Stock repurchase program, authorized amount Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount Hedging Designation [Domain] Hedging Designation [Domain] Supplemental Disclosure Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax Vested (shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Net income attributable to The Hershey Company Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Performance assumption change (shares) Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Performance Assumption Change The change in the number of shares under a share-based award plan other than a stock option plan due to a change in the performance assumptions. Entity Emerging Growth Company Entity Emerging Growth Company Operating lease ROU assets Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset Payroll, compensation and benefits Employee-related Liabilities, Current Interest cost Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost Income Statement Location [Axis] Income Statement Location [Axis] Interest rate swap agreements Interest Rate Contract [Member] Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization Statistical Measurement [Domain] Statistical Measurement [Domain] Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, Address Line One Derivative liability Derivative Liability Common Stock Dividends, Common Stock, Cash Foreign currency translation gains (losses) during period, tax (expense) benefit Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Tax Forfeited (USD per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Shares Issued, Shares, Share-based Payment Arrangement, before Forfeiture Shares Issued, Shares, Share-based Payment Arrangement, before Forfeiture Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Other liabilities assumed, primarily current liabilities Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Other Forfeited (shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period Restructuring Type [Axis] Restructuring Type [Axis] Operating leases, Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) Operating Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term Other non-current assets Total other non-current assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Expected return on plan assets Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return (Loss) on Plan Assets Segments [Axis] Segments [Axis] Dividend yields Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate Retirement Benefits [Abstract] Retirement Benefits [Abstract] Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect Schedule of Other (Income) Expense, Net Schedule of Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Table Text Block] Expected volatility Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate Stock-based compensation APIC, Share-based Payment Arrangement, Increase for Cost Recognition Intrinsic value of options exercised (in millions of dollars) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value Goodwill Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Fair Value Hedging Fair Value Hedging [Member] Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Retirement Plan Name [Domain] Retirement Plan Name [Domain] Dividends paid per share: Dividends (including dividend equivalents): Dividends, Common Stock [Abstract] Lease, Description [Line Items] Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Deferred income taxes Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Liabilities Amortization of Intangible Assets Amortization of Intangible Assets Schedule of Revenue by Major Customers, by Reporting Segments [Table] Schedule of Revenue by Major Customers, by Reporting Segments [Table] Schedule of Liability Activity for Costs Qualifying as Exit and Disposal Costs Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost [Table Text Block] Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized repurchase amount Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount Long-term debt Long-term Debt and Lease Obligation Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (shares) Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Operating leases, Weighted-average remaining discount rate Operating Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent Total lease liabilities Operating & Finance, Lease Liability Present value of lessee's discounted obligation for lease payments from operating and finance leases. 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Obtained in Exchange for Finance Lease Liability Segment Reconciling Items Segment Reconciling Items [Member] Granted (shares) Units granted (shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period Concentration Risk, Percentage Concentration Risk, Percentage Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Preferred stock, shares issued: none in 2021 and 2020 Preferred Stock, Value, Issued 2018 Share Repurchase Program 2018 Share Repurchase Program [Member] 2018 Share Repurchase Program [Member] Outstanding shares at beginning of year (shares) Outstanding as of October 3, 2021 (shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number Entity Address, City or Town Entity Address, City or Town Retained Earnings Retained Earnings [Member] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Prepaid expenses and other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Lessee, operating lease, lease not yet commenced, term of contract Lessee, Operating Lease, Lease Not yet Commenced, Term of Contract Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by parent Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Derivative Instruments Derivatives and Fair Value [Text Block] Schedule of Unallocated Mark-to-Market (Gains) Losses on Commodity Derivatives Allocation Of Net Derivative Gains Losses From Economic Hedges To Operating Results Of Reporting Segments Table [Table Text Block] Allocation Of Net Derivative Gains Losses From Economic Hedges To Operating Results Of Reporting Segments Table [Table Text Block] Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table] Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table] Conversion of Class B common stock to Common shares outstanding Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Conversion of