Central Garden & Pet (CENT) 10-K 27 Nov 19 2019 FY Annual report Financial data

Cover Page

Cover Page - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019	Nov. 15, 2019	Mar. 30, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 28, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-33268
Entity Registrant Name	CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Central Index Key	0000887733
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-28
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	68-0275553
Entity Address, Address Line One	1340 Treat Boulevard
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 600
Entity Address, City or Town	Walnut Creek
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	94597
City Area Code	925
Local Phone Number	948-4000
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Documents Incorporated by Reference	Definitive Proxy Statement for the Company’s 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders – Part III of this Form 10-K
Common stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Trading Symbol	CENT
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Public Float			$ 265,300
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		11,537,862
Class A common stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Class A Common Stock
Trading Symbol	CENTA
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Public Float			971,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		42,744,831
Class B stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Public Float			$ 160,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,652,262

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 497,749	$ 482,106
Restricted cash	12,952	10,899
Accounts receivable, net	300,135	275,908
Inventories, net	466,197	427,823
Prepaid expenses and other	30,160	20,562
Total current assets	1,307,193	1,217,298
Plant, property and equipment, net	245,405	217,647
Goodwill	286,077	281,177
Other intangible assets, net	146,137	152,265
Other assets	40,208	38,822
Total	2,025,020	1,907,209
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	149,246	110,259
Accrued expenses	129,166	102,583
Current portion of long-term debt	113	122
Total current liabilities	278,525	212,964
Long-term debt	693,037	692,031
Deferred income taxes and other long-term obligations	57,281	49,380
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
Equity:
Additional paid-in capital	575,380	590,168
Retained earnings	421,742	362,923
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(1,676)	(1,218)
Total Central Garden & Pet shareholders’ equity	996,007	952,449
Noncontrolling interest	170	385
Total equity	996,177	952,834
Total	2,025,020	1,907,209
Common stock
Equity:
Common stock	115	121
Class A common stock
Equity:
Common stock	430	439
Class B stock
Equity:
Common stock	$ 16	$ 16

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019	Mar. 30, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 540,744	$ 706,575	$ 673,701	$ 461,990	$ 502,314	$ 657,943	$ 613,094	$ 442,011	$ 2,383,010	$ 2,215,362	$ 2,054,478
Cost of goods sold and occupancy									1,678,969	1,539,986	1,421,670
Gross profit	148,524	219,284	206,051	130,182	147,018	202,064	194,457	131,837	704,041	675,376	632,808
Selling, general and administrative expenses									551,973	508,040	476,696
Operating income									152,068	167,336	156,112
Interest expense									(42,614)	(39,196)	(28,209)
Interest income									9,554	3,145	147
Other income (expense), net									243	(3,860)	(1,621)
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest									119,251	127,425	126,429
Income tax expense									26,604	3,305	46,699
Net income including noncontrolling interest									92,647	124,120	79,730
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest									(139)	526	902
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$ 2,440	$ 46,152	$ 42,391	$ 1,803	$ 10,568	$ 41,545	$ 45,234	$ 26,247	$ 92,786	$ 123,594	$ 78,828
Net income per share attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company:
Basic (in usd per share)	$ 0.04	$ 0.81	$ 0.74	$ 0.03	$ 0.20	$ 0.81	$ 0.89	$ 0.52	$ 1.63	$ 2.39	$ 1.57
Diluted (in usd per share)	$ 0.04	$ 0.80	$ 0.73	$ 0.03	$ 0.19	$ 0.79	$ 0.86	$ 0.50	$ 1.61	$ 2.32	$ 1.52
Weighted average shares used in the computation of net income per share:
Basic (in shares)	56,017	57,319	57,050	56,903	54,059	51,134	50,871	50,730	56,770	51,716	50,230
Diluted (in shares)	56,618	57,985	58,026	58,001	55,376	52,575	52,658	52,695	57,611	53,341	51,820

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 92,647	$ 124,120	$ 79,730
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	(458)	(267)	343
Total comprehensive income	92,189	123,853	80,073
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(139)	526	902
Comprehensive income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$ 92,328	$ 123,327	$ 79,171

Consolidated Statements of Equi

Consolidated Statements of Equity - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Total	Non-controlling Interest	Common Stock	Common StockCommon Stock	Class A Common StockCommon Stock	Class B StockCommon Stock
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Sep. 24, 2016								11,998,472,000	37,418,572,000	1,652,262,000
Balance, Beginning balance at Sep. 24, 2016	$ 554,587	$ 393,297	$ 160,501	$ (1,294)	$ 553,014	$ 1,573		$ 120	$ 374	$ 16
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Amortization of share-based awards	8,700	8,700			8,700
Tax deficiency on exercise of stock options, net of tax benefit	19,942	19,942			19,942
Restricted share activity (in shares)								16,764,000	79,362,000
Restricted share activity	(7,765)	(7,765)			(7,765)
Issuance of common stock (in shares)								178,315,000	680,526,000
Issuance of common stock	(17,376)	(17,384)			(17,376)			$ 2	$ 6
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	(1,019)					(1,019)
Other comprehensive loss	343			343	343
Net income	79,730		78,828		78,828	902
Ending Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2017								12,160,023,000	38,019,736,000	1,652,262,000
Balance, Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2017	637,142	396,790	239,329	(951)	635,686	1,456		$ 122	$ 380	$ 16
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Amortization of share-based awards	9,252	9,252			9,252
Restricted share activity (in shares)								(14,888,000)	48,180,000
Restricted share activity	(7,429)	(7,428)			(7,429)			$ (1)
Issuance of common stock (in shares)									5,885,349,000
Issuance of common stock	191,613	191,554			191,613				$ 59
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	(1,597)					(1,597)
Other comprehensive loss	(267)			(267)	(267)
Net income	124,120		123,594		123,594	526
Ending Balance (in shares) at Sep. 29, 2018								12,145,135,000	43,953,265,000	1,652,262,000
Balance, Ending balance at Sep. 29, 2018	952,834	590,168	362,923	(1,218)	952,449	385		$ 121	$ 439	$ 16
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Amortization of share-based awards	10,459	10,459			10,459
Restricted share activity (in shares)									437,035,000
Restricted share activity	(3,124)	(3,128)			(3,124)				$ 4
Issuance of common stock (in shares)									337,767,000
Issuance of common stock	2,010	2,006			2,010				$ 4
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	(76)					(76)
Repurchased of stock (in shares)							(600,000)	(601,166,000)	(1,759,574,000)
Repurchase of stock	(58,115)	(24,125)	(33,967)		(58,115)		$ (14,700)	$ (6)	$ (17)
Other comprehensive loss	(458)			(458)	(458)
Net income	92,647		92,786		92,786	(139)
Ending Balance (in shares) at Sep. 28, 2019								11,543,969,000	42,968,493,000	1,652,262,000
Balance, Ending balance at Sep. 28, 2019	$ 996,177	$ 575,380	$ 421,742	$ (1,676)	$ 996,007	$ 170		$ 115	$ 430	$ 16

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 92,647	$ 124,120	$ 79,730
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	50,828	47,199	42,719
Amortization of deferred financing costs	1,832	1,748	1,361
Stock-based compensation	14,662	11,602	11,115
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards	0	0	(19,946)
Deferred income taxes	6,659	(4,833)	10,789
Gain on sale of property and equipment	0	0	(2,050)
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment	730	273	65
Other	(570)	1,840	3,999
Changes in assets and liabilities (excluding businesses acquired):
Receivables	1,485	(28,741)	(32,419)
Inventories	(3,696)	(15,087)	(15,885)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(2,643)	(3,803)	2,845
Accounts payable	30,473	(1,163)	(2,143)
Accrued expenses	12,261	(20,096)	35,018
Other long-term obligations	306	1,053	(889)
Net cash provided by operating activities	204,974	114,112	114,309
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(31,577)	(37,845)	(44,659)
Businesses acquired, net of cash acquired	(41,161)	(91,244)	(103,880)
Escrow deposit for acquisition-related contingent consideration	0	0	(6,000)
Proceeds from asset sales	0	0	8,547
Payments for investments	(2,010)	(9,048)	(12,495)
Other investing activities	(1,515)	(2,745)	(4,355)
Net cash used in investing activities	(76,263)	(140,882)	(162,842)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments on revolving line of credit	0	(23,000)	(552,000)
Borrowings on revolving line of credit	0	23,000	552,000
Repayments of long-term debt	(46,193)	(431)	(463)
Issuance of long-term debt	0	300,000	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of offering costs	0	195,631	0
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards	0	0	19,946
Repurchase of common stock, including shares surrendered for tax withholding	(62,974)	(13,797)	(27,556)
Payments of contingent consideration	(170)	(253)	(1,300)
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	(76)	(1,597)	(1,019)
Payment of financing costs	(1,352)	(4,770)	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(110,765)	474,783	(10,392)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(250)	(50)	75
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	17,696	447,963	(58,850)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year	493,005	45,042	103,892
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year	510,701	493,005	45,042
Supplemental information:
Cash paid for interest	42,702	36,664	27,878
Cash paid for income taxes – net of refunds	14,958	19,508	10,560
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Capital expenditures incurred but not paid	2,630	2,386	3,106
Liability for contingent performance-based payments	(685)	(2,888)	2,830
Shares of common stock repurchased but not settled	$ 458	$ 0	$ 0

Organization and Significant Ac

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization and Significant Accounting Policies	Organization and Significant Accounting Policies Organization – Central Garden & Pet Company (“Central”), a Delaware corporation, and subsidiaries (the “Company”), is a leading marketer and producer of quality branded products and distributor of third party products in the pet and lawn and garden supplies markets. Basis of Consolidation and Presentation – The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and include the accounts of Central and all majority-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The fiscal years ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018 each included 52 weeks. The fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 included 53 weeks. Noncontrolling Interest – Noncontrolling interest in the Company’s consolidated financial statements represents the 20% interest not owned by the Company 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 attributable to noncontrolling interest in the consolidated statements of operations. Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires that management make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period including realization of accounts receivable and inventory and valuation of goodwill and intangibles. Actual results could differ from those estimates. 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 (approximately 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 arrangements 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. The amount billed to customers for shipping and handling costs included in net sales for the fiscal years ended September 28, 2019 , September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017 was $13.8 million , $12.2 million and $9.4 million , respectively. 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 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. Cost of goods sold and occupancy consists of cost of product, inbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, certain indirect purchasing, merchandise handling and storage costs, internal transfer costs as well as allocations of overhead costs, including depreciation, related to the Company’s facilities. Cost of goods sold excludes substantially all shipping and handling and out-bound freight costs to customers, which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses as delivery expenses. The cost of shipping and handling, including internal costs and payments to third parties, included in delivery expenses within selling, general and administrative expenses for the fiscal years ended September 28, 2019 , September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017 was $80.4 million , $70.1 million and $59.3 million , respectively. Advertising Costs – The Company expenses the costs of advertising as incurred. Advertising expenses were $27.5 million , $29.7 million and $34.5 million in fiscal 2019 , 2018 and 2017 , respectively. 401(k) Plans – The Company sponsors several 401(k) plans which cover substantially all employees. The Company’s matching contributions expensed under these plans were $4.2 million for fiscal 2019 , $2.3 million for fiscal 2018 and $2.4 million for fiscal 2017 . In fiscal 2019 , 2018 and 2017 , the Company’s matching contributions made in the Company’s Class A common stock resulted in the issuance of approximately 161,000 , 61,000 and 81,000 shares, respectively. Other income (expense) consists principally of earnings (losses) from equity method investments and foreign exchange gains and losses. Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred income taxes result primarily from bad debt allowances, inventory and goodwill write-downs, amortization and depreciation. The Company establishes a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets when management believes it is more likely than not a deferred tax asset will not be realized. As of fiscal year-end 2019 and 2018 , the Company had valuation allowances related to various state and foreign net deferred tax assets of $7.2 million and $6.8 million , respectively. On December 22, 2017, the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Reform Act”) was signed into law by the U.S. government. The Tax Reform Act significantly revised the U.S. corporate income tax code by, among other things, transitions the U.S. tax system to a new territorial system and lowered the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018. In fiscal 2018, the Company's statutory federal corporate tax rate was a blended rate of 24.5% , which was reduced to 21% in fiscal 2019 and thereafter. U.S. GAAP requires that the impact of tax legislation be recognized in the period in which the law was enacted. In transitioning to the new territorial tax system, the Tax Reform Act required the Company to include certain untaxed foreign earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries in its fiscal 2018 taxable income. Such foreign earnings were subject to a one-time tax at 15.5% of the amount held in cash or cash equivalents and at 8% on the remaining non-cash amount. The 15.5% and 8% tax, collectively referred to as the "transition tax", was estimated to be $0.3 million on foreign undistributed earnings of approximately $1.8 million . While the Tax Reform Act provides for the full deduction of future foreign earnings (beyond the $1.8 million subject to the transition tax noted above) paid to U.S. parent corporations in the form of dividends, the Company continues to consider all such foreign earnings to be indefinitely reinvested overseas. The Tax Reform Act provided two new sections dealing with how all future foreign earnings are taxed. The first section deals with foreign earnings originating outside the U.S., called Global Intangible Low Tax Income (GLTI), which annually taxes at 13.125% in the U.S., foreign earnings above a 10% return on invested foreign assets. The second new section, Foreign-Derived Intangible Income (FDII) deals with benefiting U.S.A. exports by reducing the U.S. tax rate on FDII earnings from 21% to 13.125%. The Company derives the vast majority of its taxable income in the U.S.A. While both GLTI and FDII are estimated to be immaterial to the Company, it is anticipated that FDII tax benefits will fully offset GLTI taxes in the coming years. As a result of the Tax Reform Act, the Company recorded a provisional tax benefit of $16.3 million due to the remeasurement of its deferred tax assets and liabilities, inclusive of a $0.2 million transition tax, in the three months ended December 30, 2017. Upon further analysis and refinement of its calculations, the Company completed its remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities and adjusted its provisional amount by recording an additional tax benefit of $5.2 million during its fiscal quarter ended September 29, 2018, for a total 2018 tax benefit of $21.5 million . No additional adjustments were required in fiscal 2019. 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 September 28, 2019, September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively (in thousands). September 28, 2019 September 29, 2018 September 30, 2017 Cash and cash equivalents $ 497,749 $ 482,106 $ 32,397 Restricted cash 12,952 10,899 12,645 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 510,701 $ 493,005 $ 45,042 Accounts receivable are carried at their estimated collectible amounts. Trade credit is generally extended on a short-term basis; thus trade receivables do not bear interest, although a finance charge may be applied to such receivables that are past due. Allowance for doubtful accounts – Trade accounts receivable are regularly evaluated for collectability based on past credit history with customers, their current financial condition and their expected deductions. See Note 5 - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts . Inventories , which primarily consist of garden products and pet supplies finished goods, are stated at the lower of FIFO cost or market. Cost includes certain indirect purchasing, merchandise handling and storage costs incurred to acquire or manufacture inventory, costs to unload, process and put away shipments received in order to prepare them to be picked for orders, and certain other overhead costs. The amount of such costs capitalized to inventory is computed based on an estimate of costs related to the procurement and processing of inventory to prepare it for sale compared to total product purchases. See Note 6 - Inventories, net . Land, buildings, improvements and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method over 30 years for buildings. Improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the useful life of the asset or the terms of the related leases. Depreciation on equipment and capitalized software is computed by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of three to 10 years . See Note 7 - Property and Equipment, Net . Long-Lived Assets – The Company reviews its long-lived assets, including amortizable and indefinite-lived intangible assets and property, plant and equipment, for potential impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable, and annually for indefinite-lived intangible assets. An impairment loss would be recognized for amortizable intangible assets and property, plant and equipment when estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset are less than its carrying amount. An impairment loss would be recognized for an intangible asset with an indefinite useful life if its carrying value exceeds its fair value. Impairment, if any, is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds its fair value. There were no impairment losses recorded in fiscal years 2018 or 2017. As a result of one of our retail customers exiting the live fish business, factors indicating the carrying value of certain amortizable intangible assets may not be recoverable were present during the quarter ended March 30, 2019. The Company performed impairment testing on these assets, found the carrying value was not recoverable, and accordingly, recorded an impairment charge in its Pet segment of approximately $2.5 million as part of selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2019. Should market conditions or the assumptions used by the Company in determining the fair value of assets change, or management changes plans regarding the future use of certain assets, additional charges to operations may be required in the period in which such conditions occur. See Note 9 – Other Intangible Assets . Goodwill represents the excess of cost of an acquired business over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Identifiable intangible assets acquired in business combinations are recorded based on their fair values at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is not subject to amortization but must be evaluated for impairment annually. The Company tests for goodwill impairment annually 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. See Note 8– Goodwill . Investments – The Company owns membership interests ranging from 7% to 50% in ten unconsolidated companies. The Company accounts for its interest in these entities using the equity method and in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 321 - Investments - Equity Securities, (formerly known as cost method). Equity method income of $1.2 million in fiscal 2019 , equity method losses of $2.8 million in fiscal 2018 and equity method income of $0.9 million in fiscal 2017 are included in other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company’s investment in these entities was $12.1 million at September 28, 2019 and $18.5 million at September 29, 2018 and is included in Other assets in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. On an individual and combined basis, the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of these entities are not significant. See Note 3 - Acquisitions . Insurance – The Company maintains insurance for certain risks, including workers’ compensation, general liability and vehicle liability, and is self-insured for employee related health care benefits. The Company’s workers’ compensation, general liability and vehicle liability insurance policies include deductibles of $250,000 to $350,000 per occurrence. The Company maintains excess loss insurance that covers any health care claims in excess of $700,000 per person per year. The Company establishes reserves for losses based on its claims experience and actuarial estimates of the ultimate loss amount inherent in the claims, including claims incurred but not yet reported. Costs are recognized in the period the claim is incurred, and the financial statement accruals include an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported. Fair Value of Financial Instruments – At September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018 , the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, short term investments, accounts receivable and payable, short term borrowings and accrued liabilities approximates fair value because of the short term nature of these instruments. The estimated fair value of the Company’s senior subordinated notes is based on quoted market prices for these instruments. See Note 2 - Fair Value Measurements for further information regarding the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments. Stock-Based Compensation – Stock-based compensation cost is estimated at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is expensed ratably over the service period of the award. Total compensation costs recognized under all share-based arrangements in fiscal 2019 was $14.7 million ( $11.1 million after tax), fiscal 2018 was $11.6 million ( $8.4 million after tax), and fiscal 2017 was $11.1 million ( $7.0 million after tax). See Note 13 - Stock-Based Compensation for further information. Total Comprehensive Income (Loss) – Total comprehensive income (loss) consists of two components: net income and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) refers to gains and losses that under generally accepted accounting principles are recorded directly as an element of shareholders’ equity, but are excluded from net income, and is comprised of currency translation adjustments relating to the Company’s foreign subsidiary whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. 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. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("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 ASC Topic 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 18 - 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 September 28, 2019 would have been presented as follows (in thousands): As Reported September 28, 2019 Adjustments Balances without Adoption of ASC Topic 606 September 28, 2019 Current assets Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts $ 300,135 $ (7,839 ) $ 292,296 Prepaid expenses and other $ 30,160 $ (5,218 ) $ 24,942 Total current assets $ 1,307,193 $ (13,057 ) $ 1,294,136 Current liabilities Accrued expenses $ 129,166 $ (13,057 ) $ 116,109 Total current liabilities $ 278,525 $ (13,057 ) $ 265,468 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 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 $10.9 million and $12.6 million , respectively, and a increase of $1.7 million of cash used in investing activities and a $1.7 million decrease in cash used in investing activities to the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the fiscal years ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively. 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 and has accounted for subsequent acquisitions in accordance with this guidance. 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 the Company 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 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 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 recognize on the balance sheet operating and financing lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use assets and disclose key information about leasing information. Topic 842 was subsequently amended by ASU 2018-01, Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842; ASU 2018-10 , Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases; and ASU 2018-11 , Targeted Improvements. The new standard establishes a right-of-use model (ROU) that requires a lessee to recognize a ROU asset and lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with a term longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern and classification of expense recognition in the statement of operations. The new standard is effective for the Company commencing in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 and the Company adopted the new standard on its effective date. A modified retrospective transition approach is required, applying the new standard to all leases existing at the date of initial application. An entity may choose to use either (1) its effective date or (2) the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements as its date of initial application. If an entity chooses the second option, the transition requirements for existing leases also apply to leases entered into between the date of initial application and the effective date. The entity must also recast its comparative period financial statements and provide the disclosures required by the new standard for the comparative periods. The Company adopted the new standard on September 29, 2019 and used the effective date as our date of initial application. Consequently, financial information will not be updated and the disclosures required under the new standard will not be provided for dates and periods before September 29, 2019. The new standard provides a number of optional practical expedients in transition. The Company elected the 'package of practical expedients,' which permit it to not reassess under the new standard its prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. The Company did not elect the use-of-hindsight or the practical expedient pertaining to land easements; the latter not being applicable to it. The new standard also provides practical expedients for an entity's ongoing accounting. The Company has elected the short-term lease recognition exemption for all leases that qualify. This means, for those leases that qualify, the Company will not recognize ROU assets or lease liabilities for existing short-term leases of those assets in transition. The Company also elected the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for all its leases. The Company expects this standard will have a material effect on its financial statements. While the Company continues to assess all of the effects of adoption, the Company currently believes the most significant effects relate to (1) the recognition of new ROU assets and lease liabilities on its balance sheet for its production equipment, vehicle and real estate operating leases and (2) providing significant new disclosures about its leasing activities. On adoption, the Company will recognize additional operating liabilities in excess of $110 million , based on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments under current leasing standards for existing operating leases. The Company will also recognize corresponding ROU assets based upon the operating lease liabilities, adjusted for prepaid and deferred rents on the effective date. Information on our current operating leases can be found in Note 11 - Commitments and Contingencies . Goodwill and Intangible Assets I n 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 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 f

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements Generally accepted accounting principles require 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, restricted cash and equivalents, short term investments, 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 September 28, 2019 (in thousands): Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Liabilities: Liability for contingent consideration (a) $ — $ — $ 7,369 $ 7,369 Total liabilities $ — $ — $ 7,369 $ 7,369 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 (in thousands): Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Liabilities: Liability for contingent consideration (a) $ — $ — $ 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 payments 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. The following table provides a summary of changes in fair value of the Company's Level 3 financial instruments for the years ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018 (in thousands): Amount Balance as of 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 (685 ) Performance-based payments made (170 ) Balance as of September 28, 2019 $ 7,369 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. There were no impairment losses recorded in fiscal 2018 . As a result of one of our retail customers exiting the live fish business, factors indicating the carrying value of certain amortizable intangible assets may not be recoverable were present during the quarter ended March 30, 2019. The Company performed impairment testing on these assets, found the carrying value was not recoverable, and accordingly, recorded an impairment charge in its Pet segment of approximately $2.5 million as part of selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2019. In February 2019, the Company purchased the remaining 55% interest in Arden Companies, a manufacturer of outdoor cushions and pillows, for $13.4 million . Accordingly, the Company remeasured its previously held investment at its acquisition-date fair value and recorded a gain of approximately $3.2 million as part of selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company's consolidated statements of operations. 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 September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018 was $307.1 million and $285.5 million , respectively, compared to a carrying value of $296.1 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 values of the Company’s 2023 Notes were $414.6 million and $414.4 million as of September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018, and the carrying values were $396.7 million and $ 396.0 million as of September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018. The estimated fair values are based on quoted market prices for these notes, which are Level 1 inputs within the fair value hierarchy.

