Darling Ingredients (DAR) 10-Q 11 May 21 2021 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information Document - shares	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021	May 06, 2021
Cover [Abstract]
Entity File Number	001-13323
Title of 12(b) Security	Common stock $0.01 par value per share
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Document Quarterly Report	true
Entity Registrant Name	DARLING INGREDIENTS INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0000916540
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-01
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Apr. 3, 2021
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		163,172,181
Document Transition Report	false
Entity Tax Identification Number	36-2495346
Trading Symbol	DAR
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Address, Address Line One	5601 N MacArthur Blvd.
Entity Address, City or Town	Irving
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	75038
City Area Code	972
Local Phone Number	717-0300
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 03, 2021	Jan. 02, 2021
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 71,199	$ 81,617
Restricted cash	177	103
Accounts receivable, less allowance for bad debts of $9,111 at April 3, 2021 and $10,815 at January 2, 2021	385,663	405,387
Inventories	420,659	405,922
Prepaid expenses	50,251	47,793
Income taxes refundable	3,274	3,883
Other current assets	9,544	42,289
Total current assets	940,767	986,994
Property, plant and equipment, less accumulated depreciation of $1,731,400 at April 3, 2021 and $1,702,123 at January 2, 2021	1,822,075	1,863,814
Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization of $569,477 at April 3, 2021 and $568,086 at January 2, 2021	452,539	473,680
Goodwill	1,241,242	1,260,240
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiaries	915,085	804,682
Operating right-of-use assets, net	145,238	146,563
Other assets	59,099	60,682
Deferred income taxes	15,402	16,676
Total assets	5,591,447	5,613,331
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	26,997	27,538
Accounts payable, principally trade	245,648	255,340
Income taxes payable	15,627	17,497
Operating lease liability, current	38,064	39,459
Accrued expenses	311,371	335,471
Total current liabilities	637,707	675,305
Long-term debt, net of current portion	1,417,534	1,480,531
Operating lease liability, non-current	108,777	109,707
Other non-current liabilities	115,799	117,371
Deferred income taxes	281,684	276,208
Total liabilities	2,561,501	2,659,122
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 250,000,000 shares authorized; 171,519,389 and 169,880,238 shares issued at April 3, 2021 and January 2, 2021, respectively	1,715	1,699
Additional paid-in capital	1,611,845	1,597,429
Treasury stock, at cost; 8,364,523 and 7,679,849 shares at        April 3, 2021 and January 2, 2021, respectively	(199,851)	(151,710)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(295,796)	(252,433)
Retained earnings	1,848,690	1,696,924
Total Darling's stockholders’ equity	2,966,603	2,891,909
Noncontrolling interests	63,343	62,300
Total stockholders' equity	3,029,946	2,954,209
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 5,591,447	$ 5,613,331

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 03, 2021	Jan. 02, 2021
Assets:
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Current	$ 9,111	$ 10,815
Property, plant and equipment, accumulated depreciation	1,731,400	1,702,123
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$ 569,477	$ 568,086
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, par value (in usd per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	250,000,000	250,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	171,519,389	169,880,238
Treasury stock, shares	8,364,523	7,679,849

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021	Mar. 28, 2020
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,046,716	$ 852,842
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses	772,784	646,908
Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant, equipment and other assets	(64)	61
Selling, general and administrative expenses	97,398	96,193
Restructuring and asset impairment charges	778	0
Depreciation and amortization	78,534	84,671
Total costs and expenses	949,430	827,833
Equity in net income of Diamond Green Diesel	102,225	97,820
Operating income	199,511	122,829
Other expense:
Interest expense	(16,428)	(19,090)
Foreign currency gain/(loss)	(410)	1,664
Other expense, net	(1,159)	(1,881)
Total other expense	(17,997)	(19,307)
Equity in net income of other unconsolidated subsidiaries	612	869
Income before income taxes	182,126	104,391
Income tax expense	28,708	18,300
Net income	153,418	86,091
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,652)	(581)
Net income attributable to Darling	$ 151,766	$ 85,510
Basic income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.93	$ 0.52
Diluted income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.90	$ 0.51

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021	Mar. 28, 2020
Net income	$ 153,418	$ 86,091
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation	(38,222)	(65,236)
Pension adjustments	792	648
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(41,829)	(62,733)
Total comprehensive income	111,589	23,358
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	3,186	492
Comprehensive income attributable to Darling	108,403	22,866
Soybean Meal
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Derivative adjustments	(257)	0
Corn Option
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Derivative adjustments	(800)	136
Heating Oil Swaps And Options
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Derivative adjustments	3,464	10,870
Foreign Exchange Contract
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Derivative adjustments	$ (6,806)	$ (9,151)

Consolidated Statements of Stoc

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Heating Oil	Corn Option	Soybean Meal	Foreign Exchange Contract	Stockholders' equity attributable to Darling	Stockholders' equity attributable to DarlingHeating Oil	Stockholders' equity attributable to DarlingCorn Option	Stockholders' equity attributable to DarlingSoybean Meal	Stockholders' equity attributable to DarlingForeign Exchange Contract	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Treasury Stock	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Accumulated Other Comprehensive LossHeating Oil	Accumulated Other Comprehensive LossCorn Option	Accumulated Other Comprehensive LossSoybean Meal	Accumulated Other Comprehensive LossForeign Exchange Contract	Retained Earnings	Non-controlling Interests
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 28, 2019											163,775,111
Stockholders' Equity, Beginning Balance at Dec. 28, 2019	$ 2,643,350					$ 2,565,819					$ 1,686	$ 1,560,897	$ (75,022)	$ (321,847)					$ 1,400,105	$ 77,531
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	86,091					85,510													85,510	581
Deductions to noncontrolling interests	(9,875)					3,271						3,271								(13,146)
Pension liability adjustments, net of tax	648					648								648
Derivative adjustment, net of tax		$ 10,870	$ 136	$ 0	$ (9,151)		$ 10,870	$ 136		$ (9,151)					$ 10,870	$ 136		$ (9,151)
Foreign currency translation	(65,236)					(65,147)								(65,147)						(89)
Issuance of non-vested stock (in shares)											8,000
Issuance of non-vested stock	40					40					$ 0	40
Stock-based compensation	10,778					10,778						10,778
Treasury stock (in shares)											(2,372,876)
Treasury stock	(60,082)					(60,082)							(60,082)
Issuance of common stock (in shares)											447,729
Issuance of common stock	873					873					$ 5	868
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 28, 2020											161,857,964
Stockholders' Equity, Ending Balance at Mar. 28, 2020	2,608,442					2,543,565					$ 1,691	1,575,854	(135,104)	(384,491)					1,485,615	64,877
Balance (in shares) at Jan. 02, 2021											162,200,389
Stockholders' Equity, Beginning Balance at Jan. 02, 2021	2,954,209					2,891,909					$ 1,699	1,597,429	(151,710)	(252,433)					1,696,924	62,300
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	153,418					151,766													151,766	1,652
Distribution of noncontrolling interest earnings	(2,143)																			(2,143)
Pension liability adjustments, net of tax	792					792								792
Derivative adjustment, net of tax		$ 3,464	$ (800)	$ (257)	$ (6,806)		$ 3,464	$ (800)	$ (257)	$ (6,806)					$ 3,464	$ (800)	$ (257)	$ (6,806)
Foreign currency translation	(38,222)					(39,756)								(39,756)						1,534
Issuance of non-vested stock (in shares)											0
Issuance of non-vested stock	58					58					$ 0	58
Stock-based compensation	8,357					8,357						8,357
Treasury stock (in shares)											(684,674)
Treasury stock	(48,141)					(48,141)							(48,141)
Issuance of common stock (in shares)											1,639,151
Issuance of common stock	6,017					6,017					$ 16	6,001
Balance (in shares) at Apr. 03, 2021											163,154,866
Stockholders' Equity, Ending Balance at Apr. 03, 2021	$ 3,029,946					$ 2,966,603					$ 1,715	$ 1,611,845	$ (199,851)	$ (295,796)					$ 1,848,690	$ 63,343

Consolidated Statements of St_2

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Apr. 03, 2021	Jan. 02, 2021	Mar. 28, 2020
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Common stock, par value (in usd per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021	Mar. 28, 2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 153,418,000	$ 86,091,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	78,534,000	84,671,000
Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant, equipment and other assets	(64,000)	61,000
Asset impairment	138,000	0
Deferred taxes	11,809,000	6,377,000
Decrease in long-term pension liability	(448,000)	(264,000)
Stock-based compensation expense	8,415,000	10,818,000
Write-off deferred loan costs	598,000	0
Deferred loan cost amortization	1,040,000	1,416,000
Equity in net income of Diamond Green Diesel and other unconsolidated subsidiaries	(102,837,000)	(98,689,000)
Distributions of earnings from other unconsolidated subsidiaries	57,000	0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	10,721,000	487,000
Income taxes refundable/payable	(760,000)	348,000
Inventories and prepaid expenses	(27,188,000)	(24,999,000)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(13,462,000)	(16,790,000)
Other	18,834,000	(14,981,000)
Net cash provided by operating activities	138,805,000	34,546,000
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments To Acquire Capital Assets	(60,751,000)	(61,599,000)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(340,000)	0
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary	(4,449,000)	0
Gross proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment and other assets	1,629,000	379,000
Payments to Acquire Intangible Assets	(347,000)	(3,416,000)
Net cash used by investing activities	(64,258,000)	(64,636,000)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	9,262,000	8,264,000
Repayments of Senior Debt	(60,444,000)	(8,638,000)
Borrowings from revolving credit facility	111,000,000	219,933,000
Payments on revolving credit facility	(97,000,000)	(100,782,000)
Net cash overdraft financing	499,000	(9,594,000)
Issuance of common stock	50,000	67,000
Repurchase of common stock	0	(55,044,000)
Minimum withholding taxes paid on stock awards	(42,268,000)	(4,328,000)
Payments to Noncontrolling Interests	0	(8,784,000)
Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Noncontrolling Interest	(2,143,000)	(688,000)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	(81,044,000)	40,406,000
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(3,847,000)	(6,916,000)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(10,344,000)	3,400,000
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	81,720,000	73,045,000
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	71,376,000	76,445,000
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Accrued capital expenditures	(9,678,000)	(1,630,000)
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest, net of capitalized interest	2,774,000	5,863,000
Income taxes, net of refunds	15,578,000	11,453,000
Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Operating Lease Liability	12,404,000	9,121,000
Debt issued for assets	$ 0	$ 21,000

General

General	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
General	GeneralThe accompanying consolidated financial statements for the three month periods ended April 3, 2021 and March 28, 2020, have been prepared by Darling Ingredients Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Darling”, and together with its subsidiaries, the “Company” or “we”, “us” or “our”) 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 2, 2021.

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
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 represent 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 of the consolidated subsidiaries is shown as an allocation of the Company's net income and is presented separately as “Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests.” In the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets, noncontrolling interests represent 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 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 3, 2021, and include the 13 weeks ended April 3, 2021, and the 13 weeks ended March 28, 2020. (c) Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash The Company considers all short-term highly liquid instruments, with an original maturity of three months or less, to be cash equivalents. Cash balances are recorded net of book overdrafts when a bank right-of-offset exists. All other book overdrafts are recorded in accounts payable and the change in the related balance is reflected in operating activities on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. In addition, the Company has bank overdrafts, which are considered a form of short-term financing with changes in the related balance reflected in financing activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Restricted cash represents amounts required to be set aside as collateral for environmental claims and are insignificant to the Company. (d) Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from customers’ non-payment of trade accounts receivable owed to the Company. These trade receivables arise in the ordinary course of business from sales of finished product or services to the Company’s customers. The estimate of allowance for doubtful accounts is based upon the Company’s bad debt experience adjusted for differences in asset-specific risk characteristic, current economic conditions, and forecasts of future economic conditions. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers deteriorates, resulting in the customers’ inability to pay the Company’s receivables as they come due, additional allowances for doubtful accounts may be required. The Company has entered into agreements with third party banks to factor certain of the Company's trade receivables in order to enhance working capital by turning trade receivables into cash faster. Under these agreements, the Company sells certain selected customers’ trade receivables to third party banks without recourse for cash less a nominal fee. For the three months ended April 3, 2021 and March 28, 2020, the Company sold approximately $106.9 million and $84.5 million of its trade receivables and incurred approximately $0.3 million and $0.4 million in fees, which are recorded as interest expense, respectively. (e) Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenue on sales when control of the promised finished product is transferred to the Company's customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for the finished product. Service revenues are recognized when the service occurs. 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 control of the promised finished product is transferred to the Company's customer. See Note 19 (Revenue) to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements included herein. (f) Foreign Currency Translation and Remeasurement Foreign currency translation is included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss 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 into 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/(losses) in determining net income. The Company incurred net foreign currency translation losses of approximately $39.8 million and $65.1 million for the three months ended April 3, 2021 and March 28, 2020, respectively. (g) Leases The Company accounts for leases in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Topic 842, leases. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception for which the Company recognizes the right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and a lease liability at the lease commencement date. For operating leases, the lease liability is initially and subsequently measured at the present value of the unpaid lease payments at the lease commencement date. In determining the lease liability, the Company applies a discount rate to the minimum lease payments within each lease. ASC 842 requires the Company to use the rate of interest that a lessee would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. To estimate the Company's incremental borrowing rate over various terms, a comparable market yield curve consistent with the Company's credit quality is determined. The lease term for all of the Company's leases include the noncancellable period of the lease plus any additional periods covered by either a Company option to extend the lease that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise or when a triggering event occurs. The Company has elected to not recognize a ROU asset and lease liability with an initial term of 12 months or less at lease commencement. Operating leases are included on the Company's balance sheet as a ROU asset, current operating lease liabilities and long-term operating lease liabilities. For finance leases, the lease liability is initially measured in the same manner and date as for the operating leases, and is subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. Finance leases are included in property, plant and equipment, current portion of long-term debt and long-term debt, net of current portion, but are not significant to the Company. The ROU asset is initially measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for lease payments made at or before the lease commencement date, plus any direct costs incurred less any lease incentives received. For operating leases, the ROU asset is subsequently measured throughout the lease term at the carrying amount of the lease liability, plus initial direct costs, plus (minus) any prepaid (accrued) lease payments, less the unamortized balance of the lease incentives received. Some leases payments contain rent escalation clauses (including index-based escalations), initially measured using the index at the lease commencement date. The Company recognizes minimum rental expense on a straight-line basis based on the fixed components of the lease arrangement. The Company uses the long-lived assets impairment guidance in ASC subtopic 360-10, Property, Plant and Equipment - Overall, to determine whether the ROU asset is impaired, and if so, the amount of the impairment loss to recognize. The Company monitors for events or changes in circumstances that require a reassessment of one of its leases. When a reassessment results in the remeasurement of a lease liability, a corresponding adjustment is made to the carrying amount of the corresponding ROU asset unless doing so would reduce the carrying amount of the ROU asset to an amount less than zero. In that case, the amount of the adjustment that would result in a negative ROU asset balance is recorded in the consolidated statement of operations. (h) Use of Estimates The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. If it is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect on the financial statements of a condition, situation, or set of circumstances that exist at the date of the financial statements will change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events, and the effect of the change would be material to the financial statements, the Company will disclose the nature of the uncertainty and include an indication that it is at least reasonably possible that a change in the estimate will occur in the near term. If the estimate involves certain loss contingencies, the disclosure will also include an estimate of the probable loss or range of loss or state that an estimate cannot be made. As a result of the current global COVID-19 pandemic, and related government imposed movement restrictions and initiatives implemented to reduce the global transmission of COVID-19, we have evaluated the potential impact to the Company's operations and for any indicators of potential triggering events that could indicate certain of the Company's assets may be impaired. Through the three months ended April 3, 2021, the Company has not observed any impairments of the Company's assets or a significant change in their fair value due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (i) Earnings Per Share Basic income 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 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 3, 2021 March 28, 2020 Income Shares Per Share Income Shares Per Share Basic: Net Income attributable to Darling $ 151,766 162,925 $ 0.93 $ 85,510 163,474 $ 0.52 Diluted: Effect of dilutive securities: Add: Option shares in the money and dilutive effect of non-vested stock awards 5,733 6,749 Less: Pro forma treasury shares (909) (2,296) Diluted: Net income attributable to Darling $ 151,766 167,749 $ 0.90 $ 85,510 167,927 $ 0.51 For the three months ended April 3, 2021 and March 28, 2020, respectively, zero and 551,877 outstanding stock options were excluded from diluted income per common share as the effect was antidilutive. For the three months ended April 3, 2021 and March 28, 2020, respectively, 162,896 and 406,502 shares of non-vested stock and stock equivalents were excluded from diluted income per common share as the effect was antidilutive.

