Darling Ingredients (DAR) 10-Q 7 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Entity Information [Line Items]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000916540	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-28	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	28-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	118,215,166

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$8,011	$103,249
Restricted cash	358	361
Accounts receivable, net	106,693	98,131
Inventories	71,280	65,065
Prepaid Expenses	14,267	9,256
Income Taxes Refundable	5,171	0
Other current assets	4,193	1,591
Deferred income taxes	14,358	12,609
Total current assets	224,331	290,262
Property, plant and equipment, less accumulated depreciation of $361,585 at September 28, 2013 and $326,201 at December 29, 2012	522,262	453,927
Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization of $94,446 at September 28, 2013 and $73,021 at December 29, 2012	364,415	337,402
Goodwill	446,742	381,369
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary	116,250	62,495
Other assets	39,635	26,961
Total assets	1,713,635	1,552,416
Current liabilities:	'	'
Current portion of long-term debt	86	82
Accounts payable, principally trade	48,554	54,014
Accrued expenses	99,595	77,588
Total current liabilities	148,235	131,684
Long-term debt, net of current portion	250,076	250,142
Other non-current liabilities	51,086	61,539
Deferred income taxes	105,931	46,615
Total liabilities	555,328	489,980
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 150,000,000 shares authorized; 119,176,005 and 118,622,650 shares issued at September 28, 2013 and at December 29, 2012, respectively	1,192	1,186
Additional paid-in capital	611,789	603,836
Treasury stock, at cost; 960,839 and 807,659 shares at September 28, 2013 and at December 29, 2012, respectively	-12,631	-10,033
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-27,293	-31,329
Retained earnings	585,250	498,776
Total stockholders’ equity	1,158,307	1,062,436
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$1,713,635	$1,552,416

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Assets:	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, accumulated depreciation	$361,585	$326,201
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$94,446	$73,021
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	150,000,000	150,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	119,176,005	118,622,650
Treasury stock, shares	960,839	807,659

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Net sales	$425,786	$452,732	$1,294,801	$1,276,514
Costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Cost of sales and operating expenses	310,089	327,909	942,697	918,516
Selling, general and administrative expenses	42,588	38,523	124,843	112,786
Acquisition Costs	8,326	0	9,157	0
Depreciation and amortization	23,131	20,524	67,074	62,958
Total costs and expenses	384,134	386,956	1,143,771	1,094,260
Operating income	41,652	65,776	151,030	182,254
Other expense:	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	-5,313	-5,868	-16,607	-18,546
Other income/(expense), net	-3,268	232	-2,619	-106
Total other expense	-8,581	-5,636	-19,226	-18,652
Equity in net income/(loss) of unconsolidated subsidiary	11,953	-833	8,796	-1,725
Income before income taxes	45,024	59,307	140,600	161,877
Income taxes	17,373	22,135	54,126	59,909
Net income	$27,651	$37,172	$86,474	$101,968
Basic income per share	$0.23	$0.32	$0.73	$0.87
Diluted income per share	$0.23	$0.31	$0.73	$0.86

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Net income	$27,651	$37,172	$86,474	$101,968
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Pension adjustments, net of tax	806	742	2,416	2,226
Total other comprehensive income	1,180	825	4,036	2,789
Total comprehensive income	28,831	37,997	90,510	104,757
Natural Gas Swap [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Derivative adjustments, net of tax	49	83	-12	404
Corn Option [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Derivative adjustments, net of tax	325	0	1,632	0
Interest Rate Swap [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Derivative adjustments, net of tax	$0	$0	$0	$159

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$86,474	$101,968
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	67,074	62,958
Loss/(gain) on disposal of property, plant, equipment and other assets	-798	1,063
Gain on insurance proceeds from insurance settlement	-1,981	-1,906
Deferred taxes	33,707	15,652
Decrease in long-term pension liability	-2,830	-319
Stock-based compensation expense	7,394	7,409
Write-off deferred loan costs	0	725
Deferred loan cost amortization	2,312	2,280
Equity in net income/(loss) of unconsolidated subsidiary	-8,796	1,725
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:	'	'
Accounts receivable	949	-3,456
Income taxes refundable/payable	-5,974	15,259
Inventories and prepaid expenses	-9,565	-15,361
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	10,603	8,482
Other	-9,864	91
Net cash provided by operating activities	168,705	196,570
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Capital expenditures	-85,719	-84,154
Acquisition	-121,440	-3,000
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary	-44,959	-34,416
Gross proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment and other assets	1,666	2,989
Proceeds from Insurance Settlement, Investing Activities	1,981	1,906
Payments related to routes and other intangibles	-2,374	0
Net cash used by investing activities	-250,845	-116,675
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Payments on long-term debt	-62	-30,013
Deferred loan costs	-11,138	0
Issuance of common stock	32	64
Minimum withholding taxes paid on stock awards	-2,649	-3,365
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	719	2,169
Net cash used by financing activities	-13,098	-31,145
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	-95,238	48,750
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	103,249	38,936
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	8,011	87,686
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:	'	'
Accrued capital expenditures	-2,119	0
Cash paid during the period for:	'	'
Interest, net of capitalized interest	9,160	10,096
Income taxes, net of refunds	$30,282	$27,783

General

General	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
General [Abstract]	'
General	'
	General
	Darling International Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Darling”, and together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”), is a leading provider of rendering, used cooking oil and bakery residual recycling and recovery solutions to the nation's food industry. The Company collects and recycles animal by-products, bakery residual and used cooking oil from poultry and meat processors, commercial bakeries, grocery stores, butcher shops, and food service establishments and provides grease trap cleaning services to many of the same establishments. The Company operates over 120 processing and transfer facilities located throughout the United States to process raw materials into finished products such as protein (primarily meat and bone meal (“MBM”) and poultry meal (“PM”)), hides, fats (primarily bleachable fancy tallow (“BFT”), poultry grease (“PG”) and yellow grease (“YG”)) and bakery by-products (“BBP”) as well as a range of branded and value-added products. The Company sells these products domestically and internationally, primarily to producers of animal feed, pet food, fertilizer, bio-fuels and other consumer and industrial ingredients including oleo-chemicals, soaps and leather goods for use as ingredients in their products or for further processing. The accompanying consolidated financial statements for the three and nine month periods ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, have been prepared by the Company in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  The information furnished herein reflects all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present a fair statement of the financial position and operating results of the Company as of and for the respective periods. However, these operating results are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for a full fiscal year. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.  However, management of the Company believes, to the best of their knowledge, that the disclosures herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.  The accompanying consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	(a)	Basis of Presentation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Darling and its consolidated subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	(b)	Fiscal Periods
	The Company has a 52/53 week fiscal year ending on the Saturday nearest December 31.  Fiscal periods for the consolidated financial statements included herein are as of September 28, 2013, and include the 13 and 39 weeks ended September 28, 2013, and the 13 and 39 weeks ended September 29, 2012.
	(c)	Revenue Recognition
	The Company recognizes revenue on sales when products are shipped and the customer takes ownership and assumes risk of loss.  Certain customers may be required to prepay prior to shipment in order to maintain payment protection related to certain foreign and domestic sales.  These amounts are recorded as unearned revenue and recognized when the products have shipped and the customer takes ownership and assumes risk of loss.  The Company has formula arrangements with certain suppliers whereby the charge or credit for raw materials is tied to published finished product commodity prices after deducting a fixed processing fee incorporated into the formula and is recorded as a cost of sale by line of business.  The Company recognizes revenue related to grease trap servicing and industrial residual removal in the fiscal month the trap service or industrial residual removal occurs.
	(d)	Reclassifications
	Certain immaterial prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
	(e)	Earnings Per Share
	Basic income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares including non-vested and restricted shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period increased by dilutive common equivalent shares determined using the treasury stock method.
		Net Income per Common Share (in thousands, except per share data)
		Three Months Ended
				September 28, 2013						September 29, 2012
		Income		Shares		Per Share		Income		Shares		Per Share
	Basic:
	Net Income	$	27,651	118,208		$	0.23	$	37,172	117,678		$	0.32
	Diluted:
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Add: Option shares in the money and dilutive effect of non-vested stock			690						792
	Less: Pro forma treasury shares			(418	)					(296	)
	Diluted:
	Net income	$	27,651	118,480		$	0.23	$	37,172	118,174		$	0.31
		Net Income per Common Share (in thousands, except per share data)
		Nine Months Ended
				September 28, 2013						September 29, 2012
		Income		Shares		Per Share		Income		Shares		Per Share
	Basic:
	Net Income	$	86,474	118,156		$	0.73	$	101,968	117,531		$	0.87
	Diluted:
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Add: Option shares in the money and dilutive effect of non-vested stock			688						844
	Less: Pro forma treasury shares			(296	)					(326	)
	Diluted:
	Net income	$	86,474	118,548		$	0.73	$	101,968	118,049		$	0.86
	For the three months ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, respectively, 331,367 and 207,890 outstanding stock options were excluded from diluted income per common share as the effect was antidilutive. For the three months ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, respectively, 55,465 and 100,615 shares of non-vested stock were excluded from diluted income per common share as the effect was antidilutive.
	For the nine months ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, respectively, 284,787 and 211,890 outstanding stock options were excluded from diluted income per common share as the effect was antidilutive. For the nine months ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, respectively, 59,853 and 111,675 shares of non-vested stock were excluded from diluted income per common share as the effect was antidilutive.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Acquisitions [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions	'
	Acquisitions
	The Company notes the acquisitions discussed below are not considered related businesses, therefore are not required to be treated as a single business combination.  Pro forma results of operations for these acquisitions have not been presented because the effect of each acquisition individually is not deemed material to revenues and net income of the Company for any fiscal period presented.
	On August 26, 2013, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Darling, Darling AWS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, acquired all of the shares of Terra Holding Company, a Delaware corporation, and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Terra Renewal Services, Inc., an Arkansas corporation ("TRS"), and EV Acquisition, Inc., an Arkansas corporation (the "Terra Transaction"). The Terra Transaction will increase the Company's rendering portfolio by adding to the Company's existing rendering segments grease collection businesses and add an industrial residuals business as a new line of service for the Company's rendering raw material suppliers within the rendering segment.
	Effective August 26, 2013, the Company began including the operations acquired in the Terra Transaction into the Company's consolidated financial statements.  The Company paid approximately $121.4 million in cash for assets and assumed liabilities consisting of property, plant and equipment of $27.2 million, intangible assets of $46.1 million, goodwill of $65.4 million, deferred tax liability of $23.9 million and working capital of $6.6 million on the closing date.  The goodwill from the Terra Transaction was assigned to the Rendering segment and is not deductible for tax purposes, though TRS has approximately $5.2 million of goodwill deductible for tax purposes related to prior acquisitions. The identifiable intangibles have a weighted average life of 12 years. Final determination of the value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed may result in adjustments to the values presented above with a corresponding adjustment to goodwill.
	On June 8, 2012, the Company completed its acquisition of substantially all of the assets of RVO BioPur, LLC ("BioPur"). Headquartered in Waterbury, Connecticut, BioPur provides used cooking oil collection and grease trap services to restaurants and food service establishments in the New England area of the Company's existing East coast operations.

Subsquent_Events_Notes

Subsquent Events (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	'
	Subsequent Events
	On October 28, 2013, Darling completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Rothsay, a division of Maple Leaf Foods Inc., a Canadian corporation (“MFI”), for approximately CAD $645 million in cash through borrowings under the Senior Secured Facilities. Rothsay has a network of five rendering plants in Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia and a biodiesel operation in Quebec, Canada. Rothsay is the leading recycler of animal by-products in Canada and provides an essential service for the efficient and environmentally responsible collecting, processing and recapture of edible and inedible by-products. These products are sold in domestic and international markets, including the U.S., Europe, Mexico and South America. Rothsay also manufactures biodiesel for domestic and international markets.
	On October 5, 2013, Darling and VION Holding N.V., a Dutch limited liability company ("VION"), entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement (the "SPA"), pursuant to which Darling will acquire all of the shares of VION Ingredients Nederland (Holding) B.V., VION Ingredients International (Holding) B.V., and VION Ingredients Germany GmbH (collectively, the "Vion Companies") for approximately EUR 1.6 billion, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the SPA. Each of the Vion Companies is a wholly-owned subsidiary of VION. At the consummation of the contemplated transaction, the Vion Companies will directly or indirectly own all of the shares of the VION subsidiaries in VION’s Ingredients division and the interests in various operating joint ventures in VION’s Ingredients division (collectively, the "Group Companies"). The Group Companies together conduct the business of the development, production, and marketing and sale of products of animal origin (the "Ingredients Business"). Vion Ingredients is a worldwide leader in the development and production of specialty ingredients from animal origin for applications in pharmaceuticals, food, feed, pet food, fertilizer and bio-energy. Vion Ingredients’ global network of 58 facilities on five continents covers all aspects of animal byproduct processing through six brands including Ecoson (green power), Rendac (rendering/energy), Sonac (proteins, fats, edible fats and blood products), Rousselot (gelatin), CTH (natural casings), and Best Hides (hides).
	In connection with the SPA, on October 5, 2013, Darling received commitments pursuant to commitment letters (the "Commitments") from JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. ("JPMorgan"), Bank of Montreal, acting under its trade name BMO Capital Markets ("BMO") and Goldman Sachs Bank USA with respect to a $1.2 billion term loan B facility and a $1.3 billion senior unsecured bridge facility, to finance the transaction. The Commitments are subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions and execution of definitive documentation regarding such loans.
	Darling and VION have each made customary representations, warranties, and covenants in the SPA, including, among others, VION’s covenants (i) to use all reasonable efforts to cause each Group Company to conduct the Ingredients Business in the ordinary and usual course between the execution of the SPA and the closing, subject to certain exceptions, (ii) to avoid incurring any loss or making any payment under any cash pool or netting arrangement of the benefit of any party other than the Group Companies, (iii) to cause all positions under foreign exchange agreements to be unwound on customary terms by the closing, and (iv) not to solicit any of the employees of the Ingredients Business for a certain period of time.
	The closing is subject to the following customary conditions: (i) merger clearance from the relevant competition authorities, (ii) compliance with relevant works council and trade union procedures, and (iii) completion of the debt settlement plan and all the steps necessary to transfer the Ingredients Business to the Group Companies and carve out any other business from the Group Companies.
	The foregoing description of the SPA is not a complete description of all of the parties’ rights and obligations under the SPA and is qualified in its entirety by the SPA, a copy of which was filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 10, 2013.
	In November 2013, the Company entered into foreign currency exchange forward contracts to mitigate the foreign exchange rate risk of the expected acquisition price of the Vion Companies. Under the terms of the exchange contracts, the Company exchanged U.S. dollars for EUR 650.0 million at a fixed weighted average price of approximately 1.349 with a maturity date of early January 2014.

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_S

Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiary

9 Months Ended

Sep. 28, 2013

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

'

Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiary

'

Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiary

The Company announced on January 21, 2011 that a wholly-owned subsidiary of Darling entered into a limited liability company agreement with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Valero Energy Corporation (“Valero”) to form Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC (the “Joint Venture”). The Joint Venture is owned 50% / 50% with Valero and was formed to design, engineer, construct and operate a renewable diesel plant (the “Facility”), which is capable of producing approximately 9,300 barrels per day of renewable diesel fuel and certain other co-products, and is located adjacent to Valero's refinery in Norco, Louisiana. The Joint Venture reached mechanical completion and began the production of renewable diesel in late June 2013.

On May 31, 2011, the Joint Venture and Diamond Green Diesel LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Joint Venture (“Opco”), entered into (i) a facility agreement (the “Facility Agreement”) with Diamond Alternative Energy, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Valero (the “Lender”), and (ii) a loan agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with the Lender, which provided the Joint Venture with a 14 year multiple advance term loan facility of approximately $221,300,000 (the “JV Loan”) to support the design, engineering and construction of the Facility, which is now in production. The Facility Agreement and the Loan Agreement prohibit the Lender from assigning all or any portion of the Facility Agreement or the Loan Agreement to unaffiliated third parties. Opco has also pledged substantially all of its assets to the Lender, and the Joint Venture has pledged all of Opco's equity interests to the Lender, until the JV Loan has been paid in full and the JV Loan has terminated in accordance with its terms.

Based on the sponsor support agreements executed in connection with the Facility Agreement and the Loan Agreement relating to the Joint Venture with Valero, the Company has contributed a total of approximately $111.7 million for completion of the Facility including the Company's portion of cost overruns and working capital funding.