Common Stock Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Conversion of Common Stock Amortization of prior service (credit) cost Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit) Accounts receivable—trade, net Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Net assets acquired Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Consideration Transferred Pension and post-retirement benefit plans: Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Defined Benefit Plan, after Reclassification Adjustment, after Tax [Abstract] Operating leases Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Operating Lease Liability Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Total comprehensive income including noncontrolling interest Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Performance stock units and restricted stock units Performance Stock Units and Restricted Stock Units [Member] Performance Stock Units and Restricted Stock Units [Member] Divestiture of noncontrolling interest Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Deconsolidation Net actuarial (loss) gain and service cost, pre-tax amount Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Plan, Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, before Tax Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Financing cash flows from finance leases Finance Lease, Principal Payments Entity Interactive Data Current Entity Interactive Data Current Defined Benefit Plan, Remeasurement, Basis Spread on Discount Rate (Basis Points) Defined Benefit Plan, Remeasurement, Basis Spread on 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Geographic Concentration Risk Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] Accumulated depreciation Accumulated Depreciation [Member] Accumulated Depreciation [Member] Net income per share—diluted: Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract] Other intangible assets Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Current Reporting Status Machinery and equipment Machinery and Equipment, Gross Pension benefits liabilities Liability, Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Noncurrent Commercial Paper Commercial Paper [Member] Operating cash flows from operating leases Operating Lease, Payments Net increase in short-term debt Proceeds from (Repayments of) Short-term Debt Gains (losses) on cash flow hedging derivatives, pre-tax amount Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), before Reclassification and Tax Impairment of long-lived assets Restructuring Costs and Asset Impairment Charges Business combination, consideration transferred Business Combination, Consideration Transferred Goodwill [Roll Forward] Goodwill [Roll Forward] Common stock, conversion basis (shares) Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Conversion Basis Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Conversion Basis Finance lease ROU assets, net Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, after Accumulated Amortization Total long-term debt Total long-term debt, carrying value Long-term Debt Prepaid expenses Prepaid Expense Quoted prices in active markets of identical assets (Level 1) Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Investing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation adjustments Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Other Other Operating Activities, Cash Flow Statement Document Transition Report Document Transition Report Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Operating leases Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payment, Due [Abstract] Less: Decrease (increase) in cash and cash equivalents classified as held for sale Cash and Cash Equivalents Classified as Held for Sale Increase (Decrease) Cash and Cash Equivalents Classified as Held for Sale Increase (Decrease) Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity Liabilities and Equity Other Other Accrued Liabilities, Current Other Income and Expenses [Abstract] Other Income and Expenses [Abstract] Scenario [Axis] Scenario [Axis] Schedule of Information Pertaining to Fair Value of PSUs and RSUs Granted for Potential Future Distribution Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block] Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block] Exercises (USD per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital Lease, Description [Table] Lessee, Lease, Description [Table] LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Treasury Stock Change in Value Treasury Stock Change in Value Change in value of common shares of an entity that were issued, repurchased by the entity, and are held in its treasury during the period. Treasury stock is issued but is not outstanding. This stock has no voting rights and receives no dividends. Note that treasury stock may be recorded at its total cost or separately as par (or stated) value and additional paid in capital. Note: number of treasury shares concept is in another section within stockholders' equity. Derivative [Line Items] Derivative [Line Items] Hedging Relationship [Domain] Hedging Relationship [Domain] Interest rate swap Interest Rate Swap [Member] Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward] Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward] Basis of Presentation Business Description and Basis of Presentation [Text Block] Short-term Debt, Type [Domain] Short-term Debt, Type [Domain] Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Repurchase of common stock Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method Inventories at First In First Out FIFO Inventory Amount Other intangible assets Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Purchase Accounting Adjustments Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current [Abstract] Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current [Abstract] Exercise of stock options and incentive-based transactions Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Minimum Minimum [Member] Settlement loss Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Gain (Loss) Due to Settlement Retirement Plan Name [Axis] Retirement Plan Name [Axis] Other assets and liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net Gross profit Gross Profit 2023 Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Two Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Selling, marketing and administrative expense Selling, General and Administrative Expense Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Axis] Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Axis] 2.650% Notes Notes 2.650% Notes Due 2050 [Member] Notes 2.650% Notes Due 2050 2.625% Notes Notes 2.625% Due 2023 [Member] Notes 2.625% Due 2023 [Member] Expected volatility Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Weighted Average Volatility Rate Schedule of Supplemental Balance Sheet Information Schedule of Supplemental Balance Sheet Information [Table Text Block] Schedule of Supplemental Balance Sheet Information [Table Text Block] 3.200% Notes Notes 3.20% Due 2025 [Member] Notes 3.20% Due 2025 [Member] Less: Imputed interest Lessee Operating and Fiannce Lease Liability Undiscounted Excess Amount Amount of lessee's undiscounted obligation for lease payments in excess of discounted obligation for lease payments for operating and finance leases. Fair value, net asset (liability) Fair Value, Net Asset (Liability) Line Of Credit Facility, Accordion Feature Increase Limit Line Of Credit Facility, Accordion Feature Increase Limit Line Of Credit Facility, Accordion Feature Increase Limit Net Gain (Loss) On Commodity Derivative Positions Reclassified From Unallocated Derivative To Segment Income Net gains on commodity derivative positions reclassified from unallocated to segment income Net Gain Loss On Commodity Derivative Positions Reclassified From Unallocated Derivative Gains Losses To Segment Income The amount of gain (loss) from commodity derivative positions reclassified from unallocated derivative (gains) losses to segment income. Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract] Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract] Liability balance at December 31, 2020 Liability balance at October 3, 2021 Restructuring Reserve Reclassification to earnings due to the sale of businesses, after tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment To Earnings, Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, Net of Tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment To Earnings, Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, Net of Tax Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Advertising, promotion and product allowances Accrued Marketing Costs, Current Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Assets, Net Other non-current assets Other Miscellaneous Assets, Non-Current Other Miscellaneous Assets, Non-Current Adjustment to Last In First Out Inventory, LIFO Reserve Current liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] 3.100% Notes (2) Notes 3.10% Due 2021 [Member] Notes 3.10% Due 2021 Business acquisitions, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Restructuring Plan [Domain] Restructuring Plan [Domain] Short and Long-Term Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Options exercisable (USD per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price Other program costs Other Restructuring [Member] 2021 business realignment charges Restructuring Charges, Business Realignment Reserve Restructuring Charges, Business Realignment Reserve Line of Credit Line of Credit [Member] Stock Compensation Plans Share-based Payment Arrangement [Text Block] Significant other unobservable inputs (Level 3) Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Cash dividends paid Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock 0.900% Notes Notes 0.900% Notes Due 2025 [Member] Notes 0.900% Notes Due 2025 Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Derivative liability, gross liabilities Derivative Liability, Cash Transfers Receivable (Payable), Change In Quoted Market Prices On The Last Day Of Trading Derivative Liability, Cash Transfers Receivable (Payable), Change In Quoted Market Prices On The Last Day Of Trading Options outstanding, weighted-average remaining contractual term Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Derivative Instrument [Axis] Derivative Instrument [Axis] Minimum length of time, hedged in cash flow hedge Minimum Length of Time Hedged in Cash Flow Hedge Minimum length of time over which the entity is hedging its exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions, excluding those forecasted transactions related to the payment of variable interest on existing financial instruments, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Total operating lease liabilities Operating Lease, Liability Adjustment to disposal group Impairment Charge on Reclassified Assets Schedule of Additional Product Line Sales Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services [Table Text Block] Schedule of Net Interest Expense Interest Income and Interest Expense Disclosure [Table Text Block] Common stock Common Stock, Value, Issued Unallocated corporate expense Nonoperating Income (Expense) Finance leases, Weighted-average remaining discount rate Finance Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent Inventory, Net [Abstract] Inventory, Net [Abstract] Employee service share-based compensation, nonvested awards, compensation cost not yet recognized, period for recognition Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition Outstanding at beginning of year (USD per share) Outstanding as of October 3, 2021 (USD per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Goodwill, Acquired During Period Goodwill, Acquired During Period Other Benefits  Other Postretirement Benefits Plan [Member] Leases Lessee, Operating Leases [Text Block] Accumulated other comprehensive loss Total accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Diluted earnings per share: Earnings Per Share, Diluted, Two Class Method [Abstract] Amortization of ROU assets, Finance lease cost Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Amortization Class of Treasury Stock [Table] Class of Treasury Stock [Table] Deferred performance stock units, deferred restricted stock units, and directors' fees and accumulated dividend amounts representing deferred stock units outstanding Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Shares Issued 2021 (rest of year) Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Remainder of Fiscal Year Schedule of Fair Value Estimated on the Grant Date and the Weighted Average Assumptions Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block] Net impact of interest rate swaps, debt issuance costs and unamortized debt discounts Debt Instrument, Impact of Derivatives, Unamortized Discount (Premium), and Debt Issuance Costs, Net Debt Instrument, Impact of Derivatives, Unamortized Discount (Premium), and Debt Issuance Costs, Net 2021 (rest of year) Lessee Operating and Financing Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Remainder of Fiscal Year Amount of lessee's undiscounted obligation for lease payment for operating and finance leases to be paid in remainder of current fiscal year. Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Ownership [Axis] Ownership [Axis] Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Foreign Line of Credit [Member] Foreign Line of Credit [Member] Contributions to pension and other benefit plans Payment for Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Incremental common shares attributable to dilutive effect of share-based payment arrangements Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements Goodwill [Line Items] Goodwill [Line Items] Schedule of Segment Information by Geography Revenue from External Customers by Geographic Areas [Table Text Block] Other comprehensive (loss) income Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Axis] Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Treasury stock, shares (shares) Treasury Stock, Shares Long-term debt, fair value Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities, Fair Value Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities, Fair Value Less: Imputed interest Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount Net actuarial (loss) gain and service cost, tax (expense) benefit Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Plan, Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Tax Goods in process Inventory, Work in Process, Net of Reserves Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items] Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items] Prepaid expenses and other Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Selling, marketing and administrative expense Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member] Accrued liabilities Total accrued liabilities Accrued Liabilities, Current Net sales Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Amount of Unrecorded Benefit Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Amount of Unrecorded Benefit Less: Imputed interest Finance Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount Finished goods Inventory, Finished Goods, Net of Reserves Lotte Shanghai Food Company Lotte Shanghai Food Company [Member] Lotte Shanghai Food Company [Member] Performance assumption change (USD per share) Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Performance Assumption Change Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value The weighted average fair value as of the grant date pertaining to a share-based award plan other than a stock option plan due to a change in the performance assumptions. Fair value hedges, pre-tax benefit (expense) Increase (Decrease) in Fair Value of Hedged Item in Interest Rate Fair Value Hedge Employee stock options Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member] Reclassification to earnings, after-tax amount Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Plan, Gain (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, after Tax Equity [Abstract] Equity [Abstract] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Axis] Consolidation Items [Domain] Consolidation Items [Domain] Cash payments Payments for Restructuring Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Interest income Investment Income, Interest Common stock Common Stock [Member] Segment Information Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Finance leases, Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) Finance Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term Operating profit Operating profit Operating Income (Loss) Other (income) expense, net Other Nonoperating, Gain (Loss) Other Nonoperating, Gain (Loss) Operating lease liabilities Operating Lease, Liability, Current Hedging Designation [Axis] Hedging Designation [Axis] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Foreign currency translation adjustments Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] Stock-based compensation expense Share-based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense Additional Paid-in Capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Repayments of Debt Repayments of Debt Dividends paid per share (USD per share) Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Treasury Common Stock Treasury Stock [Member] Cumulative Amount of Mark-to-Market Gains (Losses) on Commodity Derivatives Cumulative Amount of Mark-to-Market Gaines (Losses) on Commodity Derivatives Cumulative Amount of Mark-to-Market Gaines (Losses) on Commodity Derivatives 3.375% Notes Notes 3.375% Due 2023 [Member] Notes 3.375% Due 2023 Corporate Debt Securities Debt Security, Corporate, US [Member] Thereafter Financing Lease, Liability, to be Paid, after Year Four Amount of lessee's undiscounted obligation for lease payment for finance lease to be paid after forth fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach). Long-lived asset impairment charges Asset Impairment Charges Operating lease liabilities, extensible list Operating Lease, Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration] Derivative, notional amount Derivative, Notional Amount Other Assets Other Assets [Member] Other (income) expense, net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Total long-term debt, fair value Long-term Debt, Fair Value Other investing activities Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Capital additions (including software) Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Property, plant and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment [Member] Reclassification to earnings due to the sale of businesses, tax (expense) benefit Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment To Earnings, Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, Tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment To Earnings, Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, Tax 2021 Share Repurchase Program 2021 Share Repurchase Program [Member] 2021 Share Repurchase Program [Member] Business Combinations [Abstract] Business Combinations [Abstract] Employer contributions Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Contributions by Employer Maximum Maximum [Member] Foreign currency translation gains (losses) during period, pre-tax amount Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, before Tax Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] Entity Information [Line Items] Entity Information [Line Items] Total liabilities Liabilities Raw materials Inventory, Raw Materials, Net of Reserves Legal Entity [Axis] Legal Entity [Axis] Business realignment costs (benefits) Restructuring Charges, Business Realignment Restructuring Charges, Business Realignment Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] Business realignment costs (benefits) Restructuring Charges [Member] Granted (USD per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Financing Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value Schedule of Maturity of Operating Lease Liabilities Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity [Table Text Block] Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Axis] Total—The Hershey Company stockholders’ equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent 3.125% Notes Notes 3.125% Due 2049 [Member] Notes 3.125% Due 2049 [Member] Common stock, shares issued (shares) Common Stock, Shares, Issued Preferred stock, shares issued (shares) Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercisable Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block] Designated as Hedging Instrument Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Repurchase of common stock Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Retirement Plan Type [Axis] Retirement Plan Type [Axis] Post-retirement benefits liabilities Liability, Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plan, Noncurrent Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items] Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Land Land Operating lease liabilities Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent Total lease payments Finance Lease, Liability, Payment, Due 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Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach). Total earnings—basic Allocation of total earnings used in basic computation Participating Securities, Distributed and Undistributed Earnings (Loss), Basic Unallocated mark-to-market (gains) losses on commodity derivatives Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net Corporate, Non-Segment Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] Segment Reporting [Abstract] Segment Reporting [Abstract] Type of Restructuring [Domain] Type of Restructuring [Domain] 2024 Lessee Operating and Financing Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Three Amount of lessee's undiscounted obligation for lease payment for operating and finance leases to be paid in third fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach). 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Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach). Reallocation of undistributed earnings Undistributed Earnings (Loss) Allocated to Participating Securities, Diluted Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward] Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward] Other liabilities assumed, primarily current liabilities Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Current Liabilities, Other Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Current Liabilities, Other Property, plant and equipment, net Property, plant and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Finite-lived customer relationships, gross Finite-Lived Customer Relationships, Gross Other long-term liabilities Total other long-term liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Lily's Sweets, LLC Lily's Sweets, LLC [Member] Lily's Sweets, LLC [Member] Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Repayment of long-term debt and finance leases Repayments of Long-term Debt Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Customer-related Customer-Related Intangible Assets [Member] Derivative asset Derivative Asset Property, plant and equipment, gross Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Noncontrolling Interest [Table] Noncontrolling Interest [Table] Revenue from Contract with Customer Benchmark Revenue from Contract with Customer Benchmark [Member] Reclassification to earnings, tax (expense) benefit Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Plan, Gain (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Tax Document Quarterly Report Document Quarterly Report Cash flow hedges, net of tax AOCI, Cash Flow Hedge, Cumulative Gain (Loss), after Tax Reallocation of total earnings as a result of conversion of Class B common stock to Common stock Distributed 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Percent Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent (Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents, including cash classified as held for sale Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect and Cash Classified as Held for Sale Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect and Cash Classified as Held for Sale Net income including noncontrolling interest Net income including noncontrolling interest Net income (loss) Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Property, plant and equipment, gross Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross [Member] Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross [Member] Treasury Stock Change in Shares Treasury Stock Change in Shares Change in the number of common shares that were previously issued and that were repurchased by the issuing entity and held in treasury during the period. This stock has no voting rights and receives no dividends. Total leased assets Lease, Right-of-Use