Acquisitions and Investments in

Acquisitions and Investments in Joint Ventures	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions and Investments in Joint Ventures	Acquisitions and Investments in Joint Ventures Fiscal 2019 C&S Products In May 2019, the Company purchased C&S Products, a manufacturer of suet and other wild bird feed products, to complement our existing wild bird feed business for approximately $30.0 million . Subsequent to the acquisition, approximately $4.7 million of cash was used to eliminate the acquired long-term debt. The purchase price exceeded the estimated fair value of the net tangible assets acquired by approximately $3.2 million , which is included in other assets on the Company's consolidated balance sheet as of September 28, 2019. The Company has not yet finalized the allocation of the purchase price to the fair value of the tangible assets, intangible assets and liabilities acquired. The financial results of C&S Products have been included in the results of operations within the Pet segment since the date of acquisition. Arden Companies In February 2019, the Company purchased the remaining 55% interest in Arden Companies, a manufacturer of outdoor cushions and pillows, for $13.4 million . Accordingly, the Company remeasured its previously held investment at its acquisition-date fair value and recorded a gain of approximately $3.2 million as part of selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company's consolidated statements of operations. The purchase price exceeded the estimated fair value of the net tangible assets acquired by approximately $15.8 million , of which $10.9 million was allocated to identified intangible assets and approximately $4.9 million was included in goodwill in the Company's consolidated balance sheet as of September 28, 2019. Subsequent to the acquisition, approximately $36 million of cash was used to eliminate most of the acquired long-term debt. Financial results of Arden have been included in the results of operations within the Garden segment since the date of acquisition of the remaining 55% interest. The following table summarizes the purchase price and recording of fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date and subsequent adjustments. (In thousands) Amounts Previously Recognized as of Acquisition Date (1) Measurement Period Adjustments Amounts Recognized as of Acquisition Date (as Adjusted) Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired $ 51,211 $ 1,540 $ 52,751 Fixed assets 6,311 5,376 11,687 Other Assets 14,868 (14,868 ) — Goodwill — 4,900 4,900 Intangible assets — 10,930 10,930 Current liabilities (19,853 ) — (19,853 ) Short-term debt (22,000 ) — (22,000 ) Long-term debt (19,400 ) — (19,400 ) Fair value of the Company's initial investment — (7,878 ) (7,878 ) Net assets acquired, less cash and cash equivalents $ 11,137 $ — $ 11,137 (1) As previously reported in the Company's Form 10-Q for the period ended March 30, 2019 and June 29, 2019. The Company expects all the goodwill from the acquisition above to be deductible for tax purposes. The impact to the consolidated statement of operations associated with the finalization of purchase accounting and true-up of intangible assets for Arden Companies was immaterial. Proforma financial information has not been presented as the C&S Products and Arden Companies acquisitions were not considered material to the Company's overall consolidated financial statements during the periods presented. Fiscal 2018 General Pet Supply O n April 2, 2018, the Company purchased substantially all of the assets of General Pet Supply, a leading Midwestern U.S. supplier of pet food and supplies for a purchase price of approximately $24.3 million . The purchase price exceeded the estimated fair value of the net tangible assets acquired by approximately $13.6 million , of which $8.1 million was allocated to identified intangible assets and approximately $5.5 million was included in goodwill in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of September 29, 2018. Financial results of General Pet Supply have been included in the results of operations within the Pet segment since the date of acquisition. The following table summarizes the purchase price and recording of fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date and subsequent adjustments. In thousands Amounts Previously Recognized as of Acquisition Date (1) Measurement Period Adjustments Amounts Recognized as of Acquisition Date (as Adjusted) Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired $ 12,991 $ — $ 12,991 Fixed assets 1,014 516 1,530 Goodwill — 5,520 5,520 Other assets 14,147 (14,136 ) 11 Other intangible assets, net — 8,100 8,100 Current liabilities (3,506 ) — (3,506 ) Long-term obligations (361 ) (361 ) Net assets acquired, less cash and cash equivalents $ 24,285 $ — $ 24,285 (1) As previously reported in the Company's Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2018. The impact to the consolidated statement of operations associated with the finalization of purchase accounting and true-up of intangible assets for General Pet Supply was immaterial. Bell Nursery On March 12, 2018, the Company purchased Bell Nursery Holdings, LLC ("Bell"), a leading grower and distributor of live flowers and plants in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States, for a purchase price of approximately $61 million plus contingent consideration of up to $10 million . The purchase price exceeded the estimated fair value of the net tangible assets acquired by approximately $13.6 million , of which $6.2 million was allocated to identified intangible assets and $7.4 million was included in goodwill in the Company's consolidated balance sheet as of September 29, 2018. Financial results of Bell have been included in the results of operations within the Garden segment since the date of acquisition. The following table summarizes the purchase price and recording of fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date and subsequent adjustments. In thousands Amounts Previously Recognized as of Acquisition Date (1) Measurement Period Adjustments Amounts Recognized as of Acquisition Date (as Adjusted) Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired $ 28,330 $ (359 ) $ 27,971 Fixed assets 30,278 383 30,661 Goodwill — 7,415 7,415 Other assets 11,647 (11,647 ) — Other intangible assets, net — 6,230 6,230 Current liabilities (11,611 ) (2,022 ) (13,633 ) Net assets acquired, less cash and cash equivalents $ 58,644 $ — $ 58,644 (1) As previously reported in the Company's Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2018 and June 30, 2018. The impact to the consolidated statement of operations associated with the finalization of purchase accounting and true-up of intangible assets for Bell was immaterial. The Company expects all the goodwill from the acquisitions above to be deductible for tax purposes. Investments During fiscal 2019, the Company made investments totaling $2.0 million in two ventures, which are accounted for in accordance with ASC 321. During fiscal 2018, the Company made investments ranging from 13% to 20% in three ventures. The Company invested a total of $9.0 million in these businesses, which are accounted for under ASC 321 and equity method of accounting. Fiscal 2017 K&H Manufacturing, LLC On April 28, 2017, the Company purchased K&H Manufacturing, LLC ("K&H"), a producer of premium pet supplies and the largest marketer of heated pet products in the country, for a purchase price of approximately $48.0 million . The purchase price exceeded the estimated fair value of the net tangible assets acquired by approximately $41.2 million , of which $29.2 million was allocated to identified intangible assets and approximately $12 million is included in goodwill in the Company's consolidated balance sheet as of September 29, 2018. Financial results of K&H have been included in the results of operations within the Pet segment since the date of acquisition. The following table summarizes the purchase price and recording of fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date and subsequent adjustments. Amounts Previously Recognized as of Acquisition Date (1) Measurement Period Adjustments Amounts Recognized as of Acquisition Date (as Adjusted) In thousands Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired $ 5,439 $ 613 $ 6,052 Fixed assets 315 — 315 Other assets 41,781 (41,781 ) — Goodwill — 11,968 11,968 Other intangible assets — 29,200 29,200 Current liabilities (757 ) — (757 ) Net assets acquired, less cash and cash equivalents $ 46,778 $ — $ 46,778 (1) As previously reported in the Company's Form 10-Q for the periods ended June 24, 2017 and December 30, 2017, and the Company's Form 10-K for the period ended September 30, 2017. Segrest Inc. On October 21, 2016, the Company acquired Segrest, Inc., a wholesaler of aquarium fish and small live animals, for a purchase price of approximately $60.0 million , of which $6.0 million is in an escrow account managed by an independent trustee and is payable contingent upon future events. The purchase price exceeded the estimated fair value of the net tangible assets acquired by approximately $ 44.4 million , of which $27.7 million was allocated to identified intangible assets and $25.9 million is included in goodwill in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of September 28, 2019 . Financial results for Segrest have been included in the results of operations within the Pet segment since the date of acquisition. The following table summarizes the purchase price and the recording of fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date and subsequent adjustments (in thousands): Amounts Previously Recognized as of Acquisition Date (1) Measurement Period Adjustments Amounts Recognized as of Acquisition Date (as Adjusted) Purchase Price Cash paid, net of cash acquired $ 54,043 $ — $ 54,043 Contingent consideration 6,000 (3,300 ) 2,700 $ 60,043 $ (3,300 ) $ 56,743 Allocation Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired $ 7,403 $ (300 ) $ 7,103 Fixed assets 7,011 2,242 9,253 Other assets 47,704 (47,704 ) — Goodwill 25,890 25,890 Other intangible assets 27,650 27,650 Current liabilities (2,075 ) (2,075 ) Deferred Tax Liability (11,078 ) (11,078 ) $ 60,043 $ (3,300 ) $ 56,743 (1) As previously reported in the Company's Form 10-Q for the periods ended December 24, 2016, March 25, 2017 and June 24, 2017. Proforma financial information has not been presented as the Segrest and K&H acquisitions were not considered material to the Company's overall consolidated financial statements during the periods presented. Equity Method Investments During fiscal 2017, the Company made investments in two ventures. The Company acquired a 45% interest in a mature, seasonal business and a 30% interest in a start-up company. The Company invested a total of $12.5 million

Concentration of Credit Risk an

Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Customers and Suppliers	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Customers and Suppliers	Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Customers and Suppliers Customer Concentration – Approximately 49% of the Company’s net sales for fiscal 2019 , 48% for fiscal 2018 and 44% for fiscal 2017 were derived from sales to the Company’s top five customers. The Company’s largest customer accounted for approximately 16% of the Company’s net sales in each of the fiscal years 2019 , 2018 and 2017 . The Company’s second largest customer in 2019 accounted for approximately 12% of the Company’s net sales in fiscal year 2019 , 11% of the Company's net sales in the fiscal year 2018 and 8% in fiscal year 2017 . The Company’s third largest customer in 2019 accounted for approximately 9% of the Company’s net sales in the fiscal year 2019 and 8% in fiscal years 2018 and 2017 , respectively. The loss of, or significant adverse change in, the relationship between the Company and any of these three customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and financial results. The loss of or reduction in orders from any significant customer, losses arising from customer disputes regarding shipments, fees, merchandise condition or related matters, or the Company’s inability to collect accounts receivable from any major customer could also have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business and financial results. As of September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018 , accounts receivable from the Company’s top five customers comprised approximately 46% of the Company’s total accounts receivable, including 11% and 14% from the Company’s largest customer. Supplier Concentration – While the Company purchases products from many different manufacturers and suppliers, approximately 6% , 8% and 9% of the Company’s cost of goods sold in fiscal years 2019 , 2018 and 2017 , respectively, were derived from products purchased from the Company’s five

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
Receivables [Abstract]
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts The allowance for doubtful accounts includes reserves for collectability determined by past credit history with customers, their current financial condition and their expected deductions. Changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts are summarized below (in thousands): Description Balances at Beginning of Period Charged/ (Credited) to Costs and Expenses Asset Write-Offs, Less Recoveries Reclassification of Product Return Reserve Balances at End of Period Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2017 21,069 2,921 (2,554 ) — 21,436 Fiscal Year Ended September 29, 2018 21,436 2,132 557 — 24,125 Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2019 24,125 6,906 (3,438 ) (6,465 ) 21,128 The allowance for doubtful accounts includes reserves for expected returns of $6.5 million and $6.9 million as of September 29, 2018 , and September 30, 2017 , respectively. The Company began recording reserves for expected returns as part of accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheet upon its adoption of ASC Topic 606. Accordingly, $6.5 million was reclassified out of the allowance for doubtful accounts at the beginning of the Company's first fiscal quarter of 2019.

Inventories, net

Inventories, net	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories, net	Inventories, net Inventories, net of allowance for obsolescence, consist of the following (in thousands): September 28, September 29, Raw materials $ 145,331 $ 117,539 Work in progress 51,154 35,691 Finished goods 255,870 263,845 Supplies 13,842 10,748 Total inventories, net $ 466,197 $ 427,823

Property and Equipment, Net

Property and Equipment, Net	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property and Equipment, Net	Property and Equipment, Net Property and equipment consists of the following (in thousands): September 28, September 29, Land $ 17,396 $ 14,183 Buildings and improvements 179,398 154,787 Transportation equipment 9,651 9,348 Machine and warehouse equipment 255,943 227,727 Capitalized software 116,353 114,878 Office furniture and equipment 30,016 27,734 Assets under construction 15,574 24,015 624,331 572,672 Accumulated depreciation and amortization (378,926 ) (355,025 ) $ 245,405 $ 217,647 Depreciation and amortization expense, including the amortization of intangible assets, charged to operations was $50.8 million , $47.2 million and $42.7 million for fiscal 2019 , 2018 and 2017 , respectively.

Goodwill

Goodwill	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	Goodwill Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the fiscal years ended September 28, 2019 , September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017 (in thousands): Garden Products Segment Pet Products Segment Total Balance as of September 24, 2016 Goodwill $ 219,056 $ 421,890 $ 640,946 Accumulated impairment losses (213,583 ) (195,978 ) (409,561 ) Balance as of 5,473 225,912 231,385 Additions in fiscal 2017 — 25,890 25,890 Write off related to sale of business — (1,000 ) (1,000 ) Balance as of September 30, 2017 Goodwill 219,056 446,780 665,836 Accumulated impairment losses (213,583 ) (195,978 ) (409,561 ) 5,473 250,802 256,275 Additions in fiscal 2018 7,415 17,487 24,902 Balance as of September 29, 2018 Goodwill 226,471 464,267 690,738 Accumulated impairment losses (213,583 ) (195,978 ) (409,561 ) 12,888 268,289 281,177 Additions in fiscal 2019 4,900 — 4,900 Balance as of September 28, 2019 Goodwill 231,371 464,267 695,638 Accumulated impairment losses (213,583 ) (195,978 ) (409,561 ) $ 17,788 $ 268,289 $ 286,077 Additions or reductions to goodwill include acquisitions, sale of businesses, purchase price adjustments and adjustments of amounts upon finalization of purchase accounting. 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. Determining the fair value of a reporting unit involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. The estimate of fair value of each of the Company’s reporting units is based on the Company’s projection of revenues, gross margin, operating costs and cash flows considering historical and estimated future results, general economic and market conditions as well as the impact of planned business and operational strategies. The Company bases its fair value estimates on assumptions the Company believes to be reasonable at the time, but such assumptions are subject to inherent uncertainty. Assumptions critical to the Company’s fair value estimates were: (i) discount rates used in determining the fair value of the reporting units; (ii) estimated future cash flows; and (iii) projected revenue and operating profit growth rates used in the reporting unit models. Actual results may differ from those estimates. The valuations employ present value techniques to measure fair value and consider market factors. In connection with the Company’s annual goodwill impairment testing performed during fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018 , the Company made a qualitative evaluation about the likelihood of goodwill impairment to determine whether it was necessary to calculate the fair values of its reporting units under the two-step goodwill impairment test. The Company completed its qualitative assessment of potential goodwill impairment in each fiscal year and it was determined that it was more likely than not the fair values of the Company's reporting units were greater than their carrying amounts in each fiscal year, and accordingly, no further testing of goodwill was required in fiscal 2019 and 2018 .

Other Intangible Assets

Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
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) September 28, 2019 Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable $ 19.7 $ (16.3 ) $ — $ 3.4 Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable 70.6 — (26.0 ) 44.6 Total 90.3 (16.3 ) (26.0 ) 48.0 Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable 138.4 (53.3 ) (2.5 ) 82.6 Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable 26.0 (16.4 ) — 9.6 Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable 7.1 — (1.2 ) 5.9 Total 33.1 (16.4 ) (1.2 ) 15.5 Total other intangible assets $ 261.8 $ (86.0 ) $ (29.7 ) $ 146.1 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 September 30, 2017 Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable $ 16.9 $ (12.7 ) $ — $ 4.2 Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable 62.7 — (26.0 ) 36.7 Total 79.6 (12.7 ) (26.0 ) 40.9 Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable 91.6 (32.2 ) — 59.4 Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable 22.1 (12.9 ) — 9.2 Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable 7.8 — (1.2 ) 6.6 Total 29.9 (12.9 ) (1.2 ) 15.8 Total other intangible assets $ 201.1 $ (57.8 ) $ (27.2 ) $ 116.1 Other acquired intangible assets include contract-based and technology-based intangible assets. As part of its acquisition of the remaining 55% interest in Arden Companies in the second quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company acquired approximately $1.0 million of marketing related intangible assets and $9.9 million of customer related intangible assets. See Note 3 – Acquisitions . As part of its acquisition of K&H in the third quarter of fiscal 2017, Bell Nursery in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 and General Pet Supply during the third quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company acquired approximately $9.6 million of marketing related intangible assets, $36.7 million of customer related intangible assets and $3.3 million of other intangible assets. See Note 3 – Acquisitions . As part of its acquisition of Segrest, Inc. in the first quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company acquired approximately $2.0 million of marketing related intangible assets, $27.3 million of customer related intangible assets and $1.3 million of other intangible assets. See Note 3 – Acquisitions . 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, and accordingly, no impairment testing was performed on these assets. As a result of one of our retail customers exiting the live fish business, factors indicating the carrying value of certain amortizable intangible assets may not be recoverable were present during the quarter ended March 30, 2019. The Company performed impairment testing on these assets, found the carrying value was not recoverable, and accordingly, recorded an impairment charge in its Pet segment of approximately $2.5 million as part of selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2019. The Company is currently amortizing its acquired intangible assets with definite lives over periods ranging from three years to 25 years ; over weighted average remaining lives of four years for marketing-related intangibles, 9 years for customer-related intangibles and 10 years for other acquired intangibles. Amortization expense for intangibles subject to amortization was approximately $14.5 million , $12.7 million and $8.8 million , for fiscal 2019 , 2018 and 2017 , respectively, and is classified within operating expenses in the 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 $12 million per year from fiscal 2020 through fiscal 2024. .

Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Long-Term Debt Long-term debt consists of the following: September 28, September 29, (in thousands) Senior notes, interest at 6.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due November 2023 $ 400,000 $ 400,000 Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028 300,000 300,000 Unamortized debt issuance costs (7,158 ) (8,425 ) Net carrying value 692,842 691,575 Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.00% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.0% to 0.50%, final maturity September 2024 — — 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 308 578 Total 693,150 692,153 Less current portion (113 ) (122 ) Long-term portion $ 693,037 $ 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 101.0% 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 September 28, 2019 . $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 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 its option, 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 September 28, 2019 . Asset-Based Loan Facility Amendment On September 27, 2019, the Company entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (“Amended Credit Agreement”). The Amended Credit Agreement amends and restates the previous credit agreement dated April 22, 2106 and continues to provide up to a $400.0 million principal amount senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility, with up to an additional $200.0 million principal amount available with the consent of the Lenders, as defined, if the Company exercises the accordion feature set forth therein (collectively, the “Amended Credit Facility”). The Amended Credit Facility now matures on September 27, 2024. The Company may borrow, repay and reborrow amounts under the Amended Credit Facility until its maturity date, at which time all amounts outstanding under the Amended Credit Facility must be repaid in full. The Amended Credit Facility is subject to a borrowing base, reduced capacity due to reserves and certain other restrictions. The borrowing base is calculated using a formula initially based upon eligible receivables and inventory minus certain reserves, and was $400.0 million at closing. The Amended Credit Facility also allows the Company to add real property to the borrowing base so long as the real property is subject to a first priority lien in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders. The Company did not draw down any commitments under the Amended Credit Facility upon closing. Proceeds of the Amended Credit Facility will be used for general corporate purposes. The Amended Credit Facility includes a $50 million sublimit for the issuance of standby letters of credit and an increased $40 million sublimit for short-notice borrowings. As of September 28, 2019 , 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 September 28, 2019 . Borrowings under the Amended Credit Facility will 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 0.50% , (c) one-month LIBOR plus 1.00% ), plus, in either case, an applicable margin based on the Company’s consolidated senior leverage ratio and (d) 0.00% . Such applicable margin for LIBOR-based borrowings fluctuates between 1.00% - 1.50% (previously between 1.25% and 1.50% ) and was 1.00% at the time of closing, and such applicable margin for Base Rate borrowings fluctuates between 0.00% - 0.50% (previously 0.25% - 0.50% ), and was 0.00% at closing. An unused line fee shall be payable monthly in respect of the total amount of the unutilized Lenders’ commitments and short-notice borrowings under the Amended Credit Facility. Letter of credit fees at the applicable margin on the average undrawn and unreimbursed amount of letters of credit shall be payable monthly and a facing fee of 0.125% shall be paid on demand for the stated amount of each letter of credit. The Company is also required to pay certain fees to the administrative agent under the Amended Credit Facility. As of September 28, 2019 , the applicable interest rate related to Base Rate borrowings was 5.0% , and the applicable interest rate related to LIBOR-based borrowings was 3.0% . The Company incurred approximately $1.6 million of debt issuance costs in conjunction with this transaction, which included underwriter fees and legal expenses. The debt issuance costs are being amortized over the term of the Amended Credit Facility. T he Amended Credit Facility continues to contain customary covenants, including financial covenants which require the Company to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.00 : 1.00 upon triggered quarterly testing (e.g. when availability falls below certain thresholds established in the agreement), reporting requirements and events of default. The Amended Credit Facility is secured by substantially all assets of the borrowing parties, including (i) pledges of 100% of the stock or other equity interest of each domestic subsidiary that is directly owned by such entity and (ii) 65% of the stock or other equity interest of each foreign subsidiary that is directly owned by such entity. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants under the Amended Credit Facility during the period ended September 28, 2019 . The scheduled principal repayments on long-term debt as of September 28, 2019 are as follows: (in thousands) Fiscal year: 2020 $ 113 2021 97 2022 80 2023 18 2024 400,000 Thereafter 300,000 Total $ 700,308 (1) (1) Debt repayments do not reflect the unamortized portion of deferred financing costs associated with the 2023 Notes and 2028 Notes of $7.1 million as of September 28, 2019 , of which, $3.2 million is amortizable until November 2023, and $3.9 million is amortizable until February 2028 and is included in the carrying value.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Commitments Letters of credit – The Company had $3.2 million of outstanding letters of credit related to normal business transactions at September 28, 2019 . 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 amount of cash collateral in these segregated accounts was $12.9 million and $ 10.9 million as of September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018 , respectively, and is reflected in “Restricted cash” on the Company's consolidated balance sheets. Purchase commitments – Production and purchase agreements (primarily for grass seed and grains) entered into in the ordinary course of business may obligate the Company to make future purchases based on estimated yields. The terms of these contracts vary; some have fixed prices or quantities while others have variable pricing and quantities. For certain agreements, management estimates are used to develop the quantities and pricing for anticipated purchases, and future purchases could vary significantly from such estimates. Leases – The Company has operating lease agreements principally for office and warehouse facilities and equipment. Such leases have remaining terms of one to 10 years . Rental expense was $41.7 million for fiscal 2019 , $35.4 million for fiscal 2018 and $31.7 million for fiscal 2017 and is included in cost of goods sold and occupancy or selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company's consolidated statements of operations. Certain facility leases have renewal options and include escalation clauses. Minimum lease payments include scheduled rent increases pursuant to these fixed escalation provisions. Aggregate minimum annual payments on non-cancelable operating leases at September 28, 2019 are as follows: (in thousands) Fiscal year: 2020 $ 38,022 2021 29,353 2022 21,818 2023 11,265 2024 7,861 Thereafter 20,724 Total $ 129,043 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 the resolution of which management believes could 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.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The provision for income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following: Fiscal Year Ended September 28, September 29, September 30, (in thousands) Current: Federal $ 17,048 $ 5,728 $ 32,755 State 2,728 2,319 3,034 Foreign 169 91 121 Total 19,945 8,138 35,910 Deferred: Federal 4,278 (3,676 ) 11,227 State 2,380 (1,162 ) (1,038 ) Foreign 1 5 600 Total 6,659 (4,833 ) 10,789 Total $ 26,604 $ 3,305 $ 46,699 A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the Company’s effective income tax rate is as follows: Fiscal Year Ended September 28, September 29, September 30, Statutory federal income tax rate 21.0 % 24.5 % 35.0 % State income taxes, net of federal benefit 4.3 0.9 2.4 Other permanent differences 0.7 (0.1 ) 0.3 Adjustment of prior year accruals (0.6 ) — (0.3 ) Credits (0.9 ) (0.8 ) (0.6 ) Rate change - Tax reform — (16.9 ) — Stock based compensation (1.6 ) (5.4 ) — Other (0.6 ) 0.4 0.1 Effective income tax rate 22.3 % 2.6 % 36.9 % Deferred income taxes reflect the impact of “temporary differences” between asset and liability amounts for financial reporting purposes and such amounts as determined based on existing tax laws. The tax effect of temporary differences and carryforwards which give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows: September 28, 2019 September 29, 2018 Deferred Tax Assets Deferred Tax Liabilities Deferred Tax Assets Deferred Tax Liabilities (in thousands) Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 5,029 $ — $ 5,613 $ — Inventory write-downs 8,374 — 6,819 — Prepaid expenses — 2,060 — 1,408 Nondeductible reserves 3,968 — 983 — State taxes 39 — 74 — Employee benefits 5,704 — 5,578 — Depreciation and amortization — 77,901 — 65,983 Equity loss 884 — 2,053 — State net operating loss carryforward 6,579 — 6,722 — Stock based compensation 3,538 — 2,541 — State credits 2,819 — 2,742 — Other 4,774 — 4,240 — Valuation allowance (7,179 ) — (6,809 ) — Total $ 34,529 $ 79,961 $ 30,556 $ 67,391 The Company has state tax net operating losses of $109.6 million , which expire at various times between 2019 and 2039 , and foreign losses of $4.5 million , which do not expire. The Company has state income tax credits of $3.6 million , which expire at various times beginning in 2019 through 2039 . In evaluating the Company’s ability to recover its deferred tax assets, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence including past operating results, future taxable income, and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for a valuation allowance against any deferred tax assets. The Company has determined there will be insufficient future separate state and foreign taxable income for the separate parent company and foreign subsidiaries to realize the deferred tax assets. Therefore, valuation allowances of $7.2 million and $6.8 million (net of federal impact) at September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018 , respectively, have been provided to reduce state deferred tax assets to amounts considered recoverable. The Company classifies uncertain tax positions as non-current income tax liabilities unless expected to be paid within one year . The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters as a component of pretax income. As of September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018 , accrued interest was less than $0.1 million and no penalties were accrued related to uncertain tax positions. The following table, which excludes interest and penalties, summarizes the activity related to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits for fiscal years ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018 (in thousands): Balance as of September 30, 2017 $ 325 Increases related to prior year tax positions 138 Increases related to current year tax positions 83 Decreases related to prior year tax positions (28 ) Settlements — Decreases related to lapse of statute of limitations — Balance as of September 29, 2018 $ 518 Increases related to prior year tax positions 8 Increases related to current year tax positions 81 Decreases related to prior year tax positions — Settlements (124 ) Decreases related to lapse of statute of limitations — Balance as of September 28, 2019 $ 483 As of September 28, 2019 , unrecognized income tax benefits totaled approximately $0.5 million and all of the unrecognized tax benefits would, if recognized, impact the Company’s effective income tax rate. The Company is principally subject to taxation by the United States and various states within the United States. The Company’s tax filings in major jurisdictions are open to examination by tax authorities by the Internal Revenue Service from fiscal year ended 2016 forward and in various state taxing authorities generally from fiscal year ended 2015 forward. The Company believes there is a reasonable chance that its unrecognized tax benefits will decrease by $0.2 million within the next twelve months.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation The Company’s 2003 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “2003 Plan”), as amended, allows for the grant of options, restricted stock and certain other specified types of awards to key employees, directors and consultants of the Company. The 2003 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, which is comprised only of independent directors, and which must approve individual awards to be granted, vesting and exercise of share conditions. There is a total of 5.8 million shares of Common Stock, 19.7 million shares of Class A Common Stock and 500,000 shares of Preferred Stock authorized under the 2003 Plan. If and when the Company issues any shares of Preferred Stock under the 2003 Plan, it will reduce the amount of Class A Common Stock available for future issuance in an amount equal to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock that are issuable upon conversion of such Preferred Stock. The Company has a Nonemployee Director Equity Incentive Plan (the “Director Plan”) which provides for the grant of options and restricted stock to nonemployee directors of the Company. The Director Plan, as amended, provides for the granting to each independent director of options to purchase a number of shares equal to $200,000 divided by the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of each annual meeting of stockholders and a number of shares of restricted stock equal to 20,000 divided by such fair market value. As of September 28, 2019 , there were approximately 3.6 million shares of Class A Common Stock, no shares of Common Stock and no shares of Preferred Stock reserved for outstanding equity awards, and there were approximately 4.6 million shares of Common Stock, 10.7 million shares of Class A Common Stock and 0.5 million shares of Preferred Stock remaining for future awards. Stock Option Awards The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of $14.7 million , $11.6 million , and $11.1 million for the years ended September 28, 2019 , September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017 , respectively, as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses. Share-based compensation expense in fiscal 2019 , 2018 and 2017 consisted of $4.5 million , $3.9 million , and $2.9 million , respectively, for stock options, and $6.0 million , $5.4 million and $5.8 million , respectively, for stock awards. Share-based compensation expense in fiscal 2019 , 2018 and 2017 also includes $4.2 million , $2.3 million and $2.4 million , respectively, for the Company’s 401(k) matching contributions. During fiscal 2019 , the Company granted time-based stock options with an exercise price based on the closing fair market value on the date of the grant. The majority of the options granted in fiscal 2019 vest in four annual installments commencing approximately one year from the date of grant and expire approximately six years after the grant date. The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. Expected stock price volatilities are estimated based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock price. The expected term of options granted is based on analyses of historical employee termination rates, option exercises and the contractual term of the option. The risk-free rates are based on U.S. Treasury yields, for notes with comparable terms as the option grants, in effect at the time of the grant. For purposes of this valuation model, no dividends have been assumed. The Company’s calculations were made using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions: expected life from the date of grant 3.7 years in fiscal 2019 , 2018 and 2017 ; stock price volatility, 30.4% in fiscal 2019 , 31.6% in fiscal 2018 , and 31.5% in fiscal 2017 ; risk free interest rates, 2.5% in fiscal 2019 , 2.4% in fiscal 2018 and 2% in 2017 ; and no dividends during the expected term. The following table summarizes option activity for the period ended September 28, 2019 : Number of Shares (in thousands) Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands) Outstanding at September 29, 2018 2,329 $ 22.56 4 years $ 26,543 Granted 818 $ 27.00 Exercised (431 ) $ 12.53 Canceled or expired (167 ) $ 28.09 Outstanding at September 28, 2019 2,549 $ 25.32 4 years $ 12,498 Exercisable at September 30, 2017 458 $ 10.80 2 years 12,097 Exercisable at September 29, 2018 636 $ 16.35 3 years 10,731 Exercisable at September 28, 2019 957 21.08 3 years 8,589 Expected to vest after September 28, 2019 1,455 27.87 4 years 3,572 The prices of options to purchase shares of common stock and Class A common stock outstanding at September 28, 2019 , September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017 were between $8.56 to $38.10 per share, $6.43 to $38.10 per share and $6.43 to $33.15 per share, respectively. The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during the fiscal years ended September 28, 2019 , September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017 was $7.28 , $9.80 and $8.14 , respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the fiscal years ended September 28, 2019 , September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017 was $6.7 million , $16.6 million , and $44.0 million , respectively. As of September 28, 2019 , there was $9.0 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options, which is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted average vesting period of three years . Restricted Stock Awards As of September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018 , there were approximately 1.1 million and 0.9 million , respectively, of restricted stock awards outstanding. Awards granted in fiscal 2019 and 2018 generally vest within four or five years from the date of grant. Restricted stock award activity during the period ended September 28, 2019 is summarized as follows: Number of Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share (in thousands) Nonvested at September 29, 2018 874 $ 22.37 Granted 547 $ 26.05 Vested (317 ) $ 14.19 Forfeited (21 ) $ 23.95 Nonvested at September 28, 2019 1,083 $ 26.60 As of September 28, 2019 , there was $21.9 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock awards, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of four years .

Shareholders' Equity

Shareholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
Equity [Abstract]
Shareholders' Equity	Shareholders’ Equity At September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018 , there were 80,000,000 shares of common stock ( $0.01 par value) authorized, of which 11,543,969 and 12,145,135 , respectively, were outstanding, and 100,000,000 shares of non-voting Class A common stock ( $0.01 par value) authorized, of which 42,968,493 and 43,953,265 , respectively, were outstanding. The preferences and relative rights of the Class A common stock are identical to common stock in all respects, except that the Class A common stock generally has no voting rights unless otherwise required by Delaware law. There are 3,000,000 shares of Class B stock ( $0.01 par value) authorized, of which 1,652,262 were outstanding at September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018 . The voting powers, preferences and relative rights of the Class B stock are identical to common stock in all respects except that (i) the holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share and the holders of Class B stock are entitled to the lesser of ten votes per share or 49% of the total votes cast, (ii) stock dividends on common stock may be paid only in shares of common stock and stock dividends on Class B stock may be paid only in shares of Class B stock and (iii) shares of Class B stock have certain conversion rights and are subject to certain restrictions on ownership and transfer. Each share of Class B stock is convertible into one share of common stock, at the option of the holder. Additional shares of Class B stock may only be issued with majority approval of the holders of the common stock and Class B stock, voting as separate classes. There are 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock ( $0.01 par value) authorized, of which none were outstanding at September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018 . In August 2018, the Company closed an underwritten public offering of its Class A common stock pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3. The Company issued and sold an aggregate of 5,500,000 shares of common stock under the registration statement at a public offering price of $37.00 per share, including 550,000 shares issued upon exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares. The Company received net proceeds of approximately $195.6 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses payable by the Company. During fiscal 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a $100 million share repurchase program, in part, to minimize the dilutive impact of the Company’s stock-based equity compensation programs over time, which was fully utilized in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019. During fiscal 2019 , the Company repurchased approximately 0.6 million shares of its voting common stock (CENT) on the open market at an aggregate cost of approximately $14.7 million , or approximately $24.41 per share, and approximately 1.8 million shares of its non-voting common stock (CENTA) on the open market at an aggregate cost of approximately $43.4 million , or $24.69 per share. In August 2019, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program to purchase up to $100 million of its common stock (the "2019 Repurchase Authorization"). The 2019 Repurchase Authorization has no fixed expiration date and expires when the amount authorized has been used or the Board withdraws its authorization. As of September 28, 2019, the Company had $100 million remaining under its 2019 Repurchase Authorization. In February 2019, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to make supplemental purchases to minimize dilution resulting from issuances under its equity compensation plans (the "Equity Dilution Authorization"). In addition to the Company's regular share repurchase program, it is permitted to purchase annually a number of shares equal to the number of shares of restricted stock or stock options granted in the prior fiscal year, to the extent not already repurchased, and the current fiscal year. The Equity Dilution Authorization has no fixed expiration date and expires when the Board withdraws its authorization. As of September 28, 2019, the Company had authorization remaining from the fiscal 2019 and 2018 equity plan activity to repurchase up to 1.2 million shares under its Equity Dilution Authorization.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
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 earnings per share (EPS) computations: Fiscal Year Ended Fiscal Year Ended Fiscal Year Ended Net Income Shares Per Share Net Income Shares Per Share Net Income Shares Per Share (in thousands, except per share amounts) Basic EPS: Net income available to common shareholders $ 92,786 56,770 $ 1.63 $ 123,594 51,716 $ 2.39 $ 78,828 50,230 $ 1.57 Effect of dilutive securities: Options to purchase common stock 509 (0.01 ) 996 (0.05 ) 992 (0.03 ) Restricted shares 332 (0.01 ) 629 (0.02 ) 598 (0.02 ) Diluted EPS: Net income available to common shareholders $ 92,786 57,611 $ 1.61 $ 123,594 53,341 $ 2.32 $ 78,828 51,820 $ 1.52 For fiscal 2019, options to purchase 1.1 million shares 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 anti-dilutive. For fiscal 2018, options to purchase two thousand shares 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 anti-dilutive. For fiscal 2017, options to purchase 31 thousand

Quarterly Financial Data - Unau

Quarterly Financial Data - Unaudited	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Data - Unaudited	Quarterly Financial Data – Unaudited Fiscal 2019 1 st Quarter 2 nd Quarter 3 rd Quarter 4 th Quarter (in thousands, except per share amounts) Net sales $ 461,990 $ 673,701 $ 706,575 $ 540,744 Gross profit 130,182 206,051 219,284 148,524 Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company 1,803 42,391 46,152 2,440 Net income per share: Basic $ 0.03 $ 0.74 $ 0.81 $ 0.04 Diluted $ 0.03 $ 0.73 $ 0.80 $ 0.04 Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic 56,903 57,050 57,319 56,017 Diluted 58,001 58,026 57,985 56,618 Fiscal 2018 1 st Quarter 2 nd Quarter 3 rd Quarter 4 th Quarter (in thousands, except per share amounts) Net sales $ 442,011 $ 613,094 $ 657,943 $ 502,314 Gross profit 131,837 194,457 202,064 147,018 Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company 26,247 (1 ) 45,234 41,545 10,568 (1 ) Net income (loss) per share: Basic $ 0.52 $ 0.89 $ 0.81 $ 0.20 Diluted $ 0.50 (1 ) $ 0.86 $ 0.79 $ 0.19 (1 ) Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic 50,730 50,871 51,134 54,059 Diluted 52,695 52,658 52,575 55,376 (1) Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company was impacted by a provisional tax benefit of $16.3 million recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 and a tax benefit of $5.2 million recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, for a total fiscal 2018 year-to-date tax benefit of $21.5 million

Transactions with Related Parti

Transactions with Related Parties	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Transactions with Related Parties	Transactions with Related Parties During fiscal 2019 , 2018 and 2017 , Tech Pac, a subsidiary of the Company, made purchases from Contract Packaging, Inc, (“CPI”), Tech Pac’s principal supplier and a minority 20% shareholder in Tech Pac. Tech Pac’s total purchases from CPI were approximately $32.5 million , $51.1 million and $37.0 million for fiscal years 2019 , 2018 and 2017 , respectively. Amounts due from CPI as of September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018 were $0.3 million and $2.1 million , respectively.

Business Segment Data

Business Segment Data	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business Segment Data	Business Segment Data The Company’s chief operating decision-maker is its Chief Executive Officer. Operating segments are managed separately because each segment represents a strategic business that offers different products or services. The Company’s chief operating decision maker evaluates performance based on operating income or loss. The Company’s Corporate division is included in the following presentation since certain expenses of this division are not allocated separately to the two operating segments. Segment assets exclude cash equivalents, short-term investments, goodwill, and deferred taxes. 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 the Pet segment and the Garden segment. Substantially all of the Company’s assets and operations relate to its business in the United States. The Pet segment consists of DMC, K&H Manufacturing, Four Paws Products, TFH Publications, Kaytee, C&S Products, Aquatics, Interpet, IMS, Pets International, Breeder’s Choice, Life Sciences, and Segrest. These businesses are engaged in the manufacturing, purchase, sale and delivery of internally and externally produced pet supplies, books, food, live fish and small animals principally to independent pet distributors, national and regional retail chains, grocery stores, mass merchants and bookstores. The Garden segment consists of Pennington Seed, Hydro Organics, AMBRANDS, Lilly Miller, the Pottery Group, Bell Nursery, Arden Companies and Gulfstream. Products manufactured, designed and sourced, grown or distributed are products found typically in the lawn and garden sections of mass merchandisers, warehouse-type clubs, home improvement centers and nurseries and include grass seed, bird feed, terra cotta pottery, live plants, herbicides and insecticides. These products are sold directly to national and regional retail chains, independent garden distributors, grocery stores, nurseries and garden supply retailers. The Corporate division includes expenses associated with corporate functions and projects, certain employee benefits, interest income, interest expense and inter-segment eliminations. The following table indicates each class of similar products which represented approximately 10% or more of the Company’s consolidated net sales in the fiscal years presented (in millions). Category 2019 2018 2017 Other pet products $ 613.4 $ 606.7 $ 603.6 Other garden products 560.8 445.7 377.0 Other manufacturers' products 504.5 454.3 409.0 Dog & cat products 452.1 445.1 405.1 Controls & fertilizer products 252.2 263.6 259.8 Total $ 2,383.0 $ 2,215.4 $ 2,054.5 See Note 4 - Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Customers and Suppliers for the Company’s largest customers by segment. Financial information relating to the Company’s business segments for each of the three most recent fiscal years is presented in the table below (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2019 September 29, 2018 September 30, 2017 Net sales: Pet segment $ 1,384,686 $ 1,340,899 $ 1,246,354 Garden segment 998,324 874,463 808,124 Total $ 2,383,010 $ 2,215,362 $ 2,054,478 Operating income (loss): Pet segment $ 122,727 (1) $ 140,353 $ 131,622 Garden segment 102,170 95,551 87,298 Corporate (72,829 ) (68,568 ) (62,808 ) Total 152,068 167,336 156,112 Interest expense (42,614 ) (39,196 ) (28,209 ) Interest income 9,554 3,145 147 Other income (expense), net 243 (3,860 ) (1,621 ) Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest 119,251 127,425 126,429 Income tax expense 26,604 3,305 46,699 Net income including noncontrolling interest 92,647 124,120 79,730 Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest (139 ) 526 902 Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company $ 92,786 $ 123,594 $ 78,828 Assets: Pet segment $ 734,380 $ 683,938 $ 612,337 Garden segment 463,889 407,483 311,026 Corporate and eliminations 826,751 815,788 383,543 Total $ 2,025,020 $ 1,907,209 $ 1,306,906 Depreciation and amortization: Pet segment $ 32,803 $ 29,889 $ 26,044 Garden segment 11,959 8,744 6,267 Corporate 6,066 8,566 10,408 Total $ 50,828 $ 47,199 $ 42,719 Expenditures for long-lived assets: Pet segment $ 20,793 $ 26,979 $ 38,970 Garden segment 9,068 8,016 4,948 Corporate 1,716 2,850 741 Total $ 31,577 $ 37,845 $ 44,659 Noncontrolling interest is associated with the Garden segment. (1) Includes a $2.5 million impairment charge in fiscal 2019.