Selected financial information for the Company's Joint Venture is as follows:

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

As of September 30, 2013

30-Sep-13

30-Sep-13

Total Assets

Partners' Capital

Revenues

Net Income

Revenues

Net Income

$

482,779

$

232,501

$

96,475

$

23,907

$

96,517

$

17,593

As of September 28, 2013 under the equity method of accounting, the Company has an investment in the Joint Venture of approximately $116.3 million on the consolidated balance sheet and has recorded approximately $8.8 million and $12.0 million of income and $1.7 million and $0.8 million in losses in the unconsolidated subsidiary for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, respectively.

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	Debt
	Credit Facilities
	Senior Secured Credit Facilities. On September 27, 2013, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") restating its then existing credit agreement dated December 17, 2010 (as amended by the First Amendment dated March 25, 2011) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. The Credit Agreement provides for senior secured credit facilities (the “Senior Secured Facilities”) in the aggregate principal amount of $1.35 billion comprised of a five-year revolving loan facility of $1.0 billion (approximately $100.0 million of which will be available for a letter of credit sub-facility and $50.0 million of which will be available for a swingline sub-facility) and a five-year delayed-draw term loan facility of $350.0 million all of which is available as of September 28, 2013. The revolving loan facility is available to be borrowed by the Company in U.S. dollars and Canadian dollars, and up to $225.0 million of the revolving loan facility is available to be borrowed in Canadian dollars by Darling International Canada Inc. (“Darling Canada”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. $200.0 million of the term loan facility is available to be borrowed in U.S. dollars by the Company and $150.0 million of the term loan facility is available to be borrowed in Canadian dollars by Darling Canada. The Company and Darling Canada will use the proceeds of the term loan facility and a portion of the revolving loan facility to pay a portion of the consideration of Darling Canada’s acquisition of the Rothsay division of Maple Leaf Foods Inc. (“Rothsay”), to pay related fees and expenses and to refinance certain existing indebtedness and will use the revolving loan facility to provide for working capital needs, general corporate purposes and for other purposes not prohibited by the Credit Agreement. Immediately following the Closing Date, there were no loans outstanding under the Credit Agreement. As of September 28, 2013, the Company had availability of $967.3 million under the revolving loan facility, taking into account no outstanding borrowings and letters of credit issued of $32.7 million. As of September 28, 2013, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the delayed-draw term loan facility and has capitalized approximately $12.0 million of deferred loan costs.
	The interest rate applicable to any borrowings under the revolving loan facility and the term loan facility is variable based upon the Company's consolidated total leverage ratio and ranges from London Inter-Bank Offer Rate ("LIBOR")/Canadian Dealer Offered Rate ("CDOR") plus 1.50% to 2.75% per annum or base rate/Canadian prime rate plus 0.50% to 1.75% per annum. Base rate means a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the prime rate in effect, (b) the federal funds effective rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus ½ of 1% and (c) the adjusted LIBOR for a one month interest period plus 1%. Canadian prime rate means the rate per annum to be the higher of (i) the rate of interest per annum most recently announced or established by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Toronto Branch as its reference rate in effect on such day for determining interest rates for Canadian Dollar denominated commercial loans in Canada and (ii) the sum of the yearly interest rate to which the one-month CDOR rate is equivalent plus 1.0%.
	The Credit Agreement contains various customary representations and warranties by the Company, which include customary use of materiality, material adverse effect and knowledge qualifiers. The Credit Agreement also contains (a) certain affirmative covenants that impose certain reporting and/or performance obligations on the Company and its restricted subsidiaries, (b) certain negative covenants that generally prohibit, subject to various exceptions, the Company and its restricted subsidiaries from taking certain actions, including, without limitation, incurring indebtedness, making investments, incurring liens, paying dividends, and engaging in mergers and consolidations, sale leasebacks and sales of assets, (c) financial covenants comprising a maximum total leverage ratio, a maximum secured leverage ratio and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and (d) customary events of default (including a change of control). Obligations under the Senior Secured Facilities may be declared due and payable upon the occurrence and during the continuance of such customary events of default.
	In the first quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company repaid the remaining balance of $30.0 million under the term loan incurred in 2010 and incurred a write-off of a portion of the deferred loan costs relating to such term loan of approximately $0.7 million in the nine-month period ending September 29, 2012, which is included in interest expense.
	Senior Notes. On December 17, 2010, Darling issued $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 8.5% Senior Notes due 2018 (the “Notes”) under an indenture with U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the "Notes Indenture"). Darling used the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes to finance in part the cash portion of the purchase price paid in connection with Darling's acquisition of Griffin Industries, Inc. The Company will pay 8.5% annual cash interest on the Notes on June 15 and December 15 of each year. Other than for extraordinary events such as change of control and defined assets sales, the Company is not required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments on the Notes.
	The Company may at any time and from time to time purchase Notes in the open market or otherwise. The Company may redeem some or all of the Notes at any time prior to December 15, 2014, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date and an Applicable Premium (as defined below) as of the date of redemption subject to the rights of holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.
	On and after December 15, 2014, the Company may redeem all or, from time to time, a part of the Notes (including any additional Notes) upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes, if any, to the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on December 15 of the years indicated below:
	Year	Percentage
	2014	104.25%
	2015	102.13%
	2016 and thereafter	100.00%
	In addition, until December 15, 2013, the Company may, at its option, redeem up to 35% of the original principal amount of the Notes with the net cash proceeds of one or more equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 108.5% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date, subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date; provided that at least 65% of the original principal amount of the Notes remains outstanding immediately after each such redemption; provided further that the redemption occurs within 90 days after the closing of such equity offering.
	The Company is permitted to redeem some or all of the Notes at any time prior to December 15, 2014, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date and an Applicable Premium (as defined in the Note Indenture) as of the date of redemption subject to the rights of holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.
	The indenture contains covenants limiting Darling's ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness or issue preferred stock, pay dividends on or make other distributions or repurchase of Darling's capital stock or make other restricted payments, create restrictions on the payment of dividends or other amounts from Darling's restricted subsidiaries to Darling or Darling's other restricted subsidiaries, make loans or investments, enter into certain transactions with affiliates, create liens, designate Darling's subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries, and sell certain assets or merge with or into other companies or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of Darling's assets.
	The indenture also provides for customary events of default, including, without limitation, payment defaults, covenant defaults, cross acceleration defaults to certain other indebtedness in excess of specified amounts, certain bankruptcy and insolvency events of default and judgment defaults in excess of specified amounts. If any such event of default occurs and is continuing under the indenture, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the total outstanding Notes may declare the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding Notes issued under the indenture to be due and payable immediately.
	The Credit Agreement and the Notes consisted of the following elements at September 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively (in thousands):
		September 28,		December 29,
		2013		2012
	Senior Notes:
	8.5% Senior Notes due 2018	$	250,000	$	250,000
	Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
	Term Loan	$	—	$	—
	Revolving Credit Facility:
	Maximum availability	$	1,000,000	$	415,000
	Borrowings outstanding	—		—
	Letters of credit issued	32,668		30,119
	Availability	$	967,332	$	384,881
	The obligations of the Company under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by Darling National LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Darling National"), Griffin Industries LLC, a Kentucky limited liability company ("Griffin"), and its subsidiary, Craig Protein Division, Inc ("Craig Protein"), Darling AWS LLC, Terra Holding Company, Darling Global Holdings Inc., Darling Northstar LLC, Terra Renewal Services, Inc. and EV Acquisition, Inc., each of which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and are secured, subject to certain exceptions, by a perfected first priority security interest in all tangible and intangible personal property of the Company and the guarantors, including a pledge of 100% of the equity interests of certain domestic subsidiaries and 65% of the equity interests of certain foreign subsidiaries. The Notes are guaranteed by each of the foregoing subsidiaries, and effective as of September 27, 2013, the Notes are secured on an equal and ratable basis with the Company's and the guarantors' obligations under the Credit Agreement. The Notes and the guarantees thereof rank equally in right of payment to any existing and future senior debt of Darling and the guarantors, including debt that is secured by the collateral for the Credit Agreement and the Notes. The Notes and the guarantees thereof will be effectively junior to existing and future debt of Darling and the guarantors that is secured by assets that do not constitute collateral for the Credit Agreement and the Notes, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt. The Notes and the guarantees thereof will be structurally subordinated to all of the existing and future liabilities (including trade payables) of each of the subsidiaries of Darling that do not guarantee the Notes.
	As of September 28, 2013, the Company believes it is in compliance with all of the financial covenants, as well as all of the other covenants, contained in the Credit Agreement and the Notes Indenture.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The Company has provided income taxes for the three-month periods ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, based on its estimate of the effective tax rate for the entire 2013 and 2012 fiscal years.
	The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method.  Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.  The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. At September 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, the Company had net deferred tax liabilities of $91.6 million and $34.0 million, respectively. The increase in the net deferred tax liability is principally due to deferred liabilities acquired in the stock acquisition resulting in carryover tax basis in the Terra Transaction.
	The Company periodically assesses whether it is more likely than not that it will generate sufficient taxable income to realize its deferred income tax assets.  In making this determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence and makes certain assumptions.  The Company considers, among other things, its deferred tax liabilities, the overall business environment, its historical earnings and losses, current industry trends and its outlook for future years.  Although the Company is unable to carry back any of its net operating losses, based upon recent favorable operating results and future projections, the Company believes it is more likely than not that certain net operating losses can be carried forward and utilized and other deferred tax assets, except U.S. foreign tax credit carryforwards, will be realized.
	The Company’s major taxing jurisdiction is the U.S. (federal and state).  The Company is subject to regular examination by various tax authorities. The Company concluded an Internal Revenue Service examination for fiscal 2009 and 2010 tax years and paid approximately $0.7 million of taxes, which was accrued prior to the first quarter of fiscal 2013. The statute of limitations for the Company's federal return is open for the 2011 and 2012 tax years. The Company is under examination with respect to certain state tax jurisdictions, which it reasonably anticipates finalizing within the next twelve months. Although the final outcome of these examinations is not yet determinable, the Company does not anticipate that any of the state examinations will have a significant impact on the Company's results of operations or financial position. The statute of limitations for the Company's state returns is open for varying periods and jurisdictions, but is generally closed through the 2008 tax year. As of September 28, 2013, the Company has no unrecognized tax positions and does not reasonably expect any material changes to the Company's unrecognized tax positions in the next twelve months.

Other_Comprehensive_Income

Other Comprehensive Income	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'
Comprehensive Income	'
	Other Comprehensive Income
	The Company follows Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") authoritative guidance for reporting and presentation of comprehensive income or loss and its components.  Other comprehensive income (loss) is derived from adjustments that reflect pension adjustments, natural gas derivative adjustments, corn option adjustments and interest rate swap derivative adjustments. The components of other comprehensive income (loss) and the related tax impacts for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012 are as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		Before-Tax						Tax (Expense)						Net-of-Tax
		Amount						or Benefit						Amount
		September 28, 2013			September 29, 2012			September 28, 2013			September 29, 2012			September 28, 2013			September 29, 2012
	Defined benefit pension plans
	Amortization of prior service cost	$	15		$	23		$	(6	)	$	(9	)	$	9		$	14
	Amortization of actuarial loss	1,300			1,189			(503		)	(461		)	797			728
	Total defined benefit pension plans	1,315			1,212			(509		)	(470		)	806			742
	Natural gas swap derivatives
	Loss/(gain) reclassified to net income	95			259			(37		)	(101		)	58			158
	Gain/(loss) activity recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	(14		)	(123		)	5			48			(9		)	(75		)
	Total natural gas swap derivatives	81			136			(32		)	(53		)	49			83
	Corn option derivatives
	Loss/(gain) reclassified to net income	(2,155		)	—			835			—			(1,320		)	—
	Gain/(loss) activity recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	2,676			—			(1,031		)	—			1,645			—
	Total corn option derivatives	521			—			(196		)	—			325			—
	Interest rate swap derivatives
	Loss reclassified to net income	—			—			—			—			—			—
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	$	1,917		$	1,348		$	(737	)	$	(523	)	$	1,180		$	825
		Nine Months Ended
		Before-Tax						Tax (Expense)						Net-of-Tax
		Amount						or Benefit						Amount
		September 28, 2013			September 29, 2012			September 28, 2013			September 29, 2012			September 28, 2013			September 29, 2012
	Defined benefit pension plans
	Amortization of prior service cost	$	45		$	67		$	(18	)	$	(25	)	$	27		$	42
	Amortization of actuarial loss	3,900			3,567			(1,511		)	(1,383		)	2,389			2,184
	Total defined benefit pension plans	3,945			3,634			(1,529		)	(1,408		)	2,416			2,226
	Natural gas swap derivatives
	Loss/(gain) reclassified to net income	(92		)	1,267			35			(491		)	(57		)	776
	Gain/(loss) activity recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	73			(606		)	(28		)	234			45			(372		)
	Total natural gas swap derivatives	(19		)	661			7			(257		)	(12		)	404
	Corn option derivatives
	Loss/(gain) reclassified to net income	(3,063		)	—			1,187			—			(1,876		)	—
	Gain/(loss) activity recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	5,717			—			(2,209		)	—			3,508			—
	Total corn option derivatives	2,654			—			(1,022		)	—			1,632			—
	Interest rate swap derivatives
	Loss reclassified to net income	—			260			—			(101		)	—			159
	Other Comprehensive income (loss)	$	6,580		$	4,555		$	(2,544	)	$	(1,766	)	$	4,036		$	2,789
	The following table presents the amounts reclassified out of each component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012 as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 28, 2013			September 29, 2012			September 28, 2013			September 29, 2012			Statement of Operations Classification
	Derivative instruments
	Natural gas swap derivatives	$	(95	)	$	(259	)	$	92		$	(1,267	)	Cost of sales and operating expenses
	Corn option derivatives	2,155			—			3,063			—			Cost of sales and operating expenses
	Interest rate swap derivatives	—			—			—			(260		)	Interest expense
		2,060			(259		)	3,155			(1,527		)	Total before tax
		(798		)	101			(1,222		)	592			Income taxes
		1,262			(158		)	1,933			(935		)	Net of tax
	Defined benefit pension plans
	Amortization of prior service cost	$	(15	)	$	(23	)	$	(45	)	$	(67	)	(a)
	Amortization of actuarial loss	(1,300		)	(1,189		)	(3,900		)	(3,567		)	(a)
		(1,315		)	(1,212		)	(3,945		)	(3,634		)	Total before tax
		509			470			1,529			1,408			Income taxes
		(806		)	(742		)	(2,416		)	(2,226		)	Net of tax
	Total reclassifications	$	456		$	(900	)	$	(483	)	$	(3,161	)	Net of tax
	(a)	These items are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See Note 9 Employee Benefit Plans for additional information.
	The following table presents changes in each component of accumulated comprehensive income (loss) as of September 28, 2013 as follows (in thousands):
			Nine Months Ended September 28, 2013
			Derivative			Defined Benefit
			Instruments			Pension Plans			Total
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) December 29, 2012, net of tax		$	180		$	(31,509	)	$	(31,329	)
Other comprehensive gain before reclassifications		3,553			—			3,553
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		(1,933		)	2,416			483
Net current-period other comprehensive income		1,620			2,416			4,036
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) September 28, 2013, net of tax		$	1,800		$	(29,093	)	$	(27,293	)

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract]	'
Employee Benefit Plans	'
	Employee Benefit Plans
	The Company has retirement and pension plans covering substantially all of its employees.  Most retirement benefits are provided by the Company under separate final-pay noncontributory and contributory defined benefit and defined contribution plans for all salaried and hourly employees (excluding those covered by union-sponsored plans) who meet service and age requirements. Defined benefits are based principally on length of service and earnings patterns during the five years preceding retirement. During the third quarter of fiscal 2011, as part of the initiative to combine the Darling and Griffin retirement benefit programs, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the Company to proceed with the restructuring of its retirement benefit program effective January 1, 2012, to include the closing of Darling's salaried and hourly defined benefit plans to new participants as well as the freezing of service and wage accruals thereunder effective December 31, 2011 (a curtailment of these plans for financial reporting purposes) and the enhancing of benefits under the Company's defined contribution plans. However, the Company-sponsored hourly union plan has not been curtailed.
	Net pension cost for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012 includes the following components (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 28,			September 29,			September 28,			September 29,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Service cost	$	77		$	82		$	230		$	245
	Interest cost	1,318			1,362			3,954			4,088
	Expected return on plan assets	(1,819		)	(1,677		)	(5,457		)	(5,032		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	15			23			45			67
	Amortization of net loss	1,300			1,189			3,900			3,567
	Net pension cost	$	891		$	979		$	2,672		$	2,935
	The Company's funding policy for employee benefit pension plans is to contribute annually not less than the minimum amount required nor more than the maximum amount that can be deducted for federal income tax purposes.  Contributions are intended to provide not only for benefits attributed to service to date, but also for those expected to be earned in the future. Based on actuarial estimates at September 28, 2013, the Company expects to contribute approximately $0.3 million to its pension plans to meet funding requirements during the next twelve months. Additionally, the Company has made tax deductible discretionary and required contributions to its pension plans for the nine months ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012 of approximately $4.0 million and $1.8 million, respectively.
	The Company participates in various multiemployer pension plans which provide defined benefits to certain employees covered by labor contracts.  These plans are not administered by the Company and contributions are determined in accordance with provisions of negotiated labor contracts to meet their pension benefit obligations to their participants.   The Company's contributions to each individual multiemployer plan represent less than 5% of the total contributions to each such plan. Based on the most currently available information, the Company has determined that, if a withdrawal were to occur, withdrawal liabilities on two of the plans in which the Company currently participates could be material to the Company, with one of these material plans certified as critical or red zone. With respect to the other multiemployer pension plans in which the Company participates and which are not individually significant, four plans have certified as critical or red zone and two plans have certified as endangered or yellow zone as defined by the Pension Protection Act of 2006.
	In June 2009, the Company received a notice of a mass withdrawal termination and a notice of initial withdrawal liability from a multiemployer plan in which it participated. The Company had anticipated this event and as a result had accrued approximately $3.2 million as of January 3, 2009 based on the most recent information that was probable and estimable for this plan. The plan had given a notice of redetermination liability in December 2009. In fiscal 2010, the Company received further third party information confirming the future payout related to this multiemployer plan. As a result, the Company reduced its liability to approximately $1.2 million. In fiscal 2010, another under-funded multiemployer plan in which the Company participates gave notification of partial withdrawal liability. As of September 28, 2013, the Company has an accrued liability of approximately $0.9 million representing the present value of scheduled withdrawal liability payments under this multiemployer plan. While the Company has no ability to calculate a possible current liability for under-funded multiemployer plans that could terminate or could require additional funding under the Pension Protection Act of 2006, the amounts could be material.