Investment in Unconsolidated Su

Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiary	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiary	Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiaries On January 21, 2011, 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 (“DGD” or 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 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. Effective May 1, 2019, the limited liability company agreement was amended and restated for the purpose of updating the agreement in certain respects, including to remove certain provisions that were no longer relevant and to add new provisions relating to the DGD Joint Venture’s ongoing expansion project to construct a new, parallel facility located next to the existing facility. Selected financial information for the Company's DGD Joint Venture is as follows (in thousands): (in thousands) March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Assets: Total current assets $ 477,840 $ 383,557 Property, plant and equipment, net 1,437,905 1,238,726 Other assets 39,171 36,082 Total assets $ 1,954,916 $ 1,658,365 Liabilities and members' equity: Total current portion of long term debt $ 562 $ 517 Total other current liabilities 177,594 99,787 Total long term debt 8,702 8,705 Total other long term liabilities 8,722 3,758 Total members' equity 1,759,336 1,545,598 Total liabilities and members' equity $ 1,954,916 $ 1,658,365 Three Months Ended (in thousands) March 31, 2021 March 31, 2020 Revenues: Operating revenues $ 431,633 $ 358,615 Expenses: Total costs and expenses less depreciation, amortization and accretion expense 215,234 151,347 Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense 11,687 11,774 Total costs and expenses 226,921 163,121 Operating income 204,712 195,494 Other income 58 461 Interest and debt expense, net (320) (315) Net income $ 204,450 $ 195,640 As of April 3, 2021, under the equity method of accounting, the Company has an investment in the DGD Joint Venture of approximately $879.7 million on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company has recorded equity in net income from the DGD Joint Venture of approximately $102.2 million and $97.8 million for the three months ended April 3, 2021 and March 28, 2020, respectively. In December 2019, the blender tax credits for calendar year 2018 and 2019 were retroactively reinstated by the U.S. Congress. In addition, blenders tax credits were extended for calendar years 2020, 2021 and 2022. For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020, the DGD Joint Venture recorded approximately $79.0 million and $80.0 million of blenders tax credits, respectively. In the three months ended April 3, 2021, the Company did not receive any dividend distributions from the DGD Joint Venture. In addition to the DGD Joint Venture, the Company has investments in other unconsolidated subsidiaries that are insignificant to the Company.

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	Inventories A summary of inventories follows (in thousands): April 3, 2021 January 2, 2021 Finished product $ 250,237 $ 233,044 Work in process 87,219 87,223 Raw material 35,229 36,746 Supplies and other 47,974 48,909 $ 420,659 $ 405,922

Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
Intangible Asset Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Intangible Assets	Intangible Assets The gross carrying amount of intangible assets not subject to amortization and intangible assets subject to amortization is as follows (in thousands): April 3, 2021 January 2, 2021 Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Trade names $ 54,184 $ 55,349 54,184 55,349 Finite Lived Intangible Assets: Routes 393,937 397,342 Permits 481,959 494,191 Non-compete agreements 645 3,300 Trade names 65,675 65,675 Royalty, consulting, land use rights and leasehold 25,616 25,909 967,832 986,417 Accumulated Amortization: Routes (206,137) (203,392) Permits (314,741) (315,246) Non-compete agreements (355) (2,981) Trade names (41,125) (39,491) Royalty, consulting, land use rights and leasehold (7,119) (6,976) (569,477) (568,086) Total Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization $ 452,539 $ 473,680 Gross intangible routes, permits, trade names, non-compete agreements and other intangibles decreased in fiscal 2021 as a result of approximately $9.5 million of fully amortized asset retirements and a decrease from foreign currency translation. Amortization expense for the three months ended April 3, 2021 and March 28, 2020, was approximately $17.0 million and $18.2 million, respectively.

Goodwill

Goodwill	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
Intangible Asset Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Goodwill	Goodwill Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill (in thousands): Feed Ingredients Food Ingredients Fuel Ingredients Total Balance at January 2, 2021 Goodwill $ 830,321 $ 351,296 $ 126,578 $ 1,308,195 Accumulated impairment losses (15,914) (461) (31,580) (47,955) 814,407 350,835 94,998 1,260,240 Goodwill acquired during year 40 — 161 201 Foreign currency translation (5,631) (9,685) (3,883) (19,199) Balance at April 3, 2021 Goodwill 824,730 341,611 122,856 1,289,197 Accumulated impairment losses (15,914) (461) (31,580) (47,955) $ 808,816 $ 341,150 $ 91,276 $ 1,241,242

Accrued Expense Accrued Expense

Accrued Expense Accrued Expenses	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued Expenses	Accrued Expenses Accrued expenses consist of the following (in thousands): April 3, 2021 January 2, 2021 Compensation and benefits $ 99,108 $ 121,497 Accrued ad valorem, and franchise taxes 15,779 39,167 Accrued operating expenses 67,132 62,601 Other accrued expense 129,352 112,206 $ 311,371 $ 335,471

Leases

Leases	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	Leases The Company leases certain real and personal property, a large portion of the Company's fleet of tractors, all of its rail cars, some IT equipment and other transportation equipment under non-cancelable operating leases. The Company's office leases include certain lease and non-lease components, where the Company has elected to exclude the non-lease components from the calculation of the lease liability and ROU asset. The Company has finance leases, which are not significant to the Company and not separately disclosed in detail. The components of operating lease expense included in cost of sales and operating expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses were as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended April 3, 2021 March 28, 2020 Operating lease expense $ 11,661 $ 11,509 Short-term lease costs 6,408 6,245 Total lease cost $ 18,069 $ 17,754 Other information (in thousands, except lease terms and discount rates): Three Months Ended April 3, 2021 March 28, 2020 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 14,265 $ 12,456 April 3, 2021 January 2, 2021 Operating right-of-use assets, net $ 145,238 $ 146,563 Operating lease liability, current $ 38,064 $ 39,459 Operating lease liability, non-current 108,777 109,707 Total operating lease liabilities $ 146,841 $ 149,166 Weighted average remaining lease term - operating leases 6.43 years 6.30 years Weighted average discount rate - operating leases 4.01 % 4.22 % Future annual minimum lease payments and capital lease commitments as of April 3, 2021 are as follows (in thousands): Period Ending Fiscal Operating Leases Capital Leases 2021 (excluding the three months ended April 3, 2021) $ 32,297 $ 650 2022 34,591 824 2023 29,567 611 2024 22,759 467 2025 14,118 331 Thereafter 27,721 574 $ 161,053 $ 3,457 Less amounts representing interest $ (14,212) (134) Lease obligations included in current and long-term liabilities $ 146,841 $ 3,323 As of April 3, 2021, the Company also has additional operating leases that have not yet commenced, primarily for rail car and tractors, with fixed payments over their noncancellable terms of $3.2 million. These operating leases will commence in 2021 with noncancellable terms of 5 years.
Leases	Leases The Company leases certain real and personal property, a large portion of the Company's fleet of tractors, all of its rail cars, some IT equipment and other transportation equipment under non-cancelable operating leases. The Company's office leases include certain lease and non-lease components, where the Company has elected to exclude the non-lease components from the calculation of the lease liability and ROU asset. The Company has finance leases, which are not significant to the Company and not separately disclosed in detail. The components of operating lease expense included in cost of sales and operating expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses were as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended April 3, 2021 March 28, 2020 Operating lease expense $ 11,661 $ 11,509 Short-term lease costs 6,408 6,245 Total lease cost $ 18,069 $ 17,754 Other information (in thousands, except lease terms and discount rates): Three Months Ended April 3, 2021 March 28, 2020 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 14,265 $ 12,456 April 3, 2021 January 2, 2021 Operating right-of-use assets, net $ 145,238 $ 146,563 Operating lease liability, current $ 38,064 $ 39,459 Operating lease liability, non-current 108,777 109,707 Total operating lease liabilities $ 146,841 $ 149,166 Weighted average remaining lease term - operating leases 6.43 years 6.30 years Weighted average discount rate - operating leases 4.01 % 4.22 % Future annual minimum lease payments and capital lease commitments as of April 3, 2021 are as follows (in thousands): Period Ending Fiscal Operating Leases Capital Leases 2021 (excluding the three months ended April 3, 2021) $ 32,297 $ 650 2022 34,591 824 2023 29,567 611 2024 22,759 467 2025 14,118 331 Thereafter 27,721 574 $ 161,053 $ 3,457 Less amounts representing interest $ (14,212) (134) Lease obligations included in current and long-term liabilities $ 146,841 $ 3,323 As of April 3, 2021, the Company also has additional operating leases that have not yet commenced, primarily for rail car and tractors, with fixed payments over their noncancellable terms of $3.2 million. These operating leases will commence in 2021 with noncancellable terms of 5 years.

