CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 25, 2022	Jun. 26, 2021
Cash flows from operating activities
Consolidated net income	$ 366,772	$ 176,170
Reconciliation of consolidated net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	22,322	22,975
Stock-based compensation expense	5,171	4,817
Provision for doubtful accounts receivable	151	1,280
(Income) loss from unconsolidated affiliates	(5,012)	2,668
Redemption premium	0	5,674
Gain on disposals of properties	(6,800)	(819)
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense	(373)	3,252
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of businesses acquired and sold:
Receivables	(146,438)	(190,944)
Inventories	(49,354)	(63,949)
Other assets	(6,095)	(5,482)
Current liabilities	28,906	50,456
Other liabilities	(4,283)	3,429
Other, net	(433)	(247)
Net cash provided by operating activities	204,534	9,280
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures	(23,248)	(17,978)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	0	(13,935)
Payment received for (issuance of) notes receivable	0	8,539
Proceeds from sales of assets	7,561	1,730
Dividends from unconsolidated affiliates	1,609	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(14,078)	(21,644)
Cash flows from financing activities
Dividends paid to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.	(27,968)	(14,546)
Repurchase of common stock	(33,469)	0
Issuance of debt	0	425,000
Repayments of debt	(111)	(400,497)
Issuance of debt by consolidated joint ventures, net	360	463
Net cash (used) received to settle stock-based awards	(95)	414
Debt issuance costs	0	(1,111)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(61,283)	9,723
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(2,234)	987
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	126,939	(1,654)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the beginning of the period	90,376	127,376
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the end of the period	$ 217,315	$ 125,722