Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 05, 2019	Nov. 01, 2019
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Oct. 05, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	FLO
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Registrant Name	FLOWERS FOODS, INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001128928
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-16247
Entity Tax Identification Number	58-2582379
Entity Address, Address Line One	1919 FLOWERS CIRCLE
Entity Address, City or Town	THOMASVILLE
Entity Address, State or Province	GA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	31757
City Area Code	229
Local Phone Number	226-9110
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	2Q
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-28
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		211,514,071