Central Garden & Pet (CENT) 10-Q 7 Feb 19 2019 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Jan. 31, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 29, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	CENT
Entity Registrant Name	CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO
Entity Central Index Key	887,733
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-28
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Common Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		12,145,135
Class A Common Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		44,114,166
Class B Common Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,652,262

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 29, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 478,737	$ 482,106	$ 283,466
Restricted cash	10,921	10,899	12,419
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $18,030, $20,481 and $24,125)	250,223	275,908	235,075
Inventories	493,745	427,823	440,421
Prepaid expenses and other	38,398	20,562	22,519
Total current assets	1,272,024	1,217,298	993,900
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment—net	211,560	217,647	179,230
Goodwill	281,177	281,177	256,275
Other intangible assets—net	148,782	152,265	113,726
Other assets	37,303	38,822	74,221
Total	1,950,846	1,907,209	1,617,352
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	141,186	110,259	124,583
Accrued expenses	108,245	102,583	100,004
Current portion of long-term debt	117	122	372
Total current liabilities	249,548	212,964	224,959
Long-term debt	692,332	692,031	690,964
Deferred taxes and other long-term obligations	52,482	49,380	39,478
Equity:
Additional paid-in capital	592,451	590,168	396,702
Accumulated earnings	364,726	362,923	265,576
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(1,492)	(1,218)	(907)
Total Central Garden & Pet Company shareholders’ equity	956,263	952,449	661,889
Noncontrolling interest	221	385	62
Total equity	956,484	952,834	661,951
Total	1,950,846	1,907,209	1,617,352
Common stock, $0.01 par value: 12,145,135, 12,160,023, and 12,145,135 shares outstanding at December 29, 2018, December 30, 2017 and September 29, 2018
Equity:
Common stock	121	121	122
Total equity	121	121	122
Class A common stock, $0.01 par value: 44,059,803, 38,029,367 and 43,953,265 shares outstanding at December 29, 2018, December 30, 2017 and September 29, 2018
Equity:
Common stock	441	439	380
Total equity	441	439	380
Class B stock, $0.01 par value: 1,652,262 shares outstanding
Equity:
Common stock	16	16	16
Total equity	$ 16	$ 16	$ 16

Condensed Consolidated Balanc_2

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 29, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Accounts receivable allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 18,030	$ 24,125	$ 20,481
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common Stock
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	12,145,135	12,145,135	12,160,023
Class A Common Stock
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	44,059,803	43,953,265	38,029,367
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Class B Common Stock
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	1,652,262	1,652,262	1,652,262
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 461,990	$ 442,011
Cost of goods sold and occupancy	331,808	310,174
Gross profit	130,182	131,837
Selling, general and administrative expenses	120,001	109,316
Operating income	10,181	22,521
Interest expense	(10,614)	(7,405)
Interest income	2,537	187
Other expense	(192)	(3,089)
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	1,912	12,214
Income tax expense (benefit)	273	(14,236)
Income including noncontrolling interest	1,639	26,450
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(164)	203
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$ 1,803	$ 26,247
Net income per share attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0.52
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0.50
Weighted average shares used in the computation of net income per share:
Basic (in shares)	56,903	50,730
Diluted (in shares)	58,001	52,695

Condensed Consolidated Statem_2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Income including noncontrolling interest	$ 1,639	$ 26,450
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	(274)	44
Total comprehensive income	1,365	26,494
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(164)	203
Comprehensive income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$ 1,529	$ 26,291

Condensed Consolidated Statem_3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 1,639	$ 26,450
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	12,352	11,163
Amortization of deferred financing costs	458	377
Stock-based compensation	2,832	2,680
Deferred income taxes	3,330	(15,765)
(Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment	42	(18)
Other	(492)	820
Change in assets and liabilities (excluding businesses acquired):
Accounts receivable	25,578	2,822
Inventories	(66,136)	(58,252)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(11,705)	(2,252)
Accounts payable	32,855	23,059
Accrued expenses	5,667	(16,546)
Other long-term obligations	380	1,249
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	6,800	(24,213)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property and equipment	(7,838)	(8,186)
Investments	(1,499)	(6,555)
Other investing activities	(50)	(1,200)
Net cash used in investing activities	9,387	15,941
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(34)	(7)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0	300,000
Borrowings under revolving line of credit	0	23,000
Repayments under revolving line of credit	0	(23,000)
Repurchase of common stock, including shares surrendered for tax withholding	(547)	(2,768)
Payment of contingent consideration liability	(54)	(93)
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	0	(1,597)
Payment of financing costs	0	(4,558)
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	(635)	290,977
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(125)	20
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(3,347)	250,843
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	493,005	45,042
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	478,737	283,466
Supplemental information:
Cash paid for interest	$ 12,917	$ 12,757

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The condensed consolidated balance sheets of Central Garden & Pet Company and subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Central”) as of December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 , the condensed consolidated statements of operations and the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three months ended December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 have been prepared by the Company, without audit. In the opinion of management, the interim financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. For the Company’s foreign business in the UK, the local currency is the functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated using the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Income and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate for the period. Deferred taxes are not provided on translation gains and losses because the Company expects earnings of its foreign subsidiary to be permanently reinvested. Transaction gains and losses are included in results of operations. Due to the seasonal nature of the Company’s garden business, the results of operations for the three months ended December 29, 2018 are not indicative of the operating results that may be expected for the entire fiscal year. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual audited financial statements, accounting policies and financial notes thereto, included in the Company’s 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has previously been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The September 29, 2018 balance sheet presented herein was derived from the audited financial statements. Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling interest in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements represents the 20% interest not owned by Central in a consolidated subsidiary. Since the Company controls this subsidiary, its financial statements are consolidated with those of the Company, and the noncontrolling owner’s 20% share of the subsidiary’s net assets and results of operations is deducted and reported as noncontrolling interest on the consolidated balance sheets and as net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest in the consolidated statements of operations. See Note 8, Supplemental Equity Information, for additional information. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash The Company considers cash and all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at date of purchase to be cash and cash equivalents. Restricted cash includes cash and highly liquid instruments that are used as collateral for stand-alone letter of credit agreements related to normal business transactions. These agreements require the Company to maintain specified amounts of cash as collateral in segregated accounts to support the letters of credit issued thereunder, which will affect the amount of cash the Company has available for other uses. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the condensed consolidated balance sheets to the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows as of December 29, 2018, December 30, 2017 and September 29, 2018, respectively (in thousands). December 29, 2018 December 30, 2017 September 29, 2018 Cash and cash equivalents $ 478,737 $ 283,466 $ 482,106 Restricted cash 10,921 12,419 10,899 Total Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 489,658 $ 295,885 $ 493,005 Revenue Recognition Revenue Recognition and Nature of Products and Services The Company manufactures, markets and distributes a wide variety of branded, private label and third-party pet and garden products to wholesalers, distributors and retailers, primarily in the United States. The majority of the Company’s revenue is generated from the sale of finished pet and garden products. The Company also recognizes a minor amount of non-product revenue (less than one percent of consolidated net sales) comprising third-party logistics services, merchandising services and royalty income from sales-based licensing arrangements. Product and non-product revenue is recognized when performance obligations under the terms of the contracts with customers are satisfied. The Company recognizes product revenue when control over the finished goods transfers to its customers, which generally occurs upon shipment to, or receipt at, customers’ locations, as determined by the specific terms of the contract. These revenue contracts generally have single performance obligations. Non-product revenue is recognized as the services are provided to the customer in the case of third-party logistics services and merchandising services or as third-party licensee sales occur for royalty income. Revenue, which includes shipping and handling charges billed to the customer, is reported net of variable consideration and consideration payable to our customers, including applicable discounts, returns, allowances, trade promotion, unsaleable product, consumer coupon redemption and rebates. Shipping and handling costs that occur before the customer obtains control of the goods are deemed to be fulfillment activities and are accounted for as fulfillment costs. Key sales terms are established on a frequent basis such that most customer arrangements and related incentives have a one year or shorter duration. As such, the Company does not capitalize contract inception costs. Product fulfillment costs are capitalized as a part of inventoriable costs in accordance with US GAAP and our inventory policies. The Company generally does not have unbilled receivables at the end of a period. Deferred revenues are not material and primarily include advance payments for services that have yet to be rendered. The Company does not receive noncash consideration for the sale of goods. Amounts billed and due from our customers are classified as receivables and require payment on a short-term basis; therefore, the Company does not have any significant financing components. Sales Incentives and Other Promotional Programs The Company routinely offers sales incentives and discounts through various regional and national programs to our customers and consumers. These programs include product discounts or allowances, product rebates, product returns, one-time or ongoing trade-promotion programs with customers and consumer coupon programs that require the Company to estimate and accrue the expected costs of such programs. The costs associated with these activities are accounted for as reductions to the transaction price of the Company’s products and are, therefore, recorded as reductions to gross sales at the time of sale. The Company bases its estimates of incentive costs on historical trend experience with similar programs, actual incentive terms per customer contractual obligations and expected levels of performance of trade promotions, utilizing customer and sales organization inputs. The Company maintains liabilities at the end of each period for the estimated incentive costs incurred but unpaid for these programs. Differences between estimated and actual incentive costs are generally not material and are recognized in earnings in the period such differences are determined. Reserves for product returns, accrued rebates and promotional accruals are included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as part of accrued expenses, and the value of inventory associated with reserves for sales returns is included within prepaid and other current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Practical Expedients The Company elected the following practical expedients upon its adoption of Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC Topic 606). • Significant financing component - The Company elected not to adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component as the Company expects, at contract inception, that the period between the transfer of a promised good or service to a customer and when the customer pays for that good or service will be one year or less. • Shipping and handling costs - The company elected to account for shipping and handling activities that occur before the customer has obtained control of a good as fulfillment activities rather than as a promised service. • Measurement of transaction price - The Company has elected to exclude from the measurement of transaction price all taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on, and concurrent with, a specific revenue-producing transaction and collected by the Company from a customer for sales taxes. Income Taxes On December 22, 2017, the U.S. Government enacted the 2017 Tax Act, which was comprehensive new tax legislation. The SEC Staff issued guidance on income tax accounting for the 2017 Tax Act on December 22, 2017, which allows companies to record provisional amounts during a measurement period not to extend beyond one year of the enactment date. During the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company has not made any measurement period adjustments. The Company's accounting for the impact of the 2017 Tax Act has now been completed as of the period ending December 29, 2018. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted Revenue Recognition In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") ASC Topic 606, which replaces numerous requirements in U.S. GAAP, including industry-specific requirements, and provides companies with a single revenue recognition model for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. On September 30, 2018, the beginning of the Company’s fiscal year 2019, the Company adopted the requirements of ASC Topic 606 using the modified retrospective method. Upon completing its implementation assessment of Topic ASC 606, the Company concluded that no adjustment was required to the opening balance of retained earnings at the date of initial application. The comparative information has also not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. Additional disclosures required by ASC Topic 606 are presented within the Revenue Recognition policy disclosure and in Note 11 Segment Information. On the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets, reserves for customer product returns and return allowances are now included as part of accrued expenses, rather than accounts receivable, net, and the value of inventory associated with reserves for sales returns is included within prepaid and other current assets Had the Company not adopted the provisions under this ASU, its condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 29, 2018 would have been presented as follows (in thousands): As Presented December 29, 2018 Adjustments Balances without Adoption of ASC 606 December 29, 2018 Current assets Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts $ 250,223 $ (5,786 ) $ 244,437 Prepaid expenses and other $ 38,398 $ (4,096 ) $ 34,302 Total current assets $ 1,272,024 $ (9,882 ) $ 1,262,142 Current liabilities Accrued expenses $ 108,245 $ (9,882 ) $ 98,363 Total current liabilities $ 249,548 $ (9,882 ) $ 239,666 Statement of Cash Flows In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (ASU 2016-15). The ASU provides additional clarification guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted the provisions of this guidance as of September 30, 2018 on a retrospective basis. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force) (ASU 2016-18) . This ASU clarifies the presentation of restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. Amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning and ending cash balances on the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted the provisions under this ASU on September 30, 2018, on a retrospective basis. This resulted in an increase in beginning of period and end of period cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $12.6 million and $12.4 million , respectively, and a decrease of $0.2 million of cash used in investing activities to the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the three months ended December 30, 2017. Business Combinations In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Clarifying the Definition of a Business (ASU 2017-01), which requires an evaluation of whether substantially all of the fair value of assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets. If so, the transaction does not qualify as a business. The guidance also requires an acquired business to include at least one substantive process and narrows the definition of outputs. The Company adopted the provisions of this guidance as of September 30, 2018. The adoption of this ASU had no impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements for the period ended December 29, 2018, but may have an impact on accounting for any future acquisitions the Company may have . Stock-Based Compensation In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718) Scope of Modification Accounting (Topic 718) . This update amends the scope of modification accounting surrounding share-based payment arrangements as issued in ASU 2016-09 by providing guidance on the various types of changes which would trigger modification accounting for share-based payment awards. Adoption of this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. Income Taxes In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Accounting for Income Taxes: Intra-Entity Asset Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory (Topic 740) . ASU 2016-16 amends accounting guidance for intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory to require the recognition of taxes when the transfer occurs. The amendment was effective for us September 30, 2018. A modified retrospective approach is required for transition to the new guidance, with a cumulative-effect adjustment consisting of the net impact from (1) the write-off of any unamortized expense previously deferred and (2) recognition of any previously unrecognized deferred tax assets, net of any valuation allowance. The new guidance does not include any specific new disclosure requirements. Adoption of this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 did not have an impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. Financial Instruments In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities . The updated guidance enhances the reporting model for financial instruments, which includes amendments to address aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure. The guidance requires equity investments, excluding equity method investments or investees that are consolidated, to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income and enhanced disclosures about those investments. The guidance also simplifies the impairment assessments of equity investments without readily determinable fair value. The Company adopted the ASU in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, and the adoption of the new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted Leases In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 (ASU 2016-02), Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2016-02 requires companies to generally recognize on the balance sheet operating and financing lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use assets. The Company will adopt ASU 2016-02 on September 29, 2019 and expects to elect certain practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance. The Company will elect the optional transition method that allows for a cumulative-effect adjustment in the period of adoption and will not restate prior periods. The Company is implementing a new lease system in connection with the adoption of this standard and is currently in the design phase. The Company currently expects that most of its operating lease commitments will be subject to the new standard and the Company will record material long-term operating lease liabilities and long-term right-of-use assets upon the adoption of ASU 2016-02. Goodwill and Intangible Assets In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The new guidance simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by removing the second step of the two-step impairment test. The amendment requires an entity to perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. The new guidance is effective for annual periods or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, or the Company's first quarter of fiscal 2021. The amendment should be applied on a prospective basis. Based on the Company's most recent annual goodwill impairment test performed as of July 1, 2018, there were no reporting units for which the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeded its fair value; therefore, this ASU would not currently have an impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. However, if upon adoption the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company would be impacted by the amount of impairment recognized. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40), Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract . This ASU aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). ASU 2018-15 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted, and is effective for the Company in fiscal 2021. The amendments in this ASU should be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2018-15 will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. Fair Value Disclosures In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Me asurement . This ASU modifies the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by removing, modifying or adding certain disclosures. ASU 2018-13 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted and is effective for the Company in fiscal 2021. The amendments on changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty should be applied prospectively for only the most recent interim or annual period presented in the initial fiscal year of adoption. All other amendments should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented upon their effective date. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2018-13 will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements ASC 820 establishes a single authoritative definition of fair value, a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure of fair value measurements. ASC 820 requires financial assets and liabilities to be categorized based on the inputs used to calculate their fair values as follows: Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (including assumptions about risk). The Company’s financial instruments include cash and equivalents, short term investments consisting of bank certificates of deposit, accounts receivable and payable, derivative instruments, short-term borrowings, and accrued liabilities. The carrying amount of these instruments approximates fair value because of their short-term nature. Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis The following table presents the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis based upon the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall, as of December 29, 2018 (in thousands): Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Liabilities: Liability for contingent consideration (a) $ — $ — $ 7,616 $ 7,616 Total liabilities $ — $ — $ 7,616 $ 7,616 The following table presents the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis based upon the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall, as of December 30, 2017 (in thousands): Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Liabilities: Liability for contingent consideration (a) $ — $ — $ 9,058 $ 9,058 Total liabilities $ — $ — $ 9,058 $ 9,058 The following table presents our financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis based upon the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall, as of September 29, 2018 : Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Liabilities: Liability for contingent consideration (b) $ — $ — $ 8,224 $ 8,224 Total liabilities $ — $ — $ 8,224 $ 8,224 (a) The liability for contingent consideration relates to an earn-out for B2E, acquired in December 2012, future performance-based contingent payments for Hydro-Organics Wholesale, Inc., acquired in October 2015 and future performance-based contingent payment for Segrest, Inc., acquired in October 2016. The fair value of the estimated contingent consideration arrangement is determined based on the Company’s evaluation as to the probability and amount of any earn-out that will be achieved based on expected future performance by the acquired entity. This is presented as part of long-term liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. (b) The liability for contingent consideration relates to an earn-out for B2E, acquired in December 2012, future performance-based contingent payments for Hydro-Organics Wholesale, Inc., acquired in October 2015, future performance-based contingent payment for Segrest, Inc., acquired in October 2016, and future performance-based contingent payments for Bell Nursery, acquired in March 2018. The fair value of the estimated contingent consideration arrangement is determined based on the Company’s evaluation as to the probability and amount of any earn-out that will be achieved based on expected future performance by the acquired entity. This is presented as part of long-term liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. The following table provides a summary of the changes in fair value of the Company's Level 3 financial instruments for the periods ended December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 (in thousands): Amount Balance September 29, 2018 $ 8,224 Estimated contingent performance-based consideration established at the time of acquisition — Changes in the fair value of contingent performance-based payments established at the time of acquisition (554 ) Performance-based payments (54 ) Balance December 29, 2018 $ 7,616 Amount Balance September 30, 2017 $ 9,343 Estimated contingent performance-based consideration established at the time of acquisition — Changes in the fair value of contingent performance-based payments established at the time of acquisition (192 ) Performance-based payments (93 ) Balance December 30, 2017 $ 9,058 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis The Company measures certain non-financial assets and liabilities, including long-lived assets, goodwill and intangible assets, at fair value on a non-recurring basis. Fair value measurements of non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities are used primarily in the impairment analyses of long-lived assets, goodwill and other intangible assets. During the periods ended December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 , the Company was not required to measure any significant non-financial assets and liabilities at fair value. Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments In December 2017, the Company issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 5.125% senior notes due February 2028 (the "2028 Notes"). The estimated fair value of the Company's 2028 Notes as of December 29, 2018 , December 30, 2017 and September 29, 2018 was $273.6 million , $300.8 million and $285.5 million , respectively, compared to a carrying value of $295.7 million , $295.5 million and $295.6 million , respectively. In November 2015, the Company issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% senior notes due November 2023 (the “2023 Notes”). The estimated fair value of the Company’s 2023 Notes as of December 29, 2018 , December 30, 2017 and September 29, 2018 was $402.0 million , $424.2 million and $414.4 million , respectively, compared to a carrying value of $396.2 million , $395.4 million and $396 million , respectively.

