Central Garden & Pet (CENT) 10-Q 3 Aug 23 2023 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Cover Page

Cover Page - shares	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023	Jul. 31, 2023
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jun. 24, 2023
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-33268
Entity Registrant Name	Central Garden & Pet Company
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	68-0275553
Entity Address, Address Line One	1340 Treat Blvd.
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 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
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2023
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Central Index Key	0000887733
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Common Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Trading Symbol	CENT
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		11,077,612
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 Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		40,995,629
Class B Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,602,374

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 24, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022	Jun. 25, 2022
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 333,139	$ 177,442	$ 195,791
Restricted cash	13,542	14,742	12,676
Accounts receivable (less allowances of $29,245, $28,106 and $26,246)	492,850	376,787	505,896
Inventories, net	865,496	938,000	882,522
Prepaid expenses and other	36,655	46,883	36,359
Total current assets	1,741,682	1,553,854	1,633,244
Plant, property and equipment, net	392,332	396,979	390,326
Goodwill	546,436	546,436	511,973
Other intangible assets, net	512,175	543,210	490,959
Operating lease right-of-use assets	172,379	186,344	193,627
Other assets	54,943	55,179	125,797
Total	3,419,947	3,282,002	3,345,926
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	198,406	215,681	241,093
Accrued expenses	247,517	201,783	228,882
Current lease liabilities	50,209	48,111	45,860
Current portion of long-term debt	255	317	352
Total current liabilities	496,387	465,892	516,187
Long-term debt	1,187,498	1,186,245	1,185,842
Long-term lease liabilities	132,419	147,724	155,002
Deferred income taxes and other long-term obligations	156,537	147,429	136,490
Equity:
Additional paid-in capital	588,731	582,056	581,060
Retained earnings	858,217	755,253	771,341
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(1,955)	(4,145)	(1,924)
Total Central Garden & Pet Company shareholders’ equity	1,445,530	1,333,706	1,351,023
Noncontrolling interest	1,576	1,006	1,382
Total equity	1,447,106	1,334,712	1,352,405
Total	3,419,947	3,282,002	3,345,926
Common Stock
Equity:
Common stock	111	113	113
Class A Common Stock
Equity:
Common stock	410	413	417
Class B Stock
Equity:
Common stock	$ 16	$ 16	$ 16

Condensed Consolidated Balanc_2

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 24, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022	Jun. 25, 2022
Accounts receivable allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 29,245	$ 26,246	$ 28,106
Common Stock
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	11,098,584	11,296,351	11,322,012
Class A Common Stock
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	40,986,336	41,336,223	41,745,551
Class B Stock
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	1,602,374	1,612,374	1,612,374

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023	Jun. 25, 2022	Jun. 24, 2023	Jun. 25, 2022
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,023,269	$ 1,015,378	$ 2,559,936	$ 2,631,146
Cost of goods sold	705,217	707,752	1,810,547	1,838,532
Gross profit	318,052	307,626	749,389	792,614
Selling, general and administrative expenses	195,222	193,547	548,112	545,476
Operating income	122,830	114,079	201,277	247,138
Interest expense	(14,542)	(14,422)	(43,887)	(43,633)
Interest income	1,408	87	2,287	188
Other income (expense)	853	(759)	3,147	(1,337)
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	110,549	98,985	162,824	202,356
Income tax expense	27,000	23,430	39,446	47,319
Income including noncontrolling interest	83,549	75,555	123,378	155,037
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	423	135	570	895
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$ 83,126	$ 75,420	$ 122,808	$ 154,142
Net income per share attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.58	$ 1.42	$ 2.34	$ 2.89
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.56	$ 1.39	$ 2.30	$ 2.82
Weighted average shares used in the computation of net income per share:
Basic (in shares)	52,464	53,237	52,462	53,392
Diluted (in shares)	53,380	54,329	53,466	54,658

Condensed Consolidated Statem_2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023	Jun. 25, 2022	Jun. 24, 2023	Jun. 25, 2022
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Income including noncontrolling interest	$ 83,549	$ 75,555	$ 123,378	$ 155,037
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized loss on hedge	2	0	2	0
Foreign currency translation	1,644	(1,221)	2,189	(1,093)
Total comprehensive income	85,195	74,334	125,569	153,944
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	423	135	570	895
Comprehensive income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$ 84,772	$ 74,199	$ 124,999	$ 153,049

