of Knowplicity, Inc., d/b/a Wello, in April 2014, Wello became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and the Company began to consolidate the entity as of the date of acquisition.
	Liquidity:
	The Company has a $291,000 debt maturity obligation due April 2016. Based upon the Company’s cash on hand of $301,212 as of January 3, 2015 and its 2015 forecasted cash flow, the Company believes that it will maintain sufficient liquidity to meet this obligation. In addition, the Company has access to the unused portion of its revolving credit facility of $48,181 and has the ability, if necessary, to delay investments or reduce marketing spend. Notwithstanding the foregoing, depending on future developments, there can be no assurance that the Company will meet this obligation.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	2	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Fiscal Year:
	The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to December 31st and consists of either 52 or 53-week periods. Fiscal year 2014 contained 53 weeks and fiscal years 2013 and 2012 each contained 52 weeks. In 2014, when the Company realigned its organizational structure and changed the determination of its reportable segments, the Company’s Online business accordingly changed its fiscal year end to be the same as the Company’s fiscal year end, which did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements. See Note 14 for further information on the Company’s reportable segments. In fiscal years 2013 and 2012, the Company’s Online business’ fiscal year ended on December 31st of each year. This difference in fiscal years did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
	Use of Estimates:
	The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates and judgments, including those related to inventories, the impairment analysis for goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, share-based compensation, income taxes, tax contingencies and litigation. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other factors and assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual amounts could differ from these estimates.
	Translation of Foreign Currencies:
	For all foreign operations, the functional currency is the local currency. Assets and liabilities of these operations are translated into US dollars using the exchange rate in effect at the end of each reporting period. Income statement accounts are translated at the average rate of exchange prevailing during each reporting period. Translation adjustments arising from the use of differing exchange rates from period to period are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
	Foreign currency gains and losses arising from the translation of intercompany receivables with the Company’s international subsidiaries are recorded as a component of other expense (income), net, unless the receivable is considered long-term in nature, in which case the foreign currency gains and losses are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
	Cash Equivalents:
	Cash and cash equivalents are defined as highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Cash balances may, at times, exceed insurable amounts. The Company believes it mitigates this risk by investing in or through major financial institutions. Cash includes balances due from third-party credit card companies.
	Inventories:
	Inventories, which consist of finished goods, are stated at the lower of cost or market on a first-in, first-out basis, net of reserves for obsolescence and shrinkage.
	Property and Equipment:
	Property and equipment are recorded at cost. For financial reporting purposes, equipment is depreciated on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets (3 to 10 years). Leasehold improvements are amortized on the straight-line method over the shorter of the term of the lease or the useful life of the related assets. Expenditures for new facilities and improvements that substantially extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized. Ordinary repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related depreciation are removed from the accounts and any related gains or losses are included in income.
	Impairment of Long Lived Assets:
	The Company reviews long-lived assets, including amortizable intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable.
	In fiscal 2014, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $652 related to property, plant and equipment that was expected to be disposed of before the end of its estimated useful life.
	In fiscal 2013, the Company commenced the shutdown of its China operations and, as a result, recorded an impairment charge of $1,607 related to property, plant and equipment ($372) and amortizable intangible assets ($1,235). The Company also recorded an impairment charge of $2,653 in fiscal 2013 related to internal-use computer software that was not expected to provide substantive service potential.
	Franchise Rights Acquired, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:
	Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives of 3 to 20 years. The Company reviews goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, including franchise rights acquired, for potential impairment on at least an annual basis or more often if events so require. The Company performed fair value impairment testing as of the end of fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013 on its goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets.
	In performing the impairment analysis for goodwill, the fair value for the Company’s reporting units is estimated using a discounted cash flow approach. This approach involves projecting future cash flows attributable to the reporting unit and discounting those estimated cash flows using an appropriate discount rate. The estimated fair value is then compared to the carrying value of the reporting unit. The Company has determined the appropriate reporting unit for purposes of assessing annual impairment to be the country for all reporting units. The values of goodwill in the United States, Brazil, Canada and other countries at January 3, 2015 were $65,608, $23,023, $7,543, and $10,646, respectively, totaling $106,820.
	In performing the impairment analysis for franchise rights acquired, the fair value for the Company’s franchise rights acquired is estimated using a discounted cash flow approach referred to as the hypothetical start-up approach for its franchise rights related to its meetings business and a relief from royalty methodology for its franchise rights related to its Online business. The estimated fair value is then compared to the carrying value of the unit of accounting for those franchise rights. The Company has determined the appropriate unit of account for purposes of assessing annual impairment to be the combination of the rights in the meetings and Online businesses in the country in which the acquisitions have occurred. The values of these franchise rights in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and other countries at January 3, 2015 were $697,334, $74,672, $13,138, $7,272, $5,449 and $1,930, respectively, totaling $799,795.
	When determining fair value, the Company utilizes various assumptions, including projections of future cash flows, growth rates and discount rates. A change in these underlying assumptions will cause a change in the results of the tests and, as such, could cause fair value to be less than the carrying amounts. In the event such a decrease occurred, the Company would be required to record a corresponding charge, which would impact earnings. The Company would also be required to reduce the carrying amounts of the related assets on its balance sheet. The Company continues to evaluate these estimates and assumptions and believes that these assumptions are appropriate.
	In performing the impairment analysis for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015, the Company determined that, based on the fair values calculated, the carrying amount of the franchise rights acquired related to its Canada operations exceeded its fair value as of the end of fiscal 2014 and recorded an impairment charge of $26,057 for such rights. In performing the impairment analysis for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2013, the Company determined that, based on the fair values calculated, the carrying amounts of the franchise rights acquired related to its Mexico and Hong Kong operations exceeded their respective fair values as of the end of fiscal 2013 and recorded impairment charges of $935 and $231, respectively, for such rights. The Company determined that the carrying amounts of the remainder of these assets did not exceed their respective fair values, and therefore, no other impairment existed.
	The Company expenses all software costs (including website development costs) incurred during the preliminary project stage and capitalizes all internal and external direct costs of materials and services consumed in developing software (including website development costs), once the development has reached the application development stage. Application development stage costs generally include software configuration, coding, installation to hardware and testing. These costs are amortized over their estimated useful life of 3 years for website development costs and from 3 to 5 years for all other software costs. All costs incurred for upgrades, maintenance and enhancements, including the cost of website content, which do not result in additional functionality, are expensed as incurred.
	Revenue Recognition:
	WWI earns revenue by conducting meetings, for which it charges a fee, predominantly through monthly commitment plans, prepayment plans or the “pay-as-you-go” arrangement. WWI also earns revenue from monthly subscriptions for its Online products, selling products in its meetings, on the Internet and to its franchisees, collecting commissions from franchisees, collecting royalties related to licensing agreements, selling magazine subscriptions, selling advertising space on its website and in copies of its magazines, and By Mail product sales.
	Monthly commitment plans, prepaid meeting fees and magazine subscription revenue is recorded to deferred revenue and amortized into revenue over the period earned. Online Subscription Revenues are recognized over the period that products are provided. One-time sign-up fees are deferred and recognized over the expected customer relationship period. Online Subscription Revenues that are paid in advance are deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the subscription period. Revenue from “pay-as-you-go” meeting fees, product sales, By Mail, commissions and royalties is recognized when services are rendered, products are shipped to customers and title and risk of loss pass to the customers, and commissions and royalties are earned, respectively. Revenue from advertising in magazines is recognized when advertisements are published. Revenue from magazine sales is recognized when the magazine is sent to the customer. WWI charges non-refundable registration fees in exchange for an introductory information session and materials it provides to new members in its meetings business. Revenue from these registration fees is recognized when the service and products are provided, which is generally at the same time payment is received from the customer. Discounts to customers, including free registration offers, are recorded as a deduction from gross revenue in the period such revenue was recognized. Revenue from advertising on its website is recognized when the advertisement is viewed by the user.
	The Company grants refunds in aggregate amounts that historically have not been material. Because the period of payment of the refund generally approximates the period revenue was originally recognized, refunds are recorded as a reduction of revenue when paid.
	Advertising Costs:
	Advertising costs consist primarily of television and digital media. All costs related to advertising are expensed in the period incurred, except for media production related costs, which are expensed the first time the advertising takes place. Total advertising expenses for the fiscal years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 were $251,954, $285,298 and $344,582, respectively. Note the fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 amounts have been revised to exclude certain brand marketing funds received from licensees, which results in an increase in advertising expense of $11,138 and $10,160 for fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, respectively.
	Income Taxes:
	Deferred income tax assets and liabilities result primarily from temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities, using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which differences are expected to reverse. If it is more-likely-than-not that some portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recognized. The Company considers historic levels of income, estimates of future taxable income and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for a tax valuation allowance.
	The Company recognizes a benefit for uncertain tax positions when a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions as part of the provision for income taxes on its consolidated statements of income.
	In addition, assets and liabilities acquired in purchase business combinations are assigned their fair values and deferred taxes are provided for lower or higher tax bases.
	Derivative Instruments and Hedging:
	The Company is exposed to certain risks related to its ongoing business operations, primarily interest rate risk and foreign currency risk. The primary risk managed by using derivative instruments is interest rate risk. Interest rate swaps are entered into to hedge a portion of the cash flow exposure associated with the Company’s variable-rate borrowings. The Company does not use any derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
	The Company recognizes the fair value of all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet. The Company has designated and accounted for interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges of its variable-rate borrowings. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified into earnings in the periods during which the hedged transactions affect earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in current earnings.
	The fair value of the Company’s interest rate swaps is reported in derivative payable and prepaid expenses and other current assets on its balance sheet. See Note 15 for a further discussion regarding the fair value of the Company’s interest rate swaps. The net effect of the interest payable and receivable under the Company’s interest rate swaps is included in interest expense on the statement of income.
	Deferred Financing Costs:
	Deferred financing costs consist of fees paid by the Company as part of the establishment, exchange and/or modification of the Company’s long-term debt. During the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015, the Company wrote-off deferred financing fees of approximately $1,583 in connection with amending its Credit Agreement (as defined in Note 6). During the fiscal year ended December 28, 2013, the Company incurred fees of $44,817 associated with the refinancing of the WWI Credit Facility (as defined in Note 6). The Company wrote-off fees in connection with this refinancing which resulted in the Company recording a charge of $21,685 in early extinguishment of debt. During the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012, the Company incurred deferred financing costs of $26,248 associated with the Tender Offer (as defined in Note 7). The Company wrote-off fees in connection with the Tender Offer which resulted in the Company recording a charge of $1,328 in early extinguishment of debt. Amortization expense for the fiscal years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 was $9,305, $7,672 and $7,070, respectively.
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income:
	The Company’s accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income includes net income, changes in the fair value of derivative instruments and the effects of foreign currency translations. At January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, the cumulative balance of changes in fair value of derivative instruments, net of taxes, was $(21,856) and $(4,603), respectively. At January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, the cumulative balance of the effects of foreign currency translations, net of taxes, was $2,296 and $13,120, respectively.
	Restructuring Expense:
	The Company records estimated expense for restructuring initiatives when such costs are deemed probable and estimable, when approved by the appropriate corporate authority and by accumulating detailed estimates of costs for such plans. These expenses include the estimated costs of employee severance and related benefits, impairment or accelerated depreciation of property, plant and equipment and capitalized software, and any other qualifying exit costs. Such costs represent the Company’s best estimate, but require assumptions about the programs that may change over time, including attrition rates. Estimates are evaluated periodically to determine whether an adjustment is required.
	Reclassification:
	Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Acquisitions_of_Franchisees_Ad

Acquisitions of Franchisees, Additional Equity Interest in Brazil and Wello and Shutdown of China Operations	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Acquisitions of Franchisees, Additional Equity Interest in Brazil and Wello and Shutdown of China Operations	3	Acquisitions of Franchisees, Additional Equity Interest in Brazil and Wello and Shutdown of China Operations
	Acquisitions of Franchisees
	The acquisitions of franchisees have been accounted for under the purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, earnings of acquired franchisees have been included in the consolidated operating results of the Company since the applicable date of acquisition. During fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, the Company acquired certain assets of its franchisees as outlined below.
	On September 10, 2012, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of its Southeastern Ontario and Ottawa, Canada franchisee, Slengora Limited, for a net purchase price of $16,755 plus assumed liabilities of $245. The total purchase price has been allocated to franchise rights acquired ($9,871), goodwill ($6,779), customer relationship value ($180), fixed assets ($81), inventory ($66) and prepaid expenses ($23).
	On November 2, 2012, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of its Adirondacks franchisee, Weight Watchers of the Adirondacks, Inc., for a purchase price of $3,400. The total purchase price has been allocated to franchise rights acquired ($2,216), goodwill ($1,156), customer relationship value ($37), inventory ($29) and prepaid expenses ($10) offset by deferred revenue of $48.
	On December 20, 2012, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of its Memphis, Tennessee franchisee, Weight Watchers of the Mid-South, Inc., for a purchase price of $10,000. The total purchase price has been allocated to franchise rights acquired ($8,396), goodwill ($1,461), customer relationship value ($209), inventory ($35), receivables ($9) and fixed assets ($4) offset by deferred revenue of $114.
	On March 4, 2013, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of its Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada franchisees, Weight Watchers of Alberta Ltd. and Weight Watchers of Saskatchewan Ltd., for an aggregate purchase price of $35,000. The total purchase price has been allocated to franchise rights acquired ($30,633), goodwill ($4,626), customer relationship value ($473), inventory ($218), fixed assets ($182) and prepaid expenses ($3) offset by deferred revenue of $1,135.
	On July 15, 2013, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of its West Virginia franchisee, Weight Watchers of West Virginia, Inc., for a net purchase price of $16,028 less assumed assets, plus assumed liabilities, net of $28. The total purchase price has been allocated to franchise rights acquired ($10,131), goodwill ($5,212), customer relationship value ($448) and fixed assets ($209).
	On July 22, 2013, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of its Columbus, Ohio franchisee, Weight Watchers of Columbus, Inc., for a net purchase price of $23,357 plus assumed liabilities of $143 and its Reno, Nevada franchisee, Weight Watchers of Northern Nevada, Inc., for a net purchase price of $3,969 plus assumed liabilities of $31. The aggregate total purchase price has been allocated to franchise rights acquired ($19,643), goodwill ($7,220), customer relationship value ($494), fixed assets ($116) and inventory ($27).
	On October 28, 2013, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of its Manitoba, Canada franchisee, Weight Watchers of Manitoba Ltd., for a net purchase price of $5,197 plus assumed liabilities of $28 and its Franklin and St. Lawrence Counties, New York franchisee, Weight Watchers of Franklin and St. Lawrence Counties Inc., for a net purchase price of $274 plus assumed liabilities of $1. The total purchase price of the Manitoba, Canada franchisee has been allocated to franchise rights acquired ($4,525), goodwill ($449), customer relationship value ($249), inventory ($1) and prepaid expenses ($1). The total purchase price of the Franklin and St. Lawrence Counties, New York franchisee has been allocated to franchise rights acquired ($238), goodwill ($23), customer relationship value ($13) and prepaid expenses ($1).
	The weighted-average amortization period of the customer relationships acquired in the above acquisitions was approximately 15 weeks. Due to the short-term nature of this asset, its estimated fair value has been recorded as a component of prepaid expenses and other current assets. The acquisitions resulted in goodwill related to, among other things, expected synergies in operations. The goodwill recorded in connection with these acquisitions represents the intangible assets that did not qualify for separate recognition in the financial statements. The Company expects that $16,953 of the total $17,530 of goodwill recorded in connection with the above acquisitions will be deductible for tax purposes. The effect of these franchise acquisitions was not material to the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or operating cash flows in the periods presented.
	Acquisition of Additional Equity Interest in Brazil
	Prior to March 12, 2014, the Company had owned 35% of VPM, a Brazilian limited liability partnership. On March 12, 2014, the Company acquired an additional 45% equity interest in VPM for a net purchase price of $14,181 less cash acquired of $2,262. VPM was converted into a joint-stock corporation prior to closing and subsequently operates as a subsidiary of the Company with rights to conduct typical business lines. As a result of the acquisition, the Company gained a direct controlling financial interest in VPM and has therefore begun consolidating this entity as of the date of acquisition.
	The equity interest held immediately before the acquisition was $12. An implied fair value technique was used to measure acquisition date fair value of the equity interest to be $11,029. As a result of this transaction, the Company adjusted its previously held equity interest to fair value of $11,017 and recorded a charge of $477 associated with the settlement of the royalty-free arrangement of the Brazilian partnership. The net effect of these items resulted in the Company recognizing a gain of $10,540 ($6,429 after tax or $0.11 per fully diluted share) in the first quarter of fiscal 2014.
	The fair value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest has been valued at $6,157. In connection with the acquisition, a call option and a put option were granted related to the 20% interest in VPM not owned by the Company.
	The net purchase price of the Brazil acquisition has been allocated as follows:
	Fair value of consideration transferred:
	Net purchase price		$	14,181
	Less cash acquired			2,262
	Total			11,919
	Gain on acquisition			10,540
	Redeemable noncontrolling interest			6,157
				28,616
	Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
	Franchise rights acquired			2,000
	Receivables			1,139
	Fixed assets			575
	Prepaid expenses			421
	Inventory			287
	Customer relationship value			275
	Other assets			199
	Accrued liabilities			(1,063	)
	Deferred tax on acquired intangibles			(680	)
	Deferred revenue			(445	)
	Income taxes payable			(258	)
	Accounts payable			(91	)
	Total identifiable net assets			2,359
	Goodwill		$	26,257
	The acquisition resulted in goodwill related to, among other things, expected synergies in operations and the ability of the Company to provide VPM with various intellectual property and technology innovations which will afford additional future opportunities in the meetings and Online businesses within the market where VPM operates. The Company does not expect goodwill to be deductible for tax purposes.
	Acquisition of Wello
	On April 16, 2014, the Company acquired Knowplicity, Inc., d/b/a Wello, an online fitness and personal training company for a net purchase price of $8,977 less cash acquired of $11. Payment was in the form of stock issued $4,207 and cash $4,770. The total purchase price of Wello has been allocated to goodwill ($6,204), website development ($4,516), prepaid expenses ($4) and fixed assets ($1) offset by deferred tax liabilities ($1,759). As a result of the acquisition, Wello became a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and the Company began to consolidate the entity as of the date of acquisition. The acquisition resulted in goodwill related to, among other things, expected synergies in operations. The Company does not expect goodwill to be deductible for tax purposes.
	Shutdown of China Operations
	On December 12, 2013, the Company made a strategic decision to shut down its China operations. As a result of this decision, the Company incurred a charge of $2,500 related to severance and the impairment of property, plant and equipment and amortizable intangible assets.

