Blackhawk Network 10-Q 22 Jul 14 2014 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 14, 2014	Jul. 15, 2014	Jul. 15, 2014
		Class A Common Stock	Class B Common Stock
Document Information	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	14-Jun-14	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'BLACKHAWK NETWORK HOLDINGS, INC	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001411488	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--01-03	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	12,658,000	40,175,000

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Jun. 14, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$299,727	$550,380
Settlement receivables, net	276,447	813,448
Accounts receivable, net	121,766	126,369
Deferred income taxes	20,145	20,145
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	59,030	67,474
Total current assets	777,115	1,577,816
Property, equipment and technology, net	84,703	79,663
Intangible assets, net	87,972	98,689
Goodwill	133,088	133,521
Deferred income taxes	727	727
Other assets	83,358	90,678
TOTAL ASSETS	1,166,963	1,981,094
Current liabilities:	'	'
Settlement payables	538,707	1,484,047
Consumer and customer deposits	57,423	54,915
Accounts payable and accrued operating expenses	81,890	99,499
Current portion of note payable	8,705	0
Other current liabilities	41,161	81,270
Total current liabilities	727,886	1,719,731
Deferred income taxes	24,376	24,488
Note payable	165,393	0
Other liabilities	9,629	8,711
Total liabilities	927,284	1,752,930
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 8)	0	0
Stockholdersb equity:	'	'
Preferred stock: $0.001 par value; 10,000 shares authorized; no shares outstanding	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	117,457	107,139
Treasury stock	-472	-126
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-3,396	-2,873
Retained earnings	119,177	116,975
Total Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc. equity	232,819	221,168
Non-controlling interests	6,860	6,996
Total stockholdersb equity	239,679	228,164
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERSb EQUITY	1,166,963	1,981,094
Class A Common Stock	'	'
Stockholdersb equity:	'	'
Common stock	12	12
Class B Common Stock	'	'
Stockholdersb equity:	'	'
Common stock	$41	$41

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jun. 14, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
Preferred stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Class A Common Stock	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	125,000,000	125,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	12,598,000	12,188,000
Class B Common Stock	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	125,000,000	125,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	40,142,000	40,252,000

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 14, 2014	Jun. 15, 2013	Jun. 14, 2014	Jun. 15, 2013
OPERATING REVENUES:	'	'	'	'
Commissions and fees	$216,341	$176,819	$394,436	$321,294
Program, interchange, marketing and other fees	40,421	28,907	76,086	53,265
Product sales	27,182	20,136	46,537	36,353
Total operating revenues	283,944	225,862	517,059	410,912
OPERATING EXPENSES:	'	'	'	'
Distribution partner commissions	144,023	118,153	262,617	214,135
Processing and services	45,314	34,258	86,939	66,394
Sales and marketing	45,779	39,932	84,570	68,257
Costs of products sold	25,495	18,509	44,799	34,359
General and administrative	10,934	11,015	25,537	22,795
Business acquisition expense (benefit) and amortization of acquisition intangibles	3,458	-1,384	7,869	-707
Total operating expenses	275,003	220,483	512,331	405,233
OPERATING INCOME	8,941	5,379	4,728	5,679
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):	'	'	'	'
Interest income and other income (expense), net	353	96	-56	373
Interest expense	-956	'	-1,001	'
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE	8,338	5,475	3,671	6,052
INCOME TAX EXPENSE	3,275	3,470	1,492	3,788
NET INCOME BEFORE ALLOCATION TO NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST	5,063	2,005	2,179	2,264
Add: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests (net of tax)	53	126	96	213
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO BLACKHAWK NETWORK HOLDINGS, INC.	$5,116	$2,131	$2,275	$2,477
EARNINGS PER SHARE:	'	'	'	'
Basic b Class A and Class B (in usd per share)	$0.10	$0.04	$0.04	$0.05
Diluted b Class A and Class B (in usd per share)	$0.09	$0.04	$0.04	$0.05
Weighted average shares outstandingbbasic (in shares)	52,307	51,056	52,201	50,713
Weighted average shares outstandingbdiluted (in shares)	53,740	52,240	53,725	51,746

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 14, 2014	Jun. 15, 2013	Jun. 14, 2014	Jun. 15, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
NET INCOME BEFORE ALLOCATION TO NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST	$5,063	$2,005	$2,179	$2,264
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Currency translation adjustments	3	-507	-519	-1,815
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME BEFORE ALLOCATION TO NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST	5,066	1,498	1,660	449
Add: Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest (net of tax)	51	126	92	213
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO BLACKHAWK NETWORK HOLDINGS, INC.	$5,117	$1,624	$1,752	$662

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 14, 2014	Jun. 15, 2013
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Net income before allocation to non-controlling interests	$2,179	$2,264
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	21,688	10,651
Program development cost amortization	11,551	8,748
Provision for doubtful accounts and sales adjustments	1,252	1,682
Employee stock-based compensation expense	6,090	3,462
Distribution partner mark-to-market expense	-88	6,995
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	0	-903
Reversal of reserve for patent litigation	-3,852	0
Excess tax benefit from stock-based awards	-1,024	-398
Other	1,134	0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Settlement receivables	534,315	284,260
Settlement payables	-942,572	-775,899
Accounts receivable, current and long-term	14,061	20,626
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	4,224	7,420
Other assets	-12,259	-10,119
Consumer and customer deposits	-1,409	-61
Accounts payable and accrued operating expenses	-17,808	-13,278
Other current and long-term liabilities	-15,496	-17,662
Income taxes, net	-13,363	-16,457
Net cash used in operating activities	-411,377	-488,669
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Change in overnight cash advances to Safeway	0	430,000
Expenditures for property, equipment and technology	-18,241	-15,110
Payment for working capital adjustment for business acquisitions, net	-1,366	0
Cash received for assumption of liabilities from prior business acquisition	3,917	0
Change in restricted cash	0	8,968
Other	0	-250
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-15,690	423,608
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of note payable	175,000	0
Payments of costs for issuance of note payable	-2,452	0
Payments for acquisition liability	0	-1,881
Payments for initial public offering costs	0	-4,694
Reimbursements for initial public offering costs	0	5,540
Proceeds from issuance of common stock from exercise of employee stock options and employee stock purchase plans	3,620	235
Excess tax benefit from stock-based awards	1,024	398
Other	-694	-484
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	176,498	-886
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	-84	-2,335
DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	-250,653	-68,282
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTSbBeginning of year	550,380	172,665
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTSbEnd of period	$299,727	$104,383

