CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2021	Sep. 26, 2020
Cash flows from operating activities
Consolidated net income	$ 348,426	$ 106,395
Reconciliation of consolidated net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	33,932	33,127
Stock-based compensation expense	7,228	6,332
Provision for doubtful accounts receivable	1,310	953
(Income) loss from unconsolidated affiliates	(131)	20,213
Redemption premium	5,674	0
(Gain) loss on disposals of properties	(1,135)	144
Gain on sale of businesses	(54,759)	0
Impairment charges	2,568	3,035
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	6,304	(836)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of businesses acquired and sold:
Receivables	(155,103)	(45,530)
Inventories	(96,505)	41,598
Other assets	(9,335)	9,053
Current liabilities	85,523	25,913
Other liabilities	8,335	(5,813)
Other, net	(851)	2,294
Net cash provided by operating activities	181,481	196,878
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(25,547)	(29,204)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(13,935)	(72,648)
Proceeds from sale of businesses, net of cash sold	74,250	0
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	(1,613)	0
Payment received for (issuance of) notes receivable	8,539
Payment received for (issuance of) notes receivable		(9,155)
Proceeds from sales of assets	2,124	12
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	43,818	(110,995)
Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends paid to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.	(21,846)	(16,754)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests	(9,722)	0
Repurchase of common stock	0	(5,574)
Payment of contingent consideration	(1,250)	(7,000)
Issuance of debt	475,000	150,027
Repayments of debt	(680,572)	(186,492)
Repayment of debt by consolidated joint ventures, net	(4,865)	(299)
Net cash received (used) to settle stock-based awards	219
Net cash received (used) to settle stock-based awards		(160)
Debt issuance costs	(1,111)	0
Net cash used in financing activities	(244,147)	(66,252)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(377)	(3,294)
(Decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	(19,225)	16,337
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	$ 108,151	$ 114,379