Franchise_Rights_Acquired_Good

Franchise Rights Acquired, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Franchise Rights Acquired, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	4	Franchise Rights Acquired, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	The Company performed its annual impairment review of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets as of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013. As a result of this review, the Company recorded a franchise rights acquired impairment charge of $26,057 related to its Canada operations in fiscal 2014 and a $1,166 franchise rights acquired impairment charge related to its Mexico and Hong Kong operations in fiscal 2013.
	Franchise rights acquired are due to acquisitions of the Company’s franchised territories as well as the acquisition of franchise promotion agreements and other factors associated with the acquired franchise territories. For the year ended January 3, 2015, the change in the carrying value of franchise rights acquired is due to the VPM acquisition, as described in Note 3, the impairment charge noted above and the effect of exchange rate changes as follows:
	Balance as of December 28, 2013		$	836,835
	Franchise rights acquired during the period			2,000
	Amortization of Brazil franchise rights acquired			(773	)
	Indefinite-lived intangible impairment			(26,057	)
	Effect of exchange rate changes			(12,210	)
	Balance as of January 3, 2015		$	799,795
	The franchise rights acquired related to the VPM acquisition are being amortized ratably over a 2 year period.
	Goodwill primarily relates to the acquisition of the Company by H.J. Heinz Company in 1978, the acquisition of WeightWatchers.com, Inc. in 2005, the acquisitions of the Company’s franchised territories, the acquisition of the majority interest in VPM in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and the acquisition of Wello in the second quarter of fiscal 2014. See Note 3 for further information on certain acquisitions. For the year ended January 3, 2015, the change in the carrying amount of goodwill is due to the VPM and Wello acquisitions and the effect of exchange rate changes as follows:
			North America			UK			CE			Other			Total
	Balance as of December 28, 2013		$	67,699		$	1,530		$	8,345		$	1,720		$	79,294
	Goodwill acquired during the period			6,204			0			0			26,257			32,461
	Effect of exchange rate changes			(751	)		(109	)		(684	)		(3,391	)		(4,935	)
	Balance as of January 3, 2015		$	73,152		$	1,421		$	7,661		$	24,586		$	106,820
	Aggregate amortization expense for finite-lived intangible assets was recorded in the amounts of $28,599, $24,562, and $17,796 for the fiscal years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively.
	The carrying amount of finite-lived intangible assets as of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013 was as follows:
			January 3, 2015						December 28, 2013
			Gross			Accumulated			Gross			Accumulated
			Carrying			Amortization			Carrying			Amortization
			Amount						Amount
	Capitalized software costs		$	107,581		$	72,590		$	85,095		$	62,418
	Trademarks			10,836			10,213			10,691			9,955
	Website development costs			95,717			63,405			69,660			48,060
	Other			7,014			6,825			7,021			6,737
			$	221,148		$	153,033		$	172,467		$	127,170
	As described in Note 2, in fiscal 2013, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $1,235 for amortizable intangible assets related to the shutdown of its China operations and an impairment charge of $2,653 related to internal-use computer software that was not expected to provide substantive service potential.
	Estimated amortization expense of existing finite-lived intangible assets for the next five fiscal years and thereafter is as follows:
	2015		$	29,833
	2016		$	21,770
	2017		$	14,378
	2018		$	2,051
	2019 and thereafter		$	83

Property_and_Equipment

Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Property and Equipment	5	Property and Equipment
	The components of property and equipment were:
			January 3,			December 28,
			2015			2013
	Equipment		$	124,788		$	123,210
	Leasehold improvements			79,496			77,771
				204,284			200,981
	Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization			(129,634	)		(113,929	)
			$	74,650		$	87,052
	As described in Note 2, in fiscal 2013, the Company commenced the shutdown of its China operations and, as a result, recorded an impairment charge of $372 related to property, plant and equipment.
	Depreciation and amortization expense of property and equipment for the fiscal years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 was $20,635, $20,342 and $18,844, respectively.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Long-Term Debt	6	Long-Term Debt
	The components of the Company’s long-term debt were as follows:
			January 3, 2015					December 28, 2013
			Balance		Effective			Balance		Effective
					Rate					Rate
	Revolving Facility due April 2, 2018		$	0		0	%	$	0		0	%
	Tranche B-1 Term Facility due April 2, 2016			294,750		3.12	%		298,500		2.97	%
	Tranche B-2 Term Facility due April 2, 2020			2,063,250		3.96	%		2,089,500		3.75	%
	Total Debt			2,358,000		3.86	%		2,388,000		3.49	%
	Less Current Portion			24,000					30,000
	Total Long-Term Debt		$	2,334,000				$	2,358,000
	The Company’s credit facilities at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2013 consisted of the following term loan facilities and revolving credit facilities: a tranche B loan (“Term B Loan”), a tranche C loan (“Term C Loan”), a tranche D loan (“Term D Loan”), a tranche E loan (“Term E Loan”), a tranche F loan (“Term F Loan”), revolving credit facility A-1 (“Revolver A-1” ) and revolving credit facility A-2 (“Revolver A-2”).
	On April 2, 2013, the Company refinanced its credit facilities pursuant to a new Credit Agreement (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Credit Agreement”) among the Company, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and an issuing bank, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as revolving agent, swingline lender and an issuing bank, and the other parties thereto. The Credit Agreement provides for (a) a revolving credit facility (including swing line loans and letters of credit) in an initial aggregate principal amount of $250,000 that will mature on April 2, 2018 (the “Revolving Facility”), (b) an initial term B-1 loan credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $300,000 that will mature on April 2, 2016 (the “Tranche B-1 Term Facility”) and (c) an initial term B-2 loan credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $2,100,000 that will mature on April 2, 2020 (the “Tranche B-2 Term Facility”, and together with the Tranche B-1 Term Facility, the “Term Facilities”; the Term Facilities and Revolving Facility collectively, the “WWI Credit Facility”). In connection with this refinancing, the Company used the proceeds from borrowings under the Term Facilities to pay off a total of $2,399,904 of outstanding loans, consisting of $128,759 of Term B Loans, $110,602 of Term C Loans, $117,612 of Term D Loans, $1,125,044 of Term E Loans, $817,887 of Term F Loans, $21,247 of loans under the Revolver A-1 and $78,753 of loans under the Revolver A-2. Following the refinancing of a total of $2,399,904 of loans, at April 2, 2013, the Company had $2,400,000 debt outstanding under the Term Facilities and $248,848 of availability under the Revolving Facility. The Company incurred fees of $44,817 during the second quarter of fiscal 2013 in connection with this refinancing. In the second quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company wrote-off fees associated with this refinancing which resulted in the Company recording a charge of $21,685 in early extinguishment of debt.
	On September 26, 2014, the Company and certain lenders entered into an agreement amending the Credit Agreement that, among other things, eliminated the Financial Covenant (as defined in the Credit Agreement) with respect to the Revolving Facility. In connection with this amendment, the Company wrote-off deferred financing fees of approximately $1,583 in the third quarter of fiscal 2014. Concurrently with and in order to effect this amendment, the Company reduced the amount of the Revolving Facility from $250,000 to $50,000.
	At January 3, 2015, the Company had $2,358,000 outstanding under the WWI Credit Facility, consisting entirely of term loans and there were no loans outstanding under the Revolving Facility. In addition, at January 3, 2015, the Revolving Facility had $1,819 in issued but undrawn letters of credit outstanding thereunder and $48,181 in available unused commitments thereunder. The proceeds from borrowings under the Revolving Facility (including swing line loans and letters of credit) are available to be used for working capital and general corporate purposes.
	Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate equal to, at the Company’s option, LIBOR plus an applicable margin or a base rate plus an applicable margin. LIBOR under the Tranche B-2 Term Facility is subject to a minimum interest rate of 0.75% and the base rate under the Tranche B-2 Term Facility is subject to a minimum interest rate of 1.75%. Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, in the event the Company receives a corporate rating of BB- (or lower) from S&P and a corporate rating of Ba3 (or lower) from Moody’s, the applicable margin relating to both of the Term Facilities would increase by 25 basis points. On February 21, 2014, both S&P and Moody’s issued revised corporate ratings of the Company of B+ and B1, respectively. As a result, effective February 21, 2014, the applicable margin on borrowings under the Tranche B-1 Term Facility went from 2.75% to 3.00% and on borrowings under the Tranche B-2 Term Facility went from 3.00% to 3.25%. The applicable margin relating to the Revolving Facility will fluctuate depending upon the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement). At January 3, 2015, borrowings under the Tranche B-1 Term Facility bore interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 3.00% and borrowings under the Tranche B-2 Term Facility bore interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 3.25%. Based on the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio as of January 3, 2015, had there been any borrowings under the Revolving Facility, it would have borne interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 2.50% or base rate plus an applicable margin of 1.50%. On a quarterly basis, the Company will pay a commitment fee to the lenders under the Revolving Facility in respect of unutilized commitments thereunder, which commitment fee will fluctuate depending upon the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio. Based on the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio as of January 3, 2015, the commitment fee was 0.50% per annum. The Company also will pay customary letter of credit fees and fronting fees under the Revolving Facility.
	The Credit Agreement contains customary covenants including covenants that, in certain circumstances, restrict the Company’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends on and redeem capital stock, make other payments, including investments, sell its assets and enter into consolidations, mergers and transfers of all or substantially all of its assets. The WWI Credit Facility does not require the Company to meet any financial maintenance covenants and is guaranteed by certain of the Company’s existing and future subsidiaries. Substantially all of the Company’s assets secure the WWI Credit Facility.
	At January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, the Company’s debt consisted entirely of variable-rate instruments. Interest rate swaps were entered into to hedge a portion of the cash flow exposure associated with the Company’s variable-rate borrowings. The average interest rate on the Company’s debt, exclusive of the impact of swaps, was approximately 3.90% and 3.65% per annum at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively. The average interest rate on the Company’s debt, including the impact of swaps, was approximately 4.93% and 4.08% per annum at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively.
	Maturities
	At January 3, 2015, the aggregate amounts of the Company’s existing long-term debt maturing in each of the next five fiscal years and thereafter were as follows:
	2015		$	24,000
	2016			307,500
	2017			21,000
	2018			21,000
	2019			21,000
	Thereafter			1,963,500
			$	2,358,000

Treasury_Stock

Treasury Stock	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Treasury Stock	7	Treasury Stock
	On February 23, 2012, the Company commenced a “modified Dutch auction” tender offer for up to $720,000 in value of its common stock at a purchase price not less than $72.00 and not greater than $83.00 per share (the “Tender Offer”). Prior to the Tender Offer, on February 14, 2012, the Company entered into an agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Artal Holdings Sp. z o.o., Succursale de Luxembourg (“Artal Holdings”) (the then-current record holder of all of the Company’s shares owned by Artal Group, S.A. and its affiliates) whereby Artal Holdings agreed to sell to the Company, at the same price as was determined in the Tender Offer, such number of its shares of the Company’s common stock that, upon the closing of this purchase after the completion of the Tender Offer, Artal Holdings’ percentage ownership in the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock would be substantially equal to its level prior to the Tender Offer. Artal Holdings also agreed not to participate in the Tender Offer so that it would not affect the determination of the purchase price of the shares in the Tender Offer.
	The Tender Offer expired at midnight, New York time, on March 22, 2012, and on March 28, 2012 the Company repurchased 8,780 shares at a purchase price of $82.00 per share. On April 9, 2012, the Company repurchased 9,499 of Artal Holdings’ shares at a purchase price of $82.00 per share pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. In March 2012, the Company amended and extended the Company’s then-existing credit facility to finance these repurchases. See Note 6.
	On October 9, 2003, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized and the Company announced a program to repurchase up to $250,000 of the Company’s outstanding common stock. On each of June 13, 2005, May 25, 2006 and October 21, 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized and the Company announced adding $250,000 to the program. The repurchase program allows for shares to be purchased from time to time in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. No shares will be purchased from Artal Holdings and its parents and subsidiaries under the program. The repurchase program currently has no expiration date.
	During the fiscal years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, the Company purchased no shares of its common stock in the open market under the repurchase program. The repurchase of shares of common stock under the Tender Offer and from Artal Holdings pursuant to the Purchase Agreement was not made pursuant to the Company’s existing repurchase program. As of the end of fiscal 2014, $208,933 remained available to purchase shares of our common stock under the repurchase program.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Earnings Per Share	8	Earnings Per Share
	Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) are calculated utilizing the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods presented. Diluted EPS is calculated utilizing the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods presented adjusted for the effect of dilutive common stock equivalents.
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS for the fiscal years ended:
			January 3,		December 28,		December 29,
			2015		2013		2012
	Numerator:
	Net income attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.		$	98,647	$	204,725	$	257,426
	Denominator:
	Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding			56,607		56,144		60,294
	Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents			98		250		629
	Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding			56,705		56,394		60,923
	EPS attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.
	Basic		$	1.74	$	3.65	$	4.27
	Diluted		$	1.74	$	3.63	$	4.23
	The number of anti-dilutive common stock equivalents excluded from the calculation of the weighted average number of common shares for diluted EPS was 3,073, 1,285 and 536 for the years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively.