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Debt Debt consists of the following (in thousands): April 3, 2021 January 2, 2021 Amended Credit Agreement: Revolving Credit Facility $ 69,000 $ 55,000 Term Loan B 250,000 300,000 Less unamortized deferred loan costs (2,979) (3,798) Carrying value Term Loan B 247,021 296,202 5.25% Senior Notes due 2027 with effective interest of 5.47% 500,000 500,000 Less unamortized deferred loan costs (5,553) (5,747) Carrying value 5.25% Senior Notes due 2027 494,447 494,253 3.625% Senior Notes due 2026 - Denominated in euro with effective interest of 3.83% 606,310 632,163 Less unamortized deferred loan costs - Denominated in euro (6,046) (6,586) Carrying value 3.625% Senior Notes due 2026 600,264 625,577 Other Notes and Obligations 33,799 37,037 1,444,531 1,508,069 Less Current Maturities 26,997 27,538 $ 1,417,534 $ 1,480,531 As of April 3, 2021, the Company had outstanding debt under the Company's 3.625% Senior Notes due 2026 denominated in euros of €515.0 million. See below for discussion relating to the Company's debt agreements. In addition, at April 3, 2021, the Company had finance lease obligations denominated in euros of approximately €2.8 million. As of April 3, 2021, the Company had other notes and obligations of $33.8 million that consist of various overdraft facilities of approximately $4.7 million, a China working capital line of credit of approximately $16.2 million and other debt of approximately $12.9 million. 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 (as subsequently amended, 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. Effective September 18, 2020, the Company, and certain of its subsidiaries entered into an amendment (the “Sixth Amendment”) with its lenders to the Amended Credit Agreement. Among other things, the Sixth Amendment (i) extended the maturity date of the revolving credit facility under the Amended Credit Agreement from December 16, 2021 to September 18, 2025, (ii) increased the leverage ratio applicable to achieving the lowest applicable margin on borrowing under the revolving credit facility from 1.0 to 1.5, (iii) eliminated or modified certain of the negative covenants to increase the allowances for certain actions, including the incurrence of debt and investments, (iv) limited guarantees from, and security with respect to, entities organized outside of the United States and Canada to a limited group of foreign subsidiary holding companies, (v) included a collateral release mechanism, subject to the consent of the term loan B lenders, upon the Company achieving certain investment grade credit ratings, and (vi) made other market updates and changes. Effective December 18, 2017, the Company, and certain of its subsidiaries entered into an amendment (the “Fifth Amendment”) with its lenders to the Amended Credit Agreement. Among other things, the Fifth Amendment (i) refinanced the term B loans under the Amended Credit Agreement with new term B loans in an aggregate principal amount of $525.0 million with a maturity date of December 18, 2024; (ii) adjusted the applicable margin pricing on borrowings under the term B loan; (iii) modified certain of the negative covenants to increase the allowances for certain actions, including debt and investments; and (iv) made other updates and changes. Effective December 16, 2016, the Company, and certain of its subsidiaries entered into an amendment (the “Fourth Amendment”) with its lenders to the Amended Credit Agreement. Among other things, the Fourth Amendment (i) adjusted the applicable margin pricing grid on borrowings under the revolving credit facility which adjusts based on the Company's total leverage ratio as set forth in the Amended Credit Agreement; (ii) eliminated the secured leverage ratio financial maintenance covenant so that from and after the effective date of the Fourth Amendment the Company’s financial covenants consist of maintaining a total leverage ratio not to exceed 5.50 to 1.00 and maintaining an interest coverage ratio of not less than 3.00 to 1.00; (iii) modified certain of the negative covenants to include a senior leverage ratio incurrence-based test and to increase the allowances for certain actions, including debt, investments and restricted payments; and (iv) made other updates and changes. The Company's Amended Credit Agreement provides for senior secured credit facilities in the aggregate principal amount of $1.525 billion comprised of (i) the Company's $525.0 million term loan B facility and (ii) the Company's $1.0 billion five-year revolving credit facility (up to $150.0 million of which is available for a letter of credit sub-facility and up to $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 $970.0 million of the revolving loan facility is available to be borrowed by (x) Darling in U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars, euros and other currencies to be agreed and available to each applicable lender, (y) Darling Canada in Canadian dollars and (z) Darling NL and Darling Ingredients International Holding B.V. (“Darling BV”), in U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars, euros and other currencies to be agreed and available to each applicable lender. The remaining $30.0 million is only available in U.S. dollars to Darling. The revolving credit facility will mature on September 18, 2025. The revolving credit facility will be used for working capital needs, general corporate purposes and other purposes not prohibited by the Amended Credit Agreement. The interest rate applicable to any borrowings under the revolving credit facility will equal either LIBOR/euro interbank offered rate/CDOR plus 1.50% per annum or base rate/Canadian prime rate plus 0.50% per annum, subject to certain step-ups or 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 the base rate plus 1.00% or LIBOR plus 2.00%. As of April 3, 2021, the Company had $27.0 million outstanding under the revolver at base rate plus a margin of 0.50% per annum for a total of 3.75% per annum and $42.0 million outstanding under the revolver at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.50% per annum for a total of 1.616% per annum. The Company had $250.0 million outstanding under the term loan B facility at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.00% per annum for a total of 2.12% per annum. As of April 3, 2021, the Company had availability of $879.9 million under the Amended Credit Agreement taking into account amounts borrowed, ancillary facilities and letters of credit issued of $3.8 million. The Company also has foreign bank guarantees that are not part of the Company's Amended Credit Agreement in the amount of approximately $11.7 million at April 3, 2021. 3.625% Senior Notes due 2026. On May 2, 2018, Darling Global Finance B.V. issued and sold €515.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.625% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “3.625% Notes”). The 3.625% Notes, which were offered in a private offering, were issued pursuant to a Senior Notes Indenture, dated as of May 2, 2018 (the “3.625% Indenture”), among Darling Global Finance B.V., Darling, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto from time to time, Citibank, N.A., London Branch, as trustee and principal paying agent, and Citigroup Global Markets Deutschland AG, as principal registrar. The 3.625% Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by Darling and all of Darling's restricted subsidiaries (other than any foreign subsidiary or any receivable entity) that guarantee the Senior Secured Credit Facilities. 5.25% Senior Notes due 2027. On April 3, 2019, Darling issued and sold $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.25% Senior Notes due 2027 (the “5.25% Notes”). The 5.25% Notes, which were offered in a private offering, were issued pursuant to a Senior Notes Indenture, dated as of April 3, 2019 (the “5.25% Indenture”), among Darling, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto from time to time, and Regions Bank, as trustee. The 5.25% Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by Darling and all of Darling's restricted subsidiaries (other than foreign subsidiaries). As of April 3, 2021, 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, the 5.25% Indenture and the 3.625% Indenture.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company has provided income taxes for the three month periods ended April 3, 2021 and March 28, 2020, based on its estimate of the effective tax rate for the entire 2021 and 2020 fiscal years. The Company’s estimated annual effective tax rate is based on forecasts of income by jurisdiction, permanent differences between book and tax income, the relative proportion of income and losses by jurisdiction, and statutory income tax rates. Discrete events such as the assessment of the ultimate outcome of tax audits, audit settlements, recognizing previously unrecognized tax benefits due to the lapsing of statutes of limitation, recognizing or derecognizing deferred tax assets due to projections of income or loss and changes in tax laws are recognized in the period in which they occur. 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 have access to its offshore earnings with no material U.S. tax impact. Therefore, the Company does not consider earnings from its foreign subsidiaries to be permanently reinvested offshore. 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. 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 3, 2021, the Company had $5.6 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits and $0.4 million of related accrued interest and penalties. It is reasonably possible within the next twelve months that the Company's gross unrecognized tax benefits may decrease by up to $0.2 million, excluding interest and penalties. The possible change in unrecognized tax benefits relates to the expiration of certain statutes of limitation. 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 2013 tax year.

Other Comprehensive Income

Other Comprehensive Income	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
Equity [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income	Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) The Company follows Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) authoritative guidance for reporting and presentation of comprehensive income/(loss) and its components. Other comprehensive income/(loss) is derived from adjustments that reflect pension adjustments, soybean meal adjustments, corn option adjustments, foreign exchange forward adjustments, heating oil swap adjustments and foreign currency translation adjustments. In the first three months of fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, the Company's DGD Joint Venture entered into heating oil derivatives that were deemed to be cash flow hedges. As a result, the Company has accrued the other comprehensive income/(loss) portion belonging to Darling with an offset to the investment in DGD as required by FASB ASC Topic 323. The components of other comprehensive income/(loss) and the related tax impacts for the three months ended April 3, 2021 and March 28, 2020 are as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Before-Tax Tax (Expense) Net-of-Tax Amount or Benefit Amount April 3, 2021 March 28, 2020 April 3, 2021 March 28, 2020 April 3, 2021 March 28, 2020 Defined benefit pension plans Amortization of prior service (cost)/benefit $ 5 $ 8 $ (1) $ (2) $ 4 $ 6 Amortization of actuarial loss 1,052 854 (264) (212) 788 642 Total defined benefit pension plans 1,057 862 (265) (214) 792 648 Soybean meal option derivatives Reclassified to earnings (280) — 71 — (209) — Activity recognized in other comprehensive income/(loss) (64) — 16 — (48) — Total soybean meal option derivatives (344) — 87 — (257) — Corn option derivatives Reclassified to earnings 3,920 300 (996) (75) 2,924 225 Activity recognized in other comprehensive income/(loss) (4,993) (119) 1,269 30 (3,724) (89) Total corn option derivatives (1,073) 181 273 (45) (800) 136 Heating oil derivatives Activity recognized in other comprehensive income/(loss) 4,644 14,494 (1,180) (3,624) 3,464 10,870 Total heating oil derivatives 4,644 14,494 (1,180) (3,624) 3,464 10,870 Foreign exchange derivatives Reclassified to earnings 224 (412) (75) 129 149 (283) Activity recognized in other comprehensive income/(loss) (10,457) (12,920) 3,502 4,052 (6,955) (8,868) Total foreign exchange derivatives (10,233) (13,332) 3,427 4,181 (6,806) (9,151) Foreign currency translation (39,737) (65,887) 1,515 651 (38,222) (65,236) Other comprehensive income/(loss) $ (45,686) $ (63,682) $ 3,857 $ 949 $ (41,829) $ (62,733) 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 3, 2021 and March 28, 2020 as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended April 3, 2021 March 28, 2020 Statement of Operations Classification Derivative instruments Soybean meal derivatives $ 280 $ — Net sales Foreign exchange contracts (224) 412 Net sales Corn option derivatives (3,920) (300) Cost of sales and operating expenses (3,864) 112 Total before tax 1,000 (54) Income taxes (2,864) 58 Net of tax Defined benefit pension plans Amortization of prior service cost $ (5) $ (8) (a) Amortization of actuarial loss (1,052) (854) (a) (1,057) (862) Total before tax 265 214 Income taxes (792) (648) Net of tax Total reclassifications $ (3,656) $ (590) Net of tax (a) These items are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See Note 13 (Employee Benefit Plans) to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statement included herein for additional information. The following table presents changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) as of April 3, 2021 as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended April 3, 2021 Foreign Currency Derivative Defined Benefit Translation Instruments Pension Plans Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive loss January 2, 2021, attributable to Darling, net of tax $ (210,902) $ (3,214) $ (38,317) $ (252,433) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications (38,222) (7,263) — (45,485) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss — 2,864 792 3,656 Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss) (38,222) (4,399) 792 (41,829) Noncontrolling interest 1,534 — — 1,534 Accumulated Other Comprehensive loss April 3, 2021, attributable to Darling, net of tax (250,658) $ (7,613) $ (37,525) $ (295,796)

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	Stockholders' Equity Fiscal 2021 Long-Term Incentive Opportunity Awards (2021 LTIP) . On January 4, 2021, the Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) of the Company's Board of Directors adopted the 2021 LTIP pursuant to which they awarded certain of the Company's key employees, 90,689 restricted stock units and 126,711 performance share units (the “PSUs”) under the Company's 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The restricted stock units vest 33.33% on the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date. The PSUs are tied to a three-year forward-looking performance period and will be earned based on the Company's average return on capital employed (“ROCE”), as calculated in accordance with the terms of the award agreement, relative to the average ROCE of the Company's performance peer group companies, with the earned award to be determined in the first quarter of fiscal 2024, after the final results for the relevant performance period are determined. The PSUs were granted at a target of 100%, but each PSU will reduce or increase depending on the Company's ROCE relative to that of the performance peer group companies and is also subject to the application of a total shareholder return (“TSR”) cap/collar modifier depending on the Company's TSR during the performance period relative to that of the performance peer group companies.

Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
Retirement Benefits [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 3, 2021 and March 28, 2020 includes the following components (in thousands): Pension Benefits Three Months Ended April 3, March 28, Service cost $ 785 $ 755 Interest cost 1,204 1,428 Expected return on plan assets (2,321) (2,039) Amortization of prior service cost 5 8 Amortization of actuarial loss 1,052 854 Net pension cost $ 725 $ 1,006 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 3, 2021, the Company expects to contribute approximately $3.8 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 3, 2021 and March 28, 2020 of approximately $0.9 million and $0.8 million, respectively. The Company participates in various multiemployer pension plans which provide defined benefits to certain employees covered by labor contracts. These plans are not administered by the Company and contributions are determined in accordance with provisions of negotiated labor contracts to meet their pension benefit obligations to their participants. The Company's contributions to each multiemployer plan represent less than 5% of the total contributions to each 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, five plans have certified as critical or red zone and two plans have certified as endangered or yellow zone as defined by the Pension Protection Act of 2006. The Company currently has withdrawal liabilities recorded on four U.S. multiemployer plans in which it participated. During the first quarter of fiscal 2021, the Company was notified by one of these multiemployer plans that the Company's withdrawal liability has increased and as a result the Company recorded an additional liability of approximately $1.3 million. As of April 3, 2021, the Company has an aggregate accrued liability of approximately $4.0 million representing the present value of scheduled withdrawal liability payments on the multiemployer plans that have given notice of withdrawal. 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. 03, 2021
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. Soybean meal options are entered into with the intent of managing the impact of changing prices for poultry meal sales. 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 and option 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 3, 2021, the Company had corn option contracts, soybean meal forward contracts and foreign exchange forward and option contracts outstanding that qualified and were designated for hedge accounting as well as corn 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 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 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 2020 and fiscal 2021, the Company entered into corn option contracts on the Chicago Board of Trade that are designated as cash flow hedges. Under the terms of the corn option contracts, the Company hedged a portion of its U.S. forecasted sales of BBP into the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021. At April 3, 2021 and January 2, 2021, the aggregate fair value of these corn option contracts was approximately $8.0 million and $6.8 million, respectively. These amounts are included in accrued expenses on the balance sheet, with an offset recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The Company may enter into corn option contracts in the future from time to time. In fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2021, the Company entered into foreign exchange forward and option contracts that are designated as cash flow hedges. Under the terms of the foreign exchange contracts, the Company hedged a portion of its forecasted collagen sales in currencies other than the functional currency through the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022. At April 3, 2021 and January 2, 2021, the aggregate fair value of these foreign exchange contracts was approximately $0.4 million and $11.6 million, respectively. These amounts are included in other current assets, accrued expense and noncurrent assets on the balance sheet, with an offset recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss. In fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2021, the Company entered into soybean meal forward contracts to hedge a portion of its forecasted poultry meal sales into the second quarter of fiscal 2021. As of April 3, 2021 and January 2, 2021, the aggregate fair value of the soybean meal contracts was $0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively. These amounts are included in other current assets on the balance sheet, with an offset recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss. As of April 3, 2021, the Company had the following designated and non-designated outstanding forward and option contract amounts that were entered into to hedge foreign currency transactions in currencies other than the functional currency and forecasted transactions in currencies other than the functional currency (in thousands): Functional Currency Contract Currency Type Amount Type Amount Brazilian real 49,335 Euro 7,305 Brazilian real 1,103,561 U.S. dollar 241,320 Euro 35,967 U.S. dollar 42,810 Euro 43,119 Polish zloty 198,500 Euro 6,293 Japanese yen 808,776 Euro 16,176 Chinese renminbi 126,124 Euro 42,340 Australian dollar 65,550 Euro 3,048 British pound 2,600 Euro 32 Canadian dollar 50 Polish zloty 1,031 U.S. dollar 262 Polish zloty 24,116 Euro 5,195 British pound 176 Euro 207 Japanese yen 231,803 U.S. dollar 2,159 U.S. dollar 100 Japanese yen 11,000 U.S. dollar 165,311 Euro 140,000 The Company estimates the amount that will be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss at April 3, 2021 into earnings over the next 12 months will be approximately $10.0 million. As of April 3, 2021, no amounts have been reclassified into earnings as a result of the discontinuance of cash flow hedges. The table below summarizes the effect of derivatives not designated as hedges on the Company's consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended April 3, 2021 and March 28, 2020 (in thousands): Loss or (Gain) Recognized in Income on Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges Three Months Ended Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments Location April 3, 2021 March 28, 2020 Foreign exchange Foreign currency loss $ 5,389 $ (1,295) Foreign exchange Net sales 729 730 Foreign exchange Cost of sales and operating expenses (444) (887) Foreign exchange Selling, general and administrative expense 2,531 5,724 Corn options and futures Net sales (998) 855 Corn options and futures Cost of sales and operating expenses 1,469 (1,841) Total $ 8,676 $ 3,286 At April 3, 2021, the Company had forward purchase agreements in place for purchases of approximately $71.9 million of natural gas and diesel fuel. The Company intends to take physical delivery of the commodities under the forward purchase agreements and accordingly, these contracts are not subject to the requirements of fair value accounting because they qualify as normal purchases.