Condensed Consolidated Statem_3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023	Jun. 25, 2022
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 123,378	$ 155,037
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	65,504	58,333
Amortization of deferred financing costs	2,023	1,982
Non-cash lease expense	38,180	36,042
Stock-based compensation	20,632	18,879
Debt extinguishment costs	0	169
Deferred income taxes	9,125	8,199
Facility closure	13,923	0
Gain on sale of property and equipment	557	53
Other operating activities	107	7
Change in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(115,358)	(121,392)
Inventories	69,610	(198,360)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	6,530	1,383
Accounts payable	(12,248)	(1,679)
Accrued expenses	44,221	(7,072)
Other long-term obligations	(55)	236
Operating lease liabilities	(37,449)	(34,108)
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	227,566	(82,397)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to plant, property and equipment	(40,850)	(98,553)
Investments	(500)	(2,318)
Other investing activities	(100)	40
Net cash used in investing activities	(41,450)	(100,831)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(223)	(992)
Borrowings under revolving line of credit	48,000	0
Repayments under revolving line of credit	(48,000)	0
Repurchase of common stock, including shares surrendered for tax withholding	(33,409)	(41,834)
Payment of contingent consideration liability	(33)	(196)
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	0	(806)
Payment of financing costs	0	(2,410)
Net cash used by financing activities	(33,665)	(46,238)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	2,046	(1,589)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	154,497	(231,055)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	192,184	439,522
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	346,681	208,467
Supplemental information:
Cash paid for interest	49,419	48,902
Cash paid for taxes	5,363	31,406
New operating lease right of use assets	$ 25,424	$ 64,504