Consolidating Condensed Financi

Consolidating Condensed Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
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 and 2028 Notes. Certain subsidiaries and operating divisions are not guarantors of the Notes. Those subsidiaries that are guarantors and co-obligors of the Notes are as follows: Arden Companies, LLC C&S Products Co., Inc. 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, 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 Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2019 (in thousands) Parent Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net sales $ 764,991 $ 191,442 $ 1,496,962 $ (70,385 ) $ 2,383,010 Cost of goods sold and occupancy 592,916 150,067 1,000,994 (65,008 ) 1,678,969 Gross profit 172,075 41,375 495,968 (5,377 ) 704,041 Selling, general and administrative expenses 181,894 42,213 333,243 (5,377 ) 551,973 Operating income (loss) (9,819 ) (838 ) 162,725 — 152,068 Interest expense (42,078 ) (802 ) 266 — (42,614 ) Interest income 9,608 19 (73 ) — 9,554 Other income (expense) 190 (575 ) 628 — 243 Income (loss) before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates (42,099 ) (2,196 ) 163,546 — 119,251 Income tax expense (benefit) (9,324 ) (179 ) 36,107 — 26,604 Equity in earnings of affiliates 125,561 — (230 ) (125,331 ) — Net income including noncontrolling interest 92,786 (2,017 ) 127,209 (125,331 ) 92,647 Noncontrolling interest — (139 ) — — (139 ) Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company $ 92,786 $ (1,878 ) $ 127,209 $ (125,331 ) $ 92,786 CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS Fiscal Year Ended September 29, 2018 (in thousands) Parent Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net sales $ 730,439 $ 167,584 $ 1,397,688 $ (80,349 ) $ 2,215,362 Cost of goods sold and occupancy 568,145 128,944 917,276 (74,379 ) 1,539,986 Gross profit 162,294 38,640 480,412 (5,970 ) 675,376 Selling, general and administrative expenses 167,849 33,118 313,043 (5,970 ) 508,040 Operating income (loss) (5,555 ) 5,522 167,369 — 167,336 Interest expense (38,855 ) (547 ) 206 — (39,196 ) Interest income 3,138 6 1 — 3,145 Other income (expense) (4,269 ) (236 ) 645 — (3,860 ) Income (loss) before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates (45,541 ) 4,745 168,221 — 127,425 Income tax expense (benefit) (1,138 ) 79 4,364 — 3,305 Equity in earnings of affiliates 167,997 — 1,133 (169,130 ) — Net income including noncontrolling interest 123,594 4,666 164,990 (169,130 ) 124,120 Noncontrolling interest — 526 — — 526 Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company $ 123,594 $ 4,140 $ 164,990 $ (169,130 ) $ 123,594 CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands) Parent Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net sales $ 685,998 $ 79,681 $ 1,370,335 $ (81,536 ) $ 2,054,478 Cost of goods sold and occupancy 534,682 60,788 901,959 (75,759 ) 1,421,670 Gross profit 151,316 18,893 468,376 (5,777 ) 632,808 Selling, general and administrative expenses 154,267 18,416 309,790 (5,777 ) 476,696 Operating income (loss) (2,951 ) 477 158,586 — 156,112 Interest expense (28,051 ) (294 ) 136 — (28,209 ) Interest income 146 1 — — 147 Other income (expense) (2,379 ) 844 (86 ) — (1,621 ) Income (loss) before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates (33,235 ) 1,028 158,636 — 126,429 Income tax expense (benefit) (11,981 ) 1,466 57,214 — 46,699 Equity in earnings of affiliates 100,082 — 420 (100,502 ) — Net income including noncontrolling interest 78,828 (438 ) 101,842 (100,502 ) 79,730 Noncontrolling interest — 902 — — 902 Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company $ 78,828 $ (1,340 ) $ 101,842 $ (100,502 ) $ 78,828 CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2019 (in thousands) Parent Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net income (loss) $ 92,786 $ (2,017 ) $ 127,209 $ (125,331 ) $ 92,647 Other comprehensive loss: Foreign currency translation (458 ) (299 ) (48 ) 347 (458 ) Total comprehensive income (loss) 92,328 (2,316 ) 127,161 (124,984 ) 92,189 Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — (139 ) — — (139 ) Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company $ 92,328 $ (2,177 ) $ 127,161 $ (124,984 ) $ 92,328 CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Fiscal Year Ended September 29, 2018 (in thousands) Parent Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net income $ 123,594 $ 4,666 $ 164,990 $ (169,130 ) $ 124,120 Other comprehensive loss: Foreign currency translation (267 ) (145 ) (67 ) 212 (267 ) Total comprehensive income 123,327 4,521 164,923 (168,918 ) 123,853 Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — 526 — — 526 Comprehensive income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company $ 123,327 $ 3,995 $ 164,923 $ (168,918 ) $ 123,327 CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands) Parent Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net income (loss) $ 78,828 $ (438 ) $ 101,842 $ (100,502 ) $ 79,730 Other comprehensive Income: Foreign currency translation 343 169 108 (277 ) 343 Total comprehensive income (loss) 79,171 (269 ) 101,950 (100,779 ) 80,073 Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — 902 — — 902 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company $ 79,171 $ (1,171 ) $ 101,950 $ (100,779 ) $ 79,171 CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET September 28, 2019 (in thousands) Parent Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 489,590 $ 7,308 $ 851 $ — $ 497,749 Restricted cash 12,952 — — — 12,952 Accounts receivable, net 99,372 11,551 189,212 — 300,135 Inventories, net 121,344 30,826 314,027 — 466,197 Prepaid expenses and other assets 9,339 1,241 19,580 — 30,160 Total current assets 732,597 50,926 523,670 — 1,307,193 Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net 27,395 35,854 182,156 — 245,405 Goodwill 20,578 7,414 258,085 — 286,077 Other long term assets 55,690 5,487 139,138 (13,970 ) 186,345 Intercompany receivable 37,544 — 879,231 (916,775 ) — Investment in subsidiaries 1,784,750 — — (1,784,750 ) — Total $ 2,658,554 $ 99,681 $ 1,982,280 $ (2,715,495 ) $ 2,025,020 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Accounts payable $ 47,506 $ 6,895 $ 94,845 $ — $ 149,246 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 54,623 4,814 69,729 — 129,166 Current portion of long term debt 113 — — — 113 Total current liabilities 102,242 11,709 164,574 — 278,525 Long-term debt 693,037 — — — 693,037 Intercompany payable 858,673 58,102 — (916,775 ) — Losses in excess of investment in subsidiaries — — 25,567 (25,567 ) — Other long-term obligations 8,595 — 62,656 (13,970 ) 57,281 Shareholders’ equity attributable to Central Garden & Pet 996,007 29,700 1,729,483 (1,759,183 ) 996,007 Noncontrolling interest — 170 — — 170 Total equity 996,007 29,870 1,729,483 (1,759,183 ) 996,177 Total $ 2,658,554 $ 99,681 $ 1,982,280 $ (2,715,495 ) $ 2,025,020 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, net 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 Shareholders’ equity attributable to Central Garden & Pet 952,449 32,178 1,561,164 (1,593,342 ) 952,449 Noncontrolling interest — 385 — — 385 Total equity 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 Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2019 (in thousands) Parent Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net cash provided by operating activities $ 22,344 $ 4,625 $ 178,305 $ (300 ) $ 204,974 Additions to property, plant and equipment (3,926 ) (4,779 ) (22,872 ) — (31,577 ) Businesses acquired, net of cash acquired (41,161 ) — — — (41,161 ) Investments (2,010 ) — — — (2,010 ) Other investing activities (518 ) — (997 ) — (1,515 ) Intercompany investing activities 2,820 — (109,345 ) 106,525 — Net cash used by investing activities (44,795 ) (4,779 ) (133,214 ) 106,525 (76,263 ) Repayments of long-term debt (121 ) — (46,072 ) — (46,193 ) Repurchase of common stock (62,974 ) — — — (62,974 ) Payment of deferred financing costs (1,352 ) — — — (1,352 ) Payments of contingent consideration — — (170 ) — (170 ) Distribution to parent — (300 ) — 300 — Distribution to noncontrolling interest — (76 ) — — (76 ) Intercompany financing activities 104,742 1,783 — (106,525 ) — Net cash provided (used) by financing activities 40,295 1,407 (46,242 ) (106,225 ) (110,765 ) Effect of exchange rates on cash (411 ) 50 111 — (250 ) Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 17,433 1,303 (1,040 ) — 17,696 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year 485,109 6,005 1,891 — 493,005 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year $ 502,542 $ 7,308 $ 851 $ — $ 510,701 CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS Fiscal Year Ended September 29, 2018 (in thousands) Parent Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net cash provided (used) by operating activities $ (16,676 ) $ (1,288 ) $ 138,463 $ (6,387 ) $ 114,112 Additions to property, plant and equipment (6,633 ) (1,495 ) (29,717 ) — (37,845 ) Businesses acquired, net of cash acquired (91,244 ) — — — (91,244 ) Investments (9,048 ) — — — (9,048 ) Other investing activities (2,745 ) — — — (2,745 ) Intercompany investing activities (3,760 ) — (107,749 ) 111,509 — Net cash used by investing activities (113,430 ) (1,495 ) (137,466 ) 111,509 (140,882 ) Repayments on revolving line of credit (23,000 ) — — — (23,000 ) Borrowings on revolving line of credit 23,000 — — — 23,000 Repayments of long-term debt (56 ) — (375 ) — (431 ) Issuance of long-term debt 300,000 — — — 300,000 Proceeds from issuance of common stock 195,631 — — — 195,631 Repurchase of common stock (13,797 ) — — — (13,797 ) Payments of contingent consideration — — (253 ) — (253 ) Payment of deferred financing costs (4,770 ) — — — (4,770 ) Distribution to parent — (6,387 ) — 6,387 — Distribution to noncontrolling interest — (1,597 ) — — (1,597 ) Intercompany financing activities 106,525 4,984 — (111,509 ) — Net cash provided (used) by financing activities 583,533 (3,000 ) (628 ) (105,122 ) 474,783 Effect of exchange rates on cash (201 ) 95 56 — (50 ) Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 453,226 (5,688 ) 425 — 447,963 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year 31,883 11,693 1,466 — 45,042 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year $ 485,109 $ 6,005 $ 1,891 $ — $ 493,005 CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands) Parent Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net cash (used) provided by operating activities $ (7,418 ) $ 2,846 $ 122,957 $ (4,076 ) $ 114,309 Additions to property, plant and equipment (9,419 ) (805 ) (34,435 ) — (44,659 ) Businesses acquired, net of cash acquired (103,880 ) — — — (103,880 ) Proceeds from asset sales 229 — 8,318 — 8,547 Escrow deposit for acquisition related-contingent consideration (6,000 ) — — — (6,000 ) Investments (12,495 ) — — — (12,495 ) Other investing activities (4,355 ) — — — (4,355 ) Intercompany investing activities (3,828 ) — (94,763 ) 98,591 — Net cash used by investing activities (139,748 ) (805 ) (120,880 ) 98,591 (162,842 ) Repayments on revolving line of credit (552,000 ) — — — (552,000 ) Borrowings on revolving line of credit 552,000 — — — 552,000 Repayments of long-term debt (89 ) — (374 ) — (463 ) Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards 19,946 — — — 19,946 Repurchase of common stock (27,556 ) — — — (27,556 ) Payments of contingent consideration — (1,300 ) (1,300 ) Distribution to parent — (4,076 ) — 4,076 — Distribution to noncontrolling interest — (1,019 ) — — (1,019 ) Intercompany financing activities 93,445 5,146 — (98,591 ) — Net cash provided (used) by financing activities 85,746 51 (1,674 ) (94,515 ) (10,392 ) Effect of exchange rates on cash 235 (94 ) (66 ) — 75 Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (61,185 ) 1,998 337 — (58,850 ) Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year 93,068 9,695 1,129 — 103,892 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year 31,883 11,693 1,466 — 45,042

Subsequent Event

Subsequent Event	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Event	Subsequent Event In November 2019, the Company’s DMC business unit in its Pet Segment experienced a fire in one of its leased properties located in Athens, Texas. As a result, the Company sustained inventory and property-related losses in the estimated range of $15 million to $25 million

Organization and Significant _2

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization	Organization
Basis of Consolidation and Presentation	Basis of Consolidation and Presentation – The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and include the accounts of Central and all majority-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The fiscal years ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018 each included 52 weeks. The fiscal year ended September 30, 2017
Noncontrolling Interest	Noncontrolling Interest – Noncontrolling interest in the Company’s consolidated financial statements represents the 20% interest not owned by the Company 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 attributable to noncontrolling interest in the consolidated statements of operations.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires that management make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period including realization of accounts receivable and inventory and valuation of goodwill and intangibles. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
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 (approximately 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 arrangements 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. The amount billed to customers for shipping and handling costs included in net sales for the fiscal years ended September 28, 2019 , September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017 was $13.8 million , $12.2 million and $9.4 million , respectively. 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 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.
Cost of goods sold and occupancy	Cost of goods sold and occupancy
Advertising Costs	Advertising Costs
Other income (expense)	Other income (expense) consists principally of earnings (losses) from equity method investments and foreign exchange gains and losses.
Income taxes	Income taxes
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash -
Accounts receivable	Accounts receivable
Allowance for doubtful accounts	Allowance for doubtful accounts –
Inventories	Inventories
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment	Land, buildings, improvements and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method over 30 years for buildings. Improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the useful life of the asset or the terms of the related leases. Depreciation on equipment and capitalized software is computed by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of three to 10 years
Long-Lived Assets	Long-Lived Assets – The Company reviews its long-lived assets, including amortizable and indefinite-lived intangible assets and property, plant and equipment, for potential impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable, and annually for indefinite-lived intangible assets. An impairment loss would be recognized for amortizable intangible assets and property, plant and equipment when estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset are less than its carrying amount. An impairment loss would be recognized for an intangible asset with an indefinite useful life if its carrying value exceeds its fair value. Impairment, if any, is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds its fair value. There were no impairment losses recorded in fiscal years 2018 or 2017. As a result of one of our retail customers exiting the live fish business, factors indicating the carrying value of certain amortizable intangible assets may not be recoverable were present during the quarter ended March 30, 2019. The Company performed impairment testing on these assets, found the carrying value was not recoverable, and accordingly, recorded an impairment charge in its Pet segment of approximately $2.5 million as part of selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2019.
Goodwill	Goodwill
Investments	Investments – The Company owns membership interests ranging from 7% to 50% in ten unconsolidated companies. The Company accounts for its interest in these entities using the equity method and in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 321 - Investments - Equity Securities,
Insurance	Insurance – The Company maintains insurance for certain risks, including workers’ compensation, general liability and vehicle liability, and is self-insured for employee related health care benefits. The Company’s workers’ compensation, general liability and vehicle liability insurance policies include deductibles of $250,000 to $350,000 per occurrence. The Company maintains excess loss insurance that covers any health care claims in excess of $700,000 per person per year. The Company establishes reserves for losses based on its claims experience and actuarial estimates of the ultimate loss amount inherent in the claims, including claims incurred but not yet reported. Costs are recognized in the period the claim is incurred, and the financial statement accruals include an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments – At September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation
Total Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Total Comprehensive Income (Loss)
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. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("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 ASC Topic 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 18 - 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 September 28, 2019 would have been presented as follows (in thousands): As Reported September 28, 2019 Adjustments Balances without Adoption of ASC Topic 606 September 28, 2019 Current assets Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts $ 300,135 $ (7,839 ) $ 292,296 Prepaid expenses and other $ 30,160 $ (5,218 ) $ 24,942 Total current assets $ 1,307,193 $ (13,057 ) $ 1,294,136 Current liabilities Accrued expenses $ 129,166 $ (13,057 ) $ 116,109 Total current liabilities $ 278,525 $ (13,057 ) $ 265,468 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 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 $10.9 million and $12.6 million , respectively, and a increase of $1.7 million of cash used in investing activities and a $1.7 million decrease in cash used in investing activities to the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the fiscal years ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively. 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 and has accounted for subsequent acquisitions in accordance with this guidance. 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 the Company 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 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 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 recognize on the balance sheet operating and financing lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use assets and disclose key information about leasing information. Topic 842 was subsequently amended by ASU 2018-01, Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842; ASU 2018-10 , Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases; and ASU 2018-11 , Targeted Improvements. The new standard establishes a right-of-use model (ROU) that requires a lessee to recognize a ROU asset and lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with a term longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern and classification of expense recognition in the statement of operations. The new standard is effective for the Company commencing in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 and the Company adopted the new standard on its effective date. A modified retrospective transition approach is required, applying the new standard to all leases existing at the date of initial application. An entity may choose to use either (1) its effective date or (2) the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements as its date of initial application. If an entity chooses the second option, the transition requirements for existing leases also apply to leases entered into between the date of initial application and the effective date. The entity must also recast its comparative period financial statements and provide the disclosures required by the new standard for the comparative periods. The Company adopted the new standard on September 29, 2019 and used the effective date as our date of initial application. Consequently, financial information will not be updated and the disclosures required under the new standard will not be provided for dates and periods before September 29, 2019. The new standard provides a number of optional practical expedients in transition. The Company elected the 'package of practical expedients,' which permit it to not reassess under the new standard its prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. The Company did not elect the use-of-hindsight or the practical expedient pertaining to land easements; the latter not being applicable to it. The new standard also provides practical expedients for an entity's ongoing accounting. The Company has elected the short-term lease recognition exemption for all leases that qualify. This means, for those leases that qualify, the Company will not recognize ROU assets or lease liabilities for existing short-term leases of those assets in transition. The Company also elected the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for all its leases. The Company expects this standard will have a material effect on its financial statements. While the Company continues to assess all of the effects of adoption, the Company currently believes the most significant effects relate to (1) the recognition of new ROU assets and lease liabilities on its balance sheet for its production equipment, vehicle and real estate operating leases and (2) providing significant new disclosures about its leasing activities. On adoption, the Company will recognize additional operating liabilities in excess of $110 million , based on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments under current leasing standards for existing operating leases. The Company will also recognize corresponding ROU assets based upon the operating lease liabilities, adjusted for prepaid and deferred rents on the effective date. Information on our current operating leases can be found in Note 11 - Commitments and Contingencies . Goodwill and Intangible Assets I n 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 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 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 Measurement . 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 consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
Fair Value Measurements	Generally accepted accounting principles require 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, restricted cash and equivalents, short term investments, 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.