Stock_Plans

Stock Plans	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Stock Plans	9	Stock Plans
	Incentive Compensation Plans:
	On May 6, 2008 and May 12, 2004, respectively, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan”) and the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2004 Plan”). On May 6, 2014, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan” and together with the 2004 Plan and the 2008 Plan, the “Stock Plans”), which replaced the 2008 Plan and 2004 Plan for all equity-based awards granted on or after May 6, 2014. The 2014 Plan is designed to promote the long-term financial interests and growth of the Company by attracting, motivating and retaining employees with the ability to contribute to the success of the business and to align compensation for the Company’s employees over a multi-year period directly with the interests of the shareholders of the Company. The Company’s Board of Directors or a committee thereof administers the 2014 Plan.
	Under the 2014 Plan, grants may take the following forms at the Compensation and Benefit Committee’s discretion: non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), restricted stock and other share-based awards. As of its effective date, the maximum number of shares of common stock available for grant under the 2014 Plan was 3,500, subject to increase and adjustment as set forth in the 2014 Plan.
	Under the 2008 Plan, grants could take the following forms at the Compensation and Benefit Committee’s discretion: non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, RSUs, restricted stock and other share-based awards. As of its effective date, the maximum number of shares of common stock available for grant under the 2008 Plan was 3,000, subject to increase and adjustment as set forth in the 2008 Plan. Pursuant to the terms of the 2008 Plan, the number of shares of our common stock available for issuance under the 2008 Plan was increased by 550, the remaining number of shares of our common stock with respect to which awards could be granted under the Company’s 1999 Stock Purchase and Option Plan upon its termination.
	Under the 2004 Plan, grants could take the following forms at the Company’s Board of Directors or its committee’s sole discretion: non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, RSUs, restricted stock and other share-based awards. As of its effective date, the maximum number of shares of common stock available for grant under the 2004 Plan was 2,500.
	Under the 2014 Plan, the Company also grants fully-vested shares of its common stock to certain members of its Board of Directors. While these shares are fully vested, beginning with stock grants made in the fourth quarter of 2006, the directors are restricted from selling these shares while they are still serving on the Company’s Board of Directors. During the fiscal years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, the Company granted 20, 14, and 13 fully-vested shares, respectively, and recognized compensation expense of $497, $524 and $707, respectively.
	The Company issues common stock for share-based compensation awards from treasury stock. The total compensation cost that has been charged against income for these plans was $10,533, $4,255 and $8,845 for the years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively. Such amounts have been included as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses. The total income tax benefit recognized in the income statement for all share-based compensation arrangements was $3,285, $1,174 and $2,742 for the years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively. The tax benefits realized from options exercised and RSUs vested totaled $301, $4,217 and $5,847 for the years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively. No compensation costs were capitalized. As of January 3, 2015, there was $34,191 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options and RSUs granted under the Stock Plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.2 years.
	While the Stock Plans permit various types of awards, other than the aforementioned shares issued to directors, grants under the plans have historically been either non-qualified stock options or RSUs. In fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013, the Company also granted special performance-based stock option awards. The following describes some further details of these awards.
	Stock Option Awards
	Option Awards with Time Vesting Criteria
	Pursuant to the option components of the Stock Plans, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the Company to enter into agreements under which certain employees received stock options with time vesting criteria (“Time Vesting Options”). The options are exercisable based on the terms outlined in the agreements. Time Vesting Options outstanding at January 3, 2015 vest over a period of three to five years and the expiration term is ten years. Time Vesting Options outstanding at January 3, 2015 have an exercise price between $19.74 and $63.59 per share.
	The fair value of each of these option awards is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the weighted average assumptions noted in the following table. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. Since the Company’s option exercise history is limited, it has estimated the expected term of these option grants to be the midpoint between the vesting period and the contractual term of each award. The risk free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect on the date of grant which most closely corresponds to the expected term of the Time Vesting Options. The dividend yield is based on our historic average dividend yield. For Time Vesting Options granted in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, the dividend yield is zero because there is no longer a dividend. The Company did not grant any Time Vesting Options in fiscal 2014.
			December 28,		December 29,
			2013		2012
	Dividend yield		0.80%		1.60%
	Volatility		36.50%		35.50%
	Risk-free interest rate		1.3% - 2.2%		1.0% - 1.4%
	Expected term (years)		6.5		6.5
	Option Awards with Time and Performance Vesting Criteria
	Pursuant to the option components of the Stock Plans, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the Company to enter into agreements under which certain employees received stock options with both time and performance vesting criteria (“T&P Vesting Options”). The options are exercisable based on the terms outlined in the agreements. During fiscal 2014 and the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company granted 1,600,583 and 686,549 T&P Vesting Options, respectively, to certain employees that will vest based on the achievement of both time and performance vesting criteria. The time-vesting criteria will be 100% satisfied on the third anniversary of the date of the grant and the performance criteria is contingent upon meeting or exceeding certain stock price hurdles. With respect to the performance-vesting criteria, the stock options will fully vest in 20% increments upon the first date that the average closing stock price for the 20 consecutive preceding trading days is equal to or greater than specified stock price hurdles. The fair value of the T&P Vesting Options was estimated on the date of grant and was based on the likelihood of the Company achieving the performance conditions. The Company estimated the fair value using a Monte Carlo simulation that used various assumptions that included expected volatility, a risk free rate and an expected term.
	Expected volatility was based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect on the date of grant which most closely corresponds to the performance measurement period. The expected term represents the period from the grant date to the end of the five year performance period. Compensation expense on T&P Vesting Options is recognized ratably over the three year required service period as this period is longer than the derived service period calculated by the Monte Carlo simulation.
			January 3,		December 28,
			2015		2013
	Dividend yield		0.00%		0.00%
	Volatility		37.80%		36.50%
	Risk-free interest rate		1.4% - 1.8%		1.60%
	Expected term (years)		5		5
	A summary of all option activity under the Stock Plans for the year ended January 3, 2015 is presented below:
			Shares			Weighted-		Weighted-		Aggregate
						Average		Average		Intrinsic
						Exercise		Remaining		Value
						Price		Contractual
								Life (Yrs.)
	Outstanding at December 28, 2013			2,213		$	39.09
	Granted			1,601		$	21.73
	Exercised			(28	)	$	23.76
	Canceled			(536	)	$	38.78
	Outstanding at January 3, 2015			3,250		$	30.72		5.3	$	522
	Exercisable at January 3, 2015			415		$	38.05		5.1	$	113
	The weighted-average grant-date fair value of all options granted was $6.51, $11.37 and $16.60 for the years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively. The total intrinsic value of Time Vesting Options exercised was $62, $9,858 and $12,734 for the years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively.
	Cash received from Time Vesting Options exercised during the years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 was $658, $16,187 and $12,688, respectively.
	Restricted Stock Units
	Pursuant to the restricted stock components of the Stock Plans, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the Company to enter into agreements under which certain employees received RSUs. The RSUs are exercisable based on the terms outlined in the agreements. The RSUs vest over a period of three to five years. The fair value of RSUs is determined using the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. A summary of RSU activity under the Stock Plans for the year ended January 3, 2015 is presented below:
			Shares			Weighted-Average
						Grant-Date
						Fair Value
	Outstanding at December 28, 2013			253		$	47.11
	Granted			725		$	24.37
	Vested			(49	)	$	61.82
	Forfeited			(91	)	$	36.55
	Outstanding at January 3, 2015			838		$	27.71
	The weighted-average grant-date fair value of RSUs granted was $24.37, $38.40 and $55.54 for the years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively. The total fair value of RSUs vested during the years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 was $3,042, $1,705 and $5,536, respectively.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Income Taxes	10	Income Taxes
	The following tables summarize the Company’s consolidated provision for US federal, state and foreign taxes on income:
			January 3,			December 28,			December 29,
			2015			2013			2012
	Current:
	US federal		$	13,558		$	60,556		$	99,437
	State			(131	)		9,583			12,719
	Foreign			23,405			25,121			20,614
			$	36,832		$	95,260		$	132,770
	Deferred:
	US federal		$	19,595		$	31,801		$	23,002
	State			2,239			3,634			2,629
	Foreign			348			(55	)		1,134
			$	22,182		$	35,380		$	26,765
	Total tax provision		$	59,014		$	130,640		$	159,535
	The components of the Company’s consolidated income before income taxes consist of the following:
			January 3,			December 28,			December 29,
			2015			2013			2012
	Domestic		$	68,319		$	255,183		$	337,321
	Foreign			89,288			80,182			79,640
			$	157,607		$	335,365		$	416,961
	The difference between the US federal statutory tax rate and the Company’s consolidated effective tax rate is as follows:
			January 3,			December 28,			December 29,
			2015			2013			2012
	US federal statutory rate			35	%		35	%		35	%
	Federal and state tax reserve provision			0.4			(0.1	)		0.2
	States income taxes (net of federal benefit)			1.6			2.7			2.6
	Foreign taxes			(0.7	)		0.3			(0.3	)
	Increase in valuation allowance			2			0.9			0.7
	Loss on closure of China			(2.5	)		0			0
	Canada intangible asset impairment			1.4			0			0
	Other			0.2			0.2			0.1
	Effective tax rate			37.4	%		39	%		38.3	%
	The deferred tax assets and liabilities recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets are as follows:
			January 3,			December 28,
			2015			2013
	Provision for estimated expenses		$	7,863		$	8,593
	Operating loss carryforwards			37,746			40,587
	Salaries and wages			9,567			6,238
	Share-based compensation			6,653			4,705
	Other			6,922			6,562
	Other comprehensive income			12,811			0
	Less: valuation allowance			(34,640	)		(36,372	)
	Total deferred tax assets		$	46,922		$	30,313
	Depreciation		$	(6,482	)	$	(6,381	)
	Other comprehensive income			0			(5,446	)
	Other			(3,123	)		(1,046	)
	Amortization			(182,716	)		(157,047	)
	Total deferred tax liabilities		$	(192,321	)	$	(169,920	)
	Net deferred tax liabilities		$	(145,399	)	$	(139,607	)
	Certain foreign operations of the Company have generated net operating loss carryforwards. If it has been determined that it is more-likely-than-not that the deferred tax assets associated with these net operating loss carryforwards will not be utilized, a valuation allowance has been recorded. As of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, various foreign subsidiaries had net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $142,433 and $148,107, respectively, most of which can be carried forward indefinitely.
	The Company’s undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries are not considered to be reinvested permanently. Accordingly, the Company has recorded all taxes, after taking into account foreign tax credits, on the undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries.
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
			January 3,			December 28,			December 29,
			2015			2013			2012
	Balance at beginning of year		$	5,784		$	5,319		$	5,040
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year			1,304			1,428			1,647
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years			(820	)		(963	)		(1,219	)
	Settlements			0			0			(149	)
	Balance at end of year		$	6,268		$	5,784		$	5,319
	At January 3, 2015, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate is $5,439. As of January 3, 2015, given the nature of the Company’s uncertain tax positions, it is reasonably possible that there will not be a significant change in the Company’s uncertain tax benefits within the next twelve months.
	The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. The Company had $2,300 and $2,217 of accrued interest and penalties at January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, respectively. The Company recognized $83, $(1,188) and $823 in interest and penalties during the fiscal years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively.
	The Company or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the US federal jurisdiction, and various state and foreign jurisdictions. At January 3, 2015, with few exceptions, the Company was no longer subject to US federal, state or local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2011, or non-US income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2009.

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Employee Benefit Plans	11	Employee Benefit Plans
	The Company sponsors the Third Amended and Restated Weight Watchers Savings Plan (the “Savings Plan”) for salaried and certain hourly US employees of the Company. The Savings Plan is a defined contribution plan that provides for employer matching contributions of 100% of the employee’s tax deferred contributions up to 3% of an employee’s eligible compensation. Expense related to these contributions for the fiscal years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 was $2,525, $2,888 and $2,730, respectively.
	During fiscal 2014, the Company received a favorable determination letter from the IRS that qualifies the Savings Plan under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.
	Pursuant to the Savings Plan, the Company also makes profit sharing contributions for all full-time salaried US employees who are eligible to participate in the Savings Plan (except for certain management personnel). The profit sharing contribution is a guaranteed monthly employer contribution on behalf of each participant based on the participant’s age and a percentage of the participant’s eligible compensation. The Savings Plan also has a discretionary supplemental profit sharing employer contribution component that is determined annually by the Compensation and Benefits Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. Expense related to these contributions for the fiscal years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 was $266, $1,658 and $2,779, respectively.
	For certain US management personnel, the Company sponsors the Second Amended and Restated Weight Watchers Executive Profit Sharing Plan (“EPSP”). Under the IRS definition, the EPSP is considered a Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan. There is a promise of payment by the Company made on the employees’ behalf instead of an individual account with a cash balance. The EPSP provides for a guaranteed employer contribution on behalf of each participant based on the participant’s age and a percentage of the participant’s eligible compensation. The EPSP has a discretionary supplemental employer contribution component that is determined annually by the Compensation and Benefits Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. The account is valued at the end of each fiscal month, based on an annualized interest rate of prime plus 2%, with an annualized cap of 15%. Expense related to this commitment for the fiscal years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 was $1,090, $2,651 and $2,954, respectively.

Cash_Flow_Information

Cash Flow Information	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Cash Flow Information	12	Cash Flow Information
			January 3,		December 28,			December 29,
			2015		2013			2012
	Net cash paid during the year for:
	Interest expense		$	107,296	$	88,860		$	68,808
	Income taxes		$	35,232	$	87,071		$	133,131
	Noncash investing and financing activities were as follows:
	Fair value of net assets/(liabilities) acquired in connection with acquisitions		$	359	$	(175	)	$	0
	Dividends declared but not yet paid at year-end		$	0	$	177		$	289

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies	13	Commitments and Contingencies
	Jeri Connolly et al. v. Weight Watchers North America, Inc.
	In August 2013, the Company was contacted by plaintiffs’ counsel in the previously filed and settled Sabatino v. Weight Watchers North America, Inc. case (“Sabatino”), threatening to file a new class action on behalf of the Company’s current and former service providers in California asserting various wage and hour claims, including but not limited to claims for unpaid overtime and minimum wage violations, which allegedly accrued after the effective date of the Sabatino settlement. On March 17, 2014, the parties came to an agreement in principle to settle the matter on a class-wide basis for $1,688. On April 29, 2014, the parties executed a Memorandum of Understanding to document the terms and conditions of settlement and, the following day, plaintiffs filed a complaint regarding the claims at issue in the Northern District of California. On June 11, 2014, the parties filed a formal settlement agreement and other required documents for the Court’s preliminary approval. On July 21, 2014, the parties received the Court’s preliminary approval of the settlement agreement. On August 11, 2014, notices of settlement were sent out to the class members advising them of the settlement and their right to object or opt-out of the settlement; no class members did so by the deadline of September 22, 2014. At a December 2014 hearing the Court provided final approval of the settlement and the Company made the corresponding settlement payment in January 2015.
	In re Weight Watchers International, Inc. Securities Litigation
	In March 2014, two substantially identical putative class action complaints alleging violation of the federal securities laws were filed by individual shareholders against the Company, certain of the Company’s current and former officers and directors, and the Company’s controlling shareholder, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The complaints were purportedly filed on behalf of all purchasers of the Company’s common stock, no par value per share, between February 14, 2012 and October 30, 2013, inclusive (the “Class Period”). The complaints allege that, during the Class Period, the defendants disseminated materially false and misleading statements and/or concealed material adverse facts. The complaints allege claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 10b-5. The plaintiffs seek to recover unspecified damages on behalf of the class members. In June 2014, the Court consolidated the cases and appointed lead plaintiffs and lead counsel. On August 12, 2014, the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint that, among other things, reduced the Class Period to between February 14, 2012 and February 13, 2013 and dropped all current officers and certain directors previously named as defendants. On October 14, 2014, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss. The plaintiffs filed an opposition to the defendants’ motion to dismiss on November 24, 2014 and the defendants filed a reply in support of their motion to dismiss on December 23, 2014. The Company continues to believe that the suits are without merit and intends to defend them vigorously.
	On May 29, 2014 and June 23, 2014, the Company received shareholder litigation demand letters alleging breaches of fiduciary duties and unjust enrichment by Company officers and directors and Artal Group, S.A., to the alleged injury of the Company. The allegations in the letters relate to those contained in the ongoing securities class action litigation. In response to the letters, pursuant to Virginia law, the Board of Directors has created a special committee to review and evaluate the facts and circumstances surrounding the claims made in the demand letters.
	Other Litigation Matters
	Due to the nature of the Company’s activities, it is also, at times, subject to pending and threatened legal actions that arise out of the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, based in part upon advice of legal counsel, the disposition of any such matters is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
	Commitments
	Minimum commitments under non-cancelable obligations, primarily for office and rental facilities operating leases at January 3, 2015, consist of the following:
	2015		$	41,584
	2016			34,810
	2017			25,867
	2018			19,890
	2019			13,082
	2020 and thereafter			102,653
	Total		$	237,886
	Total rent expense charged to operations under these operating leases for the fiscal years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 was $44,228, $46,300 and $40,485, respectively.