Fair Value Measurement

Fair Value Measurement	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
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 3, 2021 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 3, 2021 Using Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant (In thousands of dollars) Total (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Assets: Derivative instruments $ 2,211 $ — $ 2,211 $ — Total Assets $ 2,211 $ — $ 2,211 $ — Liabilities: Derivative instruments $ 10,483 $ — $ 10,483 $ — 5.25% Senior notes 526,650 — 526,650 — 3.625% Senior notes 617,284 — 617,284 — Term loan B 249,375 — 249,375 — Revolver debt 68,655 — 68,655 — Total Liabilities $ 1,472,447 $ — $ 1,472,447 $ — Fair Value Measurements at January 2, 2021 Using Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant (In thousands of dollars) Total (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Assets: Derivative instruments $ 17,358 $ — $ 17,358 $ — Total Assets $ 17,358 $ — $ 17,358 $ — Liabilities: Derivative instruments $ 9,778 $ — $ 9,778 $ — 5.25% Senior notes 531,300 — 531,300 — 3.625% Senior notes 646,323 — 646,323 — Term loan B 298,500 — 298,500 — Revolver debt 54,175 — 54,175 — Total Liabilities $ 1,540,076 $ — $ 1,540,076 $ — Derivative assets and liabilities consist of the Company’s corn option and future contracts, foreign currency forward and option contracts and soybean meal forward contracts which represent 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 14 (Derivatives) to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for discussion on the Company's derivatives. 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 of the Company's other debt is not deemed to be significantly different from the fair value and all other instruments have been recorded at fair value.

Restructuring and Asset Impairm

Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges	Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges

Contingencies

Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingencies	Contingencies The Company is a party to various lawsuits, claims and loss contingencies arising in the ordinary course of its business, including insured worker's compensation, auto, and general liability claims, assertions by certain regulatory and governmental agencies related to permitting requirements and environmental matters, including air, wastewater and storm water discharges from the Company’s processing facilities, litigation involving tort, contract, statutory, labor, employment, and other claims, and tax matters. 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 under these insurance policies 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 contingencies. At April 3, 2021 and January 2, 2021, the reserves for insurance, environmental, litigation and tax contingencies reflected on the balance sheet in accrued expenses and other non-current liabilities were approximately $67.8 million and $66.2 million, respectively. The Company has insurance recovery receivables of approximately $27.0 million as of April 3, 2021 and January 2, 2021, related to the insurance contingencies. 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 contingencies will not exceed current estimates. The Company believes that the likelihood is remote that any additional liability from the 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 alleged successor-in-interest to The Standard Tallow Corporation) is considered a potentially responsible party (a “PRP”) with respect to alleged contamination in the lower 17-mile area of the Passaic River which is part of the Diamond Alkali Superfund Site located in Newark, New Jersey. The Company’s designation as a PRP is based upon the operation of former plant sites located in Newark and Kearny, New Jersey by The Standard Tallow Corporation, 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. In March 2016, the Company received another letter from EPA notifying the Company that it had issued a Record of Decision (the “ROD”) selecting a remedy for the lower 8.3 miles of the lower Passaic River area at an estimated cost of $1.38 billion. The EPA letter makes no demand on the Company and lays out a framework for remedial design/remedial action implementation in which the EPA will first seek funding from major PRPs. The letter indicates that the EPA has sent the letter to over 100 parties, which include large chemical and refining companies, manufacturing companies, foundries, plastic companies, pharmaceutical companies and food and consumer product companies. The EPA has already offered early cash out settlements to 20 of the other PRPs and has stated that other parties who did not discharge any of the eight contaminants of concern identified in the ROD (the “COCs”) may also be eligible for cash out settlements and conducted a settlement analysis using a third-party allocator. The Company participated in this allocation process as it asserts that it is not responsible for any liabilities of its former subsidiary The Standard Tallow Corporation, which was legally dissolved in 2000, and that, in any event, The Standard Tallow Corporation did not discharge any of the COCs. In November 2019, the Company received a cash out settlement offer from the EPA in the amount of $0.6 million ($0.3 million for each of the former plant sites in question) for liabilities relating to the lower 8.3 miles of the lower Passaic River area. The Company accepted this settlement offer, and the settlement became effective on April 16, 2021 following the completion of the EPA's administrative approval process. On September 30, 2016, Occidental Chemical Corporation (“OCC”) entered into an agreement with the EPA to perform the remedial design for the cleanup plan for the lower 8.3 miles of the Passaic River. On June 30, 2018, OCC filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey against over 100 companies, including the Company, seeking cost recovery or contribution for costs under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) relating to various investigations and cleanups OCC has conducted or is conducting in connection with the Passaic River. According to the complaint, OCC has incurred or is incurring costs which include the estimated cost to complete the remedial design for the cleanup plan for the lower 8.3 miles of the Passaic River. OCC is also seeking a declaratory judgment to hold the defendants liable for their proper shares of future response costs, including the remedial action for the lower 8.3 miles of the Passaic River. The Company, along with 40 of the other defendants, had previously received a release from OCC of its CERCLA contribution claim of $165 million associated with the costs to design the remedy for the lower 8.3 miles of the Passaic River. Furthermore, the Company's settlement with the EPA described above could preclude certain of the claims alleged by OCC against the Company. The Company's ultimate liability, if any, 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, the Company has found no definitive evidence that the former Standard Tallow Corporation plant sites contributed any of the COCs to the Passaic River and, therefore, 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.

Business Segments

Business Segments	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business Segments	Business Segments The Company sells its products domestically and internationally, operating within three industry segments: Feed Ingredients, Food Ingredients and Fuel Ingredients. The measure of segment income (loss) includes all revenues, operating expenses (excluding certain amortization of intangibles), and selling, general and administrative expenses incurred at all operating locations and excludes corporate activities. 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 fats and proteins, used cooking oil, trap grease, the Rothsay ingredients business, and the ingredients and specialty products businesses conducted by Darling Ingredients International under the Sonac name (proteins, fats, and blood products) and (ii) the Company's bakery residuals business. Feed Ingredients operations process animal by-products and used cooking oil into fats, proteins and hides. Food Ingredients Food Ingredients consists principally of (i) the collagen 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 investment in the DGD Joint Venture and (ii) the bioenergy business conducted by Darling Ingredients International under the Ecoson and Rendac names. Business Segments (in thousands): Feed Ingredients Food Ingredients Fuel Ingredients Corporate Total Three Months Ended April 3, 2021 Net Sales $ 651,444 $ 298,065 $ 97,207 $ — $ 1,046,716 Cost of sales and operating expenses 474,581 226,413 71,790 — 772,784 Gross Margin 176,863 71,652 25,417 — 273,932 Loss/(gain) on sale of assets (139) 55 20 — (64) Selling, general and administrative expense 52,620 25,191 4,867 14,720 97,398 Restructuring and asset impairment charges — — 778 — 778 Depreciation and amortization 54,609 14,883 6,155 2,887 78,534 Equity in net income of Diamond Green Diesel — — 102,225 — 102,225 Segment operating income/(loss) 69,773 31,523 115,822 (17,607) 199,511 Equity in net income of other unconsolidated subsidiaries 612 — — — 612 Segment income/(loss) 70,385 31,523 115,822 (17,607) 200,123 Total other expense (17,997) Income before income taxes $ 182,126 Segment assets at April 3, 2021 $ 2,708,035 $ 1,235,547 $ 1,229,461 $ 418,404 $ 5,591,447 Feed Ingredients Food Ingredients Fuel Ingredients Corporate Total Three Months Ended March 28, 2020 Net Sales $ 512,625 $ 270,294 $ 69,923 $ — $ 852,842 Cost of sales and operating expenses 388,453 205,430 53,025 — 646,908 Gross Margin 124,172 64,864 16,898 — 205,934 Loss on sale of assets 50 2 9 — 61 Selling, general and administrative expense 53,947 25,476 1,654 15,116 96,193 Depreciation and amortization 53,521 20,305 8,092 2,753 84,671 Equity in net income of Diamond Green Diesel — — 97,820 — 97,820 Segment operating income/(loss) 16,654 19,081 104,963 (17,869) 122,829 Equity in net income of other unconsolidated subsidiaries 869 — — — 869 Segment income/(loss) 17,523 19,081 104,963 (17,869) 123,698 Total other expense (19,307) Income before income taxes $ 104,391 Segment assets at January 2, 2021 $ 2,708,922 $ 1,335,769 $ 1,160,132 $ 408,508 $ 5,613,331

Revenue (Notes)

Revenue (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue	Revenue The Company extends payment terms to its customers based on commercially acceptable practices. The term between invoicing and payment due date is not significant. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring finished products or performing services, which is generally based on an executed agreement or purchase order. Most of the Company's products are shipped based on the customer specifications. Customer returns are infrequent and not material to the Company. Adjustments to net sales for sales deductions are generally recognized in the same period as the sale or when known. Customers in certain industries or countries may be required to prepay prior to shipment in order to maintain payment protection. These represent short-term prepayment from customers and are not material to the Company. The Company elected to treat shipping and handling as fulfilment costs, which will result in billed freight recorded in cost of sales and netted against freight costs. Sales, value-add, and other taxes collected concurrently with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue and booked on a net basis. The following tables present the Company revenues disaggregated by geographic area and major product types by reportable segment for the three months ended April 3, 2021 and March 28, 2020 (in thousands): Three Months Ended April 3, 2021 Feed Ingredients Food Ingredients Fuel Ingredients Total Geographic Area North America $ 549,015 $ 60,940 $ 3,350 $ 613,305 Europe 97,645 155,363 93,857 346,865 China 1,938 57,932 — 59,870 South America — 10,454 — 10,454 Other 2,846 13,376 — 16,222 Net sales $ 651,444 $ 298,065 $ 97,207 $ 1,046,716 Major product types Fats $ 229,006 $ 41,433 $ — $ 270,439 Used cooking oil 51,029 — — 51,029 Proteins 255,507 — — 255,507 Bakery 63,105 — — 63,105 Other rendering 42,957 — — 42,957 Food ingredients — 229,542 — 229,542 Bioenergy — — 93,857 93,857 Biofuels — — 3,350 3,350 Other 9,840 27,090 — 36,930 Net sales $ 651,444 $ 298,065 $ 97,207 $ 1,046,716 Three Months Ended March 28, 2020 Feed Ingredients Food Ingredients Fuel Ingredients Total Geographic Area North America $ 427,463 $ 46,415 $ 5,400 $ 479,278 Europe 80,443 158,587 64,523 303,553 China 2,423 39,956 — 42,379 South America — 10,586 — 10,586 Other 2,296 14,750 — 17,046 Net sales $ 512,625 $ 270,294 $ 69,923 $ 852,842 Major product types Fats $ 163,284 $ 33,476 $ — $ 196,760 Used cooking oil 47,608 — — 47,608 Proteins 195,980 — — 195,980 Bakery 47,101 — — 47,101 Other rendering 47,164 — — 47,164 Food ingredients — 214,793 — 214,793 Bioenergy — — 64,523 64,523 Biofuels — — 5,400 5,400 Other 11,488 22,025 — 33,513 Net sales $ 512,625 $ 270,294 $ 69,923 $ 852,842 Revenue from Contracts with Customers The Company has two primary revenue streams. Finished product revenues are recognized when control of the promised finished product is transferred to the Company's customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for the finished product. Service revenues are recognized in net sales when the service occurs. Fats and Proteins . Fats and Proteins include the Company's global activities related to the collection and processing of beef, poultry and pork animal by-products into finished products of non-food grade oils, food grade fats and protein meal. Fats and proteins net sales are recognized when the Company ships the finished product to the customer and control has been transferred. Used Cooking Oil . Used cooking oil includes collection and processing of used cooking oil into finished products of non-food grade fats. Used cooking oil net sales are recognized when the Company ships the finished product to the customer and control has been transferred. Bakery . Bakery includes collection and processing of bakery residuals into finished product including Cookie Meal®, an animal feed ingredient primarily used in poultry and swine rations. Bakery net sales are recognized when the Company ships the finished product to the customer and control has been transferred. Other Rendering . Other rendering include hides, pet food products, and service charges. Hides and pet food net sales are recognized when the Company ships the finished product to the customer and control has been transferred. Service revenues are recognized in net sales when the service has occurred. Food Ingredients. Food ingredients includes collection and processing of pigskin, hide, bone and fish into finished product. It also includes harvesting, sorting and selling of hog and sheep casings as well as harvesting, purchasing and processing of hog, sheep and beef meat for pet food industry. Collagen and CTH meat and casings net sales are recognized when the Company ships the finished product to the customer and control has been transferred. Bioenergy . Bioenergy includes Ecoson, which converts organic sludge and food waste into biogas and Rendac, which collects fallen stock and animal waste for a fee and processes these materials into fats and meals that can only be used as low grade energy or fuel for boilers and cement kilns. Net sales are recognized when the finished product is shipped to the customer and control has been transferred. Service revenues are recognized in net sales when the service has occurred. Biofuels . Biofuels includes the North American processing of rendered animal fats, recycled cooking oils and third party additives to produce diesel fuel. Biofuel net sales are recognized when the finished product is shipped to the customer and control has been transferred. Other . Other includes grease trap collection and environmental services to food processors in the Feed Ingredients segment and Sonac Bone and Sonac Heparin in the Food Ingredients segment. Net sales are recognized when the Company ships the finished product to the customer and control has been transferred. Service revenues are recognized in net sales when the service has occurred. Long-Term Performance Obligations . The Company from time to time enters into long-term contracts to supply certain volumes of finished products to certain customers. Revenue recognized to date in 2021 under these long-term supply contracts was approximately $15.0 million, with the remaining performance obligations to be recognized in future periods (generally 2 years) of approximately $154.7 million.

