Darling Ingredients (DAR) 10-Q 14 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015	7-May-15
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	DARLING INGREDIENTS INC.
Entity Central Index Key	916540
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-1
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	4-Apr-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		165,220,171

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Apr. 04, 2015	Jan. 03, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$112,131	$108,784
Restricted cash	353	343
Accounts receivable, net	376,968	409,779
Inventories	398,179	401,613
Prepaid expenses	54,848	44,629
Income taxes refundable	25,531	22,140
Other current assets	30,642	21,324
Deferred income taxes	45,139	45,001
Total current assets	1,043,791	1,053,613
Property, plant and equipment, less accumulated depreciation of $540,327 at April 4, 2015 and $525,699 at January 3, 2015	1,507,625	1,574,116
Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization of $198,281 at April 4, 2015 and $184,909 at January 3, 2015	869,800	932,413
Goodwill	1,255,105	1,320,419
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries	198,639	202,712
Other assets	67,023	71,009
Deferred income taxes	15,832	16,431
Total assets	4,957,815	5,170,713
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	81,195	54,401
Accounts payable, principally trade	161,853	168,518
Income taxes payable	6,138	4,363
Accrued expenses	224,845	256,119
Deferred income taxes	1,540	642
Total current liabilities	475,571	484,043
Long-term debt, net of current portion	2,009,535	2,098,039
Other non-current liabilities	112,354	114,700
Deferred income taxes	402,414	422,797
Total liabilities	2,999,874	3,119,579
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 250,000,000 shares authorized; 166,999,637 and 166,213,793 shares issued at April 4, 2015 and at January 3, 2015, respectively	1,670	1,662
Additional paid-in capital	1,481,590	1,479,637
Treasury stock, at cost; 1,779,614 and 1,501,130 shares at April 4, 2015 and at January 3, 2015, respectively	-27,638	-23,207
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-274,895	-177,060
Retained earnings	672,067	671,958
Total Darling's stockholders’ equity	1,852,794	1,952,990
Noncontrolling interests	105,147	98,144
Total stockholders' equity	1,957,941	2,051,134
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$4,957,815	$5,170,713

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Apr. 04, 2015	Jan. 03, 2015
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Assets:
Property, plant and equipment, accumulated depreciation	$540,327	$525,699
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$198,281	$184,909
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	250,000,000	250,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	166,999,637	166,213,793
Treasury stock, shares	1,779,614	1,501,130

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$874,694	$946,292
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses	684,521	775,206
Selling, general and administrative expenses	86,631	90,033
Acquisition and integration costs	5,319	15,948
Depreciation and amortization	66,398	65,669
Total costs and expenses	842,869	946,856
Operating income/(loss)	31,825	-564
Other expense:
Interest expense	-23,109	-58,857
Foreign currency gain/(loss)	-2,460	-13,814
Other income/(expense), net	-509	-1,138
Total other expense	-26,078	-73,809
Equity in net income/(loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries	-1,808	5,077
Income/(loss) before income taxes	3,939	-69,296
Income tax expense/(benefit)	2,115	-18,290
Net income/(loss)	1,824	-51,006
Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	-1,715	-1,797
Net income/(loss) attributable to Darling	$109	($52,803)
Basic income per share (in dollars per share)	$0	($0.32)
Diluted income per share (in dollars per share)	$0	($0.32)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Net income/(loss)	$1,824	($51,006)
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	-98,642	20,615
Pension adjustments	769	320
Total other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	-97,835	19,224
Total comprehensive income/(loss)	-96,011	-31,782
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	7,042	868
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Darling	-103,053	-32,650
Natural Gas Swap [Member]
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Derivative adjustments	0	-113
Corn Option [Member]
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Derivative adjustments	$38	($1,598)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income/(loss)	$1,824	($51,006)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	66,398	65,669
Loss/(gain) on disposal of property, plant, equipment and other assets	47	-916
Gain on insurance proceeds from insurance settlements	-341	0
Deferred taxes	503	-9,499
Increase/(decrease) in long-term pension liability	261	-688
Stock-based compensation expense	1,282	8,459
Write-off deferred loan costs	0	4,330
Deferred loan cost amortization	2,409	2,452
Equity in net (income)/loss of unconsolidated subsidiaries	1,808	-5,077
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	12,269	7,018
Income taxes refundable/payable	-1,857	-11,739
Inventories and prepaid expenses	-26,511	16,700
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	-19,985	-63,824
Other	21,133	7,617
Net cash provided/(used) by operating activities	59,240	-30,504
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	-50,838	-51,360
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	-2,081,690
Gross proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment and other assets	534	1,324
Proceeds from insurance settlement	341	0
Payments related to routes and other intangibles	-753	-6,812
Net cash used by investing activities	-50,716	-2,138,538
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	5,943	1,797,509
Payments on long-term debt	-13,602	-263,971
Borrowings from revolving credit facility	27,428	223,310
Payments on revolving credit facility	-37,943	-273,474
Net cash overdraft financing	31,162	0
Deferred loan costs	0	-38,786
Issuance of common stock	81	2,504
Minimum withholding taxes paid on stock awards	-4,469	-4,709
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	-35	960
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-38	0
Net cash provided by financing activities	8,527	1,443,343
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-13,704	-1,736
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	3,347	-727,435
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	108,784	870,857
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	112,131	143,422
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Accrued capital expenditures	2,164	1,437
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest, net of capitalized interest	26,118	35,472
Income taxes, net of refunds	$5,149	$5,466

General

General	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
General	General
	Darling Ingredients Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Darling”, and together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”), is a global developer and producer of sustainable natural ingredients from edible and inedible bio-nutrients, creating a wide range of ingredients and customized specialty solutions for customers in the pharmaceutical, food, pet food, feed, technical, fuel, bioenergy and fertilizer industries. As further discussed in Note 3, on January 7, 2014, the Company acquired the VION Ingredients business division (“VION Ingredients”) of VION Holding, N.V., a Dutch limited liability company (“VION”), by purchasing all of the shares of VION Ingredients International (Holding) B.V., and VION Ingredients Germany GmbH, and 60% of Best Hides GmbH (collectively, the "VION Companies"), pursuant to a Sale and Purchase Agreement dated October 5, 2013, as amended, between Darling and VION (the “VION Acquisition”). The VION Ingredients business is now conducted under the name Darling Ingredients International. The Company’s business is conducted through a global network of over 200 locations across five continents. Effective December 29, 2013, the Company's business operations were reorganized into three new segments, Feed Ingredients, Food Ingredients and Fuel Ingredients, in order to better align its business with the underlying markets and customers that the Company serves. See Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements.
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements for the three month periods ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014, have been prepared by the Company in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP") 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 GAAP 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 January 3, 2015.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

3 Months Ended

Apr. 04, 2015

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. Noncontrolling interests represents the outstanding ownership interest in the Company's consolidated subsidiaries that are not owned by the Company. In the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations, the noncontrolling interest in net income (loss) of the consolidated subsidiaries is shown as an allocation of the Company's net income and is presented separately as "Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests". In the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets, noncontrolling interests represents the ownership interests in the Company consolidated subsidiaries' net assets held by parties other than the Company. These ownership interests are presented separately as "Noncontrolling interests" within "Stockholders' Equity." 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 April 4, 2015, and include the 13 weeks ended April 4, 2015, and the 13 weeks ended March 29, 2014.

(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 service revenue in the fiscal month the service occurs.

(d)

Long-Lived Assets

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost.  Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of assets:  1) Buildings and improvements, 15 to 30 years; 2) Machinery and equipment, 3 to 10 years; 3) Vehicles, 3 to 8 years; and 4) Aircraft, 7 to 10 years.

Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred and expenditures for major renewals and improvements are capitalized.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets with indefinite lives, and therefore, not subject to amortization, consist of trade names acquired in the acquisition of Griffin Industries Inc. on December 17, 2010 (which was subsequently converted to a limited liability company) and its subsidiaries ("Griffin") and trade names acquired in the VION Acquisition.  In the first quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company has determined that due to a global re-branding strategy, the Griffin Industries trade name in the amount of approximately $65.1 million has been determined to have a limited useful life and therefore the Company has started to amortize the Griffin Industries name over a useful life of 10 years. Intangible assets subject to amortization consist of: 1) collection routes which are made up of groups of suppliers of raw materials in similar geographic areas from which the Company derives collection fees and a dependable source of raw materials for processing into finished products; 2) permits that represent licensing of operating plants that have been acquired, giving those plants the ability to operate; 3) non-compete agreements that represent contractual arrangements with former competitors whose businesses were acquired; 4) trade names; and 5) royalty, consulting, land use rights and leasehold agreements.   Amortization expense is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets ranging from:  5 to 21 years for collection routes; 10 to 20 years for permits; 3 to 7 years for non-compete covenants; and 4 to 15 years for trade names.  Royalty, consulting, land use rights and leasehold agreements are amortized over the term of the agreement.

(e)

Foreign Currency Translation and Remeasurement

Foreign currency translation is included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income and reflects the adjustments resulting from translating the foreign currency denominated financial statements of foreign subsidiaries into U.S. dollars. The functional currency of the Company's foreign subsidiaries is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates, which is generally the local currency of the country. Accordingly, assets and liabilities of the foreign subsidiaries are translated to U.S. dollars at fiscal period end exchange rates, including intercompany foreign currency transactions that are of long-term investment nature. Income and expense items are translated at average exchange rates occurring during the period. Changes in exchange rates that affect cash flows and the related receivables or payables are recognized as transaction gains and losses in determining net income. The Company incurred net foreign currency translation losses of approximately $98.6 million and translation gains of approximately $20.6 million for the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014, respectively. In addition, the Company incurred foreign currency losses in the statement of operations of approximately $2.5 million and $13.8 million in the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014, with $12.6 million representing a loss on a hedge transaction during the first quarter of fiscal 2014.

(f)

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

(g)

Earnings Per Share

Basic income/(loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income attributable to Darling by the weighted average number of common shares including non-vested and restricted shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted income/(loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income attributable to Darling 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

April 4, 2015

March 29, 2014

Income

Shares

Per Share

Income

Shares

Per Share

Basic:

Net Income attributable to Darling

$

109

164,882

$

—

$

(52,803

)

164,386

$

(0.32

)

Diluted:

Effect of dilutive securities:

Add: Option shares in the money and dilutive effect of non-vested stock awards

419

—

Less: Pro forma treasury shares

(155

)

—

Diluted:

Net income attributable to Darling

$

109

165,146

$

—

$

(52,803

)

164,386

$

(0.32

)

For the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014, respectively, 524,483 and 942,956 outstanding stock options were excluded from diluted income/(loss) per common share as the effect was antidilutive. For the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014, respectively, 519,262 and 856,568 shares of non-vested stock and stock equivalents were excluded from diluted income/(loss) per common share as the effect was antidilutive.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	Acquisitions
	On January 7, 2014, the Company acquired the VION Ingredients business division from VION by purchasing shares of the VION Companies as described in Note 1, pursuant to a Sale and Purchase Agreement dated October 5, 2013, as amended, between Darling and VION. The VION Ingredients business is now conducted under the name Darling Ingredients International. Darling Ingredients International is a worldwide leader in the development and production of specialty ingredients from animal by-products for applications in pharmaceuticals, food, pet food, feed, fuel, bioenergy and fertilizer. Darling Ingredients International operates a global network of 68 production facilities across five continents covering all aspects of animal by-product processing through six brands: Rendac (bioenergy), Sonac (bone products, proteins, fats, edible fats and plasma products), Ecoson (bioenergy), Rousselot (gelatin and collagen hydrolysates), CTH (natural casings) and Best Hides (hides and skins). Darling Ingredients International’s specialized portfolio of over 400 products covers all animal origin raw material types and thereby offers a comprehensive, single source solution for suppliers. Darling Ingredients International’s business has leading positions across Europe with operations in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Poland and Italy under the Rendac and Sonac brand names. Value-added products include edible fats, blood plasma powder, hemoglobin, bone products, protein meals and fats. Rousselot is a global leading market provider of gelatin for the pharmaceutical, food and technical industries with operations in Europe, the United States, South America and China. CTH is a market leader in natural casings for the sausage industry with operations in Europe, China and the United States. The purchase of the VION Companies allows the Company to have a global reach. The purchase price for the transaction was approximately €1.6 billion in cash (approximately $2.2 billion at the exchange rate of €1.00:USD$1.3605). The purchase price was financed through (i) borrowings under the Company’s senior secured revolving credit facility and term loan facilities; (ii) proceeds from the Company’s $874.0 million public common stock offering in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013; and (iii) proceeds from the private offering of $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.375% Senior Notes due 2022, that closed on January 2, 2014.
	The Company notes the acquisition discussed below is not considered related business and therefore pro forma results of operations for this acquisition have not been presented because the effect is not deemed material to revenues and net income of the Company for any fiscal period presented.
	On October 1, 2014, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of Custom Blenders Arkansas, LLC, an Indiana limited liability company, Custom Blenders Georgia, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company, Custom Blenders Indiana, Inc., an Indiana corporation, and Custom Blenders Texas, LLC, an Indiana limited liability company (collectively "Custom Blenders"), one of the leading bakery residuals recyclers in the United States. The acquisition includes Custom Blenders' operations in Indiana, Georgia, Texas, and Arkansas. The acquisition will provide significant synergies to the Company's suppliers and customers in the Feed Ingredients segment. The Company paid approximately $18.8 million in cash for assets consisting of property, plant and equipment of approximately $3.2 million, intangible assets of approximately $8.6 million, goodwill of approximately $5.4 million and inventory of approximately $1.6 million. The identifiable intangibles have a weighted average life of 14 years.

Inventories_Notes

Inventories (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	Inventories
	A summary of inventories follows (in thousands):
		4-Apr-15		3-Jan-15
	Finished product	$	255,038	$	255,130
	Work in process	95,663		98,936
	Supplies and other	47,478		47,547
		$	398,179	$	401,613

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_S

Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiary	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiary	Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiaries
	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 “DGD Joint Venture”). The DGD Joint Venture is owned 50% / 50% with Valero and was formed to design, engineer, construct and operate a renewable diesel plant (the “DGD Facility”), which is capable of processing approximately 11,000 barrels per day of input feedstock to produce renewable diesel fuel and certain other co-products, and is located adjacent to Valero's refinery in Norco, Louisiana. The DGD Joint Venture reached mechanical completion and began the production of renewable diesel in late June 2013.
	On May 31, 2011, the DGD Joint Venture and Diamond Green Diesel LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the DGD 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 DGD Joint Venture with a 14 year multiple advance term loan facility of approximately $221.3 million (the “JV Loan”) to support the design, engineering and construction of the DGD 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 DGD 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.
	In addition to the DGD Joint Venture, the Company has investments in other unconsolidated subsidiaries that were acquired in the VION Acquisition that are insignificant to the Company. Selected financial information for the Company's DGD Joint Venture is as follows (in thousands):
	(in thousands)	31-Mar-15			31-Dec-14
	Assets:
	Total current assets	$	213,811		$	216,991
	Property, plant and equipment, net	364,598			373,117
	Other assets	1,546			2,092
	Total assets	$	579,955		$	592,200
	Liabilities and members' equity:
	Total current portion of long term debt	$	60,289		$	57,514
	Total other current liabilities	17,765			21,313
	Total long term debt	148,242			155,273
	Total other long term liabilities	350			339
	Total members' equity	353,309			357,761
	Total liabilities and member's equity	$	579,955		$	592,200
		Three Months Ended
	(in thousands)	31-Mar-15			31-Mar-14
	Revenues:
	Operating revenues	$	116,728		$	119,657
	Expenses:
	Total costs and expenses	117,044			105,901
	Operating income/(loss)	(316		)	13,756
	Other income	20			18
	Interest and debt expense, net	(4,156		)	(4,426		)
	Net income/(loss)	$	(4,452	)	$	9,348
	As of April 4, 2015 under the equity method of accounting, the Company has an investment in the DGD Joint Venture of approximately $176.7 million on the consolidated balance sheet and has recorded approximately $2.2 million in equity net loss and $4.7 million in equity net income in the unconsolidated subsidiary for the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014, respectively. In addition, subsequent to April 4, 2015, the Company received a $25.0 million dividend distribution from the DGD Joint Venture.