Derivatives

Derivatives	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivatives	'
	Derivatives
	The Company’s operations are exposed to market risks relating to commodity prices that affect the Company’s cost of raw materials, finished product prices, energy costs and the risk of changes in interest rates.
	The Company makes limited use of derivative instruments to manage cash flow risks related to interest expense, natural gas usage, diesel fuel usage and inventory. The Company does not use derivative instruments for trading purposes. Interest rate swaps are entered into with the intent of managing overall borrowing costs by reducing the potential impact of increases in interest rates on floating-rate long-term debt. Natural gas swaps and options are entered into with the intent of managing the overall cost of natural gas usage by reducing the potential impact of seasonal weather demands on natural gas that increases natural gas prices. Heating oil swaps and options are entered into with the intent of managing the overall cost of diesel fuel usage by reducing the potential impact of seasonal weather demands on diesel fuel that increase diesel fuel prices. Inventory swaps and options are entered into with the intent of managing seasonally high concentrations of MBM, PM, BFT, PG, YG and BBP inventories and managing forecasted sales of BBP by reducing the potential impact of changing prices. At September 28, 2013, the Company had corn option contracts and natural gas swaps outstanding that qualified and were designated for hedge accounting as well as heating oil swap contracts that did not qualify and were not designated for hedge accounting.
	Entities are required to report all derivative instruments in the statement of financial position at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and, if so, on the reason for holding the instrument. If certain conditions are met, entities may elect to designate a derivative instrument as a hedge of exposures to changes in fair value, cash flows or foreign currencies. If the hedged exposure is a cash flow exposure, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported initially as a component of other comprehensive income (outside of earnings) and is subsequently reclassified into earnings when the forecasted transaction affects earnings. Any amounts excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness, as well as the ineffective portion of the gain or loss are reported in earnings immediately. If the derivative instrument is not designated as a hedge, the gain or loss is recognized in earnings in the period of change.
	Cash Flow Hedges
	On May 19, 2006, the Company entered into two interest rate swap agreements that were considered cash flow hedges according to FASB authoritative guidance. In December 2010, as a result of the execution of the Credit Agreement, the term loan that specifically related to these interest swap transactions was repaid. As such, the Company discontinued the interest rate swaps and paid approximately $2.0 million representing the fair value of these two interest swap transactions at the discontinuance date with the effective portion recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss to be reclassified to income over the remaining original term of the interest swaps which ended April 7, 2012.
	In fiscal 2012 and the first nine months of fiscal 2013, the Company entered into natural gas swap contracts that are considered cash flow hedges. Under the terms of the natural gas swap contracts, the Company fixed the expected purchase cost of a portion of its plants' forecasted natural gas usage into the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. As of September 28, 2013, some of the contracts have expired and settled according to the contracts while the remaining contract positions and activity are disclosed below.
	In fiscal 2012 and the first nine months of fiscal 2013, the Company entered into corn option contracts that are considered cash flow hedges. Under the terms of the corn option contracts, the Company hedged a portion of its forecasted sales of BBP into the third quarter of fiscal 2014. As of September 28, 2013, some of the contracts have settled while the remaining contract positions and activity are disclosed below. From time to time, the Company may enter into corn option contracts in the future.
	The Company estimates the amount that will be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive gain at September 28, 2013 into earnings over the next 12 months will be approximately $2.9 million. As of September 28, 2013, no amounts have been reclassified into earnings as a result of the discontinuance of cash flow hedges.
	The following table presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments under FASB authoritative guidance as of September 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 (in thousands):
	Derivatives Designated	Balance Sheet	Asset Derivatives Fair Value
	as Hedges	Location	September 28, 2013			December 29, 2012
	Corn options	Other current assets	$	3,118		$	490
	Natural gas swaps	Other current assets	18			11
	Total asset derivatives designated as hedges		$	3,136		$	501
	Derivatives Not
	Designated as
	Hedges
	Heating oil swaps and options	Other current assets	$	147		$	104
	Corn futures	Other current assets	—			117
	Total asset derivatives not designated as hedges		$	147		$	221
	Total asset derivatives		$	3,283		$	722
	Derivatives Designated	Balance Sheet	Liability Derivatives Fair Value
	as Hedges	Location	September 28, 2013			December 29, 2012
	Natural gas swaps	Accrued expenses	$	29		$	21
	Total liability derivatives designated as hedges		$	29		$	21
	Derivatives Not
	Designated as
	Hedges
	Heating oil swaps and options	Accrued expenses	$	9		$	4
	Corn options	Accrued expenses	—			119
	Total liability derivatives not designated as hedges		$	9		$	123
	Total liability derivatives		$	38		$	144
	The effect of the Company’s derivative instruments on the consolidated financial statements as of and for the three months ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012 is as follows (in thousands):
								Gain or (Loss)						Gain or (Loss)
		Gain or (Loss)						Reclassified from						Recognized in Income
		Recognized in OCI						Accumulated OCI						on Derivatives
	Derivatives	on Derivatives						into Income						(Ineffective Portion and
	Designated as	(Effective Portion) (a)						(Effective Portion) (b)						Amount Excluded from
	Cash Flow Hedges													Effectiveness Testing) (c)
		2013			2012			2013			2012			2013		2012
	Interest rate swaps	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—
	Corn options	2,676			—			2,155			—			215		1
	Natural gas swaps	(14		)	(123		)	(95		)	(259		)	1		5
	Total	$	2,662		$	(123	)	$	2,060		$	(259	)	$	216	$	6
	(a)	Amount recognized in accumulated OCI (effective portion) is reported as accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) of approximately $2.7 million and approximately $0.1 million recorded net of taxes of approximately $1.0 million and less than $0.1 million as of September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, respectively.
	(b)	Gains and (losses) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (effective portion) for interest rate swaps is included in interest expense and corn options and natural gas swaps are included in cost of sales, respectively, in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
	(c)	Gains and (losses) recognized in income on derivatives (ineffective portion) for interest rate swaps, corn options and natural gas swaps is included in other income/(expense), net in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
	The effect of the Company’s derivative instruments on the consolidated financial statements as of and for the nine months ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012 is as follows (in thousands):
								Gain or (Loss)						Gain or (Loss)
		Gain or (Loss)						Reclassified From						Recognized in Income
		Recognized in OCI						Accumulated OCI						on Derivatives
	Derivatives	on Derivatives						into Income						(Ineffective Portion and
	Designated as	(Effective Portion) (a)						(Effective Portion) (b)						Amount Excluded from
	Cash Flow Hedges													Effectiveness Testing) (c)
		2013			2012			2013			2012			2013		2012
	Interest rate swaps	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	(260	)	$	—	$	—
	Corn options	5,717			—			3,063			—			249		1
	Natural gas swaps	73			(606		)	92			(1,267		)	8		8
	Total	$	5,790		$	(606	)	$	3,155		$	(1,527	)	$	257	$	9
	(a)	Amount recognized in accumulated OCI (effective portion) is reported as accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) of approximately $5.8 million and approximately $0.6 million recorded net of taxes of approximately $2.2 million and $0.2 million as of September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, respectively.
	(b)	Gains and (losses) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (effective portion) for interest rate swaps is included in interest expense and corn options and natural gas swaps are included in cost of sales, respectively, in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
	(c)	Gains and (losses) recognized in income on derivatives (ineffective portion) for interest rate swaps, corn options and natural gas swaps is included in other income/(expense), net in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
At September 28, 2013, the Company had forward purchase agreements in place for purchases of approximately $3.5 million of natural gas.  These forward purchase agreements have no net settlement provisions and the Company intends to take physical delivery of the underlying product.  Accordingly, the forward purchase agreements are not subject to the requirements of fair value accounting because they qualify and the Company has elected to account for these as normal purchases as defined in the FASB authoritative guidance.

Fair_Value_Measurement

Fair Value Measurement	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Fair Value Measurements
	FASB authoritative guidance defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  The following table presents the Company’s financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis as of September 28, 2013 and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy under FASB authoritative guidance.  The fair value hierarchy has three levels based on the reliability of the inputs used to determine the fair value.
				Fair Value Measurements at September 28, 2013 Using
				Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Significant
				Active Markets for		Observable		Unobservable
				Identical Assets		Inputs		Inputs
	(In thousands of dollars)	Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Assets:
	Derivative instruments	$	3,283	$	—	$	3,283	$	—
	Total Assets	$	3,283	$	—	$	3,283	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Derivative instruments	$	38	$	—	$	38	$	—
	Senior Notes	276,875		—		276,875		—
	Total Liabilities	$	276,913	$	—	$	276,913	$	—
	Derivative assets consist of the Company’s heating oil swap contracts, natural gas swap contracts and corn option contracts, which represents the difference between observable market rates of commonly quoted intervals for similar assets and liabilities in active markets and the fixed swap rate considering the instruments term, notional amount and credit risk.  See Note 10 Derivatives for breakdown by instrument type.
	Derivative liabilities consist of the Company’s heating oil swap contracts and natural gas swap contracts, which represents the difference between observable market rates of commonly quoted intervals for similar assets and liabilities in active markets and the fixed swap rate considering the instruments term, notional amount and credit risk.  See Note 10 Derivatives for breakdown by instrument type.
	The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments and as such have been excluded from the table above. The carrying amount for the Company's other debt is not deemed to be significantly different than the fair value and all other instruments have been recorded at fair value.
	The fair value of the senior notes is based on market quotation from a third-party bank.

Contingencies

Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Contingencies	'
	Contingencies
	The Company is a party to several lawsuits, claims and loss contingencies arising in the ordinary course of its business, including assertions by certain regulatory and governmental agencies related to permitting requirements and air, wastewater and storm water discharges from the Company’s processing facilities.
	The Company’s workers compensation, auto and general liability policies contain significant deductibles or self-insured retentions.  The Company estimates and accrues its expected ultimate claim costs related to accidents occurring during each fiscal year and carries this accrual as a reserve until these claims are paid by the Company.
	As a result of the matters discussed above, the Company has established loss reserves for insurance, environmental and litigation matters.  At September 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, the reserves for insurance, environmental and litigation contingencies reflected on the balance sheet in accrued expenses and other non-current liabilities were approximately $35.7 million and $37.0 million, respectively.  The Company has insurance recovery receivables of approximately $9.3 million as of September 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, related to these liabilities. The Company's management believes these reserves for contingencies are reasonable and sufficient based upon present governmental regulations and information currently available to management; however, there can be no assurance that final costs related to these matters will not exceed current estimates. The Company believes that the likelihood is remote that any additional liability from these lawsuits and claims that may not be covered by insurance would have a material effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	Lower Passaic River Area. The Company has been named as a third party defendant in a lawsuit pending in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Essex County, styled New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, The Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Agency and the Administrator of the New Jersey Spill Compensation Fund, as Plaintiffs, vs. Occidental Chemical Corporation, Tierra Solutions, Inc., Maxus Energy Corporation, Repsol YPF, S.A., YPF, S.A., YPF Holdings, Inc., and CLH Holdings, as Defendants (Docket No. L-009868-05) (the “Tierra/Maxus Litigation”). In the Tierra/Maxus Litigation, which was filed on December 13, 2005, the plaintiffs seek to recover from the defendants past and future cleanup and removal costs, as well as unspecified economic damages, punitive damages, penalties and a variety of other forms of relief, purportedly arising from the alleged discharges into the Passaic River of a particular type of dioxin and other unspecified hazardous substances. The damages being sought by the plaintiffs from the defendants are likely to be substantial. On February 4, 2009, two of the defendants, Tierra Solutions, Inc. (“Tierra”) and Maxus Energy Corporation (“Maxus”), filed a third-party complaint against over 300 entities, including the Company, seeking to recover all or a proportionate share of cleanup and removal costs, damages or other loss or harm, if any, for which Tierra or Maxus may be held liable in the Tierra/Maxus Litigation. Tierra and Maxus allege that Standard Tallow Company, an entity that the Company acquired in 1996, contributed to the discharge of the hazardous substances that are the subject of this case while operating a former plant site located in Newark, New Jersey. The Company is investigating these allegations, has entered into a joint defense agreement with many of the other third-party defendants and intends to defend itself vigorously. At a case management conference held in March 2013, the Court announced that most third-party defendants had reached a tentative settlement with the State of New Jersey which, if approved by the Court, would end the state court litigation as to participating third-party defendants. The Company has committed to join the settlement, pursuant to which the Company would pay the State of New Jersey $195,000. This amount was accrued in the first quarter of 2013. The settlement is subject to court approval following a notice and comment period. It is anticipated that the settlement will be brought to the Court for approval sometime during the second half of 2013. All previously scheduled discovery and trial dates in the case have been stayed as to parties participating in the settlement. The scope of the Company's continued involvement in the litigation depends on whether the Court approves the settlement and dismisses the Company from the case, which is uncertain at this time. Additionally, in December 2009, the Company, along with numerous other entities, received notice from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the Company (as successor-in-interest to Standard Tallow Company) is considered a potentially responsible party with respect to alleged contamination in the lower Passaic River area which is part of the Diamond Alkali Superfund Site located in Newark, New Jersey. In the letter, EPA requested that the Company join a group of other parties in funding a remedial investigation and feasibility study at the site. As of the date of this report, the Company has not agreed to participate in the funding group. The Company's ultimate liability for investigatory costs, remedial costs and/or natural resource damages in connection with the lower Passaic River area cannot be determined at this time; however, as of the date of this report, there is nothing that leads the Company to believe that these matters will have a material effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	Fresno Facility Permit Issue. The Company has been named as a defendant and a real party in interest in a lawsuit filed on April 9, 2012 in the Superior Court of the State of California, Fresno County, styled Concerned Citizens of West Fresno vs. Darling International Inc. The City of Fresno was also named as a defendant in the original complaint but has since had a judgment entered in its favor and is no longer a party to the lawsuit. The complaint, as subsequently amended, alleges that the Company's Fresno facility is operating without a proper use permit and seeks, among other things, injunctive relief. The complaint had at one time also alleged that the Company's Fresno Facility constitutes a continuing private and public nuisance, but the plaintiff has since amended the complaint to drop these allegations. Rendering operations have been conducted on the site since 1955, and the Company believes that it possesses all of the required federal, state and local permits to continue to operate the facility in the manner currently conducted and that its operations do not constitute a private or public nuisance. Accordingly, the Company intends to defend itself vigorously in this matter. Discovery has begun and this matter is currently scheduled for trial in February 2014. While management cannot predict the ultimate outcome of this matter, management does not believe the outcome will have a material effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Business_Segments

