CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 25, 2010
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 2,189,938	$ 2,417,797	$ 2,059,797
Cost of goods sold	1,904,463	2,115,677	1,774,811
Depreciation and amortization	31,495	36,865	40,364
Selling, general, and administrative expense	129,456	135,953	131,211
Litigation settlement	(4,050)	(10,500)	0
Insurance settlements	(1,500)	0	(22,736)
Severance	3,369	0	0
Operating income	126,705	139,802	136,147
Interest expense	(6,890)	(11,553)	(11,647)
Other income (expense), net	539	1,912	(2,650)
Income before income taxes	120,354	130,161	121,850
Income tax expense	(36,681)	(43,075)	(34,315)
Consolidated net income	83,673	87,086	87,535
Less net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1,278)	(765)	(1,364)
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.	$ 82,395	$ 86,321	$ 86,171
Weighted average shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	35,332	37,835	37,672
Effect of dilutive stock-based awards (in shares)	414	361	97
Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted earnings per share (in shares)	35,746	38,196	37,769
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.33	$ 2.28	$ 2.29
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 2.31	$ 2.26	$ 2.28
Dividends per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.425	$ 0.40	$ 0.40