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Debt
	Debt consists of the following (in thousands):
		4-Apr-15		3-Jan-15
	Amended Credit Agreement:
	Revolving Credit Facility ($32.7 million and $36.9 million denominated in CAD at April 4, 2015 and January 3, 2015, respectively and $10.9 million denominated in Euro at April 4, 2015)	$	88,604	$	101,863
	Term Loan A ($112.2 million and $122.2 million denominated in CAD at April 4, 2015 and January 3, 2015, respectively)	299,620		312,161
	Term Loan B ($551.1 million and $610.2 million denominated in Euro at April 4, 2015 and January 3, 2015, respectively)	1,145,098		1,205,669
	5.375% Senior Notes due 2022	500,000		500,000
	Other Notes and Obligations	57,408		32,747
		2,090,730		2,152,440
	Less Current Maturities	81,195		54,401
		$	2,009,535	$	2,098,039
	As of April 4, 2015, the Company had outstanding debt under a term loan facility and revolving credit facility denominated in Canadian dollars of CAD$140.6 million and CAD$41.0 million, respectively. See below for discussion relating to the Company's debt agreements. In addition, as of April 4, 2015, the Company had capital lease obligations denominated in Canadian dollars included in debt. The current and long-term capital lease obligation was approximately CAD$2.4 million and CAD$4.3 million, respectively.
	As of April 4, 2015, the Company had outstanding debt under a term loan facility and revolving credit facility denominated in euros of €504.9 million and €10.0 million, respectively. See below for discussion relating to the Company's debt agreements. In addition, at April 4, 2015, the Company had capital lease obligations denominated in euros included in debt. The current and long-term capital lease obligation was approximately €0.3 million and €0.9 million, respectively.
	Senior Secured Credit Facilities. On January 6, 2014, Darling, Darling International Canada Inc. ("Darling Canada") and Darling International NL Holdings B.V. ("Darling NL") entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "Amended Credit Agreement"), restating its then existing Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated September 27, 2013 (the "Former Credit Agreement"), with the lenders from time to time party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other agents from time to time party thereto.
	The Amended Credit Agreement provides for senior secured credit facilities in the aggregate principal amount of $2.65 billion comprised of (i) the Company's $350.0 million term loan A facility, (ii) the Company's $1.3 billion term loan B facility and (iii) the Company's $1.0 billion five-year revolving loan facility (approximately $250.0 million of which is available for a letter of credit sub-facility and $50.0 million of which is available for a swingline sub-facility) (collectively, the "Senior Secured Credit Facilities"). The Amended Credit Agreement also permits Darling and the other borrowers thereunder to incur ancillary facilities provided by any revolving lender party to the Senior Secured Credit Facilities (with certain restrictions). Up to $350.0 million of the revolving loan facility is available to be borrowed by Darling in U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars, euros and other currencies to be agreed and available to each applicable lender, to be borrowed by Darling Canada in Canadian dollars and to be borrowed by Darling NL, Darling Ingredients International Holding B.V. ("Darling BV") and CTH Germany GmbH ("CTH") in U.S. dollars, euros and other currencies to be agreed and available to each applicable lender. On January 6, 2014, $600.0 million of the term loan B facility was borrowed in U.S. dollars by Darling and the euro equivalent of $700.0 million of the term loan B facility was borrowed in euros by Darling NL. The proceeds of the term loan B facility and a portion of the revolving loan facility were used by Darling to pay a portion of the consideration for the VION Acquisition. The revolving loan facility will also be used for working capital needs, general corporate purposes and other purposes not prohibited by the Amended Credit Agreement.
	As of April 4, 2015, the Company has borrowed all $350.0 million of the term loan A facility which, when repaid, cannot be reborrowed. The term loan A facility is repayable in quarterly installments as follows: for the first eight quarters following January 6, 2014, 1.25% of the original principal amount of the term loan A facility, for the ninth through sixteenth quarters following January 6, 2014, 1.875% of the original principal amount of the term loan A facility, and for each quarterly installment after such sixteenth installment until September 27, 2018, 3.75% of the original principal amount of the term loan A facility. The term loan A facility will mature on September 27, 2018.
	As of April 4, 2015, the Company has borrowed all $1.3 billion under the terms of the term loan B facility, which when repaid, cannot be reborrowed. The term loan B facility is repayable in quarterly installments of 0.25% of the aggregate principal amount of the relevant term loan B facility on the last day of each March, June, September and December of each year commencing on the last day of each month falling on or after the last day of the first full quarter following January 6, 2014 and continuing until the last day of each quarter period ending immediately prior to January 7, 2021; and one final installment in the amount of the relevant term loan B facility then outstanding, due on January 7, 2021. The term loan B facility will mature on January 7, 2021.
	The interest rate applicable to any borrowings under the term loan A facility and the revolving loan facility will equal either LIBOR/euro interbank offered rate/CDOR plus 2.50% per annum or base rate/Canadian prime rate plus 1.50% per annum, subject to certain step-downs based on the Company's total leverage ratio. The interest rate applicable to any borrowings under the term loan B facility will equal (a) for U.S. dollar term loans, either the base rate plus 1.50% or LIBOR plus 2.50%, and (b) for euro term loans, the euro interbank offered rate plus 2.75%, in each case subject to a step-down based on Darling’s total leverage ratio. For term loan B loans, the LIBOR rate shall not be less than 0.75%.
	As of April 4, 2015, the Company had $187.5 million outstanding under the term loan A facility and $45.0 million outstanding under the revolver at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.50% per annum for a total of 2.6875% per annum. The Company had $594.0 million outstanding under the term loan B facility at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.50% per annum for a total of 3.25% per annum. The Company had CAD$140.6 million outstanding under the term loan A facility and CAD$41.0 million outstanding under the revolver at CDOR plus a margin of 2.5% per annum for a total of 3.5823% per annum. The Company had €504.9 million outstanding under the term loan B facility at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.75% per annum for a total of 3.5% per annum. The Company had €10.0 million outstanding under the revolver at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.50% per annum for a total of 2.489% per annum. As of April 4, 2015, the Company had revolver availability of $879.4 million under the Credit Agreement taking into account amounts borrowed and letters of credit issued of $32.0 million.
	The Amended Credit Agreement contains various customary representations and warranties by the Company, which include customary use of materiality, material adverse effect and knowledge qualifiers. The Amended Credit Agreement also contains (a) certain affirmative covenants that impose certain reporting and/or performance obligations on Darling and its subsidiaries, (b) certain negative covenants that generally prohibit, subject to various exceptions, Darling 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 and leasebacks and asset dispositions, (c) financial covenants, which include a maximum total leverage ratio, a maximum secured leverage ratio and a minimum interest coverage ratio and (d) customary events of default (including a change of control) for financings of this type. Obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities may be declared due and payable upon the occurrence and during the continuance of customary events of default. Effective May 13, 2015, Darling and the other borrowers party to the Amended Credit Agreement entered into the First Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “First Amendment”) with the administrative agent and certain of the lenders. The First Amendment removes the previously existing requirement under the Amended Credit Agreement that the maximum total leverage ratio under one of the financial covenants must continue to step down over the life of the Senior Secured Credit Facilities. After giving effect to the First Amendment, the maximum total leverage ratio shall remain 5.0 to 1.0 for the duration of the loans under the Amended Credit Agreement.
	Pursuant to the Second Amended and Restated Security Agreement, dated as of January 6, 2014 (the "Security Agreement"), by and among Darling, its domestic subsidiaries signatory thereto and any other domestic subsidiary who may become a party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, the Senior Secured Credit Facilities are secured, subject to certain carveouts and exceptions, by a first priority lien on substantially all of the assets of Darling and such domestic subsidiaries. The obligations of Darling Canada, Darling NL, Darling BV, CTH and any other foreign borrower under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities are also secured by a first priority lien on certain assets of certain of Darling’s foreign subsidiaries organized in Canada, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Brazil, subject to certain carveouts and exceptions.
	Pursuant to the Second Amended and Restated Guaranty Agreement, dated as of January 6, 2014 (the "Guaranty Agreement"), (a) the obligations of Darling under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities are guaranteed by certain of Darling’s wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries and (b) the obligations of Darling Canada, Darling NL, Darling BV, CTH and any other foreign borrower under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities are guaranteed by Darling and certain of its domestic and foreign wholly-owned subsidiaries, in each case subject to certain carveouts and exceptions (collectively, the "Credit Agreement Guarantors").
	Senior Notes due 2022. On December 18, 2013, Darling Escrow Corporation ("Darling Escrow Sub"), a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Darling, entered into a purchase agreement (the “Original Purchase Agreement”) with the initial purchasers party thereto (the "Initial Purchasers"), for the sale of $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.375% Notes due 2022 (the "5.375% Private Notes"). On January 2, 2014, the 5.375% Notes, which were offered in a private offering in connection with the VION Acquisition, were issued pursuant to a 5.375% Notes Indenture, dated as of January 2, 2014 (the "Original Indenture"), among Darling Escrow Sub, the Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined in the Original Indenture) party thereto from time to time and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the "Trustee"), with the gross proceeds from the offering of the 5.375% Private Notes and certain additional amounts deposited into an escrow account pending the satisfaction of certain conditions, including the completion of the VION Acquisition, which occurred on January 7, 2014.
	On January 8, 2014 (the "Notes Closing Date"), Darling Escrow Sub merged (the "Notes Merger") with and into Darling (with Darling as the survivor of the Notes Merger), pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated January 8, 2014, between Darling Escrow Sub and Darling.
	In connection with the completion of the Notes Merger, pursuant to the provisions of the Original Indenture and the Original Purchase Agreement, Darling Escrow Sub, Darling and certain of Darling’s subsidiaries: Craig Protein Division, Inc. ("Craig Protein"), Darling AWS LLC, Darling National LLC ("Darling National"), Darling Northstar LLC, Darling Global Holdings Inc., EV Acquisition, Inc., Griffin Industries LLC ("Griffin"), Terra Holding Company and TRS (such subsidiaries and together with any other Darling subsidiaries that guarantee the 5.375% Notes, the "Notes Guarantors") entered into a supplemental indenture with the Trustee (the "Supplemental Indenture," and together with the Original Indenture, the "Indenture"), pursuant to which, upon effectiveness of the Notes Merger, Darling assumed all the obligations of Darling Escrow Sub under the 5.375% Private Notes and the Indenture and the Notes Guarantors guaranteed the 5.375% Private Notes and agreed to be bound by the terms of the Indenture applicable to subsidiary guarantors of the 5.375% Private Notes. In addition, in accordance with the provisions of the Original Purchase Agreement, upon the completion of the Notes Merger, Darling and the Notes Guarantors became parties to the Original Purchase Agreement, by entering into a Joinder to the Purchase Agreement, dated as of the Notes Closing Date (together with the Original Purchase Agreement, the "Purchase Agreement"), with the Initial Purchasers. Upon satisfaction of the escrow release conditions on the Closing Date, the proceeds from the offering of the 5.375% Private Notes were released from the escrow account in accordance with Darling’s written instructions. Darling used a portion of the proceeds from the offering of the 5.375% Private Notes to pay the Initial Purchasers’ commission related to the offering of the 5.375% Private Notes and certain fees and expenses (including bank fees and expenses) related to the financing of the VION Acquisition and for purposes of satisfying, discharging and redeeming its 8.5% Notes due 2018 discussed below.
	Darling used the remaining proceeds of the 5.375% Private Notes to pay certain other fees and expenses related to the completion of the VION Acquisition and its related financings, to repay a portion of the borrowings under its revolving credit facility used to fund a portion of the consideration for the VION Acquisition and for general corporate purposes.
	The Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and agreements by Darling and the Notes Guarantors. In addition, Darling and the Notes Guarantors have agreed to indemnify the Initial Purchasers against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or to contribute to payments the Initial Purchasers may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.
	In connection with the assumption of the 5.375% Private Notes by Darling and the guarantee of the 5.375% Private Notes by the Notes Guarantors, on the Notes Closing Date, Darling and the Notes Guarantors became parties to, and Darling assumed all of Darling Escrow Sub’s obligations under, a registration rights agreement, dated as of January 2, 2014 (the "Registration Rights Agreement"). In satisfaction of Darling’s obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement, Darling and the Notes Guarantors completed a registered exchange offer for the 5.375% Private Notes under the Securities Act during the third quarter of 2014. The terms of the notes issued in exchange for the 5.375% Private Notes and guaranteed by the Notes Guarantors (the “5.375% Public Notes” and together with the 5.375% Private Notes, the “5.375% Notes") are substantially identical in all material respects to the 5.375% Private Notes, except that transfer restrictions, registration rights and additional interest provisions relating to the 5.375% Private Notes do not apply to the 5.375% Public Notes.
	The 5.375% Notes will mature on January 15, 2022. Darling will pay interest on the 5.375% Notes on January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing on July 15, 2014. Interest on the 5.375% Notes will accrue at a rate of 5.375% per annum and be payable in cash. Other than for extraordinary events such as change of control and defined assets sales, the Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments on the 5.375% Notes.
	The 5.375% Notes are currently guaranteed on an unsecured senior basis by the Notes Guarantors, which constitute all of Darling’s existing restricted subsidiaries that are Credit Agreement Guarantors (other than Darling’s foreign subsidiaries). Under the Indenture, each restricted subsidiary of Darling (other than Darling’s foreign subsidiaries and certain of Darling’s subsidiaries that engage solely in the financing of receivables and are so designated by Darling) is required to guarantee the 5.375% Notes (a) if the Amended Credit Agreement is outstanding and such restricted subsidiary guarantees the Amended Credit Agreement and (b) if the Amended Credit Agreement is not outstanding, if such restricted subsidiary incurs or guarantees certain indebtedness in excess of $50.0 million.
	The 5.375% Notes and the guarantees thereof rank equally in right of payment to any existing and future senior debt of Darling and the Notes Guarantors, including debt that is secured by the collateral for the Amended Credit Agreement. The 5.375% Notes and the guarantees thereof will be effectively junior to existing and future debt of Darling and the Notes Guarantors that is secured by assets that do not constitute collateral for the Amended Credit Agreement, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt. The 5.375% 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 5.375% Notes.
	Darling may at any time and from time to time purchase the 5.375% Notes in the open market or otherwise. Darling may redeem some or all of the 5.375% Notes at any time prior to January 15, 2017, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 5.375% Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date and an Applicable Premium as specified in the Indenture.
	On and after January 15, 2017, Darling may redeem all or, from time to time, a part of the 5.375% Notes (including any additional 5.375% 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 5.375% Notes, if any, to, but excluding, 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 January 15 of the years indicated below:
	Year	Percentage
	2017	104.03%
	2018	102.69%
	2019	101.34%
	2020 and thereafter	100.00%
	In addition, prior to January 15, 2017, Darling may on one or more occasions redeem up to 40% of the original principal amount of the 5.375% Notes (calculated after giving effect to the issuance of any additional 5.375% Notes) with the net cash proceeds of one or more equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 105.375% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, 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 50% of the original principal amount of the 5.375% Notes (calculated after giving effect to the issuance of any additional 5.375% Notes) remains outstanding after each such redemption; provided further that the redemption occurs within 90 days after the closing of such equity offering.
	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 repurchases 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 events of bankruptcy and insolvency 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 5.375% Notes may declare the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding 5.375% Notes issued under the Indenture to be due and payable immediately.
	As of April 4, 2015, the Company believes it is in compliance with all of the financial covenants under the Amended Credit Agreement, as well as all of the other covenants contained in the Amended Credit Agreement and the Indenture.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	The Company has provided income taxes for the three month periods ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014, based on its estimate of the effective tax rate for the entire 2015 and 2014 fiscal years. For fiscal 2015, the Company’s effective tax rate is significantly affected by Subpart F income and entities that are subject to income tax at various tax rates in their countries of operation that differ from the U.S. statutory tax rate.
	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. The Company expects to indefinitely reinvest the earnings of its foreign subsidiaries outside of the United States and has generally not provided deferred income taxes on the accumulated earnings of its foreign subsidiaries.
	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.  Certain VION Companies acquired as part of the VION Acquisition have deferred tax assets for tax loss carryforwards, and the Company has recorded valuation allowances in respect to those losses to the extent it has been determined that it is not more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized.
	Unrecognized tax benefits represent the difference between tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and the benefits recognized for financial statement purposes. As of April 4, 2015, the Company had $5.7 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits and $2.2 million of related accrued interest and penalties. An indemnity receivable of $5.9 million has been recorded for the uncertain tax positions related to the VION Acquisition. It is reasonably possible within the next twelve months that the Company’s gross unrecognized tax benefits may decrease by up to $1.7 million, excluding interest and penalties, primarily due to potential settlements and expiration of certain statutes of limitations.
	The Company’s major taxing jurisdictions include the United States (federal and state), Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, Brazil, Germany, France and China. The Company is subject to regular examination by various tax authorities and although the final outcome of these examinations is not yet determinable, the Company does not anticipate that any of the examinations will have a significant impact on the Company's results of operations or financial position. The statute of limitations for the Company’s major tax jurisdictions is open for varying periods, but is generally closed through the 2005 tax year.