Organization and Significant _3

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Cash and Cash Equivalents	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 September 28, 2019, September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively (in thousands). September 28, 2019 September 29, 2018 September 30, 2017 Cash and cash equivalents $ 497,749 $ 482,106 $ 32,397 Restricted cash 12,952 10,899 12,645 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 510,701 $ 493,005 $ 45,042
Reconciliation of 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 September 28, 2019, September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively (in thousands). September 28, 2019 September 29, 2018 September 30, 2017 Cash and cash equivalents $ 497,749 $ 482,106 $ 32,397 Restricted cash 12,952 10,899 12,645 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 510,701 $ 493,005 $ 45,042
Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles	Had the Company not adopted the provisions under this ASU, its condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 28, 2019 would have been presented as follows (in thousands): As Reported September 28, 2019 Adjustments Balances without Adoption of ASC Topic 606 September 28, 2019 Current assets Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts $ 300,135 $ (7,839 ) $ 292,296 Prepaid expenses and other $ 30,160 $ (5,218 ) $ 24,942 Total current assets $ 1,307,193 $ (13,057 ) $ 1,294,136 Current liabilities Accrued expenses $ 129,166 $ (13,057 ) $ 116,109 Total current liabilities $ 278,525 $ (13,057 ) $ 265,468

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
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 September 28, 2019 (in thousands): Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Liabilities: Liability for contingent consideration (a) $ — $ — $ 7,369 $ 7,369 Total liabilities $ — $ — $ 7,369 $ 7,369 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 (in thousands): Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Liabilities: Liability for contingent consideration (a) $ — $ — $ 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 payments 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.
Summary of Changes in Fair Value of Level 3 Financial Instruments	The following table provides a summary of changes in fair value of the Company's Level 3 financial instruments for the years ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018 (in thousands): Amount Balance as of 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 (685 ) Performance-based payments made (170 ) Balance as of September 28, 2019 $ 7,369

Acquisitions and Investments _2

Acquisitions and Investments in Joint Ventures (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
Arden Companies
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Summary of Recording of Fair Values of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	The following table summarizes the purchase price and recording of fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date and subsequent adjustments. (In thousands) Amounts Previously Recognized as of Acquisition Date (1) Measurement Period Adjustments Amounts Recognized as of Acquisition Date (as Adjusted) Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired $ 51,211 $ 1,540 $ 52,751 Fixed assets 6,311 5,376 11,687 Other Assets 14,868 (14,868 ) — Goodwill — 4,900 4,900 Intangible assets — 10,930 10,930 Current liabilities (19,853 ) — (19,853 ) Short-term debt (22,000 ) — (22,000 ) Long-term debt (19,400 ) — (19,400 ) Fair value of the Company's initial investment — (7,878 ) (7,878 ) Net assets acquired, less cash and cash equivalents $ 11,137 $ — $ 11,137 (1) As previously reported in the Company's Form 10-Q for the period ended March 30, 2019 and June 29, 2019.
General Pet Supply
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Summary of Recording of Fair Values of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	The following table summarizes the purchase price and recording of fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date and subsequent adjustments. In thousands Amounts Previously Recognized as of Acquisition Date (1) Measurement Period Adjustments Amounts Recognized as of Acquisition Date (as Adjusted) Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired $ 12,991 $ — $ 12,991 Fixed assets 1,014 516 1,530 Goodwill — 5,520 5,520 Other assets 14,147 (14,136 ) 11 Other intangible assets, net — 8,100 8,100 Current liabilities (3,506 ) — (3,506 ) Long-term obligations (361 ) (361 ) Net assets acquired, less cash and cash equivalents $ 24,285 $ — $ 24,285 (1) As previously reported in the Company's Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2018.
Bell Nursery
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Summary of Recording of Fair Values of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	The following table summarizes the purchase price and recording of fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date and subsequent adjustments. In thousands Amounts Previously Recognized as of Acquisition Date (1) Measurement Period Adjustments Amounts Recognized as of Acquisition Date (as Adjusted) Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired $ 28,330 $ (359 ) $ 27,971 Fixed assets 30,278 383 30,661 Goodwill — 7,415 7,415 Other assets 11,647 (11,647 ) — Other intangible assets, net — 6,230 6,230 Current liabilities (11,611 ) (2,022 ) (13,633 ) Net assets acquired, less cash and cash equivalents $ 58,644 $ — $ 58,644 (1) As previously reported in the Company's Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2018 and June 30, 2018.
K&H Manufacturing
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Summary of Recording of Fair Values of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	The following table summarizes the purchase price and recording of fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date and subsequent adjustments. Amounts Previously Recognized as of Acquisition Date (1) Measurement Period Adjustments Amounts Recognized as of Acquisition Date (as Adjusted) In thousands Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired $ 5,439 $ 613 $ 6,052 Fixed assets 315 — 315 Other assets 41,781 (41,781 ) — Goodwill — 11,968 11,968 Other intangible assets — 29,200 29,200 Current liabilities (757 ) — (757 ) Net assets acquired, less cash and cash equivalents $ 46,778 $ — $ 46,778 (1) As previously reported in the Company's Form 10-Q for the periods ended June 24, 2017 and December 30, 2017, and the Company's Form 10-K for the period ended September 30, 2017.
Segrest Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Summary of Recording of Fair Values of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	The following table summarizes the purchase price and the recording of fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date and subsequent adjustments (in thousands): Amounts Previously Recognized as of Acquisition Date (1) Measurement Period Adjustments Amounts Recognized as of Acquisition Date (as Adjusted) Purchase Price Cash paid, net of cash acquired $ 54,043 $ — $ 54,043 Contingent consideration 6,000 (3,300 ) 2,700 $ 60,043 $ (3,300 ) $ 56,743 Allocation Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired $ 7,403 $ (300 ) $ 7,103 Fixed assets 7,011 2,242 9,253 Other assets 47,704 (47,704 ) — Goodwill 25,890 25,890 Other intangible assets 27,650 27,650 Current liabilities (2,075 ) (2,075 ) Deferred Tax Liability (11,078 ) (11,078 ) $ 60,043 $ (3,300 ) $ 56,743 (1) As previously reported in the Company's Form 10-Q for the periods ended December 24, 2016, March 25, 2017 and June 24, 2017.

Allowance for Doubtful Accoun_2

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
Receivables [Abstract]
Schedule of Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts are summarized below (in thousands): Description Balances at Beginning of Period Charged/ (Credited) to Costs and Expenses Asset Write-Offs, Less Recoveries Reclassification of Product Return Reserve Balances at End of Period Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2017 21,069 2,921 (2,554 ) — 21,436 Fiscal Year Ended September 29, 2018 21,436 2,132 557 — 24,125 Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2019 24,125 6,906 (3,438 ) (6,465 ) 21,128

Inventories, net (Tables)

Inventories, net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Inventories, Net of Allowance for Obsolescence	Inventories, net of allowance for obsolescence, consist of the following (in thousands): September 28, September 29, Raw materials $ 145,331 $ 117,539 Work in progress 51,154 35,691 Finished goods 255,870 263,845 Supplies 13,842 10,748 Total inventories, net $ 466,197 $ 427,823

Property and Equipment, Net (Ta

Property and Equipment, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Components of Property and Equipment	Property and equipment consists of the following (in thousands): September 28, September 29, Land $ 17,396 $ 14,183 Buildings and improvements 179,398 154,787 Transportation equipment 9,651 9,348 Machine and warehouse equipment 255,943 227,727 Capitalized software 116,353 114,878 Office furniture and equipment 30,016 27,734 Assets under construction 15,574 24,015 624,331 572,672 Accumulated depreciation and amortization (378,926 ) (355,025 ) $ 245,405 $ 217,647

Goodwill (Tables)

Goodwill (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the fiscal years ended September 28, 2019 , September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017 (in thousands): Garden Products Segment Pet Products Segment Total Balance as of September 24, 2016 Goodwill $ 219,056 $ 421,890 $ 640,946 Accumulated impairment losses (213,583 ) (195,978 ) (409,561 ) Balance as of 5,473 225,912 231,385 Additions in fiscal 2017 — 25,890 25,890 Write off related to sale of business — (1,000 ) (1,000 ) Balance as of September 30, 2017 Goodwill 219,056 446,780 665,836 Accumulated impairment losses (213,583 ) (195,978 ) (409,561 ) 5,473 250,802 256,275 Additions in fiscal 2018 7,415 17,487 24,902 Balance as of September 29, 2018 Goodwill 226,471 464,267 690,738 Accumulated impairment losses (213,583 ) (195,978 ) (409,561 ) 12,888 268,289 281,177 Additions in fiscal 2019 4,900 — 4,900 Balance as of September 28, 2019 Goodwill 231,371 464,267 695,638 Accumulated impairment losses (213,583 ) (195,978 ) (409,561 ) $ 17,788 $ 268,289 $ 286,077

Other Intangible Assets (Tables

Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
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) September 28, 2019 Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable $ 19.7 $ (16.3 ) $ — $ 3.4 Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable 70.6 — (26.0 ) 44.6 Total 90.3 (16.3 ) (26.0 ) 48.0 Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable 138.4 (53.3 ) (2.5 ) 82.6 Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable 26.0 (16.4 ) — 9.6 Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable 7.1 — (1.2 ) 5.9 Total 33.1 (16.4 ) (1.2 ) 15.5 Total other intangible assets $ 261.8 $ (86.0 ) $ (29.7 ) $ 146.1 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 September 30, 2017 Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable $ 16.9 $ (12.7 ) $ — $ 4.2 Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable 62.7 — (26.0 ) 36.7 Total 79.6 (12.7 ) (26.0 ) 40.9 Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable 91.6 (32.2 ) — 59.4 Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable 22.1 (12.9 ) — 9.2 Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable 7.8 — (1.2 ) 6.6 Total 29.9 (12.9 ) (1.2 ) 15.8 Total other intangible assets $ 201.1 $ (57.8 ) $ (27.2 ) $ 116.1

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Long-Term Debt	Long-term debt consists of the following: September 28, September 29, (in thousands) Senior notes, interest at 6.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due November 2023 $ 400,000 $ 400,000 Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028 300,000 300,000 Unamortized debt issuance costs (7,158 ) (8,425 ) Net carrying value 692,842 691,575 Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.00% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.0% to 0.50%, final maturity September 2024 — — 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 308 578 Total 693,150 692,153 Less current portion (113 ) (122 ) Long-term portion $ 693,037 $ 692,031
Scheduled Principal Repayments on Long-Term Debt	The scheduled principal repayments on long-term debt as of September 28, 2019 are as follows: (in thousands) Fiscal year: 2020 $ 113 2021 97 2022 80 2023 18 2024 400,000 Thereafter 300,000 Total $ 700,308 (1) (1) Debt repayments do not reflect the unamortized portion of deferred financing costs associated with the 2023 Notes and 2028 Notes of $7.1 million as of September 28, 2019 , of which, $3.2 million is amortizable until November 2023, and $3.9 million is amortizable until February 2028 and is included in the carrying value.

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Aggregate Minimum Annual Payments on Non-Cancelable Operating Leases	Aggregate minimum annual payments on non-cancelable operating leases at September 28, 2019 are as follows: (in thousands) Fiscal year: 2020 $ 38,022 2021 29,353 2022 21,818 2023 11,265 2024 7,861 Thereafter 20,724 Total $ 129,043

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Provision for Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	The provision for income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following: Fiscal Year Ended September 28, September 29, September 30, (in thousands) Current: Federal $ 17,048 $ 5,728 $ 32,755 State 2,728 2,319 3,034 Foreign 169 91 121 Total 19,945 8,138 35,910 Deferred: Federal 4,278 (3,676 ) 11,227 State 2,380 (1,162 ) (1,038 ) Foreign 1 5 600 Total 6,659 (4,833 ) 10,789 Total $ 26,604 $ 3,305 $ 46,699
Reconciliation of the Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate to the Company's Effective Income Tax Rate	A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the Company’s effective income tax rate is as follows: Fiscal Year Ended September 28, September 29, September 30, Statutory federal income tax rate 21.0 % 24.5 % 35.0 % State income taxes, net of federal benefit 4.3 0.9 2.4 Other permanent differences 0.7 (0.1 ) 0.3 Adjustment of prior year accruals (0.6 ) — (0.3 ) Credits (0.9 ) (0.8 ) (0.6 ) Rate change - Tax reform — (16.9 ) — Stock based compensation (1.6 ) (5.4 ) — Other (0.6 ) 0.4 0.1 Effective income tax rate 22.3 % 2.6 % 36.9 %
Tax Effect of Temporary Differences and Carryforwards which Give Rise to Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	The tax effect of temporary differences and carryforwards which give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows: September 28, 2019 September 29, 2018 Deferred Tax Assets Deferred Tax Liabilities Deferred Tax Assets Deferred Tax Liabilities (in thousands) Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 5,029 $ — $ 5,613 $ — Inventory write-downs 8,374 — 6,819 — Prepaid expenses — 2,060 — 1,408 Nondeductible reserves 3,968 — 983 — State taxes 39 — 74 — Employee benefits 5,704 — 5,578 — Depreciation and amortization — 77,901 — 65,983 Equity loss 884 — 2,053 — State net operating loss carryforward 6,579 — 6,722 — Stock based compensation 3,538 — 2,541 — State credits 2,819 — 2,742 — Other 4,774 — 4,240 — Valuation allowance (7,179 ) — (6,809 ) — Total $ 34,529 $ 79,961 $ 30,556 $ 67,391
Activity Related to Company's Unrecognized Tax Benefits	The following table, which excludes interest and penalties, summarizes the activity related to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits for fiscal years ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018 (in thousands): Balance as of September 30, 2017 $ 325 Increases related to prior year tax positions 138 Increases related to current year tax positions 83 Decreases related to prior year tax positions (28 ) Settlements — Decreases related to lapse of statute of limitations — Balance as of September 29, 2018 $ 518 Increases related to prior year tax positions 8 Increases related to current year tax positions 81 Decreases related to prior year tax positions — Settlements (124 ) Decreases related to lapse of statute of limitations — Balance as of September 28, 2019 $ 483

Stock-Based Compensation (Table

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Summary of Stock Option Activity	The following table summarizes option activity for the period ended September 28, 2019 : Number of Shares (in thousands) Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands) Outstanding at September 29, 2018 2,329 $ 22.56 4 years $ 26,543 Granted 818 $ 27.00 Exercised (431 ) $ 12.53 Canceled or expired (167 ) $ 28.09 Outstanding at September 28, 2019 2,549 $ 25.32 4 years $ 12,498 Exercisable at September 30, 2017 458 $ 10.80 2 years 12,097 Exercisable at September 29, 2018 636 $ 16.35 3 years 10,731 Exercisable at September 28, 2019 957 21.08 3 years 8,589 Expected to vest after September 28, 2019 1,455 27.87 4 years 3,572
Summary of Restricted Stock Award Activity	Restricted stock award activity during the period ended September 28, 2019 is summarized as follows: Number of Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share (in thousands) Nonvested at September 29, 2018 874 $ 22.37 Granted 547 $ 26.05 Vested (317 ) $ 14.19 Forfeited (21 ) $ 23.95 Nonvested at September 28, 2019 1,083 $ 26.60

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Numerators and Denominators in Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share	The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) computations: Fiscal Year Ended Fiscal Year Ended Fiscal Year Ended Net Income Shares Per Share Net Income Shares Per Share Net Income Shares Per Share (in thousands, except per share amounts) Basic EPS: Net income available to common shareholders $ 92,786 56,770 $ 1.63 $ 123,594 51,716 $ 2.39 $ 78,828 50,230 $ 1.57 Effect of dilutive securities: Options to purchase common stock 509 (0.01 ) 996 (0.05 ) 992 (0.03 ) Restricted shares 332 (0.01 ) 629 (0.02 ) 598 (0.02 ) Diluted EPS: Net income available to common shareholders $ 92,786 57,611 $ 1.61 $ 123,594 53,341 $ 2.32 $ 78,828 51,820 $ 1.52

Quarterly Financial Data - Un_2

Quarterly Financial Data - Unaudited (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Data - Unaudited	Fiscal 2019 1 st Quarter 2 nd Quarter 3 rd Quarter 4 th Quarter (in thousands, except per share amounts) Net sales $ 461,990 $ 673,701 $ 706,575 $ 540,744 Gross profit 130,182 206,051 219,284 148,524 Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company 1,803 42,391 46,152 2,440 Net income per share: Basic $ 0.03 $ 0.74 $ 0.81 $ 0.04 Diluted $ 0.03 $ 0.73 $ 0.80 $ 0.04 Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic 56,903 57,050 57,319 56,017 Diluted 58,001 58,026 57,985 56,618 Fiscal 2018 1 st Quarter 2 nd Quarter 3 rd Quarter 4 th Quarter (in thousands, except per share amounts) Net sales $ 442,011 $ 613,094 $ 657,943 $ 502,314 Gross profit 131,837 194,457 202,064 147,018 Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company 26,247 (1 ) 45,234 41,545 10,568 (1 ) Net income (loss) per share: Basic $ 0.52 $ 0.89 $ 0.81 $ 0.20 Diluted $ 0.50 (1 ) $ 0.86 $ 0.79 $ 0.19 (1 ) Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic 50,730 50,871 51,134 54,059 Diluted 52,695 52,658 52,575 55,376 (1) Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company was impacted by a provisional tax benefit of $16.3 million recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 and a tax benefit of $5.2 million recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, for a total fiscal 2018 year-to-date tax benefit of $21.5 million

Business Segment Data (Tables)

Business Segment Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Class of Similar Products Which Represented Approximately 10% or More of Company's Consolidated Net Sales	The following table indicates each class of similar products which represented approximately 10% or more of the Company’s consolidated net sales in the fiscal years presented (in millions). Category 2019 2018 2017 Other pet products $ 613.4 $ 606.7 $ 603.6 Other garden products 560.8 445.7 377.0 Other manufacturers' products 504.5 454.3 409.0 Dog & cat products 452.1 445.1 405.1 Controls & fertilizer products 252.2 263.6 259.8 Total $ 2,383.0 $ 2,215.4 $ 2,054.5
Financial Information Relating to Company's Business Segments	Financial information relating to the Company’s business segments for each of the three most recent fiscal years is presented in the table below (in thousands): Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2019 September 29, 2018 September 30, 2017 Net sales: Pet segment $ 1,384,686 $ 1,340,899 $ 1,246,354 Garden segment 998,324 874,463 808,124 Total $ 2,383,010 $ 2,215,362 $ 2,054,478 Operating income (loss): Pet segment $ 122,727 (1) $ 140,353 $ 131,622 Garden segment 102,170 95,551 87,298 Corporate (72,829 ) (68,568 ) (62,808 ) Total 152,068 167,336 156,112 Interest expense (42,614 ) (39,196 ) (28,209 ) Interest income 9,554 3,145 147 Other income (expense), net 243 (3,860 ) (1,621 ) Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest 119,251 127,425 126,429 Income tax expense 26,604 3,305 46,699 Net income including noncontrolling interest 92,647 124,120 79,730 Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest (139 ) 526 902 Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company $ 92,786 $ 123,594 $ 78,828 Assets: Pet segment $ 734,380 $ 683,938 $ 612,337 Garden segment 463,889 407,483 311,026 Corporate and eliminations 826,751 815,788 383,543 Total $ 2,025,020 $ 1,907,209 $ 1,306,906 Depreciation and amortization: Pet segment $ 32,803 $ 29,889 $ 26,044 Garden segment 11,959 8,744 6,267 Corporate 6,066 8,566 10,408 Total $ 50,828 $ 47,199 $ 42,719 Expenditures for long-lived assets: Pet segment $ 20,793 $ 26,979 $ 38,970 Garden segment 9,068 8,016 4,948 Corporate 1,716 2,850 741 Total $ 31,577 $ 37,845 $ 44,659 Noncontrolling interest is associated with the Garden segment. (1) Includes a $2.5 million impairment charge in fiscal 2019.

