Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) Segment shares	Dec. 26, 2015 USD ($) Segment shares	Dec. 27, 2014 USD ($)
Common Stock Split [Abstract]
Conversion ratio for stock split	2
Number of shares given as stock dividend for each outstanding share (in shares) | shares	1
Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Temporary investments	$ 40,900	$ 106,400
Restricted cash	$ 9,000	$ 3,700
Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate [Abstract]
Interest in the Joint Venture	50.00%
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Abstract]
Specified percentage over which unrecognized gains and losses are amortized	10.00%
Average remaining service period for the pension plans	9 years
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Stock-based awards excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares) | shares	190,000	427,000
Foreign Currency Translation [Abstract]
Foreign currency transaction (losses) gains	$ 400	$ (1,700)	$ 100
Change in Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments | Segment	3	2
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Excess tax benefits recorded through income tax expense	$ 48,137	$ 43,382	$ 45,479
Buildings [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	20 years
Buildings [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	40 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	5 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, useful life	20 years
Mueller-Xingrong [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Non-controlling ownership interest	49.50%
Mueller-Jungwoo [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Non-controlling ownership interest	40.00%
ASU 2016-09 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Excess tax benefits recorded through income tax expense	$ 900