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The condensed consolidated balance sheets of Central Garden & Pet Company and subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Central”) as of June 24, 2023 and June 25, 2022, the condensed consolidated statements of operations and the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended June 24, 2023 and June 25, 2022, and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended June 24, 2023 and June 25, 2022 have been prepared by the Company, without audit. In the opinion of management, the interim financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. For the Company’s foreign businesses in the United Kingdom and Canada, the local currency is the functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated using the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Income and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate for the period. Deferred taxes are not provided on translation gains and losses because the Company expects earnings of its foreign subsidiaries to be permanently reinvested. Transaction gains and losses are included in results of operations. Due to the seasonal nature of the Company’s Garden business, the results of operations for the three and nine months ended June 24, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results that may be expected for the entire fiscal year. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual audited financial statements, accounting policies and financial notes thereto, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 24, 2022, which has previously been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The September 24, 2022 balance sheet presented herein was derived from the audited financial statements. Noncontrolling Interest Noncontrolling interest in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements represents the 20% interest not owned by Central in a consolidated subsidiary. Since the Company controls this subsidiary, its financial statements are consolidated with those of the Company, and the noncontrolling owner’s 20% share of the subsidiary’s net assets and results of operations is deducted and reported as noncontrolling interest on the consolidated balance sheets and as net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. See Note 7, Supplemental Equity Information, for additional information. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash The Company considers cash and all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at date of purchase to be cash and cash equivalents. Restricted cash includes cash and highly liquid instruments that are used as collateral for stand-alone letter of credit agreements related to normal business transactions. These agreements require the Company to maintain specified amounts of cash as collateral in segregated accounts to support the letters of credit issued thereunder, which will affect the amount of cash the Company has available for other uses. Credit Risk Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash, cash equivalents and investments. The Company manages the credit risk associated with cash equivalents and investments by investing with high-quality institutions and, by policy, limiting investments only to those which meet prescribed investment guidelines. The Company maintains cash accounts that exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses from maintaining cash accounts in excess of such limits. Management believes that it is not exposed to any significant risks on its cash and cash equivalent accounts. 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 June 24, 2023, June 25, 2022 and September 24, 2022, respectively. June 24, 2023 June 25, 2022 September 24, 2022 (in thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 333,139 $ 195,791 $ 177,442 Restricted cash 13,542 12,676 14,742 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 346,681 $ 208,467 $ 192,184 Allowance for Credit Losses and Customer Allowances The Company’s trade accounts receivable are recorded at net realizable value, which includes an allowance for estimated credit losses, as well as allowances for contractual customer deductions accounted for as variable consideration. The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses related to its trade accounts receivable associated with future expected credit losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. The Company estimates the allowance based upon historical bad debts, current customer receivable balances and the customer’s financial condition. The allowance is adjusted to reflect changes in current and forecasted macroeconomic conditions. The Company’s estimate of credit losses includes expected current and future economic and market conditions. Derivative Financial Instruments The Company is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations and principally uses a combination of purchase orders and various short and long-term supply arrangements in connection with the purchase of raw materials, including certain commodities, to manage its exposure to commodity price risk. The Company also enters into commodity swap contracts that have been designated as cash flow hedges to reduce the volatility of price fluctuations of certain commodities, which impact its cost of raw materials. The Company’s primary objective when entering into these derivative contracts is to achieve greater certainty with regard to the future price of commodities purchased for use in some of its supply chain. These derivative contracts are entered into for periods consistent with the underlying exposures and do not constitute positions independent of those exposures. The Company does not enter into derivative contracts for speculative purposes and does not use leveraged instruments. Designated cash flow hedges of forecasted purchases of commodities are recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheets at fair value. Amounts are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income at the time the hedged transaction impacts earnings into the same line item as the earnings effect of the hedged transaction, cost of goods sold, in the consolidated statements of income. The fair value of designated cash flow hedges is not significant for any period presented. Revenue Recognition Revenue Recognition and Nature of Products and Services The Company manufactures, markets and distributes a wide variety of 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. 