Other_Comprehensive_Income

Other Comprehensive Income	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Equity [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 months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		Before-Tax						Tax (Expense)						Net-of-Tax
		Amount						or Benefit						Amount
		April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014			April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014			April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014
	Defined benefit pension plans
	Amortization of prior service cost	$	(20	)	$	4		$	10		$	(2	)	$	(10	)	$	2
	Amortization of actuarial loss	1,285			519			(506		)	(201		)	779			318
	Total defined benefit pension plans	1,265			523			(496		)	(203		)	769			320
	Natural gas swap derivatives
	Loss/(gain) reclassified to net income	—			(357		)	—			139			—			(218		)
	Gain/(loss) activity recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	—			172			—			(67		)	—			105
	Total natural gas swap derivatives	—			(185		)	—			72			—			(113		)
	Corn option derivatives
	Loss/(gain) reclassified to net income	(234		)	(1,292		)	91			501			(143		)	(791		)
	Gain/(loss) activity recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	296			(1,319		)	(115		)	512			181			(807		)
	Total corn option derivatives	62			(2,611		)	(24		)	1,013			38			(1,598		)
	Foreign currency translation	(98,642		)	20,615			—			—			(98,642		)	20,615
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(97,315	)	$	18,342		$	(520	)	$	882		$	(97,835	)	$	19,224
	The following table presents the amounts reclassified out of each component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax for the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014 as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014			Statement of Operations Classification
	Derivative instruments
	Natural gas swap derivatives	$	—		$	357		Cost of sales and operating expenses
	Corn option derivatives	234			1,292			Cost of sales and operating expenses
		234			1,649			Total before tax
		(91		)	(640		)	Income taxes
		143			1,009			Net of tax
	Defined benefit pension plans
	Amortization of prior service cost	$	20		$	(4	)	(a)
	Amortization of actuarial loss	(1,285		)	(519		)	(a)
		(1,265		)	(523		)	Total before tax
		496			203			Income taxes
		(769		)	(320		)	Net of tax
	Total reclassifications	$	(626	)	$	689		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 April 4, 2015 as follows (in thousands):
			Three Months Ended April 4, 2015
			Foreign Currency			Derivative			Defined Benefit
			Translation			Instruments			Pension Plans			Total
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) January 3, 2015, net of tax		$	(140,386	)	$	76		$	(36,750	)	$	(177,060	)
	Other comprehensive gain before reclassifications		(98,642		)	181			—			(98,461		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		—			(143		)	769			626
	Net current-period other comprehensive income		(98,642		)	38			769			(97,835		)
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) April 4, 2015, net of tax		(239,028		)	$	114		$	(35,981	)	$	(274,895	)

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	Employee Benefit Plans
	The Company has retirement and pension plans covering a substantial number of its domestic and foreign 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. Although various defined benefit formulas exist for employees, generally these are based on length of service and earnings patterns during employment. Effective January 1, 2012, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the Company to proceed with the restructuring of its domestic retirement benefit program 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 domestic defined contribution plans. The Company-sponsored domestic hourly union plan has not been curtailed; however, several locations of the Company-sponsored domestic hourly union plan have been curtailed as a result of collective bargaining renewals for those sites.
	Net pension cost for the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014 includes the following components (in thousands):
		Pension Benefits
		Three Months Ended
		April 4,			March 29,
		2015			2014
	Service cost	$	1,678		$	1,490
	Interest cost	2,647			3,347
	Expected return on plan assets	(3,065		)	(3,608		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	(20		)	4
	Amortization of net loss	1,285			520
	Net pension cost	$	2,525		$	1,753
	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 and foreign 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 April 4, 2015, the Company expects to contribute approximately $7.5 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 three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014 of approximately $1.6 million and $5.2 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, two plans have certified as endangered or yellow zone and one plan has certified as seriously endangerd or orange 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 April 4, 2015, the Company has an accrued liability of approximately $0.8 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	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
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 and energy costs and the risk of changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.
	The Company makes limited use of derivative instruments to manage cash flow risks related to natural gas usage, diesel fuel usage, inventory, forecasted sales and foreign currency exchange rates. The Company does not use derivative instruments for trading purposes.  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 increases diesel fuel prices.  Corn options and future contracts are entered into with the intent of managing U.S. forecasted sales of bakery by-products ("BBP") by reducing the impact of changing prices.  Foreign currency forward contracts are entered into to mitigate the foreign exchange rate risk for transactions designated in a currency other than the local functional currency. At April 4, 2015, the Company had corn option contracts outstanding that qualified and were designated for hedge accounting as well as heating oil swap contracts, corn option and forward contracts and foreign currency forward 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
	In fiscal 2014, 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 U.S. forecasted sales of BBP through the second quarter of fiscal 2015. As of April 4, 2015, 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.
	As of April 4, 2015, the Company had the following outstanding forward contract amounts that were entered into to hedge the future payments of intercompany note transactions, foreign currency transactions in currencies other than the functional currency and forecasted transactions in currencies other than the functional currency. All of these transactions are currently not designated for hedge accounting. (in thousands):
	Functional Currency				Contract Currency
	Type	Amount			Type	Amount
	Brazilian real	16,355			Euro	4,800
	Brazilian real	36,824			U.S. dollar	12,250
	Euro	263,454			U.S. dollar	299,964
	Euro	21,885			Polish zloty	90,000
	Euro	5,505			Japanese yen	727,609
	Euro	35,028			Chinese renminbi	238,577
	Euro	25,145			Australian dollar	35,850
	Euro	3,364			British pound	2,443
	Polish zloty	21,095			Euro	5,064
	British pound	109			Euro	150
	British pound	116			U.S. dollar	177
	The Company estimates the amount that will be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive gain at April 4, 2015 into earnings over the next 12 months will be approximately $0.2 million. As of April 4, 2015, 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 April 4, 2015 and January 3, 2015 (in thousands):
	Derivatives Designated	Balance Sheet	Asset Derivatives Fair Value
	as Hedges	Location	April 4, 2015			January 3, 2015
	Corn options	Other current assets	$	203		$	247
	Total asset derivatives designated as hedges		$	203		$	247
	Derivatives Not
	Designated as
	Hedges
	Foreign currency contracts	Other current assets	$	10,738		$	11,559
	Heating oil swaps and options	Other current assets	290			353
	Corn options and futures	Other current assets	156			69
	Total asset derivatives not designated as hedges		$	11,184		$	11,981
	Total asset derivatives		$	11,387		$	12,228
	Derivatives Designated	Balance Sheet	Liability Derivatives Fair Value
	as Hedges	Location	April 4, 2015			January 3, 2015
	Corn options	Accrued expenses	$	—		$	—
	Total liability derivatives designated as hedges		$	—		$	—
	Derivatives Not
	Designated as
	Hedges
	Foreign currency contracts	Accrued expenses	$	2,014		$	2,019
	Heating oil swaps and options	Accrued expenses	812			993
	Corn options and futures	Accrued expenses	23			3
	Total liability derivatives not designated as hedges		$	2,849		$	3,015
	Total liability derivatives		$	2,849		$	3,015
	The effect of the Company’s derivative instruments on the consolidated financial statements as of and for the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014 is as follows (in thousands):
								Gain or (Loss)				Gain or (Loss)
		Gain or (Loss)						Reclassified from				Recognized in Income
		Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income ("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)
		2015			2014			2015		2014		2015		2014
	Corn options	$	296		$	(1,319	)	$	234	$	1,292	$	55	$	376
	Natural gas swaps	—			172			—		357		—		1
	Total	$	296		$	(1,147	)	$	234	$	1,649	$	55	$	377
	(a)	Amount recognized in accumulated OCI (effective portion) is reported as accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) of approximately $0.3 million and approximately $1.1 million recorded net of taxes of approximately $0.1 million and $0.4 million as of April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014, respectively.
	(b)	Gains and (losses) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (effective portion) for 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 corn options and natural gas swaps is included in other income/ (expense), net in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
	At April 4, 2015, the Company had forward purchase agreements in place for purchases of approximately $2.7 million of natural gas and diesel fuel.  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	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
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 April 4, 2015 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 April 4, 2015 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	$	11,387	$	—	$	11,387	$	—
	Total Assets	$	11,387	$	—	$	11,387	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Derivative instruments	$	2,849	$	—	$	2,849	$	—
	Senior notes	505,000		—		505,000		—
	Term loan A	301,118		—		301,118		—
	Term loan B	1,145,258		—		1,145,258		—
	Revolver debt	87,275		—		87,275		—
	Total Liabilities	$	2,041,500	$	—	$	2,041,500	$	—
	Derivative assets consist of the Company’s heating oil swap and option contracts, corn option and future contracts and foreign currency 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 and option contracts, corn option and future contracts and foreign currency 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, term loan A, term loan B and revolver debt is based on market quotation from a third-party bank.

Contingencies

Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [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, litigation and tax matters.  At April 4, 2015 and January 3, 2015, the reserves for insurance, environmental and litigation contingencies reflected on the balance sheet in accrued expenses and other non-current liabilities were approximately $58.1 million and $54.9 million, respectively.  The Company has insurance recovery receivables of approximately $11.4 million as of April 4, 2015 and January 3, 2015, 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. 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. The Company’s designation as a potentially responsible party is based upon the operation of a former plant site located in Newark, New Jersey by Standard Tallow Company, an entity that the Company acquired in 1996. 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 this matter 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 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. 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 defendant in the lawsuit; however, in December 2013 the City of Fresno filed a motion to intervene as a plaintiff in this matter. The Superior Court heard the motion on February 4, 2014, and entered an order on February 18, 2014 denying the motion. 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 was scheduled for trial in July 2014; however, the parties have agreed to stay the litigation while they participate in a mediation process. 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	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business Segments	Business Segments
	Effective December 29, 2013, the Company's business operations were reorganized into three industry segments: Feed Ingredients, Food Ingredients and Fuel Ingredients, in order to better align its business with the underlying markets and customers that the Company serves. All historical periods have been recast for the changes to the segment reporting structure. The Company sells its products domestically and internationally. 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 certain intangibles. Assets of corporate activities include cash, unallocated prepaid expenses, deferred tax assets, prepaid pension, and miscellaneous other assets.
	Feed Ingredients
	Feed Ingredients consists principally of (i) the Company's U.S. ingredients business, including the Company's used cooking oil, trap grease and food residuals collection businesses, the Rothsay ingredients business, and the ingredients and specialty products businesses conducted by Darling Ingredients International under the Sonac name (proteins, fats, and plasma products) and (ii) the Company's bakery residuals business. Feed Ingredients operations process animal by-products and used cooking oil into fats, protein and hides.
	Food Ingredients
	Food Ingredients consists principally of (i) the gelatin and collagen hydrolysates business conducted by Darling Ingredients International under the Rousselot name, (ii) the natural casings and meat-by-products business conducted by Darling Ingredients International under the CTH name and (iii) certain specialty products businesses conducted by Darling Ingredients International under the Sonac name.
	Fuel Ingredients
	The Company's Fuel Ingredients segment consists of (i) the Company's biofuel business conducted under the Dar Pro® and Rothsay names (ii) the bioenergy business conducted by Darling Ingredients International under the Ecoson and Rendac names and (iii) the Company's investment in the DGD Joint Venture.
	Business Segments (in thousands):
		Feed Ingredients		Food Ingredients			Fuel Ingredients			Corporate			Total
	Three Months Ended April 4, 2015
	Net Sales	$	547,498	$	270,157		$	57,039		$	—		$	874,694
	Cost of sales and operating expenses	424,006		216,637			43,874			4			684,521
	Gross Margin	123,492		53,520			13,165			(4		)	190,173
	Selling, general and administrative expense	48,023		25,476			4,040			9,092			86,631
	Acquisition costs	—		—			—			5,319			5,319
	Depreciation and amortization	40,055		17,197			6,631			2,515			66,398
	Segment operating income/ (loss)	35,414		10,847			2,494			(16,930		)	31,825
	Equity in net income of unconsolidated subsidiaries	417		—			(2,225		)	—			(1,808		)
	Segment income	35,831		10,847			269			(16,930		)	30,017
	Total other expense												(26,078		)
	Income before income taxes												$	3,939
	Segment assets at April 4, 2015	$	2,585,660	$	1,592,387		$	634,331		$	145,437		$	4,957,815
		Feed Ingredients		Food Ingredients			Fuel Ingredients			Corporate			Total
	Three Months Ended March 29, 2014
	Net Sales	$	586,107	$	293,462		$	66,723		$	—		$	946,292
	Cost of sales and operating expenses	458,450		264,101			52,669			(14		)	775,206
	Gross Margin	127,657		29,361			14,054			14			171,086
	Selling, general and administrative expense	51,565		24,062			4,332			10,074			90,033
	Acquisition costs	—		—			—			15,948			15,948
	Depreciation and amortization	38,559		17,441			7,377			2,292			65,669
	Segment operating income/ (loss)	37,533		(12,142		)	2,345			(28,300		)	(564		)
	Equity in net income of unconsolidated subsidiaries	403		—			4,674			—			5,077
	Segment income	37,936		(12,142		)	7,019			(28,300		)	4,513
	Total other expense												(73,809		)
	Income before income taxes												$	(69,296	)
	Segment assets at January 3, 2015	$	2,667,369	$	1,734,387		$	693,921		$	75,036		$	5,170,713

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related Party Transactions
	Lease Agreements
	Darling, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Griffin Industries, 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 former Executive Vice President – Chief Operations Officer, North America. 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 entered into a Raw Material Agreement with the DGD Joint Venture in May 2011 pursuant to which the Company will offer to supply certain animal fats and used cooking oil at market prices, up to the DGD Joint Venture's full operational requirement of feedstock, but the DGD Joint Venture is not obligated to purchase the raw material offered by the Company. Additionally, the Company may offer other feedstocks to the DGD Joint Venture, such as inedible corn oil, purchased on a resale basis. For the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014, the Company has recorded sales to the DGD Joint Venture of approximately $38.6 million and $41.6 million, respectively. At April 4, 2015 and January 3, 2015, the Company has $5.0 million and $6.1 million in outstanding receivables due from the DGD Joint Venture, respectively. In addition, the Company has eliminated approximately $6.2 million of additional sales for the three months ended April 4, 2015 to defer the Company's portion of profit of approximately $1.6 million on those sales relating to inventory assets still remaining on the DGD Joint Venture's balance sheet at April 4, 2015.
	Revolving Loan Agreement
	On February 23, 2015, Darling through its wholly owned subsidiary Darling Green Energy LLC, ("Darling Green") and a third party Diamond Alternative Energy, LLC ("Diamond Alternative" and together with Darling Green, the "DGD Lenders") entered into a revolving loan agreement (the "DGD Loan Agreement") with the DGD Joint Venture Opco. The DGD Lenders have committed to make loans available to Opco in the total amount of $10.0 million with each lender committed to $5.0 million of the total commitment. Any borrowings by Opco under the DGD Loan Agreement are at the applicable annum rate equal to the sum of (a) the LIBO Rate (meaning Reuters BBA Libor Rates Page 3750) on such day plus (b) 2.50%. The DGD Loan Agreement matures on December 31, 2015, unless extended by agreement of the parties. During the first quarter of fiscal 2015, Opco borrowed and repaid $3.5 million plus an insignificant amount of interest to Darling Green. As of April 4, 2015, no amounts are owed to Darling Green under the DGD Loan Agreement.

New_Accounting_Pronoucements

New Accounting Pronoucements	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
New Accounting Pronoucements [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncements	New Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2015-04, Practical Expedient for the Measurement Date of an Employer's Defined Benefit Obligation and Plan Assets. The ASU amends ASC Topic 715, Compensation-Retirement Benefits. The new standard permits a reporting entity with a fiscal year-end that does not coincide with a month-end to measure defined benefit plan assets and obligations using the month-end that is closest to the entity's fiscal year-end and apply that expedient consistently from year to year. The practical expedient should be applied consistently to all plans if an entity has more than one plan. This ASU is effective for public entities for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. The ASU amends ASC (Subtopic 835-30), Interest - Imputation of Interest. The new standard requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the debt liability, which is similar to the presentation of debt discounts or premiums. The costs will continue to be amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method. The ASU is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under GAAP. The new ASU introduces a new five-step revenue recognition model in which an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, this ASU requires disclosures sufficient to enable the users to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers, including qualitative and quantitative disclosures about contracts with customers, significant judgments and changes in judgments, and assets recognized from the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract. This ASU allows for either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption and will become effective for the Company for the annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard.