Inventories, net

Inventories, net	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories, net	Inventories, net Inventories, net of allowance for obsolescence, consist of the following (in thousands): December 29, 2018 December 30, 2017 September 29, 2018 Raw materials $ 134,955 $ 120,710 $ 117,539 Work in progress 34,553 13,778 35,691 Finished goods 306,181 291,812 263,845 Supplies 18,056 14,121 10,748 Total inventories, net $ 493,745 $ 440,421 $ 427,823

Goodwill

Goodwill	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	Goodwill The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually (as of the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter), or whenever events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount, by first assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If it is determined that it is more likely than not the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, it is unnecessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the two-step test is performed to identify potential goodwill impairment. Based on certain circumstances, the Company may elect to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to performing the first step of the two-step goodwill impairment test, which compares the fair value of the Company’s reporting units to their related carrying values, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the Company performs an additional step to determine the implied fair value of goodwill associated with that reporting unit. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by first allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities and then computing the excess of the reporting unit’s fair value over the amounts assigned to the assets and liabilities. If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill, such excess represents the amount of goodwill impairment, and, accordingly, the Company recognizes such impairment. The Company’s goodwill impairment analysis also includes a comparison of the aggregate estimated fair value of its two reporting units to the Company’s total market capitalization. No impairment of goodwill was recorded for the three months ended December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017.

Other Intangible Assets

Other Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Intangible Assets	Other Intangible Assets The following table summarizes the components of gross and net acquired intangible assets: Gross Accumulated Amortization Accumulated Impairment Net Carrying Value (in millions) December 29, 2018 Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable $ 18.6 $ (14.6 ) $ — $ 4.0 Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable 70.6 — (26.0 ) 44.6 Total 89.2 (14.6 ) (26.0 ) 48.6 Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable 128.3 (45.1 ) — 83.2 Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable 25.4 (15.0 ) — 10.4 Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable 7.8 — (1.2 ) 6.6 Total 33.2 (15.0 ) (1.2 ) 17.0 Total other intangible assets $ 250.7 $ (74.7 ) $ (27.2 ) $ 148.8 Gross Accumulated Amortization Accumulated Impairment Net Carrying Value (in millions) December 30, 2017 Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable $ 16.9 $ (13.1 ) $ — $ 3.8 Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable 62.7 — (26.0 ) 36.7 Total 79.6 (13.1 ) (26.0 ) 40.5 Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable 91.6 (33.9 ) — 57.7 Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable 22.1 (13.2 ) — 8.9 Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable 7.8 — (1.2 ) 6.6 Total 29.9 (13.2 ) (1.2 ) 15.5 Total other intangible assets $ 201.1 $ (60.2 ) $ (27.2 ) $ 113.7 Gross Accumulated Amortization Accumulated Impairment Net Carrying Value (in millions) September 29, 2018 Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable $ 18.6 $ (14.2 ) $ — $ 4.4 Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable 70.6 — (26.0 ) 44.6 Total 89.2 (14.2 ) (26.0 ) 49.0 Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable 128.3 (42.5 ) — 85.8 Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable 25.4 (14.5 ) — 10.9 Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable 7.8 — (1.2 ) 6.6 Total 33.2 (14.5 ) (1.2 ) 17.5 Total other intangible assets $ 250.7 $ (71.2 ) $ (27.2 ) $ 152.3 Other acquired intangible assets include contract-based and technology-based intangible assets. The Company evaluates long-lived assets, including amortizable and indefinite-lived intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company evaluates indefinite-lived intangible assets on an annual basis. Factors indicating the carrying value of the Company’s amortizable intangible assets may not be recoverable were not present in fiscal 2018 or during the three months ended December 29, 2018 , and accordingly, no impairment testing was performed on these assets. The Company amortizes its acquired intangible assets with definite lives over periods ranging from 3 to 25 years; over weighted average remaining lives of 4 years for marketing-related intangibles, 10 years for customer-related intangibles and 11 years for other acquired intangibles. Amortization expense for intangibles subject to amortization was approximately $3.5 million and $2.3 million for the three months ended December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 and is classified within selling, general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Estimated annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets in each of the succeeding five years is estimated to be approximately $10 million per year from fiscal 2019 through fiscal 2023. .

Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Long-Term Debt Long-term debt consists of the following: December 29, 2018 December 30, 2017 September 29, 2018 (in thousands) Senior notes, interest at 6.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due November 2023 $ 400,000 $ 400,000 $ 400,000 Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028 300,000 300,000 300,000 Unamortized debt issuance costs (8,108 ) (9,161 ) (8,425 ) Net carrying value 691,892 690,839 691,575 Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.25% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.25% to 0.50%, final maturity April 2021 — — — Other notes payable 557 497 578 Total 692,449 691,336 692,153 Less current portion (117 ) (372 ) (122 ) Long-term portion $ 692,332 $ 690,964 $ 692,031 Senior Notes $300 Million 5.125% Senior Notes On December 14, 2017, the Company issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 5.125% senior notes due February 2028 (the "2028 Notes"). The Company will use the net proceeds from the offering to finance future acquisitions and for general corporate purposes. The Company incurred approximately $4.8 million of debt issuance costs in conjunction with this transaction, which included underwriter fees and legal, accounting and rating agency expenses. The debt issuance costs are being amortized over the term of the 2028 Notes. The 2028 Notes require semiannual interest payments on February 1 and August 1, commencing August 1, 2018. The 2028 Notes are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis by the Company's existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries who are borrowers under or guarantors of Central's senior secured revolving credit facility or who guarantee the 2023 Notes. The Company may redeem some or all of the 2028 Notes at any time, at its option, prior to January 1, 2023 at the principal amount plus a “make whole” premium. At any time prior to January 1, 2021, the Company may also redeem, at its option, up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of the notes with the proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price of 105.125% of the principal amount of the notes. The Company may redeem some or all of the 2028 Notes, at its option, at any time on or after January 1, 2023 for 102.563% , on or after January 1, 2024 for 101.708% , on or after January 1, 2025 for 100.854% , and on or after January 1, 2026 for 100.0% , plus accrued and unpaid interest. The holders of the 2028 Notes have the right to require us to repurchase all or a portion of the 2028 Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest upon the occurrence of a change of control. The 2028 Notes contain customary high yield covenants, including covenants limiting debt incurrence and restricted payments, subject to certain baskets and exceptions. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants as of December 29, 2018 . $400 Million 6.125% Senior Notes On November 9, 2015, the Company issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% senior notes due November 2023 (the "2023 Notes"). In December 2015, the Company used the net proceeds from the offering, together with available cash, to redeem its $400 million aggregate principal amount of 8.25% senior subordinated notes due March 1, 2018 ("2018 Notes") at a price of 102.063% of the principal amount and to pay fees and expenses related to the offering. The 2023 Notes are unsecured senior obligations and are subordinated to all of the Company’s existing and future secured debt, including the Company’s Credit Facility, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness. The Company incurred approximately $6.3 million of debt issuance costs in conjunction with these transactions, which included underwriter fees and legal, accounting and rating agency expenses. The debt issuance costs are being amortized over the term of the 2023 Notes. The 2023 Notes require semiannual interest payments on May 15 and November 15. The 2023 Notes are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis by each of the Company’s existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries which are borrowers under or guarantors of Central’s senior secured revolving credit facility. The 2023 Notes are unsecured senior obligations and are subordinated to all of the Company’s existing and future secured debt, including the Company’s Credit Facility, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness. The Company may redeem some or all of the 2023 Notes at any time, at its option, at any time on or after November 15, 2018 for 104.594% , at any time on or after November 15, 2019 for 103.063% , on or after November 15, 2020 for 101.531% and on or after November 15, 2021 for 100% , plus accrued and unpaid interest. The holders of the 2023 Notes have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of the 2023 Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest upon the occurrence of a change of control. The 2023 Notes contain customary high yield covenants, including covenants limiting debt incurrence and restricted payments, subject to certain baskets and exceptions. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants as of December 29, 2018 . Asset-Based Loan Facility Amendment On April 22, 2016, the Company entered into an amended and restated credit agreement which provides up to a $400 million principal amount senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility, with up to an additional $200 million principal amount available with the consent of the Lenders if the Company exercises the accordion feature set forth therein (collectively, the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility matures on April 22, 2021. The Company may borrow, repay and reborrow amounts under the Credit Facility until its maturity date, at which time all amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility must be repaid in full. As of December 29, 2018 , there were no borrowings outstanding and no letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Facility. There were other letters of credit of $3.2 million outstanding as of December 29, 2018 . The Credit Facility is subject to a borrowing base, calculated using a formula based upon eligible receivables and inventory, minus certain reserves and subject to restrictions. As of December 29, 2018 , the borrowing base and remaining borrowing availability was $356.6 million . Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at an index based on LIBOR or, at the option of the Company, the Base Rate (defined as the highest of (a) the SunTrust prime rate, (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5% and (c) one-month LIBOR plus 1.00% ), plus, in either case, an applicable margin based on the Company’s consolidated senior leverage ratio. Such applicable margin for LIBOR-based borrowings fluctuates between 1.25% - 1.50% , and was 1.25% as of December 29, 2018 , and such applicable margin for Base Rate borrowings fluctuates between 0.25% - 0.5% , and was 0.25% as of December 29, 2018 . As of December 29, 2018 , the applicable interest rate related to Base Rate borrowings was 5.8% , and the applicable interest rate related to LIBOR-based borrowings was 3.8% . The Company incurred approximately $1.2 million of debt issuance costs in conjunction with this transaction, which included underwriter fees, legal and accounting expenses. The unamortized debt issuance costs are included in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and are being amortized over the term of the Credit Facility. The Credit Facility contains customary covenants, including financial covenants which require the Company to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.00 :1.00 upon reaching certain borrowing levels. The Credit Facility is secured by substantially all assets of the Company. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants under the Credit Facility during the quarter ended December 29, 2018 .