Consolidating Condensed Finan_2

Consolidating Condensed Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
Condensed Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Consolidating Condensed Statement of Operations	CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2019 (in thousands) Parent Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net sales $ 764,991 $ 191,442 $ 1,496,962 $ (70,385 ) $ 2,383,010 Cost of goods sold and occupancy 592,916 150,067 1,000,994 (65,008 ) 1,678,969 Gross profit 172,075 41,375 495,968 (5,377 ) 704,041 Selling, general and administrative expenses 181,894 42,213 333,243 (5,377 ) 551,973 Operating income (loss) (9,819 ) (838 ) 162,725 — 152,068 Interest expense (42,078 ) (802 ) 266 — (42,614 ) Interest income 9,608 19 (73 ) — 9,554 Other income (expense) 190 (575 ) 628 — 243 Income (loss) before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates (42,099 ) (2,196 ) 163,546 — 119,251 Income tax expense (benefit) (9,324 ) (179 ) 36,107 — 26,604 Equity in earnings of affiliates 125,561 — (230 ) (125,331 ) — Net income including noncontrolling interest 92,786 (2,017 ) 127,209 (125,331 ) 92,647 Noncontrolling interest — (139 ) — — (139 ) Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company $ 92,786 $ (1,878 ) $ 127,209 $ (125,331 ) $ 92,786 CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS Fiscal Year Ended September 29, 2018 (in thousands) Parent Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net sales $ 730,439 $ 167,584 $ 1,397,688 $ (80,349 ) $ 2,215,362 Cost of goods sold and occupancy 568,145 128,944 917,276 (74,379 ) 1,539,986 Gross profit 162,294 38,640 480,412 (5,970 ) 675,376 Selling, general and administrative expenses 167,849 33,118 313,043 (5,970 ) 508,040 Operating income (loss) (5,555 ) 5,522 167,369 — 167,336 Interest expense (38,855 ) (547 ) 206 — (39,196 ) Interest income 3,138 6 1 — 3,145 Other income (expense) (4,269 ) (236 ) 645 — (3,860 ) Income (loss) before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates (45,541 ) 4,745 168,221 — 127,425 Income tax expense (benefit) (1,138 ) 79 4,364 — 3,305 Equity in earnings of affiliates 167,997 — 1,133 (169,130 ) — Net income including noncontrolling interest 123,594 4,666 164,990 (169,130 ) 124,120 Noncontrolling interest — 526 — — 526 Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company $ 123,594 $ 4,140 $ 164,990 $ (169,130 ) $ 123,594 CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands) Parent Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net sales $ 685,998 $ 79,681 $ 1,370,335 $ (81,536 ) $ 2,054,478 Cost of goods sold and occupancy 534,682 60,788 901,959 (75,759 ) 1,421,670 Gross profit 151,316 18,893 468,376 (5,777 ) 632,808 Selling, general and administrative expenses 154,267 18,416 309,790 (5,777 ) 476,696 Operating income (loss) (2,951 ) 477 158,586 — 156,112 Interest expense (28,051 ) (294 ) 136 — (28,209 ) Interest income 146 1 — — 147 Other income (expense) (2,379 ) 844 (86 ) — (1,621 ) Income (loss) before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates (33,235 ) 1,028 158,636 — 126,429 Income tax expense (benefit) (11,981 ) 1,466 57,214 — 46,699 Equity in earnings of affiliates 100,082 — 420 (100,502 ) — Net income including noncontrolling interest 78,828 (438 ) 101,842 (100,502 ) 79,730 Noncontrolling interest — 902 — — 902 Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company $ 78,828 $ (1,340 ) $ 101,842 $ (100,502 ) $ 78,828
Consolidating Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2019 (in thousands) Parent Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net income (loss) $ 92,786 $ (2,017 ) $ 127,209 $ (125,331 ) $ 92,647 Other comprehensive loss: Foreign currency translation (458 ) (299 ) (48 ) 347 (458 ) Total comprehensive income (loss) 92,328 (2,316 ) 127,161 (124,984 ) 92,189 Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests — (139 ) — — (139 ) Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company $ 92,328 $ (2,177 ) $ 127,161 $ (124,984 ) $ 92,328 CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Fiscal Year Ended September 29, 2018 (in thousands) Parent Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net income $ 123,594 $ 4,666 $ 164,990 $ (169,130 ) $ 124,120 Other comprehensive loss: Foreign currency translation (267 ) (145 ) (67 ) 212 (267 ) Total comprehensive income 123,327 4,521 164,923 (168,918 ) 123,853 Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — 526 — — 526 Comprehensive income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company $ 123,327 $ 3,995 $ 164,923 $ (168,918 ) $ 123,327 CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands) Parent Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net income (loss) $ 78,828 $ (438 ) $ 101,842 $ (100,502 ) $ 79,730 Other comprehensive Income: Foreign currency translation 343 169 108 (277 ) 343 Total comprehensive income (loss) 79,171 (269 ) 101,950 (100,779 ) 80,073 Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests — 902 — — 902 Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company $ 79,171 $ (1,171 ) $ 101,950 $ (100,779 ) $ 79,171
Consolidating Condensed Balance Sheet	CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET September 28, 2019 (in thousands) Parent Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 489,590 $ 7,308 $ 851 $ — $ 497,749 Restricted cash 12,952 — — — 12,952 Accounts receivable, net 99,372 11,551 189,212 — 300,135 Inventories, net 121,344 30,826 314,027 — 466,197 Prepaid expenses and other assets 9,339 1,241 19,580 — 30,160 Total current assets 732,597 50,926 523,670 — 1,307,193 Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net 27,395 35,854 182,156 — 245,405 Goodwill 20,578 7,414 258,085 — 286,077 Other long term assets 55,690 5,487 139,138 (13,970 ) 186,345 Intercompany receivable 37,544 — 879,231 (916,775 ) — Investment in subsidiaries 1,784,750 — — (1,784,750 ) — Total $ 2,658,554 $ 99,681 $ 1,982,280 $ (2,715,495 ) $ 2,025,020 LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Accounts payable $ 47,506 $ 6,895 $ 94,845 $ — $ 149,246 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 54,623 4,814 69,729 — 129,166 Current portion of long term debt 113 — — — 113 Total current liabilities 102,242 11,709 164,574 — 278,525 Long-term debt 693,037 — — — 693,037 Intercompany payable 858,673 58,102 — (916,775 ) — Losses in excess of investment in subsidiaries — — 25,567 (25,567 ) — Other long-term obligations 8,595 — 62,656 (13,970 ) 57,281 Shareholders’ equity attributable to Central Garden & Pet 996,007 29,700 1,729,483 (1,759,183 ) 996,007 Noncontrolling interest — 170 — — 170 Total equity 996,007 29,870 1,729,483 (1,759,183 ) 996,177 Total $ 2,658,554 $ 99,681 $ 1,982,280 $ (2,715,495 ) $ 2,025,020 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, net 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 Shareholders’ equity attributable to Central Garden & Pet 952,449 32,178 1,561,164 (1,593,342 ) 952,449 Noncontrolling interest — 385 — — 385 Total equity 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 Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2019 (in thousands) Parent Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net cash provided by operating activities $ 22,344 $ 4,625 $ 178,305 $ (300 ) $ 204,974 Additions to property, plant and equipment (3,926 ) (4,779 ) (22,872 ) — (31,577 ) Businesses acquired, net of cash acquired (41,161 ) — — — (41,161 ) Investments (2,010 ) — — — (2,010 ) Other investing activities (518 ) — (997 ) — (1,515 ) Intercompany investing activities 2,820 — (109,345 ) 106,525 — Net cash used by investing activities (44,795 ) (4,779 ) (133,214 ) 106,525 (76,263 ) Repayments of long-term debt (121 ) — (46,072 ) — (46,193 ) Repurchase of common stock (62,974 ) — — — (62,974 ) Payment of deferred financing costs (1,352 ) — — — (1,352 ) Payments of contingent consideration — — (170 ) — (170 ) Distribution to parent — (300 ) — 300 — Distribution to noncontrolling interest — (76 ) — — (76 ) Intercompany financing activities 104,742 1,783 — (106,525 ) — Net cash provided (used) by financing activities 40,295 1,407 (46,242 ) (106,225 ) (110,765 ) Effect of exchange rates on cash (411 ) 50 111 — (250 ) Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 17,433 1,303 (1,040 ) — 17,696 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year 485,109 6,005 1,891 — 493,005 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year $ 502,542 $ 7,308 $ 851 $ — $ 510,701 CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS Fiscal Year Ended September 29, 2018 (in thousands) Parent Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net cash provided (used) by operating activities $ (16,676 ) $ (1,288 ) $ 138,463 $ (6,387 ) $ 114,112 Additions to property, plant and equipment (6,633 ) (1,495 ) (29,717 ) — (37,845 ) Businesses acquired, net of cash acquired (91,244 ) — — — (91,244 ) Investments (9,048 ) — — — (9,048 ) Other investing activities (2,745 ) — — — (2,745 ) Intercompany investing activities (3,760 ) — (107,749 ) 111,509 — Net cash used by investing activities (113,430 ) (1,495 ) (137,466 ) 111,509 (140,882 ) Repayments on revolving line of credit (23,000 ) — — — (23,000 ) Borrowings on revolving line of credit 23,000 — — — 23,000 Repayments of long-term debt (56 ) — (375 ) — (431 ) Issuance of long-term debt 300,000 — — — 300,000 Proceeds from issuance of common stock 195,631 — — — 195,631 Repurchase of common stock (13,797 ) — — — (13,797 ) Payments of contingent consideration — — (253 ) — (253 ) Payment of deferred financing costs (4,770 ) — — — (4,770 ) Distribution to parent — (6,387 ) — 6,387 — Distribution to noncontrolling interest — (1,597 ) — — (1,597 ) Intercompany financing activities 106,525 4,984 — (111,509 ) — Net cash provided (used) by financing activities 583,533 (3,000 ) (628 ) (105,122 ) 474,783 Effect of exchange rates on cash (201 ) 95 56 — (50 ) Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 453,226 (5,688 ) 425 — 447,963 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year 31,883 11,693 1,466 — 45,042 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year $ 485,109 $ 6,005 $ 1,891 $ — $ 493,005 CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands) Parent Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Guarantor Subsidiaries Eliminations Consolidated Net cash (used) provided by operating activities $ (7,418 ) $ 2,846 $ 122,957 $ (4,076 ) $ 114,309 Additions to property, plant and equipment (9,419 ) (805 ) (34,435 ) — (44,659 ) Businesses acquired, net of cash acquired (103,880 ) — — — (103,880 ) Proceeds from asset sales 229 — 8,318 — 8,547 Escrow deposit for acquisition related-contingent consideration (6,000 ) — — — (6,000 ) Investments (12,495 ) — — — (12,495 ) Other investing activities (4,355 ) — — — (4,355 ) Intercompany investing activities (3,828 ) — (94,763 ) 98,591 — Net cash used by investing activities (139,748 ) (805 ) (120,880 ) 98,591 (162,842 ) Repayments on revolving line of credit (552,000 ) — — — (552,000 ) Borrowings on revolving line of credit 552,000 — — — 552,000 Repayments of long-term debt (89 ) — (374 ) — (463 ) Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards 19,946 — — — 19,946 Repurchase of common stock (27,556 ) — — — (27,556 ) Payments of contingent consideration — (1,300 ) (1,300 ) Distribution to parent — (4,076 ) — 4,076 — Distribution to noncontrolling interest — (1,019 ) — — (1,019 ) Intercompany financing activities 93,445 5,146 — (98,591 ) — Net cash provided (used) by financing activities 85,746 51 (1,674 ) (94,515 ) (10,392 ) Effect of exchange rates on cash 235 (94 ) (66 ) — 75 Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (61,185 ) 1,998 337 — (58,850 ) Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year 93,068 9,695 1,129 — 103,892 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year 31,883 11,693 1,466 — 45,042

Organization and Significant _4

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - Noncontrolling Interest, Additional Information (Details)	Sep. 28, 2019
Subsidiaries
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest owned by the subsidiary	20.00%

Organization and Significant _5

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - Revenue Recognition, Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Cost of goods sold and occupancy	$ 1,678,969	$ 1,539,986	$ 1,421,670
Shipping and Handling
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Cost of goods sold and occupancy	$ 13,800	$ 12,200	$ 9,400

Organization and Significant _6

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - Cost of Goods Sold, Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Cost of shipping and handling included in selling, general and administrative expenses	$ 80.4	$ 70.1	$ 59.3

Organization and Significant _7

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - Advertising Costs, Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Advertising expenses	$ 27.5	$ 29.7	$ 34.5

Organization and Significant _8

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - 401(k) Plans, Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]
Employees benefit plan	$ 4.2	$ 2.3	$ 2.4
Class A common stock
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]
401(k) matching contributions made in Class A common stock (in shares)	161	61	81

Organization and Significant _9

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - Income Taxes, Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Valuation allowances related to net deferred tax assets	$ 6,809		$ 7,179	$ 6,809
Statutory federal income tax rate			21.00%	24.50%	35.00%
Foreign earnings held in cash or cash equivalents, tax rate (as a percent)				15.50%
Foreign earnings held in non-cash, tax rate (as a percent)				8.00%
Transition tax		$ 200		$ 300
Foreign undistributed earnings	1,800			1,800
Provisional tax benefit	$ 5,200	$ 16,300		$ 21,500

Organization and Significant_10

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 24, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 497,749	$ 482,106	$ 32,397
Restricted cash	12,952	10,899	12,645
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$ 510,701	$ 493,005	$ 45,042	$ 103,892

Organization and Significant_11

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - Land, Buildings, Improvements and Equipment, Additional Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
Building
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life	30 years
Minimum | Equipment and Capitalized Software
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life	3 years
Maximum | Equipment and Capitalized Software
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life	10 years

Organization and Significant_12

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - Long-Lived Assets, Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019USD ($)
Pet Segment
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Impairment charge	$ 2.5

Organization and Significant_13

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - Investments, Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019USD ($)company	Sep. 29, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 27, 2019
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Owned percentage in unconsolidated entities				65.00%
Number of unconsolidated companies | company	10
Equity income (loss)	$ 1.2	$ (2.8)	$ 0.9
Investment in unconsolidated companies	$ 12.1	$ 18.5
Minimum
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Owned percentage in unconsolidated entities	7.00%
Maximum
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Owned percentage in unconsolidated entities	50.00%

Organization and Significant_14

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - Insurance, Additional Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019USD ($)
Insurance [Line Items]
Excess loss insurance that covers any health care claims	$ 700,000
Minimum
Insurance [Line Items]
General liability and vehicle liability insurance policies	250,000
Maximum
Insurance [Line Items]
General liability and vehicle liability insurance policies	$ 350,000

Organization and Significant_15

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - Stock-Based Compensation, Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Stock-based compensation	$ 14,662	$ 11,602	$ 11,115
Stock-based compensation after tax	$ 11,100	$ 8,400	$ 7,000

Organization and Significant_16

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - Revenue Recognition, Impact on Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018
Current assets
Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 300,135	$ 275,908
Prepaid expenses and other	30,160	20,562
Total current assets	1,307,193	1,217,298
Current liabilities
Accrued expenses	129,166	102,583
Total current liabilities	278,525	$ 212,964
Adjustments | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Current assets
Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts	(7,839)
Prepaid expenses and other	(5,218)
Total current assets	(13,057)
Current liabilities
Accrued expenses	(13,057)
Total current liabilities	(13,057)
Balances without Adoption of ASC Topic 606
Current assets
Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts	292,296
Prepaid expenses and other	24,942
Total current assets	1,294,136
Current liabilities
Accrued expenses	116,109
Total current liabilities	$ 265,468

Organization and Significant_17

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - Statement of Cash Flows, Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 24, 2016
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$ 510,701	$ 493,005	$ 45,042	$ 103,892
Net cash used in investing activities	$ (76,263)	(140,882)	(162,842)
Accounting Standards Update 2016-18
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		10,900	12,600
Net cash used in investing activities		$ (1,700)	$ 1,700

Organization and Significant_18

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - Leases, Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 29, 2019USD ($)
ASU 2016-02 | Forecast
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Excess amount in addition to operating liabilities	$ 110

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	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018
Liabilities:
Total liabilities	$ 7,369	$ 8,224
Liability for Contingent Consideration
Liabilities:
Total liabilities	7,369	8,224
Level 1
Liabilities:
Total liabilities	0	0
Level 1 | Liability for Contingent Consideration
Liabilities:
Total liabilities	0	0
Level 2
Liabilities:
Total liabilities	0	0
Level 2 | Liability for Contingent Consideration
Liabilities:
Total liabilities	0	0
Level 3
Liabilities:
Total liabilities	7,369	8,224
Level 3 | Liability for Contingent Consideration
Liabilities:
Total liabilities	$ 7,369	$ 8,224

Fair Value Measurements - Sum_2

Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Changes in Fair Value of Level 3 Financial Instruments (Details) - Level 3 $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019USD ($)
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Amount of Contingent Consideration [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 8,224
Estimated contingent performance-based consideration established at the time of acquisition	0
Changes in the fair value of contingent performance-based payments	(685)
Performance-based payments made	(170)
Ending balance	$ 7,369

Fair Value Measurements - Addit

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Details)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 28, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 29, 2018USD ($)	Mar. 30, 2019customer	Feb. 01, 2019	Dec. 14, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2015USD ($)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impairment losses		$ 2,500,000	$ 0
Number of retail customers that exited | customer				1
Carrying value of debt		693,150,000	692,153,000
Senior notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying value of debt		$ 692,842,000	691,575,000
Senior notes | Senior Notes Due February 2028
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate		5.125%				5.125%	5.125%
Senior notes | Senior Notes Due February 2028 | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Estimated fair value of debt		$ 307,100,000	285,500,000
Senior notes | Senior Notes Due February 2028 | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying value of debt		296,100,000	295,600,000				$ 300,000,000
Senior notes | Senior Notes Due November 2023
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying value of debt								$ 400,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate								6.125%
Senior notes | Senior Notes Due November 2023 | Estimate of Fair Value Measurement
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Estimated fair value of debt		414,600,000	414,400,000
Senior notes | Senior Notes Due November 2023 | Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying value of debt		396,700,000	$ 396,000,000
Arden Companies
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Percent of investment purchased	55.00%			55.00%	55.00%
Payments to acquire investments	$ 13,400,000
Arden Companies | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Gain on held investment	$ 3,200,000
Pet Segment
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impairment charge		$ 2,500,000

Acquisitions and Investments _3

Acquisitions and Investments in Joint Ventures - C&S Products (Details) - C&S Products $ in Millions	May 31, 2019USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to acquire investments	$ 30
Payment for acquired debt extinguishment	4.7
Purchase price exceeding fair value of net tangible assets acquired	$ 3.2

Acquisitions and Investments _4

Acquisitions and Investments in Joint Ventures - Arden Companies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	7 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2019	Sep. 28, 2019	Mar. 30, 2019	Feb. 01, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 24, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 286,077			$ 281,177	$ 256,275	$ 231,385
Arden Companies
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	$ 52,751
Fixed assets	11,687
Other assets	0
Goodwill	4,900	4,900
Intangible assets	10,930
Current liabilities	(19,853)
Short-term debt	(22,000)
Long-term debt	(19,400)
Fair value of the Company's initial investment	(7,878)
Net assets acquired, less cash and cash equivalents	11,137
Measurement Period Adjustments
Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	1,540
Fixed assets	5,376
Other assets	(14,868)
Goodwill	4,900
Other intangible assets	10,930
Fair value of the Company's initial investment	(7,878)
Net assets acquired, less cash and cash equivalents	0
Previously Reported | Arden Companies
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	51,211
Fixed assets	6,311
Other assets	14,868
Goodwill	0
Intangible assets	0
Current liabilities	(19,853)
Short-term debt	(22,000)
Long-term debt	(19,400)
Net assets acquired, less cash and cash equivalents	$ 11,137
Arden Companies
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percent of investment purchased	55.00%		55.00%	55.00%
Payments to acquire investments	$ 13,400
Purchase price exceeding fair value of net tangible assets acquired	15,800
Payment for acquired debt extinguishment		$ 36,000
Arden Companies | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Gain on held investment	$ 3,200

Acquisitions and Investments _5

Acquisitions and Investments in Joint Ventures - General Pet Supply (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 02, 2018	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 24, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 286,077	$ 281,177	$ 256,275	$ 231,385
General Pet Supply
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price	$ 24,300
Excess of purchase price over estimated fair value of net tangible assets acquired	13,600
Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	12,991
Fixed assets	1,530
Goodwill	5,520		$ 5,500
Other assets	11
Other intangible assets	8,100
Current liabilities	(3,506)
Long-term obligations	(361)
Net assets acquired, less cash and cash equivalents	24,285
Measurement Period Adjustments
Fixed assets	516
Goodwill	5,520
Other assets	(14,136)
Other intangible assets	8,100
Net assets acquired, less cash and cash equivalents	0
Previously Reported | General Pet Supply
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	12,991
Fixed assets	1,014
Goodwill	0
Other assets	14,147
Other intangible assets	0
Current liabilities	(3,506)
Long-term obligations	(361)
Net assets acquired, less cash and cash equivalents	$ 24,285

Acquisitions and Investments _6

Acquisitions and Investments in Joint Ventures - Bell Nursery (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 12, 2018	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 24, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 286,077	$ 281,177	$ 256,275	$ 231,385
Bell Nursery
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price	$ 61,000
Contingent consideration	10,000
Excess of purchase price over estimated fair value of net tangible assets acquired	13,600
Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	27,971
Fixed assets	30,661
Goodwill	7,415		$ 7,400
Other assets	0
Other intangible assets	6,230
Current liabilities	(13,633)
Net assets acquired, less cash and cash equivalents	58,644
Measurement Period Adjustments
Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	(359)
Fixed assets	383
Goodwill	7,415
Other assets	(11,647)
Other intangible assets	6,230
Current liabilities	(2,022)
Net assets acquired, less cash and cash equivalents	0
Previously Reported | Bell Nursery
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	28,330
Fixed assets	30,278
Goodwill	0
Other assets	11,647
Other intangible assets	0
Current liabilities	(11,611)
Net assets acquired, less cash and cash equivalents	$ 58,644

Acquisitions and Investments _7

Acquisitions and Investments in Joint Ventures - Investments and Equity Method Investments, Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019USD ($)venture	Sep. 29, 2018USD ($)venture	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)venture
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investments	$ 2,000
Number of ventures | venture	2	3	2
Investments in business	$ 2,010	$ 9,048	$ 12,495
Mature, seasonal business
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percent interest in ventures			45.00%
Start-up company
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percent interest in ventures			30.00%
Minimum
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percent interest in ventures		13.00%
Maximum
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percent interest in ventures		20.00%

Acquisitions and Investments _8

Acquisitions and Investments in Joint Ventures - K&H Manufacturing, LLC (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Apr. 28, 2017	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 24, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 286,077	$ 281,177	$ 256,275	$ 231,385
K&H Manufacturing
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price	$ 48,000
Excess of purchase price over estimated fair value of net tangible assets acquired	41,200
Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	6,052
Fixed assets	315
Other assets	0
Goodwill	11,968		$ 12,000
Other intangible assets	29,200
Current liabilities	(757)
Allocation	46,778
Measurement Period Adjustments
Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	613
Other assets	(41,781)
Goodwill	11,968
Other intangible assets	29,200
Net assets acquired, less cash and cash equivalents	0
K&H Manufacturing | Previously Reported
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	5,439
Fixed assets	315
Other assets	41,781
Goodwill	0
Other intangible assets	0
Current liabilities	(757)
Allocation	$ 46,778

Acquisitions and Investments _9

Acquisitions and Investments in Joint Ventures - Segrest, Inc. (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 21, 2016	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 24, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 286,077	$ 281,177	$ 256,275	$ 231,385
Segrest Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Excess of purchase price over estimated fair value of net tangible assets acquired	$ 44,400
Cash paid, net of cash acquired	54,043
Contingent consideration	2,700
Purchase price	56,743
Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	7,103
Fixed assets	9,253
Other assets	0
Goodwill	25,890
Other intangible assets	27,650
Current liabilities	(2,075)
Deferred Tax Liability	(11,078)
Allocation	56,743
Measurement Period Adjustments
Contingent consideration	(3,300)
Purchase price	(3,300)
Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	(300)
Fixed assets	2,242
Other assets	(47,704)
Goodwill	25,890
Other intangible assets	27,650
Deferred Tax Liability	(11,078)
Segrest Inc. | Previously Reported
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash paid, net of cash acquired	54,043
Contingent consideration	6,000
Purchase price	60,043
Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	7,403
Fixed assets	7,011
Other assets	47,704
Goodwill
Other intangible assets
Current liabilities	(2,075)
Deferred Tax Liability
Allocation	$ 60,043