The_Company_and_Significant_Ac

The Company and Significant Accounting Policies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 14, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
The Company and Significant Accounting Policies	'
	The Company and Significant Accounting Policies
	The Company
	Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries (we, us, our), is a leading prepaid payment network utilizing proprietary technology to offer a broad range of prepaid gift, telecom and debit cards, in physical and electronic forms, as well as related prepaid products and payment services in the United States and 21 other countries. Our payment network supports our key constituents: consumers who purchase or receive the products and services we offer, content providers who offer branded gift cards and other prepaid products that are redeemable for goods and services, distribution partners who sell those products and business partners that distribute our products as incentives and rewards. Our product offerings include gift cards, prepaid telecom products and prepaid financial services products, including general purpose reloadable (GPR) cards and our reload network (collectively, prepaid products). We offer gift cards from leading consumer brands (known as closed loop) as well as branded gift and incentive cards from leading payment network card associations such as American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa (known as open loop) and prepaid telecom products offered by prepaid wireless telecom carriers. We also distribute GPR cards, including Green Dot and NetSpend branded cards, as well as PayPower, our proprietary GPR card. We operate a proprietary reload network named Reloadit, which allows consumers to reload funds onto their previously purchased GPR cards. We distribute products across multiple high-traffic channels such as grocery, convenience, specialty and online retailers (referred to as distribution partners) in the Americas, Europe, Australia and Asia.
	Spin-Off
	Prior to April 14, 2014, we were a majority-owned subsidiary of Safeway Inc. (Safeway). On April 14, 2014, Safeway distributed its remaining 37.8 million shares of our Class B common stock to Safeway stockholders (the Spin-Off). As a result of the Spin-Off, we became a stand-alone entity separate from Safeway. See Note 7 –Income Taxes and Note 9 – Related Party Transactions for disclosures regarding this relationship.
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc. are unaudited. We have prepared our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding interim financial reporting. We have condensed or omitted certain information and note disclosures normally included in the financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP pursuant to such rules and regulations. Accordingly, our interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 17, 2014 (the Annual Report). We have prepared our condensed consolidated financial statements on the same basis as our annual audited consolidated financial statements and, in the opinion of management, have reflected all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly our financial position and results of operations for the interim period presented. Our results for the interim period are not necessarily reflective of the results to be expected for the year ending January 3, 2015 or for any other interim period or other future year. Our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 28, 2013, included herein was derived from our audited consolidated financial statements as of that date but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP, including notes to the financial statements.
	Our condensed consolidated financial statements include Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its wholly- or majority-owned domestic and foreign subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances among us and our subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation. Our condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared as if we existed on a stand-alone basis for the periods presented, but may not necessarily reflect the results of operations, financial position or cash flows that would have been achieved if we had existed on a stand-alone basis separate from Safeway during the periods presented.
	Prior to the Spin-Off, our condensed consolidated financial statements included an allocation of expenses arising from certain shared services and infrastructure provided by Safeway. These expenses primarily related to facilities rental and tax services and were allocated using actual costs or estimates based on the portion of services used by us. Management believes that the allocation methodology was reasonable and considers the charges to be a reasonable reflection of the cost of benefits received. Following the Spin-Off, Safeway continues to provide facilities rental to us and provide certain tax services for periods through the Spin-Off based on similar pricing terms as prior to the Spin-Off.
	Significant Accounting Policies
	There have been no material changes to our significant accounting policies, as compared to the significant accounting policies described in the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Annual Report.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements. We generally base our estimates and assumptions on a combination of historical factors, current circumstances, and the experience and judgment of management. Significant estimates and assumptions include, among other things, allowances for doubtful accounts and sales adjustments, useful lives of assets, card redemption patterns and lives, delivery timing for product sales and valuation assumptions with respect to acquisition liabilities, goodwill, other intangible assets, common stock and income taxes. Actual results could differ from our estimates.
	Seasonality
	A significant portion of gift card sales occurs in late December of each year during the holiday selling season. As a result, we earn a significant portion of revenues, net income and cash inflows during the fourth fiscal quarter of each year and remit the majority of the cash, less commissions, to our content providers in January of the following year. The timing of our fiscal year-end, December holiday sales and the related January cash settlement with content providers significantly increases our Cash and cash equivalents, Overnight cash advances to Safeway, Settlement receivables and Settlement payables balances at the end of each fiscal year relative to normal daily balances. The cash settlement with our content providers in January accounts for the majority of the use of cash from operating activities in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows during our first three fiscal quarters. Additionally, our operating income may fluctuate significantly during our first three fiscal quarters due to lower revenues and timing of certain expenses during such fiscal periods. As a result, quarterly financial results are not necessarily reflective of the results to be expected for the year, any other interim period or other future year.
	Restatement
	Subsequent to the issuance of the second quarter 2013 condensed consolidated financial statements, we identified certain IRS limitations related to stock-based compensation as a result of our initial public offering in that quarter that should have been considered in our reported income tax expense for that quarter. Therefore, we have corrected previously issued condensed consolidated financial statements for the 12 and 24 weeks ended June 15, 2013 for a $1.4 million increase in income tax expense, decrease to Net income attributable to Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc. and related impacts to our condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income and cash flows. We have also corrected Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share – Class A and Class B from previously reported amounts of $0.07 and $0.07, respectively, for both the 12 and 24 weeks ended June 15, 2013. Management does not consider these amounts to be material to our previously issued unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
	Reclassification
	In the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, we have reclassified the changes in operating assets and liabilities to separately disclosed changes related to Accounts payable and accrued liabilities among (i) Consumer and customer deposits, (ii) Accounts payable and accrued operating expenses and (iii) Other current liabilities and have also combined the changes of Other current liabilities and Other liabilities as Other current and long-term liabilities. Additionally, we have reclassified the Change in the provision for doubtful accounts and sales adjustments from previously reported amounts to (i) the Provision for doubtful accounts and sales adjustments, (ii) changes in operating assets and liabilities for Settlement receivables and (iii) changes in operating assets and liabilities for Accounts receivable, current and long-term.
	In the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, we have reclassified certain amounts from previously reported amounts in various Operating expenses, including the change in fair value of contingent consideration and acquisition-related expenses previously reported in General and administrative expense, to Business acquisition expense (benefit) and amortization of acquisition intangibles.
	Financing Costs
	We incurred debt issuance costs and paid certain costs to the group of banks in conjunction with entering into our credit agreement, which included a note payable and revolving credit facility (see Note 4 – Financing). We allocated the costs paid to the group of banks between the note payable and revolving credit facility based on their relative fair values and recognized them as discount on note payable and deferred revolving credit facility costs, respectively. We present the deferred revolving credit facility costs and debt issuance costs (collectively, deferred financing costs) in Other assets and the discount on the note payable as a reduction of the carrying value of the Note payable in our accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. We amortize the deferred financing costs and discount on note payable on a straight-line basis over the term of the credit agreement as the difference between the straight-line method and effective interest method is immaterial to our consolidated financial statements.
	Revenue Recognition
	Post-Activation Program Management Fees – In June 2014, pursuant to a contract amendment with one of our card-issuing banks of our open loop incentive cards, the issuing bank agreed to replace certain account service fees and fund expiration fees with a program management fee, defined as a contractually-determined percentage of load value. We recognize these fees in the same manner as our other program management fees described in our Annual Report. The issuing bank agreed to compensate us under this arrangement for cards activated from January 1, 2014. The amendment also provides that, in addition to the program management fee, the issuing bank will compensate us in the same amount that the issuing bank would have paid to us as account service fees and fund expiration fees on such cards to the extent that such fees exceed the program management fees previously paid to us.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncement
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU 2014-09 supersedes all previous revenue recognition guidance with a single revenue recognition model. This new guidance is to be applied retrospectively either to each reporting period presented or with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance at the date of initial application for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Management is still evaluating the impact of this guidance.

Business_Acquisitions

Business Acquisitions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 14, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Business Acquisitions	'
	Business Acquisitions
	As discussed in our Annual Report, in the fourth quarter of 2013, we acquired Retailo AG and its subsidiaries (collectively, Retailo) and substantially all of the net assets of InteliSpend Prepaid Solutions, LLC, and its subsidiaries (collectively, InteliSpend). We have included the results of Retailo and InteliSpend in our consolidated financial statements since the acquisition dates.
	The following pro forma financial information summarizes the combined results of operations of us, Retailo and InteliSpend as though we had been combined as of the beginning of fiscal 2012 (in thousands):
		12 Weeks		24 Weeks
		Ended		Ended
		June 15,		June 15,
		2013		2013
	Total revenues	$	240,741	$	442,921
	Net income attributable to Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc.	1,029		1,267
	The pro forma financial information includes adjustments to amortize the identifiable technology and intangible assets starting at the beginning of 2012. The pro forma financial information is for informational purposes only and is not indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved if the acquisitions had taken place at the beginning of 2012.
	As discussed in our Annual Report, we had not assumed certain cardholder liabilities nor acquired the related cash for our acquisition of InteliSpend due to requirements for a state regulatory approval. In May 2014, we received such approval and subsequently assumed such liabilities and related cash of $3.9 million, which we present as Cash received for assumption of liabilities from prior business acquisition in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 14, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Fair Value Measurements
	We measure certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis. The table below summarizes the fair value of these assets and liabilities as of June 14, 2014 and December 28, 2013 (in thousands):
		June 14, 2014
		Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Total
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents
	Money market mutual funds	$	125,150	$	—		$	—	$	125,150
	Commercial paper	$	—	$	56,000		$	—	$	56,000
	Liabilities
	Contingent consideration	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—
		December 28, 2013
		Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Total
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents
	Money market mutual funds	$	379,000	$	—		$	—	$	379,000
	Liabilities
	Contingent consideration	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—
	Level 1— Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 1 investments include money market mutual funds.
	Level 2— Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable. Level 2 investments include commercial paper. We did not classify any amounts within Level 2 as of December 28, 2013.
	In the 24 weeks ended June 14, 2014, there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2.
	Level 3— Unobservable inputs in which little or no market activity exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions about the inputs that market participants would use in pricing. Level 3 includes the estimated fair value of our contingent consideration liability.
	Contingent Consideration—The fair value of contingent consideration is determined using a discounted cash flows methodology, which reflects our estimated probability of achieving the relevant financial and operational milestones. A significant increase in our estimate of the probability of achieving the relevant financial and operational milestones could materially increase the fair value of contingent consideration.
	The change in fair value of contingent consideration classified as Level 3 for the 24 weeks ended June 14, 2014 and June 15, 2013 is as follows (in thousands):
		24 Weeks Ended
		June 14,		June 15,
		2014		2013
	Contingent Consideration
	Balance – Year-end	$	—	$	18,947
	Decrease in fair value of contingent consideration	—		(903		)
	Settlements	—		(895		)
	Balance – End of period	$	—	$	17,149
	The decrease in the fair value of contingent consideration is recognized in Business acquisition expense (benefit) and amortization of acquisition intangibles, is presented as a non-cash adjustment to net income in our accompanying condensed consolidated statements of cash flows and reflects the changes in the passage of time, expected timing of the contingent payments and our estimate of the probability of achieving the applicable operational milestones. Settlements reflect the resolution of the contingency based on achievement of financial and operational milestones.
	Though we have estimated the fair value of contingent consideration to be zero as of June 14, 2014, we are still liable for up to $18.1 million in payments based on financial and operating results of the final measurement period, which consists of the 52 weeks ending September 8, 2014. Settlements of $0.5 million were payable as of June 15, 2013, and we paid settlements of $1.9 million, of which $1.4 million resulted from fiscal 2012 financial and operational results, during the 24 weeks ended June 15, 2013, which we present as a financing outflow at the acquisition-date fair value in our accompanying condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