Segment_and_Geographic_Data

Segment and Geographic Data	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Segment and Geographic Data	14	Segment and Geographic Data
	Effective December 29, 2013, the Company realigned its organizational structure to improve the leverage of its significant assets and the alignment of its innovation efforts by integrating its Online business with its meetings business and assigning responsibility for those integrated businesses on a geographical basis. This resulted in the Company changing the determination of its reportable segments such that the Company now has four reportable segments: North America, United Kingdom, Continental Europe and Other. Other consists of Asia Pacific and emerging markets operations and franchise revenues and related costs, all of which have been grouped together as if they were a single reportable segment because they do not meet any of the quantitative thresholds and are immaterial for separate disclosure. To be consistent with the information that is presented to the chief operating decision maker, the Company does not include intercompany activity in the segment results. Segment information for the fiscal years ended December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 presented below have been revised to reflect the new reportable segment structure.
			Total Revenue for the Year Ended
			January 3,			December 28,			December 29,
			2015			2013			2012
	North America		$	947,716		$	1,163,002		$	1,258,461
	United Kingdom			156,843			172,783			204,506
	Continental Europe			298,878			299,403			270,701
	Other			76,479			88,935			105,764
	Total revenue		$	1,479,916		$	1,724,123		$	1,839,432
			Net Income for the Year Ended
			January 3,			December 28,			December 29,
			2015			2013			2012
	Segment operating income:
	North America		$	224,225		$	406,109		$	437,379
	United Kingdom			29,187			34,429			63,320
	Continental Europe			79,282			66,273			38,714
	Other			13,676			13,774			22,690
	Total segment operating income			346,370			520,585			562,103
	General corporate expenses			(73,113	)		(59,828	)		(51,298	)
	Interest expense			122,984			103,108			90,537
	Other expense, net			3,206			599			1,979
	Gain on Brazil acquisition			(10,540	)		0			0
	Early extinguishment of debt			0			21,685			1,328
	Provision for taxes			59,014			130,640			159,535
	Net income			98,593			204,725			257,426
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			54			0			0
	Net income attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.		$	98,647		$	204,725		$	257,426
			Depreciation and Amortization for the Year Ended
			January 3,			December 28,			December 29,
			2015			2013			2012
	North America		$	34,654		$	32,923		$	26,808
	United Kingdom			1,158			1,269			1,159
	Continental Europe			2,356			2,222			2,182
	Other			2,144			1,965			2,068
	Total segment depreciation and amortization			40,312			38,379			32,217
	General corporate depreciation and amortization			18,227			14,197			11,493
	Depreciation and amortization		$	58,539		$	52,576		$	43,710
	The following table presents information about the Company’s sources of revenue and other information by geographic area. There were no material amounts of sales or transfers among geographic areas and no material amounts of US export sales.
			Revenues for the Year Ended
			January 3,			December 28,			December 29,
			2015			2013			2012
	Meeting Fees		$	744,560		$	851,626		$	934,933
	Online Subscription Revenues			437,385			509,135			490,132
	In-meeting product sales			169,101			211,963			253,237
	Licensing, franchise royalties and other			128,870			151,399			161,130
			$	1,479,916		$	1,724,123		$	1,839,432
			Revenues for the Year Ended
			January 3,			December 28,			December 29,
			2015			2013			2012
	United States		$	869,541		$	1,067,200		$	1,169,234
	Canada			78,175			95,802			89,227
	United Kingdom			156,843			172,783			204,506
	Continental Europe			298,878			299,403			270,701
	Other			76,479			88,935			105,764
			$	1,479,916		$	1,724,123		$	1,839,432
			Long-Lived Assets
			January 3,			December 28,			December 29,
			2015			2013			2012
	United States		$	67,903		$	79,448		$	63,147
	Canada			3,149			3,070			2,561
	United Kingdom			724			1,192			1,645
	Continental Europe			1,454			2,083			2,431
	Other			1,420			1,259			1,984
		$	74,650		$	87,052		$	71,768

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Fair Value Measurements	15	Fair Value Measurements
	Accounting guidance on fair value measurements for certain financial assets and liabilities requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
		•		Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
		•		Level 2—Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
		•		Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
	When measuring fair value, the Company is required to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The Company’s significant financial instruments include long-term debt and interest rate swap agreements.
	The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt is determined by utilizing average bid prices on or near the end of each fiscal quarter (Level 2 input). As of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt was approximately $1,888,051 and $2,169,908, respectively. As of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, the book value of the Company’s long-term debt was approximately $2,334,000 and $2,358,000, respectively.
	Derivative Financial Instruments
	The fair values for the Company’s derivative financial instruments are determined using observable current market information such as the prevailing LIBOR interest rate and LIBOR yield curve rates and include consideration of counterparty credit risk. See Note 16 for disclosures related to derivative financial instruments.
	The following table presents the aggregate fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments:
					Fair Value Measurements Using:
			Total		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Significant
			Fair		Active Markets		Observable Inputs		Unobservable
			Value		for Identical Assets		(Level 2)		Inputs
					(Level 1)				(Level 3)
	Interest rate swap liability at January 3, 2015		$	42,423	$	0	$	42,423	$	0
	Interest rate swap liability at December 28, 2013		$	7,578	$	0	$	7,578	$	0
	The Company did not have any transfers into or out of Levels 1 and 2, and did not maintain any assets or liabilities classified as Level 3, during the fiscal years ended January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013.

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed

Derivative Instruments and Hedging	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging	16	Derivative Instruments and Hedging
	As of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, the Company had in effect interest rate swaps with notional amounts totaling $1,500,000 and $466,250, respectively. In January 2009, the Company entered into a forward-starting interest rate swap which had an effective date of January 4, 2010 and a termination date of January 27, 2014. From December 29, 2012 through April 1, 2013, this swap had qualified for hedge accounting, and therefore changes in the fair value of this derivative were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Effective April 2, 2013, due to the Company’s debt refinancing, the Company ceased the application of hedge accounting for this swap. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of this swap were recorded in earnings subsequent to April 2, 2013 and were immaterial for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015.
	On July 26, 2013, in order to hedge an additional portion of its variable rate debt, the Company entered into a forward-starting interest rate swap with an effective date of March 31, 2014 and a termination date of April 2, 2020. The initial notional amount of this swap was $1,500,000. During the term of this swap, the notional amount will decrease from $1,500,000 effective March 31, 2014 to $1,250,000 on April 3, 2017 with a further reduction to $1,000,000 on April 1, 2019. This interest rate swap effectively fixes the variable interest rate on the notional amount of this swap at 2.38%. This swap qualifies for hedge accounting and, therefore, changes in the fair value of this swap have been recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
	As of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, cumulative unrealized losses for qualifying hedges were reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the amounts of $21,856 ($35,830 before taxes) and $4,603 ($7,546 before taxes), respectively.
	The Company is hedging forecasted transactions for periods not exceeding the next seven years. The Company expects approximately $11,256 ($18,452 before taxes) of derivative losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at January 3, 2015, based on current market rates, will be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	17	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows:
	Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component(a)
			Fiscal Year Ended January 3, 2015
			Loss on			Foreign			Total
			Qualifying			Currency
			Hedges			Translation
						Adjustments
	Beginning Balance at December 28, 2013		$	(4,603	)	$	13,120		$	8,517
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax			(21,775	)		(11,302	)		(33,077	)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income,			4,522			0			4,522
	net of tax(b)
	Net current period other comprehensive loss including noncontrolling interest			(17,253	)		(11,302	)		(28,555	)
	Less: net current period other comprehensive loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest			0			478			478
	Ending Balance at January 3, 2015		$	(21,856	)	$	2,296		$	(19,560	)
	(a)	Amounts in parentheses indicate debits
	(b)	See separate table below for details about these reclassifications
			Fiscal Year Ended December 28, 2013
			Loss on			Foreign			Total
			Qualifying			Currency
			Hedges			Translation
						Adjustments
	Beginning Balance at December 29, 2012		$	(6,602	)	$	19,461		$	12,859
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax			(4,124	)		(6,341	)		(10,465	)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income,			6,123			0			6,123
	net of tax(b)
	Net current period other comprehensive loss			1,999			(6,341	)		(4,342	)
	Ending Balance at December 28, 2013		$	(4,603	)	$	13,120		$	8,517
	(a)	Amounts in parentheses indicate debits
	(b)	See separate table below for details about these reclassifications
	Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income(a)
			Fiscal Year Ended
			January 3,			December 28,
			2015			2013
	Details about Other		Amounts Reclassified from						Affected Line Item in the
	Comprehensive Income		Accumulated Other						Statement Where Net Income is Presented
	Components		Comprehensive Income
	Loss on Qualifying Hedges
	Interest rate contracts		$	(7,413	)	$	(10,037	)	Interest expense
				(7,413	)		(10,037	)	Income before income taxes
				2,891			3,914		Provision for income taxes
			$	(4,522	)	$	(6,123	)	Net income
	(a)	Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to profit / loss

Restructuring_Charges

Restructuring Charges	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Restructuring Charges	18	Restructuring Charges
	As previously disclosed, the Company has reviewed its organization and undertook a restructuring which resulted in the elimination of certain positions and the termination of employment of certain employees in the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015. In connection with this plan, the Company recorded restructuring charges in connection with employee termination benefit costs of $11,840 ($7,222 after tax) during the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015. For the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015, these charges impacted cost of revenues by $4,642 and selling, general and administrative expense by $7,198. For the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015, all restructuring charges were recorded to general corporate expense and therefore there was no impact to the segments.
	For the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015, the reconciliation of the liability balance for these restructuring charges was as follows:
	Balance as of December 28, 2013		$	0
	Provision			11,840
	Payments			(9,270	)
	Balance as of January 3, 2015		$	2,570
	The Company expects the $2,570 liability as of January 3, 2015 to be paid in fiscal 2015.

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)	19	Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
	The following is a summary of the unaudited quarterly consolidated results of operations for the fiscal years ended January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013.
			For the Fiscal Quarters Ended
			March 29,		June 28,		September 27,		January 3,
			2014		2014		2014		2015
	Fiscal year ended January 3, 2015
	Revenues, net		$	409,358	$	397,547	$	345,184	$	327,827
	Gross profit			222,900		225,814		187,567		166,270
	Operating income			51,053		114,564		91,394		16,246
	Net income attributable to the Company			21,531		54,002		37,892		(14,778	)
	Basic EPS		$	0.38	$	0.95	$	0.67	$	(0.26	)
	Diluted EPS		$	0.38	$	0.95	$	0.67	$	(0.26	)
			For the Fiscal Quarters Ended
			March 30,		June 29,		September 28,		December 28,
			2013		2013		2013		2013
	Fiscal year ended December 28, 2013
	Revenues, net		$	490,790	$	470,888	$	396,334	$	366,111
	Gross profit			283,637		283,715		231,980		201,780
	Operating income			103,119		153,976		124,520		79,142
	Net income			48,753		64,916		60,258		30,798
	Basic EPS		$	0.87	$	1.16	$	1.07	$	0.55
	Diluted EPS		$	0.87	$	1.15	$	1.07	$	0.54
	Basic and diluted EPS are computed independently for each of the periods presented. Accordingly, the sum of the quarterly EPS amounts may not agree to the total for the year.
	In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, operating income, net income and EPS were impacted by a $26,057, or $0.34 per fully diluted share, franchise rights acquired impairment charge related to the Company’s Canada operations. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, operating income, net income and EPS were impacted by a $1,166, or $0.01 per fully diluted share, franchise rights acquired impairment charge related to the Company’s Mexico and Hong Kong operations. See Note 2 for further information on these impairment charges.
	As discussed in further detail in Note 18, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $3,656 ($2,235 after tax), $6,498 ($3,964 after tax), $713 ($430 after tax) and $973 ($593 after tax) during the first, second, third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2014, respectively, in connection with employee termination benefit costs associated with its previously disclosed plan to restructure its organization, reducing gross profit, operating income, net income attributable to the Company and EPS all four quarters of fiscal 2014.
	As discussed in further detail in Note 3, in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, net income and EPS were impacted by a $10,540 gain ($6,396 after tax), or $0.11 per fully diluted share, recognized in connection with the Brazil acquisition due to an adjustment of our previously held equity interest to fair value offset by a charge associated with the settlement of the royalty-free arrangement of the Brazilian partnership.
	In the second quarter of fiscal 2014, net income and EPS were impacted by a $2,350, or $0.04 per fully diluted share, net tax benefit related to an intercompany loan write-off in connection with the closure of our China business partially offset by the recognition of a valuation allowance related to tax benefits for foreign losses that are not expected to be realized.
	In the second quarter of fiscal 2013, net income and EPS were impacted by a $21,685 ($13,336 after tax), or $0.24 per fully diluted share, early extinguishment of debt charge resulting from the write-off of fees associated with the Company’s April 2013 debt refinancing.

Recently_Issued_Accounting_Pro

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	20	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	In November 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued updated guidance on accounting for derivatives and hedging. The guidance clarifies how current accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) should be interpreted in evaluating the economic characteristics and risks of a host contract in a hybrid financial instrument that is issued in the form of a share. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 with early adoption, including adoption in an interim period, permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued updated guidance on the disclosure of uncertainties about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. The update provides guidance about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. In doing so, the amendments should reduce diversity in the timing and content of footnote disclosures. This guidance is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this guidance will have on the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued updated guidance on accounting for revenue from contracts with customers. The objective of this guidance is to provide a single, comprehensive revenue recognition model, to remove existing industry specific guidance and to expand qualitative and quantitative disclosures. The core principle of the new standard is for revenue recognition to depict transfer of control to the customer in an amount that reflects consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this guidance will have on the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued updated guidance on reporting discontinued operations and disclosures of disposals of components of an entity. This guidance raises the threshold for disposal transactions to qualify as discontinued operations and focuses on disposal transactions that represent strategic shifts having a major effect on operations and financial results, requiring additional disclosures and revising balance sheet presentation. This guidance was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those fiscal years and is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