Business Segments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Business Segments	'
	Business Segments
	The Company sells its products domestically and internationally and operates within two industry segments: Rendering and Bakery. The measure of segment profit (loss) includes all revenues, operating expenses (excluding certain amortization of intangibles), and selling, general and administrative expenses incurred at all operating locations and excludes general corporate expenses.
	Included in corporate activities are general corporate expenses and the amortization of intangibles. Assets of corporate activities include cash, unallocated prepaid expenses, deferred tax assets, prepaid pension, and miscellaneous other assets.
	Rendering
	Rendering operations process animal by-products and used cooking oil into fats (primarily BFT, PG and YG), protein (primarily MBM and PM (feed grade and pet food)) and hides. Fat was approximately $195.4 million and $205.9 million of net sales for the three months ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, respectively and approximately $580.9 million and $626.0 million of net sales for the nine months ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, respectively. Protein was approximately $133.6 million and $137.1 million of net sales for the three months ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, respectively and approximately $410.6 million and $361.9 million of net sales for the nine months ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, respectively. Rendering also provides grease trap servicing. Included in the Rendering Segment is the National Service Center (“NSC”). The NSC schedules services such as fat and bone and used cooking oil collection and trap cleaning for contracted customers using the Company's resources or third-party providers.
	Bakery
	Bakery products are collected from large commercial bakeries that produce a variety of products, including cookies, crackers, cereal, bread, dough, potato chips, pretzels, sweet goods and biscuits, among others. The Company processes the raw materials into BBP, including Cookie Meal®, an animal feed ingredient primarily used in poultry rations.
	Business Segment Net Sales (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 28,			September 29,			September 28,			September 29,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Rendering	$	362,077		$	368,154		$	1,079,848		$	1,061,947
	Bakery	63,709			84,578			214,953			214,567
	Total	$	425,786		$	452,732		$	1,294,801		$	1,276,514
	Business Segment Profit/(Loss) (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 28, 2013			September 29, 2012			September 28, 2013			September 29, 2012
	Rendering	$	65,053		$	70,624		$	196,951		$	208,263
	Bakery	9,884			18,641			38,067			42,786
	Corporate Activities	(41,973		)	(46,225		)	(131,937		)	(130,535		)
	Interest expense	(5,313		)	(5,868		)	(16,607		)	(18,546		)
	Net Income	$	27,651		$	37,172		$	86,474		$	101,968
	Business Segment Assets (in thousands):
		September 28,			December 29,
		2013			2012
	Rendering	$	1,239,859		$	1,088,775
	Bakery	168,710			170,566
	Corporate Activities	305,066			293,075
	Total	$	1,713,635		$	1,552,416

Related_Party_Transactions_Not

Related Party Transactions (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Related Party Transactions
	Lease Agreements
	Darling through its wholly-owned subsidiary Griffin Industries LLC, leases two real properties located in Butler, Kentucky and real properties located in each of Jackson, Mississippi and Henderson, Kentucky from Martom Properties, LLC, an entity owned in part by Martin W. Griffin, the Company's Executive Vice President – Co-Chief Operations Officer. Each of these leases was entered into as of December 17, 2010. The lease term for each of the Butler properties and the Jackson property is thirty years, and the Company has the right to renew such leases for two additional terms of ten years each.  The annual rental payment for each of the Butler properties is $30,000 for the first five years of the lease term and is increased by the increase in the consumer price index every five years thereafter.  The annual rental payment for the Jackson property is $221,715 for the first five years of the lease term and is increased by the increase in the consumer price index every five years thereafter.  The lease term for the Henderson property is ten years, and the Company has the right to renew such lease for four additional terms of five years each.  The annual rental payment for the Henderson property is $60,000 for the first five years of the lease term and is increased by the increase in the consumer price index every five years thereafter.  Under the terms of each lease, the Company has a right of first offer and right of first refusal for each of the properties.
	Raw Material Agreement
	The Company has entered into a Raw Material Agreement with the Joint Venture pursuant to which the Company will offer to supply certain animal fats and used cooking oil at market prices, up to the Joint Venture's full operational requirement of feedstock, but the Joint Venture is not obligated to purchase the raw material offered by the Company. Additionally, the Company may offer other feedstocks to the Joint Venture, such as inedible corn oil, purchased on a resale basis. For the three and nine months months ended September 28, 2013, the Company has recorded sales to the Joint Venture of approximately $34.2 million and $44.4 million, respectively. There were no sales to the Joint Venture for the three and nine months ended September 29, 2012. At September 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, the Company has $8.3 million and $0.3 million in outstanding receivables due from the Joint Venture, respectively. In addition, the Company has eliminated additional sales for the nine months ended September 28, 2013, of approximately $7.3 million to the Joint Venture to defer the Company's portion of profit on those sales relating to inventory assets still remaining on the Joint Venture's balance sheet at September 28, 2013 of approximately $1.3 million.

New_Accounting_Pronoucements

New Accounting Pronoucements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
New Accounting Pronoucements [Abstract]	'
New Accounting Pronouncements	'
	New Accounting Pronouncements
	In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income. The ASU amends ASC Topic 220, Comprehensive Income.  The new standard eliminates the option to report other comprehensive income and its components in the statement of changes in equity and instead requires entities to present net income and other comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement or in two separate, but consecutive, statements of net income and other comprehensive income. Reclassification adjustments between net income and other comprehensive income must be shown on the face of the statement(s), with no resulting change in net earnings. In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-12, Deferral of Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05. This ASU amends ASC Topic 220, Comprehensive Income. The new standard deferred the requirement to present on the face of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income while the FASB further deliberates this aspect of the proposal. This update is effective for the Company on January 1, 2012 and must be applied retrospectively. The Company adopted this standard as of March 31, 2012. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. This ASU amends ASC Topic 220, Comprehensive Income. This new standard requires an entity to report either on the income statement or disclose in the footnotes to the financial statement the effects on earnings from items that are reclassified out of other comprehensive income. This update was effective for the Company on December 30, 2012. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
	In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU No. 2012-02, Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment. The ASU amends ASC Topic 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other. The new standard is intended to reduce the cost and complexity of performing an impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets by providing entities an option to perform a "qualitative" assessment to determine whether further impairment testing is necessary. The new standard allows an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. If based on its qualitative assessment an entity concludes it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, quantitative impairment testing is required. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, quantitative impairment testing is not required. The standards update is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2013. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio

Guarantor Financial Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Guarantor Financial Information [Abstract]	'
Guarantor Financial Information	'
	Guarantor Financial Information
	The Company's Notes (see Note 6) are guaranteed on an unsecured basis by the Company's 100% directly and indirectly owned subsidiaries Darling National, Griffin and its subsidiary Craig Protein , Darling AWS LLC, Terra Holding Company, Darling Global Holdings Inc., Darling Northstar LLC, Terra Renewal Services, Inc. and EV Acquisition, Inc. (collectively, the "Guarantors"). The Guarantors fully and unconditionally guaranteed the Notes on a joint and several basis. The following financial statements present condensed consolidating financial data for (i) Darling, the issuer of the Notes, (ii) the combined Guarantors, (iii) the combined other subsidiaries of the Company that did not guarantee the Notes (the "Non-guarantors"), and (iv) eliminations necessary to arrive at the Company's consolidated financial statements, which include condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, and the condensed consolidating statements of operations, the condensed consolidating statements of comprehensive income and the condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012.
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	As of September 28, 2013
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	ASSETS
	Total current assets	$	104,281		$	509,978		$	2,542		$	(392,470	)	$	224,331
	Investment in subsidiaries	1,701,426			—			—			(1,701,426		)	—
	Property, plant and equipment, net	164,484			357,778			—			—			522,262
	Intangible assets, net	14,787			349,374			254			—			364,415
	Goodwill	21,860			424,616			266			—			446,742
	Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary	—			—			116,250			—			116,250
	Other assets	36,711			2,924			—			—			39,635
		$	2,043,549		$	1,644,670		$	119,312		$	(2,093,896	)	$	1,713,635
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Total current liabilities	$	478,392		$	58,816		$	3,497		$	(392,470	)	$	148,235
	Long-term debt, net of current portion	250,000			76			—			—			250,076
	Other noncurrent liabilities	50,919			—			167			—			51,086
	Deferred income taxes	105,931			—			—			—			105,931
	Total liabilities	885,242			58,892			3,664			(392,470		)	555,328
	Total stockholders’ equity	1,158,307			1,585,778			115,648			(1,701,426		)	1,158,307
		$	2,043,549		$	1,644,670		$	119,312		$	(2,093,896	)	$	1,713,635
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	As of December 29, 2012
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	ASSETS
	Total current assets	$	174,576		$	455,604		$	3,037		$	(342,955	)	$	290,262
	Investment in subsidiaries	1,449,577			—			—			(1,449,577		)	—
	Property, plant and equipment, net	148,131			305,796			—			—			453,927
	Intangible assets, net	14,497			322,634			271			—			337,402
	Goodwill	21,860			359,243			266			—			381,369
	Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary	—			—			62,495			—			62,495
	Other assets	26,530			431			—			—			26,961
		$	1,835,171		$	1,443,708		$	66,069		$	(1,792,532	)	$	1,552,416
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Total current liabilities	$	414,755		$	59,218		$	666		$	(342,955	)	$	131,684
	Long-term debt, net of current portion	250,000			142			—			—			250,142
	Other noncurrent liabilities	61,365			—			174			—			61,539
	Deferred income taxes	46,615			—			—			—			46,615
	Total liabilities	772,735			59,360			840			(342,955		)	489,980
	Total stockholders’ equity	1,062,436			1,384,348			65,229			(1,449,577		)	1,062,436
		$	1,835,171		$	1,443,708		$	66,069		$	(1,792,532	)	$	1,552,416
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
	For the three months ended September 28, 2013
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net sales	$	182,331		$	309,529		$	2,293		$	(68,367	)	$	425,786
	Cost and expenses:
	Cost of sales and operating expenses	140,213			235,902			2,341			(68,367		)	310,089
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	23,142			19,438			8			—			42,588
	Acquisition costs	8,326			—			—			—			8,326
	Depreciation and amortization	6,035			17,091			5			—			23,131
	Total costs and expenses	177,716			272,431			2,354			(68,367		)	384,134
	Operating income	4,615			37,098			(61		)	—			41,652
	Interest expense	(5,309		)	(4		)	—			—			(5,313		)
	Other, net	(3,023		)	(239		)	(6		)	—			(3,268		)
	Equity in net income of unconsolidated subsidiary	—			—			11,953			—			11,953
	Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	29,939			—			—			(29,939		)	—
	Income/(loss) before taxes	26,222			36,855			11,886			(29,939		)	45,024
	Income taxes (benefit)	(1,429		)	14,227			4,575			—			17,373
	Net income (loss)	$	27,651		$	22,628		$	7,311		$	(29,939	)	$	27,651
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
For the nine months ended September 28, 2013
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net sales	$	503,595		$	938,629		$	8,188		$	(155,611	)	$	1,294,801
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses	388,463			701,804			8,041			(155,611		)	942,697
Selling, general and administrative expenses	66,984			57,798			61			—			124,843
Acquisition costs	9,157			—			—			—			9,157
Depreciation and amortization	17,990			49,067			17			—			67,074
Total costs and expenses	482,594			808,669			8,119			(155,611		)	1,143,771
Operating income	21,001			129,960			69			—			151,030
Interest expense	(16,596		)	(11		)	—			—			(16,607		)
Other, net	(2,697		)	108			(30		)	—			(2,619		)
Equity in net income of unconsolidated subsidiary	—			—			8,796			—			8,796
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	85,424			—			—			(85,424		)	—
Income/(loss) from operations before taxes	87,132			130,057			8,835			(85,424		)	140,600
Income taxes (benefit)	658			50,067			3,401			—			54,126
Net income (loss)	$	86,474		$	79,990		$	5,434		$	(85,424	)	$	86,474
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
For the three months ended September 29, 2012
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net sales	$	165,256		$	330,013		$	3,814		$	(46,351	)	$	452,732
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses	125,806			244,924			3,530			(46,351		)	327,909
Selling, general and administrative expenses	20,396			18,093			34			—			38,523
Depreciation and amortization	5,502			15,016			6			—			20,524
Total costs and expenses	151,704			278,033			3,570			(46,351		)	386,956
Operating income	13,552			51,980			244			—			65,776
Interest expense	(5,867		)	(1		)	—			—			(5,868		)
Other, net	(841		)	1,076			(3		)	—			232
Equity in net loss of unconsolidated subsidiary	—			—			(833		)	—			(833		)
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	32,877			—			—			(32,877		)	—
Income/(loss) before taxes	39,721			53,055			(592		)	(32,877		)	59,307
Income taxes	2,549			19,806			(220		)	—			22,135
Net income (loss)	$	37,172		$	33,249		$	(372	)	$	(32,877	)	$	37,172
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
For the nine months ended September 29, 2012
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net sales	$	502,814		$	903,712		$	10,089		$	(140,101	)	$	1,276,514
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses	389,808			659,207			9,602			(140,101		)	918,516
Selling, general and administrative expenses	60,108			52,571			107			—			112,786
Depreciation and amortization	17,614			45,327			17			—			62,958
Total costs and expenses	467,530			757,105			9,726			(140,101		)	1,094,260
Operating income	35,284			146,607			363			—			182,254
Interest expense	(18,544		)	(2		)	—			—			(18,546		)
Other, net	(2,071		)	1,981			(16		)	—			(106		)
Equity in net loss of unconsolidated subsidiary	—			—			(1,725		)	—			(1,725		)
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	92,728			—			—			(92,728		)	—
Income/(loss) from operations before taxes	107,397			148,586			(1,378		)	(92,728		)	161,877
Income taxes (benefit)	5,429			54,990			(510		)	—			59,909
Net income (loss)	$	101,968		$	93,596		$	(868	)	$	(92,728	)	$	101,968
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the three months ended September 28, 2013
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net income	$	27,651		$	22,628		$	7,311		$	(29,939	)	$	27,651
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Pension adjustments	806			—			—			—			806
Natural gas swap derivative adjustments	49			—			—			—			49
Corn option derivative adjustments	325			—			—			—			325
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	1,180			—			—			—			1,180
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$	28,831		$	22,628		$	7,311		$	(29,939	)	$	28,831
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the nine months ended September 28, 2013
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net income	$	86,474		$	79,990		$	5,434		$	(85,424	)	$	86,474
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Pension adjustments	2,416			—			—			—			2,416
Natural gas swap derivative adjustments	(12		)	—			—			—			(12		)
Corn option derivative adjustments	1,632			—			—			—			1,632
Total other comprehensive income	4,036			—			—			—			4,036
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$	90,510		$	79,990		$	5,434		$	(85,424	)	$	90,510
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the three months ended September 29, 2012
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net income	$	37,172		$	33,249		$	(372	)	$	(32,877	)	$	37,172
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Pension adjustments	742			—			—			—			742
Natural gas swap derivative adjustments	83			—			—			—			83
Interest rate swap derivative adjustment	—			—			—			—			—
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	825			—			—			—			825
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$	37,997		$	33,249		$	(372	)	$	(32,877	)	$	37,997
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the nine months ended September 29, 2012
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net income	$	101,968		$	93,596		$	(868	)	$	(92,728	)	$	101,968
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Pension adjustments	2,226			—			—			—			2,226
Natural gas swap derivative adjustments	404			—			—			—			404
Interest rate swap derivative adjustment	159			—			—			—			159
Total other comprehensive income	2,789			—			—			—			2,789
Total comprehensive income (loss)	$	104,757		$	93,596		$	(868	)	$	(92,728	)	$	104,757
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
For the nine months ended September 28, 2013
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	86,474		$	79,990		$	5,434		$	(85,424	)	$	86,474
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	(85,424		)	—			—			85,424			—
Other operating cash flows	115,200			(27,764		)	(5,205		)	—			82,231
Net cash provided by operating activities	116,250			52,226			229			—			168,705
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(31,572		)	(54,147		)	—			—			(85,719		)
Acquisitions	—			(121,440		)	—			—			(121,440		)
Investment in subsidiaries and affiliates	(166,425		)	—			(44,959		)	166,425			(44,959		)
Gross proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets	897			769			—			—			1,666
Proceeds from insurance settlements	1,531			450			—			—			1,981
Payments related to routes and other intangibles	(2,374		)	—			—			—			(2,374		)
Net cash used in investing activities	(197,943		)	(174,368		)	(44,959		)	166,425			(250,845		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on long-term debt	—			(62		)	—			—			(62		)
Deferred loan costs	(11,138		)	—			—			—			(11,138		)
Issuances of common stock	32			—			—			—			32
Contributions from parent	—			121,440			44,985			(166,425		)	—
Minimum withholding taxes paid on stock awards	(2,649		)	—			—			—			(2,649		)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	719			—			—			—			719
Net cash used in financing activities	(13,036		)	121,378			44,985			(166,425		)	(13,098		)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(94,729		)	(764		)	255			—			(95,238		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	96,945			5,577			727			—			103,249
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	2,216		$	4,813		$	982		$	—		$	8,011
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
For the nine months ended September 29, 2012
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	101,968		$	93,596		$	(868	)	$	(92,728	)	$	101,968
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	(92,728		)	—			—			92,728			—
Other operating cash flows	142,681			(47,537		)	(542		)	—			94,602
Net cash provided by operating activities	151,921			46,059			(1,410		)	—			196,570
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(37,183		)	(46,971		)	—			—			(84,154		)
Acquisitions	(3,000		)	—			—			—			(3,000		)
Investment in subsidiaries and affiliates	(34,441		)	—			(34,416		)	34,441			(34,416		)
Gross proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets	1,580			1,409			—			—			2,989
Proceeds from insurance settlements	—			1,906			—			—			1,906
Net cash used in investing activities	(73,044		)	(43,656		)	(34,416		)	34,441			(116,675		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on long-term debt	(30,000		)	(13		)	—			—			(30,013		)
Issuances of common stock	64			—			—			—			64
Contributions from parent	—			—			34,441			(34,441		)	—
Minimum withholding taxes paid on stock awards	(3,365		)	—			—			—			(3,365		)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	2,169			—			—			—			2,169
Net cash used in financing activities	(31,132		)	(13		)	34,441			(34,441		)	(31,145		)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	47,745			2,390			(1,385		)	—			48,750
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	35,207			1,773			1,956			—			38,936
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	82,952		$	4,163		$	571		$	—		$	87,686