Supplemental Equity Information

Supplemental Equity Information	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
Supplemental Equity Information	Supplemental Equity Information The following table provides a summary of the changes in the carrying amounts of equity attributable to controlling interest and noncontrolling interest for the three months ended December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 . Controlling Interest (in thousands) Common Stock Class A Common Stock Class B Stock Additional Paid In Capital Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Total Noncontrolling Interest Total Balance September 29, 2018 $ 121 $ 439 $ 16 $ 590,168 $ 362,923 $ (1,218 ) $ 952,449 $ 385 $ 952,834 Comprehensive income 1,803 (274 ) 1,529 (164 ) 1,365 Amortization of share-based awards 2,261 2,261 2,261 Restricted share activity, including net share settlement — 1 (386 ) (385 ) (385 ) Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options 1 408 409 409 Balance December 29, 2018 $ 121 $ 441 $ 16 $ 592,451 $ 364,726 $ (1,492 ) $ 956,263 $ 221 $ 956,484 Controlling Interest (in thousands) Common Stock Class A Common Stock Class B Stock Additional Paid In Capital Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Total Noncontrolling Interest Total Balance September 30, 2017 $ 122 $ 380 $ 16 $ 396,790 $ 239,329 $ (951 ) $ 635,686 $ 1,456 $ 637,142 Comprehensive income 26,247 44 26,291 203 26,494 Amortization of share-based awards 2,143 2,143 2,143 Restricted share activity, including net share settlement — (2,397 ) (2,397 ) (2,397 ) Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options — — 166 166 166 Distribution to Noncontrolling interest (1,597 ) (1,597 ) Balance December 30, 2017 $ 122 $ 380 $ 16 $ 396,702 $ 265,576 $ (907 ) $ 661,889 $ 62 $ 661,951

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation The Company recognized share-based compensation expense of $2.8 million and $2.7 million for the three months ended December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 , respectively, as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses. The tax benefit associated with share-based compensation expense for the three months ended December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 was $0.7 million and $0.7 million , respectively.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted per share computations for income from continuing operations (in thousands except share and per share amounts). Three Months Ended December 29, 2018 Income Shares Per Share Basic EPS: Net income available to common shareholders $ 1,803 56,903 $ 0.03 Effect of dilutive securities: Options to purchase common stock 667 — Restricted shares 431 — Diluted EPS: Net income available to common shareholders $ 1,803 58,001 $ 0.03 Three Months Ended December 30, 2017 Income Shares Per Share Basic EPS: Net income available to common shareholders $ 26,247 50,730 $ 0.52 Effect of dilutive securities: Options to purchase common stock 1,147 (0.01 ) Restricted shares 818 (0.01 ) Diluted EPS: Net income available to common shareholders $ 26,247 52,695 $ 0.50 Options to purchase 2.3 million shares of common stock at prices ranging from $6.43 to $38.10 per share were outstanding at December 29, 2018 , and options to purchase 2.4 million shares of common stock at prices ranging from $6.43 to $33.15 per share were outstanding at December 30, 2017 . For the three months ended December 29, 2018 , 1.1 million options were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the option exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares and therefore, the effect of including these options would be antidilutive. For the three months ended December 30, 2017 , all options outstanding were included in the computation of diluted earnings per share.

Segment Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information Management has determined that the Company has two operating segments, which are also reportable segments based on the level at which the Chief Operating Decision Maker reviews the results of operations to make decisions regarding performance assessment and resource allocation. These operating segments are Pet segment and Garden segment and are presented in the table below (in thousands). Three Months Ended December 29, December 30, Net sales: Pet segment $ 340,416 $ 325,084 Garden segment 121,574 116,927 Total net sales $ 461,990 $ 442,011 Operating Income Pet segment 29,755 36,176 Garden segment (4,637 ) 2,300 Corporate (14,937 ) (15,955 ) Total operating income 10,181 22,521 Interest expense - net (8,077 ) (7,218 ) Other expense (192 ) (3,089 ) Income tax expense (benefit) 273 (14,236 ) Income including noncontrolling interest 1,639 26,450 Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest (164 ) 203 Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company $ 1,803 $ 26,247 Depreciation and amortization: Pet segment $ 8,056 $ 7,145 Garden segment 2,826 1,569 Corporate 1,470 2,449 Total depreciation and amortization $ 12,352 $ 11,163 December 29, December 30, September 29, Assets: Pet segment $ 677,647 $ 620,681 $ 683,938 Garden segment 453,331 356,821 407,483 Corporate 819,868 639,850 815,788 Total assets $ 1,950,846 $ 1,617,352 $ 1,907,209 Goodwill (included in corporate assets above): Pet segment $ 268,289 $ 250,802 $ 268,289 Garden segment 12,888 5,473 12,888 Total goodwill $ 281,177 $ 256,275 $ 281,177 The tables below present the Company's disaggregated revenues by segment: Three Months Ended December 29, 2018 Pet Segment Garden Segment Total Other pet products $ 209.3 $ — $ 209.3 Dog and cat products 131.1 — 131.1 Garden controls and fertilizer products — 24.3 24.3 Other garden supplies — 97.3 97.3 Total $ 340.4 $ 121.6 $ 462.0 Three Months Ended December 30, 2017 Pet Segment Garden Segment Total Other pet products $ 195.1 $ — $ 195.1 Dog and cat products 130.0 — 130.0 Garden controls and fertilizer products — 29.6 29.6 Other garden supplies — 87.3 87.3 Total $ 325.1 $ 116.9 $ 442.0

Consolidating Condensed Financi

Consolidating Condensed Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Condensed Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Consolidating Condensed Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries	Consolidating Condensed Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries Certain 100% wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company (as listed below, collectively the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”) have guaranteed fully and unconditionally, on a joint and several basis, the obligation to pay principal and interest on the Company’s 2023 Notes and 2028 Notes. Certain subsidiaries and operating divisions are not guarantors of the 2023 Notes and 2028 Notes. Those subsidiaries that are guarantors and co-obligors of the 2023 Notes and 2028 Notes are as follows: Farnam Companies, Inc. Four Paws Products Ltd. Gulfstream Home & Garden, Inc. Hydro-Organics Wholesale, Inc. IMS Trading, LLC IMS Southern, LLC K&H Manufacturing, LLC Kaytee Products, Inc. Matson, LLC New England Pottery, LLC Pennington Seed, Inc. (including Gro Tec, Inc., NEXGEN Turf Research, LLC and All-Glass Aquarium Co., Inc.) Pets International, Ltd. Segrest, Inc. (including Blue Springs Hatchery, Inc., Segrest Farms, Inc., Florida Tropical Distributors International, Inc., Sun Pet, Ltd, Aquatica Tropicals, Inc., Quality Pets, LLC and Midwest Tropicals, LLC) T.F.H. Publications, Inc. Wellmark International (including B2E Corporation, B2E Microbials, LLC, B2E Manufacturing, LLC, Four Star Microbial Products, LLC and B2E Biotech LLC) In lieu of providing separate audited financial statements for the Guarantor Subsidiaries, the Company has included the accompanying consolidating condensed financial statements based on the Company’s understanding of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s interpretation and application of Rule 3-10 of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulation S-X. CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS Three Months Ended December 29, 2018 (in thousands) Parent Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net sales $ 173,406 $ 23,629 $ 279,834 $ (14,879 ) $ 461,990 Cost of goods sold and occupancy 136,013 22,003 187,683 (13,891 ) 331,808 Gross profit 37,393 1,626 92,151 (988 ) 130,182 Selling, general and administrative expenses 43,665 7,351 69,973 (988 ) 120,001 Operating income (loss) (6,272 ) (5,725 ) 22,178 — 10,181 Interest expense (10,497 ) (114 ) (3 ) (10,614 ) Interest income 2,533 4 — 2,537 Other (expense) income 37 (216 ) (13 ) (192 ) Income (loss) before taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates (14,199 ) (6,051 ) 22,162 — 1,912 Income tax expense (benefit) (2,088 ) (256 ) 2,617 273 Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates 13,914 — (1,112 ) (12,802 ) — Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest 1,803 (5,795 ) 18,433 (12,802 ) 1,639 Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest — (164 ) — — (164 ) Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company $ 1,803 $ (5,631 ) $ 18,433 $ (12,802 ) $ 1,803 CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS Three Months Ended December 30, 2017 (in thousands) Parent Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net sales $ 159,061 $ 13,743 $ 286,424 $ (17,217 ) $ 442,011 Cost of goods sold and occupancy 125,479 11,816 189,051 (16,172 ) 310,174 Gross profit 33,582 1,927 97,373 (1,045 ) 131,837 Selling, general and administrative expenses 36,639 3,905 69,817 (1,045 ) 109,316 Operating income (loss) (3,057 ) (1,978 ) 27,556 — 22,521 Interest expense (7,385 ) (16 ) (4 ) — (7,405 ) Interest income 186 1 — — 187 Other (expense) income (2,918 ) 54 (225 ) — (3,089 ) Income (loss) before taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates (13,174 ) (1,939 ) 27,327 — 12,214 Income tax expense (benefit) 14,425 1,282 (29,943 ) — (14,236 ) Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates 53,846 — (2,900 ) (50,946 ) — Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest 26,247 (3,221 ) 54,370 (50,946 ) 26,450 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest — 203 — — 203 Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company $ 26,247 $ (3,424 ) $ 54,370 $ (50,946 ) $ 26,247 CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) Three Months Ended December 29, 2018 (in thousands) Parent Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net income (loss) $ 1,803 $ (5,795 ) $ 18,433 $ (12,802 ) $ 1,639 Other comprehensive loss: Foreign currency translation (274 ) (129 ) (95 ) 224 (274 ) Total comprehensive income (loss) 1,529 (5,924 ) 18,338 (12,578 ) 1,365 Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — (164 ) — — (164 ) Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company $ 1,529 $ (5,760 ) $ 18,338 $ (12,578 ) $ 1,529 CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) Three Months Ended December 30, 2017 (in thousands) Parent Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net income (loss) $ 26,247 $ (3,221 ) $ 54,370 $ (50,946 ) $ 26,450 Other comprehensive income (loss): Foreign currency translation 44 43 (16 ) (27 ) 44 Total comprehensive income (loss) 26,291 (3,178 ) 54,354 (50,973 ) 26,494 Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — 203 — — 203 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company $ 26,291 $ (3,381 ) $ 54,354 $ (50,973 ) $ 26,291 CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET December 29, 2018 (in thousands) Parent Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 470,049 $ 6,500 $ 2,188 $ — $ 478,737 Restricted cash 10,921 — — — 10,921 Accounts receivable, net 95,399 9,736 145,088 — 250,223 Inventories 137,158 36,698 319,889 — 493,745 Prepaid expenses and other 16,268 1,635 20,495 — 38,398 Total current assets 729,795 54,569 487,660 — 1,272,024 Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net 31,311 33,483 146,766 — 211,560 Goodwill 20,578 7,414 253,185 — 281,177 Other long-term assets 54,972 6,663 132,846 (8,396 ) 186,085 Intercompany receivable 100,968 — 775,169 (876,137 ) — Investment in subsidiaries 1,632,068 — — (1,632,068 ) — Total $ 2,569,692 $ 102,129 $ 1,795,626 $ (2,516,601 ) $ 1,950,846 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Accounts payable $ 47,350 $ 12,359 $ 81,477 $ — $ 141,186 Accrued expenses 48,038 4,159 56,048 — 108,245 Current portion of long-term debt 117 — — — 117 Total current liabilities 95,505 16,518 137,525 — 249,548 Long-term debt 692,157 — 175 — 692,332 Intercompany payable 817,165 58,972 — (876,137 ) — Losses in excess of investment in subsidiaries — 26,148 (26,148 ) — Other long-term obligations 8,602 — 52,276 (8,396 ) 52,482 Total Central Garden & Pet shareholders’ equity 956,263 26,418 1,579,502 (1,605,920 ) 956,263 Noncontrolling interest 221 — 221 Total equity 956,263 26,639 1,579,502 (1,605,920 ) 956,484 Total $ 2,569,692 $ 102,129 $ 1,795,626 $ (2,516,601 ) $ 1,950,846 CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET December 30, 2017 (in thousands) Parent Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 277,608 $ 5,858 $ — $ — $ 283,466 Restricted cash 12,419 — — — 12,419 Accounts receivable, net 89,039 5,617 140,419 — 235,075 Inventories 141,788 12,723 285,910 — 440,421 Prepaid expenses and other 6,645 1,059 14,815 — 22,519 Total current assets 527,499 25,257 441,144 — 993,900 Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net 35,972 4,180 139,078 — 179,230 Goodwill 15,058 — 241,217 — 256,275 Other long-term assets 55,752 2,032 143,741 (13,578 ) 187,947 Intercompany receivable 38,956 — 677,979 (716,935 ) — Investment in subsidiaries 1,437,506 — — (1,437,506 ) — Total $ 2,110,743 $ 31,469 $ 1,643,159 $ (2,168,019 ) $ 1,617,352 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Accounts payable $ 40,775 $ 9,241 $ 74,567 $ — $ 124,583 Accrued expenses 45,973 2,313 51,718 — 100,004 Current portion of long-term debt — — 372 — 372 Total current liabilities 86,748 11,554 126,657 — 224,959 Long-term debt 690,839 — 125 — 690,964 Intercompany payable 663,241 53,694 — (716,935 ) — Losses in excess of investment in subsidiaries — — 29,069 (29,069 ) — Other long-term obligations 8,026 — 45,030 (13,578 ) 39,478 Total Central Garden & Pet shareholders’ equity (deficit) 661,889 (33,841 ) 1,442,278 (1,408,437 ) 661,889 Noncontrolling interest — 62 — — 62 Total equity (deficit) 661,889 (33,779 ) 1,442,278 (1,408,437 ) 661,951 Total $ 2,110,743 $ 31,469 $ 1,643,159 $ (2,168,019 ) $ 1,617,352 CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET September 29, 2018 (in thousands) Parent Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 474,210 $ 6,005 $ 1,891 $ — $ 482,106 Restricted cash 10,899 — — — 10,899 Accounts receivable, net 94,657 9,647 171,604 — 275,908 Inventories 123,178 32,556 272,089 — 427,823 Prepaid expenses and other assets 6,304 1,455 12,803 — 20,562 Total current assets 709,248 49,663 458,387 — 1,217,298 Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net 33,484 33,840 150,323 — 217,647 Goodwill 20,578 7,414 253,185 — 281,177 Other long-term assets 62,199 7,469 133,145 (11,726 ) 191,087 Intercompany receivable 40,365 — 769,886 (810,251 ) — Investment in subsidiaries 1,618,378 — — (1,618,378 ) — Total $ 2,484,252 $ 98,386 $ 1,764,926 $ (2,440,355 ) $ 1,907,209 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Accounts payable $ 33,122 $ 4,759 $ 72,378 $ — $ 110,259 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 44,142 4,746 53,695 — 102,583 Current portion of long term debt 116 — 6 — 122 Total current liabilities 77,380 9,505 126,079 — 212,964 Long-term debt 691,869 — 162 — 692,031 Intercompany payable 753,933 56,318 — (810,251 ) — Losses in excess of investment in subsidiaries — — 25,036 (25,036 ) — Other long-term obligations 8,621 — 52,485 (11,726 ) 49,380 Total Central Garden & Pet shareholders’ equity (deficit) 952,449 32,178 1,561,164 (1,593,342 ) 952,449 Noncontrolling interest — 385 — — 385 Total equity (deficit) 952,449 32,563 1,561,164 (1,593,342 ) 952,834 Total $ 2,484,252 $ 98,386 $ 1,764,926 $ (2,440,355 ) $ 1,907,209 CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS Three Months Ended December 29, 2018 (in thousands) Parent Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net cash provided (used) by operating activities $ (3,592 ) $ (1,459 ) $ 11,851 $ — $ 6,800 Additions to property and equipment (873 ) (704 ) (6,261 ) — (7,838 ) Investments (1,499 ) — — — (1,499 ) Other investing activities (50 ) — — — (50 ) Intercompany investing activities (60,604 ) — (5,283 ) 65,887 — Net cash used by investing activities (63,026 ) (704 ) (11,544 ) 65,887 (9,387 ) Repayments under long-term debt (28 ) (6 ) (34 ) Repurchase of common stock (547 ) (547 ) Payment of contingent consideration liability — (54 ) — (54 ) Intercompany financing activities 63,233 2,654 (65,887 ) — Net cash provided (used) by financing activities 62,658 2,654 (60 ) (65,887 ) (635 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (179 ) 4 50 — (125 ) Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (4,139 ) 495 297 — (3,347 ) Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 485,109 6,005 1,891 — 493,005 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $ 480,970 $ 6,500 $ 2,188 $ — $ 489,658 CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS Three Months Ended December 30, 2017 (in thousands) Parent Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net cash (used) provided by operating activities $ (38,709 ) $ (105 ) $ 20,988 $ (6,387 ) $ (24,213 ) Additions to property, plant and equipment (1,608 ) (83 ) (6,495 ) — (8,186 ) Change in restricted cash and cash equivalents — — — — Investments (6,555 ) — (6,555 ) Other investing activities (1,200 ) — (1,200 ) Intercompany investing activities (2,351 ) — (15,842 ) 18,193 — Net cash used by investing activities (11,714 ) (83 ) (22,337 ) 18,193 (15,941 ) Repayments under revolving line of credit (23,000 ) — — (23,000 ) Borrowings under revolving line of credit 23,000 — — — 23,000 Repayments under long-term debt — — (7 ) — (7 ) Issuance of long-term debt 300,000 — — — 300,000 Payment of financing costs (4,558 ) — — — (4,558 ) Repurchase of common stock (2,768 ) — (2,768 ) Distribution to parent — (6,387 ) — 6,387 — Distribution to noncontrolling interest — (1,597 ) — — (1,597 ) Payment of contingent consideration — — (93 ) — (93 ) Intercompany financing activities 15,833 2,360 (18,193 ) — Net cash provided (used) by financing activities 308,507 (5,624 ) (100 ) (11,806 ) 290,977 Effect of exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 60 (23 ) (17 ) — 20 Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 258,144 (5,835 ) (1,466 ) — 250,843 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 31,883 11,693 1,466 — 45,042 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $ 290,027 $ 5,858 $ — $ — $ 295,885