VALUATION_AND_QUALIFYING_ACCOU

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES	SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES
	(IN THOUSANDS)
					Additions
			Balance at		Charged to			Charged		Deductions(1)			Balance at
			Beginning		Costs and			to Other					End
			of Period		Expenses			Accounts					of Period
	FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 3, 2015
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		$	3,477	$	99		$	0	$	(289	)	$	3,287
	Inventory and other reserves		$	5,859	$	11,822		$	0	$	(10,574	)	$	7,107
	Tax valuation allowance		$	36,372	$	3,183		$	0	$	(4,915	)	$	34,640
	FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 28, 2013
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		$	3,447	$	596		$	0	$	(566	)	$	3,477
	Inventory and other reserves		$	6,942	$	9,580		$	0	$	(10,663	)	$	5,859
	Tax valuation allowance		$	31,015	$	3,821		$	2,429	$	(893	)	$	36,372
	FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 29, 2012
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		$	5,315	$	(1,067	)	$	26	$	(827	)	$	3,447
	Inventory and other reserves		$	7,397	$	10,491		$	0	$	(10,946	)	$	6,942
	Tax valuation allowance		$	25,781	$	3,387		$	2,322	$	(475	)	$	31,015
	-1	Primarily represents the utilization of established reserves, net of recoveries, where applicable.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Fiscal Year	Fiscal Year:
	The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to December 31st and consists of either 52 or 53-week periods. Fiscal year 2014 contained 53 weeks and fiscal years 2013 and 2012 each contained 52 weeks. In 2014, when the Company realigned its organizational structure and changed the determination of its reportable segments, the Company’s Online business accordingly changed its fiscal year end to be the same as the Company’s fiscal year end, which did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements. See Note 14 for further information on the Company’s reportable segments. In fiscal years 2013 and 2012, the Company’s Online business’ fiscal year ended on December 31st of each year. This difference in fiscal years did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates:
	The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates and judgments, including those related to inventories, the impairment analysis for goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, share-based compensation, income taxes, tax contingencies and litigation. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other factors and assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual amounts could differ from these estimates.
Translation of Foreign Currencies	Translation of Foreign Currencies:
	For all foreign operations, the functional currency is the local currency. Assets and liabilities of these operations are translated into US dollars using the exchange rate in effect at the end of each reporting period. Income statement accounts are translated at the average rate of exchange prevailing during each reporting period. Translation adjustments arising from the use of differing exchange rates from period to period are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
	Foreign currency gains and losses arising from the translation of intercompany receivables with the Company’s international subsidiaries are recorded as a component of other expense (income), net, unless the receivable is considered long-term in nature, in which case the foreign currency gains and losses are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Cash Equivalents	Cash Equivalents:
	Cash and cash equivalents are defined as highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Cash balances may, at times, exceed insurable amounts. The Company believes it mitigates this risk by investing in or through major financial institutions. Cash includes balances due from third-party credit card companies.
Inventories	Inventories:
	Inventories, which consist of finished goods, are stated at the lower of cost or market on a first-in, first-out basis, net of reserves for obsolescence and shrinkage.
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment:
	Property and equipment are recorded at cost. For financial reporting purposes, equipment is depreciated on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets (3 to 10 years). Leasehold improvements are amortized on the straight-line method over the shorter of the term of the lease or the useful life of the related assets. Expenditures for new facilities and improvements that substantially extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized. Ordinary repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related depreciation are removed from the accounts and any related gains or losses are included in income.
Impairment of Long Lived Assets	Impairment of Long Lived Assets:
	The Company reviews long-lived assets, including amortizable intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable.
	In fiscal 2014, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $652 related to property, plant and equipment that was expected to be disposed of before the end of its estimated useful life.
	In fiscal 2013, the Company commenced the shutdown of its China operations and, as a result, recorded an impairment charge of $1,607 related to property, plant and equipment ($372) and amortizable intangible assets ($1,235). The Company also recorded an impairment charge of $2,653 in fiscal 2013 related to internal-use computer software that was not expected to provide substantive service potential.
Franchise Rights Acquired, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Franchise Rights Acquired, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:
	Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives of 3 to 20 years. The Company reviews goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, including franchise rights acquired, for potential impairment on at least an annual basis or more often if events so require. The Company performed fair value impairment testing as of the end of fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013 on its goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets.
	In performing the impairment analysis for goodwill, the fair value for the Company’s reporting units is estimated using a discounted cash flow approach. This approach involves projecting future cash flows attributable to the reporting unit and discounting those estimated cash flows using an appropriate discount rate. The estimated fair value is then compared to the carrying value of the reporting unit. The Company has determined the appropriate reporting unit for purposes of assessing annual impairment to be the country for all reporting units. The values of goodwill in the United States, Brazil, Canada and other countries at January 3, 2015 were $65,608, $23,023, $7,543, and $10,646, respectively, totaling $106,820.
	In performing the impairment analysis for franchise rights acquired, the fair value for the Company’s franchise rights acquired is estimated using a discounted cash flow approach referred to as the hypothetical start-up approach for its franchise rights related to its meetings business and a relief from royalty methodology for its franchise rights related to its Online business. The estimated fair value is then compared to the carrying value of the unit of accounting for those franchise rights. The Company has determined the appropriate unit of account for purposes of assessing annual impairment to be the combination of the rights in the meetings and Online businesses in the country in which the acquisitions have occurred. The values of these franchise rights in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and other countries at January 3, 2015 were $697,334, $74,672, $13,138, $7,272, $5,449 and $1,930, respectively, totaling $799,795.
	When determining fair value, the Company utilizes various assumptions, including projections of future cash flows, growth rates and discount rates. A change in these underlying assumptions will cause a change in the results of the tests and, as such, could cause fair value to be less than the carrying amounts. In the event such a decrease occurred, the Company would be required to record a corresponding charge, which would impact earnings. The Company would also be required to reduce the carrying amounts of the related assets on its balance sheet. The Company continues to evaluate these estimates and assumptions and believes that these assumptions are appropriate.
	In performing the impairment analysis for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015, the Company determined that, based on the fair values calculated, the carrying amount of the franchise rights acquired related to its Canada operations exceeded its fair value as of the end of fiscal 2014 and recorded an impairment charge of $26,057 for such rights. In performing the impairment analysis for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2013, the Company determined that, based on the fair values calculated, the carrying amounts of the franchise rights acquired related to its Mexico and Hong Kong operations exceeded their respective fair values as of the end of fiscal 2013 and recorded impairment charges of $935 and $231, respectively, for such rights. The Company determined that the carrying amounts of the remainder of these assets did not exceed their respective fair values, and therefore, no other impairment existed.
	The Company expenses all software costs (including website development costs) incurred during the preliminary project stage and capitalizes all internal and external direct costs of materials and services consumed in developing software (including website development costs), once the development has reached the application development stage. Application development stage costs generally include software configuration, coding, installation to hardware and testing. These costs are amortized over their estimated useful life of 3 years for website development costs and from 3 to 5 years for all other software costs. All costs incurred for upgrades, maintenance and enhancements, including the cost of website content, which do not result in additional functionality, are expensed as incurred.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition:
	WWI earns revenue by conducting meetings, for which it charges a fee, predominantly through monthly commitment plans, prepayment plans or the “pay-as-you-go” arrangement. WWI also earns revenue from monthly subscriptions for its Online products, selling products in its meetings, on the Internet and to its franchisees, collecting commissions from franchisees, collecting royalties related to licensing agreements, selling magazine subscriptions, selling advertising space on its website and in copies of its magazines, and By Mail product sales.
	Monthly commitment plans, prepaid meeting fees and magazine subscription revenue is recorded to deferred revenue and amortized into revenue over the period earned. Online Subscription Revenues are recognized over the period that products are provided. One-time sign-up fees are deferred and recognized over the expected customer relationship period. Online Subscription Revenues that are paid in advance are deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the subscription period. Revenue from “pay-as-you-go” meeting fees, product sales, By Mail commissions and royalties is recognized when services are rendered, products are shipped to customers and title and risk of loss pass to the customers, and commissions and royalties are earned, respectively. Revenue from advertising in magazines is recognized when advertisements are published. Revenue from magazine sales is recognized when the magazine is sent to the customer. WWI charges non-refundable registration fees in exchange for an introductory information session and materials it provides to new members in its meetings business. Revenue from these registration fees is recognized when the service and products are provided, which is generally at the same time payment is received from the customer. Discounts to customers, including free registration offers, are recorded as a deduction from gross revenue in the period such revenue was recognized. Revenue from advertising on its website is recognized when the advertisement is viewed by the user.
	The Company grants refunds in aggregate amounts that historically have not been material. Because the period of payment of the refund generally approximates the period revenue was originally recognized, refunds are recorded as a reduction of revenue when paid.
Advertising Costs	Advertising Costs:
	Advertising costs consist primarily of television and digital media. All costs related to advertising are expensed in the period incurred, except for media production related costs, which are expensed the first time the advertising takes place. Total advertising expenses for the fiscal years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 were $251,954, $285,298 and $344,582, respectively. Note the fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 amounts have been revised to exclude certain brand marketing funds received from licensees, which results in an increase in advertising expense of $11,138 and $10,160 for fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, respectively.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes:
	Deferred income tax assets and liabilities result primarily from temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities, using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which differences are expected to reverse. If it is more-likely-than-not that some portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recognized. The Company considers historic levels of income, estimates of future taxable income and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for a tax valuation allowance.
	The Company recognizes a benefit for uncertain tax positions when a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions as part of the provision for income taxes on its consolidated statements of income.
	In addition, assets and liabilities acquired in purchase business combinations are assigned their fair values and deferred taxes are provided for lower or higher tax bases.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging	Derivative Instruments and Hedging:
	The Company is exposed to certain risks related to its ongoing business operations, primarily interest rate risk and foreign currency risk. The primary risk managed by using derivative instruments is interest rate risk. Interest rate swaps are entered into to hedge a portion of the cash flow exposure associated with the Company’s variable-rate borrowings. The Company does not use any derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
	The Company recognizes the fair value of all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet. The Company has designated and accounted for interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges of its variable-rate borrowings. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified into earnings in the periods during which the hedged transactions affect earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in current earnings.
	The fair value of the Company’s interest rate swaps is reported in derivative payable and prepaid expenses and other current assets on its balance sheet. See Note 15 for a further discussion regarding the fair value of the Company’s interest rate swaps. The net effect of the interest payable and receivable under the Company’s interest rate swaps is included in interest expense on the statement of income.
Deferred Financing Costs	Deferred Financing Costs:
	Deferred financing costs consist of fees paid by the Company as part of the establishment, exchange and/or modification of the Company’s long-term debt. During the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015, the Company wrote-off deferred financing fees of approximately $1,583 in connection with amending its Credit Agreement (as defined in Note 6). During the fiscal year ended December 28, 2013, the Company incurred fees of $44,817 associated with the refinancing of the WWI Credit Facility (as defined in Note 6). The Company wrote-off fees in connection with this refinancing which resulted in the Company recording a charge of $21,685 in early extinguishment of debt. During the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012, the Company incurred deferred financing costs of $26,248 associated with the Tender Offer (as defined in Note 7). The Company wrote-off fees in connection with the Tender Offer which resulted in the Company recording a charge of $1,328 in early extinguishment of debt. Amortization expense for the fiscal years ended January 3, 2015, December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 was $9,305, $7,672 and $7,070, respectively.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income:
	The Company’s accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income includes net income, changes in the fair value of derivative instruments and the effects of foreign currency translations. At January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, the cumulative balance of changes in fair value of derivative instruments, net of taxes, was $(21,856) and $(4,603), respectively. At January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013, the cumulative balance of the effects of foreign currency translations, net of taxes, was $2,296 and $13,120, respectively.
Restructuring Expense	Restructuring Expense:
	The Company records estimated expense for restructuring initiatives when such costs are deemed probable and estimable, when approved by the appropriate corporate authority and by accumulating detailed estimates of costs for such plans. These expenses include the estimated costs of employee severance and related benefits, impairment or accelerated depreciation of property, plant and equipment and capitalized software, and any other qualifying exit costs. Such costs represent the Company’s best estimate, but require assumptions about the programs that may change over time, including attrition rates. Estimates are evaluated periodically to determine whether an adjustment is required.
Reclassification	Reclassification:
	Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Acquisitions_of_Franchisees_Ad1

Acquisitions of Franchisees, Additional Equity Interest in Brazil and Wello and Shutdown of China Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Schedule of Net Purchase Price of the Acquisition	The net purchase price of the Brazil acquisition has been allocated as follows:
	Fair value of consideration transferred:
	Net purchase price	$	14,181
	Less cash acquired		2,262
	Total		11,919
	Gain on acquisition		10,540
	Redeemable noncontrolling interest		6,157
			28,616
	Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
	Franchise rights acquired		2,000
	Receivables		1,139
	Fixed assets		575
	Prepaid expenses		421
	Inventory		287
	Customer relationship value		275
	Other assets		199
	Accrued liabilities		(1,063	)
	Deferred tax on acquired intangibles		(680	)
	Deferred revenue		(445	)
	Income taxes payable		(258	)
	Accounts payable		(91	)
	Total identifiable net assets		2,359
	Goodwill	$	26,257

Franchise_Rights_Acquired_Good1

Franchise Rights Acquired, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Changes in Carrying Value of Franchise Rights Acquired	For the year ended January 3, 2015, the change in the carrying value of franchise rights acquired is due to the VPM acquisition, as described in Note 3, the impairment charge noted above and the effect of exchange rate changes as follows:
	Balance as of December 28, 2013	$	836,835
	Franchise rights acquired during the period		2,000
	Amortization of Brazil franchise rights acquired		(773	)
	Indefinite-lived intangible impairment		(26,057	)
	Effect of exchange rate changes		(12,210	)
	Balance as of January 3, 2015	$	799,795
Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill	For the year ended January 3, 2015, the change in the carrying amount of goodwill is due to the VPM and Wello acquisitions and the effect of exchange rate changes as follows:
		North America			UK			CE			Other			Total
	Balance as of December 28, 2013	$	67,699		$	1,530		$	8,345		$	1,720		$	79,294
	Goodwill acquired during the period		6,204			0			0			26,257			32,461
	Effect of exchange rate changes		(751	)		(109	)		(684	)		(3,391	)		(4,935	)
	Balance as of January 3, 2015	$	73,152		$	1,421		$	7,661		$	24,586		$	106,820
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class	The carrying amount of finite-lived intangible assets as of January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013 was as follows:
		January 3, 2015						December 28, 2013
		Gross			Accumulated			Gross			Accumulated
		Carrying			Amortization			Carrying			Amortization
		Amount						Amount
	Capitalized software costs	$	107,581		$	72,590		$	85,095		$	62,418
	Trademarks		10,836			10,213			10,691			9,955
	Website development costs		95,717			63,405			69,660			48,060
	Other		7,014			6,825			7,021			6,737
		$	221,148		$	153,033		$	172,467		$	127,170
Schedule of Expected Amortization Expense	Estimated amortization expense of existing finite-lived intangible assets for the next five fiscal years and thereafter is as follows:
	2015	$	29,833
	2016	$	21,770
	2017	$	14,378
	2018	$	2,051
	2019 and thereafter	$	83

Property_and_Equipment_Tables

Stock Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions	The fair value of each of these option awards is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the weighted average assumptions noted in the following table. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. Since the Company’s option exercise history is limited, it has estimated the expected term of these option grants to be the midpoint between the vesting period and the contractual term of each award. The risk free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect on the date of grant which most closely corresponds to the expected term of the Time Vesting Options. The dividend yield is based on our historic average dividend yield. For Time Vesting Options granted in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, the dividend yield is zero because there is no longer a dividend. The Company did not grant any Time Vesting Options in fiscal 2014.
		December 28,		December 29,
		2013		2012
	Dividend yield	0.80%		1.60%
	Volatility	36.50%		35.50%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.3% - 2.2%		1.0% - 1.4%
	Expected term (years)	6.5		6.5
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity	A summary of all option activity under the Stock Plans for the year ended January 3, 2015 is presented below:
		Shares			Weighted-		Weighted-		Aggregate
					Average		Average		Intrinsic
					Exercise		Remaining		Value
					Price		Contractual
							Life (Yrs.)
	Outstanding at December 28, 2013		2,213		$	39.09
	Granted		1,601		$	21.73
	Exercised		(28	)	$	23.76
	Canceled		(536	)	$	38.78
	Outstanding at January 3, 2015		3,250		$	30.72		5.3	$	522
	Exercisable at January 3, 2015		415		$	38.05		5.1	$	113
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units Award Activity	A summary of RSU activity under the Stock Plans for the year ended January 3, 2015 is presented below:
		Shares			Weighted-Average
					Grant-Date
					Fair Value
	Outstanding at December 28, 2013		253		$	47.11
	Granted		725		$	24.37
	Vested		(49	)	$	61.82
	Forfeited		(91	)	$	36.55
	Outstanding at January 3, 2015		838		$	27.71
Special Performance Based Options Awards
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions	The expected term represents the period from the grant date to the end of the five year performance period. Compensation expense on T&P Vesting Options is recognized ratably over the three year required service period as this period is longer than the derived service period calculated by the Monte Carlo simulation.
		January 3,		December 28,
		2015		2013
	Dividend yield	0.00%		0.00%
	Volatility	37.80%		36.50%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.4% - 1.8%		1.60%
	Expected term (years)	5		5

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Stock Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions	The fair value of each of these option awards is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the weighted average assumptions noted in the following table. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. Since the Company’s option exercise history is limited, it has estimated the expected term of these option grants to be the midpoint between the vesting period and the contractual term of each award. The risk free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect on the date of grant which most closely corresponds to the expected term of the Time Vesting Options. The dividend yield is based on our historic average dividend yield. For Time Vesting Options granted in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, the dividend yield is zero because there is no longer a dividend. The Company did not grant any Time Vesting Options in fiscal 2014.
		December 28,		December 29,
		2013		2012
	Dividend yield	0.80%		1.60%
	Volatility	36.50%		35.50%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.3% - 2.2%		1.0% - 1.4%
	Expected term (years)	6.5		6.5
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity	A summary of all option activity under the Stock Plans for the year ended January 3, 2015 is presented below:
		Shares			Weighted-		Weighted-		Aggregate
					Average		Average		Intrinsic
					Exercise		Remaining		Value
					Price		Contractual
							Life (Yrs.)
	Outstanding at December 28, 2013		2,213		$	39.09
	Granted		1,601		$	21.73
	Exercised		(28	)	$	23.76
	Canceled		(536	)	$	38.78
	Outstanding at January 3, 2015		3,250		$	30.72		5.3	$	522
	Exercisable at January 3, 2015		415		$	38.05		5.1	$	113
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units Award Activity	A summary of RSU activity under the Stock Plans for the year ended January 3, 2015 is presented below:
		Shares			Weighted-Average
					Grant-Date
					Fair Value
	Outstanding at December 28, 2013		253		$	47.11
	Granted		725		$	24.37
	Vested		(49	)	$	61.82
	Forfeited		(91	)	$	36.55
	Outstanding at January 3, 2015		838		$	27.71
Special Performance Based Options Awards
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions	The expected term represents the period from the grant date to the end of the five year performance period. Compensation expense on T&P Vesting Options is recognized ratably over the three year required service period as this period is longer than the derived service period calculated by the Monte Carlo simulation.
		January 3,		December 28,
		2015		2013
	Dividend yield	0.00%		0.00%
	Volatility	37.80%		36.50%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.4% - 1.8%		1.60%
	Expected term (years)	5		5

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Stock Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions	The fair value of each of these option awards is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the weighted average assumptions noted in the following table. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. Since the Company’s option exercise history is limited, it has estimated the expected term of these option grants to be the midpoint between the vesting period and the contractual term of each award. The risk free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect on the date of grant which most closely corresponds to the expected term of the Time Vesting Options. The dividend yield is based on our historic average dividend yield. For Time Vesting Options granted in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, the dividend yield is zero because there is no longer a dividend. The Company did not grant any Time Vesting Options in fiscal 2014.
		December 28,		December 29,
		2013		2012
	Dividend yield	0.80%		1.60%
	Volatility	36.50%		35.50%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.3% - 2.2%		1.0% - 1.4%
	Expected term (years)	6.5		6.5
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity	A summary of all option activity under the Stock Plans for the year ended January 3, 2015 is presented below:
		Shares			Weighted-		Weighted-		Aggregate
					Average		Average		Intrinsic
					Exercise		Remaining		Value
					Price		Contractual
							Life (Yrs.)
	Outstanding at December 28, 2013		2,213		$	39.09
	Granted		1,601		$	21.73
	Exercised		(28	)	$	23.76
	Canceled		(536	)	$	38.78
	Outstanding at January 3, 2015		3,250		$	30.72		5.3	$	522
	Exercisable at January 3, 2015		415		$	38.05		5.1	$	113
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units Award Activity	A summary of RSU activity under the Stock Plans for the year ended January 3, 2015 is presented below:
		Shares			Weighted-Average
					Grant-Date
					Fair Value
	Outstanding at December 28, 2013		253		$	47.11
	Granted		725		$	24.37
	Vested		(49	)	$	61.82
	Forfeited		(91	)	$	36.55
	Outstanding at January 3, 2015		838		$	27.71
Special Performance Based Options Awards
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions	The expected term represents the period from the grant date to the end of the five year performance period. Compensation expense on T&P Vesting Options is recognized ratably over the three year required service period as this period is longer than the derived service period calculated by the Monte Carlo simulation.
		January 3,		December 28,
		2015		2013
	Dividend yield	0.00%		0.00%
	Volatility	37.80%		36.50%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.4% - 1.8%		1.60%
	Expected term (years)	5		5