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio

Guarantor Financial Information	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Guarantor Financial Information [Abstract]
Guarantor Financial Information	Guarantor Financial Information
	The Company's 5.375% Notes (see Note 6) are guaranteed on an unsecured basis by the following Notes Guarantors, each of which is a 100% directly or indirectly owned subsidiary of Darling and which constitute all of Darling's existing restricted subsidaries that are Credit Agreement Guarantors (other than Darling's foreign subsidaries): Darling National, Griffin and its subsidiary Craig Protein, Darling AWS LLC, Terra Holding Company, Darling Global Holdings Inc., Darling Northstar LLC, TRS, EV Acquisition, Inc., Rousselot Inc., Rousselot Dubuque Inc., Sonac USA LLC and Rousselot Peabody Inc. The Notes Guarantors fully and unconditionally guaranteed the 5.375% Notes on a joint and several basis. The following financial statements present condensed consolidating financial data for (i) Darling, the "Issuer" of the 5.375% Notes, (ii) the combined Notes Guarantors, (iii) the combined other subsidiaries of the Company that did not guarantee the 5.375% 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 April 4, 2015 and January 3, 2015, 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 ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014.
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	As of April 4, 2015
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	ASSETS
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,372		$	4,838		$	104,921		$	—		$	112,131
	Restricted cash	103			—			250			—			353
	Accounts receivable	27,773			635,317			270,699			(556,821		)	376,968
	Inventories	11,822			110,901			275,456			—			398,179
	Income taxes refundable	21,857			—			3,674			—			25,531
	Prepaid expenses	12,111			5,233			37,504			—			54,848
	Other current assets	1,617			25			34,113			(5,113		)	30,642
	Deferred income taxes	42,321			—			2,818			—			45,139
	Total current assets	119,976			756,314			729,435			(561,934		)	1,043,791
	Investment in subsidiaries	3,891,931			1,126,082			836,638			(5,854,651		)	—
	Property, plant and equipment, net	210,924			453,591			843,110			—			1,507,625
	Intangible assets, net	20,871			356,216			492,713			—			869,800
	Goodwill	21,860			549,950			683,295			—			1,255,105
	Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries	—			—			198,639			—			198,639
	Other assets	54,247			524,869			323,099			(835,192		)	67,023
	Deferred taxes	—			—			15,832			—			15,832
		$	4,319,809		$	3,767,022		$	4,122,761		$	(7,251,777	)	$	4,957,815
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Current portion of long-term debt	$	17,267		$	35		$	69,006		$	(5,113	)	$	81,195
	Accounts payable	593,373			16,248			97,126			(544,894		)	161,853
	Income taxes payable	115			373			5,650			—			6,138
	Accrued expenses	62,859			30,026			143,886			(11,926		)	224,845
	Deferred income taxes	—			—			1,540			—			1,540
	Total current liabilities	$	673,614		$	46,682		$	317,208		$	(561,933	)	$	475,571
	Long-term debt, net of current portion	1,309,306			—			1,535,421			(835,192		)	2,009,535
	Other noncurrent liabilities	56,171			2,046			54,137			—			112,354
	Deferred income taxes	180,479			—			221,935			—			402,414
	Total liabilities	2,219,570			48,728			2,128,701			(1,397,125		)	2,999,874
	Total stockholders’ equity	2,100,239			3,718,294			1,994,060			(5,854,652		)	1,957,941
		$	4,319,809		$	3,767,022		$	4,122,761		$	(7,251,777	)	$	4,957,815
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	As of January 3, 2015
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	ASSETS
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	10,447		$	14,460		$	83,877		$	—		$	108,784
	Restricted cash	103			—			240			—			343
	Accounts receivable	30,237			604,486			320,040			(544,984		)	409,779
	Inventories	19,762			93,253			288,598			—			401,613
	Income taxes refundable	18,647			—			3,493			—			22,140
	Prepaid expenses	11,513			1,792			31,324			—			44,629
	Other current assets	1,894			14			206,338			(186,922		)	21,324
	Deferred income taxes	42,497			—			2,504			—			45,001
	Total current assets	135,100			714,005			936,414			(731,906		)	1,053,613
	Investment in subsidiaries	3,874,466			1,096,541			837,605			(5,808,612		)	—
	Property, plant and equipment, net	205,895			445,301			922,920			—			1,574,116
	Intangible assets, net	21,903			366,315			544,195			—			932,413
	Goodwill	21,860			549,950			748,609			—			1,320,419
	Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary	—			—			202,712			—			202,712
	Other assets	56,404			575,656			538,460			(1,099,511		)	71,009
	Deferred income taxes	—			—			16,431			—			16,431
		$	4,315,628		$	3,747,768		$	4,747,346		$	(7,640,029	)	$	5,170,713
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Current portion of long-term debt	$	16,017		$	55		$	225,252		$	(186,923	)	$	54,401
	Accounts payable	540,784			11,349			127,994			(511,609		)	168,518
	Income taxes payable	—			—			4,363			—			4,363
	Accrued expenses	88,840			34,842			165,812			(33,375		)	256,119
Deferred income taxes	—			—			642			—			642
Total current liabilities	645,641			46,246			524,063			(731,907		)	484,043
Long-term debt, net of current portion	1,334,556			—			1,862,994			(1,099,511		)	2,098,039
Other noncurrent liabilities	56,849			1,979			55,872			—			114,700
Deferred income taxes	176,745			—			246,052			—			422,797
Total liabilities	2,213,791			48,225			2,688,981			(1,831,418		)	3,119,579
Total stockholders’ equity	2,101,837			3,699,543			2,058,365			(5,808,611		)	2,051,134
	$	4,315,628		$	3,747,768		$	4,747,346		$	(7,640,029	)	$	5,170,713
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
For the three months ended April 4, 2015
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net sales	$	125,794		$	358,707		$	448,843		$	(58,650	)	$	874,694
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses	103,616			284,503			355,052			(58,650		)	684,521
Selling, general and administrative expenses	33,130			14,868			38,633			—			86,631
Acquisition and integration costs	1,973			—			3,346			—			5,319
Depreciation and amortization	8,171			23,599			34,628			—			66,398
Total costs and expenses	146,890			322,970			431,659			(58,650		)	842,869
Operating income	(21,096		)	35,737			17,184			—			31,825
Interest expense	(15,160		)	4,848			(12,797		)	—			(23,109		)
Foreign currency gains/(losses)	(11		)	(304		)	(2,145		)	—			(2,460		)
Other, net	(1,181		)	211			461			—			(509		)
Equity in net income/(loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries	—			—			(1,808		)	—			(1,808		)
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	17,449			—			—			(17,449		)	—
Income/(loss) before taxes	(19,999		)	40,492			895			(17,449		)	3,939
Income taxes (benefit)	(20,108		)	21,742			481			—			2,115
Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(1,715		)	—			(1,715		)
Net income/(loss) attributable to Darling	$	109		$	18,750		$	(1,301	)	$	(17,449	)	$	109
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
For the three months ended March 29, 2014
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net sales	$	154,437		$	402,988		$	481,409		$	(92,542	)	$	946,292
Cost and expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses	118,176			326,889			422,683			(92,542		)	775,206
Selling, general and administrative expenses	37,552			13,876			38,605			—			90,033
Acquisition and integration costs	14,381			—			1,567			—			15,948
Depreciation and amortization	7,518			19,511			38,640			—			65,669
Total costs and expenses	177,627			360,276			501,495			(92,542		)	946,856
Operating income	(23,190		)	42,712			(20,086		)	—			(564		)
Interest expense	(50,301		)	5,225			(13,781		)	—			(58,857		)
Foreign currency gains/(losses)	(12,228		)	(92		)	(1,494		)	—			(13,814		)
Other, net	(1,453		)	(797		)	1,112			—			(1,138		)
Equity in net income of unconsolidated subsidiaries	—			—			5,077			—			5,077
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	11,361			—			—			(11,361		)	—
Income/(loss) before taxes	(75,811		)	47,048			(29,172		)	(11,361		)	(69,296		)
Income taxes (benefit)	(23,008		)	12,418			(7,700		)	—			(18,290		)
Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(1,797		)	—			(1,797		)
Net income/(loss) attributable to Darling	$	(52,803	)	$	34,630		$	(23,269	)	$	(11,361	)	$	(52,803	)
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
For the three months ended April 4, 2015
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net income/(loss)	$	1,824		$	18,750		$	(1,301	)	$	(17,449	)	$	1,824
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	—			—			(98,642		)	—			(98,642		)
Pension adjustments	729			—			40			—			769
Natural gas swap derivative adjustments	—			—			—			—			—
Corn option derivative adjustments	38			—			—			—			38
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	767			—			(98,602		)	—			(97,835		)
Total comprehensive income/(loss)	2,591			18,750			(99,903		)	(17,449		)	(96,011		)
Total comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			7,042			—			7,042
Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Darling	$	2,591		$	18,750		$	(106,945	)	$	(17,449	)	$	(103,053	)
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
For the three months ended March 29, 2014
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net income/(loss)	$	(51,006	)	$	34,630		$	(23,269	)	$	(11,361	)	$	(51,006	)
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	—			—			20,615			—			20,615
Pension adjustments	320			—			—			—			320
Natural gas swap derivative adjustments	(113		)	—			—			—			(113		)
Corn option derivative adjustments	(1,598		)	—			—			—			(1,598		)
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	(1,391		)	—			20,615			—			19,224
Total comprehensive income/(loss)	(52,397		)	34,630			(2,654		)	(11,361		)	(31,782		)
Total comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			868			—			868
Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Darling	$	(52,397	)	$	34,630		$	(3,522	)	$	(11,361	)	$	(32,650	)
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
For the three months ended April 4, 2015
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income/(loss)	$	1,824		$	18,750		$	(1,301	)	$	(17,449	)	$	1,824
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	(17,449		)	—			—			17,449			—
Other operating cash flows	48,023			(30,966		)	40,359			—			57,416
Net cash provided by operating activities	32,398			(12,216		)	39,058			—			59,240
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(12,243		)	(19,393		)	(19,202		)	—			(50,838		)
Acquisitions	—			—			—			—			—
Investment in subsidiaries and affiliates	(20		)	(29,541		)	29,541			20			—
Note receivable from affiliates	—			51,019			(51,019		)	—			—
Gross proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets	142			259			133			—			534
Proceeds from insurance settlements	71			270			—			—			341
Payments related to routes and other intangibles	—			—			(753		)	—			(753		)
Net cash used in investing activities	(12,050		)	2,614			(41,300		)	20			(50,716		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds for long-term debt	—			—			5,943			—			5,943
Payments on long-term debt	(4,000		)	(20		)	(9,582		)	—			(13,602		)
Borrowings from revolving facilities	5,000			—			22,428			—			27,428
Payments on revolving facilities	(25,000		)	—			(12,943		)	—			(37,943		)
Net cash overdraft financing	—			—			31,162			—			31,162
Deferred loan costs	—			—			—			—			—
Issuances of common stock	81			—			—			—			81
Contributions from parent	—			—			20			(20		)	—
Minimum withholding taxes paid on stock awards	(4,469		)	—			—			—			(4,469		)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(35		)	—			—			—			(35		)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(38		)	—			(38		)
Net cash used in financing activities	(28,423		)	(20		)	36,990			(20		)	8,527
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			(13,704		)	—			(13,704		)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(8,075		)	(9,622		)	21,044			—			3,347
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	10,447			14,460			83,877			—			108,784
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	2,372		$	4,838		$	104,921		$	—		$	112,131
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
For the three months ended March 29, 2014
(in thousands)
	Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income/(loss)	$	(51,006	)	$	34,630		$	(23,269	)	$	(11,361	)	$	(51,006	)
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	(11,361		)	—			—			11,361			—
Other operating cash flows	35,205			(11,156		)	(3,547		)	—			20,502
Net cash provided by operating activities	(27,162		)	23,474			(26,816		)	—			(30,504		)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(14,754		)	(16,332		)	(20,274		)	—			(51,360		)
Acquisitions	—			(645		)	(2,081,045		)	—			(2,081,690		)
Investment in subsidiaries and affiliates	(1,483,007		)	(2,217,686		)	(7,688,504		)	11,389,197			—
Note receivable from affiliates	—			(204,074		)	204,074			—			—
Gross proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets	298			857			169			—			1,324
Proceeds from insurance settlements	—			—			—			—			—
Payments related to routes and other intangibles	(6,812		)	—			—			—			(6,812		)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,504,275		)	(2,437,880		)	(9,585,580		)	11,389,197			(2,138,538		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds for long-term debt	1,100,000			—			697,509			—			1,797,509
Payments on long-term debt	(250,000		)	(22		)	(13,949		)	—			(263,971		)
Borrowings from revolving credit facility	122,445			—			100,865			—			223,310
Payments on revolving credit facility	(207,445		)	—			(66,029		)	—			(273,474		)
Deferred loan costs	(35,292		)	—			(3,494		)	—			(38,786		)
Issuances of common stock	2,504			—			—			—			2,504
Contributions from parent	—			2,421,762			8,967,435			(11,389,197		)	—
Minimum withholding taxes paid on stock awards	(4,709		)	—			—			—			(4,709		)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	960			—			—			—			960
Net cash used in financing activities	728,463			2,421,740			9,682,337			(11,389,197		)	1,443,343
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			(1,736		)	—			(1,736		)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(802,974		)	7,334			68,205			—			(727,435		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	857,267			6,117			7,473			—			870,857
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	54,293		$	13,451		$	75,678		$	—		$	143,422

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Darling and its consolidated subsidiaries. Noncontrolling interests represents the outstanding ownership interest in the Company's consolidated subsidiaries that are not owned by the Company. In the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations, the noncontrolling interest in net income (loss) of the consolidated subsidiaries is shown as an allocation of the Company's net income and is presented separately as "Net income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests". In the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets, noncontrolling interests represents the ownership interests in the Company consolidated subsidiaries' net assets held by parties other than the Company. These ownership interests are presented separately as "Noncontrolling interests" within "Stockholders' Equity." 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 April 4, 2015, and include the 13 weeks ended April 4, 2015, and the 13 weeks ended March 29, 2014.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications
	Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share
	Basic income/(loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income attributable to Darling by the weighted average number of common shares including non-vested and restricted shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted income/(loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income attributable to Darling 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 service revenue in the fiscal month the service 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. The Company expects to indefinitely reinvest the earnings of its foreign subsidiaries outside of the United States and has generally not provided deferred income taxes on the accumulated earnings of its foreign subsidiaries.
	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.  Certain VION Companies acquired as part of the VION Acquisition have deferred tax assets for tax loss carryforwards, and the Company has recorded valuation allowances in respect to those losses to the extent it has been determined that it is not more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized.
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]	Foreign Currency Translation and Remeasurement
	Foreign currency translation is included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income and reflects the adjustments resulting from translating the foreign currency denominated financial statements of foreign subsidiaries into U.S. dollars. The functional currency of the Company's foreign subsidiaries is the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates, which is generally the local currency of the country. Accordingly, assets and liabilities of the foreign subsidiaries are translated to U.S. dollars at fiscal period end exchange rates, including intercompany foreign currency transactions that are of long-term investment nature. Income and expense items are translated at average exchange rates occurring during the period. Changes in exchange rates that affect cash flows and the related receivables or payables are recognized as transaction gains and losses in determining net income.
Long Lived Assets [Policy Text Block]	Long-Lived Assets
	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost.  Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of assets:  1) Buildings and improvements, 15 to 30 years; 2) Machinery and equipment, 3 to 10 years; 3) Vehicles, 3 to 8 years; and 4) Aircraft, 7 to 10 years.
	Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred and expenditures for major renewals and improvements are capitalized.
	Intangible Assets
	Intangible assets with indefinite lives, and therefore, not subject to amortization, consist of trade names acquired in the acquisition of Griffin Industries Inc. on December 17, 2010 (which was subsequently converted to a limited liability company) and its subsidiaries ("Griffin") and trade names acquired in the VION Acquisition.  In the first quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company has determined that due to a global re-branding strategy, the Griffin Industries trade name in the amount of approximately $65.1 million has been determined to have a limited useful life and therefore the Company has started to amortize the Griffin Industries name over a useful life of 10 years. Intangible assets subject to amortization consist of: 1) collection routes which are made up of groups of suppliers of raw materials in similar geographic areas from which the Company derives collection fees and a dependable source of raw materials for processing into finished products; 2) permits that represent licensing of operating plants that have been acquired, giving those plants the ability to operate; 3) non-compete agreements that represent contractual arrangements with former competitors whose businesses were acquired; 4) trade names; and 5) royalty, consulting, land use rights and leasehold agreements.   Amortization expense is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets ranging from:  5 to 21 years for collection routes; 10 to 20 years for permits; 3 to 7 years for non-compete covenants; and 4 to 15 years for trade names.  Royalty, consulting, land use rights and leasehold agreements are amortized over the term of the agreement.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Net Income per Common Share
		Net Income per Common Share (in thousands, except per share data)
		Three Months Ended
				April 4, 2015							March 29, 2014
		Income		Shares		Per Share		Income			Shares	Per Share
	Basic:
	Net Income attributable to Darling	$	109	164,882		$	—	$	(52,803	)	164,386	$	(0.32	)
	Diluted:
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Add: Option shares in the money and dilutive effect of non-vested stock awards			419							—
	Less: Pro forma treasury shares			(155	)						—
	Diluted:
	Net income attributable to Darling	$	109	165,146		$	—	$	(52,803	)	164,386	$	(0.32	)