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related Party Transactions 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, 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 3, 2021 and March 28, 2020, the Company has recorded sales to the DGD Joint Venture of approximately $89.0 million and $62.1 million, respectively. At April 3, 2021 and January 2, 2021, the Company has $12.6 million and $14.2 million in outstanding receivables due from the DGD Joint Venture, respectively. In addition, the Company has eliminated approximately $14.6 million and $5.7 million of additional sales for the three months ended April 3, 2021 and March 28, 2020, respectively to defer the Company's portion of profit of approximately $4.1 million and $1.0 million on those sales relating to inventory assets remaining on the DGD Joint Venture's balance sheet at April 3, 2021 and March 28, 2020, respectively. Revolving Loan Agreement On May 1, 2019, Darling through its wholly owned subsidiary Darling Green Energy LLC, (“Darling Green”), and Diamond Alternative Energy, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Valero (“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. The DGD Lenders have committed to making loans available to the DGD Joint Venture in the total amount of $50.0 million with each lender committed to $25.0 million of the total commitment. Any borrowings by the DGD Joint Venture 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 April 29, 2022, unless extended by agreement of the parties. As of April 3, 2021, no amounts are owed to Darling Green under the DGD Loan Agreement. Guarantee Agreements In February 2020, in connection with the DGD Joint Venture’s expansion project at its Norco, LA facility, it entered into two agreements (the “IMTT Terminaling Agreements”) with International-Matex Tank Terminals (“IMTT”), pursuant to which the DGD Joint Venture will move raw material and finished product to and from the IMTT terminal facility by pipeline, thereby providing better logistical capabilities. As a condition to entering into the IMTT Terminaling Agreements, IMTT required that the Company and Valero guarantee their proportionate share, up to $50 million each, of the DGD Joint Venture’s obligations under the IMTT Terminaling Agreements (the “IMTT Guarantee”), subject to the conditions provided for in the IMTT Terminaling Agreements. The Company has not recorded any liability as a result of the IMTT Guarantee, as the Company believes the likelihood of having to make any payments under the IMTT Guarantee is remote. In April 2021, in connection with the DGD Joint Venture’s expansion project at its Port Arthur, TX facility, it entered into two agreements (the “GTL Terminaling Agreements”) with GT Logistics, LLC (“GTL”), pursuant to which the DGD Joint Venture will move raw material and finished product to and from the GTL terminal facility by pipeline, thereby providing better logistical capabilities. As a condition to entering into the GTL Terminaling Agreements, GLT required that the Company and Valero guarantee their proportionate share, up to a maximum of approximately $160.0 million each, of the DGD Joint Venture’s obligations under the GTL Terminaling Agreements (the “ GTL Guarantee ”), subject to the conditions provided for in the GTL Terminaling Agreements. The maximum amount of the GTL Guarantee is reduced over the 20-year initial term of the GTL Terminaling Agreements as the termination fee under such agreements declines. The Company has not recorded any liability as a result of the GTL Guarantee, as the Company believes the likelihood of having to make any payments under the GTL Guarantee is remote.

New Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
New Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]
New Accounting Pronouncements	New Accounting PronouncementsIn December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. This ASU amends Topic 740 Income Taxes, which eliminates certain exceptions in accounting for income taxes, improves consistency in application and clarifies existing guidance. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this ASU in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Summary of Significant Accoun_2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of PresentationThe consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Darling and its consolidated subsidiaries. Noncontrolling interests represent 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 of the consolidated subsidiaries is shown as an allocation of the Company's net income and is presented separately as “Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests.” In the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets, noncontrolling interests represent 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 intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Fiscal Periods	Fiscal PeriodsThe 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 3, 2021, and include the 13 weeks ended April 3, 2021, and the 13 weeks ended March 28, 2020.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash	Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted CashThe Company considers all short-term highly liquid instruments, with an original maturity of three months or less, to be cash equivalents. Cash balances are recorded net of book overdrafts when a bank right-of-offset exists. All other book overdrafts are recorded in accounts payable and the change in the related balance is reflected in operating activities on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. In addition, the Company has bank overdrafts, which are considered a form of short-term financing with changes in the related balance reflected in financing activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful AccountsThe Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from customers’ non-payment of trade accounts receivable owed to the Company.  These trade receivables arise in the ordinary course of business from sales of finished product or services to the Company’s customers.  The estimate of allowance for doubtful accounts is based upon the Company’s bad debt experience adjusted for differences in asset-specific risk characteristic, current economic conditions, and forecasts of future economic conditions.  If the financial condition of the Company’s customers deteriorates, resulting in the customers’ inability to pay the Company’s receivables as they come due, additional allowances for doubtful accounts may be required.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue RecognitionThe Company recognizes revenue on sales when control of the promised finished product is transferred to the Company's customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for the finished product. Service revenues are recognized when the service occurs.  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 control of the promised finished product is transferred to the Company's customer.
Income Taxes	The Company has provided income taxes for the three month periods ended April 3, 2021 and March 28, 2020, based on its estimate of the effective tax rate for the entire 2021 and 2020 fiscal years. The Company’s estimated annual effective tax rate is based on forecasts of income by jurisdiction, permanent differences between book and tax income, the relative proportion of income and losses by jurisdiction, and statutory income tax rates. Discrete events such as the assessment of the ultimate outcome of tax audits, audit settlements, recognizing previously unrecognized tax benefits due to the lapsing of statutes of limitation, recognizing or derecognizing deferred tax assets due to projections of income or loss and changes in tax laws are recognized in the period in which they occur. 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 have access to its offshore earnings with no material U.S. tax impact. Therefore, the Company does not consider earnings from its foreign subsidiaries to be permanently reinvested offshore. 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.
Foreign Currency Translation and Remeasurement	Foreign Currency Translation and RemeasurementForeign currency translation is included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss 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 into 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/(losses) in determining net income.
Leases	Leases The Company accounts for leases in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Topic 842, leases. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception for which the Company recognizes the right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and a lease liability at the lease commencement date. For operating leases, the lease liability is initially and subsequently measured at the present value of the unpaid lease payments at the lease commencement date. In determining the lease liability, the Company applies a discount rate to the minimum lease payments within each lease. ASC 842 requires the Company to use the rate of interest that a lessee would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. To estimate the Company's incremental borrowing rate over various terms, a comparable market yield curve consistent with the Company's credit quality is determined. The lease term for all of the Company's leases include the noncancellable period of the lease plus any additional periods covered by either a Company option to extend the lease that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise or when a triggering event occurs. The Company has elected to not recognize a ROU asset and lease liability with an initial term of 12 months or less at lease commencement. Operating leases are included on the Company's balance sheet as a ROU asset, current operating lease liabilities and long-term operating lease liabilities. For finance leases, the lease liability is initially measured in the same manner and date as for the operating leases, and is subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method. Finance leases are included in property, plant and equipment, current portion of long-term debt and long-term debt, net of current portion, but are not significant to the Company. The ROU asset is initially measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for lease payments made at or before the lease commencement date, plus any direct costs incurred less any lease incentives received. For operating leases, the ROU asset is subsequently measured throughout the lease term at the carrying amount of the lease liability, plus initial direct costs, plus (minus) any prepaid (accrued) lease payments, less the unamortized balance of the lease incentives received. Some leases payments contain rent escalation clauses (including index-based escalations), initially measured using the index at the lease commencement date. The Company recognizes minimum rental expense on a straight-line basis based on the fixed components of the lease arrangement. The Company uses the long-lived assets impairment guidance in ASC subtopic 360-10, Property, Plant and Equipment - Overall, to determine whether the ROU asset is impaired, and if so, the amount of the impairment loss to recognize. The Company monitors for events or changes in circumstances that require a reassessment of one of its leases. When a reassessment results in the remeasurement of a lease liability, a corresponding adjustment is made to the carrying amount of the corresponding ROU asset unless doing so would reduce the carrying amount of the ROU asset to an amount less than zero. In that case, the amount of the adjustment that would result in a negative ROU asset balance is recorded in the consolidated statement of operations.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. If it is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect on the financial statements of a condition, situation, or set of circumstances that exist at the date of the financial statements will change in the near term due to one or more future confirming events, and the effect of the change would be material to the financial statements, the Company will disclose the nature of the uncertainty and include an indication that it is at least reasonably possible that a change in the estimate will occur in the near term. If the estimate involves certain loss contingencies, the disclosure will also include an estimate of the probable loss or range of loss or state that an estimate cannot be made.
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per ShareBasic income 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 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.

Summary of Significant Accoun_3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Net Income per Common Share	Basic income 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 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 3, 2021 March 28, 2020 Income Shares Per Share Income Shares Per Share Basic: Net Income attributable to Darling $ 151,766 162,925 $ 0.93 $ 85,510 163,474 $ 0.52 Diluted: Effect of dilutive securities: Add: Option shares in the money and dilutive effect of non-vested stock awards 5,733 6,749 Less: Pro forma treasury shares (909) (2,296) Diluted: Net income attributable to Darling $ 151,766 167,749 $ 0.90 $ 85,510 167,927 $ 0.51

Investment in Unconsolidated _2

Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiary (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
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) March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 Assets: Total current assets $ 477,840 $ 383,557 Property, plant and equipment, net 1,437,905 1,238,726 Other assets 39,171 36,082 Total assets $ 1,954,916 $ 1,658,365 Liabilities and members' equity: Total current portion of long term debt $ 562 $ 517 Total other current liabilities 177,594 99,787 Total long term debt 8,702 8,705 Total other long term liabilities 8,722 3,758 Total members' equity 1,759,336 1,545,598 Total liabilities and members' equity $ 1,954,916 $ 1,658,365 Three Months Ended (in thousands) March 31, 2021 March 31, 2020 Revenues: Operating revenues $ 431,633 $ 358,615 Expenses: Total costs and expenses less depreciation, amortization and accretion expense 215,234 151,347 Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense 11,687 11,774 Total costs and expenses 226,921 163,121 Operating income 204,712 195,494 Other income 58 461 Interest and debt expense, net (320) (315) Net income $ 204,450 $ 195,640

Inventories (Tables)

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventory	A summary of inventories follows (in thousands): April 3, 2021 January 2, 2021 Finished product $ 250,237 $ 233,044 Work in process 87,219 87,223 Raw material 35,229 36,746 Supplies and other 47,974 48,909 $ 420,659 $ 405,922

Intangible Assets (Tables)

Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
Intangible Asset Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Schedule of Intangible Assets	The gross carrying amount of intangible assets not subject to amortization and intangible assets subject to amortization is as follows (in thousands): April 3, 2021 January 2, 2021 Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Trade names $ 54,184 $ 55,349 54,184 55,349 Finite Lived Intangible Assets: Routes 393,937 397,342 Permits 481,959 494,191 Non-compete agreements 645 3,300 Trade names 65,675 65,675 Royalty, consulting, land use rights and leasehold 25,616 25,909 967,832 986,417 Accumulated Amortization: Routes (206,137) (203,392) Permits (314,741) (315,246) Non-compete agreements (355) (2,981) Trade names (41,125) (39,491) Royalty, consulting, land use rights and leasehold (7,119) (6,976) (569,477) (568,086) Total Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization $ 452,539 $ 473,680

Goodwill (Tables)

Goodwill (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
Intangible Asset Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill (in thousands): Feed Ingredients Food Ingredients Fuel Ingredients Total Balance at January 2, 2021 Goodwill $ 830,321 $ 351,296 $ 126,578 $ 1,308,195 Accumulated impairment losses (15,914) (461) (31,580) (47,955) 814,407 350,835 94,998 1,260,240 Goodwill acquired during year 40 — 161 201 Foreign currency translation (5,631) (9,685) (3,883) (19,199) Balance at April 3, 2021 Goodwill 824,730 341,611 122,856 1,289,197 Accumulated impairment losses (15,914) (461) (31,580) (47,955) $ 808,816 $ 341,150 $ 91,276 $ 1,241,242

Accrued Expense (Tables)

Accrued Expense (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Schedule of Accrued Expenses	Accrued expenses consist of the following (in thousands): April 3, 2021 January 2, 2021 Compensation and benefits $ 99,108 $ 121,497 Accrued ad valorem, and franchise taxes 15,779 39,167 Accrued operating expenses 67,132 62,601 Other accrued expense 129,352 112,206 $ 311,371 $ 335,471

(Tables)

(Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
Leases [Abstract]
Components of Lease Expense	The components of operating lease expense included in cost of sales and operating expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses were as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended April 3, 2021 March 28, 2020 Operating lease expense $ 11,661 $ 11,509 Short-term lease costs 6,408 6,245 Total lease cost $ 18,069 $ 17,754 Other information (in thousands, except lease terms and discount rates): Three Months Ended April 3, 2021 March 28, 2020 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 14,265 $ 12,456 April 3, 2021 January 2, 2021 Operating right-of-use assets, net $ 145,238 $ 146,563 Operating lease liability, current $ 38,064 $ 39,459 Operating lease liability, non-current 108,777 109,707 Total operating lease liabilities $ 146,841 $ 149,166 Weighted average remaining lease term - operating leases 6.43 years 6.30 years Weighted average discount rate - operating leases 4.01 % 4.22 %
Maturities of Operating Lease Liabilities	Future annual minimum lease payments and capital lease commitments as of April 3, 2021 are as follows (in thousands): Period Ending Fiscal Operating Leases Capital Leases 2021 (excluding the three months ended April 3, 2021) $ 32,297 $ 650 2022 34,591 824 2023 29,567 611 2024 22,759 467 2025 14,118 331 Thereafter 27,721 574 $ 161,053 $ 3,457 Less amounts representing interest $ (14,212) (134) Lease obligations included in current and long-term liabilities $ 146,841 $ 3,323
Maturities of Financing Lease Liabilities	Future annual minimum lease payments and capital lease commitments as of April 3, 2021 are as follows (in thousands): Period Ending Fiscal Operating Leases Capital Leases 2021 (excluding the three months ended April 3, 2021) $ 32,297 $ 650 2022 34,591 824 2023 29,567 611 2024 22,759 467 2025 14,118 331 Thereafter 27,721 574 $ 161,053 $ 3,457 Less amounts representing interest $ (14,212) (134) Lease obligations included in current and long-term liabilities $ 146,841 $ 3,323

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt	Debt consists of the following (in thousands): April 3, 2021 January 2, 2021 Amended Credit Agreement: Revolving Credit Facility $ 69,000 $ 55,000 Term Loan B 250,000 300,000 Less unamortized deferred loan costs (2,979) (3,798) Carrying value Term Loan B 247,021 296,202 5.25% Senior Notes due 2027 with effective interest of 5.47% 500,000 500,000 Less unamortized deferred loan costs (5,553) (5,747) Carrying value 5.25% Senior Notes due 2027 494,447 494,253 3.625% Senior Notes due 2026 - Denominated in euro with effective interest of 3.83% 606,310 632,163 Less unamortized deferred loan costs - Denominated in euro (6,046) (6,586) Carrying value 3.625% Senior Notes due 2026 600,264 625,577 Other Notes and Obligations 33,799 37,037 1,444,531 1,508,069 Less Current Maturities 26,997 27,538 $ 1,417,534 $ 1,480,531

