CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 26, 2021	Jun. 27, 2020
Cash flows from operating activities
Consolidated net income	$ 176,170	$ 62,438
Reconciliation of consolidated net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	22,975	22,296
Stock-based compensation expense	4,817	4,198
Provision for doubtful accounts receivable	1,280	1,850
Loss from unconsolidated affiliates	2,668	14,756
Redemption premium	5,674	0
Gain on disposals of properties	(819)	(9)
Impairment charges	0	3,035
Deferred income tax expense	3,252	764
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of businesses acquired:
Receivables	(190,944)	(11,212)
Inventories	(63,949)	43,263
Other assets	(5,482)	3,967
Current liabilities	50,456	(277)
Other liabilities	3,429	(5,369)
Other, net	(247)	3,082
Net cash provided by operating activities	9,280	142,782
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(17,978)	(22,215)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(13,935)	(15,415)
Payment received for notes receivable	8,539	0
Proceeds from sales of assets	1,730	1
Net cash used in investing activities	(21,644)	(37,629)
Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends paid to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.	(14,546)	(11,168)
Repurchase of common stock	0	(5,574)
Issuance of debt	425,000	110,015
Repayments of debt	(400,497)	(166,021)
Issuance (repayment) of debt by consolidated joint ventures, net	463	(471)
Net cash received to settle stock-based awards	414	696
Debt issuance costs	(1,111)	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	9,723	(72,523)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	987	(6,160)
(Decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	(1,654)	26,470
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the beginning of the period	127,376	98,042
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the end of the period	$ 125,722	$ 124,512