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventory	A summary of inventories follows (in thousands):
		4-Apr-15		3-Jan-15
	Finished product	$	255,038	$	255,130
	Work in process	95,663		98,936
	Supplies and other	47,478		47,547
		$	398,179	$	401,613

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_S1

Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiary (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity Method Investments	Selected financial information for the Company's DGD Joint Venture is as follows (in thousands):
	(in thousands)	31-Mar-15			31-Dec-14
	Assets:
	Total current assets	$	213,811		$	216,991
	Property, plant and equipment, net	364,598			373,117
	Other assets	1,546			2,092
	Total assets	$	579,955		$	592,200
	Liabilities and members' equity:
	Total current portion of long term debt	$	60,289		$	57,514
	Total other current liabilities	17,765			21,313
	Total long term debt	148,242			155,273
	Total other long term liabilities	350			339
	Total members' equity	353,309			357,761
	Total liabilities and member's equity	$	579,955		$	592,200
		Three Months Ended
	(in thousands)	31-Mar-15			31-Mar-14
	Revenues:
	Operating revenues	$	116,728		$	119,657
	Expenses:
	Total costs and expenses	117,044			105,901
	Operating income/(loss)	(316		)	13,756
	Other income	20			18
	Interest and debt expense, net	(4,156		)	(4,426		)
	Net income/(loss)	$	(4,452	)	$	9,348

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt	Debt consists of the following (in thousands):
		4-Apr-15		3-Jan-15
	Amended Credit Agreement:
	Revolving Credit Facility ($32.7 million and $36.9 million denominated in CAD at April 4, 2015 and January 3, 2015, respectively and $10.9 million denominated in Euro at April 4, 2015)	$	88,604	$	101,863
	Term Loan A ($112.2 million and $122.2 million denominated in CAD at April 4, 2015 and January 3, 2015, respectively)	299,620		312,161
	Term Loan B ($551.1 million and $610.2 million denominated in Euro at April 4, 2015 and January 3, 2015, respectively)	1,145,098		1,205,669
	5.375% Senior Notes due 2022	500,000		500,000
	Other Notes and Obligations	57,408		32,747
		2,090,730		2,152,440
	Less Current Maturities	81,195		54,401
		$	2,009,535	$	2,098,039
Schedule Of Debt Redemption Prices	On and after January 15, 2017, Darling may redeem all or, from time to time, a part of the 5.375% Notes (including any additional 5.375% 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 5.375% Notes, if any, to, but excluding, 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 January 15 of the years indicated below:
	Year	Percentage
	2017	104.03%
	2018	102.69%
	2019	101.34%
	2020 and thereafter	100.00%

Other_Comprehensive_Income_Tab

Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The components of other comprehensive income (loss) and the related tax impacts for the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		Before-Tax						Tax (Expense)						Net-of-Tax
		Amount						or Benefit						Amount
		April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014			April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014			April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014
	Defined benefit pension plans
	Amortization of prior service cost	$	(20	)	$	4		$	10		$	(2	)	$	(10	)	$	2
	Amortization of actuarial loss	1,285			519			(506		)	(201		)	779			318
	Total defined benefit pension plans	1,265			523			(496		)	(203		)	769			320
	Natural gas swap derivatives
	Loss/(gain) reclassified to net income	—			(357		)	—			139			—			(218		)
	Gain/(loss) activity recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	—			172			—			(67		)	—			105
	Total natural gas swap derivatives	—			(185		)	—			72			—			(113		)
	Corn option derivatives
	Loss/(gain) reclassified to net income	(234		)	(1,292		)	91			501			(143		)	(791		)
	Gain/(loss) activity recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	296			(1,319		)	(115		)	512			181			(807		)
	Total corn option derivatives	62			(2,611		)	(24		)	1,013			38			(1,598		)
	Foreign currency translation	(98,642		)	20,615			—			—			(98,642		)	20,615
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(97,315	)	$	18,342		$	(520	)	$	882		$	(97,835	)	$	19,224
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	The following table presents the amounts reclassified out of each component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax for the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014 as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended
		April 4, 2015			March 29, 2014			Statement of Operations Classification
	Derivative instruments
	Natural gas swap derivatives	$	—		$	357		Cost of sales and operating expenses
	Corn option derivatives	234			1,292			Cost of sales and operating expenses
		234			1,649			Total before tax
		(91		)	(640		)	Income taxes
		143			1,009			Net of tax
	Defined benefit pension plans
	Amortization of prior service cost	$	20		$	(4	)	(a)
	Amortization of actuarial loss	(1,285		)	(519		)	(a)
		(1,265		)	(523		)	Total before tax
		496			203			Income taxes
		(769		)	(320		)	Net of tax
	Total reclassifications	$	(626	)	$	689		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)	The following table presents changes in each component of accumulated comprehensive income (loss) as of April 4, 2015 as follows (in thousands):
			Three Months Ended April 4, 2015
			Foreign Currency			Derivative			Defined Benefit
			Translation			Instruments			Pension Plans			Total
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) January 3, 2015, net of tax		$	(140,386	)	$	76		$	(36,750	)	$	(177,060	)
	Other comprehensive gain before reclassifications		(98,642		)	181			—			(98,461		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		—			(143		)	769			626
	Net current-period other comprehensive income		(98,642		)	38			769			(97,835		)
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) April 4, 2015, net of tax		(239,028		)	$	114		$	(35,981	)	$	(274,895	)

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Tables

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Net pension cost	Net pension cost for the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014 includes the following components (in thousands):
		Pension Benefits
		Three Months Ended
		April 4,			March 29,
		2015			2014
	Service cost	$	1,678		$	1,490
	Interest cost	2,647			3,347
	Expected return on plan assets	(3,065		)	(3,608		)
	Amortization of prior service cost	(20		)	4
	Amortization of net loss	1,285			520
	Net pension cost	$	2,525		$	1,753

Derivatives_Tables

Derivatives (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Derivative Instruments	All of these transactions are currently not designated for hedge accounting. (in thousands):
	Functional Currency				Contract Currency
	Type	Amount			Type	Amount
	Brazilian real	16,355			Euro	4,800
	Brazilian real	36,824			U.S. dollar	12,250
	Euro	263,454			U.S. dollar	299,964
	Euro	21,885			Polish zloty	90,000
	Euro	5,505			Japanese yen	727,609
	Euro	35,028			Chinese renminbi	238,577
	Euro	25,145			Australian dollar	35,850
	Euro	3,364			British pound	2,443
	Polish zloty	21,095			Euro	5,064
	British pound	109			Euro	150
	British pound	116			U.S. dollar	177
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 April 4, 2015 and January 3, 2015 (in thousands):
	Derivatives Designated	Balance Sheet	Asset Derivatives Fair Value
	as Hedges	Location	April 4, 2015			January 3, 2015
	Corn options	Other current assets	$	203		$	247
	Total asset derivatives designated as hedges		$	203		$	247
	Derivatives Not
	Designated as
	Hedges
	Foreign currency contracts	Other current assets	$	10,738		$	11,559
	Heating oil swaps and options	Other current assets	290			353
	Corn options and futures	Other current assets	156			69
	Total asset derivatives not designated as hedges		$	11,184		$	11,981
	Total asset derivatives		$	11,387		$	12,228
	Derivatives Designated	Balance Sheet	Liability Derivatives Fair Value
	as Hedges	Location	April 4, 2015			January 3, 2015
	Corn options	Accrued expenses	$	—		$	—
	Total liability derivatives designated as hedges		$	—		$	—
	Derivatives Not
	Designated as
	Hedges
	Foreign currency contracts	Accrued expenses	$	2,014		$	2,019
	Heating oil swaps and options	Accrued expenses	812			993
	Corn options and futures	Accrued expenses	23			3
	Total liability derivatives not designated as hedges		$	2,849		$	3,015
	Total liability derivatives		$	2,849		$	3,015
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 April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014 is as follows (in thousands):
								Gain or (Loss)				Gain or (Loss)
		Gain or (Loss)						Reclassified from				Recognized in Income
		Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income ("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)
		2015			2014			2015		2014		2015		2014
	Corn options	$	296		$	(1,319	)	$	234	$	1,292	$	55	$	376
	Natural gas swaps	—			172			—		357		—		1
	Total	$	296		$	(1,147	)	$	234	$	1,649	$	55	$	377
	(a)	Amount recognized in accumulated OCI (effective portion) is reported as accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) of approximately $0.3 million and approximately $1.1 million recorded net of taxes of approximately $0.1 million and $0.4 million as of April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014, respectively.
	(b)	Gains and (losses) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (effective portion) for 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 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)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
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 April 4, 2015 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	$	11,387	$	—	$	11,387	$	—
	Total Assets	$	11,387	$	—	$	11,387	$	—
	Liabilities:
	Derivative instruments	$	2,849	$	—	$	2,849	$	—
	Senior notes	505,000		—		505,000		—
	Term loan A	301,118		—		301,118		—
	Term loan B	1,145,258		—		1,145,258		—
	Revolver debt	87,275		—		87,275		—
	Total Liabilities	$	2,041,500	$	—	$	2,041,500	$	—

Business_Segments_Tables

Business Segments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business Segments	Business Segments (in thousands):
		Feed Ingredients		Food Ingredients			Fuel Ingredients			Corporate			Total
	Three Months Ended April 4, 2015
	Net Sales	$	547,498	$	270,157		$	57,039		$	—		$	874,694
	Cost of sales and operating expenses	424,006		216,637			43,874			4			684,521
	Gross Margin	123,492		53,520			13,165			(4		)	190,173
	Selling, general and administrative expense	48,023		25,476			4,040			9,092			86,631
	Acquisition costs	—		—			—			5,319			5,319
	Depreciation and amortization	40,055		17,197			6,631			2,515			66,398
	Segment operating income/ (loss)	35,414		10,847			2,494			(16,930		)	31,825
	Equity in net income of unconsolidated subsidiaries	417		—			(2,225		)	—			(1,808		)
	Segment income	35,831		10,847			269			(16,930		)	30,017
	Total other expense												(26,078		)
	Income before income taxes												$	3,939
	Segment assets at April 4, 2015	$	2,585,660	$	1,592,387		$	634,331		$	145,437		$	4,957,815
		Feed Ingredients		Food Ingredients			Fuel Ingredients			Corporate			Total
	Three Months Ended March 29, 2014
	Net Sales	$	586,107	$	293,462		$	66,723		$	—		$	946,292
	Cost of sales and operating expenses	458,450		264,101			52,669			(14		)	775,206
	Gross Margin	127,657		29,361			14,054			14			171,086
	Selling, general and administrative expense	51,565		24,062			4,332			10,074			90,033
	Acquisition costs	—		—			—			15,948			15,948
	Depreciation and amortization	38,559		17,441			7,377			2,292			65,669
	Segment operating income/ (loss)	37,533		(12,142		)	2,345			(28,300		)	(564		)
	Equity in net income of unconsolidated subsidiaries	403		—			4,674			—			5,077
	Segment income	37,936		(12,142		)	7,019			(28,300		)	4,513
	Total other expense												(73,809		)
	Income before income taxes												$	(69,296	)
	Segment assets at January 3, 2015	$	2,667,369	$	1,734,387		$	693,921		$	75,036		$	5,170,713