Contingencies

Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingencies	Contingencies The Company may from time to time become involved in legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. Currently, the Company is not a party to any legal proceedings that management believes would have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations with the exception of the proceeding below. In 2012, Nite Glow Industries, Inc and its owner, Marni Markell, (“Nite Glow”) filed suit in the United States District Court for New Jersey against the Company alleging that the applicator developed and used by the Company for certain of its branded topical flea and tick products infringes a patent held by Nite Glow and asserted related claims for breach of contract and misappropriation of confidential information based on the terms of a Non-Disclosure Agreement. On June 27, 2018, a jury returned a verdict in favor of Nite Glow on each of the three claims and awarded damages of approximately $12.6 million. The case is currently in the post-trial motion phase of proceedings and is expected to proceed to appeal once all such motions have been resolved. Unless the verdicts are over-turned in the post-trial proceedings, the Company intends to vigorously pursue its rights on appeal and believes that it will prevail on the merits. While the Company believes that the ultimate resolution of this matter will not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements, the outcome of litigation is inherently uncertain and the final resolution of this matter may result in expense to the Company in excess of management's expectations. During fiscal 2013, the Company received notices from several states stating that they have appointed an agent to conduct an examination of the books and records of the Company to determine whether it has complied with state unclaimed property laws. In addition to seeking unclaimed property subject to escheat laws, the states may seek interest, penalties and other relief. The examinations are at an early stage and, as such, management is unable to determine the impact, if any, on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. The Company has experienced, and may in the future experience, issues with products that may lead to product liability, recalls, withdrawals, replacements of products, or regulatory actions by governmental authorities. The Company has not experienced recent issues with products, the resolution of which management believes would have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events Arden Companies In February 2019, the Company purchased the remaining 55% interest in Arden Companies, a manufacturer of outdoor cushions and pillows, for approximately $13.4 million . Subsequent to the acquisition, approximately $40 million was used to eliminate most of the acquired debt. The business has similarities to the Company's dog bed business and the Company believes there are synergies it can leverage between the businesses.

Basis of Presentation (Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Noncontrolling Interest	Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling interest in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements represents the 20% interest not owned by Central in a consolidated subsidiary. Since the Company controls this subsidiary, its financial statements are consolidated with those of the Company, and the noncontrolling owner’s 20% share of the subsidiary’s net assets and results of operations is deducted and reported as noncontrolling interest on the consolidated balance sheets and as net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest in the consolidated statements of operations. See Note 8, Supplemental Equity Information, for additional information.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash	Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash The Company considers cash and all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at date of purchase to be cash and cash equivalents. Restricted cash includes cash and highly liquid instruments that are used as collateral for stand-alone letter of credit agreements related to normal business transactions. These agreements require the Company to maintain specified amounts of cash as collateral in segregated accounts to support the letters of credit issued thereunder, which will affect the amount of cash the Company has available for other uses.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition Revenue Recognition and Nature of Products and Services The Company manufactures, markets and distributes a wide variety of branded, private label and third-party pet and garden products to wholesalers, distributors and retailers, primarily in the United States. The majority of the Company’s revenue is generated from the sale of finished pet and garden products. The Company also recognizes a minor amount of non-product revenue (less than one percent of consolidated net sales) comprising third-party logistics services, merchandising services and royalty income from sales-based licensing arrangements. Product and non-product revenue is recognized when performance obligations under the terms of the contracts with customers are satisfied. The Company recognizes product revenue when control over the finished goods transfers to its customers, which generally occurs upon shipment to, or receipt at, customers’ locations, as determined by the specific terms of the contract. These revenue contracts generally have single performance obligations. Non-product revenue is recognized as the services are provided to the customer in the case of third-party logistics services and merchandising services or as third-party licensee sales occur for royalty income. Revenue, which includes shipping and handling charges billed to the customer, is reported net of variable consideration and consideration payable to our customers, including applicable discounts, returns, allowances, trade promotion, unsaleable product, consumer coupon redemption and rebates. Shipping and handling costs that occur before the customer obtains control of the goods are deemed to be fulfillment activities and are accounted for as fulfillment costs. Key sales terms are established on a frequent basis such that most customer arrangements and related incentives have a one year or shorter duration. As such, the Company does not capitalize contract inception costs. Product fulfillment costs are capitalized as a part of inventoriable costs in accordance with US GAAP and our inventory policies. The Company generally does not have unbilled receivables at the end of a period. Deferred revenues are not material and primarily include advance payments for services that have yet to be rendered. The Company does not receive noncash consideration for the sale of goods. Amounts billed and due from our customers are classified as receivables and require payment on a short-term basis; therefore, the Company does not have any significant financing components. Sales Incentives and Other Promotional Programs The Company routinely offers sales incentives and discounts through various regional and national programs to our customers and consumers. These programs include product discounts or allowances, product rebates, product returns, one-time or ongoing trade-promotion programs with customers and consumer coupon programs that require the Company to estimate and accrue the expected costs of such programs. The costs associated with these activities are accounted for as reductions to the transaction price of the Company’s products and are, therefore, recorded as reductions to gross sales at the time of sale. The Company bases its estimates of incentive costs on historical trend experience with similar programs, actual incentive terms per customer contractual obligations and expected levels of performance of trade promotions, utilizing customer and sales organization inputs. The Company maintains liabilities at the end of each period for the estimated incentive costs incurred but unpaid for these programs. Differences between estimated and actual incentive costs are generally not material and are recognized in earnings in the period such differences are determined. Reserves for product returns, accrued rebates and promotional accruals are included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as part of accrued expenses, and the value of inventory associated with reserves for sales returns is included within prepaid and other current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Practical Expedients The Company elected the following practical expedients upon its adoption of Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC Topic 606). • Significant financing component - The Company elected not to adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component as the Company expects, at contract inception, that the period between the transfer of a promised good or service to a customer and when the customer pays for that good or service will be one year or less. • Shipping and handling costs - The company elected to account for shipping and handling activities that occur before the customer has obtained control of a good as fulfillment activities rather than as a promised service. • Measurement of transaction price - The Company has elected to exclude from the measurement of transaction price all taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on, and concurrent with, a specific revenue-producing transaction and collected by the Company from a customer for sales taxes.
Income Tax	Income Taxes On December 22, 2017, the U.S. Government enacted the 2017 Tax Act, which was comprehensive new tax legislation. The SEC Staff issued guidance on income tax accounting for the 2017 Tax Act on December 22, 2017, which allows companies to record provisional amounts during a measurement period not to extend beyond one year of the enactment date. During the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company has not made any measurement period adjustments. The Company's accounting for the impact of the 2017 Tax Act has now been completed as of the period ending December 29, 2018.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted Revenue Recognition In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") ASC Topic 606, which replaces numerous requirements in U.S. GAAP, including industry-specific requirements, and provides companies with a single revenue recognition model for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. On September 30, 2018, the beginning of the Company’s fiscal year 2019, the Company adopted the requirements of ASC Topic 606 using the modified retrospective method. Upon completing its implementation assessment of Topic ASC 606, the Company concluded that no adjustment was required to the opening balance of retained earnings at the date of initial application. The comparative information has also not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. Additional disclosures required by ASC Topic 606 are presented within the Revenue Recognition policy disclosure and in Note 11 Segment Information. On the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets, reserves for customer product returns and return allowances are now included as part of accrued expenses, rather than accounts receivable, net, and the value of inventory associated with reserves for sales returns is included within prepaid and other current assets Had the Company not adopted the provisions under this ASU, its condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 29, 2018 would have been presented as follows (in thousands): As Presented December 29, 2018 Adjustments Balances without Adoption of ASC 606 December 29, 2018 Current assets Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts $ 250,223 $ (5,786 ) $ 244,437 Prepaid expenses and other $ 38,398 $ (4,096 ) $ 34,302 Total current assets $ 1,272,024 $ (9,882 ) $ 1,262,142 Current liabilities Accrued expenses $ 108,245 $ (9,882 ) $ 98,363 Total current liabilities $ 249,548 $ (9,882 ) $ 239,666 Statement of Cash Flows In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (ASU 2016-15). The ASU provides additional clarification guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted the provisions of this guidance as of September 30, 2018 on a retrospective basis. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force) (ASU 2016-18) . This ASU clarifies the presentation of restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. Amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning and ending cash balances on the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted the provisions under this ASU on September 30, 2018, on a retrospective basis. This resulted in an increase in beginning of period and end of period cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $12.6 million and $12.4 million , respectively, and a decrease of $0.2 million of cash used in investing activities to the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the three months ended December 30, 2017. Business Combinations In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Clarifying the Definition of a Business (ASU 2017-01), which requires an evaluation of whether substantially all of the fair value of assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets. If so, the transaction does not qualify as a business. The guidance also requires an acquired business to include at least one substantive process and narrows the definition of outputs. The Company adopted the provisions of this guidance as of September 30, 2018. The adoption of this ASU had no impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements for the period ended December 29, 2018, but may have an impact on accounting for any future acquisitions the Company may have . Stock-Based Compensation In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718) Scope of Modification Accounting (Topic 718) . This update amends the scope of modification accounting surrounding share-based payment arrangements as issued in ASU 2016-09 by providing guidance on the various types of changes which would trigger modification accounting for share-based payment awards. Adoption of this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. Income Taxes In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Accounting for Income Taxes: Intra-Entity Asset Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory (Topic 740) . ASU 2016-16 amends accounting guidance for intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory to require the recognition of taxes when the transfer occurs. The amendment was effective for us September 30, 2018. A modified retrospective approach is required for transition to the new guidance, with a cumulative-effect adjustment consisting of the net impact from (1) the write-off of any unamortized expense previously deferred and (2) recognition of any previously unrecognized deferred tax assets, net of any valuation allowance. The new guidance does not include any specific new disclosure requirements. Adoption of this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 did not have an impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. Financial Instruments In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities . The updated guidance enhances the reporting model for financial instruments, which includes amendments to address aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure. The guidance requires equity investments, excluding equity method investments or investees that are consolidated, to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income and enhanced disclosures about those investments. The guidance also simplifies the impairment assessments of equity investments without readily determinable fair value. The Company adopted the ASU in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, and the adoption of the new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted Leases In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 (ASU 2016-02), Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2016-02 requires companies to generally recognize on the balance sheet operating and financing lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use assets. The Company will adopt ASU 2016-02 on September 29, 2019 and expects to elect certain practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance. The Company will elect the optional transition method that allows for a cumulative-effect adjustment in the period of adoption and will not restate prior periods. The Company is implementing a new lease system in connection with the adoption of this standard and is currently in the design phase. The Company currently expects that most of its operating lease commitments will be subject to the new standard and the Company will record material long-term operating lease liabilities and long-term right-of-use assets upon the adoption of ASU 2016-02. Goodwill and Intangible Assets In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The new guidance simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by removing the second step of the two-step impairment test. The amendment requires an entity to perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. The new guidance is effective for annual periods or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, or the Company's first quarter of fiscal 2021. The amendment should be applied on a prospective basis. Based on the Company's most recent annual goodwill impairment test performed as of July 1, 2018, there were no reporting units for which the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeded its fair value; therefore, this ASU would not currently have an impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. However, if upon adoption the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company would be impacted by the amount of impairment recognized. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40), Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract . This ASU aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). ASU 2018-15 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted, and is effective for the Company in fiscal 2021. The amendments in this ASU should be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2018-15 will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. Fair Value Disclosures In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Me asurement . This ASU modifies the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by removing, modifying or adding certain disclosures. ASU 2018-13 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted and is effective for the Company in fiscal 2021. The amendments on changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty should be applied prospectively for only the most recent interim or annual period presented in the initial fiscal year of adoption. All other amendments should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented upon their effective date. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2018-13 will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
Fair Value Measurement	Fair Value Measurements ASC 820 establishes a single authoritative definition of fair value, a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure of fair value measurements. ASC 820 requires financial assets and liabilities to be categorized based on the inputs used to calculate their fair values as follows: Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (including assumptions about risk). The Company’s financial instruments include cash and equivalents, short term investments consisting of bank certificates of deposit, accounts receivable and payable, derivative instruments, short-term borrowings, and accrued liabilities. The carrying amount of these instruments approximates fair value because of their short-term nature.
Goodwill	Goodwill The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually (as of the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter), or whenever events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount, by first assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If it is determined that it is more likely than not the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, it is unnecessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the two-step test is performed to identify potential goodwill impairment. Based on certain circumstances, the Company may elect to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to performing the first step of the two-step goodwill impairment test, which compares the fair value of the Company’s reporting units to their related carrying values, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the Company performs an additional step to determine the implied fair value of goodwill associated with that reporting unit. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by first allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities and then computing the excess of the reporting unit’s fair value over the amounts assigned to the assets and liabilities. If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill, such excess represents the amount of goodwill impairment, and, accordingly, the Company recognizes such impairment. The Company’s goodwill impairment analysis also includes a comparison of the aggregate estimated fair value of its two reporting units to the Company’s total market capitalization.