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. 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 its 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 expenses and other current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Leases The Company determines whether an arrangement contains a lease at inception by determining if the contract conveys the right to control the use of identified property, plant or equipment for a period of time in exchange for consideration and other facts and circumstances. Long-term operating lease right-of-use ("ROU") assets and current and long-term operating lease liabilities are presented separately in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Finance lease ROU assets are presented in property, plant and equipment, net, and the related finance liabilities are presented with current and long-term debt in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Lease ROU assets represent the Company's right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent the Company's obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets are calculated based on the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments paid to the lessor at or before the commencement date and excludes any lease incentives received from the lessor. Lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term. The lease term may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. As the Company's leases typically do not contain a readily determinable implicit rate, the Company determines the present value of the lease liability using its incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date based on the lease term on a collateralized basis. Variable lease payments are expensed as incurred and include certain non-lease components, such as maintenance and other services provided by the lessor, and other charges included in the lease, as applicable. Non-lease components and the lease components to which they relate are accounted for as a single lease component, as the Company has elected to combine lease and non-lease components for all classes of underlying assets. Amortization of ROU lease assets is calculated on a straight-line basis over the lease term with the expense recorded in cost of sales or selling, general and administrative expenses, depending on the nature of the leased item. Interest expense is recorded over the lease term and is recorded in interest expense (based on a front-loaded interest expense pattern) for finance leases and is recorded in cost of sales or selling, general and administrative expenses (on a straight-line basis) for operating leases. All operating lease cash payments and interest on finance leases are recorded within cash flows from operating activities and all finance lease principal payments are recorded within cash flows from financing activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Recently Issued Accounting Updates There are no recent accounting pronouncements that are anticipated to have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements ASC 820 establishes a single authoritative definition of fair value, a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure of fair value measurements. ASC 820 requires financial assets and liabilities to be categorized based on the inputs used to calculate their fair values as follows: Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (including assumptions about risk). The Company’s financial instruments include cash and equivalents, short term investments consisting of bank certificates of deposit, accounts receivable and payable, derivative instruments, short-term borrowings, and accrued liabilities. The carrying amount of these instruments approximates fair value because of their short-term nature. Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis The Company's financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis consist of derivative financial instruments within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy and contingent consideration within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Such amounts are not material for all periods presented. Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis The Company measures certain non-financial assets and liabilities, including long-lived assets, goodwill and intangible assets, at fair value on a non-recurring basis. Fair value measurements of non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities are used primarily in the impairment analyses of long-lived assets, goodwill and other intangible assets. During the period ended June 24, 2023, the carrying value of a $4.7 million finite-lived intangible asset was written down to its estimated fair value resulting in an impairment charge of $4.7 million, which was included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the period. During the period ended June 25, 2022, the Company was not required to measure any significant non-financial assets and liabilities at fair value. Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments In April 2021, the Company issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of 4.125% senior notes due April 2031 (the "2031 Notes"). The estimated fair value of the Company's 2031 Notes as of June 24, 2023, June 25, 2022 and September 24, 2022 was $326.0 million, $330.1 million and $327.6 million, respectively, compared to a carrying value of $395.3 million, $394.7 million and $394.8 million, respectively. In October 2020, the Company issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 4.125% senior notes due October 2030 (the "2030 Notes"). The estimated fair value of the Company's 2030 Notes as of June 24, 2023, June 25, 2022 and September 24, 2022 was $413.8 million, $412.6 million and $407.6 million, respectively, compared to a carrying value of $494.2 million, $493.4 million and $493.6 million, respectively. 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 June 24, 2023, June 25, 2022 and September 24, 2022 was $280.7 million, $278.2 million and $272.2 million, respectively, compared to a carrying value of $297.9 million, $297.4 million and $297.5 million, respectively. The estimated fair value is based on quoted market prices for these notes, which are Level 1 inputs within the fair value hierarchy.