Other Comprehensive Income (Tab

Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
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 3, 2021 and March 28, 2020 are as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended Before-Tax Tax (Expense) Net-of-Tax Amount or Benefit Amount April 3, 2021 March 28, 2020 April 3, 2021 March 28, 2020 April 3, 2021 March 28, 2020 Defined benefit pension plans Amortization of prior service (cost)/benefit $ 5 $ 8 $ (1) $ (2) $ 4 $ 6 Amortization of actuarial loss 1,052 854 (264) (212) 788 642 Total defined benefit pension plans 1,057 862 (265) (214) 792 648 Soybean meal option derivatives Reclassified to earnings (280) — 71 — (209) — Activity recognized in other comprehensive income/(loss) (64) — 16 — (48) — Total soybean meal option derivatives (344) — 87 — (257) — Corn option derivatives Reclassified to earnings 3,920 300 (996) (75) 2,924 225 Activity recognized in other comprehensive income/(loss) (4,993) (119) 1,269 30 (3,724) (89) Total corn option derivatives (1,073) 181 273 (45) (800) 136 Heating oil derivatives Activity recognized in other comprehensive income/(loss) 4,644 14,494 (1,180) (3,624) 3,464 10,870 Total heating oil derivatives 4,644 14,494 (1,180) (3,624) 3,464 10,870 Foreign exchange derivatives Reclassified to earnings 224 (412) (75) 129 149 (283) Activity recognized in other comprehensive income/(loss) (10,457) (12,920) 3,502 4,052 (6,955) (8,868) Total foreign exchange derivatives (10,233) (13,332) 3,427 4,181 (6,806) (9,151) Foreign currency translation (39,737) (65,887) 1,515 651 (38,222) (65,236) Other comprehensive income/(loss) $ (45,686) $ (63,682) $ 3,857 $ 949 $ (41,829) $ (62,733)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	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 3, 2021 and March 28, 2020 as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended April 3, 2021 March 28, 2020 Statement of Operations Classification Derivative instruments Soybean meal derivatives $ 280 $ — Net sales Foreign exchange contracts (224) 412 Net sales Corn option derivatives (3,920) (300) Cost of sales and operating expenses (3,864) 112 Total before tax 1,000 (54) Income taxes (2,864) 58 Net of tax Defined benefit pension plans Amortization of prior service cost $ (5) $ (8) (a) Amortization of actuarial loss (1,052) (854) (a) (1,057) (862) Total before tax 265 214 Income taxes (792) (648) Net of tax Total reclassifications $ (3,656) $ (590) Net of tax (a) These items are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See Note 13 (Employee Benefit Plans) to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statement included herein for additional information.
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following table presents changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) as of April 3, 2021 as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended April 3, 2021 Foreign Currency Derivative Defined Benefit Translation Instruments Pension Plans Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive loss January 2, 2021, attributable to Darling, net of tax $ (210,902) $ (3,214) $ (38,317) $ (252,433) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications (38,222) (7,263) — (45,485) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss — 2,864 792 3,656 Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss) (38,222) (4,399) 792 (41,829) Noncontrolling interest 1,534 — — 1,534 Accumulated Other Comprehensive loss April 3, 2021, attributable to Darling, net of tax (250,658) $ (7,613) $ (37,525) $ (295,796)

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Net pension cost	Net pension cost for the three months ended April 3, 2021 and March 28, 2020 includes the following components (in thousands): Pension Benefits Three Months Ended April 3, March 28, Service cost $ 785 $ 755 Interest cost 1,204 1,428 Expected return on plan assets (2,321) (2,039) Amortization of prior service cost 5 8 Amortization of actuarial loss 1,052 854 Net pension cost $ 725 $ 1,006

Derivatives (Tables)

Derivatives (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Derivative Instruments	(in thousands): Functional Currency Contract Currency Type Amount Type Amount Brazilian real 49,335 Euro 7,305 Brazilian real 1,103,561 U.S. dollar 241,320 Euro 35,967 U.S. dollar 42,810 Euro 43,119 Polish zloty 198,500 Euro 6,293 Japanese yen 808,776 Euro 16,176 Chinese renminbi 126,124 Euro 42,340 Australian dollar 65,550 Euro 3,048 British pound 2,600 Euro 32 Canadian dollar 50 Polish zloty 1,031 U.S. dollar 262 Polish zloty 24,116 Euro 5,195 British pound 176 Euro 207 Japanese yen 231,803 U.S. dollar 2,159 U.S. dollar 100 Japanese yen 11,000 U.S. dollar 165,311 Euro 140,000
Schedule of Other Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location	The table below summarizes the effect of derivatives not designated as hedges on the Company's consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended April 3, 2021 and March 28, 2020 (in thousands): Loss or (Gain) Recognized in Income on Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges Three Months Ended Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments Location April 3, 2021 March 28, 2020 Foreign exchange Foreign currency loss $ 5,389 $ (1,295) Foreign exchange Net sales 729 730 Foreign exchange Cost of sales and operating expenses (444) (887) Foreign exchange Selling, general and administrative expense 2,531 5,724 Corn options and futures Net sales (998) 855 Corn options and futures Cost of sales and operating expenses 1,469 (1,841) Total $ 8,676 $ 3,286

Fair Value Measurement (Tables)

Fair Value Measurement (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
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 3, 2021 Using Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant (In thousands of dollars) Total (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Assets: Derivative instruments $ 2,211 $ — $ 2,211 $ — Total Assets $ 2,211 $ — $ 2,211 $ — Liabilities: Derivative instruments $ 10,483 $ — $ 10,483 $ — 5.25% Senior notes 526,650 — 526,650 — 3.625% Senior notes 617,284 — 617,284 — Term loan B 249,375 — 249,375 — Revolver debt 68,655 — 68,655 — Total Liabilities $ 1,472,447 $ — $ 1,472,447 $ — Fair Value Measurements at January 2, 2021 Using Quoted Prices in Significant Other Significant (In thousands of dollars) Total (Level 1) (Level 2) (Level 3) Assets: Derivative instruments $ 17,358 $ — $ 17,358 $ — Total Assets $ 17,358 $ — $ 17,358 $ — Liabilities: Derivative instruments $ 9,778 $ — $ 9,778 $ — 5.25% Senior notes 531,300 — 531,300 — 3.625% Senior notes 646,323 — 646,323 — Term loan B 298,500 — 298,500 — Revolver debt 54,175 — 54,175 — Total Liabilities $ 1,540,076 $ — $ 1,540,076 $ —

Business Segments (Tables)

Business Segments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business Segments	Business Segments (in thousands): Feed Ingredients Food Ingredients Fuel Ingredients Corporate Total Three Months Ended April 3, 2021 Net Sales $ 651,444 $ 298,065 $ 97,207 $ — $ 1,046,716 Cost of sales and operating expenses 474,581 226,413 71,790 — 772,784 Gross Margin 176,863 71,652 25,417 — 273,932 Loss/(gain) on sale of assets (139) 55 20 — (64) Selling, general and administrative expense 52,620 25,191 4,867 14,720 97,398 Restructuring and asset impairment charges — — 778 — 778 Depreciation and amortization 54,609 14,883 6,155 2,887 78,534 Equity in net income of Diamond Green Diesel — — 102,225 — 102,225 Segment operating income/(loss) 69,773 31,523 115,822 (17,607) 199,511 Equity in net income of other unconsolidated subsidiaries 612 — — — 612 Segment income/(loss) 70,385 31,523 115,822 (17,607) 200,123 Total other expense (17,997) Income before income taxes $ 182,126 Segment assets at April 3, 2021 $ 2,708,035 $ 1,235,547 $ 1,229,461 $ 418,404 $ 5,591,447 Feed Ingredients Food Ingredients Fuel Ingredients Corporate Total Three Months Ended March 28, 2020 Net Sales $ 512,625 $ 270,294 $ 69,923 $ — $ 852,842 Cost of sales and operating expenses 388,453 205,430 53,025 — 646,908 Gross Margin 124,172 64,864 16,898 — 205,934 Loss on sale of assets 50 2 9 — 61 Selling, general and administrative expense 53,947 25,476 1,654 15,116 96,193 Depreciation and amortization 53,521 20,305 8,092 2,753 84,671 Equity in net income of Diamond Green Diesel — — 97,820 — 97,820 Segment operating income/(loss) 16,654 19,081 104,963 (17,869) 122,829 Equity in net income of other unconsolidated subsidiaries 869 — — — 869 Segment income/(loss) 17,523 19,081 104,963 (17,869) 123,698 Total other expense (19,307) Income before income taxes $ 104,391 Segment assets at January 2, 2021 $ 2,708,922 $ 1,335,769 $ 1,160,132 $ 408,508 $ 5,613,331

Revenue (Tables)

Revenue (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Disaggregation of Revenue	The following tables present the Company revenues disaggregated by geographic area and major product types by reportable segment for the three months ended April 3, 2021 and March 28, 2020 (in thousands): Three Months Ended April 3, 2021 Feed Ingredients Food Ingredients Fuel Ingredients Total Geographic Area North America $ 549,015 $ 60,940 $ 3,350 $ 613,305 Europe 97,645 155,363 93,857 346,865 China 1,938 57,932 — 59,870 South America — 10,454 — 10,454 Other 2,846 13,376 — 16,222 Net sales $ 651,444 $ 298,065 $ 97,207 $ 1,046,716 Major product types Fats $ 229,006 $ 41,433 $ — $ 270,439 Used cooking oil 51,029 — — 51,029 Proteins 255,507 — — 255,507 Bakery 63,105 — — 63,105 Other rendering 42,957 — — 42,957 Food ingredients — 229,542 — 229,542 Bioenergy — — 93,857 93,857 Biofuels — — 3,350 3,350 Other 9,840 27,090 — 36,930 Net sales $ 651,444 $ 298,065 $ 97,207 $ 1,046,716 Three Months Ended March 28, 2020 Feed Ingredients Food Ingredients Fuel Ingredients Total Geographic Area North America $ 427,463 $ 46,415 $ 5,400 $ 479,278 Europe 80,443 158,587 64,523 303,553 China 2,423 39,956 — 42,379 South America — 10,586 — 10,586 Other 2,296 14,750 — 17,046 Net sales $ 512,625 $ 270,294 $ 69,923 $ 852,842 Major product types Fats $ 163,284 $ 33,476 $ — $ 196,760 Used cooking oil 47,608 — — 47,608 Proteins 195,980 — — 195,980 Bakery 47,101 — — 47,101 Other rendering 47,164 — — 47,164 Food ingredients — 214,793 — 214,793 Bioenergy — — 64,523 64,523 Biofuels — — 5,400 5,400 Other 11,488 22,025 — 33,513 Net sales $ 512,625 $ 270,294 $ 69,923 $ 852,842

Summary of Significant Accoun_4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021	Mar. 28, 2020	Jan. 02, 2021
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Term of contract not recognized	12 months
Operating lease, liability	$ 146,841		$ 149,166
Operating right-of-use assets, net	145,238		$ 146,563
Financing Receivable, Sale	106,900	$ 84,500
Financing Receivable, Significant Sales, Transaction Fees	300	400
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	(39,800)	(65,100)
Basic:
Net income	$ 151,766	$ 85,510
Shares (in shares)	162,925,000	163,474,000
Per Share (in usd per share)	$ 0.93	$ 0.52
Effect of dilutive securities: [Abstract]
Add: Option shares in the money and dilutive effect of non-vested stock (in shares)	5,733,000	6,749,000
Less: Pro forma treasury shares (in shares)	(909,000)	(2,296,000)
Diluted:
Net Income	$ 151,766	$ 85,510
Shares (in shares)	167,749,000	167,927,000
Per Share (in usd per share)	$ 0.90	$ 0.51
Stock Options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities [Abstract]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	0	551,877
Non Vested Stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities [Abstract]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	162,896	406,502

Summary of Significant Accoun_5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 03, 2021	Jan. 02, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 71,199	$ 81,617

Investment in Unconsolidated _3

Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiary (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021	Mar. 28, 2020	Jan. 02, 2021	Jan. 21, 2011
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment in the joint venture	$ 915,085		$ 804,682
Income (loss) from equity method investments	612	$ 869
Distributions of earnings from other unconsolidated subsidiaries	57	0
Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage				50.00%
Investment in the joint venture	879,700
Income (loss) from equity method investments	102,200	97,800
Income Tax Credits and Adjustments	$ 79,000	$ 80,000
Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC Joint Venture [Member] | Valero Energy Corporation [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage				50.00%

Investment in Unconsolidated _4

Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiary (Assets, Liabilities and members' equity) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 03, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Jan. 02, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Mar. 28, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019
ASSETS
Assets, Current	$ 940,767		$ 986,994
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	1,822,075		1,863,814
Other assets	59,099		60,682
Segment Assets	5,591,447		5,613,331
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current portion of long-term debt	26,997		27,538
Other non-current liabilities	115,799		117,371
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	3,029,946		2,954,209		$ 2,608,442	$ 2,643,350
Liabilities and Equity	$ 5,591,447		$ 5,613,331
Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC Joint Venture [Member] | Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee or Group of Investees
ASSETS
Assets, Current		$ 477,840		$ 383,557
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net		1,437,905		1,238,726
Other assets		39,171		36,082
Segment Assets		1,954,916		1,658,365
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current portion of long-term debt		562		517
Other Liabilities, Current		177,594		99,787
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities		8,702		8,705
Other non-current liabilities		8,722		3,758
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		1,759,336		1,545,598
Liabilities and Equity		$ 1,954,916		$ 1,658,365

Investment in Unconsolidated _5

Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiary (Revenues and Expenses) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 28, 2020
Revenues:
Operating revenues	$ 1,046,716			$ 852,842
Expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses	772,784			646,908
Total costs and expenses	949,430			827,833
Operating income	199,511			122,829
Net income	$ 153,418			$ 86,091
Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC Joint Venture [Member] | Equity Method Investment, Nonconsolidated Investee or Group of Investees
Revenues:
Operating revenues		$ 431,633	$ 358,615
Expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses		215,234	151,347
Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense		11,687	11,774
Total costs and expenses		226,921	163,121
Operating income		204,712	195,494
Other income		58	461
Interest and debt expense, net		(320)	(315)
Net income		$ 204,450	$ 195,640

Inventories (Details)

Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 03, 2021	Jan. 02, 2021
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Finished product	$ 250,237	$ 233,044
Work in process	87,219	87,223
Raw Material	35,229	36,746
Supplies and other	47,974	48,909
Inventories	$ 420,659	$ 405,922

Intangible Assets (Details)

Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021	Mar. 28, 2020	Jan. 02, 2021
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets	$ 54,184		$ 55,349
Finite Lived Intangible Assets:	967,832		986,417
Accumulated Amortization:	(569,477)		(568,086)
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	452,539		473,680
Intangible assets, period decrease	9,500
Amortization of Intangible Assets	17,000	$ 18,200
Trade Names [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets	54,184		55,349
Trade Names [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets:	65,675		65,675
Accumulated Amortization:	(41,125)		(39,491)
Collection Routes [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets:	393,937		397,342
Accumulated Amortization:	(206,137)		(203,392)
Royalty, consulting land use and leasehold [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets:	25,616		25,909
Accumulated Amortization:	(7,119)		(6,976)
Permits [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets:	481,959		494,191
Accumulated Amortization:	(314,741)		(315,246)
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets:	645		3,300
Accumulated Amortization:	$ (355)		$ (2,981)