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio1

Guarantor Financial Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015
Guarantor Financial Information [Abstract]
Guarantor Financial Information Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	As of April 4, 2015
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	ASSETS
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,372		$	4,838		$	104,921		$	—		$	112,131
	Restricted cash	103			—			250			—			353
	Accounts receivable	27,773			635,317			270,699			(556,821		)	376,968
	Inventories	11,822			110,901			275,456			—			398,179
	Income taxes refundable	21,857			—			3,674			—			25,531
	Prepaid expenses	12,111			5,233			37,504			—			54,848
	Other current assets	1,617			25			34,113			(5,113		)	30,642
	Deferred income taxes	42,321			—			2,818			—			45,139
	Total current assets	119,976			756,314			729,435			(561,934		)	1,043,791
	Investment in subsidiaries	3,891,931			1,126,082			836,638			(5,854,651		)	—
	Property, plant and equipment, net	210,924			453,591			843,110			—			1,507,625
	Intangible assets, net	20,871			356,216			492,713			—			869,800
	Goodwill	21,860			549,950			683,295			—			1,255,105
	Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries	—			—			198,639			—			198,639
	Other assets	54,247			524,869			323,099			(835,192		)	67,023
	Deferred taxes	—			—			15,832			—			15,832
		$	4,319,809		$	3,767,022		$	4,122,761		$	(7,251,777	)	$	4,957,815
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Current portion of long-term debt	$	17,267		$	35		$	69,006		$	(5,113	)	$	81,195
	Accounts payable	593,373			16,248			97,126			(544,894		)	161,853
	Income taxes payable	115			373			5,650			—			6,138
	Accrued expenses	62,859			30,026			143,886			(11,926		)	224,845
	Deferred income taxes	—			—			1,540			—			1,540
	Total current liabilities	$	673,614		$	46,682		$	317,208		$	(561,933	)	$	475,571
	Long-term debt, net of current portion	1,309,306			—			1,535,421			(835,192		)	2,009,535
	Other noncurrent liabilities	56,171			2,046			54,137			—			112,354
	Deferred income taxes	180,479			—			221,935			—			402,414
	Total liabilities	2,219,570			48,728			2,128,701			(1,397,125		)	2,999,874
	Total stockholders’ equity	2,100,239			3,718,294			1,994,060			(5,854,652		)	1,957,941
		$	4,319,809		$	3,767,022		$	4,122,761		$	(7,251,777	)	$	4,957,815
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	As of January 3, 2015
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	ASSETS
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	10,447		$	14,460		$	83,877		$	—		$	108,784
	Restricted cash	103			—			240			—			343
	Accounts receivable	30,237			604,486			320,040			(544,984		)	409,779
	Inventories	19,762			93,253			288,598			—			401,613
	Income taxes refundable	18,647			—			3,493			—			22,140
	Prepaid expenses	11,513			1,792			31,324			—			44,629
	Other current assets	1,894			14			206,338			(186,922		)	21,324
	Deferred income taxes	42,497			—			2,504			—			45,001
	Total current assets	135,100			714,005			936,414			(731,906		)	1,053,613
	Investment in subsidiaries	3,874,466			1,096,541			837,605			(5,808,612		)	—
	Property, plant and equipment, net	205,895			445,301			922,920			—			1,574,116
	Intangible assets, net	21,903			366,315			544,195			—			932,413
	Goodwill	21,860			549,950			748,609			—			1,320,419
	Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary	—			—			202,712			—			202,712
	Other assets	56,404			575,656			538,460			(1,099,511		)	71,009
	Deferred income taxes	—			—			16,431			—			16,431
		$	4,315,628		$	3,747,768		$	4,747,346		$	(7,640,029	)	$	5,170,713
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Current portion of long-term debt	$	16,017		$	55		$	225,252		$	(186,923	)	$	54,401
	Accounts payable	540,784			11,349			127,994			(511,609		)	168,518
	Income taxes payable	—			—			4,363			—			4,363
	Accrued expenses	88,840			34,842			165,812			(33,375		)	256,119
	Deferred income taxes	—			—			642			—			642
	Total current liabilities	645,641			46,246			524,063			(731,907		)	484,043
Long-term debt, net of current portion	1,334,556			—			1,862,994			(1,099,511		)	2,098,039
Other noncurrent liabilities	56,849			1,979			55,872			—			114,700
Deferred income taxes	176,745			—			246,052			—			422,797
Total liabilities	2,213,791			48,225			2,688,981			(1,831,418		)	3,119,579
Total stockholders’ equity	2,101,837			3,699,543			2,058,365			(5,808,611		)	2,051,134
	$	4,315,628		$	3,747,768		$	4,747,346		$	(7,640,029	)	$	5,170,713
Guarantor Financial Information Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Operations	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
	For the three months ended April 4, 2015
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net sales	$	125,794		$	358,707		$	448,843		$	(58,650	)	$	874,694
	Cost and expenses:
	Cost of sales and operating expenses	103,616			284,503			355,052			(58,650		)	684,521
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	33,130			14,868			38,633			—			86,631
	Acquisition and integration costs	1,973			—			3,346			—			5,319
	Depreciation and amortization	8,171			23,599			34,628			—			66,398
	Total costs and expenses	146,890			322,970			431,659			(58,650		)	842,869
	Operating income	(21,096		)	35,737			17,184			—			31,825
	Interest expense	(15,160		)	4,848			(12,797		)	—			(23,109		)
	Foreign currency gains/(losses)	(11		)	(304		)	(2,145		)	—			(2,460		)
	Other, net	(1,181		)	211			461			—			(509		)
	Equity in net income/(loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries	—			—			(1,808		)	—			(1,808		)
	Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	17,449			—			—			(17,449		)	—
	Income/(loss) before taxes	(19,999		)	40,492			895			(17,449		)	3,939
	Income taxes (benefit)	(20,108		)	21,742			481			—			2,115
	Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(1,715		)	—			(1,715		)
	Net income/(loss) attributable to Darling	$	109		$	18,750		$	(1,301	)	$	(17,449	)	$	109
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
	For the three months ended March 29, 2014
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net sales	$	154,437		$	402,988		$	481,409		$	(92,542	)	$	946,292
	Cost and expenses:
	Cost of sales and operating expenses	118,176			326,889			422,683			(92,542		)	775,206
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	37,552			13,876			38,605			—			90,033
	Acquisition and integration costs	14,381			—			1,567			—			15,948
	Depreciation and amortization	7,518			19,511			38,640			—			65,669
	Total costs and expenses	177,627			360,276			501,495			(92,542		)	946,856
	Operating income	(23,190		)	42,712			(20,086		)	—			(564		)
	Interest expense	(50,301		)	5,225			(13,781		)	—			(58,857		)
	Foreign currency gains/(losses)	(12,228		)	(92		)	(1,494		)	—			(13,814		)
	Other, net	(1,453		)	(797		)	1,112			—			(1,138		)
	Equity in net income of unconsolidated subsidiaries	—			—			5,077			—			5,077
	Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	11,361			—			—			(11,361		)	—
	Income/(loss) before taxes	(75,811		)	47,048			(29,172		)	(11,361		)	(69,296		)
	Income taxes (benefit)	(23,008		)	12,418			(7,700		)	—			(18,290		)
	Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(1,797		)	—			(1,797		)
	Net income/(loss) attributable to Darling	$	(52,803	)	$	34,630		$	(23,269	)	$	(11,361	)	$	(52,803	)
	Condensed
Guarantor Financial Information Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
	For the three months ended April 4, 2015
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net income/(loss)	$	1,824		$	18,750		$	(1,301	)	$	(17,449	)	$	1,824
	Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
	Foreign currency translation	—			—			(98,642		)	—			(98,642		)
	Pension adjustments	729			—			40			—			769
	Natural gas swap derivative adjustments	—			—			—			—			—
	Corn option derivative adjustments	38			—			—			—			38
	Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	767			—			(98,602		)	—			(97,835		)
	Total comprehensive income/(loss)	2,591			18,750			(99,903		)	(17,449		)	(96,011		)
	Total comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			7,042			—			7,042
	Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Darling	$	2,591		$	18,750		$	(106,945	)	$	(17,449	)	$	(103,053	)
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
	For the three months ended March 29, 2014
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Net income/(loss)	$	(51,006	)	$	34,630		$	(23,269	)	$	(11,361	)	$	(51,006	)
	Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
	Foreign currency translation	—			—			20,615			—			20,615
	Pension adjustments	320			—			—			—			320
	Natural gas swap derivative adjustments	(113		)	—			—			—			(113		)
	Corn option derivative adjustments	(1,598		)	—			—			—			(1,598		)
	Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	(1,391		)	—			20,615			—			19,224
	Total comprehensive income/(loss)	(52,397		)	34,630			(2,654		)	(11,361		)	(31,782		)
	Total comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			868			—			868
	Total comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Darling	$	(52,397	)	$	34,630		$	(3,522	)	$	(11,361	)	$	(32,650	)
Guarantor Financial Information Condensed Consolidating Statements Of Cash Flows	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
	For the three months ended April 4, 2015
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net income/(loss)	$	1,824		$	18,750		$	(1,301	)	$	(17,449	)	$	1,824
	Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	(17,449		)	—			—			17,449			—
	Other operating cash flows	48,023			(30,966		)	40,359			—			57,416
	Net cash provided by operating activities	32,398			(12,216		)	39,058			—			59,240
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Capital expenditures	(12,243		)	(19,393		)	(19,202		)	—			(50,838		)
	Acquisitions	—			—			—			—			—
	Investment in subsidiaries and affiliates	(20		)	(29,541		)	29,541			20			—
	Note receivable from affiliates	—			51,019			(51,019		)	—			—
	Gross proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets	142			259			133			—			534
	Proceeds from insurance settlements	71			270			—			—			341
	Payments related to routes and other intangibles	—			—			(753		)	—			(753		)
	Net cash used in investing activities	(12,050		)	2,614			(41,300		)	20			(50,716		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Proceeds for long-term debt	—			—			5,943			—			5,943
	Payments on long-term debt	(4,000		)	(20		)	(9,582		)	—			(13,602		)
	Borrowings from revolving facilities	5,000			—			22,428			—			27,428
	Payments on revolving facilities	(25,000		)	—			(12,943		)	—			(37,943		)
	Net cash overdraft financing	—			—			31,162			—			31,162
	Deferred loan costs	—			—			—			—			—
	Issuances of common stock	81			—			—			—			81
	Contributions from parent	—			—			20			(20		)	—
	Minimum withholding taxes paid on stock awards	(4,469		)	—			—			—			(4,469		)
	Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	(35		)	—			—			—			(35		)
	Distributions to noncontrolling interests	—			—			(38		)	—			(38		)
	Net cash used in financing activities	(28,423		)	(20		)	36,990			(20		)	8,527
	Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			(13,704		)	—			(13,704		)
	Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(8,075		)	(9,622		)	21,044			—			3,347
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	10,447			14,460			83,877			—			108,784
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	2,372		$	4,838		$	104,921		$	—		$	112,131
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
	For the three months ended March 29, 2014
	(in thousands)
		Issuer			Guarantors			Non-guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
	Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net income/(loss)	$	(51,006	)	$	34,630		$	(23,269	)	$	(11,361	)	$	(51,006	)
	Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	(11,361		)	—			—			11,361			—
	Other operating cash flows	35,205			(11,156		)	(3,547		)	—			20,502
	Net cash provided by operating activities	(27,162		)	23,474			(26,816		)	—			(30,504		)
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Capital expenditures	(14,754		)	(16,332		)	(20,274		)	—			(51,360		)
	Acquisitions	—			(645		)	(2,081,045		)	—			(2,081,690		)
	Investment in subsidiaries and affiliates	(1,483,007		)	(2,217,686		)	(7,688,504		)	11,389,197			—
	Note receivable from affiliates	—			(204,074		)	204,074			—			—
	Gross proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets	298			857			169			—			1,324
	Proceeds from insurance settlements	—			—			—			—			—
	Payments related to routes and other intangibles	(6,812		)	—			—			—			(6,812		)
	Net cash used in investing activities	(1,504,275		)	(2,437,880		)	(9,585,580		)	11,389,197			(2,138,538		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Proceeds for long-term debt	1,100,000			—			697,509			—			1,797,509
	Payments on long-term debt	(250,000		)	(22		)	(13,949		)	—			(263,971		)
	Borrowings from revolving credit facility	122,445			—			100,865			—			223,310
	Payments on revolving credit facility	(207,445		)	—			(66,029		)	—			(273,474		)
	Deferred loan costs	(35,292		)	—			(3,494		)	—			(38,786		)
	Issuances of common stock	2,504			—			—			—			2,504
	Contributions from parent	—			2,421,762			8,967,435			(11,389,197		)	—
	Minimum withholding taxes paid on stock awards	(4,709		)	—			—			—			(4,709		)
	Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	960			—			—			—			960
	Net cash used in financing activities	728,463			2,421,740			9,682,337			(11,389,197		)	1,443,343
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	—			—			(1,736		)	—			(1,736		)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(802,974		)	7,334			68,205			—			(727,435		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	857,267			6,117			7,473			—			870,857
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	54,293		$	13,451		$	75,678		$	—		$	143,422

General_Details

General (Details)	Apr. 04, 2015	Jan. 07, 2014
	facilities	continent
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Processing and Transfer Facilities (over 200)	200
Vion Ingredients [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of continents in which entity operates		5
Best Hides GmbH [Member] | Vion Ingredients [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, percentage of interests acquired		60.00%

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Minimum fiscal year period in days	364 days
Maximum fiscal year period in days	371 days
Fiscal quarter period in days	91 days	91 days
Foreign currency translation	$98,642,000	($20,615,000)
Foreign currency gains/ (losses)	2,460,000	13,814,000
Basic:
Net income	109,000	-52,803,000
Shares	164,882,000	164,386,000
Per Share	$0	($0.32)
Effect of dilutive securities: [Abstract]
Add: Option shares in the money and dilutive effect of non-vested stock	419,000	0
Less: Pro forma treasury shares	-155,000	0
Diluted:
Net Income	109,000	-52,803,000
Shares	165,146,000	164,386,000
Per Share	$0	($0.32)
Stock Options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities [Abstract]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	524,483	942,956
Non Vested Stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities [Abstract]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	519,262	856,568
Net Investment Hedging [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Foreign currency gains/ (losses)		-12,600,000
Minimum [Member] | Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Vehicles [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years
Minimum [Member] | Air Transportation Equipment [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	7 years
Minimum [Member] | Building and Building Improvements [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	15 years
Maximum [Member] | Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	10 years
Maximum [Member] | Vehicles [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	8 years
Maximum [Member] | Air Transportation Equipment [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	10 years
Maximum [Member] | Building and Building Improvements [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	30 years
Permits [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets, useful life	10 years
Permits [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets, useful life	20 years
Noncompete Agreements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets, useful life	3 years
Noncompete Agreements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets, useful life	7 years
Trade Names [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Trade name, Gross	$65,100,000
Finite lived intangible assets, useful life	10 years
Trade Names [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets, useful life	4 years
Trade Names [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets, useful life	15 years
Collection Routes [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets, useful life	5 years
Collection Routes [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite lived intangible assets, useful life	21 years

Acquisitions_Narrative_Details

Acquisitions (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Jan. 03, 2015	Dec. 28, 2013	Jan. 02, 2014	Jan. 07, 2014	Jan. 07, 2014	Oct. 01, 2014	Oct. 01, 2014
	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	Common Stock [Member]	Senior Notes [Member]	Vion Ingredients [Member]	Vion Ingredients [Member]	CustomBlendersCompany [Member]	CustomBlendersCompany [Member]
				USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	EUR (€)	USD ($)	USD ($)
						product	product
						brand	brand
						continent	continent
						facilities	facilities
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of plants						68	68
Number of continents in which entity operates						5	5
Number of brands						6	6
Number of products in portfolio (over 400)						400	400
Purchase price of transaction						$2,200,000,000	€ 1,600,000,000
Foreign currency exchange rate, translation						1.3605	1.3605
Stock issued, value				874,000,000
Face amount of debt instrument					500,000,000
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	0	2,081,690,000						18,800,000
Property and equipment									3,200,000
Finite-lived Intangibles assets									8,600,000
Goodwill	1,255,105,000		1,320,419,000						5,400,000
Inventory									$1,600,000
Weighted average useful life of identifiable intangibles								14 years

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 04, 2015	Jan. 03, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Finished product	$255,038	$255,130
Work in process	95,663	98,936
Supplies and other	47,478	47,547
Inventories	$398,179	$401,613

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_S2

Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiary (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Apr. 05, 2015	Jan. 03, 2015	Jan. 21, 2011
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in the joint venture	$198,639,000			$202,712,000
Income (loss) from equity method investments	-1,808,000	5,077,000
Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage					50.00%
Processing cabaility	11,000
Line of credit term	14 years
Term loan facility	221,300,000
Investment in the joint venture	176,700,000
Income (loss) from equity method investments	-2,200,000	4,700,000
Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC Joint Venture [Member] | Valero Energy Corporation [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage					50.00%
Subsequent Event [Member] | Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions			$25,000,000

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_S3

Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiary (Selected Financial Information) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total Assets	$579,955	$592,200
Partners' Capital	353,309	357,761
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Extraordinary Items	-316	13,756
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Interest and Debt, Expense, Net	-4,156	-4,426
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	364,598	373,117
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Current Portion of Long Term Debt	60,289	57,514
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Total Long Term Debt	148,242	155,273
Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Current Assets	213,811	216,991
Revenues	116,728	119,657
Net Income	-4,452	9,348
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Cost of Sales	117,044	105,901
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Other Income	20	18
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Other Assets	1,546	2,092
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Other Current Liabilities	17,765	21,313
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Other Long Term Liabilities	350	339
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Liabilities and Equity	$579,955	$592,200

Debt_Schedule_of_Longterm_Debt

Debt (Schedule of Long-term Debt) (Details)

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Jan. 03, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Jan. 03, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Jan. 03, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Jan. 03, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Jan. 03, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Jan. 03, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Jan. 03, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Jan. 03, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Jan. 03, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

USD ($)

CAD

EUR (€)

USD ($)

Term Loan A Facility [Member]

Term Loan A Facility [Member]

Term Loan B Facility [Member]

Term Loan B Facility [Member]

Senior Notes [Member]

Senior Notes [Member]

Notes Payable, Other Payables [Member]

Notes Payable, Other Payables [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Term Loan B Facility [Member]

Term Loan A Facility [Member]

Canada, Dollars

Canada, Dollars

Canada, Dollars

Euro Member Countries, Euro

Euro Member Countries, Euro

Euro Member Countries, Euro

Canadian Dealer Offered Rate (CDOR) [Member]

Canadian Dealer Offered Rate (CDOR) [Member]

Canadian Dealer Offered Rate (CDOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Senior Notes 5.375% Due 2022 [Member]

Senior Notes 5.375% Due 2022 [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

Line of Credit [Member]

Line of Credit [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Term Loan A Facility [Member]

Term Loan A Facility [Member]

Term Loan A Facility [Member]

Term Loan B Facility [Member]

Term Loan B Facility [Member]

Term Loan B Facility [Member]

Canada, Dollars

Canada, Dollars

Canada, Dollars

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Euro Member Countries, Euro

Euro Member Countries, Euro

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

CAD

USD ($)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

USD ($)

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

Senior Secured Facilities [Member]

USD ($)

CAD

USD ($)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Line of credit outstanding

$1,300,000,000

$350,000,000

$112,200,000

140,600,000

$122,200,000

$551,100,000

€ 504,900,000

$610,200,000

$32,700,000

41,000,000

$36,900,000

$45,000,000

$10,900,000

€ 10,000,000

Long-term Debt

2,090,730,000

2,152,440,000

299,620,000

312,161,000

1,145,098,000

1,205,669,000

500,000,000

500,000,000

57,408,000

32,747,000

88,604,000

101,863,000

Current portion of long-term debt

81,195,000

54,401,000

Long-term debt, net of current portion

2,009,535,000

2,098,039,000

Capital Lease Obligations, Current

2,400,000

300,000

Capital Lease Obligations, Noncurrent

4,300,000

€ 900,000

Debt_Senior_Secured_Credit_Fac

Debt (Senior Secured Credit Facilities) (Details) (Senior Secured Facilities [Member])

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Jan. 03, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Jan. 03, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Jan. 03, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

13-May-15

Secured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Term Loan A Facility [Member]

Term Loan A Facility [Member]

Term Loan A Facility [Member]

Term Loan A Facility [Member]

Term Loan A Facility [Member]

Term Loan A Facility [Member]

Term Loan A 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]

Letter of Credit [Member]

Swingline Sub-Facility [Member]

Term Loan B Facility [Member]

Term Loan B Facility [Member]

Term Loan B Facility [Member]

Term Loan B Facility [Member]

Term Loan B Facility [Member]

Term Loan B Facility [Member]

Term Loan B Facility [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

United States

International

Subsequent Event [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

Canadian Dealer Offered Rate (CDOR) [Member]

USD ($)

Canada, Dollars

Canada, Dollars

Canada, Dollars

U.S. dollar

Quarters One Thru Eight [Member]

Quarters Nine Thru Sixteen [Member]

Quarter Seventeen and Ongoing [Member]

USD ($)

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]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

U.S. dollar

Euro

Euro

Euro

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

USD ($)

Term Loan A Facility [Member]

Term Loan A Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Term Loan B Facility [Member]

Term Loan B Facility [Member]

Term Loan B Facility [Member]

Term Loan B Facility [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Letter of Credit [Member]

Euro

Canada, Dollars

USD ($)

CAD

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Euro

Euro

Canada, Dollars

Canada, Dollars

Canada, Dollars

USD ($)

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

Euro

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

Canadian Prime Rate [Member]

USD ($)

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

Euro Interbank Offered Rate [Member]

Base Rate [Member]

Term Loan B Facility [Member]

Term Loan B Facility [Member]

USD ($)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

CAD

USD ($)

U.S. dollar

Euro

Euro

U.S. dollar

USD ($)

USD ($)