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Darling and its consolidated subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Fiscal Periods	'
	Fiscal Periods
	The Company has a 52/53 week fiscal year ending on the Saturday nearest December 31.  Fiscal periods for the consolidated financial statements included herein are as of September 28, 2013, and include the 13 and 39 weeks ended September 28, 2013, and the 13 and 39 weeks ended September 29, 2012.
Reclassifications	'
	Reclassifications
	Certain immaterial prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
Earnings Per Share	'
	Earnings Per Share
	Basic income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares including non-vested and restricted shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period increased by dilutive common equivalent shares determined using the treasury stock method.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition
	The Company recognizes revenue on sales when products are shipped and the customer takes ownership and assumes risk of loss.  Certain customers may be required to prepay prior to shipment in order to maintain payment protection related to certain foreign and domestic sales.  These amounts are recorded as unearned revenue and recognized when the products have shipped and the customer takes ownership and assumes risk of loss.  The Company has formula arrangements with certain suppliers whereby the charge or credit for raw materials is tied to published finished product commodity prices after deducting a fixed processing fee incorporated into the formula and is recorded as a cost of sale by line of business.  The Company recognizes revenue related to grease trap servicing and industrial residual removal in the fiscal month the trap service or industrial residual removal occurs.
Income Taxes	'
	The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method.  Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.  The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. At September 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, the Company had net deferred tax liabilities of $91.6 million and $34.0 million, respectively. The increase in the net deferred tax liability is principally due to deferred liabilities acquired in the stock acquisition resulting in carryover tax basis in the Terra Transaction.
	The Company periodically assesses whether it is more likely than not that it will generate sufficient taxable income to realize its deferred income tax assets.  In making this determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence and makes certain assumptions.  The Company considers, among other things, its deferred tax liabilities, the overall business environment, its historical earnings and losses, current industry trends and its outlook for future years.  Although the Company is unable to carry back any of its net operating losses, based upon recent favorable operating results and future projections, the Company believes it is more likely than not that certain net operating losses can be carried forward and utilized and other deferred tax assets, except U.S. foreign tax credit carryforwards, will be realized.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Net Income per Common Share	'
		Net Income per Common Share (in thousands, except per share data)
		Three Months Ended
				September 28, 2013						September 29, 2012
		Income		Shares		Per Share		Income		Shares		Per Share
	Basic:
	Net Income	$	27,651	118,208		$	0.23	$	37,172	117,678		$	0.32
	Diluted:
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Add: Option shares in the money and dilutive effect of non-vested stock			690						792
	Less: Pro forma treasury shares			(418	)					(296	)
	Diluted:
	Net income	$	27,651	118,480		$	0.23	$	37,172	118,174		$	0.31
		Net Income per Common Share (in thousands, except per share data)
		Nine Months Ended
				September 28, 2013						September 29, 2012
		Income		Shares		Per Share		Income		Shares		Per Share
	Basic:
	Net Income	$	86,474	118,156		$	0.73	$	101,968	117,531		$	0.87
	Diluted:
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Add: Option shares in the money and dilutive effect of non-vested stock			688						844
	Less: Pro forma treasury shares			(296	)					(326	)
	Diluted:
	Net income	$	86,474	118,548		$	0.73	$	101,968	118,049		$	0.86

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_S1

Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiary (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 28, 2013

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

'

Equity Method Investments

'

Selected financial information for the Company's Joint Venture is as follows:

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

As of September 30, 2013

30-Sep-13

30-Sep-13

Total Assets

Partners' Capital

Revenues

Net Income

Revenues

Net Income

$

482,779

$

232,501

$

96,475

$

23,907

$

96,517

$

17,593

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Debt Redemption Prices	'
	The Company may at any time and from time to time purchase Notes in the open market or otherwise. The Company may redeem some or all of the Notes at any time prior to December 15, 2014, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date and an Applicable Premium (as defined below) as of the date of redemption subject to the rights of holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.
	On and after December 15, 2014, the Company may redeem all or, from time to time, a part of the Notes (including any additional Notes) upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes, if any, to the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on December 15 of the years indicated below:
	Year	Percentage
	2014	104.25%
	2015	102.13%
	2016 and thereafter	100.00%
Credit Agreement and the Notes elements	'
	The Credit Agreement and the Notes consisted of the following elements at September 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively (in thousands):
		September 28,		December 29,
		2013		2012
	Senior Notes:
	8.5% Senior Notes due 2018	$	250,000	$	250,000
	Senior Secured Credit Facilities:
	Term Loan	$	—	$	—
	Revolving Credit Facility:
	Maximum availability	$	1,000,000	$	415,000
	Borrowings outstanding	—		—
	Letters of credit issued	32,668		30,119
	Availability	$	967,332	$	384,881

Other_Comprehensive_Income_Tab

Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	The components of other comprehensive income (loss) and the related tax impacts for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012 are as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		Before-Tax						Tax (Expense)						Net-of-Tax
		Amount						or Benefit						Amount
		September 28, 2013			September 29, 2012			September 28, 2013			September 29, 2012			September 28, 2013			September 29, 2012
	Defined benefit pension plans
	Amortization of prior service cost	$	15		$	23		$	(6	)	$	(9	)	$	9		$	14
	Amortization of actuarial loss	1,300			1,189			(503		)	(461		)	797			728
	Total defined benefit pension plans	1,315			1,212			(509		)	(470		)	806			742
	Natural gas swap derivatives
	Loss/(gain) reclassified to net income	95			259			(37		)	(101		)	58			158
	Gain/(loss) activity recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	(14		)	(123		)	5			48			(9		)	(75		)
	Total natural gas swap derivatives	81			136			(32		)	(53		)	49			83
	Corn option derivatives
	Loss/(gain) reclassified to net income	(2,155		)	—			835			—			(1,320		)	—
	Gain/(loss) activity recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	2,676			—			(1,031		)	—			1,645			—
	Total corn option derivatives	521			—			(196		)	—			325			—
	Interest rate swap derivatives
	Loss reclassified to net income	—			—			—			—			—			—
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	$	1,917		$	1,348		$	(737	)	$	(523	)	$	1,180		$	825
		Nine Months Ended
		Before-Tax						Tax (Expense)						Net-of-Tax
		Amount						or Benefit						Amount
		September 28, 2013			September 29, 2012			September 28, 2013			September 29, 2012			September 28, 2013			September 29, 2012
	Defined benefit pension plans
	Amortization of prior service cost	$	45		$	67		$	(18	)	$	(25	)	$	27		$	42
	Amortization of actuarial loss	3,900			3,567			(1,511		)	(1,383		)	2,389			2,184
	Total defined benefit pension plans	3,945			3,634			(1,529		)	(1,408		)	2,416			2,226
	Natural gas swap derivatives
	Loss/(gain) reclassified to net income	(92		)	1,267			35			(491		)	(57		)	776
	Gain/(loss) activity recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	73			(606		)	(28		)	234			45			(372		)
	Total natural gas swap derivatives	(19		)	661			7			(257		)	(12		)	404
	Corn option derivatives
	Loss/(gain) reclassified to net income	(3,063		)	—			1,187			—			(1,876		)	—
	Gain/(loss) activity recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	5,717			—			(2,209		)	—			3,508			—
	Total corn option derivatives	2,654			—			(1,022		)	—			1,632			—
	Interest rate swap derivatives
	Loss reclassified to net income	—			260			—			(101		)	—			159
	Other Comprehensive income (loss)	$	6,580		$	4,555		$	(2,544	)	$	(1,766	)	$	4,036		$	2,789
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table presents the amounts reclassified out of each component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012 as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 28, 2013			September 29, 2012			September 28, 2013			September 29, 2012			Statement of Operations Classification
	Derivative instruments
	Natural gas swap derivatives	$	(95	)	$	(259	)	$	92		$	(1,267	)	Cost of sales and operating expenses
	Corn option derivatives	2,155			—			3,063			—			Cost of sales and operating expenses
	Interest rate swap derivatives	—			—			—			(260		)	Interest expense
		2,060			(259		)	3,155			(1,527		)	Total before tax
		(798		)	101			(1,222		)	592			Income taxes
		1,262			(158		)	1,933			(935		)	Net of tax
	Defined benefit pension plans
	Amortization of prior service cost	$	(15	)	$	(23	)	$	(45	)	$	(67	)	(a)
	Amortization of actuarial loss	(1,300		)	(1,189		)	(3,900		)	(3,567		)	(a)
		(1,315		)	(1,212		)	(3,945		)	(3,634		)	Total before tax
		509			470			1,529			1,408			Income taxes
		(806		)	(742		)	(2,416		)	(2,226		)	Net of tax
	Total reclassifications	$	456		$	(900	)	$	(483	)	$	(3,161	)	Net of tax
	(a)	These items are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See Note 9 Employee Benefit Plans for additional information.
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table presents changes in each component of accumulated comprehensive income (loss) as of September 28, 2013 as follows (in thousands):
			Nine Months Ended September 28, 2013
			Derivative			Defined Benefit
			Instruments			Pension Plans			Total
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) December 29, 2012, net of tax		$	180		$	(31,509	)	$	(31,329	)
	Other comprehensive gain before reclassifications		3,553			—			3,553
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		(1,933		)	2,416			483
	Net current-period other comprehensive income		1,620			2,416			4,036
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) September 28, 2013, net of tax		$	1,800		$	(29,093	)	$	(27,293	)

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract]	'
Net pension cost	'
	Net pension cost for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012 includes the following components (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 28,			September 29,			September 28,			September 29,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Service cost	$	77		$	82		$	230		$	245
	Interest cost	1,318			1,362			3,954			4,088
	Expected return on plan assets	(1,819		)	(1,677		)	(5,457		)	(5,032		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	15			23			45			67
	Amortization of net loss	1,300			1,189			3,900			3,567
	Net pension cost	$	891		$	979		$	2,672		$	2,935

Derivatives_Tables

Derivatives (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value	'
	The following table presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments under FASB authoritative guidance as of September 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 (in thousands):
	Derivatives Designated	Balance Sheet	Asset Derivatives Fair Value
	as Hedges	Location	September 28, 2013			December 29, 2012
	Corn options	Other current assets	$	3,118		$	490
	Natural gas swaps	Other current assets	18			11
	Total asset derivatives designated as hedges		$	3,136		$	501
	Derivatives Not
	Designated as
	Hedges
	Heating oil swaps and options	Other current assets	$	147		$	104
	Corn futures	Other current assets	—			117
	Total asset derivatives not designated as hedges		$	147		$	221
	Total asset derivatives		$	3,283		$	722
	Derivatives Designated	Balance Sheet	Liability Derivatives Fair Value
	as Hedges	Location	September 28, 2013			December 29, 2012
	Natural gas swaps	Accrued expenses	$	29		$	21
	Total liability derivatives designated as hedges		$	29		$	21
	Derivatives Not
	Designated as
	Hedges
	Heating oil swaps and options	Accrued expenses	$	9		$	4
	Corn options	Accrued expenses	—			119
	Total liability derivatives not designated as hedges		$	9		$	123
	Total liability derivatives		$	38		$	144
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) in Statement of Financial Performance	'
	The effect of the Company’s derivative instruments on the consolidated financial statements as of and for the three months ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012 is as follows (in thousands):
								Gain or (Loss)						Gain or (Loss)
		Gain or (Loss)						Reclassified from						Recognized in Income
		Recognized in OCI						Accumulated OCI						on Derivatives
	Derivatives	on Derivatives						into Income						(Ineffective Portion and
	Designated as	(Effective Portion) (a)						(Effective Portion) (b)						Amount Excluded from
	Cash Flow Hedges													Effectiveness Testing) (c)
		2013			2012			2013			2012			2013		2012
	Interest rate swaps	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—
	Corn options	2,676			—			2,155			—			215		1
	Natural gas swaps	(14		)	(123		)	(95		)	(259		)	1		5
	Total	$	2,662		$	(123	)	$	2,060		$	(259	)	$	216	$	6
	(a)	Amount recognized in accumulated OCI (effective portion) is reported as accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) of approximately $2.7 million and approximately $0.1 million recorded net of taxes of approximately $1.0 million and less than $0.1 million as of September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, respectively.
	(b)	Gains and (losses) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (effective portion) for interest rate swaps is included in interest expense and corn options and natural gas swaps are included in cost of sales, respectively, in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
	(c)	Gains and (losses) recognized in income on derivatives (ineffective portion) for interest rate swaps, corn options and natural gas swaps is included in other income/(expense), net in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
	The effect of the Company’s derivative instruments on the consolidated financial statements as of and for the nine months ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012 is as follows (in thousands):
								Gain or (Loss)						Gain or (Loss)
		Gain or (Loss)						Reclassified From						Recognized in Income
		Recognized in OCI						Accumulated OCI						on Derivatives
	Derivatives	on Derivatives						into Income						(Ineffective Portion and
	Designated as	(Effective Portion) (a)						(Effective Portion) (b)						Amount Excluded from
	Cash Flow Hedges													Effectiveness Testing) (c)
		2013			2012			2013			2012			2013		2012
	Interest rate swaps	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	(260	)	$	—	$	—
	Corn options	5,717			—			3,063			—			249		1
	Natural gas swaps	73			(606		)	92			(1,267		)	8		8
	Total	$	5,790		$	(606	)	$	3,155		$	(1,527	)	$	257	$	9
	(a)	Amount recognized in accumulated OCI (effective portion) is reported as accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) of approximately $5.8 million and approximately $0.6 million recorded net of taxes of approximately $2.2 million and $0.2 million as of September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, respectively.
	(b)	Gains and (losses) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (effective portion) for interest rate swaps is included in interest expense and corn options and natural gas swaps are included in cost of sales, respectively, in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
	(c)	Gains and (losses) recognized in income on derivatives (ineffective portion) for interest rate swaps, corn options and natural gas swaps is included in other income/(expense), net in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