Financing

Financing	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 14, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt Disclosure	'
	Financing
	On March 28, 2014, we entered into a credit agreement with a group of banks (the Credit Agreement). The Credit Agreement includes a $175 million  4-year term loan, with an option (expiring in September 2014) to increase such loan to $225 million, and a revolving credit facility of up to $200 million with up to an additional $100 million during the year-end holiday period for specific settlement related requirements. The revolving credit facility includes a $100 million subfacility for the issuance of letters of credit.
	Loans borrowed under the Credit Agreement bear interest, in the case of LIBOR rate loans, at a per annum rate equal to the LIBOR rate plus the Applicable Margin (as defined in the Credit Agreement), which may range from 1.25% to 2.00%, based on our Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement). Loans that are borrowed under the Credit Agreement that are not LIBOR rate loans bear interest at a per annum rate equal to (i) the highest of (A) the rate of interest announced, from time to time, by Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as its “prime rate,” (B) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50% and (C) one-month LIBOR plus 1.00%, plus (ii) the Applicable Margin, which may range from 0.25% to 1.00%, based on our Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio. During the 12 weeks ended June 14, 2014, our interest rate for our Note payable was 1.75%.
	A letter of credit commission on the daily amount available to be drawn under letters of credit issued under the Credit Agreement is payable by us at the rate per annum equal to the Applicable Margin with respect to LIBOR rate loans, which Applicable Margin may range from 1.25% to 2.00% per annum, based on our Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio; provided, however, that the commission on letters of credit secured by cash is payable at the rate of 0.75% per annum. During the 12 weeks ended June 14, 2014, our interest rate for our letter of credit commission was 1.75%.
	A commitment fee on the average daily unused portion of the revolving credit facility is payable by us at the rate per annum equal to the Applicable Margin for that fee, which may range from 0.20% to 0.35%, based on our Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio. Other fees are also payable by us, as referenced in the Credit Agreement. During the 12 weeks ended June 14, 2014, our interest rate for our commitment fee was 0.25%.
	The Credit Agreement contains various loan covenants that restrict our ability to take certain actions and contains financial covenants that require us periodically to meet certain financial tests.
	As of June 14, 2014, we had no amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facility, $41.9 million in outstanding letters of credit and $158.1 million available under our revolving credit facility.
	As of June 14, 2014, we estimate the fair value of our Note payable to be approximately $175 million.
	The following table presents the maturity dates, unamortized discount and net carrying amount of our Note payable as of June 14, 2014 (in thousands):
		June 14,
		2014
	Due March 21, 2015	$	8,750
	Due March 21, 2016	17,500
	Due March 21, 2017	26,250
	Due March 28, 2018	122,500
	Total amount due	$	175,000
	Unamortized discount	(902		)
	Note payable, net of discount, as of June 14, 2014	$	174,098

Condensed_Consolidated_Financi

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statement Details	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 14, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statement Details	'
	Condensed Consolidated Financial Statement Details
	Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets as of June 14, 2014 and December 28, 2013 consisted of the following (in thousands):
		June 14,			December 28,
		2014			2013
	Card stock	$	16,333		$	13,342
	Deferred expenses	7,146			10,126
	Program development costs	3,120			5,767
	Prepaid load value	6,321			10,631
	Income tax receivables	4,314			8,344
	Other prepaids	21,796			19,264
	Total prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	59,030		$	67,474
	Goodwill
	A summary of changes in our goodwill during the 24 weeks ended June 14, 2014 is as follows (in thousands):
		24 Weeks
		Ended
		June 14,
		2014
	Balance – December 28, 2013	$	133,521
	Retailo purchase price adjustment	78
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	(511		)
	Balance – June 14, 2014	$	133,088
	We have finalized our information regarding working capital for our acquisitions of InteliSpend and Retailo and have settled amounts due to or from us for working capital adjustments, which we present as Payment for working capital adjustment for business acquisitions, net in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.
	Other Assets
	Other assets as of June 14, 2014 and December 28, 2013 consisted of the following (in thousands):
		June 14,			December 28, 2013
		2014
	Program development costs	$	56,544		$	58,029
	Other receivables	9,308			19,905
	Income taxes receivable	6,391			5,555
	Deferred financing costs	1,417			—
	Other	9,698			7,189
	Total other assets	$	83,358		$	90,678
	Other Current Liabilities
	Other current liabilities as of June 14, 2014 and December 28, 2013 consisted of the following (in thousands):
		June 14,			December 28, 2013
		2014
	Deferred revenue	$	23,067		$	30,540
	Income taxes payable	2,596			21,167
	Payroll and related liabilities	12,900			20,949
	Acquisition liabilities	—			2,279
	Other payables and accrued liabilities	2,598			6,335
	Total other current liabilities	$	41,161		$	81,270
	Business Acquisition Expense (Benefit) and Amortization of Acquisition Intangibles
	Business acquisition expense (benefit) and amortization of acquisition intangibles for the 12 and 24 weeks ended June 14, 2014 and June 15, 2013 consisted of the following (in thousands):
		12 Weeks Ended						24 Weeks Ended
		June 14,			June 15,			June 14,		June 15,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
	Change in fair value of Cardpool contingent consideration liability (See Note 3—Fair Value Measurements)	$	—		$	(1,481	)	$	—	$	(903	)
	Amortization of intangible assets acquired in business combination	3,425			97			7,835		196
	Acquisition related expenses	33			—			34		—
	Total business acquisition expense (benefit) and amortization of acquisition intangibles	$	3,458		$	(1,384	)	$	7,869	$	(707	)