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity

$1,000,000,000

$250,000,000

$50,000,000

$2,650,000,000

Face amount of debt instrument

350,000,000

1,300,000,000

Line of credit term

5 years

Company availability under revolving loan facility

879,392,000

350,000,000

Line of credit outstanding

$350,000,000

$112,200,000

140,600,000

$122,200,000

$187,500,000

$45,000,000

$10,900,000

€ 10,000,000

$32,700,000

41,000,000

$36,900,000

$32,004,000

$1,300,000,000

$594,000,000

$551,100,000

€ 504,900,000

$610,200,000

$600,000,000

$700,000,000

Debt Instrument, Covenant, Leverage Ratio, Maximum

5

Debt periodic payment, percent of principal

1.25%

1.88%

3.75%

0.25%

Basis spread on variable rate

2.50%

2.50%

2.50%

2.75%

2.50%

1.50%

2.50%

0.75%

2.75%

1.50%

Line of credit facility, interest rate at period end

2.69%

2.49%

3.58%

3.25%

3.50%

Debt_Senior_Notes_Due_2022_Det

Debt (Senior Notes Due 2022) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015	Jan. 02, 2014	Dec. 17, 2010
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of debt instrument		$500,000,000
Senior Notes [Member] | Senior Notes 5.375% Due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of debt instrument		500,000,000
Stated interest rate		5.38%
Guarantee indebtedness amount related to restricted subsidiary		$50,000,000
Redemption period	90
Default event, percent of principal held in order to declare notes due and payable immediately		25.00%
Senior Notes [Member] | Senior Notes 5.375% Due 2022 [Member] | Prior to January 15, 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage	100.00%
Senior Notes [Member] | Senior Notes 5.375% Due 2022 [Member] | 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage	104.03%
Senior Notes [Member] | Senior Notes 5.375% Due 2022 [Member] | 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage	102.69%
Senior Notes [Member] | Senior Notes 5.375% Due 2022 [Member] | 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage	101.34%
Senior Notes [Member] | Senior Notes 5.375% Due 2022 [Member] | 2020 and thereafter [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage	100.00%
Senior Notes [Member] | Senior Notes 5.375% Due 2022 [Member] | Prior to January 15, 2017 with Additional Restrictions [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage	105.38%
Senior Notes [Member] | Senior Notes 5.375% Due 2022 [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage of principal amount redeemed	40.00%
Redemption period	60 days
Senior Notes [Member] | Senior Notes 5.375% Due 2022 [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage of principal amount redeemed	50.00%
Redemption period	30 days
Unsecured Debt [Member] | Senior Notes 8.5% due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			8.50%

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 04, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Unrecognized tax benefits	$5.70
Income tax penalties and interest accrued	2.2
Indemnity receivable	5.9
Significant change in unrecognized tax benefits is reasonably possible, estimated change, upper bound	($1.70)

Other_Comprehensive_Income_Sch

Other Comprehensive Income (Schedule of OCI) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Before-Tax Amount:
Amortization of prior service cost	($20)	$4
Amortization of actuarial loss	1,285	519
Total defined benefit pension plans	1,265	523
Loss activity recognized in other comprehensive loss	300	1,100
Other Comprehensive income (loss)	-97,315	18,342
Tax (Expense) or Benefit:
Amortization of prior service cost	10	-2
Amortization of actuarial loss	-506	-201
Total defined benefit pension plans	-496	-203
Loss activity recognized in other comprehensive loss	100	-400
Other Comprehensive income (loss)	-520	882
Net-of-Tax Amount:
Amortization of prior service cost	-10	2
Amortization of actuarial loss	779	318
Total defined benefit pension plans	769	320
Foreign currency translation	-98,642	20,615
Net current-period other comprehensive income	-97,835	19,224
Natural Gas Swap [Member]
Before-Tax Amount:
Loss reclassified to net income	0	-357
Loss activity recognized in other comprehensive loss	0	172
Total swap derivatives	0	-185
Tax (Expense) or Benefit:
Loss reclassified to net income	0	139
Loss activity recognized in other comprehensive loss	0	-67
Total swap derivatives	0	72
Net-of-Tax Amount:
Loss reclassified to net income	0	-218
Loss activity recognized in other comprehensive loss	0	105
Total swap derivatives	0	-113
Corn Option [Member]
Before-Tax Amount:
Loss reclassified to net income	-234	-1,292
Loss activity recognized in other comprehensive loss	296	-1,319
Total swap derivatives	62	-2,611
Tax (Expense) or Benefit:
Loss reclassified to net income	91	501
Loss activity recognized in other comprehensive loss	-115	512
Total swap derivatives	-24	1,013
Net-of-Tax Amount:
Loss reclassified to net income	-143	-791
Loss activity recognized in other comprehensive loss	181	-807
Total swap derivatives	38	-1,598
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Before-Tax Amount:
Foreign currency translation	-98,642	20,615
Tax (Expense) or Benefit:
Foreign currency translation	0	0
Net-of-Tax Amount:
Foreign currency translation	($98,642)	$20,615

Other_Comprehensive_Income_Rec

Other Comprehensive Income (Reclassification out of AOCI) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015		Mar. 29, 2014
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of sales and operating expenses	($684,521)		($775,206)
Amortization of prior service cost	-20		4
Amortization of actuarial loss	1,285		519
Total before tax	3,939		-69,296
Income taxes	-2,115		18,290
Net income/(loss) attributable to Darling	109		-52,803
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income/(loss) attributable to Darling	-626		689
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Derivative Instruments [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before tax	234		1,649
Income taxes	-91		-640
Net income/(loss) attributable to Darling	143		1,009
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Derivative Instruments [Member] | Natural Gas Swap [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of sales and operating expenses	0		-357
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Derivative Instruments [Member] | Corn Option [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of sales and operating expenses	-234		-1,292
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Foreign Currency Translation [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of prior service cost	20	[1]	-4	[1]
Amortization of actuarial loss	-1,285	[1]	-519	[1]
Total before tax	-1,265		-523
Income taxes	496		203
Net income/(loss) attributable to Darling	($769)		($320)
[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_Sch1

Other Comprehensive Income (Schedule of AOCI) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) January 3, 2015, net of tax	($177,060)
Other comprehensive gain before reclassifications	-98,461
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	626
Net current-period other comprehensive income	-97,835	19,224
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) April 4, 2015, net of tax	-274,895
Foreign Currency Translation [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) January 3, 2015, net of tax	-140,386
Other comprehensive gain before reclassifications	-98,642
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0
Net current-period other comprehensive income	-98,642
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) April 4, 2015, net of tax	-239,028
Derivative Instruments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) January 3, 2015, net of tax	76
Other comprehensive gain before reclassifications	181
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-143
Net current-period other comprehensive income	38
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) April 4, 2015, net of tax	114
Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) January 3, 2015, net of tax	-36,750
Other comprehensive gain before reclassifications	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	769
Net current-period other comprehensive income	769
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) April 4, 2015, net of tax	($35,981)

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details

Employee Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Jan. 01, 2011	Jan. 03, 2009
	plan
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Amount Company expects to contribute to its pension plans	$7,500,000
Pension Contributions	1,600,000	5,200,000
Multiemployer Plans [Abstract]
Number Of Multiemployer Plans, Withdrawal Obligation Could Be Material	2
Number Of Multiemployer Plans Withdrawal Obligation Could Be Material Certified Red Zone	1
Number of Multiemployer Plans, Certified Red Zone	4
Number of Multiemployer Plans, Certified Yellow Zone	2
Number of Multiemployer Plans, Certified Orange Zone	1
Accrued liability representing the present value of scheduled withdrawal liability payments for under-funded multi-employer plan	800,000		1,200,000	3,200,000
Maximum [Member]
Multiemployer Plans [Abstract]
Multiemployer Plan, Contributions To Individual Plan, Percent	5.00%
Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Service cost	1,678,000	1,490,000
Interest cost	2,647,000	3,347,000
Expected return on plan assets	-3,065,000	-3,608,000
Amortization of prior service cost	-20,000	4,000
Amortization of net loss	1,285,000	520,000
Net pension cost	$2,525,000	$1,753,000

Derivatives_Forward_Contracts_

Derivatives (Forward Contracts Not Designated as Hedging Instruments) (Details) (Forward Contracts [Member], Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member])

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

Apr. 04, 2015

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Short [Member]

Short [Member]

Short [Member]

Short [Member]

Short [Member]

Short [Member]

Short [Member]

Short [Member]

Short [Member]

Short [Member]

Short [Member]

Long [Member]

Long [Member]

Long [Member]

Long [Member]

Long [Member]

Long [Member]

Long [Member]

Long [Member]

Long [Member]

Long [Member]

Long [Member]

BRI/EUR 1 [Member]

BRI/EUR 2 [Member]

EUR/USD [Member]

EUR/PLN [Member]

EUR/JPN [Member]

EUR/CNY [Member]

EUR/AUD [Member]

EUR/GBP [Member]

EUR/GBP [Member]

PLN/EUR [Member]

GBP/USD [Member]

BRI/EUR 1 [Member]

BRI/EUR 2 [Member]

EUR/USD [Member]

EUR/PLN [Member]

EUR/JPN [Member]

EUR/CNY [Member]

EUR/AUD [Member]

EUR/GBP [Member]

EUR/GBP [Member]

PLN/EUR [Member]

GBP/USD [Member]

BRL

BRL

EUR (€)

EUR (€)

EUR (€)

EUR (€)

EUR (€)

EUR (€)

GBP (£)

PLN

GBP (£)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

USD ($)

PLN

JPY (¥)

CNY

AUD

EUR (€)

GBP (£)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

Derivative [Line Items]

Derivative notional amount

16,355

36,824

€ 263,454

€ 21,885

€ 5,505

€ 35,028

€ 25,145

€ 3,364

£ 109

21,095

£ 116

€ 4,800

$12,250

$299,964

90,000

¥ 727,609

238,577

35,850

€ 150

£ 2,443

€ 5,064

$177

Derivatives_Fair_Value_Details

Derivatives (Fair Value) (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 04, 2015	Jan. 03, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	$11,387	$12,228
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	2,849	3,015
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	203	247
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	0	0
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Corn Option [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	203	247
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Corn Option [Member] | Accrued Expenses [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	0	0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	11,184	11,981
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	2,849	3,015
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Corn Option [Member] | Accrued Expenses [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	23	3
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	10,738	11,559
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Accrued Expenses [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	2,014	2,019
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Heating Oil Swaps And Options [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	290	353
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Heating Oil Swaps And Options [Member] | Accrued Expenses [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Liability Derivatives Fair Value	812	993
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Corn options and futures [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	$156	$69

Derivatives_Gain_Loss_on_Deriv

Derivatives (Gain (Loss) on Derivatives) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015		Mar. 29, 2014
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)	$296	[1]	($1,147)	[1]
Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)	234	[2]	1,649	[2]
Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)	55	[3]	377	[3]
Loss activity recognized in other comprehensive loss	300		1,100
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Tax	-100		400
Corn Option [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Loss activity recognized in other comprehensive loss	296		-1,319
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Tax	115		-512
Corn Option [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)	296	[1]	-1,319	[1]
Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)	234	[2]	1,292	[2]
Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)	55	[3]	376	[3]
Natural Gas Swap [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Loss activity recognized in other comprehensive loss	0		172
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Tax	0		67
Natural Gas Swap [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)	0	[1]	172	[1]
Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)	0	[2]	357	[2]
Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)	$0	[3]	$1	[3]
[1]	Amount recognized in accumulated OCI (effective portion) is reported as accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) of approximately $0.3 million and approximately $1.1 million recorded net of taxes of approximately $0.1 million and $0.4 million as of April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014, respectively.
[2]	Gains and (losses) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (effective portion) for corn options and natural gas swaps are included in cost of sales, respectively, in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
[3]	Gains and (losses) recognized in income on derivatives (ineffective portion) for corn options and natural gas swaps is included in other income/ (expense), net in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

Derivatives_Narrative_Details

Derivatives (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]
Income / (Loss) activity recognized in other comprehensive loss	$300,000	$1,100,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Tax	-100,000	400,000
Net income/(loss)	1,824,000	-51,006,000
Forward Contracts [Member] | Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Forward purchase amount	2,700,000
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Cash flow hedge gain (loss) to be reclassified within 12 months	-200,000
Net income/(loss)	$0

Fair_Value_Measurement_Details

Fair Value Measurement (Details) (USD $)	Apr. 04, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative instruments	$11,387
Total Assets	11,387
Derivative instruments	2,849
Total Liabilities	2,041,500
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
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	11,387
Total Assets	11,387
Derivative instruments	2,849
Total Liabilities	2,041,500
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
Total Liabilities	0
Senior Notes [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	505,000
Senior Notes [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	0
Senior Notes [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	505,000
Senior Notes [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	0
Term Loan A Facility [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	301,118
Term Loan A Facility [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	0
Term Loan A Facility [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	301,118
Term Loan A Facility [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	0
Term Loan B Facility [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	1,145,258
Term Loan B Facility [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	0
Term Loan B Facility [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	1,145,258
Term Loan B Facility [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	0
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	87,275
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	0
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	87,275
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	$0

Contingencies_Details

Contingencies (Details) (Insurance Environmental and Litigation Matters [Member], USD $)	Apr. 04, 2015	Jan. 03, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Insurance Environmental and Litigation Matters [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Reserves for insurance, environmental and litigation contingencies	$58.10	$54.90
Insurance Settlements Receivable, Noncurrent	$11.40	$11.40

Business_Segments_Narrative_De

Business Segments (Narrative) (Details)	Apr. 04, 2015
	segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of Business Segments	3

Business_Segments_Details

Business Segments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Jan. 03, 2015
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net sales	$874,694	$946,292
Cost of sales and operating expenses	684,521	775,206
Selling, general and administrative expenses	86,631	90,033
Depreciation and amortization	66,398	65,669
Operating income/(loss)	31,825	-564
Equity in net income/(loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries	-1,808	5,077
Total other expense	-26,078	-73,809
Income/(loss) before income taxes	3,939	-69,296
Segment Assets	4,957,815		5,170,713
Feed Ingredients [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net sales	547,498	586,107
Cost of sales and operating expenses	424,006	458,450
Gross Margin	123,492	127,657
Selling, general and administrative expenses	48,023	51,565
Acquisition costs	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	40,055	38,559
Operating income/(loss)	35,414	37,533
Equity in net income/(loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries	417	403
Segment income	35,831	37,936
Segment Assets	2,585,660		2,667,369
Food Ingredients [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net sales	270,157	293,462
Cost of sales and operating expenses	216,637	264,101
Gross Margin	53,520	29,361
Selling, general and administrative expenses	25,476	24,062
Acquisition costs	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	17,197	17,441
Operating income/(loss)	10,847	-12,142
Equity in net income/(loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Segment income	10,847	-12,142
Segment Assets	1,592,387		1,734,387
Fuel Ingredients [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net sales	57,039	66,723
Cost of sales and operating expenses	43,874	52,669
Gross Margin	13,165	14,054
Selling, general and administrative expenses	4,040	4,332
Acquisition costs	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	6,631	7,377
Operating income/(loss)	2,494	2,345
Equity in net income/(loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries	-2,225	4,674
Segment income	269	7,019
Segment Assets	634,331		693,921
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Cost of sales and operating expenses	4	-14
Gross Margin	-4	14
Selling, general and administrative expenses	9,092	10,074
Acquisition costs	5,319	15,948
Depreciation and amortization	2,515	2,292
Operating income/(loss)	-16,930	-28,300
Equity in net income/(loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Segment income	-16,930	-28,300
Segment Assets	145,437		75,036
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net sales	874,694	946,292
Cost of sales and operating expenses	684,521	775,206
Gross Margin	190,173	171,086
Selling, general and administrative expenses	86,631	90,033
Acquisition costs	5,319	15,948
Depreciation and amortization	66,398	65,669
Operating income/(loss)	31,825	-564
Equity in net income/(loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries	-1,808	5,077
Segment income	30,017	4,513
Segment Assets	$4,957,815		$5,170,713

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 29, 2012	Feb. 23, 2015	Jan. 03, 2015
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Payments on long-term debt	($13,602,000)	($263,971,000)
Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from Related Parties	38,600,000	41,600,000
Accounts Receivable, Related Parties, Current	5,000,000				6,100,000
Related Party Sales Eliminated	6,200,000
Deferred Revenue, Additions	1,600,000
Butler Properties [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number Of Properties Leased	2
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Minimum Rentals			30,000
Lease Term	30 years
Lease term, Renewal Option, Number Of Additional Terms	2
Lease term, Renewal Option, Additional Term	10 years
Jackson Property [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Minimum Rentals			221,715
Lease Term	30 years
Lease term, Renewal Option, Number Of Additional Terms	2
Lease term, Renewal Option, Additional Term	10 years
Henderson Property [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Minimum Rentals			60,000
Lease Term	10 years
Lease term, Renewal Option, Number Of Additional Terms	4
Lease term, Renewal Option, Additional Term	5 years
Lease Term Of Initial Rental Payment [Member] | Butler Properties [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Lease Term	5 years
Lease Term Of Initial Rental Payment [Member] | Jackson Property [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Lease Term	5 years
Lease Term Of Initial Rental Payment [Member] | Henderson Property [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Lease Term	5 years
Lease Term Of Increased Rental Payment [Member] | Butler Properties [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Lease Term	5 years
Lease Term Of Increased Rental Payment [Member] | Jackson Property [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Lease Term	5 years
Lease Term Of Increased Rental Payment [Member] | Henderson Property [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Lease Term	5 years
Lender One [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revolving Loan Agreement, Maximum Borrowing Capacity				5,000,000
Revolving Loan Agreement [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revolving Loan Agreement, Maximum Borrowing Capacity				10,000,000
Payments on long-term debt	-3,500,000
Revolving Loan Agreement, Fair Value of Amount Outstanding	0
Revolving Loan Agreement [Member] | Lender One [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revolving Loan Agreement, Maximum Borrowing Capacity				5,000,000
LIBO Rate [Member] | Revolving Loan Agreement [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate				2.50%