Fair_Value_Measurement_Tables

Fair Value Measurement (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair value measured on recurring basis	'
	The fair value hierarchy has three levels based on the reliability of the inputs used to determine the fair value.
				Fair Value Measurements at September 28, 2013 Using
				Quoted Prices in		Significant Other		Significant
				Active Markets for		Observable		Unobservable
				Identical Assets		Inputs		Inputs
	(In thousands of dollars)	Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Assets:
	Derivative instruments	$	3,283	$	—	$	3,283	$	—
	Total Assets	$	3,283	$	—	$	3,283	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Derivative instruments	$	38	$	—	$	38	$	—
	Senior Notes	276,875		—		276,875		—
	Total Liabilities	$	276,913	$	—	$	276,913	$	—

Business_Segments_Tables

Business Segments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Business Segment Net Sales	'
	Business Segment Net Sales (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 28,			September 29,			September 28,			September 29,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Rendering	$	362,077		$	368,154		$	1,079,848		$	1,061,947
	Bakery	63,709			84,578			214,953			214,567
	Total	$	425,786		$	452,732		$	1,294,801		$	1,276,514
Business Segment Profit/(Loss)	'
	Business Segment Profit/(Loss) (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 28, 2013			September 29, 2012			September 28, 2013			September 29, 2012
	Rendering	$	65,053		$	70,624		$	196,951		$	208,263
	Bakery	9,884			18,641			38,067			42,786
	Corporate Activities	(41,973		)	(46,225		)	(131,937		)	(130,535		)
	Interest expense	(5,313		)	(5,868		)	(16,607		)	(18,546		)
	Net Income	$	27,651		$	37,172		$	86,474		$	101,968
Business Segment Assets	'
	Business Segment Assets (in thousands):
		September 28,			December 29,
		2013			2012
	Rendering	$	1,239,859		$	1,088,775
	Bakery	168,710			170,566
	Corporate Activities	305,066			293,075
	Total	$	1,713,635		$	1,552,416

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio1

Guarantor Financial Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Guarantor Financial Information [Abstract]	'
Guarantor Financial Information Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet	'
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	As of September 28, 2013
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	ASSETS
	Total current assets	$	104,281		$	509,978		$	2,542		$	(392,470	)	$	224,331
	Investment in subsidiaries	1,701,426			—			—			(1,701,426		)	—
	Property, plant and equipment, net	164,484			357,778			—			—			522,262
	Intangible assets, net	14,787			349,374			254			—			364,415
	Goodwill	21,860			424,616			266			—			446,742
	Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary	—			—			116,250			—			116,250
	Other assets	36,711			2,924			—			—			39,635
		$	2,043,549		$	1,644,670		$	119,312		$	(2,093,896	)	$	1,713,635
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Total current liabilities	$	478,392		$	58,816		$	3,497		$	(392,470	)	$	148,235
	Long-term debt, net of current portion	250,000			76			—			—			250,076
	Other noncurrent liabilities	50,919			—			167			—			51,086
	Deferred income taxes	105,931			—			—			—			105,931
	Total liabilities	885,242			58,892			3,664			(392,470		)	555,328
	Total stockholders’ equity	1,158,307			1,585,778			115,648			(1,701,426		)	1,158,307
		$	2,043,549		$	1,644,670		$	119,312		$	(2,093,896	)	$	1,713,635
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	As of December 29, 2012
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	ASSETS
	Total current assets	$	174,576		$	455,604		$	3,037		$	(342,955	)	$	290,262
	Investment in subsidiaries	1,449,577			—			—			(1,449,577		)	—
	Property, plant and equipment, net	148,131			305,796			—			—			453,927
	Intangible assets, net	14,497			322,634			271			—			337,402
	Goodwill	21,860			359,243			266			—			381,369
	Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary	—			—			62,495			—			62,495
	Other assets	26,530			431			—			—			26,961
		$	1,835,171		$	1,443,708		$	66,069		$	(1,792,532	)	$	1,552,416
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Total current liabilities	$	414,755		$	59,218		$	666		$	(342,955	)	$	131,684
	Long-term debt, net of current portion	250,000			142			—			—			250,142
	Other noncurrent liabilities	61,365			—			174			—			61,539
	Deferred income taxes	46,615			—			—			—			46,615
	Total liabilities	772,735			59,360			840			(342,955		)	489,980
	Total stockholders’ equity	1,062,436			1,384,348			65,229			(1,449,577		)	1,062,436
		$	1,835,171		$	1,443,708		$	66,069		$	(1,792,532	)	$	1,552,416
Guarantor Financial Information Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Operations	'
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
	For the three months ended September 28, 2013
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net sales	$	182,331		$	309,529		$	2,293		$	(68,367	)	$	425,786
	Cost and expenses:
	Cost of sales and operating expenses	140,213			235,902			2,341			(68,367		)	310,089
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	23,142			19,438			8			—			42,588
	Acquisition costs	8,326			—			—			—			8,326
	Depreciation and amortization	6,035			17,091			5			—			23,131
	Total costs and expenses	177,716			272,431			2,354			(68,367		)	384,134
	Operating income	4,615			37,098			(61		)	—			41,652
	Interest expense	(5,309		)	(4		)	—			—			(5,313		)
	Other, net	(3,023		)	(239		)	(6		)	—			(3,268		)
	Equity in net income of unconsolidated subsidiary	—			—			11,953			—			11,953
	Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	29,939			—			—			(29,939		)	—
	Income/(loss) before taxes	26,222			36,855			11,886			(29,939		)	45,024
	Income taxes (benefit)	(1,429		)	14,227			4,575			—			17,373
	Net income (loss)	$	27,651		$	22,628		$	7,311		$	(29,939	)	$	27,651
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
	For the nine months ended September 28, 2013
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net sales	$	503,595		$	938,629		$	8,188		$	(155,611	)	$	1,294,801
	Cost and expenses:
	Cost of sales and operating expenses	388,463			701,804			8,041			(155,611		)	942,697
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	66,984			57,798			61			—			124,843
	Acquisition costs	9,157			—			—			—			9,157
	Depreciation and amortization	17,990			49,067			17			—			67,074
	Total costs and expenses	482,594			808,669			8,119			(155,611		)	1,143,771
	Operating income	21,001			129,960			69			—			151,030
	Interest expense	(16,596		)	(11		)	—			—			(16,607		)
	Other, net	(2,697		)	108			(30		)	—			(2,619		)
	Equity in net income of unconsolidated subsidiary	—			—			8,796			—			8,796
	Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	85,424			—			—			(85,424		)	—
	Income/(loss) from operations before taxes	87,132			130,057			8,835			(85,424		)	140,600
	Income taxes (benefit)	658			50,067			3,401			—			54,126
	Net income (loss)	$	86,474		$	79,990		$	5,434		$	(85,424	)	$	86,474
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
	For the three months ended September 29, 2012
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net sales	$	165,256		$	330,013		$	3,814		$	(46,351	)	$	452,732
	Cost and expenses:
	Cost of sales and operating expenses	125,806			244,924			3,530			(46,351		)	327,909
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	20,396			18,093			34			—			38,523
	Depreciation and amortization	5,502			15,016			6			—			20,524
	Total costs and expenses	151,704			278,033			3,570			(46,351		)	386,956
	Operating income	13,552			51,980			244			—			65,776
	Interest expense	(5,867		)	(1		)	—			—			(5,868		)
	Other, net	(841		)	1,076			(3		)	—			232
	Equity in net loss of unconsolidated subsidiary	—			—			(833		)	—			(833		)
	Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	32,877			—			—			(32,877		)	—
	Income/(loss) before taxes	39,721			53,055			(592		)	(32,877		)	59,307
	Income taxes	2,549			19,806			(220		)	—			22,135
	Net income (loss)	$	37,172		$	33,249		$	(372	)	$	(32,877	)	$	37,172
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
	For the nine months ended September 29, 2012
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net sales	$	502,814		$	903,712		$	10,089		$	(140,101	)	$	1,276,514
	Cost and expenses:
	Cost of sales and operating expenses	389,808			659,207			9,602			(140,101		)	918,516
Selling, general and administrative expenses	60,108			52,571			107			—			112,786
Depreciation and amortization	17,614			45,327			17			—			62,958
Total costs and expenses	467,530			757,105			9,726			(140,101		)	1,094,260
Operating income	35,284			146,607			363			—			182,254
Interest expense	(18,544		)	(2		)	—			—			(18,546		)
Other, net	(2,071		)	1,981			(16		)	—			(106		)
Equity in net loss of unconsolidated subsidiary	—			—			(1,725		)	—			(1,725		)
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	92,728			—			—			(92,728		)	—
Income/(loss) from operations before taxes	107,397			148,586			(1,378		)	(92,728		)	161,877
Income taxes (benefit)	5,429			54,990			(510		)	—			59,909
Net income (loss)	$	101,968		$	93,596		$	(868	)	$	(92,728	)	$	101,968
Condens
Guarantor Financial Information Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	For the three months ended September 28, 2013
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net income	$	27,651		$	22,628		$	7,311		$	(29,939	)	$	27,651
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
	Pension adjustments	806			—			—			—			806
	Natural gas swap derivative adjustments	49			—			—			—			49
	Corn option derivative adjustments	325			—			—			—			325
	Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	1,180			—			—			—			1,180
	Total comprehensive income (loss)	$	28,831		$	22,628		$	7,311		$	(29,939	)	$	28,831
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	For the nine months ended September 28, 2013
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net income	$	86,474		$	79,990		$	5,434		$	(85,424	)	$	86,474
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
	Pension adjustments	2,416			—			—			—			2,416
	Natural gas swap derivative adjustments	(12		)	—			—			—			(12		)
	Corn option derivative adjustments	1,632			—			—			—			1,632
	Total other comprehensive income	4,036			—			—			—			4,036
	Total comprehensive income (loss)	$	90,510		$	79,990		$	5,434		$	(85,424	)	$	90,510
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	For the three months ended September 29, 2012
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net income	$	37,172		$	33,249		$	(372	)	$	(32,877	)	$	37,172
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
	Pension adjustments	742			—			—			—			742
	Natural gas swap derivative adjustments	83			—			—			—			83
	Interest rate swap derivative adjustment	—			—			—			—			—
	Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	825			—			—			—			825
	Total comprehensive income (loss)	$	37,997		$	33,249		$	(372	)	$	(32,877	)	$	37,997
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	For the nine months ended September 29, 2012
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net income	$	101,968		$	93,596		$	(868	)	$	(92,728	)	$	101,968
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
	Pension adjustments	2,226			—			—			—			2,226
	Natural gas swap derivative adjustments	404			—			—			—			404
	Interest rate swap derivative adjustment	159			—			—			—			159
	Total other comprehensive income	2,789			—			—			—			2,789
	Total comprehensive income (loss)	$	104,757		$	93,596		$	(868	)	$	(92,728	)	$	104,757
Guarantor Financial Information Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows	'
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
	For the nine months ended September 28, 2013
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net income	$	86,474		$	79,990		$	5,434		$	(85,424	)	$	86,474
	Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	(85,424		)	—			—			85,424			—
	Other operating cash flows	115,200			(27,764		)	(5,205		)	—			82,231
	Net cash provided by operating activities	116,250			52,226			229			—			168,705
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Capital expenditures	(31,572		)	(54,147		)	—			—			(85,719		)
	Acquisitions	—			(121,440		)	—			—			(121,440		)
	Investment in subsidiaries and affiliates	(166,425		)	—			(44,959		)	166,425			(44,959		)
	Gross proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets	897			769			—			—			1,666
	Proceeds from insurance settlements	1,531			450			—			—			1,981
	Payments related to routes and other intangibles	(2,374		)	—			—			—			(2,374		)
	Net cash used in investing activities	(197,943		)	(174,368		)	(44,959		)	166,425			(250,845		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Payments on long-term debt	—			(62		)	—			—			(62		)
	Deferred loan costs	(11,138		)	—			—			—			(11,138		)
	Issuances of common stock	32			—			—			—			32
	Contributions from parent	—			121,440			44,985			(166,425		)	—
	Minimum withholding taxes paid on stock awards	(2,649		)	—			—			—			(2,649		)
	Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	719			—			—			—			719
	Net cash used in financing activities	(13,036		)	121,378			44,985			(166,425		)	(13,098		)
	Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(94,729		)	(764		)	255			—			(95,238		)
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	96,945			5,577			727			—			103,249
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	2,216		$	4,813		$	982		$	—		$	8,011
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
	For the nine months ended September 29, 2012
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net income	$	101,968		$	93,596		$	(868	)	$	(92,728	)	$	101,968
	Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	(92,728		)	—			—			92,728			—
	Other operating cash flows	142,681			(47,537		)	(542		)	—			94,602
	Net cash provided by operating activities	151,921			46,059			(1,410		)	—			196,570
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Capital expenditures	(37,183		)	(46,971		)	—			—			(84,154		)
	Acquisitions	(3,000		)	—			—			—			(3,000		)
	Investment in subsidiaries and affiliates	(34,441		)	—			(34,416		)	34,441			(34,416		)
	Gross proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets	1,580			1,409			—			—			2,989
	Proceeds from insurance settlements	—			1,906			—			—			1,906
	Net cash used in investing activities	(73,044		)	(43,656		)	(34,416		)	34,441			(116,675		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Payments on long-term debt	(30,000		)	(13		)	—			—			(30,013		)
	Issuances of common stock	64			—			—			—			64
	Contributions from parent	—			—			34,441			(34,441		)	—
	Minimum withholding taxes paid on stock awards	(3,365		)	—			—			—			(3,365		)
	Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	2,169			—			—			—			2,169
	Net cash used in financing activities	(31,132		)	(13		)	34,441			(34,441		)	(31,145		)
	Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	47,745			2,390			(1,385		)	—			48,750
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	35,207			1,773			1,956			—			38,936
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	82,952		$	4,163		$	571		$	—		$	87,686

General_Details

General (Details)	Sep. 28, 2013
	facilities
General [Abstract]	'
Number of Processing and Transfer Facilities	120

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Minimum Weeks In Fiscal Year	'	'	'P52W	'
Maximum Weeks In Fiscal Year	'	'	'P53W	'
Number Of Weeks in Quarter	'P13W	'P13W	'	'
Number Of Weeks Year To Date	'	'	'P39W	'P39W
Basic:	'	'	'	'
Net income	$27,651	$37,172	$86,474	$101,968
Shares	118,208,000	117,678,000	118,156,000	117,531,000
Per Share	$0.23	$0.32	$0.73	$0.87
Effect of dilutive securities: [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Add: Option shares in the money and dilutive effect of non-vested stock	690,000	792,000	688,000	844,000
Less: Pro forma treasury shares	-418,000	-296,000	-296,000	-326,000
Diluted:	'	'	'	'
Net Income	$27,651	$37,172	$86,474	$101,968
Shares	118,480,000	118,174,000	118,548,000	118,049,000
Per Share	$0.23	$0.31	$0.73	$0.86
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	331,367	207,890	284,787	211,890
Non Vested Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	55,465	100,615	59,853	111,675

Acquisitions_Details_Details

Acquisitions Details (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Dec. 29, 2012	Aug. 26, 2013
				Terra Holding Company [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Payments to acquire businesses, net of cash acquired	$121,440,000	$3,000,000	'	$121,400,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment	'	'	'	27,200,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles	'	'	'	46,100,000
Goodwill	446,742,000	'	381,369,000	65,400,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent	'	'	'	23,900,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Other Assets, Net	'	'	'	6,600,000
Business Acquisition, Goodwill, Expected Tax Deductible Amount	'	'	'	$5,200,000
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'	'	'	'12 years

Subsquent_Events_Details

Subsquent Events (Details) (Subsequent Event [Member])	0 Months Ended
	Oct. 28, 2013	Oct. 05, 2013	Oct. 05, 2013	Oct. 05, 2013	Nov. 07, 2013
	Rothsay [Member]	Vion Ingredients [Member]	Term Loan B Facility [Member]	Bridge Loan [Member]	Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]
	CAD	EUR (€)	USD ($)	USD ($)	EUR (€)
	facilities	brand
		continent
		facilities
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Payments to acquire businesses	645,000,000	'	'	'	'
Number of facilities acquired	5	'	'	'	'
Expected business combination, consideration	'	1,600,000,000	'	'	'
Number of facilities expected to be acquired	'	58	'	'	'
Expected business combination, number of continents in which entity operates	'	5	'	'	'
Expected business combination, number of brands entity operates	'	6	'	'	'
Debt commitment, available amount	'	'	1,200,000,000	1,300,000,000	'
Notional amount of derivative contract	'	'	'	'	€ 650,000,000
Average forward exchange rate	'	'	'	'	1.349