Stock_Based_Compensation

Stock Based Compensation	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 14, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock Based Compensation	'
	Stock Based Compensation
	During the 24 weeks ended June 14, 2014 our Board of Directors granted 26,250 restricted stock awards, 860,250 restricted stock units, 88,900 performance stock units and 549,500 stock options at a weighted-average exercise price of $26.64 per share.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 14, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	Our effective tax rates were 39.3% and 63.4% for the 12 weeks ended June 14, 2014 and June 15, 2013, respectively and were 40.6% and 62.6% for the 24 weeks ended June 14, 2014 and June 15, 2013, respectively. The effective rates for the 12 weeks and 24 weeks ended June 14, 2014 were lower primarily due to lesser amounts of nondeductible stock-based executive compensation due to IRS limitations.
	Second Amended and Restated Tax Sharing Agreement
	In April 2014, in conjunction with Safeway, we executed the second Amended and Restated Tax Sharing Agreement (the SARTSA), which superseded the previous tax sharing agreements, with respect to the matters addressed by the SARTSA. Under the terms of the SARTSA, if the Spin-Off is treated as taxable, Safeway and we intend to continue to file a consolidated federal tax return and certain state and local tax returns through the date of the Spin-Off, rather than through the date of our initial public offering in April 2013, as discussed in the Annual Report, subject to Safeway’s ultimate determination as to whether such consolidated treatment is appropriate.
	Safeway previously announced that it had entered into the Agreement and Plan of Merger with AB Acquisition LLC dated March 6, 2014 (the Merger Agreement). Assuming that the acquisition of Safeway by AB Acquisition LLC (the Merger) is completed as contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the Spin-Off is expected to be taxable to Safeway and Safeway’s stockholders. Under the SARTSA, any corporate-level income tax incurred as a result of the Spin-Off in the event that the Merger is completed will be borne by Safeway.
	The SARTSA provides that Safeway and we will make an election that is intended to give rise to a step-up in the tax basis of Blackhawk’s assets if the Spin-Off is taxable (the Section 336(e) Election). The actual benefit realized by us from the step-up will depend on, among other things, our value at the time of the Spin-Off and whether we generate adequate taxable income over time to fully utilize deductions associated with any increased tax basis resulting from the Section 336(e) Election.
	If the Merger is not completed, and certain other conditions are satisfied, it is intended that the Spin-Off qualify as a tax-free transaction to Safeway and its stockholders. The SARTSA provides for certain continuing restrictions and covenants applicable to both Safeway and us that are intended to preserve the ability for the Spin-Off to qualify as a tax-free spin-off. Among the restrictions on us are that (i) for up to two years following the termination of the Merger Agreement, subject to certain exceptions, we will not dispose of all or substantially all of our assets, merge with another entity, issue an amount of our stock (or securities convertible or exchangeable into our stock) in one or more transactions that would comprise 40% or more of our value or voting power, facilitate any person becoming the owner of 5% or more of our stock, or cease conducting our current business and (ii) for up to five years from the date of our initial public offering in April 2013, we will not seek to convert any class of our stock into a different class of our stock or change the absolute or relative voting rights of our classes of stock. The SARTSA provides these restrictions will lapse in certain circumstances, including the completion of the Merger or the completion of certain alternative transactions. If the Merger is not completed, each of Safeway and we would be responsible for any taxes resulting from the failure of the Spin-Off to qualify as a tax-free transaction to the extent such taxes are attributable to, or result from, any act or failure to act by Safeway or us, as applicable, or certain transactions involving Safeway or us, as applicable, following the Spin-Off. Safeway and we each would be responsible for 50 percent of taxes from the Spin-Off to the extent such taxes are not attributable to, or do not result from, any act or failure to act by either Safeway or us.
	The SARTSA provides that, in the event that (i) the Merger does not occur, (ii) the Spin-Off is taxable, (iii) Safeway bears the liability for any Spin-Off taxes and (iv) certain other conditions are met, we will make payments to Safeway over time equal to 85 percent of the amount of the tax benefits, if any, that we are deemed to realize as a result of the Section 336(e) Election. The tax benefit deemed realized will be computed by comparing our actual income tax liability (calculated based on certain assumptions) to the amount of income taxes we would have been required to pay had the Section 336(e) Election not been made. Such payments will be made by us to Safeway as we recognize the benefit of the basis step-up, or upon the occurrence of certain events, such as certain changes of control of us or material breaches by us of the provisions in the SARTSA regarding such payments.
	For any states in which we are required under state law to remit Spin-Off taxes (because Safeway does not file combined returns with us in those states), Safeway is responsible for funding the amount of such taxes; however, the SARTSA permits Safeway to determine how to remit such taxes to the applicable state taxing authority. To date, Safeway has determined to fund  these amounts to Blackhawk in exchange for promissory notes. Pursuant to the terms of the notes, Safeway  will contribute the notes to us as paid-in capital when the Merger is completed (and also will do so if the Merger is not completed but the Spin-Off is nonetheless taxable as a result of the negotiation of the Merger (or an alternative acquisition)). If the Merger is not completed, we expect that the Spin-Off will qualify as a tax-free transaction. In that event, we intend to file for refunds of the Spin-Off taxes paid to these states and then repay the notes with the refunded amounts.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 14, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	Legal Matters
	On October 19, 2009, e2Interactive and Interactive Communications International, Inc. (collectively, InComm) filed a lawsuit against us in the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin (the District Court), alleging that we infringed a recently issued patent (the Patent). InComm claimed the rights to “methods, systems and computer programs for processing a store-value card transaction request in a card data management system.” InComm sought injunctive relief, damages and attorneys’ fees. On December 2, 2009, we answered InComm’s complaint and filed counterclaims asserting, among other things, that the Patent was invalid and that InComm engaged in inequitable conduct before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in securing the Patent. We sought a declaration of noninfringement, invalidity and unenforceability of the Patent. On February 28, 2012, the jury found that we had infringed the Patent and awarded damages of $3.5 million plus interest to InComm for such infringement. On February 21, 2013, the District Court awarded InComm costs, such that the total damages outstanding at year end 2013 totaled $3.7 million. We appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (the Federal Circuit). On March 12, 2014, the Federal Circuit reversed the judgment of infringement on the grounds that the asserted claims in the Patent were limited “to require use of the terminal identifier for determining if a terminal is authorized to make the requested transaction” and that we did not make such use of a terminal identifier. InComm requested rehearing en banc at the Federal Circuit. On April 29, 2014, the Federal Circuit denied InComm’s request. We filed a motion with the District Court seeking to have the previous award of damages vacated and also for discharge of the injunction, release of the bond, and for a reversal of costs. The District Court ruled in our favor, vacating the damages award, discharging the injunction, releasing the bond and reversing the costs award. The case remains subject to further proceedings and may be further appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court by the Plaintiffs. We, however, have determined that a loss is no longer probable and accordingly reversed our previously recorded reserve of $3.9 million (including interest) during the 12 weeks ended June 14, 2014 to General and administrative expense.
	There are various claims and lawsuits arising in the normal course of business pending against us, some of which seek damages and other relief which, if granted, may require future cash expenditures. Management does not believe that it is probable that the resolution of these matters would result in any liability that would materially affect our results of operations or financial condition.
	Commitments
	From time to time, we enter into contracts containing provisions that require us to indemnify various parties against certain potential claims from third parties. Under contracts with certain issuing banks, we are responsible to the banks for any unrecovered overdrafts on cardholders’ accounts. Under contracts with certain content and distribution partners, we are responsible for potential losses resulting from certain claims from third parties. Because the indemnity amounts associated with these agreements are not explicitly stated, the maximum amount of the obligation cannot be reasonably estimated. Historically, we have paid limited amounts pursuant to these indemnification provisions.
	Contingencies
	We are subject to audit related to various indirect taxes, including, but not limited to, sales and use taxes, value-added tax, and goods and services tax, in various foreign and state jurisdictions. We evaluate our exposure related to these audits and potential audits and do not believe that it is probable that any audit would hold us liable for any material amounts due.

RelatedParty_Transactions

Related-Party Transactions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 14, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related-Party Transactions	'
	Related-Party Transactions
	Intercompany Revenues and Expenses
	As discussed in Note 1, through April 14, 2014, Safeway was our Parent. The following table presents the amounts of Operating revenues and Other income (expense) from (to) Safeway and Operating expenses to (from) Safeway through the Spin-Off date of April 14, 2014 included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations (in thousands). We continue to recognize Operating revenues from Safeway and Operating expense to (from) Safeway following the Spin-Off.
		12 Weeks Ended						24 Weeks Ended
		June 14,			June 15,			June 14,			June 15,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	OPERATING REVENUES:
	Commissions and fees	$	175		$	518		$	710		$	1,117
	Program, interchange, marketing and other fees	36			383			383			732
	Product sales	11			1,300			863			1,883
	Total operating revenues	222			2,201			1,956			3,732
	OPERATING EXPENSES:
	Distribution partner commissions	3,182			11,772			11,821			21,086
	Processing and services	(32		)	(240		)	(212		)	(348		)
	Sales and marketing	—			(37		)	—			63
	Costs of products sold	—			—			—			—
	General and administrative	196			699			786			1,338
	Total operating expenses	3,346			12,194			12,395			22,139
	OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
	Interest income and other income (expense), net	—			16			—			176
	Interest expense	(5		)	—			(50		)	—
	Intercompany Assets and Liabilities
	The following table presents the amounts of assets and liabilities with Safeway as a related party included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 28, 2013 (in thousands). As of June 14, 2014, Safeway was no longer a related party, and therefore we no longer separately report assets and liabilities with Safeway as related party transactions.
		December 28, 2013
	ASSETS
	Settlement receivables, net	$	95,317
	Accounts receivable, net	1,833
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	8,268
	Other assets	5,555
	LIABILITIES
	Settlement payables	1,636
	Accounts payable and accrued operating expenses	3,554
	Cash Management and Treasury Services Agreement and Guarantees
	In March 2014, Safeway and we terminated our Cash Management and Treasury Services Agreement (the CMATSA). Under the CMATSA, pursuant to unsecured promissory notes, Safeway borrowed available excess cash from us, and we borrowed from Safeway to meet our working capital and capital expenditure requirements (the Note Payable to Safeway). In conjunction with such termination, on March 28, 2014, we fully repaid amounts outstanding under the Note Payable to Safeway, which totaled $103.1 million.
	As a result of the Spin-Off, Safeway no longer provides guarantees to certain content providers.
	We have replaced the Note Payable to Safeway with a credit agreement with a group of banks. See Note 4 — Financing.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 14, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	Earnings Per Share
	We compute basic earnings per share (EPS) by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period and compute diluted EPS by dividing earnings available to common stockholders by the weighted average shares outstanding during the period and the impact of securities that if exercised, would have a dilutive effect on EPS.
	We compute EPS under the two-class method, which is a method of computing EPS when an entity has both common stock and participating securities. We consider nonvested stock as a participating security if it contains rights to receive nonforfeitable dividends at the same rate as common stock. Under the two-class method, we exclude the income and distributions attributable to participating securities from the calculation of basic and diluted EPS and exclude the participating securities from the weighted average shares outstanding.
	Class A and Class B common stock have equal rights to dividends as declared by the Board. As a result, basic and diluted EPS are equivalent for Class A and Class B common stock.
	The following table provides reconciliations of net income and shares used in calculating Basic EPS to those used in calculating Diluted EPS (in thousands except per share amounts):
		12 Weeks Ended							12 Weeks Ended
		June 14, 2014							June 15, 2013
		Basic				Diluted			Basic			Diluted
	Net income attributable to Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc.	$	5,116			$	5,116		$	2,131		$	2,131
	Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	(14		)		(13		)	(53		)	(52		)
	Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	5,102			$	5,103		$	2,078		$	2,079
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	52,307				52,307			51,056			51,056
	Common share equivalents					1,433						1,184
	Weighted-average shares outstanding					53,740						52,240
	Earnings per share– Class A and Class B	$	0.1			$	0.09		$	0.04		$	0.04
		24 Weeks Ended							24 Weeks Ended
		June 14, 2014							June 15, 2013
		Basic				Diluted			Basic			Diluted
	Net income attributable to Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc.	$	2,275			$	2,275		$	2,477		$	2,477
	Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	(47		)		(47		)	(118		)	(118		)
	Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	2,228			$	2,228		$	2,359		$	2,359
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	52,201				52,201			50,713			50,713
	Common share equivalents					1,524						1,033
	Weighted-average shares outstanding					53,725						51,746
	Earnings per share– Class A and Class B	$	0.04			$	0.04		$	0.05		$	0.05
	For the 12 and 24 weeks ended June 14, 2014, distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities include approximately $4,000 and $42,000 , respectively, of payments for the dividend declared by the Board on December 14, 2012 to holders of nonvested stock that vested during such periods. Such payments totaled $25,000 and $74,000 for the 12 and 24 weeks ended June 15, 2013, respectively.
	The weighted-average common shares outstanding for diluted EPS excluded the following potential common stock outstanding because the effect would have been anti-dilutive (in thousands):
		12 Weeks Ended						24 Weeks Ended
		June 14,			June 15,			June 14,		June 15,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
	Employee stock options and stock appreciation rights	692			1,835			421		1,463
	Employee restricted stock and restricted stock units	842			4			5		2
	Warrants issued to distribution partners	—			—			—		—
	Total excluded potential common stock outstanding	1,534			1,839			426		1,465