Basis of Presentation Basis of

Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule of Cash, Cash Equivalents and and Restricted Cash	The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the condensed consolidated balance sheets to the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows as of December 29, 2018, December 30, 2017 and September 29, 2018, respectively (in thousands). December 29, 2018 December 30, 2017 September 29, 2018 Cash and cash equivalents $ 478,737 $ 283,466 $ 482,106 Restricted cash 10,921 12,419 10,899 Total Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 489,658 $ 295,885 $ 493,005

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Summary of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	The following table presents the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis based upon the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall, as of December 29, 2018 (in thousands): Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Liabilities: Liability for contingent consideration (a) $ — $ — $ 7,616 $ 7,616 Total liabilities $ — $ — $ 7,616 $ 7,616 The following table presents the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis based upon the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall, as of December 30, 2017 (in thousands): Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Liabilities: Liability for contingent consideration (a) $ — $ — $ 9,058 $ 9,058 Total liabilities $ — $ — $ 9,058 $ 9,058 The following table presents our financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis based upon the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall, as of September 29, 2018 : Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Liabilities: Liability for contingent consideration (b) $ — $ — $ 8,224 $ 8,224 Total liabilities $ — $ — $ 8,224 $ 8,224 (a) The liability for contingent consideration relates to an earn-out for B2E, acquired in December 2012, future performance-based contingent payments for Hydro-Organics Wholesale, Inc., acquired in October 2015 and future performance-based contingent payment for Segrest, Inc., acquired in October 2016. The fair value of the estimated contingent consideration arrangement is determined based on the Company’s evaluation as to the probability and amount of any earn-out that will be achieved based on expected future performance by the acquired entity. This is presented as part of long-term liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. (b) The liability for contingent consideration relates to an earn-out for B2E, acquired in December 2012, future performance-based contingent payments for Hydro-Organics Wholesale, Inc., acquired in October 2015, future performance-based contingent payment for Segrest, Inc., acquired in October 2016, and future performance-based contingent payments for Bell Nursery, acquired in March 2018. The fair value of the estimated contingent consideration arrangement is determined based on the Company’s evaluation as to the probability and amount of any earn-out that will be achieved based on expected future performance by the acquired entity. This is presented as part of long-term liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.
Summary of Changes in Fair Value of Level 3 Financial Instruments	The following table provides a summary of the changes in fair value of the Company's Level 3 financial instruments for the periods ended December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 (in thousands): Amount Balance September 29, 2018 $ 8,224 Estimated contingent performance-based consideration established at the time of acquisition — Changes in the fair value of contingent performance-based payments established at the time of acquisition (554 ) Performance-based payments (54 ) Balance December 29, 2018 $ 7,616 Amount Balance September 30, 2017 $ 9,343 Estimated contingent performance-based consideration established at the time of acquisition — Changes in the fair value of contingent performance-based payments established at the time of acquisition (192 ) Performance-based payments (93 ) Balance December 30, 2017 $ 9,058

Inventories, net (Tables)

Inventories, net (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Inventories, Net of Allowance for Obsolescence	Inventories, net of allowance for obsolescence, consist of the following (in thousands): December 29, 2018 December 30, 2017 September 29, 2018 Raw materials $ 134,955 $ 120,710 $ 117,539 Work in progress 34,553 13,778 35,691 Finished goods 306,181 291,812 263,845 Supplies 18,056 14,121 10,748 Total inventories, net $ 493,745 $ 440,421 $ 427,823

Other Intangible Assets (Tables

Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Gross and Net Acquired Intangible Assets	The following table summarizes the components of gross and net acquired intangible assets: Gross Accumulated Amortization Accumulated Impairment Net Carrying Value (in millions) December 29, 2018 Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable $ 18.6 $ (14.6 ) $ — $ 4.0 Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable 70.6 — (26.0 ) 44.6 Total 89.2 (14.6 ) (26.0 ) 48.6 Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable 128.3 (45.1 ) — 83.2 Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable 25.4 (15.0 ) — 10.4 Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable 7.8 — (1.2 ) 6.6 Total 33.2 (15.0 ) (1.2 ) 17.0 Total other intangible assets $ 250.7 $ (74.7 ) $ (27.2 ) $ 148.8 Gross Accumulated Amortization Accumulated Impairment Net Carrying Value (in millions) December 30, 2017 Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable $ 16.9 $ (13.1 ) $ — $ 3.8 Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable 62.7 — (26.0 ) 36.7 Total 79.6 (13.1 ) (26.0 ) 40.5 Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable 91.6 (33.9 ) — 57.7 Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable 22.1 (13.2 ) — 8.9 Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable 7.8 — (1.2 ) 6.6 Total 29.9 (13.2 ) (1.2 ) 15.5 Total other intangible assets $ 201.1 $ (60.2 ) $ (27.2 ) $ 113.7 Gross Accumulated Amortization Accumulated Impairment Net Carrying Value (in millions) September 29, 2018 Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable $ 18.6 $ (14.2 ) $ — $ 4.4 Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable 70.6 — (26.0 ) 44.6 Total 89.2 (14.2 ) (26.0 ) 49.0 Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable 128.3 (42.5 ) — 85.8 Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable 25.4 (14.5 ) — 10.9 Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable 7.8 — (1.2 ) 6.6 Total 33.2 (14.5 ) (1.2 ) 17.5 Total other intangible assets $ 250.7 $ (71.2 ) $ (27.2 ) $ 152.3

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Long-Term Debt	Long-term debt consists of the following: December 29, 2018 December 30, 2017 September 29, 2018 (in thousands) Senior notes, interest at 6.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due November 2023 $ 400,000 $ 400,000 $ 400,000 Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028 300,000 300,000 300,000 Unamortized debt issuance costs (8,108 ) (9,161 ) (8,425 ) Net carrying value 691,892 690,839 691,575 Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.25% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.25% to 0.50%, final maturity April 2021 — — — Other notes payable 557 497 578 Total 692,449 691,336 692,153 Less current portion (117 ) (372 ) (122 ) Long-term portion $ 692,332 $ 690,964 $ 692,031

Supplemental Equity Informati_2

Supplemental Equity Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
Summary of Changes in Carrying Amounts of Equity Attributable to Controlling Interest and Noncontrolling Interest	The following table provides a summary of the changes in the carrying amounts of equity attributable to controlling interest and noncontrolling interest for the three months ended December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 . Controlling Interest (in thousands) Common Stock Class A Common Stock Class B Stock Additional Paid In Capital Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Total Noncontrolling Interest Total Balance September 29, 2018 $ 121 $ 439 $ 16 $ 590,168 $ 362,923 $ (1,218 ) $ 952,449 $ 385 $ 952,834 Comprehensive income 1,803 (274 ) 1,529 (164 ) 1,365 Amortization of share-based awards 2,261 2,261 2,261 Restricted share activity, including net share settlement — 1 (386 ) (385 ) (385 ) Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options 1 408 409 409 Balance December 29, 2018 $ 121 $ 441 $ 16 $ 592,451 $ 364,726 $ (1,492 ) $ 956,263 $ 221 $ 956,484 Controlling Interest (in thousands) Common Stock Class A Common Stock Class B Stock Additional Paid In Capital Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Total Noncontrolling Interest Total Balance September 30, 2017 $ 122 $ 380 $ 16 $ 396,790 $ 239,329 $ (951 ) $ 635,686 $ 1,456 $ 637,142 Comprehensive income 26,247 44 26,291 203 26,494 Amortization of share-based awards 2,143 2,143 2,143 Restricted share activity, including net share settlement — (2,397 ) (2,397 ) (2,397 ) Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options — — 166 166 166 Distribution to Noncontrolling interest (1,597 ) (1,597 ) Balance December 30, 2017 $ 122 $ 380 $ 16 $ 396,702 $ 265,576 $ (907 ) $ 661,889 $ 62 $ 661,951

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted per share computations for income from continuing operations (in thousands except share and per share amounts). Three Months Ended December 29, 2018 Income Shares Per Share Basic EPS: Net income available to common shareholders $ 1,803 56,903 $ 0.03 Effect of dilutive securities: Options to purchase common stock 667 — Restricted shares 431 — Diluted EPS: Net income available to common shareholders $ 1,803 58,001 $ 0.03 Three Months Ended December 30, 2017 Income Shares Per Share Basic EPS: Net income available to common shareholders $ 26,247 50,730 $ 0.52 Effect of dilutive securities: Options to purchase common stock 1,147 (0.01 ) Restricted shares 818 (0.01 ) Diluted EPS: Net income available to common shareholders $ 26,247 52,695 $ 0.50

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Financial Information Relating to Company's Business Segments	These operating segments are Pet segment and Garden segment and are presented in the table below (in thousands). Three Months Ended December 29, December 30, Net sales: Pet segment $ 340,416 $ 325,084 Garden segment 121,574 116,927 Total net sales $ 461,990 $ 442,011 Operating Income Pet segment 29,755 36,176 Garden segment (4,637 ) 2,300 Corporate (14,937 ) (15,955 ) Total operating income 10,181 22,521 Interest expense - net (8,077 ) (7,218 ) Other expense (192 ) (3,089 ) Income tax expense (benefit) 273 (14,236 ) Income including noncontrolling interest 1,639 26,450 Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest (164 ) 203 Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company $ 1,803 $ 26,247 Depreciation and amortization: Pet segment $ 8,056 $ 7,145 Garden segment 2,826 1,569 Corporate 1,470 2,449 Total depreciation and amortization $ 12,352 $ 11,163 December 29, December 30, September 29, Assets: Pet segment $ 677,647 $ 620,681 $ 683,938 Garden segment 453,331 356,821 407,483 Corporate 819,868 639,850 815,788 Total assets $ 1,950,846 $ 1,617,352 $ 1,907,209 Goodwill (included in corporate assets above): Pet segment $ 268,289 $ 250,802 $ 268,289 Garden segment 12,888 5,473 12,888 Total goodwill $ 281,177 $ 256,275 $ 281,177