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_S2

Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiary (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Jan. 21, 2011	Jan. 21, 2011
						Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC Joint Venture [Member]	Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC Joint Venture [Member]	Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC Joint Venture [Member]	Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC Joint Venture [Member]	Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC Joint Venture [Member]	Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC Joint Venture [Member]
								boe			Valero Energy Corporation [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	50.00%	50.00%
Joint Venture Potential Barrels Of Fuel Per Day	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	9,300	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Term	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'14 years	'	'	'
Term loan facility	'	'	'	'	'	$221,300,000	'	$221,300,000	'	'	'
Darling's total contributions for constructing and funding Joint Venture	'	'	'	'	'	111,700,000	'	111,700,000	'	'	'
Investment in the joint venture	116,250,000	'	116,250,000	'	62,495,000	116,300,000	'	116,300,000	'	'	'
Loss from equity method investments	($11,953,000)	$833,000	($8,796,000)	$1,725,000	'	($12,000,000)	$800,000	($8,800,000)	$1,700,000	'	'

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_S3

Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiary (Selected Financial Information) (Details) (Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC Joint Venture [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC Joint Venture [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Total Assets	$482,779	$482,779
Partners' Capital	232,501	232,501
Revenues	96,475	96,517
Net Income	$23,907	$17,593

Debt_Narrative_Details

Debt (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Dec. 17, 2010

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Term Loan A Facility [Member]

Term Loan A Facility [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Letter of Credit [Member]

Letter of Credit [Member]

Swingline Sub-Facility [Member]

Canada, Dollars

Canada, Dollars

United States of America, Dollars

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

Canadian Dealer Offered Rate (CDOR) [Member]

Canadian Dealer Offered Rate (CDOR) [Member]

Canadian Dealer Offered Rate (CDOR) [Member]

Base Rate [Member]

Base Rate [Member]

Canadian Prime Rate [Member]

Canadian Prime Rate [Member]

Federal Funds Effective Rate [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

Darling International Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]

Darling International Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]

Darling International Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Term Loan A Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Term Loan A Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Darling International Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Face amount of debt insturment

'

'

$1,350,000,000

$350,000,000

'

'

'

'

$250,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

$150,000,000

'

$200,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum availability

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,000,000,000

415,000,000

100,000,000

'

50,000,000

'

225,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Term of debt

'

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Company availability under revolving loan facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

967,332,000

384,881,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Borrowings outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

32,668,000

30,119,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding borrowings

'

'

'

0

0

'

250,000,000

250,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred loan costs

12,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Basis spread on variable rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.50%

2.75%

'

1.50%

2.75%

0.50%

1.75%

0.50%

1.75%

'

Basis spread on base rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.50%

Basis spread on canadian prime rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount repaid of the original term loan issued

62,000

30,013,000

'

'

'

30,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Write-off of a portion of the senior term loan facilities deferred loan costs

'

'

'

'

'

$700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Annual Interest rate on 8.5% Senior Notes due 2018

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Default event, percent of principal held in order to declare notes due and payable immediately

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Pledge of stock

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Pledge of Capital stock

65.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt_Debt_Redemption_Details

Debt (Debt Redemption) (Details) (Darling International Senior Unsecured Notes [Member], Unsecured Debt [Member])	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]	'
Redemption period	'90 days
Redemption price, percentage of principal amount redeemed	35.00%
Redemption price, percentage of principal amount that remains outstanding after redemption	65.00%
Minimum [Member]	'
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]	'
Notice period	'30 days
Maximum [Member]	'
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]	'
Notice period	'60 days
Until December 15, 2013 [Member]	'
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]	'
Redemption price, percentage	108.50%
Prior to December 15, 2014 [Member]	'
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]	'
Redemption price, percentage	100.00%
2014 [Member]	'
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]	'
Redemption price, percentage	104.25%
2015 [Member]	'
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]	'
Redemption price, percentage	102.13%
2016 and thereafter [Member]	'
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]	'
Redemption price, percentage	100.00%

Debt_Debt_Summary_Details

Debt (Debt Summary) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Darling International Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Outstanding borrowings	$250,000	$250,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Facilities [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Maximum availability	1,000,000	415,000
Borrowings outstanding	0	0
Availability	967,332	384,881
Letter of Credit [Member] | Senior Secured Facilities [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Maximum availability	100,000	'
Borrowings outstanding	$32,668	$30,119

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013
			Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]	'	'	'
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	$91,600,000	$34,000,000	'
Payment for Income Tax Examination	'	'	700,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$0	'	'

Other_Comprehensive_Income_Det

Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Before-Tax Amount:	'	'	'	'
Amortization of prior service cost	$15	$23	$45	$67
Amortization of actuarial loss	1,300	1,189	3,900	3,567
Total defined benefit pension plans	1,315	1,212	3,945	3,634
Loss activity recognized in other comprehensive loss	2,700	100	5,800	600
Other Comprehensive income (loss)	1,917	1,348	6,580	4,555
Tax (Expense) or Benefit:	'	'	'	'
Amortization of prior service cost	-6	-9	-18	-25
Amortization of actuarial loss	-503	-461	-1,511	-1,383
Total defined benefit pension plans	-509	-470	-1,529	-1,408
Loss activity recognized in other comprehensive loss	1,000	100	2,200	-200
Other Comprehensive income (loss)	-737	-523	-2,544	-1,766
Net-of-Tax Amount:	'	'	'	'
Amortization of prior service cost	9	14	27	42
Amortization of actuarial loss	797	728	2,389	2,184
Total defined benefit pension plans	806	742	2,416	2,226
Total other comprehensive income	1,180	825	4,036	2,789
Natural Gas Swap [Member]	'	'	'	'
Before-Tax Amount:	'	'	'	'
Loss reclassified to net income	95	259	-92	1,267
Loss activity recognized in other comprehensive loss	-14	-123	73	-606
Total swap derivatives	81	136	-19	661
Tax (Expense) or Benefit:	'	'	'	'
Loss reclassified to net income	-37	-101	35	-491
Loss activity recognized in other comprehensive loss	5	48	-28	234
Total swap derivatives	-32	-53	7	-257
Net-of-Tax Amount:	'	'	'	'
Loss reclassified to net income	58	158	-57	776
Loss activity recognized in other comprehensive loss	-9	-75	45	-372
Total swap derivatives	49	83	-12	404
Corn Option [Member]	'	'	'	'
Before-Tax Amount:	'	'	'	'
Loss reclassified to net income	-2,155	0	-3,063	0
Loss activity recognized in other comprehensive loss	2,676	0	5,717	0
Total swap derivatives	521	0	2,654	0
Tax (Expense) or Benefit:	'	'	'	'
Loss reclassified to net income	835	0	1,187	0
Loss activity recognized in other comprehensive loss	-1,031	0	-2,209	0
Total swap derivatives	-196	0	-1,022	0
Net-of-Tax Amount:	'	'	'	'
Loss reclassified to net income	-1,320	0	-1,876	0
Loss activity recognized in other comprehensive loss	1,645	0	3,508	0
Total swap derivatives	325	0	1,632	0
Interest Rate Swap [Member]	'	'	'	'
Before-Tax Amount:	'	'	'	'
Total swap derivatives	0	0	0	260
Tax (Expense) or Benefit:	'	'	'	'
Total swap derivatives	0	0	0	-101
Net-of-Tax Amount:	'	'	'	'
Total swap derivatives	$0	$0	$0	$159

Other_Comprehensive_Income_Rec

Other Comprehensive Income (Reclassification out of AOCI) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013		Sep. 29, 2012		Sep. 28, 2013		Sep. 29, 2012
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Cost of sales and operating expenses	($310,089)		($327,909)		($942,697)		($918,516)
Interest expense	-5,313		-5,868		-16,607		-18,546
Amortization of prior service cost	15		23		45		67
Amortization of actuarial loss	1,300		1,189		3,900		3,567
Total before tax	45,024		59,307		140,600		161,877
Income taxes	-17,373		-22,135		-54,126		-59,909
Net income	27,651		37,172		86,474		101,968
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'		'		'		'
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Net income	456		-900		-483		-3,161
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]	'		'		'		'
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Total before tax	2,060		-259		3,155		-1,527
Income taxes	-798		101		-1,222		592
Net income	1,262		-158		1,933		-935
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Natural Gas Swap [Member]	'		'		'		'
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Cost of sales and operating expenses	-95		-259		92		-1,267
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Corn Option [Member]	'		'		'		'
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Cost of sales and operating expenses	2,155		0		3,063		0
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]	'		'		'		'
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Interest expense	0		0		0		-260
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]	'		'		'		'
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Amortization of prior service cost	-15	[1]	-23	[1]	-45	[1]	-67	[1]
Amortization of actuarial loss	-1,300	[1]	-1,189	[1]	-3,900	[1]	-3,567	[1]
Total before tax	-1,315		-1,212		-3,945		-3,634
Income taxes	509		470		1,529		1,408
Net income	($806)		($742)		($2,416)		($2,226)
[1]	These items are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See Note 9 Employee Benefit Plans for additional information.

Other_Comprehensive_Income_Sch

Other Comprehensive Income (Schedule of AOCI) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) December 29, 2012, net of tax	'	($31,329)
Other comprehensive gain before reclassifications	3,553	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	483	'
Net current-period other comprehensive income	4,036	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) September 28, 2013, net of tax	-27,293	-31,329
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) December 29, 2012, net of tax	'	180
Other comprehensive gain before reclassifications	3,553	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-1,933	'
Net current-period other comprehensive income	1,620	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) September 28, 2013, net of tax	1,800	180
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) December 29, 2012, net of tax	'	-31,509
Other comprehensive gain before reclassifications	0	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	2,416	'
Net current-period other comprehensive income	2,416	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) September 28, 2013, net of tax	($29,093)	($31,509)

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details

Employee Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Jan. 01, 2011	Jan. 03, 2009
	plan		plan
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Service cost	$77,000	$82,000	$230,000	$245,000	'	'
Interest cost	1,318,000	1,362,000	3,954,000	4,088,000	'	'
Expected return on plan assets	-1,819,000	-1,677,000	-5,457,000	-5,032,000	'	'
Amortization of prior service cost	15,000	23,000	45,000	67,000	'	'
Amortization of net loss	1,300,000	1,189,000	3,900,000	3,567,000	'	'
Net pension cost	891,000	979,000	2,672,000	2,935,000	'	'
Amount Company expects to contribute to its pension plans	'	'	300,000	'	'	'
Pension Contributions	'	'	4,000,000	1,800,000	'	'
Multiemployer Plans [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number Of Multiemployer Plans, Withdrawal Obligation Could Be Material	2	'	2	'	'	'
Number Of Multiemployer Plans Withdrawal Obligation Could Be Material Certified Red Zone	1	'	1	'	'	'
Number of Multiemployer Plans, Certified Red Zone	4	'	4	'	'	'
Accrued liability representing the present value of scheduled withdrawal liability payments for under-funded multi-employer plan	$900,000	'	$900,000	'	$1,200,000	$3,200,000
Number of Multiemployer Plans, Certified Yellow Zone	2	'	2	'	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Multiemployer Plans [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Multiemployer Plan, Contributions To Individual Plan, Percent	'	'	5.00%	'	'	'

Derivatives_Details

Derivatives (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 29, 2012

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 31, 2010

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 29, 2012

19-May-06

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 29, 2012

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Natural Gas Swap [Member]

Natural Gas Swap [Member]

Natural Gas Swap [Member]

Natural Gas Swap [Member]

Natural Gas Swap [Member]

Natural Gas Swap [Member]

Natural Gas Swap [Member]

Natural Gas Swap [Member]

Heating Oil Swaps And Options [Member]

Heating Oil Swaps And Options [Member]

Heating Oil Swaps And Options [Member]

Heating Oil Swaps And Options [Member]

Corn Option [Member]

Corn Option [Member]

Corn Option [Member]

Corn Option [Member]

Corn Option [Member]

Corn Option [Member]

Corn Option [Member]

Corn Option [Member]

Corn options and futures [Member]

Corn options and futures [Member]

Forward Contracts [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Cash Flow Hedging [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]

Commodity Contract [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Interest Rate Swap [Member]

Natural Gas Swap [Member]

Natural Gas Swap [Member]

Natural Gas Swap [Member]

Natural Gas Swap [Member]

Corn Option [Member]

Corn Option [Member]

Corn Option [Member]

Corn Option [Member]

Accrued Expenses [Member]

Accrued Expenses [Member]

Other Current Assets [Member]

Other Current Assets [Member]

Accrued Expenses [Member]

Accrued Expenses [Member]

Other Current Assets [Member]

Other Current Assets [Member]

Other Current Assets [Member]

Other Current Assets [Member]

Accrued Expenses [Member]

Accrued Expenses [Member]

Other Current Assets [Member]

Other Current Assets [Member]

derivative

Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of Interest Rate Derivatives Held

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Payment for Cash Flow Hedge

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$2,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings over next 12 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash Flow Hedge Loss Reclassified to Earnings

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Asset Derivatives Fair Value

3,283,000

'

3,283,000

'

722,000

3,136,000

501,000

147,000

221,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

147,000

104,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

117,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability

38,000

'

38,000

'

144,000

29,000

21,000

9,000

123,000

'

'

'

'

29,000

21,000

18,000

11,000

9,000

4,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,118,000

490,000

0

119,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Effective Portion, Net

2,662,000

[1]

-123,000

[1]

5,790,000

[2]

-606,000

[2]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

[1]

0

[1]

0

[2]

0

[2]

'

-14,000

[1]

-123,000

[1]

73,000

[2]

-606,000

[2]

2,676,000

[1]

0

[1]

5,717,000

[2]

0

[2]

Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net

2,060,000

[3]

-259,000

[3]

3,155,000

[3]

-1,527,000

[3]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

[3]

0

[3]

0

[3]

-260,000

[3]

'

-95,000

[3]

-259,000

[3]

92,000

[3]

-1,267,000

[3]

2,155,000

[3]

0

[3]

3,063,000

[3]

0

[3]

Gain Recognized in Income on Derivatives, Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing

216,000

[4]

6,000

[4]

257,000

[4]

9,000

[4]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

[4]

0

[4]

0

[4]

0

[4]

'

1,000

[4]

5,000

[4]

8,000

[4]

8,000

[4]

215,000

[4]

1,000

[4]

249,000

[4]

1,000

[4]

Loss activity recognized in other comprehensive loss

-2,700,000

-100,000

-5,800,000

-600,000

'

'

'

'

'

14,000

123,000

-73,000

606,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-2,676,000

0

-5,717,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss activity recognized in other comprehensive loss, tax

1,000,000

100,000

2,200,000

-200,000

'

'

'

'

'

5,000

48,000

-28,000

234,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1,031,000

0

-2,209,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Forward Purchase Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$3,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

Amount recognized in accumulated OCI (effective portion) is reported as accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) of approximately $2.7 million and approximately $0.1 million recorded net of taxes of approximately $1.0 million and less than $0.1 million as of September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, respectively.

[2]

Amount recognized in accumulated OCI (effective portion) is reported as accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) of approximately $5.8 million and approximately $0.6 million recorded net of taxes of approximately $2.2 million and $0.2 million as of September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, respectively.

