Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 01, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 875,374	$ 878,510
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales and operating expenses	678,099	687,966
Selling, general and administrative expenses	86,902	86,923
Depreciation and amortization	78,619	71,114
Total costs and expenses	843,620	846,003
Operating income	31,754	32,507
Other expense:
Interest expense	(23,124)	(21,680)
Foreign currency loss	(1,481)	(264)
Other expense, net	(2,516)	(2,053)
Total other expense	(27,121)	(23,997)
Equity in net income of unconsolidated subsidiaries	97,154	706
Income before income taxes	101,787	9,216
Income tax expense	3,712	1,818
Net income	98,075	7,398
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(770)	(1,569)
Net income attributable to Darling	$ 97,305	$ 5,829
Basic income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.59	$ 0.04
Diluted income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.58	$ 0.04

The aggregate costs related to goods produced and sold and services rendered by an entity during the reporting period. This excludes costs incurred during the reporting period related to financial services rendered and other revenue generating activities.

Name:	us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total costs of sales and operating expenses for the period.