Consolidating Condensed Finan_2

Consolidating Condensed Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Condensed Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Consolidating Condensed Statement of Operations	CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS Three Months Ended December 29, 2018 (in thousands) Parent Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net sales $ 173,406 $ 23,629 $ 279,834 $ (14,879 ) $ 461,990 Cost of goods sold and occupancy 136,013 22,003 187,683 (13,891 ) 331,808 Gross profit 37,393 1,626 92,151 (988 ) 130,182 Selling, general and administrative expenses 43,665 7,351 69,973 (988 ) 120,001 Operating income (loss) (6,272 ) (5,725 ) 22,178 — 10,181 Interest expense (10,497 ) (114 ) (3 ) (10,614 ) Interest income 2,533 4 — 2,537 Other (expense) income 37 (216 ) (13 ) (192 ) Income (loss) before taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates (14,199 ) (6,051 ) 22,162 — 1,912 Income tax expense (benefit) (2,088 ) (256 ) 2,617 273 Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates 13,914 — (1,112 ) (12,802 ) — Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest 1,803 (5,795 ) 18,433 (12,802 ) 1,639 Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest — (164 ) — — (164 ) Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company $ 1,803 $ (5,631 ) $ 18,433 $ (12,802 ) $ 1,803 CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS Three Months Ended December 30, 2017 (in thousands) Parent Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net sales $ 159,061 $ 13,743 $ 286,424 $ (17,217 ) $ 442,011 Cost of goods sold and occupancy 125,479 11,816 189,051 (16,172 ) 310,174 Gross profit 33,582 1,927 97,373 (1,045 ) 131,837 Selling, general and administrative expenses 36,639 3,905 69,817 (1,045 ) 109,316 Operating income (loss) (3,057 ) (1,978 ) 27,556 — 22,521 Interest expense (7,385 ) (16 ) (4 ) — (7,405 ) Interest income 186 1 — — 187 Other (expense) income (2,918 ) 54 (225 ) — (3,089 ) Income (loss) before taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates (13,174 ) (1,939 ) 27,327 — 12,214 Income tax expense (benefit) 14,425 1,282 (29,943 ) — (14,236 ) Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates 53,846 — (2,900 ) (50,946 ) — Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest 26,247 (3,221 ) 54,370 (50,946 ) 26,450 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest — 203 — — 203 Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company $ 26,247 $ (3,424 ) $ 54,370 $ (50,946 ) $ 26,247
Consolidating Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) Three Months Ended December 29, 2018 (in thousands) Parent Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net income (loss) $ 1,803 $ (5,795 ) $ 18,433 $ (12,802 ) $ 1,639 Other comprehensive loss: Foreign currency translation (274 ) (129 ) (95 ) 224 (274 ) Total comprehensive income (loss) 1,529 (5,924 ) 18,338 (12,578 ) 1,365 Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — (164 ) — — (164 ) Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company $ 1,529 $ (5,760 ) $ 18,338 $ (12,578 ) $ 1,529 CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) Three Months Ended December 30, 2017 (in thousands) Parent Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net income (loss) $ 26,247 $ (3,221 ) $ 54,370 $ (50,946 ) $ 26,450 Other comprehensive income (loss): Foreign currency translation 44 43 (16 ) (27 ) 44 Total comprehensive income (loss) 26,291 (3,178 ) 54,354 (50,973 ) 26,494 Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — 203 — — 203 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company $ 26,291 $ (3,381 ) $ 54,354 $ (50,973 ) $ 26,291 CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET December 29, 2018 (in thousands) Parent Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 470,049 $ 6,500 $ 2,188 $ — $ 478,737 Restricted cash 10,921 — — — 10,921 Accounts receivable, net 95,399 9,736 145,088 — 250,223 Inventories 137,158 36,698 319,889 — 493,745 Prepaid expenses and other 16,268 1,635 20,495 — 38,398 Total current assets 729,795 54,569 487,660 — 1,272,024 Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net 31,311 33,483 146,766 — 211,560 Goodwill 20,578 7,414 253,185 — 281,177 Other long-term assets 54,972 6,663 132,846 (8,396 ) 186,085 Intercompany receivable 100,968 — 775,169 (876,137 ) — Investment in subsidiaries 1,632,068 — — (1,632,068 ) — Total $ 2,569,692 $ 102,129 $ 1,795,626 $ (2,516,601 ) $ 1,950,846 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Accounts payable $ 47,350 $ 12,359 $ 81,477 $ — $ 141,186 Accrued expenses 48,038 4,159 56,048 — 108,245 Current portion of long-term debt 117 — — — 117 Total current liabilities 95,505 16,518 137,525 — 249,548 Long-term debt 692,157 — 175 — 692,332 Intercompany payable 817,165 58,972 — (876,137 ) — Losses in excess of investment in subsidiaries — 26,148 (26,148 ) — Other long-term obligations 8,602 — 52,276 (8,396 ) 52,482 Total Central Garden & Pet shareholders’ equity 956,263 26,418 1,579,502 (1,605,920 ) 956,263 Noncontrolling interest 221 — 221 Total equity 956,263 26,639 1,579,502 (1,605,920 ) 956,484 Total $ 2,569,692 $ 102,129 $ 1,795,626 $ (2,516,601 ) $ 1,950,846
Consolidating Condensed Balance Sheet	CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET December 29, 2018 (in thousands) Parent Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 470,049 $ 6,500 $ 2,188 $ — $ 478,737 Restricted cash 10,921 — — — 10,921 Accounts receivable, net 95,399 9,736 145,088 — 250,223 Inventories 137,158 36,698 319,889 — 493,745 Prepaid expenses and other 16,268 1,635 20,495 — 38,398 Total current assets 729,795 54,569 487,660 — 1,272,024 Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net 31,311 33,483 146,766 — 211,560 Goodwill 20,578 7,414 253,185 — 281,177 Other long-term assets 54,972 6,663 132,846 (8,396 ) 186,085 Intercompany receivable 100,968 — 775,169 (876,137 ) — Investment in subsidiaries 1,632,068 — — (1,632,068 ) — Total $ 2,569,692 $ 102,129 $ 1,795,626 $ (2,516,601 ) $ 1,950,846 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Accounts payable $ 47,350 $ 12,359 $ 81,477 $ — $ 141,186 Accrued expenses 48,038 4,159 56,048 — 108,245 Current portion of long-term debt 117 — — — 117 Total current liabilities 95,505 16,518 137,525 — 249,548 Long-term debt 692,157 — 175 — 692,332 Intercompany payable 817,165 58,972 — (876,137 ) — Losses in excess of investment in subsidiaries — 26,148 (26,148 ) — Other long-term obligations 8,602 — 52,276 (8,396 ) 52,482 Total Central Garden & Pet shareholders’ equity 956,263 26,418 1,579,502 (1,605,920 ) 956,263 Noncontrolling interest 221 — 221 Total equity 956,263 26,639 1,579,502 (1,605,920 ) 956,484 Total $ 2,569,692 $ 102,129 $ 1,795,626 $ (2,516,601 ) $ 1,950,846 CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET December 30, 2017 (in thousands) Parent Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 277,608 $ 5,858 $ — $ — $ 283,466 Restricted cash 12,419 — — — 12,419 Accounts receivable, net 89,039 5,617 140,419 — 235,075 Inventories 141,788 12,723 285,910 — 440,421 Prepaid expenses and other 6,645 1,059 14,815 — 22,519 Total current assets 527,499 25,257 441,144 — 993,900 Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net 35,972 4,180 139,078 — 179,230 Goodwill 15,058 — 241,217 — 256,275 Other long-term assets 55,752 2,032 143,741 (13,578 ) 187,947 Intercompany receivable 38,956 — 677,979 (716,935 ) — Investment in subsidiaries 1,437,506 — — (1,437,506 ) — Total $ 2,110,743 $ 31,469 $ 1,643,159 $ (2,168,019 ) $ 1,617,352 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Accounts payable $ 40,775 $ 9,241 $ 74,567 $ — $ 124,583 Accrued expenses 45,973 2,313 51,718 — 100,004 Current portion of long-term debt — — 372 — 372 Total current liabilities 86,748 11,554 126,657 — 224,959 Long-term debt 690,839 — 125 — 690,964 Intercompany payable 663,241 53,694 — (716,935 ) — Losses in excess of investment in subsidiaries — — 29,069 (29,069 ) — Other long-term obligations 8,026 — 45,030 (13,578 ) 39,478 Total Central Garden & Pet shareholders’ equity (deficit) 661,889 (33,841 ) 1,442,278 (1,408,437 ) 661,889 Noncontrolling interest — 62 — — 62 Total equity (deficit) 661,889 (33,779 ) 1,442,278 (1,408,437 ) 661,951 Total $ 2,110,743 $ 31,469 $ 1,643,159 $ (2,168,019 ) $ 1,617,352 CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET September 29, 2018 (in thousands) Parent Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 474,210 $ 6,005 $ 1,891 $ — $ 482,106 Restricted cash 10,899 — — — 10,899 Accounts receivable, net 94,657 9,647 171,604 — 275,908 Inventories 123,178 32,556 272,089 — 427,823 Prepaid expenses and other assets 6,304 1,455 12,803 — 20,562 Total current assets 709,248 49,663 458,387 — 1,217,298 Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net 33,484 33,840 150,323 — 217,647 Goodwill 20,578 7,414 253,185 — 281,177 Other long-term assets 62,199 7,469 133,145 (11,726 ) 191,087 Intercompany receivable 40,365 — 769,886 (810,251 ) — Investment in subsidiaries 1,618,378 — — (1,618,378 ) — Total $ 2,484,252 $ 98,386 $ 1,764,926 $ (2,440,355 ) $ 1,907,209 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Accounts payable $ 33,122 $ 4,759 $ 72,378 $ — $ 110,259 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 44,142 4,746 53,695 — 102,583 Current portion of long term debt 116 — 6 — 122 Total current liabilities 77,380 9,505 126,079 — 212,964 Long-term debt 691,869 — 162 — 692,031 Intercompany payable 753,933 56,318 — (810,251 ) — Losses in excess of investment in subsidiaries — — 25,036 (25,036 ) — Other long-term obligations 8,621 — 52,485 (11,726 ) 49,380 Total Central Garden & Pet shareholders’ equity (deficit) 952,449 32,178 1,561,164 (1,593,342 ) 952,449 Noncontrolling interest — 385 — — 385 Total equity (deficit) 952,449 32,563 1,561,164 (1,593,342 ) 952,834 Total $ 2,484,252 $ 98,386 $ 1,764,926 $ (2,440,355 ) $ 1,907,209
Consolidating Condensed Statement of Cash Flows	CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS Three Months Ended December 29, 2018 (in thousands) Parent Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net cash provided (used) by operating activities $ (3,592 ) $ (1,459 ) $ 11,851 $ — $ 6,800 Additions to property and equipment (873 ) (704 ) (6,261 ) — (7,838 ) Investments (1,499 ) — — — (1,499 ) Other investing activities (50 ) — — — (50 ) Intercompany investing activities (60,604 ) — (5,283 ) 65,887 — Net cash used by investing activities (63,026 ) (704 ) (11,544 ) 65,887 (9,387 ) Repayments under long-term debt (28 ) (6 ) (34 ) Repurchase of common stock (547 ) (547 ) Payment of contingent consideration liability — (54 ) — (54 ) Intercompany financing activities 63,233 2,654 (65,887 ) — Net cash provided (used) by financing activities 62,658 2,654 (60 ) (65,887 ) (635 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (179 ) 4 50 — (125 ) Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (4,139 ) 495 297 — (3,347 ) Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 485,109 6,005 1,891 — 493,005 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $ 480,970 $ 6,500 $ 2,188 $ — $ 489,658 CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS Three Months Ended December 30, 2017 (in thousands) Parent Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net cash (used) provided by operating activities $ (38,709 ) $ (105 ) $ 20,988 $ (6,387 ) $ (24,213 ) Additions to property, plant and equipment (1,608 ) (83 ) (6,495 ) — (8,186 ) Change in restricted cash and cash equivalents — — — — Investments (6,555 ) — (6,555 ) Other investing activities (1,200 ) — (1,200 ) Intercompany investing activities (2,351 ) — (15,842 ) 18,193 — Net cash used by investing activities (11,714 ) (83 ) (22,337 ) 18,193 (15,941 ) Repayments under revolving line of credit (23,000 ) — — (23,000 ) Borrowings under revolving line of credit 23,000 — — — 23,000 Repayments under long-term debt — — (7 ) — (7 ) Issuance of long-term debt 300,000 — — — 300,000 Payment of financing costs (4,558 ) — — — (4,558 ) Repurchase of common stock (2,768 ) — (2,768 ) Distribution to parent — (6,387 ) — 6,387 — Distribution to noncontrolling interest — (1,597 ) — — (1,597 ) Payment of contingent consideration — — (93 ) — (93 ) Intercompany financing activities 15,833 2,360 (18,193 ) — Net cash provided (used) by financing activities 308,507 (5,624 ) (100 ) (11,806 ) 290,977 Effect of exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 60 (23 ) (17 ) — 20 Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 258,144 (5,835 ) (1,466 ) — 250,843 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 31,883 11,693 1,466 — 45,042 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $ 290,027 $ 5,858 $ — $ — $ 295,885

Basis of Presentation - Narrati

Basis of Presentation - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Sep. 29, 2018
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest owned by the subsidiary	20.00%
Restricted cash	$ 10,921	$ 12,419	$ 10,899
Restricted cash	10,921	12,419	10,899
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(3,347)	250,843
Net cash used in investing activities	(9,387)	$ (15,941)
Accounting Standards Update 2016-18
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Restricted cash			$ 12,645
Net cash used in investing activities	$ (200)

Basis of Presentation - Cash, C

Basis of Presentation - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 29, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 478,737	$ 482,106	$ 283,466
Restricted Cash	10,921	10,899	12,419
Total Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$ 489,658	$ 493,005	$ 295,885	$ 45,042

Basis of Presentation - Consoli

Basis of Presentation - Consolidated Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 29, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, net	$ 250,223	$ 275,908	$ 235,075
Prepaid expenses and other	38,398	20,562	22,519
Total current assets	1,272,024	1,217,298	993,900
Accrued expenses	108,245	102,583	100,004
Total current liabilities	249,548	$ 212,964	$ 224,959
Balances without Adoption of ASC 606 December 29, 2018
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, net	244,437
Prepaid expenses and other	34,302
Total current assets	1,262,142
Accrued expenses	98,363
Total current liabilities	239,666
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 | Adjustments
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, net	(5,786)
Prepaid expenses and other	(4,096)
Total current assets	(9,882)
Accrued expenses	(9,882)
Total current liabilities	$ (9,882)

Fair Value Measurements - Summa

Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Details) - Recurring - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 29, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Liabilities:
Liabilities, fair value disclosure	$ 7,616	$ 8,224	$ 9,058
Liability for contingent consideration
Liabilities:
Liabilities, fair value disclosure	7,616	8,224	9,058
Level 1
Liabilities:
Liabilities, fair value disclosure	0	0	0
Level 1 | Liability for contingent consideration
Liabilities:
Liabilities, fair value disclosure	0	0	0
Level 2
Liabilities:
Liabilities, fair value disclosure	0	0	0
Level 2 | Liability for contingent consideration
Liabilities:
Liabilities, fair value disclosure	0	0	0
Level 3
Liabilities:
Liabilities, fair value disclosure	7,616	8,224	9,058
Level 3 | Liability for contingent consideration
Liabilities:
Liabilities, fair value disclosure	$ 7,616	$ 8,224	$ 9,058