Concentration of Credit Risk _2

Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Customers and Suppliers (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019suppliercustomer	Sep. 29, 2018customer	Sep. 30, 2017customer
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of net sales	49.00%	48.00%	44.00%
Number of customers | customer	5	5	5
Percentage of largest customer accounted of the Company's net sales		16.00%	16.00%
Percentage of accounts receivable	46.00%
Percentage of accounts receivable including Company's largest customer	11.00%	14.00%
Percentage of cost of goods sold	6.00%	8.00%	9.00%
Number of suppliers | supplier	5
Sales Revenue, Net | Customer Concentration Risk | Customer One
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of largest customer accounted of the Company's net sales	16.00%
Sales Revenue, Net | Customer Concentration Risk | Customer Two
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of largest customer accounted of the Company's net sales	12.00%	11.00%	8.00%
Sales Revenue, Net | Customer Concentration Risk | Customer Three
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of largest customer accounted of the Company's net sales	9.00%	8.00%	8.00%

Allowance for Doubtful Accoun_3

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Balances at Beginning of Period	$ 24,125	$ 21,436	$ 21,069
Charged/ (Credited) to Costs and Expenses	6,906	2,132	2,921
Asset Write-Offs	(3,438)		(2,554)
Asset Recoveries		557
Reclassification of Product Return Reserve	(6,465)	0	0
Balances at End of Period	$ 21,128	24,125	21,436
Reserves for expected returns		$ 6,500	$ 6,900

Inventories, net (Details)

Inventories, net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials	$ 145,331	$ 117,539
Work in progress	51,154	35,691
Finished goods	255,870	263,845
Supplies	13,842	10,748
Total inventories, net	$ 466,197	$ 427,823

Property and Equipment, Net - C

Property and Equipment, Net - Components of Property and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 624,331	$ 572,672
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(378,926)	(355,025)
Property and equipment, net	245,405	217,647
Land
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	17,396	14,183
Buildings and improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	179,398	154,787
Transportation equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	9,651	9,348
Machine and warehouse equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	255,943	227,727
Capitalized software
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	116,353	114,878
Office furniture and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	30,016	27,734
Assets under construction
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 15,574	$ 24,015

Property and Equipment, Net - A

Property and Equipment, Net - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Depreciation and amortization expense, including the amortization of intangible assets	$ 50,828	$ 47,199	$ 42,719

Goodwill - Changes in Carrying

Goodwill - Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 24, 2016
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	$ 695,638	$ 690,738	$ 665,836	$ 640,946
Accumulated impairment losses	(409,561)	(409,561)	(409,561)	(409,561)
Balance as of beginning of period	281,177	256,275	231,385
Additions in fiscal year	4,900	24,902	25,890
Write off related to sale of business			(1,000)
Balance as of end of period	286,077	281,177	256,275
Garden Products Segment
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	231,371	226,471	219,056	219,056
Accumulated impairment losses	(213,583)	(213,583)	(213,583)	(213,583)
Balance as of beginning of period	12,888	5,473	5,473
Additions in fiscal year	4,900	7,415	0
Write off related to sale of business			0
Balance as of end of period	17,788	12,888	5,473
Pet Products Segment
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	464,267	464,267	446,780	421,890
Accumulated impairment losses	(195,978)	(195,978)	(195,978)	$ (195,978)
Balance as of beginning of period	268,289	250,802	225,912
Additions in fiscal year	0	17,487	25,890
Write off related to sale of business			(1,000)
Balance as of end of period	$ 268,289	$ 268,289	$ 250,802

Goodwill - Additional Informati

Goodwill - Additional Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019unit
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Number of reporting units	2

Other Intangible Assets - Compo

Other Intangible Assets - Components of Gross and Net Acquired Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	$ 261,800	$ 250,700	$ 201,100
Accumulated Amortization	(86,000)	(71,200)	(57,800)
Accumulated Impairment	(29,700)	(27,200)	(27,200)
Net Carrying Value	146,137	152,265	116,100
Marketing-Related Intangible Assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	90,300	89,200	79,600
Accumulated Amortization	(16,300)	(14,200)	(12,700)
Accumulated Impairment	(26,000)	(26,000)	(26,000)
Net Carrying Value	48,000	49,000	40,900
Other Acquired Intangible Assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	33,100	33,200	29,900
Accumulated Amortization	(16,400)	(14,500)	(12,900)
Accumulated Impairment	(1,200)	(1,200)	(1,200)
Net Carrying Value	15,500	17,500	15,800
Amortizable | Marketing-Related Intangible Assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	19,700	18,600	16,900
Accumulated Amortization	(16,300)	(14,200)	(12,700)
Accumulated Impairment	0	0	0
Net Carrying Value	3,400	4,400	4,200
Amortizable | Customer-Related Intangible Assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	138,400	128,300	91,600
Accumulated Amortization	(53,300)	(42,500)	(32,200)
Accumulated Impairment	(2,500)	0	0
Net Carrying Value	82,600	85,800	59,400
Amortizable | Other Acquired Intangible Assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	26,000	25,400	22,100
Accumulated Amortization	(16,400)	(14,500)	(12,900)
Accumulated Impairment	0	0	0
Net Carrying Value	9,600	10,900	9,200
Nonamortizable | Marketing-Related Intangible Assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	70,600	70,600	62,700
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	7,100	7,800	7,800
Accumulated Impairment	(1,200)	(1,200)	(1,200)
Net Carrying Value	$ 5,900	$ 6,600	$ 6,600

Other Intangible Assets - Addit

Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			15 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2019USD ($)customer	Dec. 24, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 28, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 29, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2019	Feb. 01, 2019
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Number of retail customers that exited | customer	1
Amortization expense for intangibles			$ 14.5	$ 12.7	$ 8.8
Estimated annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets, 2020			12
Estimated annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets, 2021			12
Estimated annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets, 2022			12
Estimated annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets, 2023			12
Estimated annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets, 2024			12
Pet Segment
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment charge			$ 2.5
Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life			3 years
Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life			25 years
Marketing-Related Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets, net	$ 1
Marketing-Related Intangible Assets | Weighted Average
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life			4 years
Customer-Related Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets, net	$ 9.9
Customer-Related Intangible Assets | Weighted Average
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life			9 years
Other Acquired Intangible Assets | Weighted Average
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life			10 years
K&H, Bell Nursery, and General Pet Supply | Marketing-Related Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets, net						$ 9.6
K&H, Bell Nursery, and General Pet Supply | Customer-Related Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets, net						36.7
K&H, Bell Nursery, and General Pet Supply | Other Acquired Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets, net						$ 3.3
Segrest Inc. | Marketing-Related Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets, net		$ 2
Segrest Inc. | Customer-Related Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets, net		27.3
Segrest Inc. | Other Acquired Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets, net		$ 1.3
Arden Companies
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Percent of investment purchased	55.00%						55.00%	55.00%

Long-Term Debt - Components of

Long-Term Debt - Components of Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Dec. 14, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Nov. 09, 2015
Components of long-term debt
Total	$ 693,150	$ 692,153
Less current portion	(113)	(122)
Long-term portion	693,037	692,031
Senior Notes
Components of long-term debt
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(7,158)	(8,425)
Total	692,842	691,575
Senior Notes | Senior notes, interest at 6.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due November 2023
Components of long-term debt
Gross carrying value	400,000	400,000
Unamortized debt issuance costs	$ (3,200)
Debt instrument, interest rate	6.125%				6.125%
Senior Notes | Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028
Components of long-term debt
Gross carrying value	$ 300,000	300,000
Unamortized debt issuance costs	$ (3,900)
Debt instrument, interest rate	5.125%		5.125%	5.125%
Secured Debt | Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.00% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.0% to 0.50%, final maturity September 2024
Components of long-term debt
Total	$ 0	0
Secured Debt | Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.00% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.0% to 0.50%, final maturity September 2024 | Minimum | LIBOR
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	1.00%
Secured Debt | Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.00% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.0% to 0.50%, final maturity September 2024 | Minimum | Base Rate
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	0.00%
Secured Debt | Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.00% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.0% to 0.50%, final maturity September 2024 | Maximum | LIBOR
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	1.50%
Secured Debt | Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.00% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.0% to 0.50%, final maturity September 2024 | Maximum | Base Rate
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	0.50%
Secured Debt | 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
Total	$ 0	0
Secured Debt | 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
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	1.25%
Secured Debt | 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
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	0.25%
Secured Debt | 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
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	1.50%
Secured Debt | 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
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	0.50%
Other Notes Payable
Components of long-term debt
Total	$ 308	$ 578

Long-Term Debt - Senior Notes,

Long-Term Debt - Senior Notes, Additional Information (Details) - Senior Notes - USD ($)	Dec. 14, 2017	Nov. 09, 2015	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 30, 2017
Senior Notes Due February 2028
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt, aggregate principal amount	$ 300,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate	5.125%		5.125%	5.125%
Debt issuance costs	$ 4,800,000
Redemption percentage	35.00%
Debt redemption price percentage	105.125%
Percentage of purchase price	101.00%
Senior Notes Due February 2028 | Redemption Period, One
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt redemption price percentage	102.563%
Senior Notes Due February 2028 | Redemption Period, Two
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt redemption price percentage	101.708%
Senior Notes Due February 2028 | Redemption Period, Three
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt redemption price percentage	100.854%
Senior Notes Due February 2028 | Redemption Period, Four
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt redemption price percentage	100.00%
Senior Notes Due November 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt, aggregate principal amount		$ 400,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate		6.125%	6.125%
Debt issuance costs		$ 6,300,000
Debt redemption price percentage		101.00%
Senior Notes Due November 2023 | Redemption Period, One
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt redemption price percentage		103.063%
Senior Notes Due November 2023 | Redemption Period, Two
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt redemption price percentage		101.531%
Senior Notes Due November 2023 | Redemption Period, Three
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt redemption price percentage		100.00%
Senior Subordinated Notes Due March 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt, aggregate principal amount		$ 400,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate		8.25%
Debt redemption price percentage		102.063%

Long-Term Debt - Asset-Based Lo

Long-Term Debt - Asset-Based Loan Facility Amendment, Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 27, 2019	Apr. 22, 2016	Sep. 28, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding letters of credit			$ 3,200,000
Line of credit facility, commitment fee percentage	0.125%
Ownership percentage of equity	65.00%
Pledges
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ownership percentage of equity	100.00%
Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ownership percentage of equity			7.00%
Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ownership percentage of equity			50.00%
Short-Notice Borrowing
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding letters of credit	$ 40,000,000
Standby Letters of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding letters of credit	$ 50,000,000
Asset-based Revolving Credit Facility | LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	0.00%
Asset-based Revolving Credit Facility | Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility		0.00%
Letter of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Other letters of credit outstanding			$ 3,200,000
Secured Debt | Asset-based Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount	$ 400,000,000
Additional principal amount	200,000,000
Borrowing base	$ 400,000,000
Long-term line of credit			0
Other letters of credit outstanding			0
Debt issuance costs			$ 1,600,000
Debt instrument fixed charge coverage ratio			1
Secured Debt | Asset-based Revolving Credit Facility | Federal Funds Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	0.50%
Secured Debt | Asset-based Revolving Credit Facility | One-month LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	1.00%
Secured Debt | Asset-based Revolving Credit Facility | LIBOR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	1.00%
Applicable interest rate on the credit facility			3.00%
Secured Debt | Asset-based Revolving Credit Facility | LIBOR | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	1.00%	1.25%
Secured Debt | Asset-based Revolving Credit Facility | LIBOR | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	1.50%	1.50%
Secured Debt | Asset-based Revolving Credit Facility | Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable interest rate on the credit facility			5.00%
Secured Debt | Asset-based Revolving Credit Facility | Base Rate | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	0.00%	0.25%
Secured Debt | Asset-based Revolving Credit Facility | Base Rate | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	0.50%	0.50%

Long-Term Debt - Scheduled Prin

Long-Term Debt - Scheduled Principal Repayments on Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2020	$ 113
2021	97
2022	80
2023	18
2024	400,000
Thereafter	300,000
Total	700,308
Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance costs	7,158	$ 8,425
Senior Notes | Senior Notes Due November 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance costs	3,200
Senior Notes | Senior Notes Due February 2028
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance costs	$ 3,900

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands	Jun. 27, 2018USD ($)claim	Sep. 28, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 29, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Outstanding letters of credit		$ 3,200
Restricted cash		$ 12,952	$ 10,899
Minimum operating lease agreement terms (in years)		1 year
Maximum operating lease agreement terms (in years)		10 years
Operating lease rental expense		$ 41,700	$ 35,400	$ 31,700
Number of claims | claim	3
Awarded damages	$ 12,600

Commitments and Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies - Aggregate Minimum Annual Payments on Non-Cancelable Operating Leases (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 28, 2019USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
2020	$ 38,022
2021	29,353
2022	21,818
2023	11,265
2024	7,861
Thereafter	20,724
Total	$ 129,043

Income Taxes - Provision for In

Income Taxes - Provision for Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Current:
Federal	$ 17,048	$ 5,728	$ 32,755
State	2,728	2,319	3,034
Foreign	169	91	121
Total	19,945	8,138	35,910
Deferred:
Federal	4,278	(3,676)	11,227
State	2,380	(1,162)	(1,038)
Foreign	1	5	600
Total	6,659	(4,833)	10,789
Total	$ 26,604	$ 3,305	$ 46,699

Income Taxes - Reconciliation o

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of the Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate to the Company's Effective Income Tax Rate (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Statutory federal income tax rate	21.00%	24.50%	35.00%
State income taxes, net of federal benefit	4.30%	0.90%	2.40%
Other permanent differences	0.70%	(0.10%)	0.30%
Adjustment of prior year accruals	(0.60%)	0.00%	(0.30%)
Credits	(0.90%)	(0.80%)	(0.60%)
Rate change - Tax reform	0.00%	(16.90%)	0.00%
Stock based compensation	(1.60%)	(5.40%)	0.00%
Other	(0.60%)	0.40%	0.10%
Effective income tax rate	22.30%	2.60%	36.90%

Income Taxes - Tax Effect of Te

Income Taxes - Tax Effect of Temporary Differences and Carryforwards which Give Rise to Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018
Deferred Tax Assets
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 5,029	$ 5,613
Inventory write-downs	8,374	6,819
Nondeductible reserves	3,968	983
State taxes	39	74
Employee benefits	5,704	5,578
Equity loss	884	2,053
State net operating loss carryforward	6,579	6,722
Stock based compensation	3,538	2,541
State credits	2,819	2,742
Other	4,774	4,240
Valuation allowance	(7,179)	(6,809)
Total	34,529	30,556
Deferred Tax Liabilities
Prepaid expenses	2,060	1,408
Depreciation and amortization	77,901	65,983
Total	$ 79,961	$ 67,391

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
State income tax credits	$ 3,600,000
Valuation allowances	7,179,000	$ 6,809,000
Accrued interest (less than)	100,000	100,000
Penalties were accrued related to uncertain tax positions	0	$ 0
Unrecognized tax benefit may be recognized within twelve months as a result of a settlement	500,000
Decrease in unrecognized tax benefits	200,000
State
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Net operating losses	109,600,000
Foreign
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Net operating losses	$ 4,500,000

Income Taxes - Activity Related

Income Taxes - Activity Related to Company's Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 518	$ 325
Increases related to prior year tax positions	8	138
Increases related to current year tax positions	81	83
Decreases related to prior year tax positions	0	(28)
Settlements	(124)	0
Decreases related to lapse of statute of limitations	0	0
Ending Balance	$ 483	$ 518

Stock-Based Compensation - Addi

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granting of options (in shares)	818,000
Restricted Stock Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares of restricted stock	547,000
2003 Plan | Common stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share based compensation, number of shares	5,800,000
Shares reserved for outstanding equity awards	3,600,000
Shares reserved for future awards	4,600,000
2003 Plan | Class A common stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share based compensation, number of shares	19,700,000
Shares reserved for outstanding equity awards	0
Shares reserved for future awards	10,700,000
2003 Plan | Preferred Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share based compensation, number of shares	500,000,000
Shares reserved for outstanding equity awards	0
Shares reserved for future awards	500,000
Director Plan | Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granting of options (in shares)	200,000,000
Director Plan | Restricted Stock Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares of restricted stock	20,000,000

Stock-Based Compensation - Stoc

Stock-Based Compensation - Stock Option Awards, Additional Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019USD ($)installment$ / shares	Sep. 29, 2018USD ($)$ / shares	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)$ / shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of vesting installments | installment	4
Expiration period	6 years
Dividend during expected term (in usd per share)	$ 0
Expected life of option award	3 years 8 months 12 days	3 years 8 months	3 years 8 months
Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected life of option award			3 years 8 months
Stock price volatility (percent)	30.40%	31.60%	31.50%
Risk free interest rate	2.50%	2.40%	2.00%
Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted (in usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 7.28	$ 9.80	$ 8.14
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	$ 6,700,000	$ 16,600,000	$ 44,000,000
Total unrecognized compensation cost	$ 9,000,000
Weighted average vesting period	3 years
Stock Options | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding options to purchase common stock (in usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 8.56	$ 6.43	$ 6.43
Stock Options | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding options to purchase common stock (in usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 38.10	$ 38.10	$ 33.15
Restricted Stock Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total unrecognized compensation cost	$ 21,900,000
Weighted average vesting period	4 years
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 14,700,000	$ 11,600,000	$ 11,100,000
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	4,500,000	3,900,000	2,900,000
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Restricted Stock Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	6,000,000	5,400,000	5,800,000
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | 401 (K)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 4,200,000	$ 2,300,000	$ 2,400,000

Stock-Based Compensation - Summ

Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Number of Shares
Beginning Balance, Outstanding (in shares)	2,329
Granted (in shares)	818
Exercised (in shares)	(431)
Canceled or expired (in shares)	(167)
Ending Balance, Outstanding (in shares)	2,549	2,329
Exercisable (in shares)	957	636	458
Expected to vest (in shares)	1,455
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share
Beginning Balance, Outstanding (in usd per share)	$ 22.56	$ 10.80
Granted (in usd per share)	27
Exercised (in usd per share)	12.53
Canceled or expired (in usd per share)	28.09
Ending Balance, Outstanding (in usd per share)	25.32	22.56	$ 10.80
Exercised (in usd per share)	21.08	$ 16.35
Expected to vest (in usd per share)	$ 27.87
Additional Disclosures
Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	4 years	4 years	2 years
Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	3 years	3 years
Expected to vest, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	4 years
Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 12,498	$ 26,543	$ 12,097
Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	8,589	$ 10,731
Expected to vest, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 3,572

Stock-Based Compensation - Rest

Stock-Based Compensation - Restricted Stock Awards, Additional Information (Details) - Restricted Stock Awards - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Awards outstanding (in shares)	1,083	874
Total unrecognized compensation cost	$ 21.9
Weighted average vesting period	4 years
Vesting One
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	4 years	4 years
Vesting Two
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	5 years	5 years

Stock-Based Compensation - Su_2

Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Restricted Stock Award Activity (Details) - Restricted Stock Awards shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019$ / sharesshares
Number of Shares
Beginning Balance, Nonvested (in shares) | shares	874
Granted (in shares) | shares	547
Vested (in shares) | shares	(317)
Forfeited (in shares) | shares	(21)
Ending Balance, Nonvested (in shares) | shares	1,083
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share
Beginning Balance, Nonvested (in usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 22.37
Granted (in usd per share) | $ / shares	26.05
Vested (in usd per share) | $ / shares	14.19
Forfeited (in usd per share) | $ / shares	23.95
Ending Balance, Nonvested (in usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 26.60

Shareholders' Equity (Details)

Shareholders' Equity (Details)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2018USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Sep. 28, 2019USD ($)vote$ / sharesshares	Sep. 29, 2018USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 24, 2011USD ($)
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock authorized (in shares)		1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, par value (in usd per share) | $ / shares		$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares outstanding		0	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of offering costs | $		$ 0	$ 195,631,000	$ 0
Repurchased of stock | $		58,115,000
2019 Repurchase Authorization
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount | $					$ 100,000,000
Stock repurchase program remaining authorized amount | $		$ 100,000,000
Equity Dilution Authorization
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchase, remaining authorization (in shares)		1,200,000
Common stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock authorized (in shares)		80,000,000	80,000,000
Common stock, par value (in usd per share) | $ / shares		$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)		11,543,969	12,145,135
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount | $						$ 100,000,000
Repurchased of stock (in shares)		600,000
Repurchased of stock | $		$ 14,700,000
Repurchases of stock (in usd per share) | $ / shares		$ 24.41
Class A common stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock authorized (in shares)		100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, par value (in usd per share) | $ / shares		$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)		42,968,493	43,953,265
Shares issued and sold (in shares)	5,500,000
Shares issued and sold (in usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 37
Shares issued upon exercise of option (in shares)	550,000
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of offering costs | $	$ 195,600,000
Class B stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock authorized (in shares)		3,000,000	3,000,000
Common stock, par value (in usd per share) | $ / shares		$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)		1,652,262	1,652,262
Percentage of vote cast for shares (percent)		49.00%
Convertible shares conversion ratio		1
Non voting common stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Repurchased of stock (in shares)		1,800,000
Repurchased of stock | $		$ 43,400,000
Repurchases of stock (in usd per share) | $ / shares		$ 24.69
Minimum | Class B stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of voting powers | vote		1
Maximum | Class B stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of voting powers | vote		10