Goodwill (Details)

Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	$ 1,308,195
Accumulated impairment losses	(47,955)
Goodwill	1,260,240
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	201
Foreign currency translation	(19,199)
Goodwill	1,289,197
Accumulated impairment losses	(47,955)
Goodwill	1,241,242
Feed Ingredients
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	830,321
Accumulated impairment losses	(15,914)
Goodwill	814,407
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	40
Foreign currency translation	(5,631)
Goodwill	824,730
Accumulated impairment losses	(15,914)
Goodwill	808,816
Fuel Ingredients
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	126,578
Accumulated impairment losses	(31,580)
Goodwill	94,998
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	161
Foreign currency translation	(3,883)
Goodwill	122,856
Accumulated impairment losses	(31,580)
Goodwill	91,276
Food Ingredients
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	351,296
Accumulated impairment losses	(461)
Goodwill	350,835
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0
Foreign currency translation	(9,685)
Goodwill	341,611
Accumulated impairment losses	(461)
Goodwill	$ 341,150

Accrued Expense (Details)

Accrued Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 03, 2021	Jan. 02, 2021
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Compensation and benefits	$ 99,108	$ 121,497
Accrued ad valorem, and franchise taxes	15,779	39,167
Accrued operating expenses	67,132	62,601
Other accrued expense	129,352	112,206
Accrued expenses	$ 311,371	$ 335,471

- Components of Lease Expense (

- Components of Lease Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021	Mar. 28, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Operating lease cost	$ 11,661	$ 11,509
Short-term Lease, Cost	6,408	6,245
Total lease costs	$ 18,069	$ 17,754

- Other Information (Details)

- Other Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021	Mar. 28, 2020	Jan. 02, 2021
Leases [Abstract]
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$ 14,265	$ 12,456
Operating right-of-use assets, net	145,238		$ 146,563
Operating lease liability, current	38,064		39,459
Operating lease liability, non-current	108,777		109,707
Operating Lease, Liability	$ 146,841		$ 149,166
Weighted average remaining lease term - operating leases	6 years 5 months 4 days		6 years 3 months 18 days
Weighted average discount rate - operating leases	4.01%		4.22%

- Maturities of Operating and F

- Maturities of Operating and Financing Lease Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 03, 2021	Jan. 02, 2021
Operating Leases
2021 (excluding the three months ended April 3, 2021)	$ 32,297
2022	34,591
2023	29,567
2024	22,759
2025	14,118
Thereafter	27,721
Operating lease, obligations	161,053
Less amounts representing interest	(14,212)
Lease obligations included in current and long-term liabilities	146,841	$ 149,166
Capital Leases
2021 (excluding the three months ended April 3, 2021)	650
Finance Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year One	824
2023	611
2024	467
2025	331
Thereafter	574
Finance lease, obligations	3,457
Less amounts representing interest	(134)
Lease obligations included in current and long-term liabilities	$ 3,323

Leases - Additional information

Leases - Additional information (Details) $ in Millions	Apr. 03, 2021USD ($)
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lease not yet commenced	$ 3.2
Minimum [Member]
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lease not yet commenced, term of contract	5 years

Debt (Schedule of Long-term Deb

Debt (Schedule of Long-term Debt) (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021USD ($)	Apr. 03, 2021EUR (€)	Jan. 02, 2021USD ($)	Apr. 03, 2019USD ($)	May 02, 2018EUR (€)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Lease Obligation	$ 1,444,531,000		$ 1,508,069,000
Current portion of long-term debt	26,997,000		27,538,000
Long-term debt, net of current portion	$ 1,417,534,000		1,480,531,000
Capital Lease Obligations | €		€ 2,800,000
Senior Secured Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit term	5 years
Term Loan B Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$ 247,021,000		296,202,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	250,000,000		300,000,000
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense	(2,979,000)		(3,798,000)
Senior Notes [Member] | Senior Notes 5.25% Due 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	494,447,000		494,253,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	500,000,000		500,000,000
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense	$ (5,553,000)		(5,747,000)
Stated interest rate	5.25%	5.25%		5.25%
Debt instrument, interest rate, effective percentage	5.47%	5.47%
Face amount of debt instrument				$ 500,000,000
Senior Notes [Member] | Senior Notes 3.625% Due 2026 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$ 600,264,000		625,577,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	606,310,000		632,163,000
Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense	$ (6,046,000)		(6,586,000)
Line of credit outstanding | €		€ 515,000,000
Stated interest rate	3.625%	3.625%			3.625%
Debt instrument, interest rate, effective percentage	3.83%	3.83%
Face amount of debt instrument | €					€ 515,000,000
Notes Payable, Other Payables [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$ 33,799,000		37,037,000
Notes Payable, Other Payables [Member] | Other Debt Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	12,900,000
Notes Payable, Other Payables [Member] | Bank Overdrafts [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	4,700,000
Foreign Line of Credit [Member] | Senior Secured Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit outstanding	11,700,000
Foreign Line of Credit [Member] | Notes Payable, Other Payables [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit outstanding	16,200,000
Letter of Credit [Member] | Senior Secured Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit outstanding	3,800,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Line of Credit [Member] | Senior Secured Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	69,000,000		$ 55,000,000
Term Loan B Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of debt instrument	525,000,000
U.S. dollar | Term Loan B Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit outstanding	$ 250,000,000
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Secured Debt [Member] | Senior Secured Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.50%
Interest rate	1.616%	1.616%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | U.S. dollar | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit outstanding	$ 42,000,000
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | U.S. dollar | Term Loan B Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.00%
Interest rate	2.12%	2.12%
Base Rate [Member] | U.S. dollar | Secured Debt [Member] | Senior Secured Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	0.50%
Interest rate	3.75%	3.75%
Base Rate [Member] | U.S. dollar | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Senior Secured Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit outstanding	$ 27,000,000

Debt (Senior Secured Credit Fac

Debt (Senior Secured Credit Facilities) (Details) - Senior Secured Facilities [Member]	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021USD ($)	Sep. 17, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit term	5 years
Secured Debt [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.50%
Interest rate	1.616%
Secured Debt [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | U.S. dollar
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	0.50%
Interest rate	3.75%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 1,000,000,000
Company availability under revolving loan facility	879,900,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | U.S. dollar
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit outstanding	42,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | U.S. dollar
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit outstanding	27,000,000
Letter of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity	150,000,000
Leverage ratio, denominator		1.5
Line of credit outstanding	3,800,000
Swingline Sub-Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity	50,000,000
Term Loan B Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of debt instrument	525,000,000
Term Loan B Facility [Member] | U.S. dollar
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit outstanding	$ 250,000,000
Term Loan B Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | U.S. dollar
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.00%
Interest rate	2.12%
Foreign Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit outstanding	$ 11,700,000
Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 1,525,000,000
Secured Debt [Member] | Term Loan A Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.50%
Secured Debt [Member] | Term Loan A Facility [Member] | Canadian Prime Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	0.50%
Secured Debt [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company availability under revolving loan facility	$ 970,000,000
Secured Debt [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | U.S. dollar
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company availability under revolving loan facility	$ 30,000,000
Secured Debt [Member] | Term Loan B Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | U.S. dollar
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.00%
Secured Debt [Member] | Term Loan B Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | U.S. dollar
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.00%
Maximum [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Leverage ratio	3.66666666666667	5.50
Minimum [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest ratio	3

Debt Debt (Senior Notes Due 202

Debt Debt (Senior Notes Due 2026) (Details) - Senior Notes [Member] - Senior Notes 3.625% Due 2026 [Member] - EUR (€)	Apr. 03, 2021	May 02, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		€ 515,000,000
Stated interest rate	3.625%	3.625%

Debt Debt (Senior Notes Due 2_2

Debt Debt (Senior Notes Due 2027) (Details) - Senior Notes [Member] - Senior Notes 5.25% Due 2027 [Member] - USD ($)	Apr. 03, 2021	Apr. 03, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount of debt instrument		$ 500,000,000
Stated interest rate	5.25%	5.25%

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021USD ($)
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Unrecognized tax benefits	$ 5.6
Income tax penalties and interest accrued	0.4
Decrease in unrecognized tax benefits	$ 0.2

Other Comprehensive Income (Sch

Other Comprehensive Income (Schedule of OCI) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021	Mar. 28, 2020
Before-Tax Amount:
Amortization of prior service cost	$ 5	$ 8
Amortization of actuarial loss	1,052	854
Total defined benefit pension plans	1,057	862
Foreign currency translation	(39,737)	(65,887)
Other Comprehensive income (loss)	(45,686)	(63,682)
Tax (Expense) or Benefit:
Amortization of prior service cost	(1)	(2)
Amortization of actuarial loss	(264)	(212)
Total defined benefit pension plans	(265)	(214)
Foreign currency translation	1,515	651
Other Comprehensive income (loss)	3,857	949
Net-of-Tax Amount:
Amortization of prior service cost	4	6
Amortization of actuarial loss	788	642
Total defined benefit pension plans	792	648
Foreign currency translation	(38,222)	(65,236)
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(41,829)	(62,733)
Soybean Meal
Before-Tax Amount:
Loss (gain) reclassified to net income	(280)	0
Gain (loss) activity recognized in other comprehensive loss	(64)	0
Total swap derivatives	(344)	0
Tax (Expense) or Benefit:
Loss (gain) reclassified to net income	(71)	0
Gain (loss) activity recognized in other comprehensive loss	(16)	0
Total swap derivatives	(87)	0
Net-of-Tax Amount:
Loss (gain) reclassified to net income	(209)	0
Gain (loss) activity recognized in other comprehensive loss	(48)	0
Total swap derivatives	(257)	0
Corn Option
Before-Tax Amount:
Loss (gain) reclassified to net income	3,920	300
Gain (loss) activity recognized in other comprehensive loss	(4,993)	(119)
Total swap derivatives	(1,073)	181
Tax (Expense) or Benefit:
Loss (gain) reclassified to net income	(996)	(75)
Gain (loss) activity recognized in other comprehensive loss	1,269	30
Total swap derivatives	273	(45)
Net-of-Tax Amount:
Loss (gain) reclassified to net income	2,924	225
Gain (loss) activity recognized in other comprehensive loss	(3,724)	(89)
Total swap derivatives	(800)	136
Heating Oil Swaps And Options
Before-Tax Amount:
Gain (loss) activity recognized in other comprehensive loss	4,644	14,494
Total swap derivatives	4,644	14,494
Tax (Expense) or Benefit:
Gain (loss) activity recognized in other comprehensive loss	(1,180)	(3,624)
Total swap derivatives	(1,180)	(3,624)
Net-of-Tax Amount:
Gain (loss) activity recognized in other comprehensive loss	3,464	10,870
Total swap derivatives	3,464	10,870
Foreign Exchange Contract
Before-Tax Amount:
Loss (gain) reclassified to net income	224	(412)
Gain (loss) activity recognized in other comprehensive loss	(10,457)	(12,920)
Total swap derivatives	(10,233)	(13,332)
Tax (Expense) or Benefit:
Loss (gain) reclassified to net income	(75)	129
Gain (loss) activity recognized in other comprehensive loss	3,502	4,052
Total swap derivatives	3,427	4,181
Net-of-Tax Amount:
Loss (gain) reclassified to net income	149	(283)
Gain (loss) activity recognized in other comprehensive loss	(6,955)	(8,868)
Total swap derivatives	$ (6,806)	$ (9,151)

Other Comprehensive Income (Rec

Other Comprehensive Income (Reclassification out of AOCI) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021	Mar. 28, 2020
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,046,716	$ 852,842
Cost of sales and operating expenses	772,784	646,908
Income taxes	(28,708)	(18,300)
Amortization of prior service cost	5	8
Amortization of actuarial loss	1,052	854
Net income attributable to Darling	151,766	85,510
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Darling	(3,656)	(590)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Derivative Instruments [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before tax	(3,864)	112
Income taxes	1,000	(54)
Net income attributable to Darling	(2,864)	58
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Derivative Instruments [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net sales	(224)	412
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Derivative Instruments [Member] | Corn Option
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of sales and operating expenses	(3,920)	(300)
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Derivative Instruments [Member] | Soybean Meal
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net sales	280	0
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Foreign Currency Translation [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Total before tax	(1,057)	(862)
Income taxes	265	214
Amortization of prior service cost	(5)	(8)
Amortization of actuarial loss	(1,052)	(854)
Net income attributable to Darling	$ (792)	$ (648)

Other Comprehensive Income (S_2

Other Comprehensive Income (Schedule of AOCI) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021USD ($)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive loss January 2, 2021, attributable to Darling, net of tax	$ (252,433)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(45,485)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	3,656
Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss)	(41,829)
Noncontrolling interest	1,534
Accumulated Other Comprehensive loss April 3, 2021, attributable to Darling, net of tax	(295,796)
Foreign Currency Translation [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive loss January 2, 2021, attributable to Darling, net of tax	(210,902)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(38,222)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0
Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss)	(38,222)
Noncontrolling interest	1,534
Accumulated Other Comprehensive loss April 3, 2021, attributable to Darling, net of tax	(250,658)
Derivative Instruments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive loss January 2, 2021, attributable to Darling, net of tax	(3,214)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(7,263)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	2,864
Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss)	(4,399)
Noncontrolling interest	0
Accumulated Other Comprehensive loss April 3, 2021, attributable to Darling, net of tax	(7,613)
Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive loss January 2, 2021, attributable to Darling, net of tax	(38,317)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	792
Net current-period other comprehensive income/(loss)	792
Noncontrolling interest	0
Accumulated Other Comprehensive loss April 3, 2021, attributable to Darling, net of tax	$ (37,525)

Stockholders' Equity (Details)

Stockholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($)	Jan. 04, 2021	Aug. 03, 2020	Apr. 03, 2021	Mar. 28, 2020
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Grants in Period (in shares)	90,689
Grants in period (in shares)	126,711
Annual vesting after initial cliff			33.33%
Performance period two			3 years
Target percentage			100.00%
Repurchase of common stock			$ 0	$ 55,044,000
Remaining authorized repurchase amount			$ 200,000,000
Stock repurchase program, period		2 years
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount		$ 200,000,000

