<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-19-033031.txt : 20191118
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-19-033031.hdr.sgml : 20191118
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20191118161503
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-19-033031
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20191114
FILED AS OF DATE:		20191118
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20191118

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MUKHERJEE DEBO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001718726

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-16247
		FILM NUMBER:		191227719

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		101 COUNTRY CHASE DRIVE
		CITY:			WIND GAP
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			18091

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FLOWERS FOODS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001128928
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	FOOD & KINDRED PRODUCTS [2000]
		IRS NUMBER:				582582379
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			GA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1228

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1919 FLOWERS CIRCLE
		CITY:			THOMASVILLE
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			31757
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9122269110

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1919 FLOWERS CIRCLE
		CITY:			THOMASVILLE
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			31757
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2019-11-14</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001128928</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FLOWERS FOODS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FLO</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001718726</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MUKHERJEE DEBO</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>84 BUCKFAST COURT</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>THOMASVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>GA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>31792-8693</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>Chief Marketing Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2019-11-14</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1650</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>21.35</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3200</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Stephen R. Avera, Agent</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2019-11-18</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