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio2

Guarantor Financial Information (Narrative) (Details)	Apr. 04, 2015
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 $)	Apr. 04, 2015	Jan. 03, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$112,131	$108,784	$143,422	$870,857
Restricted cash	353	343
Accounts receivable, net	376,968	409,779
Inventories	398,179	401,613
Income taxes refundable	25,531	22,140
Prepaid expenses	54,848	44,629
Other current assets	30,642	21,324
Deferred income taxes	45,139	45,001
Total current assets	1,043,791	1,053,613
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,507,625	1,574,116
Intangible assets, net	869,800	932,413
Goodwill	1,255,105	1,320,419
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries	198,639	202,712
Other assets	67,023	71,009
Deferred income taxes	15,832	16,431
Total assets	4,957,815	5,170,713
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current portion of long-term debt	81,195	54,401
Accounts payable	161,853	168,518
Income taxes payable	6,138	4,363
Accrued expenses	224,845	256,119
Deferred income taxes	1,540	642
Total current liabilities	475,571	484,043
Long-term debt, net of current portion	2,009,535	2,098,039
Other non-current liabilities	112,354	114,700
Deferred income taxes	402,414	422,797
Total liabilities	2,999,874	3,119,579
Total stockholders’ equity	1,957,941	2,051,134
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	4,957,815	5,170,713
Issuer [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	2,372	10,447	54,293	857,267
Restricted cash	103	103
Accounts receivable, net	27,773	30,237
Inventories	11,822	19,762
Income taxes refundable	21,857	18,647
Prepaid expenses	12,111	11,513
Other current assets	1,617	1,894
Deferred income taxes	42,321	42,497
Total current assets	119,976	135,100
Investment in subsidiaries	3,891,931	3,874,466
Property, plant and equipment, net	210,924	205,895
Intangible assets, net	20,871	21,903
Goodwill	21,860	21,860
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Other assets	54,247	56,404
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Total assets	4,319,809	4,315,628
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current portion of long-term debt	17,267	16,017
Accounts payable	593,373	540,784
Income taxes payable	115	0
Accrued expenses	62,859	88,840
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Total current liabilities	673,614	645,641
Long-term debt, net of current portion	1,309,306	1,334,556
Other non-current liabilities	56,171	56,849
Deferred income taxes	180,479	176,745
Total liabilities	2,219,570	2,213,791
Total stockholders’ equity	2,100,239	2,101,837
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	4,319,809	4,315,628
Guarantors [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	4,838	14,460	13,451	6,117
Restricted cash	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	635,317	604,486
Inventories	110,901	93,253
Income taxes refundable	0	0
Prepaid expenses	5,233	1,792
Other current assets	25	14
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Total current assets	756,314	714,005
Investment in subsidiaries	1,126,082	1,096,541
Property, plant and equipment, net	453,591	445,301
Intangible assets, net	356,216	366,315
Goodwill	549,950	549,950
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Other assets	524,869	575,656
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Total assets	3,767,022	3,747,768
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current portion of long-term debt	35	55
Accounts payable	16,248	11,349
Income taxes payable	373	0
Accrued expenses	30,026	34,842
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Total current liabilities	46,682	46,246
Long-term debt, net of current portion	0	0
Other non-current liabilities	2,046	1,979
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Total liabilities	48,728	48,225
Total stockholders’ equity	3,718,294	3,699,543
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	3,767,022	3,747,768
Non-guarantors [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	104,921	83,877	75,678	7,473
Restricted cash	250	240
Accounts receivable, net	270,699	320,040
Inventories	275,456	288,598
Income taxes refundable	3,674	3,493
Prepaid expenses	37,504	31,324
Other current assets	34,113	206,338
Deferred income taxes	2,818	2,504
Total current assets	729,435	936,414
Investment in subsidiaries	836,638	837,605
Property, plant and equipment, net	843,110	922,920
Intangible assets, net	492,713	544,195
Goodwill	683,295	748,609
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries	198,639	202,712
Other assets	323,099	538,460
Deferred income taxes	15,832	16,431
Total assets	4,122,761	4,747,346
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current portion of long-term debt	69,006	225,252
Accounts payable	97,126	127,994
Income taxes payable	5,650	4,363
Accrued expenses	143,886	165,812
Deferred income taxes	1,540	642
Total current liabilities	317,208	524,063
Long-term debt, net of current portion	1,535,421	1,862,994
Other non-current liabilities	54,137	55,872
Deferred income taxes	221,935	246,052
Total liabilities	2,128,701	2,688,981
Total stockholders’ equity	1,994,060	2,058,365
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	4,122,761	4,747,346
Eliminations [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Restricted cash	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	-556,821	-544,984
Inventories	0	0
Income taxes refundable	0	0
Prepaid expenses	0	0
Other current assets	-5,113	-186,922
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Total current assets	-561,934	-731,906
Investment in subsidiaries	-5,854,651	-5,808,612
Property, plant and equipment, net	0	0
Intangible assets, net	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Other assets	-835,192	-1,099,511
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Total assets	-7,251,777	-7,640,029
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current portion of long-term debt	-5,113	-186,923
Accounts payable	-544,894	-511,609
Income taxes payable	0	0
Accrued expenses	-11,926	-33,375
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Total current liabilities	-561,933	-731,907
Long-term debt, net of current portion	-835,192	-1,099,511
Other non-current liabilities	0	0
Deferred income taxes	0	0
Total liabilities	-1,397,125	-1,831,418
Total stockholders’ equity	-5,854,652	-5,808,611
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	($7,251,777)	($7,640,029)

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio4

Guarantor Financial Information (Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Net sales	$874,694	$946,292
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses	684,521	775,206
Selling, general and administrative expenses	86,631	90,033
Acquisition and integration costs	5,319	15,948
Depreciation and amortization	66,398	65,669
Total costs and expenses	842,869	946,856
Operating income/(loss)	31,825	-564
Interest expense	-23,109	-58,857
Foreign currency gains/ (losses)	-2,460	-13,814
Other, net	-509	-1,138
Equity in net income/(loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries	-1,808	5,077
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	0	0
Income before income taxes	3,939	-69,296
Income tax expense/(benefit)	2,115	-18,290
Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	-1,715	-1,797
Net income/(loss) attributable to Darling	109	-52,803
Issuer [Member]
Net sales	125,794	154,437
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses	103,616	118,176
Selling, general and administrative expenses	33,130	37,552
Acquisition and integration costs	1,973	14,381
Depreciation and amortization	8,171	7,518
Total costs and expenses	146,890	177,627
Operating income/(loss)	-21,096	-23,190
Interest expense	-15,160	-50,301
Foreign currency gains/ (losses)	-11	-12,228
Other, net	-1,181	-1,453
Equity in net income/(loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	17,449	11,361
Income before income taxes	-19,999	-75,811
Income tax expense/(benefit)	-20,108	-23,008
Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net income/(loss) attributable to Darling	109	-52,803
Guarantors [Member]
Net sales	358,707	402,988
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses	284,503	326,889
Selling, general and administrative expenses	14,868	13,876
Acquisition and integration costs	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	23,599	19,511
Total costs and expenses	322,970	360,276
Operating income/(loss)	35,737	42,712
Interest expense	4,848	5,225
Foreign currency gains/ (losses)	-304	-92
Other, net	211	-797
Equity in net income/(loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	0	0
Income before income taxes	40,492	47,048
Income tax expense/(benefit)	21,742	12,418
Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net income/(loss) attributable to Darling	18,750	34,630
Non-guarantors [Member]
Net sales	448,843	481,409
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses	355,052	422,683
Selling, general and administrative expenses	38,633	38,605
Acquisition and integration costs	3,346	1,567
Depreciation and amortization	34,628	38,640
Total costs and expenses	431,659	501,495
Operating income/(loss)	17,184	-20,086
Interest expense	-12,797	-13,781
Foreign currency gains/ (losses)	-2,145	-1,494
Other, net	461	1,112
Equity in net income/(loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries	-1,808	5,077
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	0	0
Income before income taxes	895	-29,172
Income tax expense/(benefit)	481	-7,700
Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	-1,715	-1,797
Net income/(loss) attributable to Darling	-1,301	-23,269
Eliminations [Member]
Net sales	-58,650	-92,542
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses	-58,650	-92,542
Selling, general and administrative expenses	0	0
Acquisition and integration costs	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0
Total costs and expenses	-58,650	-92,542
Operating income/(loss)	0	0
Interest expense	0	0
Foreign currency gains/ (losses)	0	0
Other, net	0	0
Equity in net income/(loss) of unconsolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	-17,449	-11,361
Income before income taxes	-17,449	-11,361
Income tax expense/(benefit)	0	0
Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net income/(loss) attributable to Darling	($17,449)	($11,361)

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio5

Guarantor Financial Information (Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income) (Loss) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Net income/(loss)	$1,824	($51,006)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	-98,642	20,615
Pension adjustments	769	320
Total other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	-97,835	19,224
Total comprehensive income/(loss)	-96,011	-31,782
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	7,042	868
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Darling	-103,053	-32,650
Issuer [Member]
Net income/(loss)	1,824	-51,006
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	0	0
Pension adjustments	729	320
Total other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	767	-1,391
Total comprehensive income/(loss)	2,591	-52,397
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Darling	2,591	-52,397
Guarantors [Member]
Net income/(loss)	18,750	34,630
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	0	0
Pension adjustments	0	0
Total other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	0	0
Total comprehensive income/(loss)	18,750	34,630
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Darling	18,750	34,630
Non-guarantors [Member]
Net income/(loss)	-1,301	-23,269
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	-98,642	20,615
Pension adjustments	40	0
Total other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	-98,602	20,615
Total comprehensive income/(loss)	-99,903	-2,654
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	7,042	868
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Darling	-106,945	-3,522
Eliminations [Member]
Net income/(loss)	-17,449	-11,361
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	0	0
Pension adjustments	0	0
Total other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax	0	0
Total comprehensive income/(loss)	-17,449	-11,361
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Comprehensive income/(loss) attributable to Darling	-17,449	-11,361
Natural Gas Swap [Member]
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Derivative adjustments	0	-113
Natural Gas Swap [Member] | Issuer [Member]
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Derivative adjustments	0	-113
Natural Gas Swap [Member] | Guarantors [Member]
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Derivative adjustments	0	0
Natural Gas Swap [Member] | Non-guarantors [Member]
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Derivative adjustments	0	0
Natural Gas Swap [Member] | Eliminations [Member]
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Derivative adjustments	0	0
Corn Option [Member]
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Derivative adjustments	38	-1,598
Corn Option [Member] | Issuer [Member]
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Derivative adjustments	38	-1,598
Corn Option [Member] | Guarantors [Member]
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Derivative adjustments	0	0
Corn Option [Member] | Non-guarantors [Member]
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Derivative adjustments	0	0
Corn Option [Member] | Eliminations [Member]
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Derivative adjustments	$0	$0

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio6

Guarantor Financial Information (Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income/(loss)	$1,824	($51,006)
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	0	0
Other operating cash flows	57,416	20,502
Net cash provided/(used) by operating activities	59,240	-30,504
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	-50,838	-51,360
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	-2,081,690
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary	0	0
Note receivable from affiliates	0	0
Gross proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment and other assets	534	1,324
Proceeds from insurance settlement	341	0
Payments related to routes and other intangibles	-753	-6,812
Net cash used by investing activities	-50,716	-2,138,538
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	5,943	1,797,509
Payments on long-term debt	-13,602	-263,971
Borrowings from revolving credit facility	27,428	223,310
Payments on revolving credit facility	-37,943	-273,474
Net cash overdraft financing	31,162	0
Deferred loan costs	0	-38,786
Issuance of common stock	81	2,504
Contributions from parent	0	0
Minimum withholding taxes paid on stock awards	-4,469	-4,709
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	-35	960
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-38	0
Net cash provided by financing activities	8,527	1,443,343
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-13,704	-1,736
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	3,347	-727,435
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	108,784	870,857
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	112,131	143,422
Issuer [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income/(loss)	1,824	-51,006
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	-17,449	-11,361
Other operating cash flows	48,023	35,205
Net cash provided/(used) by operating activities	32,398	-27,162
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	-12,243	-14,754
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	0
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary	-20	-1,483,007
Note receivable from affiliates	0	0
Gross proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment and other assets	142	298
Proceeds from insurance settlement	71	0
Payments related to routes and other intangibles	0	-6,812
Net cash used by investing activities	-12,050	-1,504,275
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	0	1,100,000
Payments on long-term debt	-4,000	-250,000
Borrowings from revolving credit facility	5,000	122,445
Payments on revolving credit facility	-25,000	-207,445
Net cash overdraft financing	0
Deferred loan costs	0	-35,292
Issuance of common stock	81	2,504
Contributions from parent	0	0
Minimum withholding taxes paid on stock awards	-4,469	-4,709
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	-35	960
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	0
Net cash provided by financing activities	-28,423	728,463
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0	0
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-8,075	-802,974
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	10,447	857,267
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	2,372	54,293
Guarantors [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income/(loss)	18,750	34,630
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	0	0
Other operating cash flows	-30,966	-11,156
Net cash provided/(used) by operating activities	-12,216	23,474
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	-19,393	-16,332
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	-645
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary	-29,541	-2,217,686
Note receivable from affiliates	51,019	-204,074
Gross proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment and other assets	259	857
Proceeds from insurance settlement	270	0
Payments related to routes and other intangibles	0	0
Net cash used by investing activities	2,614	-2,437,880
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	0	0
Payments on long-term debt	-20	-22
Borrowings from revolving credit facility	0	0
Payments on revolving credit facility	0	0
Net cash overdraft financing	0
Deferred loan costs	0	0
Issuance of common stock	0	0
Contributions from parent	0	2,421,762
Minimum withholding taxes paid on stock awards	0	0
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	0	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	0
Net cash provided by financing activities	-20	2,421,740
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0	0
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-9,622	7,334
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	14,460	6,117
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	4,838	13,451
Non-guarantors [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income/(loss)	-1,301	-23,269
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	0	0
Other operating cash flows	40,359	-3,547
Net cash provided/(used) by operating activities	39,058	-26,816
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	-19,202	-20,274
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	-2,081,045
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary	29,541	-7,688,504
Note receivable from affiliates	-51,019	204,074
Gross proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment and other assets	133	169
Proceeds from insurance settlement	0	0
Payments related to routes and other intangibles	-753	0
Net cash used by investing activities	-41,300	-9,585,580
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	5,943	697,509
Payments on long-term debt	-9,582	-13,949
Borrowings from revolving credit facility	22,428	100,865
Payments on revolving credit facility	-12,943	-66,029
Net cash overdraft financing	31,162
Deferred loan costs	0	-3,494
Issuance of common stock	0	0
Contributions from parent	20	8,967,435
Minimum withholding taxes paid on stock awards	0	0
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	0	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-38
Net cash provided by financing activities	36,990	9,682,337
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-13,704	-1,736
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	21,044	68,205
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	83,877	7,473
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	104,921	75,678
Eliminations [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income/(loss)	-17,449	-11,361
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries	17,449	11,361
Other operating cash flows	0	0
Net cash provided/(used) by operating activities	0	0
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	0	0
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	0
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary	20	11,389,197
Note receivable from affiliates	0	0
Gross proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment and other assets	0	0
Proceeds from insurance settlement	0	0
Payments related to routes and other intangibles	0	0
Net cash used by investing activities	20	11,389,197
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	0	0
Payments on long-term debt	0	0
Borrowings from revolving credit facility	0	0
Payments on revolving credit facility	0	0
Net cash overdraft financing	0
Deferred loan costs	0	0
Issuance of common stock	0	0
Contributions from parent	-20	-11,389,197
Minimum withholding taxes paid on stock awards	0	0
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	0	0
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	0
Net cash provided by financing activities	-20	-11,389,197
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	0	0
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