Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2020	May 04, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 28, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-31410
Entity Registrant Name	PRIMO WATER CORP
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	Z4
Entity Tax Identification Number	98-0154711
Entity Address, Address Line One	4221 West Boy Scout Boulevard
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 400
Entity Address, City or Town	Tampa,
Entity Address, State or Province	FL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	33607
Entity Address, Country	US
City Area Code	813
Local Phone Number	313-1732
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Shares, no par value per share
Trading Symbol	PRMW
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		159,843,106
Entity Central Index Key	0000884713
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-02
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false