Stock_Plans_Tables

Stock Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions	The fair value of each of these option awards is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the weighted average assumptions noted in the following table. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. Since the Company’s option exercise history is limited, it has estimated the expected term of these option grants to be the midpoint between the vesting period and the contractual term of each award. The risk free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect on the date of grant which most closely corresponds to the expected term of the Time Vesting Options. The dividend yield is based on our historic average dividend yield. For Time Vesting Options granted in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, the dividend yield is zero because there is no longer a dividend. The Company did not grant any Time Vesting Options in fiscal 2014.
		December 28,		December 29,
		2013		2012
	Dividend yield	0.80%		1.60%
	Volatility	36.50%		35.50%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.3% - 2.2%		1.0% - 1.4%
	Expected term (years)	6.5		6.5
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity	A summary of all option activity under the Stock Plans for the year ended January 3, 2015 is presented below:
		Shares			Weighted-		Weighted-		Aggregate
					Average		Average		Intrinsic
					Exercise		Remaining		Value
					Price		Contractual
							Life (Yrs.)
	Outstanding at December 28, 2013		2,213		$	39.09
	Granted		1,601		$	21.73
	Exercised		(28	)	$	23.76
	Canceled		(536	)	$	38.78
	Outstanding at January 3, 2015		3,250		$	30.72		5.3	$	522
	Exercisable at January 3, 2015		415		$	38.05		5.1	$	113
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units Award Activity	A summary of RSU activity under the Stock Plans for the year ended January 3, 2015 is presented below:
		Shares			Weighted-Average
					Grant-Date
					Fair Value
	Outstanding at December 28, 2013		253		$	47.11
	Granted		725		$	24.37
	Vested		(49	)	$	61.82
	Forfeited		(91	)	$	36.55
	Outstanding at January 3, 2015		838		$	27.71
Special Performance Based Options Awards
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions	The expected term represents the period from the grant date to the end of the five year performance period. Compensation expense on T&P Vesting Options is recognized ratably over the three year required service period as this period is longer than the derived service period calculated by the Monte Carlo simulation.
		January 3,		December 28,
		2015		2013
	Dividend yield	0.00%		0.00%
	Volatility	37.80%		36.50%
	Risk-free interest rate	1.4% - 1.8%		1.60%
	Expected term (years)	5		5

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	The following tables summarize the Company’s consolidated provision for US federal, state and foreign taxes on income:
		January 3,			December 28,			December 29,
		2015			2013			2012
	Current:
	US federal	$	13,558		$	60,556		$	99,437
	State		(131	)		9,583			12,719
	Foreign		23,405			25,121			20,614
		$	36,832		$	95,260		$	132,770
	Deferred:
	US federal	$	19,595		$	31,801		$	23,002
	State		2,239			3,634			2,629
	Foreign		348			(55	)		1,134
		$	22,182		$	35,380		$	26,765
	Total tax provision	$	59,014		$	130,640		$	159,535
Schedule of Income before Income Tax, Domestic and Foreign	The components of the Company’s consolidated income before income taxes consist of the following:
		January 3,			December 28,			December 29,
		2015			2013			2012
	Domestic	$	68,319		$	255,183		$	337,321
	Foreign		89,288			80,182			79,640
		$	157,607		$	335,365		$	416,961
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	The difference between the US federal statutory tax rate and the Company’s consolidated effective tax rate is as follows:
		January 3,			December 28,			December 29,
		2015			2013			2012
	US federal statutory rate		35	%		35	%		35	%
	Federal and state tax reserve provision		0.4			(0.1	)		0.2
	States income taxes (net of federal benefit)		1.6			2.7			2.6
	Foreign taxes		(0.7	)		0.3			(0.3	)
	Increase in valuation allowance		2			0.9			0.7
	Loss on closure of China		(2.5	)		0			0
	Canada intangible asset impairment		1.4			0			0
	Other		0.2			0.2			0.1
	Effective tax rate		37.4	%		39	%		38.3	%
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	The deferred tax assets and liabilities recorded on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets are as follows:
		January 3,			December 28,
		2015			2013
	Provision for estimated expenses	$	7,863		$	8,593
	Operating loss carryforwards		37,746			40,587
	Salaries and wages		9,567			6,238
	Share-based compensation		6,653			4,705
	Other		6,922			6,562
	Other comprehensive income		12,811			0
	Less: valuation allowance		(34,640	)		(36,372	)
	Total deferred tax assets	$	46,922		$	30,313
	Depreciation	$	(6,482	)	$	(6,381	)
	Other comprehensive income		0			(5,446	)
	Other		(3,123	)		(1,046	)
	Amortization		(182,716	)		(157,047	)
	Total deferred tax liabilities	$	(192,321	)	$	(169,920	)
	Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(145,399	)	$	(139,607	)
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
		January 3,			December 28,			December 29,
		2015			2013			2012
	Balance at beginning of year	$	5,784		$	5,319		$	5,040
	Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		1,304			1,428			1,647
	Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(820	)		(963	)		(1,219	)
	Settlements		0			0			(149	)
	Balance at end of year	$	6,268		$	5,784		$	5,319

Cash_Flow_Information_Tables

Cash Flow Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures
		January 3,		December 28,			December 29,
		2015		2013			2012
	Net cash paid during the year for:
	Interest expense	$	107,296	$	88,860		$	68,808
	Income taxes	$	35,232	$	87,071		$	133,131
	Noncash investing and financing activities were as follows:
	Fair value of net assets/(liabilities) acquired in connection with acquisitions	$	359	$	(175	)	$	0
	Dividends declared but not yet paid at year-end	$	0	$	177		$	289

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Minimum Commitments Under Non-Cancelable Obligations	Minimum commitments under non-cancelable obligations, primarily for office and rental facilities operating leases at January 3, 2015, consist of the following:
	2015	$	41,584
	2016		34,810
	2017		25,867
	2018		19,890
	2019		13,082
	2020 and thereafter		102,653
	Total	$	237,886

Segment_and_Geographic_Data_Ta

Segment and Geographic Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Information About Reportable Segments	Segment information for the fiscal years ended December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 presented below have been revised to reflect the new reportable segment structure.
		Total Revenue for the Year Ended
		January 3,			December 28,			December 29,
		2015			2013			2012
	North America	$	947,716		$	1,163,002		$	1,258,461
	United Kingdom		156,843			172,783			204,506
	Continental Europe		298,878			299,403			270,701
	Other		76,479			88,935			105,764
	Total revenue	$	1,479,916		$	1,724,123		$	1,839,432
		Net Income for the Year Ended
		January 3,			December 28,			December 29,
		2015			2013			2012
	Segment operating income:
	North America	$	224,225		$	406,109		$	437,379
	United Kingdom		29,187			34,429			63,320
	Continental Europe		79,282			66,273			38,714
	Other		13,676			13,774			22,690
	Total segment operating income		346,370			520,585			562,103
	General corporate expenses		(73,113	)		(59,828	)		(51,298	)
	Interest expense		122,984			103,108			90,537
	Other expense, net		3,206			599			1,979
	Gain on Brazil acquisition		(10,540	)		0			0
	Early extinguishment of debt		0			21,685			1,328
	Provision for taxes		59,014			130,640			159,535
	Net income		98,593			204,725			257,426
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		54			0			0
	Net income attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.	$	98,647		$	204,725		$	257,426
		Depreciation and Amortization for the Year Ended
		January 3,			December 28,			December 29,
		2015			2013			2012
	North America	$	34,654		$	32,923		$	26,808
	United Kingdom		1,158			1,269			1,159
	Continental Europe		2,356			2,222			2,182
	Other		2,144			1,965			2,068
	Total segment depreciation and amortization		40,312			38,379			32,217
	General corporate depreciation and amortization		18,227			14,197			11,493
	Depreciation and amortization	$	58,539		$	52,576		$	43,710
Schedule of Revenue from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets, by Geographical Areas	The following table presents information about the Company’s sources of revenue and other information by geographic area. There were no material amounts of sales or transfers among geographic areas and no material amounts of US export sales.
		Revenues for the Year Ended
		January 3,			December 28,			December 29,
		2015			2013			2012
	Meeting Fees	$	744,560		$	851,626		$	934,933
	Online Subscription Revenues		437,385			509,135			490,132
	In-meeting product sales		169,101			211,963			253,237
	Licensing, franchise royalties and other		128,870			151,399			161,130
		$	1,479,916		$	1,724,123		$	1,839,432
		Revenues for the Year Ended
		January 3,			December 28,			December 29,
		2015			2013			2012
	United States	$	869,541		$	1,067,200		$	1,169,234
	Canada		78,175			95,802			89,227
	United Kingdom		156,843			172,783			204,506
	Continental Europe		298,878			299,403			270,701
	Other		76,479			88,935			105,764
		$	1,479,916		$	1,724,123		$	1,839,432
		Long-Lived Assets
		January 3,			December 28,			December 29,
		2015			2013			2012
	United States	$	67,903		$	79,448		$	63,147
	Canada		3,149			3,070			2,561
	United Kingdom		724			1,192			1,645
	Continental Europe		1,454			2,083			2,431
	Other		1,420			1,259			1,984
		$	74,650		$	87,052		$	71,768

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis	The following table presents the aggregate fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments:
				Fair Value Measurements Using:
		Total		Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Significant
		Fair		Active Markets		Observable Inputs		Unobservable
		Value		for Identical Assets		(Level 2)		Inputs
				(Level 1)				(Level 3)
	Interest rate swap liability at January 3, 2015	$	42,423	$	0	$	42,423	$	0
	Interest rate swap liability at December 28, 2013	$	7,578	$	0	$	7,578	$	0

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component	Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component(a)
			Fiscal Year Ended January 3, 2015
			Loss on			Foreign			Total
			Qualifying			Currency
			Hedges			Translation
						Adjustments
	Beginning Balance at December 28, 2013		$	(4,603	)	$	13,120		$	8,517
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax			(21,775	)		(11,302	)		(33,077	)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income,			4,522			0			4,522
	net of tax(b)
	Net current period other comprehensive loss including noncontrolling interest			(17,253	)		(11,302	)		(28,555	)
	Less: net current period other comprehensive loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest			0			478			478
	Ending Balance at January 3, 2015		$	(21,856	)	$	2,296		$	(19,560	)
	(a)	Amounts in parentheses indicate debits
	(b)	See separate table below for details about these reclassifications
			Fiscal Year Ended December 28, 2013
			Loss on			Foreign			Total
			Qualifying			Currency
			Hedges			Translation
						Adjustments
	Beginning Balance at December 29, 2012		$	(6,602	)	$	19,461		$	12,859
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax			(4,124	)		(6,341	)		(10,465	)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income,			6,123			0			6,123
	net of tax(b)
	Net current period other comprehensive loss			1,999			(6,341	)		(4,342	)
	Ending Balance at December 28, 2013		$	(4,603	)	$	13,120		$	8,517
	(a)	Amounts in parentheses indicate debits
	(b)	See separate table below for details about these reclassifications
Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income(a)
			Fiscal Year Ended
			January 3,			December 28,
			2015			2013
	Details about Other		Amounts Reclassified from						Affected Line Item in the
	Comprehensive Income		Accumulated Other						Statement Where Net Income is Presented
	Components		Comprehensive Income
	Loss on Qualifying Hedges
	Interest rate contracts		$	(7,413	)	$	(10,037	)	Interest expense
				(7,413	)		(10,037	)	Income before income taxes
				2,891			3,914		Provision for income taxes
			$	(4,522	)	$	(6,123	)	Net income
	(a)	Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to profit / loss

Restructuring_Charges_Tables

Restructuring Charges (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Reconciliation of Liability Balance for Restructuring Charges	For the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015, the reconciliation of the liability balance for these restructuring charges was as follows:
	Balance as of December 28, 2013	$	0
	Provision		11,840
	Payments		(9,270	)
	Balance as of January 3, 2015	$	2,570

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio1

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information	The following is a summary of the unaudited quarterly consolidated results of operations for the fiscal years ended January 3, 2015 and December 28, 2013.
		For the Fiscal Quarters Ended
		March 29,		June 28,		September 27,		January 3,
		2014		2014		2014		2015
	Fiscal year ended January 3, 2015
	Revenues, net	$	409,358	$	397,547	$	345,184	$	327,827
	Gross profit		222,900		225,814		187,567		166,270
	Operating income		51,053		114,564		91,394		16,246
	Net income attributable to the Company		21,531		54,002		37,892		(14,778	)
	Basic EPS	$	0.38	$	0.95	$	0.67	$	(0.26	)
	Diluted EPS	$	0.38	$	0.95	$	0.67	$	(0.26	)
		For the Fiscal Quarters Ended
		March 30,		June 29,		September 28,		December 28,
		2013		2013		2013		2013
	Fiscal year ended December 28, 2013
	Revenues, net	$	490,790	$	470,888	$	396,334	$	366,111
	Gross profit		283,637		283,715		231,980		201,780
	Operating income		103,119		153,976		124,520		79,142
	Net income		48,753		64,916		60,258		30,798
	Basic EPS	$	0.87	$	1.16	$	1.07	$	0.55
	Diluted EPS	$	0.87	$	1.15	$	1.07	$	0.54

Basis_of_Presentation_Addition

Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Disclosure Basis Of Presentation Details [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$2,358,000	$2,388,000
Cash and cash equivalents	301,212	174,557	70,215	53,199
Unused portion of line of credit	48,181
Debt Obligations Due April 2016
Disclosure Basis Of Presentation Details [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$291,000
Long-term debt, payment date	2016-04

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 27, 2014
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Disclosure [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, impairment charges				$652
Asset impairment charges				26,709	5,426	0
Goodwill	106,820	79,294		106,820	79,294
Franchise rights acquired, carrying value	799,795	836,835		799,795	836,835
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, impairment charges	26,057	1,166		26,057	1,166	0
Total advertising expenses				251,954	285,298	344,582
Deferred financing costs				0	44,817	26,248
Early extinguishment of debt			21,685	0	21,685	1,328
Deferred financing costs, amortization expense				9,305	7,672	7,070
The cumulative balance of changes in fair value of derivative instruments, net of taxes	-21,856	-4,603		-21,856	-4,603
The cumulative balance of the effects of foreign currency translations, net of taxes	2,296	13,120		2,296	13,120
Revolving Facility due April 2, 2018
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Disclosure [Line Items]
Write-off of deferred financing fees related to amendment of new credit agreement				1,583			1,583
Website development costs
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Disclosure [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, estimated useful life (in years)				3 years
CHINA
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Disclosure [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, impairment charges					372
Asset impairment charges					1,607
Intangible assets, impairment charges					1,235
United States
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill	65,608			65,608
Franchise rights acquired, carrying value	697,334			697,334
BRAZIL
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill	23,023			23,023
Canada
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill	7,543			7,543
Franchise rights acquired, carrying value	74,672			74,672
Other International
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill	10,646			10,646
Franchise rights acquired, carrying value	1,930			1,930
United Kingdom
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill	1,421	1,530		1,421	1,530
Franchise rights acquired, carrying value	13,138			13,138
AUSTRALIA
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Disclosure [Line Items]
Franchise rights acquired, carrying value	7,272			7,272
NEW ZEALAND
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Disclosure [Line Items]
Franchise rights acquired, carrying value	5,449			5,449
Canada | Franchise Rights
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Disclosure [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, impairment charges				26,057
Mexico | Franchise Rights
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Disclosure [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, impairment charges					935
Hong Kong | Franchise Rights
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Disclosure [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, impairment charges					231
Advertising Costs
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Disclosure [Line Items]
Increase in advertising expense					11,138	10,160
Internal-use Computer Software
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Disclosure [Line Items]
Intangible assets, impairment charges					$2,653
Minimum
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Disclosure [Line Items]
Equipment,estimated useful life (in years)				3 years
Finite-lived intangible assets, estimated useful life (in years)				3 years
Minimum | Capitalized software costs
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Disclosure [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, estimated useful life (in years)				3 years
Maximum
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Disclosure [Line Items]
Equipment,estimated useful life (in years)				10 years
Finite-lived intangible assets, estimated useful life (in years)				20 years
Maximum | Capitalized software costs
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Disclosure [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets, estimated useful life (in years)				5 years

Acquisitions_of_Franchisees_Ad2

Acquisitions of Franchisees Additional Equity Interest in Brazil and Wello and Shutdown of China Operations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified

Jan. 03, 2015

Sep. 27, 2014

Jun. 28, 2014

Mar. 29, 2014

Dec. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Jun. 29, 2013

Mar. 30, 2013

Jan. 03, 2015

Dec. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Dec. 12, 2013

Sep. 10, 2012

Nov. 02, 2012

Dec. 20, 2012

Mar. 04, 2013

Jul. 15, 2013

Jul. 22, 2013

Oct. 28, 2013

Mar. 12, 2014

Apr. 16, 2014

Business Acquisition

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, goodwill

$106,820

$79,294

$106,820

$79,294

Business acquisition, amortization period for customer relationships

105 days

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, goodwill, expected tax deductible amount

16,953

16,953

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, goodwill

32,461

17,530

Gain related to acquisition

10,540

0

0

Earnings per share, diluted

($0.26)

$0.67

$0.95

$0.38

$0.54

$1.07

$1.15

$0.87

$1.74

$3.63

$4.23

CHINA

Business Acquisition

Charge incurred in relation to shut down of China operations

2,500

Slengora Limited

Business Acquisition

Business acquisition, net purchase price

16,755

Business acquisition, assumed liabilities

245

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, goodwill

6,779

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, inventory

66

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, fixed assets

81

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, prepaid expenses

23

Slengora Limited | Customer Relationships

Business Acquisition

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, intangible assets, finite lived

180

Slengora Limited | Franchise Rights

Business Acquisition

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, intangible assets, indefinite lived

9,871

Adirondacks Inc

Business Acquisition

Business acquisition, net purchase price

3,400

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, goodwill

1,156

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, inventory

29

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, prepaid expenses

10

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, deferred revenue

48

Adirondacks Inc | Customer Relationships

Business Acquisition

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, intangible assets, finite lived

37

Adirondacks Inc | Franchise Rights

Business Acquisition

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, intangible assets, indefinite lived

2,216

Mid South Inc

Business Acquisition

Business acquisition, net purchase price

10,000

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, goodwill

1,461

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, inventory

35

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, fixed assets

4

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, deferred revenue

114

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, receivables

9

Mid South Inc | Customer Relationships

Business Acquisition

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, intangible assets, finite lived

209

Mid South Inc | Franchise Rights

Business Acquisition

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, intangible assets, indefinite lived

8,396

Alberta Ltd and Saskatchewan Ltd

Business Acquisition

Business acquisition, net purchase price

35,000

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, goodwill

4,626

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, inventory

218

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, fixed assets

182

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, prepaid expenses

3

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, deferred revenue

1,135

Alberta Ltd and Saskatchewan Ltd | Customer Relationships

Business Acquisition

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, intangible assets, finite lived

473

Alberta Ltd and Saskatchewan Ltd | Franchise Rights

Business Acquisition

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, intangible assets, indefinite lived

30,633

West Virginia, Inc.