Earnings Per Share - Numerators

Earnings Per Share - Numerators and Denominators in Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019	Mar. 30, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Basic EPS:
Net income available to common shareholders									$ 92,786	$ 123,594	$ 78,828
Net income available to common shareholders (in shares)	56,017	57,319	57,050	56,903	54,059	51,134	50,871	50,730	56,770	51,716	50,230
Net income available to common shareholders (in usd per share)	$ 0.04	$ 0.81	$ 0.74	$ 0.03	$ 0.20	$ 0.81	$ 0.89	$ 0.52	$ 1.63	$ 2.39	$ 1.57
Options to purchase common stock (in shares)									509	996	992
Options to purchase common stock (in usd per share)									$ (0.01)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.03)
Restricted shares (in shares)									332	629	598
Restricted shares (in usd per share)									$ (0.01)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.02)
Diluted EPS:
Net income available to common shareholders									$ 92,786	$ 123,594	$ 78,828
Net income available to common shareholders (in shares)	56,618	57,985	58,026	58,001	55,376	52,575	52,658	52,695	57,611	53,341	51,820
Net income available to common shareholders (in usd per share)	$ 0.04	$ 0.80	$ 0.73	$ 0.03	$ 0.19	$ 0.79	$ 0.86	$ 0.50	$ 1.61	$ 2.32	$ 1.52

Earnings Per Share - Additional

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Stock Options
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Common stock outstanding, not included in computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)	1,100	2,000	31

Quarterly Financial Data - Un_3

Quarterly Financial Data - Unaudited (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019	Mar. 30, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 540,744	$ 706,575	$ 673,701	$ 461,990	$ 502,314	$ 657,943	$ 613,094	$ 442,011	$ 2,383,010	$ 2,215,362	$ 2,054,478
Gross profit	148,524	219,284	206,051	130,182	147,018	202,064	194,457	131,837	704,041	675,376	632,808
Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$ 2,440	$ 46,152	$ 42,391	$ 1,803	$ 10,568	$ 41,545	$ 45,234	$ 26,247	$ 92,786	$ 123,594	$ 78,828
Net income per share:
Basic (in usd per share)	$ 0.04	$ 0.81	$ 0.74	$ 0.03	$ 0.20	$ 0.81	$ 0.89	$ 0.52	$ 1.63	$ 2.39	$ 1.57
Diluted (in usd per share)	$ 0.04	$ 0.80	$ 0.73	$ 0.03	$ 0.19	$ 0.79	$ 0.86	$ 0.50	$ 1.61	$ 2.32	$ 1.52
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	56,017	57,319	57,050	56,903	54,059	51,134	50,871	50,730	56,770	51,716	50,230
Diluted (in shares)	56,618	57,985	58,026	58,001	55,376	52,575	52,658	52,695	57,611	53,341	51,820
Provisional tax benefit					$ 5,200			$ 16,300		$ 21,500

Transactions with Related Par_2

Transactions with Related Parties (Details) - Contract Packaging, Inc. - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of shares held by CPI in Tech Pac	20.00%	20.00%	20.00%
Amount due to related party	$ 0.3	$ 2.1
Tech Pac
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Purchases products from related party	$ 32.5	$ 51.1	$ 37

Business Segment Data - Additio

Business Segment Data - Additional Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	2

Business Segment Data - Class o

Business Segment Data - Class of Similar Products Which Represented Approximately 10% or More of Company's Consolidated Net Sales (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019	Mar. 30, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 540,744	$ 706,575	$ 673,701	$ 461,990	$ 502,314	$ 657,943	$ 613,094	$ 442,011	$ 2,383,010	$ 2,215,362	$ 2,054,478
Other pet products
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales									613,400	606,700	603,600
Other garden products
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales									560,800	445,700	377,000
Other manufacturers' products
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales									504,500	454,300	409,000
Dog & cat products
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales									452,100	445,100	405,100
Controls & fertilizer products
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales									$ 252,200	$ 263,600	$ 259,800

Business Segment Data - Financi

Business Segment Data - Financial Information Relating to Company's Business Segments (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019	Mar. 30, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Net sales:
Net sales	$ 540,744,000	$ 706,575,000	$ 673,701,000	$ 461,990,000	$ 502,314,000	$ 657,943,000	$ 613,094,000	$ 442,011,000	$ 2,383,010,000	$ 2,215,362,000	$ 2,054,478,000
Operating income (loss):
Operating income (loss)									152,068,000	167,336,000	156,112,000
Interest expense									(42,614,000)	(39,196,000)	(28,209,000)
Interest income									9,554,000	3,145,000	147,000
Other income (expense), net									243,000	(3,860,000)	(1,621,000)
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest									119,251,000	127,425,000	126,429,000
Income tax expense									26,604,000	3,305,000	46,699,000
Net income including noncontrolling interest									92,647,000	124,120,000	79,730,000
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest									(139,000)	526,000	902,000
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	2,440,000	$ 46,152,000	$ 42,391,000	$ 1,803,000	10,568,000	$ 41,545,000	$ 45,234,000	$ 26,247,000	92,786,000	123,594,000	78,828,000
Assets:
Assets	2,025,020,000				1,907,209,000				2,025,020,000	1,907,209,000	1,306,906,000
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization									50,828,000	47,199,000	42,719,000
Expenditures for long-lived assets:
Expenditures for long-lived assets									31,577,000	37,845,000	44,659,000
Non-cash impairment charge									2,500,000	0
Operating Segments | Pet segment
Net sales:
Net sales									1,384,686,000	1,340,899,000	1,246,354,000
Operating income (loss):
Operating income (loss)									122,727,000	140,353,000	131,622,000
Assets:
Assets	734,380,000				683,938,000				734,380,000	683,938,000	612,337,000
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization									32,803,000	29,889,000	26,044,000
Expenditures for long-lived assets:
Expenditures for long-lived assets									20,793,000	26,979,000	38,970,000
Operating Segments | Garden segment
Net sales:
Net sales									998,324,000	874,463,000	808,124,000
Operating income (loss):
Operating income (loss)									102,170,000	95,551,000	87,298,000
Assets:
Assets	463,889,000				407,483,000				463,889,000	407,483,000	311,026,000
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization									11,959,000	8,744,000	6,267,000
Expenditures for long-lived assets:
Expenditures for long-lived assets									9,068,000	8,016,000	4,948,000
Corporate and eliminations
Operating income (loss):
Operating income (loss)									(72,829,000)	(68,568,000)	(62,808,000)
Assets:
Assets	$ 826,751,000				$ 815,788,000				826,751,000	815,788,000	383,543,000
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization									6,066,000	8,566,000	10,408,000
Expenditures for long-lived assets:
Expenditures for long-lived assets									$ 1,716,000	$ 2,850,000	$ 741,000

Consolidating Condensed Finan_3

Consolidating Condensed Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries - Additional Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019
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								12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019	Mar. 30, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 540,744	$ 706,575	$ 673,701	$ 461,990	$ 502,314	$ 657,943	$ 613,094	$ 442,011	$ 2,383,010	$ 2,215,362	$ 2,054,478
Cost of goods sold and occupancy									1,678,969	1,539,986	1,421,670
Gross profit	148,524	219,284	206,051	130,182	147,018	202,064	194,457	131,837	704,041	675,376	632,808
Selling, general and administrative expenses									551,973	508,040	476,696
Operating income									152,068	167,336	156,112
Interest expense									(42,614)	(39,196)	(28,209)
Interest income									9,554	3,145	147
Other income (expense)									243	(3,860)	(1,621)
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest									119,251	127,425	126,429
Income tax expense (benefit)									26,604	3,305	46,699
Equity in earnings of affiliates									0	0	0
Net income including noncontrolling interest									92,647	124,120	79,730
Noncontrolling interest									(139)	526	902
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$ 2,440	$ 46,152	$ 42,391	$ 1,803	$ 10,568	$ 41,545	$ 45,234	$ 26,247	92,786	123,594	78,828
Eliminations
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales									(70,385)	(80,349)	(81,536)
Cost of goods sold and occupancy									(65,008)	(74,379)	(75,759)
Gross profit									(5,377)	(5,970)	(5,777)
Selling, general and administrative expenses									(5,377)	(5,970)	(5,777)
Operating income									0	0	0
Interest expense									0	0	0
Interest income									0	0	0
Other income (expense)									0	0	0
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest									0	0	0
Income tax expense (benefit)									0	0	0
Equity in earnings of affiliates									(125,331)	(169,130)	(100,502)
Net income including noncontrolling interest									(125,331)	(169,130)	(100,502)
Noncontrolling interest									0	0	0
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company									(125,331)	(169,130)	(100,502)
Parent | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales									764,991	730,439	685,998
Cost of goods sold and occupancy									592,916	568,145	534,682
Gross profit									172,075	162,294	151,316
Selling, general and administrative expenses									181,894	167,849	154,267
Operating income									(9,819)	(5,555)	(2,951)
Interest expense									(42,078)	(38,855)	(28,051)
Interest income									9,608	3,138	146
Other income (expense)									190	(4,269)	(2,379)
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest									(42,099)	(45,541)	(33,235)
Income tax expense (benefit)									(9,324)	(1,138)	(11,981)
Equity in earnings of affiliates									125,561	167,997	100,082
Net income including noncontrolling interest									92,786	123,594	78,828
Noncontrolling interest									0	0	0
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company									92,786	123,594	78,828
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales									191,442	167,584	79,681
Cost of goods sold and occupancy									150,067	128,944	60,788
Gross profit									41,375	38,640	18,893
Selling, general and administrative expenses									42,213	33,118	18,416
Operating income									(838)	5,522	477
Interest expense									(802)	(547)	(294)
Interest income									19	6	1
Other income (expense)									(575)	(236)	844
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest									(2,196)	4,745	1,028
Income tax expense (benefit)									(179)	79	1,466
Equity in earnings of affiliates									0	0	0
Net income including noncontrolling interest									(2,017)	4,666	(438)
Noncontrolling interest									(139)	526	902
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company									(1,878)	4,140	(1,340)
Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales									1,496,962	1,397,688	1,370,335
Cost of goods sold and occupancy									1,000,994	917,276	901,959
Gross profit									495,968	480,412	468,376
Selling, general and administrative expenses									333,243	313,043	309,790
Operating income									162,725	167,369	158,586
Interest expense									266	206	136
Interest income									(73)	1	0
Other income (expense)									628	645	(86)
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest									163,546	168,221	158,636
Income tax expense (benefit)									36,107	4,364	57,214
Equity in earnings of affiliates									(230)	1,133	420
Net income including noncontrolling interest									127,209	164,990	101,842
Noncontrolling interest									0	0	0
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company									$ 127,209	$ 164,990	$ 101,842

Consolidating Condensed Finan_5

Consolidating Condensed Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries - Consolidating Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$ 92,647	$ 124,120	$ 79,730
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	(458)	(267)	343
Total comprehensive income	92,189	123,853	80,073
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(139)	526	902
Comprehensive income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	92,328	123,327	79,171
Eliminations
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	(125,331)	(169,130)	(100,502)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	347	212	(277)
Total comprehensive income	(124,984)	(168,918)	(100,779)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	(124,984)	(168,918)	(100,779)
Parent | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	92,786	123,594	78,828
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	(458)	(267)	343
Total comprehensive income	92,328	123,327	79,171
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	92,328	123,327	79,171
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	(2,017)	4,666	(438)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	(299)	(145)	169
Total comprehensive income	(2,316)	4,521	(269)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(139)	526	902
Comprehensive income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	(2,177)	3,995	(1,171)
Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	127,209	164,990	101,842
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	(48)	(67)	108
Total comprehensive income	127,161	164,923	101,950
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$ 127,161	$ 164,923	$ 101,950

Consolidating Condensed Finan_6

Consolidating Condensed Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries - Consolidating Condensed Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 24, 2016
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 497,749	$ 482,106	$ 32,397
Restricted cash	12,952	10,899
Accounts receivable, net	300,135	275,908
Inventories, net	466,197	427,823
Prepaid expenses and other assets	30,160	20,562
Total current assets	1,307,193	1,217,298
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net	245,405	217,647
Goodwill	286,077	281,177	256,275	$ 231,385
Other long term assets	186,345	191,087
Intercompany receivable	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Total	2,025,020	1,907,209	1,306,906
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	149,246	110,259
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	129,166	102,583
Current portion of long term debt	113	122
Total current liabilities	278,525	212,964
Long-term debt	693,037	692,031
Intercompany payable	0	0
Losses in excess of investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Other long-term obligations	57,281	49,380
Shareholders’ equity attributable to Central Garden & Pet	996,007	952,449
Noncontrolling interest	170	385
Total equity	996,177	952,834	$ 637,142	$ 554,587
Total	2,025,020	1,907,209
Eliminations
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Restricted cash	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	0	0
Inventories, net	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other assets	0	0
Total current assets	0	0
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Other long term assets	(13,970)	(11,726)
Intercompany receivable	(916,775)	(810,251)
Investment in subsidiaries	(1,784,750)	(1,618,378)
Total	(2,715,495)	(2,440,355)
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	0	0
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	0	0
Current portion of long term debt	0	0
Total current liabilities	0	0
Long-term debt	0	0
Intercompany payable	(916,775)	(810,251)
Losses in excess of investment in subsidiaries	(25,567)	(25,036)
Other long-term obligations	(13,970)	(11,726)
Shareholders’ equity attributable to Central Garden & Pet	(1,759,183)	(1,593,342)
Noncontrolling interest	0	0
Total equity	(1,759,183)	(1,593,342)
Total	(2,715,495)	(2,440,355)
Parent | Reportable Legal Entities
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	489,590	474,210
Restricted cash	12,952	10,899
Accounts receivable, net	99,372	94,657
Inventories, net	121,344	123,178
Prepaid expenses and other assets	9,339	6,304
Total current assets	732,597	709,248
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net	27,395	33,484
Goodwill	20,578	20,578
Other long term assets	55,690	62,199
Intercompany receivable	37,544	40,365
Investment in subsidiaries	1,784,750	1,618,378
Total	2,658,554	2,484,252
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	47,506	33,122
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	54,623	44,142
Current portion of long term debt	113	116
Total current liabilities	102,242	77,380
Long-term debt	693,037	691,869
Intercompany payable	858,673	753,933
Losses in excess of investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Other long-term obligations	8,595	8,621
Shareholders’ equity attributable to Central Garden & Pet	996,007	952,449
Noncontrolling interest	0	0
Total equity	996,007	952,449
Total	2,658,554	2,484,252
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	7,308	6,005
Restricted cash	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	11,551	9,647
Inventories, net	30,826	32,556
Prepaid expenses and other assets	1,241	1,455
Total current assets	50,926	49,663
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net	35,854	33,840
Goodwill	7,414	7,414
Other long term assets	5,487	7,469
Intercompany receivable	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Total	99,681	98,386
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	6,895	4,759
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	4,814	4,746
Current portion of long term debt	0	0
Total current liabilities	11,709	9,505
Long-term debt	0	0
Intercompany payable	58,102	56,318
Losses in excess of investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Other long-term obligations	0	0
Shareholders’ equity attributable to Central Garden & Pet	29,700	32,178
Noncontrolling interest	170	385
Total equity	29,870	32,563
Total	99,681	98,386
Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	851	1,891
Restricted cash	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	189,212	171,604
Inventories, net	314,027	272,089
Prepaid expenses and other assets	19,580	12,803
Total current assets	523,670	458,387
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net	182,156	150,323
Goodwill	258,085	253,185
Other long term assets	139,138	133,145
Intercompany receivable	879,231	769,886
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Total	1,982,280	1,764,926
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	94,845	72,378
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	69,729	53,695
Current portion of long term debt	0	6
Total current liabilities	164,574	126,079
Long-term debt	0	162
Intercompany payable	0	0
Losses in excess of investment in subsidiaries	25,567	25,036
Other long-term obligations	62,656	52,485
Shareholders’ equity attributable to Central Garden & Pet	1,729,483	1,561,164
Noncontrolling interest	0	0
Total equity	1,729,483	1,561,164
Total	$ 1,982,280	$ 1,764,926

Consolidating Condensed Finan_7

Consolidating Condensed Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries - Consolidating Condensed Statement of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 204,974	$ 114,112	$ 114,309
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(31,577)	(37,845)	(44,659)
Businesses acquired, net of cash acquired	(41,161)	(91,244)	(103,880)
Proceeds from asset sales	0	0	8,547
Escrow deposit for acquisition related-contingent consideration	0	0	(6,000)
Investments	(2,010)	(9,048)	(12,495)
Other investing activities	(1,515)	(2,745)	(4,355)
Intercompany investing activities	0	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(76,263)	(140,882)	(162,842)
Repayments on revolving line of credit	0	(23,000)	(552,000)
Borrowings on revolving line of credit	0	23,000	552,000
Repayments of long-term debt	(46,193)	(431)	(463)
Issuance of long-term debt	0	300,000	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	0	195,631	0
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards	0	0	19,946
Repurchase of common stock	(62,974)	(13,797)	(27,556)
Payments of contingent consideration	(170)	(253)	(1,300)
Distribution to parent	0	0	0
Payment of deferred financing costs	(1,352)	(4,770)	0
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	(76)	(1,597)	(1,019)
Intercompany financing activities	0	0	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(110,765)	474,783	(10,392)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(250)	(50)	75
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	17,696	447,963	(58,850)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year	493,005	45,042	103,892
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year	510,701	493,005	45,042
Eliminations
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	(300)	(6,387)	(4,076)
Additions to property, plant and equipment	0	0	0
Businesses acquired, net of cash acquired	0	0	0
Proceeds from asset sales			0
Escrow deposit for acquisition related-contingent consideration			0
Investments	0	0	0
Other investing activities	0	0	0
Intercompany investing activities	106,525	111,509	98,591
Net cash used in investing activities	106,525	111,509	98,591
Repayments on revolving line of credit		0	0
Borrowings on revolving line of credit		0	0
Repayments of long-term debt	0	0	0
Issuance of long-term debt		0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		0
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards			0
Repurchase of common stock	0	0	0
Payments of contingent consideration	0	0
Distribution to parent	300	6,387	4,076
Payment of deferred financing costs	0	0
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0
Intercompany financing activities	(106,525)	(111,509)	(98,591)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(106,225)	(105,122)	(94,515)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	0	0	0
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year	0	0	0
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year	0	0	0
Parent | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	22,344	(16,676)	(7,418)
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(3,926)	(6,633)	(9,419)
Businesses acquired, net of cash acquired	(41,161)	(91,244)	(103,880)
Proceeds from asset sales			229
Escrow deposit for acquisition related-contingent consideration			(6,000)
Investments	(2,010)	(9,048)	(12,495)
Other investing activities	(518)	(2,745)	(4,355)
Intercompany investing activities	2,820	(3,760)	(3,828)
Net cash used in investing activities	(44,795)	(113,430)	(139,748)
Repayments on revolving line of credit		(23,000)	(552,000)
Borrowings on revolving line of credit		23,000	552,000
Repayments of long-term debt	(121)	(56)	(89)
Issuance of long-term debt		300,000
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		195,631
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards			19,946
Repurchase of common stock	(62,974)	(13,797)	(27,556)
Payments of contingent consideration	0	0	0
Distribution to parent	0	0	0
Payment of deferred financing costs	(1,352)	(4,770)
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0
Intercompany financing activities	104,742	106,525	93,445
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	40,295	583,533	85,746
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(411)	(201)	235
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	17,433	453,226	(61,185)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year	485,109	31,883	93,068
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year	502,542	485,109	31,883
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	4,625	(1,288)	2,846
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(4,779)	(1,495)	(805)
Businesses acquired, net of cash acquired	0	0	0
Proceeds from asset sales			0
Escrow deposit for acquisition related-contingent consideration			0
Investments	0	0	0
Other investing activities	0	0	0
Intercompany investing activities	0	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(4,779)	(1,495)	(805)
Repayments on revolving line of credit		0	0
Borrowings on revolving line of credit		0	0
Repayments of long-term debt	0	0	0
Issuance of long-term debt		0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		0
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards			0
Repurchase of common stock	0	0	0
Payments of contingent consideration	0	0
Distribution to parent	(300)	(6,387)	(4,076)
Payment of deferred financing costs	0	0
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	(76)	(1,597)	(1,019)
Intercompany financing activities	1,783	4,984	5,146
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	1,407	(3,000)	51
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	50	95	(94)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	1,303	(5,688)	1,998
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year	6,005	11,693	9,695
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year	7,308	6,005	11,693
Guarantor Subsidiaries | Reportable Legal Entities
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities	178,305	138,463	122,957
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(22,872)	(29,717)	(34,435)
Businesses acquired, net of cash acquired	0	0	0
Proceeds from asset sales			8,318
Escrow deposit for acquisition related-contingent consideration			0
Investments	0	0	0
Other investing activities	(997)	0	0
Intercompany investing activities	(109,345)	(107,749)	(94,763)
Net cash used in investing activities	(133,214)	(137,466)	(120,880)
Repayments on revolving line of credit		0	0
Borrowings on revolving line of credit		0	0
Repayments of long-term debt	(46,072)	(375)	(374)
Issuance of long-term debt		0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock		0
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards			0
Repurchase of common stock	0	0	0
Payments of contingent consideration	(170)	(253)	(1,300)
Distribution to parent	0	0	0
Payment of deferred financing costs	0	0
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0
Intercompany financing activities	0	0	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(46,242)	(628)	(1,674)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	111	56	(66)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(1,040)	425	337
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year	1,891	1,466	1,129
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year	$ 851	$ 1,891	$ 1,466

Subsequent Event (Details)

Subsequent Event (Details) - Subsequent Event - Loss from Fire - Athens, Texas - Pet Segment $ in Millions	Nov. 26, 2019USD ($)
Minimum
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Inventory and property related losses	$ 15
Maximum
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Inventory and property related losses	$ 25