Inventories, net

Inventories, net	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories, net	Inventories, net Inventories, net of allowance for obsolescence, consist of the following: June 24, 2023 June 25, 2022 September 24, 2022 (in thousands) Raw materials $ 286,869 $ 252,075 $ 266,695 Work in progress 158,406 82,282 99,842 Finished goods 399,555 514,585 528,481 Supplies 20,666 33,580 42,982 Total inventories, net $ 865,496 $ 882,522 $ 938,000

Goodwill

Goodwill	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	GoodwillThe 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. The qualitative assessment evaluates factors including macro-economic conditions, industry-specific and company-specific considerations, legal and regulatory environments and historical performance. 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 quantitative 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 quantitative 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 quantitative goodwill impairment test, which compares the estimated fair value of our reporting units to their related carrying values, including goodwill. Impairment is indicated if the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, and an impairment charge is recognized for the differential. The Company’s goodwill impairment analysis also includes a comparison of the aggregate estimated fair value of its two reporting units to the Company’s total market capitalization. No impairment of goodwill was recorded for the nine months ended June 24, 2023 and June 25, 2022.

Other Intangible Assets

Other Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023
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 Accumulated Net (in millions) June 24, 2023 Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable $ 22.1 $ (21.3) $ — $ 0.8 Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable 252.5 — (26.0) 226.5 Total 274.6 (21.3) (26.0) 227.3 Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable 416.4 (140.3) (7.3) 268.8 Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable 39.7 (29.5) — 10.2 Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable 7.1 — (1.2) 5.9 Total 46.8 (29.5) (1.2) 16.1 Total other intangible assets, net $ 737.8 $ (191.2) $ (34.5) $ 512.2 Gross Accumulated Accumulated Net (in millions) June 25, 2022 Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable $ 22.1 $ (20.2) $ — $ 1.9 Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable 218.2 — (26.0) 192.2 Total 240.3 (20.2) (26.0) 194.1 Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable 386.4 (107.1) (2.5) 276.8 Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable 39.7 (25.5) — 14.2 Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable 7.1 — (1.2) 5.9 Total 46.8 (25.5) (1.2) 20.1 Total other intangible assets, net $ 673.5 $ (152.8) $ (29.8) $ 491.0 Gross Accumulated Accumulated Net (in millions) September 24, 2022 Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable $ 22.1 $ (20.5) $ — $ 1.5 Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable 252.5 — (26.0) 226.5 Total 274.6 (20.5) (26.0) 228.0 Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable 416.4 (117.8) (2.5) 296.1 Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable 39.7 (26.6) — 13.2 Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable 7.1 — (1.2) 5.9 Total 46.8 (26.6) (1.2) 19.1 Total other intangible assets, net $ 737.8 $ (164.9) $ (29.8) $ 543.2 Other acquired intangible assets include contract-based and technology-based intangible assets. The Company evaluates long-lived assets, including amortizable and indefinite-lived intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company evaluates indefinite-lived intangible assets on an annual basis. During the three months ended June 24, 2023, the Company recognized a non-cash $4.7 million impairment charge to a certain amortizable customer-related intangible asset in the Pet Segment as a result of market changes and declining sales. The Company amortizes its acquired intangible assets with definite lives over periods ranging from two years to 25 years; over weighted average remaining lives of two years for marketing-related intangibles, 12 years for customer-related intangibles and six years for

Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Long-Term Debt Long-term debt consists of the following: June 24, 2023 June 25, 2022 September 24, 2022 (in thousands) Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028 $ 300,000 $ 300,000 $ 300,000 Senior notes, interest at 4.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due October 2030 500,000 500,000 500,000 Senior notes, interest at 4.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due April 2031 400,000 400,000 400,000 Unamortized debt issuance costs (12,702) (14,588) (14,116) Net carrying value 1,187,298 1,185,412 1,185,884 Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at SOFR plus a margin of 1.00% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.0% to 0.50%, final maturity December 2026. — — — Other notes payable 455 782 678 Total 1,187,753 1,186,194 1,186,562 Less current portion (255) (352) (317) Long-term portion $ 1,187,498 $ 1,185,842 $ 1,186,245 Senior Notes Issuance of $400 million 4.125% Senior Notes due 2031 On April 30, 2021, the Company issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of 4.125% senior notes due April 2031 (the "2031 Notes"). The Company used a portion of the net proceeds from the offering to repay all outstanding borrowings under its Amended Credit Facility, with the remainder used for general corporate purposes. The Company incurred approximately $6 million of debt issuance costs in conjunction with this issuance, which included underwriter fees and legal, accounting and rating agency expenses. The debt issuance costs are being amortized over the term of the 2031 Notes. The 2031 Notes require semi-annual interest payments on April 30 and October 30. The 2031 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 Amended Credit Facility. The 2031 Notes were issued in a private placement under Rule 144A and will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933. The Company may redeem some or all of the 2031 Notes at any time, at its option, prior to April 30, 2026 at the principal amount plus a "make whole" premium. At any time prior to April 30, 2024, the Company may also redeem, at its option, up to 40% of the notes with the proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price of 104.125% of the principal amount of the notes. The Company may redeem some or all of the 2031 Notes at the Company’s option, at any time on or after April 30, 2026 for 102.063%, on or after April 30, 2027 for 101.375%, on or after April 30, 2028 for 100.688% and on or after April 30, 2029 for 100.0%, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The holders of the 2031 Notes have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of the 2031 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 specific kinds of changes of control. The 2031 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 June 24, 2023. Issuance of $500 million 4.125% Senior Notes due 2030 In October 2020, the Company issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 4.125% senior notes due October 2030 (the "2030 Notes"). In November 2020, the Company used a portion of the net proceeds to redeem all of its outstanding 6.125% senior notes due November 2023 (the "2023 Notes") at a redemption price of 101.531% plus accrued and unpaid interest, and to pay related fees and expenses, with the remainder used for general corporate purposes. The Company incurred approximately $8.0 million of debt issuance costs associated 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 2030 Notes. The 2030 Notes require semiannual interest payments on October 15 and April 15. The 2030 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 Amended Credit Facility. The Company may redeem some or all of the 2030 Notes at any time, at its option, prior to October 15, 2025 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus a “make-whole” premium. Prior to October 15, 2023, the Company may redeem up to 40% of the original aggregate principal amount of the notes with the proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price of 104.125% of the principal amount of the notes. The Company may redeem some or all of the 2030 Notes, at its option, in whole or in part, at any time on or after October 15, 2025 for 102.063%, on or after October 15, 2026 for 101.375%, on or after October 15, 2027 for 100.688% and on or after October 15, 2028 for 100.0%, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The holders of the 2030 Notes have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of the 2030 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 2030 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 June 24, 2023. $300 million 5.125% Senior Notes due 2028 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 used the net proceeds from the offering to finance 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. The 2028 Notes are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis by the Company's existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries which are borrowers under or guarantors of Central's Amended Credit Facility. 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 the Company 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 June 24, 2023. Asset-Based Loan Facility Amendment On December 16, 2021, the Company entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (“Amended Credit Agreement”). The Amended Credit Agreement amended and restated the previous credit agreement dated September 27, 2019 (the "Predecessor Credit Agreement"), and provides for a $750 million principal amount senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility, with up to an additional $400 million principal amount available with the consent of the Lenders, as defined, if the Company exercises the uncommitted accordion feature set forth therein (collectively, the “Amended Credit Facility”). The Amended Credit Facility matures on December 16, 2026. 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 that is calculated using a formula based upon eligible receivables and inventory, and at the Company's election, eligible real property, minus certain reserves. Proceeds of the Amended Credit Facility will be used for general corporate purposes. At June 24, 2023, the Company's applicable borrowing base calculation supported access to approximately $559 million under the Amended Credit Facility. The Amended Credit Facility includes a $50 million sublimit for the issuance of standby letters of credit and a $75 million sublimit for short-notice borrowings. As of June 24, 2023, there were no borrowings outstanding and no letters of credit outstanding under the Amended Credit Facility. Outside the Amended Credit Facility, there were other standby and commercial letters of credit of $3.3 million outstanding as of June 24, 2023. Borrowings under the Amended Credit Facility bear interest at an index based on SOFR (which will not be less than 0.00%) or, at the option of the Company, the Base Rate, plus, in either case, an applicable margin based on the Company's usage under the credit facility. Base Rate is defined as the highest of (a) the Truist prime rate, (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, (c) one-month SOFR plus 1.00% and (d) 0.00%. The applicable margin for SOFR-based borrowings fluctuates between 1.00%-1.50%, and was 1.00% as of June 24, 2023, and the applicable margin for Base Rate borrowings fluctuates between 0.00%-0.50%, and was 0% as of June 24, 2023. An unused line fee is payable quarterly in respect of the total amount of the unutilized Lenders’ commitments and short-notice borrowings under the Amended Credit Facility. Standby letter of credit fees at the applicable margin on the average undrawn and unreimbursed amounts of standby letters of credit are payable quarterly and a facing fee of 0.125% is payable quarterly 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. The Amended Credit Facility was amended on May 15, 2023 to transition from LIBOR to SOFR. As of June 24, 2023, the applicable interest rate related to Base Rate borrowings was 8.3%, and the applicable interest rate related to one-month SOFR-based borrowings was 6.1%. The Company incurred approximately $2.4 million of debt issuance costs in conjunction with this transaction, which included lender fees and legal expenses. The debt issuance costs are being amortized over the term of the Amended Credit Facility. The Amended Credit Facility contains customary covenants, including financial covenants which require the Company to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1:1 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, in each case subject to customary exceptions. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants under the Amended Credit Facility as of June 24, 2023.