Business Acquisition

Business acquisition, net purchase price

16,028

Business acquisition, assumed liabilities

28

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, goodwill

5,212

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, fixed assets

209

West Virginia, Inc. | Customer Relationships

Business Acquisition

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, intangible assets, finite lived

448

West Virginia, Inc. | Franchise Rights

Business Acquisition

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, intangible assets, indefinite lived

10,131

Columbus, Inc.

Business Acquisition

Business acquisition, net purchase price

23,357

Business acquisition, assumed liabilities

143

Northern Nevada, Inc.

Business Acquisition

Business acquisition, net purchase price

3,969

Business acquisition, assumed liabilities

31

Columbus, Inc. and Northern Nevada, Inc.

Business Acquisition

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, goodwill

7,220

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, inventory

27

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, fixed assets

116

Columbus, Inc. and Northern Nevada, Inc. | Customer Relationships

Business Acquisition

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, intangible assets, finite lived

494

Columbus, Inc. and Northern Nevada, Inc. | Franchise Rights

Business Acquisition

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, intangible assets, indefinite lived

19,643

Manitoba Ltd

Business Acquisition

Business acquisition, net purchase price

5,197

Business acquisition, assumed liabilities

28

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, goodwill

449

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, inventory

1

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, prepaid expenses

1

Manitoba Ltd | Customer Relationships

Business Acquisition

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, intangible assets, finite lived

249

Manitoba Ltd | Franchise Rights

Business Acquisition

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, intangible assets, indefinite lived

4,525

Franklin and St Lawrence Counties Inc

Business Acquisition

Business acquisition, net purchase price

274

Business acquisition, assumed liabilities

1

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, goodwill

23

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, prepaid expenses

1

Franklin and St Lawrence Counties Inc | Customer Relationships

Business Acquisition

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, intangible assets, finite lived

13

Franklin and St Lawrence Counties Inc | Franchise Rights

Business Acquisition

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, intangible assets, indefinite lived

238

Vigilantes do Peso Marketing Ltda

Business Acquisition

Business acquisition, net purchase price

14,181

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, goodwill

26,257

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, inventory

287

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, fixed assets

575

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, prepaid expenses

421

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, deferred revenue

445

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, receivables

1,139

Percentage of ownership

35.00%

Percentage of ownership acquired

45.00%

Business acquisition, cash acquired

2,262

Business acquisition, equity interest held immediately before acquisition

12

Business acquisition, fair value of equity interest

11,029

Remeasurement gain on business acquisition

11,017

Business acquisition cost associated with settlement of royalty-free arrangement

477

Gain related to acquisition

10,540

10,540

Gain related to acquisition, after-tax

6,429

Earnings per share, diluted

$0.11

Business acquisition, fair value of noncontrolling interest

6,157

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, net purchase price

28,616

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, deferred tax liabilities

680

Vigilantes do Peso Marketing Ltda | Call and Put Option

Business Acquisition

Percentage of ownership

20.00%

Vigilantes do Peso Marketing Ltda | Customer Relationships

Business Acquisition

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, intangible assets, finite lived

275

Knowplicity, Inc.

Business Acquisition

Business acquisition, net purchase price

4,770

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, goodwill

6,204

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, fixed assets

1

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, prepaid expenses

4

Business acquisition, cash acquired

11

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, net purchase price

8,977

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, stock issued

4,207

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, website development

4,516

Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, deferred tax liabilities

$1,759

Schedule_of_Net_Purchase_Price

Schedule of Net Purchase Price of the Acquisition (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Mar. 12, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014
Fair value of consideration transferred:
Total	$16,678	$83,825	$30,400
Gain on acquisition	10,540	0	0
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Goodwill	106,820	79,294
Vigilantes do Peso Marketing Ltda
Fair value of consideration transferred:
Net purchase price				14,181
Less cash acquired				2,262
Total				11,919
Gain on acquisition				10,540	10,540
Redeemable noncontrolling interest				6,157
Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, net purchase price				28,616
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Receivables				1,139
Fixed assets				575
Prepaid expenses				421
Inventory				287
Other assets				199
Accrued liabilities				-1,063
Deferred tax on acquired intangibles				-680
Deferred revenue				-445
Income taxes payable				-258
Accounts payable				-91
Total identifiable net assets				2,359
Goodwill				26,257
Vigilantes do Peso Marketing Ltda | Franchise Rights
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Intangible assets				2,000
Vigilantes do Peso Marketing Ltda | Customer Relationships
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Intangible assets				$275

Franchise_Rights_Acquired_Good2

Franchise Rights Acquired, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Mar. 12, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, impairment charges	$26,057	$1,166	$26,057	$1,166	$0
Acquired intangible assets amortized period				105 days
Finite-lived intangible assets, aggregate amortization expense			28,599	24,562	17,796
CHINA
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure
Intangible assets, impairment charges				1,235
Franchise Rights | Canada
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, impairment charges			26,057
Franchise Rights | Mexico and Hong Kong Operation
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, impairment charges				1,166
Internal-use Computer Software
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure
Intangible assets, impairment charges				$2,653
Vigilantes do Peso Marketing Ltda | Franchise Rights
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure
Acquired intangible assets amortized period						2 years

Changes_in_Carrying_Value_of_F

Changes in Carrying Value of Franchise Rights Acquired (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Franchise Rights Acquired [Line Items]
Franchise rights acquired, beginning balance			$836,835
Amortization of Brazil franchise rights acquired			-773
Indefinite-lived intangible impairment	-26,057	-1,166	-26,057	-1,166	0
Effect of exchange rate changes			-12,210
Franchise rights acquired, ending balance	799,795	836,835	799,795	836,835
Franchise Rights
Franchise Rights Acquired [Line Items]
Franchise rights acquired during the period			$2,000

Changes_in_Carrying_Amount_of_

Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$79,294
Goodwill acquired during the period	32,461	17,530
Effect of exchange rate changes	-4,935
Ending balance	106,820	79,294
North America
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning balance	67,699
Goodwill acquired during the period	6,204
Effect of exchange rate changes	-751
Ending balance	73,152
United Kingdom
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning balance	1,530
Goodwill acquired during the period	0
Effect of exchange rate changes	-109
Ending balance	1,421
Continental Europe
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning balance	8,345
Goodwill acquired during the period	0
Effect of exchange rate changes	-684
Ending balance	7,661
Other
Goodwill [Line Items]
Beginning balance	1,720
Goodwill acquired during the period	26,257
Effect of exchange rate changes	-3,391
Ending balance	$24,586

Carrying_Amount_of_FiniteLived

Carrying Amount of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Gross Carrying Amount	$221,148	$172,467
Accumulated Amortization	153,033	127,170
Capitalized software costs
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Gross Carrying Amount	107,581	85,095
Accumulated Amortization	72,590	62,418
Trademarks
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Gross Carrying Amount	10,836	10,691
Accumulated Amortization	10,213	9,955
Website development costs
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Gross Carrying Amount	95,717	69,660
Accumulated Amortization	63,405	48,060
Other
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Gross Carrying Amount	7,014	7,021
Accumulated Amortization	$6,825	$6,737

Estimated_Amortization_Expense

Estimated Amortization Expense of Existing Finite-Lived Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Expected Amortization Expense
2015	$29,833
2016	21,770
2017	14,378
2018	2,051
2019 and thereafter	$83

Property_and_Equipment_Detail

Property and Equipment (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Equipment	$124,788	$123,210
Leasehold improvements	79,496	77,771
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Total	204,284	200,981
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization	-129,634	-113,929
Property and equipment, net	$74,650	$87,052

Property_and_Equipment_Additio

Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, impairment charges	$652
Depreciation and amortization expense, property and equipment	20,635	20,342	18,844
CHINA
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, impairment charges		$372

Components_of_LongTerm_Debt_De

Components of Long-Term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument
Total Debt	$2,358,000	$2,388,000
Less Current Portion	24,000	30,000
Effective Interest Rate	3.86%	3.49%
Total Long-Term Debt	2,334,000	2,358,000
Total Debt	2,358,000	2,388,000
Tranche B-1 Term Facility due April 2, 2016
Debt Instrument
Total Debt	294,750	298,500
Effective Interest Rate	3.12%	2.97%
Total Debt	294,750	298,500
Tranche B-2 Term Facility due April 2, 2020
Debt Instrument
Total Debt	2,063,250	2,089,500
Effective Interest Rate	3.96%	3.75%
Total Debt	2,063,250	2,089,500
Revolving Facility due April 2, 2018
Debt Instrument
Total Debt	0	0
Effective Interest Rate	0.00%	0.00%
Total Debt	$0	$0

LongTerm_Debt_Additional_Infor

Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Feb. 21, 2014	Sep. 27, 2014	Apr. 02, 2013	Sep. 26, 2014
Debt Instrument
Fees incurred in connection with debt refinancing		$44,817
Payments of term loan	2,399,904		30,000	2,488,364	124,833
Write-off of deferred financing fees		21,685	0	21,685	1,328
Credit Facility, aggregate principal amount outstanding			2,358,000	2,388,000
Additional applicable margin in the event the Company receives a corporate rating of BB- from S&P (or lower) and a corporate rating of Ba3 from Moody's (or lower)			0.25%
Average interest rate on debt			3.90%	3.65%
Average interest rate on debt			4.93%	4.08%
Tranche B-1 Term Facility due April 2, 2016
Debt Instrument
WWI Credit Facility, maximum borrowing capacity								300,000
Credit Facility, aggregate principal amount outstanding			294,750	298,500
Tranche B-1 Term Facility due April 2, 2016 | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument
WWI Credit Facility, additional interest rate			3.00%			2.75%
Tranche B-2 Term Facility due April 2, 2020
Debt Instrument
WWI Credit Facility, maximum borrowing capacity								2,100,000
Credit Facility, aggregate principal amount outstanding			2,063,250	2,089,500
Tranche B-2 Term Facility due April 2, 2020 | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument
WWI Credit Facility, minimum interest rate			0.75%
WWI Credit Facility, additional interest rate			3.25%			3.00%
Tranche B-2 Term Facility due April 2, 2020 | Base Rate Plus
Debt Instrument
WWI Credit Facility, minimum interest rate			1.75%
Term B Loan due January 26, 2014
Debt Instrument
Payments of term loan	128,759
Term C Loan due June 30, 2015
Debt Instrument
Payments of term loan	110,602
Term D Loan due June 30, 2016
Debt Instrument
Payments of term loan	117,612
Term E Loan due March 15, 2017
Debt Instrument
Payments of term loan	1,125,044
Term F Loan due March 15, 2019
Debt Instrument
Payments of term loan	817,887
Revolver A-1 Loan due June 30, 2014
Debt Instrument
Payments of term loan	21,247
Revolver A-2 Loan due March 15, 2017
Debt Instrument
Payments of term loan	78,753
Term Loan Facility
Debt Instrument
Debt outstanding amount								2,400,000
WWI Credit Facility
Debt Instrument
Credit Facility, aggregate principal amount outstanding			2,358,000
Revolving Facility due April 2, 2018
Debt Instrument
WWI Credit Facility, maximum borrowing capacity								250,000	50,000
Credit facility available amount			48,181					248,848
Write-off of deferred financing fees related to amendment			1,583				1,583
Credit Facility, aggregate principal amount outstanding			0	0
Line of credit facility, issued but undrawn letters of credit			$1,819
Revolving credit facility, commitment fee on unused commitments			0.50%
Revolving Facility due April 2, 2018 | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument
WWI Credit Facility, additional interest rate			2.50%
Revolving Facility due April 2, 2018 | Base Rate Plus
Debt Instrument
WWI Credit Facility, additional interest rate			1.50%

LongTerm_Debt_Maturities_Detai

Long-Term Debt Maturities (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument
2015	$24,000
2016	307,500
2017	21,000
2018	21,000
2019	21,000
Thereafter	1,963,500
Total Debt	$2,358,000	$2,388,000

Treasury_Stock_Additional_Info

Treasury Stock - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2012	Feb. 23, 2012	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Apr. 09, 2012	Oct. 21, 2010	25-May-06	Jun. 13, 2005	Oct. 09, 2003
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock
Treasury Stock, value of common stock shares authorized for repurchase		$720,000
Repurchase of common stock, shares repurchased	8,780,000		0	0	0
Repurchase of common stock, price per share	$82
Treasury Stock, value of common stock shares authorized for repurchase							250,000	250,000	250,000	250,000
Amount remained available to purchase shares under repurchase program			$208,933
Artal Holdings
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock
Repurchase of common stock, shares repurchased						9,499,000
Repurchase of common stock, price per share						$82
Tender Offers | Minimum
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock
Repurchase of common stock, price per share		$72
Tender Offers | Maximum
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock
Repurchase of common stock, price per share		$83

Computation_of_Basic_and_Dilut

Computation of Basic and Diluted EPS (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.									$98,647	$204,725	$257,426
Denominator:
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding									56,607	56,144	60,294
Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents									98	250	629
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding									56,705	56,394	60,923
EPS attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.
Basic	($0.26)	$0.67	$0.95	$0.38	$0.55	$1.07	$1.16	$0.87	$1.74	$3.65	$4.27
Diluted	($0.26)	$0.67	$0.95	$0.38	$0.54	$1.07	$1.15	$0.87	$1.74	$3.63	$4.23

Earnings_Per_Share_Additional_

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share
Anti-dilutive common stock equivalents excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS	3,073	1,285	536

Stock_Plans_Additional_Informa

Stock Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2013	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	31-May-08	6-May-08	12-May-04
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation expense		$10,533	$4,255	$8,845
Total income tax benefit recognized for all share-based compensation arrangements		3,285	1,174	2,742
Tax benefits realized from options exercised and RSUs vested		301	4,217	5,847
Compensation costs capitalized		0
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options and RSUs granted		34,191
Compensation expense recognition period		2 years 2 months 12 days
Options outstanding, exercise price, lower range		$19.74
Options outstanding, exercise price, upper range		$63.59
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.80%	1.60%
Expected term (years)			6 years 6 months	6 years 6 months
Weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted		$6.51	$11.37	$16.60
Total intrinsic value of options exercised		62	9,858	12,734
Cash received from options exercised		658	16,187	12,688
Weighted-average grant-date fair value of RSUs granted		$24.37
Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock option awards, expiration period		10 years
Option awards granted during period		0
Stock Option | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock units, vesting period		3 years
Stock Option | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock units, vesting period		5 years
Special Performance Based Options Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense recognition period		3 years
Dividend yield		0.00%	0.00%
Option awards granted during period	686,549	1,600,583
Percentage of time-vesting criteria satisfied on third anniversary of date of grant		100.00%
Vesting of stock options increments		20.00%
Expected term (years)		5 years	5 years
Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted-average grant-date fair value of RSUs granted		$24.37	$38.40	$55.54
Total fair value of RSUs vested		3,042	1,705	5,536
Restricted Stock Units | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock units, vesting period		3 years
Restricted Stock Units | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock units, vesting period		5 years
Stock Incentive Plan 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum number of shares of common stock available for grant		3,500,000
Stock Incentive Plan 2008
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum number of shares of common stock available for grant						3,000,000
Number of shares of our common stock available for issuance, increase					550,000
Stock Incentive Plan 2004
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum number of shares of common stock available for grant							2,500,000
Share based compensation, fully-vested shares granted		20,000	14,000	13,000
Share based compensation, value of fully-vested shares granted		$497	$524	$707