Subsequent_Event

Subsequent Event	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 14, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Event	'
	Subsequent Event
	On June 19, 2014, we acquired a company that provides cloud-based software solutions in the incentives and rewards industry for cash and stock consideration of approximately $6.7 million. The purchase price allocation is incomplete as we continue to review the forecast assumptions and other relevant factors.

The_Company_and_Significant_Ac1

The Company and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 14, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
The Company	'
	The Company
	Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries (we, us, our), is a leading prepaid payment network utilizing proprietary technology to offer a broad range of prepaid gift, telecom and debit cards, in physical and electronic forms, as well as related prepaid products and payment services in the United States and 21 other countries. Our payment network supports our key constituents: consumers who purchase or receive the products and services we offer, content providers who offer branded gift cards and other prepaid products that are redeemable for goods and services, distribution partners who sell those products and business partners that distribute our products as incentives and rewards. Our product offerings include gift cards, prepaid telecom products and prepaid financial services products, including general purpose reloadable (GPR) cards and our reload network (collectively, prepaid products). We offer gift cards from leading consumer brands (known as closed loop) as well as branded gift and incentive cards from leading payment network card associations such as American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa (known as open loop) and prepaid telecom products offered by prepaid wireless telecom carriers. We also distribute GPR cards, including Green Dot and NetSpend branded cards, as well as PayPower, our proprietary GPR card. We operate a proprietary reload network named Reloadit, which allows consumers to reload funds onto their previously purchased GPR cards. We distribute products across multiple high-traffic channels such as grocery, convenience, specialty and online retailers (referred to as distribution partners) in the Americas, Europe, Australia and Asia.
Spin-Off	'
	Spin-Off
	Prior to April 14, 2014, we were a majority-owned subsidiary of Safeway Inc. (Safeway). On April 14, 2014, Safeway distributed its remaining 37.8 million shares of our Class B common stock to Safeway stockholders (the Spin-Off). As a result of the Spin-Off, we became a stand-alone entity separate from Safeway. See Note 7 –Income Taxes and Note 9 – Related Party Transactions for disclosures regarding this relationship.
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc. are unaudited. We have prepared our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding interim financial reporting. We have condensed or omitted certain information and note disclosures normally included in the financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP pursuant to such rules and regulations. Accordingly, our interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 17, 2014 (the Annual Report). We have prepared our condensed consolidated financial statements on the same basis as our annual audited consolidated financial statements and, in the opinion of management, have reflected all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly our financial position and results of operations for the interim period presented. Our results for the interim period are not necessarily reflective of the results to be expected for the year ending January 3, 2015 or for any other interim period or other future year. Our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 28, 2013, included herein was derived from our audited consolidated financial statements as of that date but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP, including notes to the financial statements.
	Our condensed consolidated financial statements include Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its wholly- or majority-owned domestic and foreign subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances among us and our subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation. Our condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared as if we existed on a stand-alone basis for the periods presented, but may not necessarily reflect the results of operations, financial position or cash flows that would have been achieved if we had existed on a stand-alone basis separate from Safeway during the periods presented.
	Prior to the Spin-Off, our condensed consolidated financial statements included an allocation of expenses arising from certain shared services and infrastructure provided by Safeway. These expenses primarily related to facilities rental and tax services and were allocated using actual costs or estimates based on the portion of services used by us. Management believes that the allocation methodology was reasonable and considers the charges to be a reasonable reflection of the cost of benefits received. Following the Spin-Off, Safeway continues to provide facilities rental to us and provide certain tax services for periods through the Spin-Off based on similar pricing terms as prior to the Spin-Off.
Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Significant Accounting Policies
	There have been no material changes to our significant accounting policies, as compared to the significant accounting policies described in the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Annual Report.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements. We generally base our estimates and assumptions on a combination of historical factors, current circumstances, and the experience and judgment of management. Significant estimates and assumptions include, among other things, allowances for doubtful accounts and sales adjustments, useful lives of assets, card redemption patterns and lives, delivery timing for product sales and valuation assumptions with respect to acquisition liabilities, goodwill, other intangible assets, common stock and income taxes. Actual results could differ from our estimates.
Seasonality	'
	Seasonality
	A significant portion of gift card sales occurs in late December of each year during the holiday selling season. As a result, we earn a significant portion of revenues, net income and cash inflows during the fourth fiscal quarter of each year and remit the majority of the cash, less commissions, to our content providers in January of the following year. The timing of our fiscal year-end, December holiday sales and the related January cash settlement with content providers significantly increases our Cash and cash equivalents, Overnight cash advances to Safeway, Settlement receivables and Settlement payables balances at the end of each fiscal year relative to normal daily balances. The cash settlement with our content providers in January accounts for the majority of the use of cash from operating activities in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows during our first three fiscal quarters. Additionally, our operating income may fluctuate significantly during our first three fiscal quarters due to lower revenues and timing of certain expenses during such fiscal periods. As a result, quarterly financial results are not necessarily reflective of the results to be expected for the year, any other interim period or other future year.
Reclassification	'
	Reclassification
	In the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, we have reclassified the changes in operating assets and liabilities to separately disclosed changes related to Accounts payable and accrued liabilities among (i) Consumer and customer deposits, (ii) Accounts payable and accrued operating expenses and (iii) Other current liabilities and have also combined the changes of Other current liabilities and Other liabilities as Other current and long-term liabilities. Additionally, we have reclassified the Change in the provision for doubtful accounts and sales adjustments from previously reported amounts to (i) the Provision for doubtful accounts and sales adjustments, (ii) changes in operating assets and liabilities for Settlement receivables and (iii) changes in operating assets and liabilities for Accounts receivable, current and long-term.
	In the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, we have reclassified certain amounts from previously reported amounts in various Operating expenses, including the change in fair value of contingent consideration and acquisition-related expenses previously reported in General and administrative expense, to Business acquisition expense (benefit) and amortization of acquisition intangibles.
Financing Costs	'
	Financing Costs
	We incurred debt issuance costs and paid certain costs to the group of banks in conjunction with entering into our credit agreement, which included a note payable and revolving credit facility (see Note 4 – Financing). We allocated the costs paid to the group of banks between the note payable and revolving credit facility based on their relative fair values and recognized them as discount on note payable and deferred revolving credit facility costs, respectively. We present the deferred revolving credit facility costs and debt issuance costs (collectively, deferred financing costs) in Other assets and the discount on the note payable as a reduction of the carrying value of the Note payable in our accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. We amortize the deferred financing costs and discount on note payable on a straight-line basis over the term of the credit agreement as the difference between the straight-line method and effective interest method is immaterial to our consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition
	Post-Activation Program Management Fees – In June 2014, pursuant to a contract amendment with one of our card-issuing banks of our open loop incentive cards, the issuing bank agreed to replace certain account service fees and fund expiration fees with a program management fee, defined as a contractually-determined percentage of load value. We recognize these fees in the same manner as our other program management fees described in our Annual Report. The issuing bank agreed to compensate us under this arrangement for cards activated from January 1, 2014. The amendment also provides that, in addition to the program management fee, the issuing bank will compensate us in the same amount that the issuing bank would have paid to us as account service fees and fund expiration fees on such cards to the extent that such fees exceed the program management fees previously paid to us.
Earnings Per Share	'
	We compute basic earnings per share (EPS) by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period and compute diluted EPS by dividing earnings available to common stockholders by the weighted average shares outstanding during the period and the impact of securities that if exercised, would have a dilutive effect on EPS.
	We compute EPS under the two-class method, which is a method of computing EPS when an entity has both common stock and participating securities. We consider nonvested stock as a participating security if it contains rights to receive nonforfeitable dividends at the same rate as common stock. Under the two-class method, we exclude the income and distributions attributable to participating securities from the calculation of basic and diluted EPS and exclude the participating securities from the weighted average shares outstanding.