Asset Lease, Right-of-Use Asset Margin for Growth Program Margin for Growth Program [Member] Margin for Growth Program [Member] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents Allocation of distributed earnings (cash dividends paid) Dividends United States UNITED STATES Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] International and Other International and Other Segment [Member] International and Other Segment [Member] North America North America Segment [Member] North America Segment [Member] Current assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Finite-lived intangible assets, gross Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Interest expense, net Interest expense, net Interest Income (Expense), Nonoperating, Net Leases [Abstract] Leases [Abstract] Cash flow hedges: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), after Reclassification and Tax [Abstract] Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Schedule of Gross Carrying Amount and Accumulated Amortization for Each Major Class of Intangible Asset Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block] Security Exchange Name Security Exchange Name 2025 Lessee Operating and Financing Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Four Amount of lessee's undiscounted obligation for lease payment for operating and finance leases to be paid in fourth fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach). Exercised (shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period 7.200% Debentures Debentures 7.2% Due 2027 [Member] Debentures 7.2% Due 2027 [Member] Total weighted-average shares—diluted (shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Non-service cost components of net periodic benefit cost relating to pension and other post-retirement benefit plans Defined Benefit Plan, Non-Service Cost Defined Benefit Plan, Non-Service Cost Total other comprehensive (loss) income, after-tax amount Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring Fair Value, Recurring [Member] 2.300% Notes Notes 2.30% Due 2026 [Member] Notes 2.30% Due 2026 [Member] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Requisite Service Period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Requisite Service Period Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Schedule of Activity Relating to the Grants of Stock Options Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Activity [Table Text Block] Treasury Stock Activity Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Schedule of Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block] Other Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract] Other Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract] Schedule of Supplemental Cash Flow Information Related To Leases Schedule of Supplemental Cash Flow Information Related To Leases [Table Text Block] Schedule of supplemental cash flow information related to leases. Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Equity investments in tax credit qualifying partnerships Payments to Acquire Equity Method Investments Class of Stock [Line Items] Class of Stock [Line Items] Non-designated Hedges Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Axis] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Confectionery and confectionery-based portfolio Confectionery and Confectionery-based Portfolio [Domain] Confectionery and Confectionery-based Portfolio Changes in assets and liabilities, net of business acquisitions and divestitures: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Accumulated depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Other assets acquired, primarily current assets Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Other Operating Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Vested (USD per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Schedule of Short-term Debt Schedule of Short-term Debt [Table Text Block] Expected term in years Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Class of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock [Domain] Reclassification to earnings, tax (expense) benefit Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), Reclassification, Tax Operating cash flows from finance leases Finance Lease, Interest Payment on Liability Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity Foreign currency translation Goodwill, Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) Other assets acquired, primarily current assets Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Current Assets, Other Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Current Assets, Other Ownership [Domain] Ownership [Domain] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 1.700% Notes Notes 1.700% Due 2030 [Member] Notes 1.700% Due 2030 Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] Buildings Buildings and Improvements, Gross 2021 (rest of year) Finance Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Remainder of Fiscal Year Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Title of 12(b) Security Title of 12(b) Security Other current assets Other Assets, Current Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding [Roll Forward] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Non-Option Equity Instruments, Outstanding [Roll Forward] Recent Accounting Pronouncements New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block] Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date Employee service share-based compensation, nonvested awards, compensation cost not yet recognized Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Amount Lessee, operating lease, lease not yet commenced Lessee, Operating Lease, Leases Not yet Commenced Lessee, Operating Lease, Leases Not yet Commenced Statistical Measurement [Axis] Statistical Measurement [Axis] Thereafter Lessee Operating and Financing Lease, Liability, to be Paid, after Year Four Amount of lessee's undiscounted obligation for lease payment for operating and finance leases to be paid after forth fiscal year following current fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported from current statement of financial position date (rolling approach). 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