Weighted_Average_Assumptions_U

Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Estimate Fair Value of Option Award on Grand Date (Detail)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2013	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.80%	1.60%
Volatility			36.50%	35.50%
Risk-free interest rate, minimum			1.30%	1.00%
Risk-free interest rate, maximum			2.20%	1.40%
Expected term (years)			6 years 6 months	6 years 6 months
Special Performance Based Options Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Dividend yield		0.00%	0.00%
Volatility		37.80%	36.50%
Risk-free interest rate, minimum		1.40%	1.60%
Risk-free interest rate, maximum		1.80%
Expected term (years)		5 years	5 years

Summary_of_Option_Activity_Und

Summary of Option Activity Under Stock Plans (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015
Shares
Beginning Balance	2,213
Granted	1,601
Exercised	-28
Canceled	-536
Ending Balance	3,250
Exercisable at January 3, 2015	415
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Beginning Balance	$39.09
Granted	$21.73
Exercised	$23.76
Canceled	$38.78
Ending Balance	$30.72
Exercisable at January 3, 2015	$38.05
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (Yrs.)
Outstanding at January 3, 2015	5 years 3 months 18 days
Exercisable at January 3, 2015	5 years 1 month 6 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Granted	$0
Exercised	0
Canceled	0
Outstanding at January 3, 2015	522
Exercisable at January 3, 2015	$113

Summary_of_RSU_Activity_Under_

Summary of RSU Activity Under Stock Plans (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015
Shares
Beginning Balance	253
Granted	725
Vested	-49
Forfeited	-91
Ending Balance	838
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Beginning Balance	$47.11
Granted	$24.37
Vested	$61.82
Forfeited	$36.55
Ending Balance	$27.71

Summary_of_Consolidated_Provis

Summary of Consolidated Provision for US Federal State and Foreign Taxes on Income (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Current:
US federal	$13,558	$60,556	$99,437
State	-131	9,583	12,719
Foreign	23,405	25,121	20,614
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total	36,832	95,260	132,770
Deferred:
US federal	19,595	31,801	23,002
State	2,239	3,634	2,629
Foreign	348	-55	1,134
Deferred tax provision	22,182	35,380	26,765
Total tax provision	$59,014	$130,640	$159,535

Components_of_Consolidated_Inc

Components of Consolidated Income Before Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Domestic	$68,319	$255,183	$337,321
Foreign	89,288	80,182	79,640
Income before income taxes	$157,607	$335,365	$416,961

Difference_Between_US_Federal_

Difference Between US Federal Statutory Tax Rate and consolidated Effective Tax Rate (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Reconciliation of Statutory Federal Tax Rate [Line Items]
US federal statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Federal and state tax reserve provision	0.40%	-0.10%	0.20%
States income taxes (net of federal benefit)	1.60%	2.70%	2.60%
Foreign taxes	-0.70%	0.30%	-0.30%
Increase in valuation allowance	2.00%	0.90%	0.70%
Loss on closure of China	-2.50%	0.00%	0.00%
Canada intangible asset impairment	1.40%	0.00%	0.00%
Other	0.20%	0.20%	0.10%
Effective tax rate	37.40%	39.00%	38.30%

Deferred_Tax_Assets_and_Liabil

Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Provision for estimated expenses	$7,863	$8,593
Operating loss carryforwards	37,746	40,587
Salaries and wages	9,567	6,238
Share-based compensation	6,653	4,705
Other	6,922	6,562
Other comprehensive income	12,811	0
Less: valuation allowance	-34,640	-36,372
Total deferred tax assets	46,922	30,313
Depreciation	-6,482	-6,381
Other comprehensive income	0	-5,446
Other	-3,123	-1,046
Amortization	-182,716	-157,047
Total deferred tax liabilities	-192,321	-169,920
Net deferred tax liabilities	($145,399)	($139,607)

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Net operating loss carry forwards	$142,433	$148,107
Total amount of unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would affect effective tax rate	5,439
Unrecognized tax benefits, accrued interest and penalties	2,300	2,217
Unrecognized tax benefits, interest and penalties recognized	$83	($1,188)	$823

Reconciliation_of_Beginning_an

Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Balance at beginning of year	$5,784	$5,319	$5,040
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	1,304	1,428	1,647
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	-820	-963	-1,219
Settlements	0	0	-149
Balance at end of year	$6,268	$5,784	$5,319

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Additio

Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Profit Sharing Plan
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employee benefit plans, contribution cost	$266	$1,658	$2,779
Profit Sharing Plan | Management
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employee benefit plans, contribution cost	1,090	2,651	2,954
EPSP annualized interest rate, added percentage above prime rate	2.00%
Maximum | Profit Sharing Plan | Management
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
EPSP annualized interest rate cap	15.00%
Savings Plan
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employee benefit plans, employer contribution percentage	3.00%
Employee benefit plans, contribution cost	$2,525	$2,888	$2,730
Savings Plan | Maximum
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Employee benefit plans, employer matching contribution percentage	100.00%

Cash_Flow_Information_Detail

Cash Flow Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Net cash paid during the year for:
Interest expense	$107,296	$88,860	$68,808
Income taxes	35,232	87,071	133,131
Noncash investing and financing activities were as follows:
Fair value of net assets/(liabilities) acquired in connection with acquisitions	359	-175	0
Dividends declared but not yet paid at year-end	$0	$177	$289

Commitment_and_Contingencies_A

Commitment and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2014	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Mar. 17, 2014
	LegalMatter
Loss Contingencies
Securities class action filed	2
Rent expense charged to operations under operating leases		$44,228	$46,300	$40,485
Jeri Connolly et al. v. Weight Watchers North America, Inc.
Loss Contingencies
Legal settlement					$1,688

Minimum_Commitments_Under_NonC

Minimum Commitments Under Non-Cancelable Obligations (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
2015	$41,584
2016	34,810
2017	25,867
2018	19,890
2019	13,082
2020 and thereafter	102,653
Total	$237,886

Segment_and_Geographic_Data_Ad

Segment and Geographic Data - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 03, 2015
	Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments	4

Information_About_Reportable_S

Information About Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue	$327,827	$345,184	$397,547	$409,358	$366,111	$396,334	$470,888	$490,790	$1,479,916	$1,724,123	$1,839,432
Segment operating income	16,246	91,394	114,564	51,053	79,142	124,520	153,976	103,119	273,257	460,757	510,805
Interest expense									122,984	103,108	90,537
Other expense, net									3,206	599	1,979
Gain on Brazil acquisition									-10,540	0	0
Early extinguishment of debt							21,685		0	21,685	1,328
Provision for taxes									59,014	130,640	159,535
Net income	-14,778	37,892	54,002	21,531	30,798	60,258	64,916	48,753	98,593	204,725	257,426
Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest									54	0	0
Net income attributable to Weight Watchers International, Inc.									98,647	204,725	257,426
Depreciation and amortization									58,539	52,576	43,710
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment operating income									346,370	520,585	562,103
Depreciation and amortization									40,312	38,379	32,217
General corporate expenses
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
General corporate expenses									-73,113	-59,828	-51,298
Depreciation and amortization									18,227	14,197	11,493
North America
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue									947,716	1,163,002	1,258,461
North America | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment operating income									224,225	406,109	437,379
Depreciation and amortization									34,654	32,923	26,808
United Kingdom
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue									156,843	172,783	204,506
United Kingdom | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment operating income									29,187	34,429	63,320
Depreciation and amortization									1,158	1,269	1,159
Continental Europe
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue									298,878	299,403	270,701
Continental Europe | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment operating income									79,282	66,273	38,714
Depreciation and amortization									2,356	2,222	2,182
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenue									76,479	88,935	105,764
Other | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment operating income									13,676	13,774	22,690
Depreciation and amortization									$2,144	$1,965	$2,068

Sources_of_Revenue_and_Other_I

Sources of Revenue and Other Information by Geographic Area (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Meeting Fees									$1,181,945	$1,360,761	$1,425,065
Online Subscription Revenues									437,385	509,135	490,132
In-meeting product sales									169,101	211,963	253,237
Licensing, franchise royalties and other									128,870	151,399	161,130
Net revenue	327,827	345,184	397,547	409,358	366,111	396,334	470,888	490,790	1,479,916	1,724,123	1,839,432
Long-lived assets	74,650				87,052				74,650	87,052	71,768
United States
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net revenue									869,541	1,067,200	1,169,234
Long-lived assets	67,903				79,448				67,903	79,448	63,147
Canada
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net revenue									78,175	95,802	89,227
Long-lived assets	3,149				3,070				3,149	3,070	2,561
United Kingdom
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net revenue									156,843	172,783	204,506
Long-lived assets	724				1,192				724	1,192	1,645
Continental Europe
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net revenue									298,878	299,403	270,701
Long-lived assets	1,454				2,083				1,454	2,083	2,431
Other
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net revenue									76,479	88,935	105,764
Long-lived assets	1,420				1,259				1,420	1,259	1,984
meeting fees
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Meeting Fees									$744,560	$851,626	$934,933

Fair_Value_Measurements_Additi

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Fair value of long-term debt	$1,888,051	$2,169,908
Long-term debt	$2,334,000	$2,358,000

Aggregate_Fair_Value_of_Deriva

Aggregate Fair Value of Derivative Financial Instruments (Detail) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring, Interest Rate Swap, USD $)	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Interest rate swap liability	$42,423	$7,578
Fair Value Measurements Using Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Interest rate swap liability	0	0
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Interest rate swap liability	42,423	7,578
Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Interest rate swap liability	$0	$0

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed1

Derivative Instruments and Hedging - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 26, 2013	Jan. 31, 2009	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013
Derivative
Cumulative losses for qualifying hedges reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax			($21,856)	($4,603)
Derivative losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) that are expected to be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months, net of tax			11,256
Derivative losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) that are expected to be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months, before tax			18,452
Interest Rate Swap
Derivative
Forward starting interest rate swap, termination date	2-Apr-20	27-Jan-14
Forward-starting interest rate swap, effective date	31-Mar-14
Derivative interest rate swap percentage			2.38%
Cumulative losses for qualifying hedges reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax			-21,856	-4,603
Cumulative losses for qualifying hedges reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss), before tax			-35,830	-7,546
Interest Rate Swap | Cash Flow Hedging
Derivative
Notional amount	1,500,000		1,500,000	466,250
Interest Rate Swap | Cash Flow Hedging | March 31, 2014
Derivative
Notional amount			1,500,000
Forward-starting interest rate swap, effective date			31-Mar-14
Interest Rate Swap | Cash Flow Hedging | April 3, 2017
Derivative
Notional amount			1,250,000
Forward-starting interest rate swap, effective date			3-Apr-17
Interest Rate Swap | Cash Flow Hedging | April 1, 2019
Derivative
Notional amount			$1,000,000
Forward-starting interest rate swap, effective date			1-Apr-19

Changes_in_Accumulated_Other_C

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015		Dec. 28, 2013		Dec. 29, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$8,517	[1]	$12,859	[1]
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax	-33,077	[1]	-10,465	[1]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	4,522	[1],[2]	6,123	[1],[2]
Net current period other comprehensive loss	-28,555	[1]	-4,342	[1]	7,258
Less: net current period other comprehensive loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	478	[1]
Ending Balance	-19,560	[1]	8,517	[1]	12,859	[1]
Loss on Qualifying Hedges
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	-4,603	[1]	-6,602	[1]
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax	-21,775	[1]	-4,124	[1]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	4,522	[1],[2]	6,123	[1],[2]
Net current period other comprehensive loss	-17,253	[1]	1,999	[1]
Less: net current period other comprehensive loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	0	[1]
Ending Balance	-21,856	[1]	-4,603	[1]
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	13,120	[1]	19,461	[1]
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax	-11,302	[1]	-6,341	[1]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	0	[1],[2]	0	[1],[2]
Net current period other comprehensive loss	-11,302	[1]	-6,341	[1]
Less: net current period other comprehensive loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	478	[1]
Ending Balance	$2,296	[1]	$13,120	[1]
[1]	Amounts in parentheses indicate debits
[2]	See separate table below for details about these reclassifications

Reclassifications_out_of_Accum

Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Jan. 03, 2015		Dec. 28, 2013		Dec. 29, 2012
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense									($122,984)		($103,108)		($90,537)
Income before income taxes									157,607		335,365		416,961
Provision for income taxes									-59,014		-130,640		-159,535
Net income	-14,778	37,892	54,002	21,531	30,798	60,258	64,916	48,753	98,593		204,725		257,426
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Loss on Qualifying Hedges | Interest Rate Contract
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest expense									-7,413	[1]	-10,037	[1]
Income before income taxes									-7,413	[1]	-10,037	[1]
Provision for income taxes									2,891	[1]	3,914	[1]
Net income									($4,522)	[1]	($6,123)	[1]
[1]	Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to profit / loss

Restructuring_Charges_Addition

Restructuring Charges - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014	Jan. 03, 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Employee termination benefit costs, pretax	$973	$713	$6,498	$3,656	$11,840
Employee termination benefit costs, after tax	593	430	3,964	2,235	7,222
Expected restructuring liability to be paid in current fiscal year	2,570				2,570
Cost of Revenues
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Employee termination benefit costs, pretax					4,642
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Employee termination benefit costs, pretax					$7,198

Reconciliation_of_Liability_Ba

Reconciliation of Liability Balance for Restructuring Charges (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$0
Provision	11,840
Payments	-9,270
Ending balance	$2,570

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio2

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]
Revenues, net	$327,827	$345,184	$397,547	$409,358	$366,111	$396,334	$470,888	$490,790	$1,479,916	$1,724,123	$1,839,432
Gross profit	166,270	187,567	225,814	222,900	201,780	231,980	283,715	283,637	802,551	1,001,112	1,093,818
Operating income	16,246	91,394	114,564	51,053	79,142	124,520	153,976	103,119	273,257	460,757	510,805
Net income	($14,778)	$37,892	$54,002	$21,531	$30,798	$60,258	$64,916	$48,753	$98,593	$204,725	$257,426
Basic EPS	($0.26)	$0.67	$0.95	$0.38	$0.55	$1.07	$1.16	$0.87	$1.74	$3.65	$4.27
Diluted EPS	($0.26)	$0.67	$0.95	$0.38	$0.54	$1.07	$1.15	$0.87	$1.74	$3.63	$4.23

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio3

Quarterly Financial Information - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended						12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015	Sep. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2014	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information [Line Items]
Impact of impairment charges on net income before tax	$26,057				$1,166		$26,057	$1,166	$0
Impact of impairment charges per fully diluted share, before tax	$0.34				$0.01
Employee termination benefit costs, pretax	973	713	6,498	3,656			11,840
Employee termination benefit costs, after tax	593	430	3,964	2,235			7,222
Impact of early extinguishment of debt on net income before of tax			2,350	10,540		21,685
Impact of early extinguishment of debt on net income net of tax				$6,396		$13,336
Impact of early extinguishment of debt per fully diluted share			$0.04	$0.11		$0.24

Recovered_Sheet1

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 03, 2015		Dec. 28, 2013		Dec. 29, 2012
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Period	$3,477		$3,447		$5,315
Additions charged to Costs and Expenses	99		596		-1,067
Additions charged to Other Accounts	0		0		26
Deductions	-289	[1]	-566	[1]	-827	[1]
Balance at End of Period	3,287		3,477		3,447
Inventory and other reserves
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Period	5,859		6,942		7,397
Additions charged to Costs and Expenses	11,822		9,580		10,491
Additions charged to Other Accounts	0		0		0
Deductions	-10,574	[1]	-10,663	[1]	-10,946	[1]
Balance at End of Period	7,107		5,859		6,942
Tax valuation allowance
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Period	36,372		31,015		25,781
Additions charged to Costs and Expenses	3,183		3,821		3,387
Additions charged to Other Accounts	0		2,429		2,322
Deductions	-4,915	[1]	-893	[1]	-475	[1]
Balance at End of Period	$34,640		$36,372		$31,015
[1]	Primarily represents the utilization of established reserves, net of recoveries, where applicable.