Business_Acquisitions_Tables

Business Acquisitions (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 14, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Summary of Pro Forma Financial Information	'
	The following pro forma financial information summarizes the combined results of operations of us, Retailo and InteliSpend as though we had been combined as of the beginning of fiscal 2012 (in thousands):
		12 Weeks		24 Weeks
		Ended		Ended
		June 15,		June 15,
		2013		2013
	Total revenues	$	240,741	$	442,921
	Net income attributable to Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc.	1,029		1,267

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 14, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Summary of Fair Value of Assets, Liabilities and Equity Instruments on Recurring Basis	'
	The table below summarizes the fair value of these assets and liabilities as of June 14, 2014 and December 28, 2013 (in thousands):
		June 14, 2014
		Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Total
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents
	Money market mutual funds	$	125,150	$	—		$	—	$	125,150
	Commercial paper	$	—	$	56,000		$	—	$	56,000
	Liabilities
	Contingent consideration	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—
		December 28, 2013
		Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Total
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents
	Money market mutual funds	$	379,000	$	—		$	—	$	379,000
	Liabilities
	Contingent consideration	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—
Summary of Changes in Fair Value of Contingent Consideration Classified as Level 3	'
	The change in fair value of contingent consideration classified as Level 3 for the 24 weeks ended June 14, 2014 and June 15, 2013 is as follows (in thousands):
		24 Weeks Ended
		June 14,		June 15,
		2014		2013
	Contingent Consideration
	Balance – Year-end	$	—	$	18,947
	Decrease in fair value of contingent consideration	—		(903		)
	Settlements	—		(895		)
	Balance – End of period	$	—	$	17,149

Financing_Tables

Financing (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 14, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Annual Maturities of Notes Payable	'
	The following table presents the maturity dates, unamortized discount and net carrying amount of our Note payable as of June 14, 2014 (in thousands):
		June 14,
		2014
	Due March 21, 2015	$	8,750
	Due March 21, 2016	17,500
	Due March 21, 2017	26,250
	Due March 28, 2018	122,500
	Total amount due	$	175,000
	Unamortized discount	(902		)
	Note payable, net of discount, as of June 14, 2014	$	174,098

Condensed_Consolidated_Financi1

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statement Details (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 14, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets	'
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets as of June 14, 2014 and December 28, 2013 consisted of the following (in thousands):
		June 14,			December 28,
		2014			2013
	Card stock	$	16,333		$	13,342
	Deferred expenses	7,146			10,126
	Program development costs	3,120			5,767
	Prepaid load value	6,321			10,631
	Income tax receivables	4,314			8,344
	Other prepaids	21,796			19,264
	Total prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	59,030		$	67,474
Summary of Changes in Goodwill	'
	A summary of changes in our goodwill during the 24 weeks ended June 14, 2014 is as follows (in thousands):
		24 Weeks
		Ended
		June 14,
		2014
	Balance – December 28, 2013	$	133,521
	Retailo purchase price adjustment	78
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	(511		)
	Balance – June 14, 2014	$	133,088
Schedule of Other Assets	'
	Other assets as of June 14, 2014 and December 28, 2013 consisted of the following (in thousands):
		June 14,			December 28, 2013
		2014
	Program development costs	$	56,544		$	58,029
	Other receivables	9,308			19,905
	Income taxes receivable	6,391			5,555
	Deferred financing costs	1,417			—
	Other	9,698			7,189
	Total other assets	$	83,358		$	90,678
Schedule of Other Current Liabilities	'
	Other current liabilities as of June 14, 2014 and December 28, 2013 consisted of the following (in thousands):
		June 14,			December 28, 2013
		2014
	Deferred revenue	$	23,067		$	30,540
	Income taxes payable	2,596			21,167
	Payroll and related liabilities	12,900			20,949
	Acquisition liabilities	—			2,279
	Other payables and accrued liabilities	2,598			6,335
	Total other current liabilities	$	41,161		$	81,270
Business Acquisition Expense and Amortization of Acquisition Intangibles	'
	Business acquisition expense (benefit) and amortization of acquisition intangibles for the 12 and 24 weeks ended June 14, 2014 and June 15, 2013 consisted of the following (in thousands):
		12 Weeks Ended						24 Weeks Ended
		June 14,			June 15,			June 14,		June 15,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
	Change in fair value of Cardpool contingent consideration liability (See Note 3—Fair Value Measurements)	$	—		$	(1,481	)	$	—	$	(903	)
	Amortization of intangible assets acquired in business combination	3,425			97			7,835		196
	Acquisition related expenses	33			—			34		—
	Total business acquisition expense (benefit) and amortization of acquisition intangibles	$	3,458		$	(1,384	)	$	7,869	$	(707	)

RelatedParty_Transactions_Tabl

Related-Party Transactions (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 14, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Related Party Revenue and Expenses	'
	The following table presents the amounts of Operating revenues and Other income (expense) from (to) Safeway and Operating expenses to (from) Safeway through the Spin-Off date of April 14, 2014 included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations (in thousands). We continue to recognize Operating revenues from Safeway and Operating expense to (from) Safeway following the Spin-Off.
		12 Weeks Ended						24 Weeks Ended
		June 14,			June 15,			June 14,			June 15,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	OPERATING REVENUES:
	Commissions and fees	$	175		$	518		$	710		$	1,117
	Program, interchange, marketing and other fees	36			383			383			732
	Product sales	11			1,300			863			1,883
	Total operating revenues	222			2,201			1,956			3,732
	OPERATING EXPENSES:
	Distribution partner commissions	3,182			11,772			11,821			21,086
	Processing and services	(32		)	(240		)	(212		)	(348		)
	Sales and marketing	—			(37		)	—			63
	Costs of products sold	—			—			—			—
	General and administrative	196			699			786			1,338
	Total operating expenses	3,346			12,194			12,395			22,139
	OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
	Interest income and other income (expense), net	—			16			—			176
	Interest expense	(5		)	—			(50		)	—
	The following table presents the amounts of assets and liabilities with Safeway as a related party included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 28, 2013 (in thousands). As of June 14, 2014, Safeway was no longer a related party, and therefore we no longer separately report assets and liabilities with Safeway as related party transactions.
		December 28, 2013
	ASSETS
	Settlement receivables, net	$	95,317
	Accounts receivable, net	1,833
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	8,268
	Other assets	5,555
	LIABILITIES
	Settlement payables	1,636
	Accounts payable and accrued operating expenses	3,554
Schedule of Related Party Assets and Liabilities	'
	The following table presents the amounts of Operating revenues and Other income (expense) from (to) Safeway and Operating expenses to (from) Safeway through the Spin-Off date of April 14, 2014 included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations (in thousands). We continue to recognize Operating revenues from Safeway and Operating expense to (from) Safeway following the Spin-Off.
		12 Weeks Ended						24 Weeks Ended
		June 14,			June 15,			June 14,			June 15,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	OPERATING REVENUES:
	Commissions and fees	$	175		$	518		$	710		$	1,117
	Program, interchange, marketing and other fees	36			383			383			732
	Product sales	11			1,300			863			1,883
	Total operating revenues	222			2,201			1,956			3,732
	OPERATING EXPENSES:
	Distribution partner commissions	3,182			11,772			11,821			21,086
	Processing and services	(32		)	(240		)	(212		)	(348		)
	Sales and marketing	—			(37		)	—			63
	Costs of products sold	—			—			—			—
	General and administrative	196			699			786			1,338
	Total operating expenses	3,346			12,194			12,395			22,139
	OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
	Interest income and other income (expense), net	—			16			—			176
	Interest expense	(5		)	—			(50		)	—
	The following table presents the amounts of assets and liabilities with Safeway as a related party included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 28, 2013 (in thousands). As of June 14, 2014, Safeway was no longer a related party, and therefore we no longer separately report assets and liabilities with Safeway as related party transactions.
		December 28, 2013
	ASSETS
	Settlement receivables, net	$	95,317
	Accounts receivable, net	1,833
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	8,268
	Other assets	5,555
	LIABILITIES
	Settlement payables	1,636
	Accounts payable and accrued operating expenses	3,554