Fair Value Measurements - Sum_2

Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Changes in Fair Value of Level 3 Financial Instruments (Details) - Level 3 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 8,224	$ 9,343
Estimated contingent performance-based consideration established at the time of acquisition	0	0
Changes in the fair value of contingent performance-based payments established at the time of acquisition	(554)	(192)
Performance-based payments	(54)	(93)
Ending balance	$ 7,616	$ 9,058

Fair Value Measurements - Narra

Fair Value Measurements - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 29, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 14, 2017	Nov. 30, 2015
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior subordinated notes	$ 692,449,000	$ 692,153,000	$ 691,336,000
Senior notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior subordinated notes	$ 691,892,000	691,575,000	690,839,000
Senior notes | Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt, aggregate principal amount			$ 300,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate stated, percentage	5.125%		5.125%	5.125%
Estimated fair value of senior notes	$ 273,600,000	285,500,000	$ 300,800,000
Carrying value of senior subordinated notes	295,700,000	295,600,000	295,500,000
Senior notes | 6.125% senior notes due in November 2023
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt, aggregate principal amount					$ 400,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate stated, percentage					6.125%
Estimated fair value of senior notes	402,000,000	414,400,000	424,200,000
Carrying value of senior subordinated notes	$ 396,200,000	$ 396,000,000	$ 395,400,000

Inventories, net - Summary of I

Inventories, net - Summary of Inventories, Net of Allowance for Obsolescence (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 29, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials	$ 134,955	$ 117,539	$ 120,710
Work in progress	34,553	35,691	13,778
Finished goods	306,181	263,845	291,812
Supplies	18,056	10,748	14,121
Total inventories, net	$ 493,745	$ 427,823	$ 440,421

Goodwill - Narrative (Details)

Goodwill - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018USD ($)Segments	Dec. 30, 2017USD ($)
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Number of reporting units | Segments	2
Impairment of goodwill | $	$ 0	$ 0

Other Intangible Assets - Compo

Other Intangible Assets - Components of Gross and Net Acquired Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 29, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	$ 250,700	$ 250,700	$ 201,100
Accumulated Amortization	(74,700)	(71,200)	(60,200)
Accumulated Impairment	(27,200)	(27,200)	(27,200)
Net Carrying Value	148,782	152,265	113,726
Marketing-related intangible assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	89,200	89,200	79,600
Accumulated Amortization	(14,600)	(14,200)	(13,100)
Accumulated Impairment	(26,000)	(26,000)	(26,000)
Net Carrying Value	48,600	49,000	40,500
Other acquired intangible assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	33,200	33,200	29,900
Accumulated Amortization	(15,000)	(14,500)	(13,200)
Accumulated Impairment	(1,200)	(1,200)	(1,200)
Net Carrying Value	17,000	17,500	15,500
Amortizable | Marketing-related intangible assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	18,600	18,600	16,900
Accumulated Amortization	(14,600)	(14,200)	(13,100)
Accumulated Impairment	0	0	0
Net Carrying Value	4,000	4,400	3,800
Amortizable | Customer-related intangible assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	128,300	128,300	91,600
Accumulated Amortization	(45,100)	(42,500)	(33,900)
Accumulated Impairment	0	0	0
Net Carrying Value	83,200	85,800	57,700
Amortizable | Other acquired intangible assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	25,400	25,400	22,100
Accumulated Amortization	(15,000)	(14,500)	(13,200)
Accumulated Impairment	0	0	0
Net Carrying Value	10,400	10,900	8,900
Nonamortizable | Marketing-related intangible assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	70,600	70,600	62,700
Accumulated Amortization	0	0	0
Accumulated Impairment	(26,000)	(26,000)	(26,000)
Net Carrying Value	44,600	44,600	36,700
Nonamortizable | Other acquired intangible assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	7,800	7,800	7,800
Accumulated Amortization	0	0	0
Accumulated Impairment	(1,200)	(1,200)	(1,200)
Net Carrying Value	$ 6,600	$ 6,600	$ 6,600

Other Intangible Assets - Narra

Other Intangible Assets - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
2019 estimated annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets	$ 10
2020 estimated annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets	10
2021 estimated annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets	10
2022 estimated annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets	10
2023 estimated annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets	$ 10
Marketing-related intangible assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining lives of acquired intangible assets	4 years
Customer-related intangible assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining lives of acquired intangible assets	10 years
Other acquired intangible assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining lives of acquired intangible assets	11 years
Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining lives of acquired intangible assets	3 years
Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining lives of acquired intangible assets	25 years
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense for intangibles	$ 3.5	$ 2.3

Long-Term Debt - Components of

Long-Term Debt - Components of Long-term Debt (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 14, 2017	Nov. 09, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total	$ 692,449,000	$ 692,153,000	$ 691,336,000
Less current portion	(117,000)	(122,000)	(372,000)
Long-term portion	692,332,000	692,031,000	690,964,000
Senior notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(8,108,000)	(8,425,000)	(9,161,000)
Total	691,892,000	691,575,000	690,839,000
Senior notes | Senior notes, interest at 6.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due November 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes	$ 400,000,000	400,000,000	400,000,000		$ 400,000,000
Debt instrument maturity period	Nov. 1, 2023
Debt instrument interest rate stated, percentage	6.125%				6.125%
Senior notes | Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes	$ 300,000,000	300,000,000	300,000,000	$ 300,000,000
Total	$ 295,700,000	295,600,000	$ 295,500,000
Debt instrument maturity period	Feb. 1, 2028
Debt instrument interest rate stated, percentage	5.125%		5.125%	5.125%
Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.25% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.25% to 0.50%, final maturity April 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total	$ 0	0	$ 0
Debt instrument maturity period	Apr. 1, 2021
Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.25% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.25% to 0.50%, final maturity April 2021 | Base rate borrowings
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	0.25%
Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.25% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.25% to 0.50%, final maturity April 2021 | LIBOR-based borrowings
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	1.25%
Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.25% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.25% to 0.50%, final maturity April 2021 | Minimum | Base rate borrowings
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	0.25%
Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.25% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.25% to 0.50%, final maturity April 2021 | Minimum | LIBOR-based borrowings
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	1.25%
Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.25% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.25% to 0.50%, final maturity April 2021 | Maximum | Base rate borrowings
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	0.50%
Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.25% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.25% to 0.50%, final maturity April 2021 | Maximum | LIBOR-based borrowings
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	1.50%
Other notes payable
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total	$ 557,000	$ 578,000	$ 497,000

Long-Term Debt - Narrative (Det

Long-Term Debt - Narrative (Details)	Dec. 14, 2017USD ($)	Apr. 22, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 26, 2015	Nov. 09, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 29, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 29, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 30, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Letter of credit
Components of long-term debt
Letters of credit outstanding					$ 3,200,000
Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.25% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.25% to 0.50%, final maturity April 2021
Components of long-term debt
Maturity date of senior subordinated notes					Apr. 1, 2021
Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.25% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.25% to 0.50%, final maturity April 2021 | LIBOR-based borrowings
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility					1.25%
Applicable interest rate on the credit facility					3.80%
Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.25% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.25% to 0.50%, final maturity April 2021 | Base rate borrowings
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility					0.25%
Applicable interest rate on the credit facility					5.80%
Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.25% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.25% to 0.50%, final maturity April 2021 | Minimum | LIBOR-based borrowings
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility					1.25%
Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.25% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.25% to 0.50%, final maturity April 2021 | Minimum | Base rate borrowings
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility					0.25%
Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.25% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.25% to 0.50%, final maturity April 2021 | Maximum | LIBOR-based borrowings
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility					1.50%
Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.25% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.25% to 0.50%, final maturity April 2021 | Maximum | Base rate borrowings
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility					0.50%
Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.25% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.25% to 0.50%, final maturity April 2021 | Revolving credit facility
Components of long-term debt
Debt issuance cost					$ 1,200,000
Credit facility, maximum principal amount		$ 400,000,000
Credit facility, additional borrowings available		$ 200,000,000
Line of credit outstanding borrowings					0
Letters of credit outstanding					0
Credit facility, available capacity					356,600,000
Debt instrument fixed charge coverage ratio		1
Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.25% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.25% to 0.50%, final maturity April 2021 | Revolving credit facility | Federal funds rate
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility		0.50%
Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.25% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.25% to 0.50%, final maturity April 2021 | Revolving credit facility | One-month LIBOR
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility		1.00%
Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.25% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.25% to 0.50%, final maturity April 2021 | Revolving credit facility | Minimum | LIBOR-based borrowings
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility		1.25%
Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.25% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.25% to 0.50%, final maturity April 2021 | Revolving credit facility | Minimum | Base rate borrowings
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility		0.25%
Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.25% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.25% to 0.50%, final maturity April 2021 | Revolving credit facility | Maximum | LIBOR-based borrowings
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility		1.50%
Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.25% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.25% to 0.50%, final maturity April 2021 | Revolving credit facility | Maximum | Base rate borrowings
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility		0.50%
Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028 | Redemption period one
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage	105.125%
Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028 | Redemption period two
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage	102.563%
Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028 | Redemption period three
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage	101.708%
Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028 | Redemption period four
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage	100.854%
Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028 | Redemption period five
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage	100.00%
Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028 | Upon change of control
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage	101.00%
Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028 | Senior notes
Components of long-term debt
Aggregate principal amount of debt	$ 300,000,000				$ 300,000,000	$ 300,000,000	$ 300,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate stated, percentage	5.125%				5.125%		5.125%
Maturity date of senior subordinated notes					Feb. 1, 2028
Debt issuance cost	$ 4,800,000
Redemption percentage	35.00%
Senior notes, interest at 6.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due November 2023 | Redemption period two
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage				104.594%
Senior notes, interest at 6.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due November 2023 | Redemption period three
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage				103.063%
Senior notes, interest at 6.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due November 2023 | Redemption period four
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage				101.531%
Senior notes, interest at 6.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due November 2023 | Redemption period five
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage				100.00%
Senior notes, interest at 6.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due November 2023 | Upon change of control
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage				101.00%
Senior notes, interest at 6.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due November 2023 | Senior notes
Components of long-term debt
Aggregate principal amount of debt				$ 400,000,000	$ 400,000,000	$ 400,000,000	$ 400,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate stated, percentage				6.125%	6.125%
Maturity date of senior subordinated notes					Nov. 1, 2023
Debt issuance cost				$ 6,300,000
Senior subordinated notes, interest at 8.25%, payable semi-annually, principal due march 2018 | Senior notes
Components of long-term debt
Aggregate principal amount of debt								$ 400,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate stated, percentage								8.25%
Maturity date of senior subordinated notes					Mar. 1, 2018
Senior subordinated notes, interest at 8.25%, payable semi-annually, principal due march 2018 | Senior subordinated notes
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage			102.063%

Supplemental Equity Informati_3

Supplemental Equity Information - Summary of Changes in Carrying Amounts of Equity Attributable to Controlling Interest and Noncontrolling Interest (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 952,834	$ 637,142
Comprehensive income	1,365	26,494
Amortization of share-based awards	2,261	2,143
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement	(385)	(2,397)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options	409	166
Distribution to Noncontrolling interest		(1,597)
Ending balance	956,484	661,951
Total
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	952,449	635,686
Comprehensive income	1,529	26,291
Amortization of share-based awards	2,261	2,143
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement	(385)	(2,397)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options	409	166
Ending balance	956,263	661,889
Additional Paid In Capital
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	590,168	396,790
Amortization of share-based awards	2,261	2,143
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement	(386)	(2,397)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options	408	166
Ending balance	592,451	396,702
Retained Earnings
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	362,923	239,329
Comprehensive income	1,803	26,247
Ending balance	364,726	265,576
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(1,218)	(951)
Comprehensive income	(274)	44
Ending balance	(1,492)	(907)
Noncontrolling Interest
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	385	1,456
Comprehensive income	(164)	203
Distribution to Noncontrolling interest		(1,597)
Ending balance	221	62
Common Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	121	122
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement	0
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options		0
Ending balance	121	122
Class A Common Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	439	380
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement	1	0
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options	1	0
Ending balance	441	380
Class B Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	16	16
Ending balance	$ 16	$ 16

Stock-Based Compensation - Narr

Stock-Based Compensation - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation expense	$ 2.8	$ 2.7
Tax benefit associated with share-based compensation expense	$ 0.7	$ 0.7

Earnings Per Share - Earnings P

Earnings Per Share - Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Basic EPS:
Net income available to common shareholders	$ 1,803	$ 26,247
Weighted average shares, basic (in shares)	56,903	50,730
Earnings per share, basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0.52
Diluted EPS
Net income available to common shareholders	$ 1,803	$ 26,247
Weighted average shares, diluted (in shares)	58,001	52,695
Earnings per share, diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.03	$ 0.50
Options to purchase common stock
Effect of dilutive securities:
Effective of dilutive securities (in shares)	667	1,147
Effect of dilutive securities (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ (0.01)
Restricted shares
Effect of dilutive securities:
Effective of dilutive securities (in shares)	431	818
Effect of dilutive securities (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ (0.01)

Earnings Per Share - Narrative

Earnings Per Share - Narrative (Details) - $ / shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Number of options to purchase common stock outstanding (in shares)	2.3	2.4
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount	1.1
Minimum
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Options to purchase common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 6.43	$ 6.43
Maximum
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Options to purchase common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 38.10	$ 33.15

Segment Information - Narrative

Segment Information - Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	2

Segment Information - Financial

Segment Information - Financial Information Relating to Company's Business Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Sep. 29, 2018
Net sales:
Net sales	$ 461,990	$ 442,011
Operating Income
Total operating income	10,181	22,521
Interest expense - net	(8,077)	(7,218)
Other expense	(192)	(3,089)
Income tax expense (benefit)	273	(14,236)
Income including noncontrolling interest	1,639	26,450
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(164)	203
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	1,803	26,247
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	12,352	11,163
Assets:
Assets	1,950,846	1,617,352	$ 1,907,209
Goodwill (included in corporate assets above):
Goodwill	281,177	256,275	281,177
Pet segment
Net sales:
Net sales	340,416	325,084
Garden segment
Net sales:
Net sales	121,574	116,927
Operating segments | Pet segment
Operating Income
Total operating income	29,755	36,176
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	8,056	7,145
Assets:
Assets	677,647	620,681	683,938
Goodwill (included in corporate assets above):
Goodwill	268,289	250,802	268,289
Operating segments | Garden segment
Operating Income
Total operating income	(4,637)	2,300
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	2,826	1,569
Assets:
Assets	453,331	356,821	407,483
Goodwill (included in corporate assets above):
Goodwill	12,888	5,473	12,888
Corporate
Operating Income
Total operating income	(14,937)	(15,955)
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	1,470	2,449
Assets:
Assets	$ 819,868	$ 639,850	$ 815,788