[3]

Gains and (losses) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (effective portion) for interest rate swaps is included in interest expense and corn options and natural gas swaps are included in cost of sales, respectively, in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

[4]

Gains and (losses) recognized in income on derivatives (ineffective portion) for interest rate swaps, corn options and natural gas swaps is included in other income/(expense), net in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

Fair_Value_Measurement_Details

Fair Value Measurement (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Derivative instruments	$3,283
Total Assets	3,283
Derivative instruments	38
Senior Notes	276,875
Total Liabilities	276,913
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Derivative instruments	0
Total Assets	0
Derivative instruments	0
Senior Notes	0
Total Liabilities	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Derivative instruments	3,283
Total Assets	3,283
Derivative instruments	38
Senior Notes	276,875
Total Liabilities	276,913
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'
Derivative instruments	0
Total Assets	0
Derivative instruments	0
Senior Notes	0
Total Liabilities	$0

Contingencies_Details

Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Feb. 04, 2009	Sep. 28, 2013
		Insurance Environmental and Litigation Matters [Member]	Insurance Environmental and Litigation Matters [Member]	Tierra Maxus Litigation Third Party Complaint [Member]	Tierra Maxus Litigation Third Party Complaint [Member]
				defendant	entity
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Reserves for insurance, environmental and litigation contingencies	'	$35,700,000	$37,000,000	'	'
Insurance Settlements Receivable, Noncurrent	'	9,300,000	9,300,000	'	'
Loss Contingency, Number of Defendants	'	'	'	2	'
Number of entities involved in third party complaint	'	'	'	'	300
Litigation Settlement, Amount	$195,000	'	'	'	'

Business_Segments_Narrative_De

Business Segments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
	segment		segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Number of Business Segments	2	'	2	'
Net sales	$425,786	$452,732	$1,294,801	$1,276,514
Rendering [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	362,077	368,154	1,079,848	1,061,947
Fat [Member] | Rendering [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	195,400	205,900	580,900	626,000
Protein [Member] | Rendering [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$133,600	$137,100	$410,600	$361,900

Business_Segments_Details

Business Segments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Dec. 29, 2012
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$425,786	$452,732	$1,294,801	$1,276,514	'
Net income	27,651	37,172	86,474	101,968	'
Interest expense	-5,313	-5,868	-16,607	-18,546	'
Assets	1,713,635	'	1,713,635	'	1,552,416
Rendering [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	362,077	368,154	1,079,848	1,061,947	'
Net income	65,053	70,624	196,951	208,263	'
Assets	1,239,859	'	1,239,859	'	1,088,775
Bakery [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	63,709	84,578	214,953	214,567	'
Net income	9,884	18,641	38,067	42,786	'
Assets	168,710	'	168,710	'	170,566
Unallocated Amount to Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	-41,973	-46,225	-131,937	-130,535	'
Interest expense	-5,313	-5,868	-16,607	-18,546	'
Assets	$305,066	'	$305,066	'	$293,075

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 29, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC Joint Venture [Member]

Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC Joint Venture [Member]

Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC Joint Venture [Member]

Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC Joint Venture [Member]

Butler Properties [Member]

Butler Properties [Member]

Jackson Property [Member]

Jackson Property [Member]

Henderson Property [Member]

Henderson Property [Member]

Lease Term Of Initial Rental Payment [Member]

Lease Term Of Initial Rental Payment [Member]

Lease Term Of Initial Rental Payment [Member]

Lease Term Of Increased Rental Payment [Member]

Lease Term Of Increased Rental Payment [Member]

Lease Term Of Increased Rental Payment [Member]

property

Butler Properties [Member]

Jackson Property [Member]

Henderson Property [Member]

Butler Properties [Member]

Jackson Property [Member]

Henderson Property [Member]

Related Party Transaction [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number Of Properties Leased

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Minimum Rentals

'

'

'

'

'

$30,000

'

$221,715

'

$60,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenue from Related Parties

34,200,000

0

44,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accounts Receivable, Related Parties, Current

8,300,000

'

8,300,000

300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Related Party Sales Eliminated

'

'

7,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Lease Term

'

'

'

'

'30 years

'

'30 years

'

'10 years

'

'5 years

'5 years

'5 years

'5 years

'5 years

'5 years

Lease term, Renewal Option, Number Of Additional Terms

'

'

'

'

2

'

2

'

4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Lease term, Renewal Option, Additional Term

'

'

'

'

'10 years

'

'10 years

'

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred Revenue, Additions

'

'

$1,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio2

Guarantor Financial Information (Narrative) (Details)	Sep. 28, 2013
Guarantor Financial Information [Abstract]	'
Company's percentage of directly and indirectly owned subsidiaries	100.00%

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio3

Guarantor Financial Information (Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'	'
Total current assets	$224,331	$290,262
Investments in subsidiaries	0	0
Property, plant and equipment, net	522,262	453,927
Intangible assets, net	364,415	337,402
Goodwill	446,742	381,369
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary	116,250	62,495
Other assets	39,635	26,961
Total assets	1,713,635	1,552,416
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'
Total current liabilities	148,235	131,684
Long-term debt, net of current portion	250,076	250,142
Other noncurrent liabilities	51,086	61,539
Deferred income taxes	105,931	46,615
Total liabilities	555,328	489,980
Total stockholders’ equity	1,158,307	1,062,436
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	1,713,635	1,552,416
Issuer [Member]	'	'
ASSETS	'	'
Total current assets	104,281	174,576
Investments in subsidiaries	1,701,426	1,449,577
Property, plant and equipment, net	164,484	148,131
Intangible assets, net	14,787	14,497
Goodwill	21,860	21,860
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary	0	0
Other assets	36,711	26,530
Total assets	2,043,549	1,835,171
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'
Total current liabilities	478,392	414,755
Long-term debt, net of current portion	250,000	250,000
Other noncurrent liabilities	50,919	61,365
Deferred income taxes	105,931	46,615
Total liabilities	885,242	772,735
Total stockholders’ equity	1,158,307	1,062,436
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	2,043,549	1,835,171
Guarantors [Member]	'	'
ASSETS	'	'
Total current assets	509,978	455,604
Investments in subsidiaries	0	0
Property, plant and equipment, net	357,778	305,796
Intangible assets, net	349,374	322,634
Goodwill	424,616	359,243
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary	0	0
Other assets	2,924	431
Total assets	1,644,670	1,443,708
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'
Total current liabilities	58,816	59,218
Long-term debt, net of current portion	76	142
Other noncurrent liabilities	0	0
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Total liabilities	58,892	59,360
Total stockholders’ equity	1,585,778	1,384,348
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	1,644,670	1,443,708
Non-guarantors [Member]	'	'
ASSETS	'	'
Total current assets	2,542	3,037
Investments in subsidiaries	0	0
Property, plant and equipment, net	0	0
Intangible assets, net	254	271
Goodwill	266	266
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary	116,250	62,495
Other assets	0	0
Total assets	119,312	66,069
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'
Total current liabilities	3,497	666
Long-term debt, net of current portion	0	0
Other noncurrent liabilities	167	174
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Total liabilities	3,664	840
Total stockholders’ equity	115,648	65,229
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	119,312	66,069
Eliminations [Member]	'	'
ASSETS	'	'
Total current assets	-392,470	-342,955
Investments in subsidiaries	-1,701,426	-1,449,577
Property, plant and equipment, net	0	0
Intangible assets, net	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary	0	0
Other assets	0	0
Total assets	-2,093,896	-1,792,532
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	'	'
Total current liabilities	-392,470	-342,955
Long-term debt, net of current portion	0	0
Other noncurrent liabilities	0	0
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Total liabilities	-392,470	-342,955
Total stockholders’ equity	-1,701,426	-1,449,577
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	($2,093,896)	($1,792,532)

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio4

Guarantor Financial Information (Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Net sales	$425,786	$452,732	$1,294,801	$1,276,514
Costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Cost of sales and operating expenses	310,089	327,909	942,697	918,516
Selling, general and administrative expenses	42,588	38,523	124,843	112,786
Acquisition Costs	8,326	0	9,157	0
Depreciation and amortization	23,131	20,524	67,074	62,958
Total costs and expenses	384,134	386,956	1,143,771	1,094,260
Operating income	41,652	65,776	151,030	182,254
Interest expense	-5,313	-5,868	-16,607	-18,546
Other income/(expense), net	-3,268	232	-2,619	-106
Equity in net income/(loss) of unconsolidated subsidiary	11,953	-833	8,796	-1,725
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	0	0	0	0
Income before income taxes	45,024	59,307	140,600	161,877
Income taxes	17,373	22,135	54,126	59,909
Net income	27,651	37,172	86,474	101,968
Issuer [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	182,331	165,256	503,595	502,814
Costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Cost of sales and operating expenses	140,213	125,806	388,463	389,808
Selling, general and administrative expenses	23,142	20,396	66,984	60,108
Acquisition Costs	8,326	'	9,157	'
Depreciation and amortization	6,035	5,502	17,990	17,614
Total costs and expenses	177,716	151,704	482,594	467,530
Operating income	4,615	13,552	21,001	35,284
Interest expense	-5,309	-5,867	-16,596	-18,544
Other income/(expense), net	-3,023	-841	-2,697	-2,071
Equity in net income/(loss) of unconsolidated subsidiary	0	0	0	0
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	29,939	32,877	85,424	92,728
Income before income taxes	26,222	39,721	87,132	107,397
Income taxes	-1,429	2,549	658	5,429
Net income	27,651	37,172	86,474	101,968
Guarantors [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	309,529	330,013	938,629	903,712
Costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Cost of sales and operating expenses	235,902	244,924	701,804	659,207
Selling, general and administrative expenses	19,438	18,093	57,798	52,571
Acquisition Costs	0	'	0	'
Depreciation and amortization	17,091	15,016	49,067	45,327
Total costs and expenses	272,431	278,033	808,669	757,105
Operating income	37,098	51,980	129,960	146,607
Interest expense	-4	-1	-11	-2
Other income/(expense), net	-239	1,076	108	1,981
Equity in net income/(loss) of unconsolidated subsidiary	0	0	0	0
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	0	0	0	0
Income before income taxes	36,855	53,055	130,057	148,586
Income taxes	14,227	19,806	50,067	54,990
Net income	22,628	33,249	79,990	93,596
Non-guarantors [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	2,293	3,814	8,188	10,089
Costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Cost of sales and operating expenses	2,341	3,530	8,041	9,602
Selling, general and administrative expenses	8	34	61	107
Acquisition Costs	0	'	0	'
Depreciation and amortization	5	6	17	17
Total costs and expenses	2,354	3,570	8,119	9,726
Operating income	-61	244	69	363
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Other income/(expense), net	-6	-3	-30	-16
Equity in net income/(loss) of unconsolidated subsidiary	11,953	-833	8,796	-1,725
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	0	0	0	0
Income before income taxes	11,886	-592	8,835	-1,378
Income taxes	4,575	-220	3,401	-510
Net income	7,311	-372	5,434	-868
Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	-68,367	-46,351	-155,611	-140,101
Costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Cost of sales and operating expenses	-68,367	-46,351	-155,611	-140,101
Selling, general and administrative expenses	0	0	0	0
Acquisition Costs	0	'	0	'
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Total costs and expenses	-68,367	-46,351	-155,611	-140,101
Operating income	0	0	0	0
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Other income/(expense), net	0	0	0	0
Equity in net income/(loss) of unconsolidated subsidiary	0	0	0	0
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	-29,939	-32,877	-85,424	-92,728
Income before income taxes	-29,939	-32,877	-85,424	-92,728
Income taxes	0	0	0	0
Net income	($29,939)	($32,877)	($85,424)	($92,728)

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio5

Guarantor Financial Information (Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income) (Loss) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Net income	$27,651	$37,172	$86,474	$101,968
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Pension adjustments, net of tax	806	742	2,416	2,226
Total other comprehensive income	1,180	825	4,036	2,789
Total comprehensive income	28,831	37,997	90,510	104,757
Issuer [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net income	27,651	37,172	86,474	101,968
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Pension adjustments, net of tax	806	742	2,416	2,226
Total other comprehensive income	1,180	825	4,036	2,789
Total comprehensive income	28,831	37,997	90,510	104,757
Guarantors [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net income	22,628	33,249	79,990	93,596
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Pension adjustments, net of tax	0	0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0
Total comprehensive income	22,628	33,249	79,990	93,596
Non-guarantors [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net income	7,311	-372	5,434	-868
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Pension adjustments, net of tax	0	0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0
Total comprehensive income	7,311	-372	5,434	-868
Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Net income	-29,939	-32,877	-85,424	-92,728
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Pension adjustments, net of tax	0	0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0
Total comprehensive income	-29,939	-32,877	-85,424	-92,728
Natural Gas Swap [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Derivative adjustments, net of tax	49	83	-12	404
Natural Gas Swap [Member] | Issuer [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Derivative adjustments, net of tax	49	83	-12	404
Natural Gas Swap [Member] | Guarantors [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Derivative adjustments, net of tax	0	0	0	0
Natural Gas Swap [Member] | Non-guarantors [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Derivative adjustments, net of tax	0	0	0	0
Natural Gas Swap [Member] | Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Derivative adjustments, net of tax	0	0	0	0
Corn Option [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Derivative adjustments, net of tax	325	0	1,632	0
Corn Option [Member] | Issuer [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Derivative adjustments, net of tax	325	'	1,632	'
Corn Option [Member] | Guarantors [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Derivative adjustments, net of tax	0	'	0	'
Corn Option [Member] | Non-guarantors [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Derivative adjustments, net of tax	0	'	0	'
Corn Option [Member] | Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Derivative adjustments, net of tax	0	'	0	'
Interest Rate Swap [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Derivative adjustments, net of tax	0	0	0	159
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Issuer [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Derivative adjustments, net of tax	'	0	'	159
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Guarantors [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Derivative adjustments, net of tax	'	0	'	0
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Non-guarantors [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Derivative adjustments, net of tax	'	0	'	0
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Derivative adjustments, net of tax	'	$0	'	$0

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio6

Guarantor Financial Information (Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$86,474	$101,968
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	0	0
Other operating cash flows	82,231	94,602
Net cash provided by operating activities	168,705	196,570
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Capital expenditures	-85,719	-84,154
Acquisition	-121,440	-3,000
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary	-44,959	-34,416
Gross proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment and other assets	1,666	2,989
Proceeds from Insurance Settlement, Investing Activities	1,981	1,906
Payments related to routes and other intangibles	-2,374	0
Net cash used by investing activities	-250,845	-116,675
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Payments on long-term debt	-62	-30,013
Deferred loan costs	-11,138	0
Issuance of common stock	32	64
Proceeds from Contributions from Parent	0	0
Minimum withholding taxes paid on stock awards	-2,649	-3,365
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	719	2,169
Net cash used by financing activities	-13,098	-31,145
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-95,238	48,750
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	103,249	38,936
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	8,011	87,686
Issuer [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	86,474	101,968
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	-85,424	-92,728
Other operating cash flows	115,200	142,681
Net cash provided by operating activities	116,250	151,921
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Capital expenditures	-31,572	-37,183
Acquisition	0	-3,000
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary	-166,425	-34,441
Gross proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment and other assets	897	1,580
Proceeds from Insurance Settlement, Investing Activities	1,531	0
Payments related to routes and other intangibles	-2,374	'
Net cash used by investing activities	-197,943	-73,044
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Payments on long-term debt	0	-30,000
Deferred loan costs	-11,138	'
Issuance of common stock	32	64
Proceeds from Contributions from Parent	0	0
Minimum withholding taxes paid on stock awards	-2,649	-3,365
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	719	2,169
Net cash used by financing activities	-13,036	-31,132
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-94,729	47,745
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	96,945	35,207
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	2,216	82,952
Guarantors [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	79,990	93,596
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	0	0
Other operating cash flows	-27,764	-47,537
Net cash provided by operating activities	52,226	46,059
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Capital expenditures	-54,147	-46,971
Acquisition	-121,440	0
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary	0	0
Gross proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment and other assets	769	1,409
Proceeds from Insurance Settlement, Investing Activities	450	1,906
Payments related to routes and other intangibles	0	'
Net cash used by investing activities	-174,368	-43,656
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Payments on long-term debt	-62	-13
Deferred loan costs	0	'
Issuance of common stock	0	0
Proceeds from Contributions from Parent	121,440	0
Minimum withholding taxes paid on stock awards	0	0
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	0	0
Net cash used by financing activities	121,378	-13
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-764	2,390
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	5,577	1,773
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	4,813	4,163
Non-guarantors [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	5,434	-868
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	0	0
Other operating cash flows	-5,205	-542
Net cash provided by operating activities	229	-1,410
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Capital expenditures	0	0
Acquisition	0	0
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary	-44,959	-34,416
Gross proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment and other assets	0	0
Proceeds from Insurance Settlement, Investing Activities	0	0
Payments related to routes and other intangibles	0	'
Net cash used by investing activities	-44,959	-34,416
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Payments on long-term debt	0	0
Deferred loan costs	0	'
Issuance of common stock	0	0
Proceeds from Contributions from Parent	44,985	34,441
Minimum withholding taxes paid on stock awards	0	0
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	0	0
Net cash used by financing activities	44,985	34,441
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	255	-1,385
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	727	1,956
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	982	571
Eliminations [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	-85,424	-92,728
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	85,424	92,728
Other operating cash flows	0	0
Net cash provided by operating activities	0	0
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Capital expenditures	0	0
Acquisition	0	0
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary	166,425	34,441
Gross proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment and other assets	0	0
Proceeds from Insurance Settlement, Investing Activities	0	0
Payments related to routes and other intangibles	0	'
Net cash used by investing activities	166,425	34,441
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Payments on long-term debt	0	0
Deferred loan costs	0	'
Issuance of common stock	0	0
Proceeds from Contributions from Parent	-166,425	-34,441
Minimum withholding taxes paid on stock awards	0	0
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	0	0
Net cash used by financing activities	-166,425	-34,441
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$0	$0