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 14, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Reconciliations of Net Income and Shares Used in Calculating Basic and Diluted EPS	'
	The following table provides reconciliations of net income and shares used in calculating Basic EPS to those used in calculating Diluted EPS (in thousands except per share amounts):
		12 Weeks Ended							12 Weeks Ended
		June 14, 2014							June 15, 2013
		Basic				Diluted			Basic			Diluted
	Net income attributable to Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc.	$	5,116			$	5,116		$	2,131		$	2,131
	Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	(14		)		(13		)	(53		)	(52		)
	Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	5,102			$	5,103		$	2,078		$	2,079
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	52,307				52,307			51,056			51,056
	Common share equivalents					1,433						1,184
	Weighted-average shares outstanding					53,740						52,240
	Earnings per share– Class A and Class B	$	0.1			$	0.09		$	0.04		$	0.04
		24 Weeks Ended							24 Weeks Ended
		June 14, 2014							June 15, 2013
		Basic				Diluted			Basic			Diluted
	Net income attributable to Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc.	$	2,275			$	2,275		$	2,477		$	2,477
	Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities	(47		)		(47		)	(118		)	(118		)
	Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	2,228			$	2,228		$	2,359		$	2,359
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	52,201				52,201			50,713			50,713
	Common share equivalents					1,524						1,033
	Weighted-average shares outstanding					53,725						51,746
	Earnings per share– Class A and Class B	$	0.04			$	0.04		$	0.05		$	0.05
Schedule of Weighted-Average Common Shares Outstanding for Diluted EPS Excluded	'
	The weighted-average common shares outstanding for diluted EPS excluded the following potential common stock outstanding because the effect would have been anti-dilutive (in thousands):
		12 Weeks Ended						24 Weeks Ended
		June 14,			June 15,			June 14,		June 15,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
	Employee stock options and stock appreciation rights	692			1,835			421		1,463
	Employee restricted stock and restricted stock units	842			4			5		2
	Warrants issued to distribution partners	—			—			—		—
	Total excluded potential common stock outstanding	1,534			1,839			426		1,465

The_Company_and_Significant_Ac2

The Company and Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 14, 2014	Jun. 15, 2013	Jun. 14, 2014	Jun. 15, 2013	Apr. 14, 2014	Jun. 15, 2013	Jun. 15, 2013	Jun. 15, 2013	Jun. 15, 2013
					Safeway Inc.	Restatement Adjustment	Restatement Adjustment	Previously Reported Amount	Previously Reported Amount
					Class B Common Stock
					Spinoff
Accounting Policies	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Tax free distribution, shares	'	'	'	'	37.8	'	'	'	'
Increase in income tax expense	$3,275	$3,470	$1,492	$3,788	'	$1,400	$1,400	'	'
Basic b Class A and Class B (in usd per share)	$0.10	$0.04	$0.04	$0.05	'	'	'	$0.07	$0.07
Diluted b Class A and Class B (in usd per share)	$0.09	$0.04	$0.04	$0.05	'	'	'	$0.07	$0.07

The_Company_and_Significant_Ac3

The Company and Significant Accounting Policies - Phantom (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 14, 2014	Jun. 15, 2013	Jun. 14, 2014	Jun. 15, 2013
Basic b Class A and Class B (in usd per share)	$0.10	$0.04	$0.04	$0.05
Diluted b Class A and Class B (in usd per share)	$0.09	$0.04	$0.04	$0.05
Increase in income tax expense	$3,275	$3,470	$1,492	$3,788
Previously Reported Amount	'	'	'	'
Basic b Class A and Class B (in usd per share)	'	$0.07	'	$0.07
Diluted b Class A and Class B (in usd per share)	'	$0.07	'	$0.07
Restatement Adjustment	'	'	'	'
Increase in income tax expense	'	$1,400	'	$1,400
United States	'	'	'	'
Number of Countries in which Entity Operates	1	'	1	'
Foreign Countries	'	'	'	'
Number of Countries in which Entity Operates	21	'	21	'

Business_Acquisitions_Addition

Business Acquisitions - Additional Infromation (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 14, 2014	Jun. 15, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'	'
Cash received for assumption of liabilities from prior business acquisition	$3,917	$0

Business_Acquisitions_Summary_

Business Acquisitions - Summary of Pro Forma Financial Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 15, 2013	Jun. 15, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'	'
Total revenues	$240,741	$442,921
Net income attributable to Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc.	$1,029	$1,267

Fair_Value_Measurements_Additi

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2012	Jun. 15, 2013	Jun. 14, 2014	Jun. 15, 2013
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions	'	'	'	'
Contingent consideration, payment of settlements	$1,400,000	$500,000	$0	$895,000
Payments for acquisition liability	'	'	0	1,881,000
Maximum	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions	'	'	'	'
Contingent consideration payable	'	'	$18,100,000	'

Fair_Value_Measurements_Summar

Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Fair Value of Assets, Liabilities and Equity Instruments on Recurring Basis (Detail) (Fair Value Measurements, Recurring, USD $)	Jun. 14, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Liabilities	'	'
Contingent consideration	'	'
Level 1	'	'
Liabilities	'	'
Contingent consideration	0	0
Level 2	'	'
Liabilities	'	'
Contingent consideration	0	0
Level 3	'	'
Liabilities	'	'
Contingent consideration	0	0
Money Market Funds	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	125,150	379,000
Money Market Funds | Level 1	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	125,150	379,000
Money Market Funds | Level 2	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Money Market Funds | Level 3	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Commercial Paper	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	56,000	'
Commercial Paper | Level 1	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	'
Commercial Paper | Level 2	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	56,000	'
Commercial Paper | Level 3	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$0	'

Fair_Value_Measurements_Summar1

Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Changes in Fair Value of Contingent Consideration Classified as Level 3 (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 29, 2012	Jun. 14, 2014	Jun. 15, 2013	Jun. 14, 2014	Jun. 15, 2013
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'
Balance b Year-end	$18,947	'	'	$0	$18,947
Decrease in fair value of contingent consideration	'	0	-1,481	0	-903
Settlements	-1,400	'	-500	0	-895
Balance b End of period	'	$0	$17,149	$0	$17,149

Financing_Additional_Informati

Financing - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2014	Jun. 14, 2014	Mar. 28, 2014
2014 Credit Agreement	'	'	'
Debt Instrument	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	'	'	$175,000,000
Debt Instrument, Term	'4 years	'	'
Debt Instrument, Borrowing Capacity Increase Limit	'	'	225,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate During Period	'	1.75%	'
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure	'	175,000,000	'
2014 Credit Agreement | Revolving Credit Facility	'	'	'
Debt Instrument	'	'	'
Line Of Credit Facility, Borrowing Capacity Increase Limit	100,000,000	'	100,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage	'	0.25%	'
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	'	0	'
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	'	158,100,000	'
2014 Credit Agreement | Revolving Credit Facility | Minimum	'	'	'
Debt Instrument	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.20%	'	'
2014 Credit Agreement | Revolving Credit Facility | Maximum	'	'	'
Debt Instrument	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	'	'	200,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.35%	'	'
2014 Credit Agreement | Federal Funds Rate	'	'	'
Debt Instrument	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.50%	'	'
2014 Credit Agreement | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | Minimum	'	'	'
Debt Instrument	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.25%	'	'
2014 Credit Agreement | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | Maximum	'	'	'
Debt Instrument	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.00%	'	'
2014 Credit Agreement | Debt Instrument Variable Rate, One Month LIBOR Base Rate	'	'	'
Debt Instrument	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.00%	'	'
2014 Credit Agreement | Debt Instrument Variable Rate, One Month LIBOR Base Rate | Minimum	'	'	'
Debt Instrument	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.25%	'	'
2014 Credit Agreement | Debt Instrument Variable Rate, One Month LIBOR Base Rate | Maximum	'	'	'
Debt Instrument	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.00%	'	'
Secured Debt | 2014 Credit Agreement	'	'	'
Debt Instrument	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	0.75%	'	0.75%
Letter of Credit | Minimum	'	'	'
Debt Instrument	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.25%	'	'
Letter of Credit | Maximum	'	'	'
Debt Instrument	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.00%	'	'
Letter of Credit | 2014 Credit Agreement	'	'	'
Debt Instrument	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate During Period	'	1.75%	'
Letter of Credit | 2014 Credit Agreement | Revolving Credit Facility	'	'	'
Debt Instrument	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	100,000,000	'	100,000,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	'	$41,900,000	'

Financing_Schedule_of_Annual_M

Financing - Schedule of Annual Maturities of Notes Payable (Detail) (Notes Payable, USD $)	Jun. 14, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Notes Payable	'
Debt Instrument	'
Due March 21, 2015	$8,750
Due March 21, 2016	17,500
Due March 21, 2017	26,250
Due March 28, 2018	122,500
Total amount due	175,000
Unamortized discount	-902
Note payable, net of discount, as of June 14, 2014	$174,098

Condensed_Consolidated_Financi2

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statement Details - Schedule of Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 14, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'	'
Card stock	$16,333	$13,342
Deferred expenses	7,146	10,126
Program development costs	3,120	5,767
Prepaid load value	6,321	10,631
Income tax receivables	4,314	8,344
Other prepaids	21,796	19,264
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets	$59,030	$67,474