Segment Information - Disaggreg

Segment Information - Disaggregated Revenues by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 461,990	$ 442,011
Pet segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	340,416	325,084
Garden segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	121,574	116,927
Other pet products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	209,300	195,100
Other pet products | Pet segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	209,300	195,100
Other pet products | Garden segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Dog and cat products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	131,100	130,000
Dog and cat products | Pet segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	131,100	130,000
Dog and cat products | Garden segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Garden controls and fertilizer products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	24,300	29,600
Garden controls and fertilizer products | Pet segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Garden controls and fertilizer products | Garden segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	24,300	29,600
Other garden supplies
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	97,300	87,300
Other garden supplies | Pet segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Other garden supplies | Garden segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 97,300	$ 87,300

Consolidating Condensed Finan_3

Consolidating Condensed Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries - Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Senior notes
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Senior subordinated notes, maturity year	2,023
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Collective ownership percentage on guarantor subsidiaries	100.00%

Consolidating Condensed Finan_4

Consolidating Condensed Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries - Consolidating Condensed Statement of Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 461,990	$ 442,011
Cost of goods sold and occupancy	331,808	310,174
Gross profit	130,182	131,837
Selling, general and administrative expenses	120,001	109,316
Operating income	10,181	22,521
Interest expense	(10,614)	(7,405)
Interest income	2,537	187
Other (expense) income	(192)	(3,089)
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	1,912	12,214
Income tax expense (benefit)	273	(14,236)
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates	0	0
Income including noncontrolling interest	1,639	26,450
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(164)	203
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	1,803	26,247
Eliminations
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	(14,879)	(17,217)
Cost of goods sold and occupancy	(13,891)	(16,172)
Gross profit	(988)	(1,045)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(988)	(1,045)
Operating income	0	0
Interest expense		0
Interest income		0
Other (expense) income		0
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	0	0
Income tax expense (benefit)		0
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates	(12,802)	(50,946)
Income including noncontrolling interest	(12,802)	(50,946)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	(12,802)	(50,946)
Parent | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	173,406	159,061
Cost of goods sold and occupancy	136,013	125,479
Gross profit	37,393	33,582
Selling, general and administrative expenses	43,665	36,639
Operating income	(6,272)	(3,057)
Interest expense	(10,497)	(7,385)
Interest income	2,533	186
Other (expense) income	37	(2,918)
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	(14,199)	(13,174)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(2,088)	14,425
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates	13,914	53,846
Income including noncontrolling interest	1,803	26,247
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	1,803	26,247
Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	23,629	13,743
Cost of goods sold and occupancy	22,003	11,816
Gross profit	1,626	1,927
Selling, general and administrative expenses	7,351	3,905
Operating income	(5,725)	(1,978)
Interest expense	(114)	(16)
Interest income	4	1
Other (expense) income	(216)	54
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	(6,051)	(1,939)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(256)	1,282
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates	0	0
Income including noncontrolling interest	(5,795)	(3,221)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(164)	203
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	(5,631)	(3,424)
Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	279,834	286,424
Cost of goods sold and occupancy	187,683	189,051
Gross profit	92,151	97,373
Selling, general and administrative expenses	69,973	69,817
Operating income	22,178	27,556
Interest expense	(3)	(4)
Interest income	0	0
Other (expense) income	(13)	(225)
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	22,162	27,327
Income tax expense (benefit)	2,617	(29,943)
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates	(1,112)	(2,900)
Income including noncontrolling interest	18,433	54,370
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$ 18,433	$ 54,370

Consolidating Condensed Finan_5

Consolidating Condensed Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries - Consolidating Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	$ 1,639	$ 26,450
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	(274)	44
Total comprehensive income	1,365	26,494
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(164)	203
Comprehensive income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	1,529	26,291
Eliminations
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	(12,802)	(50,946)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	224	(27)
Total comprehensive income	(12,578)	(50,973)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	(12,578)	(50,973)
Parent | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	1,803	26,247
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	(274)	44
Total comprehensive income	1,529	26,291
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	1,529	26,291
Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	(5,795)	(3,221)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	(129)	43
Total comprehensive income	(5,924)	(3,178)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(164)	203
Comprehensive income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	(5,760)	(3,381)
Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	18,433	54,370
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	(95)	(16)
Total comprehensive income	18,338	54,354
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$ 18,338	$ 54,354

Consolidating Condensed Finan_6

Consolidating Condensed Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries - Consolidating Condensed Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 29, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 478,737	$ 482,106	$ 283,466
Restricted cash	10,921	10,899	12,419
Accounts receivable, net	250,223	275,908	235,075
Inventories	493,745	427,823	440,421
Prepaid expenses and other	38,398	20,562	22,519
Total current assets	1,272,024	1,217,298	993,900
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net	211,560	217,647	179,230
Goodwill	281,177	281,177	256,275
Other long-term assets	186,085	191,087	187,947
Intercompany receivable	0	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0	0
Total	1,950,846	1,907,209	1,617,352
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	141,186	110,259	124,583
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	108,245	102,583	100,004
Current portion of long-term debt	117	122	372
Total current liabilities	249,548	212,964	224,959
Long-term debt	692,332	692,031	690,964
Intercompany payable	0	0	0
Losses in excess of investment in subsidiaries	0	0	0
Other long-term obligations	52,482	49,380	39,478
Total Central Garden & Pet Company shareholders’ equity	956,263	952,449	661,889
Noncontrolling interest	221	385	62
Total equity	956,484	952,834	661,951	$ 637,142
Total	1,950,846	1,907,209	1,617,352
Eliminations
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Restricted cash	0	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	0	0	0
Inventories	0	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other	0	0	0
Total current assets	0	0	0
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net	0	0	0
Goodwill	0	0	0
Other long-term assets	(8,396)	(11,726)	(13,578)
Intercompany receivable	(876,137)	(810,251)	(716,935)
Investment in subsidiaries	(1,632,068)	(1,618,378)	(1,437,506)
Total	(2,516,601)	(2,440,355)	(2,168,019)
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	0	0	0
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	0	0	0
Current portion of long-term debt	0	0	0
Total current liabilities	0	0	0
Long-term debt	0	0	0
Intercompany payable	(876,137)	(810,251)	(716,935)
Losses in excess of investment in subsidiaries	(26,148)	(25,036)	(29,069)
Other long-term obligations	(8,396)	(11,726)	(13,578)
Total Central Garden & Pet Company shareholders’ equity	(1,605,920)	(1,593,342)	(1,408,437)
Noncontrolling interest		0	0
Total equity	(1,605,920)	(1,593,342)	(1,408,437)
Total	(2,516,601)	(2,440,355)	(2,168,019)
Parent | Reportable Legal Entities
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	470,049	474,210	277,608
Restricted cash	10,921	10,899	12,419
Accounts receivable, net	95,399	94,657	89,039
Inventories	137,158	123,178	141,788
Prepaid expenses and other	16,268	6,304	6,645
Total current assets	729,795	709,248	527,499
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net	31,311	33,484	35,972
Goodwill	20,578	20,578	15,058
Other long-term assets	54,972	62,199	55,752
Intercompany receivable	100,968	40,365	38,956
Investment in subsidiaries	1,632,068	1,618,378	1,437,506
Total	2,569,692	2,484,252	2,110,743
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	47,350	33,122	40,775
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	48,038	44,142	45,973
Current portion of long-term debt	117	116	0
Total current liabilities	95,505	77,380	86,748
Long-term debt	692,157	691,869	690,839
Intercompany payable	817,165	753,933	663,241
Losses in excess of investment in subsidiaries		0	0
Other long-term obligations	8,602	8,621	8,026
Total Central Garden & Pet Company shareholders’ equity	956,263	952,449	661,889
Noncontrolling interest		0	0
Total equity	956,263	952,449	661,889
Total	2,569,692	2,484,252	2,110,743
Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	6,500	6,005	5,858
Restricted cash	0	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	9,736	9,647	5,617
Inventories	36,698	32,556	12,723
Prepaid expenses and other	1,635	1,455	1,059
Total current assets	54,569	49,663	25,257
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net	33,483	33,840	4,180
Goodwill	7,414	7,414	0
Other long-term assets	6,663	7,469	2,032
Intercompany receivable	0	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0	0
Total	102,129	98,386	31,469
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	12,359	4,759	9,241
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	4,159	4,746	2,313
Current portion of long-term debt	0	0	0
Total current liabilities	16,518	9,505	11,554
Long-term debt	0	0	0
Intercompany payable	58,972	56,318	53,694
Losses in excess of investment in subsidiaries	0	0	0
Other long-term obligations	0	0	0
Total Central Garden & Pet Company shareholders’ equity	26,418	32,178	(33,841)
Noncontrolling interest	221	385	62
Total equity	26,639	32,563	(33,779)
Total	102,129	98,386	31,469
Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	2,188	1,891	0
Restricted cash	0	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	145,088	171,604	140,419
Inventories	319,889	272,089	285,910
Prepaid expenses and other	20,495	12,803	14,815
Total current assets	487,660	458,387	441,144
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net	146,766	150,323	139,078
Goodwill	253,185	253,185	241,217
Other long-term assets	132,846	133,145	143,741
Intercompany receivable	775,169	769,886	677,979
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0	0
Total	1,795,626	1,764,926	1,643,159
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	81,477	72,378	74,567
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	56,048	53,695	51,718
Current portion of long-term debt	0	6	372
Total current liabilities	137,525	126,079	126,657
Long-term debt	175	162	125
Intercompany payable	0	0	0
Losses in excess of investment in subsidiaries	26,148	25,036	29,069
Other long-term obligations	52,276	52,485	45,030
Total Central Garden & Pet Company shareholders’ equity	1,579,502	1,561,164	1,442,278
Noncontrolling interest	0	0	0
Total equity	1,579,502	1,561,164	1,442,278
Total	$ 1,795,626	$ 1,764,926	$ 1,643,159

Consolidating Condensed Finan_7

Consolidating Condensed Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries - Consolidating Condensed Statement of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	$ 6,800	$ (24,213)
Additions to property and equipment	(7,838)	(8,186)
Investments	(1,499)	(6,555)
Other investing activities	(50)	(1,200)
Intercompany investing activities	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(9,387)	(15,941)
Repayments on revolving line of credit	0	(23,000)
Borrowings under revolving line of credit	0	23,000
Issuance of long-term debt	0	300,000
Repayments under long-term debt	(34)	(7)
Payment of financing costs	0	(4,558)
Repurchase of common stock	(547)	(2,768)
Distribution to parent		0
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	0	(1,597)
Payment of contingent consideration liability	(54)	(93)
Intercompany financing activities	0	0
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	(635)	290,977
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(125)	20
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(3,347)	250,843
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	493,005	45,042
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents	489,658	295,885
Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Investments
Eliminations
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	0	(6,387)
Additions to property and equipment	0	0
Investments	0
Other investing activities	0
Intercompany investing activities	65,887	18,193
Net cash used in investing activities	65,887	18,193
Repayments on revolving line of credit		0
Borrowings under revolving line of credit		0
Issuance of long-term debt		0
Repayments under long-term debt		0
Payment of financing costs		0
Repurchase of common stock
Distribution to parent		6,387
Distribution to noncontrolling interest		0
Payment of contingent consideration liability	0	0
Intercompany financing activities	(65,887)	(18,193)
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	(65,887)	(11,806)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	0	0
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	0	0
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents	0	0
Parent | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	(3,592)	(38,709)
Additions to property and equipment	(873)	(1,608)
Investments	(1,499)	(6,555)
Other investing activities	(50)	(1,200)
Intercompany investing activities	(60,604)	(2,351)
Net cash used in investing activities	(63,026)	(11,714)
Repayments on revolving line of credit		(23,000)
Borrowings under revolving line of credit		23,000
Issuance of long-term debt		300,000
Repayments under long-term debt	(28)	0
Payment of financing costs		(4,558)
Repurchase of common stock	(547)	(2,768)
Distribution to parent		0
Distribution to noncontrolling interest		0
Payment of contingent consideration liability		0
Intercompany financing activities	63,233	15,833
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	62,658	308,507
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(179)	60
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(4,139)	258,144
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	485,109	31,883
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents	480,970	290,027
Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	(1,459)	(105)
Additions to property and equipment	(704)	(83)
Investments	0	0
Other investing activities	0	0
Intercompany investing activities	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(704)	(83)
Repayments on revolving line of credit		0
Borrowings under revolving line of credit		0
Issuance of long-term debt		0
Repayments under long-term debt		0
Payment of financing costs		0
Repurchase of common stock
Distribution to parent		(6,387)
Distribution to noncontrolling interest		(1,597)
Payment of contingent consideration liability	0	0
Intercompany financing activities	2,654	2,360
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	2,654	(5,624)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	4	(23)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	495	(5,835)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	6,005	11,693
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents	6,500	5,858
Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	11,851	20,988
Additions to property and equipment	(6,261)	(6,495)
Investments	0
Other investing activities	0
Intercompany investing activities	(5,283)	(15,842)
Net cash used in investing activities	(11,544)	(22,337)
Repayments on revolving line of credit
Borrowings under revolving line of credit		0
Issuance of long-term debt		0
Repayments under long-term debt	(6)	(7)
Payment of financing costs		0
Repurchase of common stock		0
Distribution to parent		0
Distribution to noncontrolling interest		0
Payment of contingent consideration liability	(54)	(93)
Intercompany financing activities
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	(60)	(100)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	50	(17)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	297	(1,466)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	1,891	1,466
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents	$ 2,188	$ 0

Contingencies Contingencies (De

Contingencies Contingencies (Details) $ in Millions	Jun. 27, 2018USD ($)claim
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Number of claims | claim	3
Damages awarded | $	$ 12.6

Subsequent Events (Details)

Subsequent Events (Details) - Arden Companies - Subsequent Event - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2019	Feb. 01, 2019
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Percent of investment purchased		55.00%
Payments to acquire investments	$ 13.4
Payment for acquired debt extinguishment	$ 40