Employee Benefit Plans (Details

Employee Benefit Plans (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021USD ($)plan	Mar. 28, 2020USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Amount Company expects to contribute to its pension plans	$ 3,800
Payment for pension benefits	$ 900	$ 800
Defined Benefit Plan, Additional Information [Abstract]
Number Of Multiemployer Plans, Withdrawal Obligation Could Be Material | plan	2
Number Of Multiemployer Plans Withdrawal Obligation Could Be Material Certified Red Zone | plan	1
Number of Multiemployer Plans, Certified Red Zone | plan	5
Number of Multiemployer Plans, Certified Yellow Zone | plan	2
Number Of Multiemployer Plans, Withdrawal Obligation | plan	4
Additional Liability, Defined Benefit Pension Plan	$ 1,300
Accrued liability representing the present value of scheduled withdrawal liability payments for under-funded multi-employer plan	$ 4,000
Maximum [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Additional Information [Abstract]
Multiemployer Plan, Contributions To Individual Plan, Percent	5.00%
Pension Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit) [Abstract]
Service cost	$ 785	755
Interest cost	1,204	1,428
Expected return on plan assets	(2,321)	(2,039)
Amortization of prior service cost	5	8
Amortization of actuarial loss	1,052	854
Net pension cost	$ 725	$ 1,006

Derivatives (Forward Contracts

Derivatives (Forward Contracts Not Designated as Hedging Instruments) (Details) - Apr. 03, 2021 - Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] € in Thousands, ¥ in Thousands, ¥ in Thousands, £ in Thousands, zł in Thousands, R$ in Thousands, $ in Thousands, $ in Thousands, $ in Thousands	BRL (R$)	EUR (€)	USD ($)	PLN (zł)	JPY (¥)	CNY (¥)	AUD ($)	GBP (£)	CAD ($)
BRI/EUR 1 [Member] | Short [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount | R$	R$ 49335
BRI/EUR 1 [Member] | Long [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount		€ 7,305
BRI/USD [Member] | Short [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount | R$	R$ 1103561
BRI/USD [Member] | Long [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount | $			$ 241,320
EUR/USD [Member] | Short [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount		35,967
EUR/USD [Member] | Long [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount | $			42,810
EUR/PLN [Member] | Short [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount		43,119
EUR/PLN [Member] | Long [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount | zł				zł 198,500
EUR/JPN [Member] | Short [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount		6,293
EUR/JPN [Member] | Long [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount | ¥					¥ 808,776
EUR/CNY [Member] | Short [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount		16,176
EUR/CNY [Member] | Long [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount | ¥						¥ 126,124
EUR/AUD [Member] | Short [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount		42,340
EUR/AUD [Member] | Long [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount | $							$ 65,550
EUR/GBP [Member] | Short [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount		3,048
EUR/GBP [Member] | Long [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount | £								£ 2,600
EUR/CAD | Short [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount		32
EUR/CAD | Long [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount | $									$ 50
PLN/EUR [Member] | Short [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount | zł				24,116
PLN/EUR [Member] | Long [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount		5,195
GBP/EUR | Short [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount | £								£ 176
GBP/EUR | Long [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount		207
JPN/USD [Member] | Short [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount | ¥					231,803
JPN/USD [Member] | Long [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount | $			2,159
USD/JPN | Short [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount | $			100
USD/JPN | Long [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount | ¥					¥ 11,000
USD/EUR | Short [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount | $			165,311
USD/EUR | Long [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount		€ 140,000
PLN/USD | Short [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount | zł				zł 1,031
PLN/USD | Long [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount | $			$ 262

Derivatives (Narrative) (Detail

Derivatives (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021	Mar. 28, 2020	Jan. 02, 2021
Derivative [Line Items]
Net income	$ 153,418,000	$ 86,091,000
Commodity Contract [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Forward purchase amount	71,900,000
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Cash flow hedge gain (loss) to be reclassified within 12 months	10,000,000
Net income	0
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract
Derivative [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	400,000		$ 11,600,000
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member] | Corn Option
Derivative [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	(8,000,000)		(6,800,000)
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Other Current Assets [Member] | Soybean Meal
Derivative [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives Fair Value	$ 100,000		$ 400,000

Derivatives Derivative Effect o

Derivatives Derivative Effect of Derivatives Not Designated As Hedges (Details) - Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021	Mar. 28, 2020
Derivative [Line Items]
Loss or (Gain) Recognized in Income on Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges	$ 8,676	$ 3,286
Foreign Exchange Contract | Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Loss or (Gain) Recognized in Income on Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges	5,389	(1,295)
Foreign Exchange Contract | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Loss or (Gain) Recognized in Income on Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges	2,531	5,724
Foreign Exchange Contract | Sales [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Loss or (Gain) Recognized in Income on Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges	729	730
Foreign Exchange Contract | Cost of Sales [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Loss or (Gain) Recognized in Income on Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges	(444)	(887)
Corn options and futures [Member] | Sales [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Loss or (Gain) Recognized in Income on Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges	(998)	855
Corn options and futures [Member] | Cost of Sales [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Loss or (Gain) Recognized in Income on Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges	$ 1,469	$ (1,841)

Fair Value Measurement (Details

Fair Value Measurement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 03, 2021	Jan. 02, 2021
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative instruments	$ 2,211	$ 17,358
Total Assets	2,211	17,358
Derivative instruments	10,483	9,778
Total Liabilities	1,472,447	1,540,076
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	0
Total Assets	0	0
Derivative instruments	0	0
Total Liabilities	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative instruments	2,211	17,358
Total Assets	2,211	17,358
Derivative instruments	10,483	9,778
Total Liabilities	1,472,447	1,540,076
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative instruments	0	0
Total Assets	0	0
Derivative instruments	0	0
Total Liabilities	0	0
Term Loan B Facility [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	249,375	298,500
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	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	249,375	298,500
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	0
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	68,655	54,175
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	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	68,655	54,175
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	0
Senior Notes 5.25% Due 2027 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	526,650	531,300
Senior Notes 5.25% Due 2027 [Member] | 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	0
Senior Notes 5.25% Due 2027 [Member] | 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	526,650	531,300
Senior Notes 5.25% Due 2027 [Member] | 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	0
Senior Notes 3.625% Due 2026 [Member] | Senior Notes [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Senior Notes	617,284	646,323
Senior Notes 3.625% Due 2026 [Member] | 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	0
Senior Notes 3.625% Due 2026 [Member] | 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	617,284	646,323
Senior Notes 3.625% Due 2026 [Member] | 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	$ 0

Restructuring and Asset Impai_2

Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021	Mar. 28, 2020	Jan. 02, 2021
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and asset impairment charges	$ 778	$ 0	$ 800
Employee Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and asset impairment charges			$ 400

Contingencies (Details)

Contingencies (Details) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2018Party	Nov. 30, 2019USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016Partymi	Apr. 03, 2021USD ($)contaminant	Jan. 02, 2021USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Area of land | mi			8.3
Estimate of possible loss				$ 1,380
Number of parties | Party	100		100
Number of contaminants | contaminant				8
Loss related to litigation settlement		$ 0.6
Insurance Environmental and Litigation Matters [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Reserves for insurance, environmental and litigation contingencies				$ 67.8	$ 66.2
Insurance settlements receivable				27	$ 27
Settled Litigation [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of parties | Party	20
Pending Litigation [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimate of possible loss				$ 165
Number of parties | Party	40
Plant, One [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss related to litigation settlement		0.3
Plant, Two [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss related to litigation settlement		$ 0.3

Business Segments (Narrative) (

Business Segments (Narrative) (Details)	Apr. 03, 2021segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of Business Segments	3

Business Segments (Details)

Business Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021	Mar. 28, 2020	Jan. 02, 2021
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,046,716	$ 852,842
Cost of sales and operating expenses	772,784	646,908
Loss/(gain) on sale of assets	64	(61)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	97,398	96,193
Restructuring and asset impairment charges	778	0	$ 800
Depreciation and amortization	78,534	84,671
Equity in net income of Diamond Green Diesel	102,225	97,820
Operating income	199,511	122,829
Equity in net income of other unconsolidated subsidiaries	612	869
Total other expense	(17,997)	(19,307)
Income before income taxes	182,126	104,391
Segment Assets	5,591,447		5,613,331
Feed Ingredients
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net sales	651,444	512,625
Cost of sales and operating expenses	474,581	388,453
Gross Margin	176,863	124,172
Loss/(gain) on sale of assets	(139)	50
Selling, general and administrative expenses	52,620	53,947
Restructuring and asset impairment charges	0
Depreciation and amortization	54,609	53,521
Equity in net income of Diamond Green Diesel	0	0
Operating income	69,773	16,654
Equity in net income of other unconsolidated subsidiaries	612	869
Segment income/(loss)	70,385	17,523
Segment Assets	2,708,035		2,708,922
Food Ingredients
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net sales	298,065	270,294
Cost of sales and operating expenses	226,413	205,430
Gross Margin	71,652	64,864
Loss/(gain) on sale of assets	55	2
Selling, general and administrative expenses	25,191	25,476
Restructuring and asset impairment charges	0
Depreciation and amortization	14,883	20,305
Equity in net income of Diamond Green Diesel	0	0
Operating income	31,523	19,081
Equity in net income of other unconsolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Segment income/(loss)	31,523	19,081
Segment Assets	1,235,547		1,335,769
Fuel Ingredients
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net sales	97,207	69,923
Cost of sales and operating expenses	71,790	53,025
Gross Margin	25,417	16,898
Loss/(gain) on sale of assets	20	9
Selling, general and administrative expenses	4,867	1,654
Restructuring and asset impairment charges	778
Depreciation and amortization	6,155	8,092
Equity in net income of Diamond Green Diesel	102,225	97,820
Operating income	115,822	104,963
Equity in net income of other unconsolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Segment income/(loss)	115,822	104,963
Segment Assets	1,229,461		1,160,132
Corporate
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Cost of sales and operating expenses	0	0
Gross Margin	0	0
Loss/(gain) on sale of assets	0	0
Selling, general and administrative expenses	14,720	15,116
Restructuring and asset impairment charges	0
Depreciation and amortization	2,887	2,753
Equity in net income of Diamond Green Diesel	0	0
Operating income	(17,607)	(17,869)
Equity in net income of other unconsolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Segment income/(loss)	(17,607)	(17,869)
Segment Assets	418,404		408,508
Total
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net sales	1,046,716	852,842
Cost of sales and operating expenses	772,784	646,908
Gross Margin	273,932	205,934
Loss/(gain) on sale of assets	(64)	61
Selling, general and administrative expenses	97,398	96,193
Restructuring and asset impairment charges	778
Depreciation and amortization	78,534	84,671
Equity in net income of Diamond Green Diesel	102,225	97,820
Operating income	199,511	122,829
Equity in net income of other unconsolidated subsidiaries	612	869
Segment income/(loss)	200,123	$ 123,698
Segment Assets	$ 5,591,447		$ 5,613,331

Revenue (Details)

Revenue (Details)	Apr. 03, 2021source
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Number of revenue sources	2

Revenue Disaggregation of Reven

Revenue Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021	Mar. 28, 2020
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,046,716	$ 852,842
Feed Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	651,444	512,625
Food Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	298,065	270,294
Fuel Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	97,207	69,923
North America
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	613,305	479,278
North America | Feed Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	549,015	427,463
North America | Food Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	60,940	46,415
North America | Fuel Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	3,350	5,400
Europe
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	346,865	303,553
Europe | Feed Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	97,645	80,443
Europe | Food Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	155,363	158,587
Europe | Fuel Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	93,857	64,523
China
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	59,870	42,379
China | Feed Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	1,938	2,423
China | Food Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	57,932	39,956
China | Fuel Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
South America
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	10,454	10,586
South America | Feed Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
South America | Food Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	10,454	10,586
South America | Fuel Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Other
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	16,222	17,046
Other | Feed Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	2,846	2,296
Other | Food Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	13,376	14,750
Other | Fuel Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Fats
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	270,439	196,760
Fats | Feed Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	229,006	163,284
Fats | Food Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	41,433	33,476
Fats | Fuel Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Used cooking oil
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	51,029	47,608
Used cooking oil | Feed Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	51,029	47,608
Used cooking oil | Food Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Used cooking oil | Fuel Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Proteins
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	255,507	195,980
Proteins | Feed Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	255,507	195,980
Proteins | Food Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Proteins | Fuel Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Bakery
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	63,105	47,101
Bakery | Feed Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	63,105	47,101
Bakery | Food Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Bakery | Fuel Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Other rendering
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	42,957	47,164
Other rendering | Feed Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	42,957	47,164
Other rendering | Food Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Other rendering | Fuel Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Food ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	229,542	214,793
Food ingredients | Feed Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Food ingredients | Food Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	229,542	214,793
Food ingredients | Fuel Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Bioenergy
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	93,857	64,523
Bioenergy | Feed Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Bioenergy | Food Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Bioenergy | Fuel Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	93,857	64,523
Biofuels
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	3,350	5,400
Biofuels | Feed Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Biofuels | Food Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Biofuels | Fuel Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	3,350	5,400
Other
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	36,930	33,513
Other | Feed Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	9,840	11,488
Other | Food Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	27,090	22,025
Other | Fuel Ingredients
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 0	$ 0

Revenue Revenue from Long-term

Revenue Revenue from Long-term Performance Obligations, Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021USD ($)
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue recognized	$ 15

Revenue Revenue from Long-ter_2

Revenue Revenue from Long-term Performance Obligations (Details) - Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2020-03-29 $ in Millions	Apr. 03, 2021USD ($)
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Expected timing of satisfaction	2 years
Remaining performance obligation	$ 154.7

Related Party Transactions (Det

Related Party Transactions (Details)	Apr. 01, 2021USD ($)agreement	Mar. 30, 2019	Apr. 03, 2021USD ($)	Mar. 28, 2020USD ($)	Jan. 02, 2021USD ($)	Feb. 29, 2020USD ($)agreement	May 01, 2019USD ($)
IMTT Terminaling Agreements
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number Of Terminaling Agreements | agreement						2
Related Party, Unrecorded Unconditional Guarantee						$ 50,000,000
GTL Terminaling Agreements
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number Of Terminaling Agreements | agreement	2
Related Party, Unrecorded Unconditional Guarantee	$ 160,000,000
Related Party, Initial Agreement Term	20 years
Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from Related Parties			$ 89,000,000	$ 62,100,000
Accounts Receivable, Related Parties, Current			12,600,000		$ 14,200,000
Related Party Sales Eliminated			14,600,000	5,700,000
Deferred Revenue, Additions			4,100,000	$ 1,000,000
Revolving Loan Agreement [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revolving Loan Agreement, Maximum Borrowing Capacity							$ 50,000,000
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							$ 25,000,000
LIBO Rate [Member] | Revolving Loan Agreement [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate		2.50%