Condensed_Consolidated_Financi3

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statement Details - Summary of Changes in Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 14, 2014
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Balance - December 28, 2013	$133,521
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-511
Balance - June 14, 2014	133,088
Retailo	'
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'
Retailo purchase price adjustment	$78

Condensed_Consolidated_Financi4

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statement Details - Schedule of Other Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 14, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'	'
Program development costs	$56,544	$58,029
Other receivables	9,308	19,905
Income taxes receivable	6,391	5,555
Deferred financing costs	1,417	0
Other	9,698	7,189
Total other assets	$83,358	$90,678

Condensed_Consolidated_Financi5

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statement Details - Schedule of Other Current Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 14, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'	'
Deferred revenue	$23,067	$30,540
Income taxes payable	2,596	21,167
Payroll and related liabilities	12,900	20,949
Acquisition liabilities	0	2,279
Other payables and accrued liabilities	2,598	6,335
Total other current liabilities	$41,161	$81,270

Condensed_Consolidated_Financi6

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statement Details - Business Acquisition Expense and Amortization of Acquisition Intangibles (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 14, 2014	Jun. 15, 2013	Jun. 14, 2014	Jun. 15, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	$0	($1,481)	$0	($903)
Amortization of intangible assets acquired in business combination	3,425	97	7,835	196
Acquisition related expenses	33	0	34	0
Total business acquisition expense (benefit) and amortization of acquisition intangibles	$3,458	($1,384)	$7,869	($707)

Stock_Based_Compensation_Addit

Stock Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 14, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award	'
Stock options granted, weighted average exercise price (in usd per share)	$26.64
Restricted Stock Units	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award	'
Stock units granted	860,250
Performance Stock Units	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award	'
Stock units granted	88,900
Employee Stock Options	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award	'
Stock options granted	549,500
Restricted Stock	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award	'
Stock units granted	26,250

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Jun. 14, 2014	Jun. 15, 2013	Jun. 14, 2014	Jun. 15, 2013	Jun. 14, 2014	Mar. 06, 2014
					Spinoff	Safeway Inc.
					Second Amended and Restated Tax Sharing Agreement (SARTSA)	AB Acquisition LLC
						Spinoff
Income Tax Contingency	'	'	'	'	'	'
Effective tax rates	39.30%	63.40%	40.60%	62.60%	'	'
Acquisition date	'	'	'	'	'	6-Mar-14
Description on termination of merger agreement	'	'	'Among the restrictions on us are that (i)B for up to two years following the termination of the Merger Agreement, subject to certain exceptions, we will not dispose of all or substantially all of our assets, merge with another entity, issue an amount of our stock (or securities convertible or exchangeable into our stock) in one or more transactions that would comprise 40% or more of our value or voting power, facilitate any person becoming the owner of 5% or more of our stock, or cease conducting our current business and (ii)B for up to five years from the date of our initial public offering in April 2013, we will not seek to convert any class of our stock into a different class of our stock or change the absolute or relative voting rights of our classes of stock.	'	'	'
Restriction time period following failed merger (in years)	'	'	'	'	'2 years	'
Restriction time period following IPO (in years)	'	'	'	'	'5 years	'
Restriction on voting power	'	'	'	'	40.00%	'
Restriction on stock ownership	'	'	'	'	5.00%	'
Percent of taxes bear by each party from the Spin-Off	'	'	'	'	50.00%	'
Liability for payment of tax benefits to Safeway	'	'	'	'	85.00%	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	6 Months Ended		0 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Jun. 14, 2014	Jun. 15, 2013	Feb. 21, 2013	Feb. 28, 2012	Jun. 14, 2014
			Pending Litigation	Pending Litigation	Pending Litigation
			e2Interactive And Interactive Communications International, Inc. (InComm)	e2Interactive And Interactive Communications International, Inc. (InComm)	e2Interactive And Interactive Communications International, Inc. (InComm)
Loss Contingencies	'	'	'	'	'
Lawsuit filing date	'	'	'	'	'OctoberB 19, 2009
Patent infringement, awarded damages	'	'	$3,700,000	$3,500,000	'
Increase (decrease) of litigation reserve	($3,852,000)	$0	'	'	($3,900,000)

RelatedParty_Transactions_Addi

Related-Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (Safeway, USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2014
Safeway	'
Related Party Transaction	'
Repayment of outstanding note payable	$103.10

RelatedParty_Transactions_Sche

Related-Party Transactions - Schedule of Related Party Revenues and Expenses (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 14, 2014	Jun. 15, 2013	Jun. 14, 2014	Jun. 15, 2013
OPERATING REVENUES:	'	'	'	'
Commissions and fees	$216,341	$176,819	$394,436	$321,294
Program, interchange, marketing and other fees	40,421	28,907	76,086	53,265
Product sales	27,182	20,136	46,537	36,353
OPERATING EXPENSES:	'	'	'	'
Distribution partner commissions	144,023	118,153	262,617	214,135
Processing and services	45,314	34,258	86,939	66,394
Sales and marketing	45,779	39,932	84,570	68,257
Costs of products sold	25,495	18,509	44,799	34,359
General and administrative	10,934	11,015	25,537	22,795
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):	'	'	'	'
Interest income and other income (expense), net	353	96	-56	373
Interest expense	-956	'	-1,001	'
Safeway	'	'	'	'
OPERATING REVENUES:	'	'	'	'
Commissions and fees	175	518	710	1,117
Program, interchange, marketing and other fees	36	383	383	732
Product sales	11	1,300	863	1,883
Total operating revenues	222	2,201	1,956	3,732
OPERATING EXPENSES:	'	'	'	'
Distribution partner commissions	3,182	11,772	11,821	21,086
Processing and services	-32	-240	-212	-348
Sales and marketing	0	-37	0	63
Costs of products sold	0	0	0	0
General and administrative	196	699	786	1,338
Total operating expenses	3,346	12,194	12,395	22,139
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):	'	'	'	'
Interest income and other income (expense), net	0	16	0	176
Interest expense	($5)	$0	($50)	$0

Related_Party_Transactions_Sch

Related Party Transactions - Schedule of Related Party Assets and Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Jun. 14, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'	'
Settlement receivables, net	$276,447	$813,448
Accounts receivable, net	121,766	126,369
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	59,030	67,474
Other assets	83,358	90,678
LIABILITIES	'	'
Settlement payables	538,707	1,484,047
Accounts payable and accrued operating expenses	81,890	99,499
Safeway	'	'
ASSETS	'	'
Settlement receivables, net	'	95,317
Accounts receivable, net	'	1,833
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	'	8,268
Other assets	'	5,555
LIABILITIES	'	'
Settlement payables	'	1,636
Accounts payable and accrued operating expenses	'	$3,554

Earnings_Per_Share_Additional_

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 14, 2014	Jun. 15, 2013	Jun. 14, 2014	Jun. 15, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Payments for dividends declared	$4	$25	$42	$74

Earnings_Per_Share_Reconciliat

Earnings Per Share - Reconciliations of Net Income and Shares Used in Calculating Basic and Diluted EPS (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 14, 2014	Jun. 15, 2013	Jun. 14, 2014	Jun. 15, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc.	$5,116	$2,131	$2,275	$2,477
Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities, Basic	-14	-53	-47	-118
Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities, Diluted	-13	-52	-47	-118
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders, Basic	5,102	2,078	2,228	2,359
Net Income (Loss) attributable to common stockholders, Diluted	$5,103	$2,079	$2,228	$2,359
Weighted-average common shares outstanding-Basic (in shares)	52,307	51,056	52,201	50,713
Common share equivalents (in shares)	1,433	1,184	1,524	1,033
Weighted-average common shares outstanding-Diluted (in shares)	53,740	52,240	53,725	51,746
Basic earnings per shareb Class A and Class B (in usd per share)	$0.10	$0.04	$0.04	$0.05
Diluted earnings per shareb Class A and Class B (in usd per share)	$0.09	$0.04	$0.04	$0.05

Earnings_Per_Share_Schedule_of

Earnings Per Share - Schedule of Weighted-Average Common Shares Outstanding for Diluted EPS Excluded (Detail)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 14, 2014	Jun. 15, 2013	Jun. 14, 2014	Jun. 15, 2013
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share	'	'	'	'
Total excluded potential common stock outstanding	1,534	1,839	426	1,465
Employee stock options and stock appreciation rights	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share	'	'	'	'
Total excluded potential common stock outstanding	692	1,835	421	1,463
Employee restricted stock and restricted stock units	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share	'	'	'	'
Total excluded potential common stock outstanding	842	4	5	2
Warrants issued to distribution partners	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share	'	'	'	'
Total excluded potential common stock outstanding	0	0	0	0

Subsequent_Event_Additional_In

Subsequent Event - Additional Information (Detail) (Subsequent Event, USD $)	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 19, 2014
Subsequent Event	'
Subsequent Event	'
Cash and stock consideration	$6.70