CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - 6 months ended Jul. 02, 2017 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common stock	Class B common stock	Preferred Stock	Common Stock Common stock	Common Stock Class B common stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Retained Earnings Common stock	Retained Earnings Class B common stock	Treasury Common Stock	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiaries
Beginning balance, stockholders' equity at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 827,687			$ 0	$ 299,281	$ 60,620	$ 869,857	$ 6,115,961			$ (6,183,975)	$ (375,888)	$ 41,831
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss) attributable to The Hershey Company	328,545							328,545
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(27,570)												(27,570)
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest	300,975
Other comprehensive income (loss)	20,340											19,924	416
Dividends:
Common Stock		$ (188,961)	$ (68,136)						$ (188,961)	$ (68,136)
Stock-based compensation	23,243						23,243
Exercise of stock options and incentive-based transactions	54,826						11,488				43,338
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method	99,992										99,992
Ending balance, stockholders' equity at Jul. 02, 2017	$ 869,982			$ 0	$ 299,281	$ 60,620	$ 904,588	$ 6,187,409			$ (6,240,629)	$ (355,964)	$ 14,677