Supplemental Equity Information

Supplemental Equity Information	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023
Equity [Abstract]
Supplemental Equity Information	Supplemental Equity Information The following table provides a summary of the changes in the carrying amounts of equity attributable to controlling interest and noncontrolling interest through the nine months ended June 24, 2023 and June 25, 2022. Controlling Interest Common Class A Class Additional Retained Accumulated Total Noncontrolling Total (in thousands) Balance September 24, 2022 $ 113 $ 413 $ 16 $ 582,056 $ 755,253 $ (4,145) $ 1,333,706 $ 1,006 $ 1,334,712 Comprehensive loss — — — — (8,433) 782 (7,651) (416) (8,067) Amortization of share-based awards — — — 4,647 — — 4,647 — 4,647 Restricted share activity, including net share settlement — — — (590) — — (590) — (590) Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options — 1 — 1,707 — — 1,708 — 1,708 Repurchase of stock — (2) — (2,693) (6,271) — (8,966) — (8,966) Balance December 24, 2022 $ 113 $ 412 $ 16 $ 585,127 $ 740,549 $ (3,363) $ 1,322,854 $ 590 $ 1,323,444 Comprehensive income — — — — 48,115 (238) 47,877 563 48,440 Amortization of share-based awards — — — 5,015 — — 5,015 — 5,015 Restricted share activity, including net share settlement — 1 — (3,115) — — (3,114) — (3,114) Repurchase of stock (1) (1) — (807) (1,888) — (2,697) — (2,697) Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options — 1 — 1,158 — — 1,159 — 1,159 Balance March 25, 2023 $ 112 $ 413 $ 16 $ 587,378 $ 786,776 $ (3,601) $ 1,371,094 $ 1,153 $ 1,372,247 Comprehensive income — — — — 83,126 1,646 84,772 423 85,195 Amortization of share-based awards — — — 5,017 — — 5,017 — 5,017 Restricted share activity, including net share settlement — (1) — (888) — — (889) — (889) Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options — 1 — 2,225 — — 2,226 — 2,226 Repurchase of common stock (1) (3) — (5,001) (11,685) — (16,690) — (16,690) Distribution to Noncontrolling interest — — — — — — — — — Other — — — — — — — — — Balance June 24, 2023 $ 111 $ 410 $ 16 $ 588,731 $ 858,217 $ (1,955) $ 1,445,530 $ 1,576 $ 1,447,106 Controlling Interest Common Stock Class A Common Stock Class B Stock Additional Paid In Capital Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Total Noncontrolling Interest Total (in thousands) Balance September 25, 2021 $ 113 $ 423 $ 16 $ 576,446 $ 646,082 $ (831) $ 1,222,249 $ 1,292 $ 1,223,541 Comprehensive income — — — — 9,009 (442) 8,567 187 8,754 Amortization of share-based awards — — — 3,886 — — 3,886 — 3,886 Restricted share activity, including net share settlement — — — (705) — — (705) — (705) Repurchase of stock — (1) — (1,600) (5,059) — (6,660) — (6,660) Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options — — — 890 — — 890 — 890 Distribution to Noncontrolling interest — — — — — — — (806) (806) Balance December 25, 2021 $ 113 $ 422 $ 16 $ 578,917 $ 650,032 $ (1,273) $ 1,228,227 $ 673 $ 1,228,900 Comprehensive income — — — — 69,713 570 70,283 573 70,856 Amortization of share-based awards — — — 4,624 — — 4,624 — 4,624 Restricted share activity, including net share settlement — 2 — (923) — — (921) — (921) Repurchase of stock — (2) (2,372) (7,062) — (9,436) (9,436) Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options — — — 309 — — 309 — 309 Other — — — — — — — 1 1 Balance March 26, 2022 $ 113 $ 422 $ 16 $ 580,555 $ 712,683 $ (703) $ 1,293,086 $ 1,247 $ 1,294,333 Comprehensive income — — — — 75,420 (1,221) 74,199 135 74,334 Amortization of share-based awards — — — 4,970 — — 4,970 — 4,970 Restricted share activity, including net share settlement — — — (1,258) — — (1,258) — (1,258) Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options — — — 2,165 — — 2,165 — 2,165 Repurchase of common stock (5) — (5,372) (16,762) — (22,139) (22,139) Distribution to Noncontrolling interest — — — — — — — — — Balance June 25, 2022 $ 113 $ 417 $ 16 $ 581,060 $ 771,341 $ (1,924) $ 1,351,023 $ 1,382 $ 1,352,405

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based CompensationThe Company recognized share-based compensation expense of $20.6 million and $18.9 million for the nine months ended June 24, 2023 and June 25, 2022, respectively, as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses. The tax benefit associated with share-based compensation expense for the nine months ended June 24, 2023 and June 25, 2022 was $4.9 million and $4.5 million, respectively.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted per share computations for income from continuing operations. Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended June 24, 2023 June 24, 2023 Income Shares Per Share Income Shares Per Share (in thousands, except per share amounts) Basic EPS: Net income available to common shareholders $ 83,126 52,464 $ 1.58 $ 122,808 52,462 $ 2.34 Effect of dilutive securities: Options to purchase common stock — 247 (0.01) — 278 (0.01) Restricted shares — 544 (0.01) — 636 (0.03) Performance stock units — 125 — 90 — Diluted EPS: Net income available to common shareholders $ 83,126 53,380 $ 1.56 $ 122,808 53,466 $ 2.30 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended June 25, 2022 June 25, 2022 Income Shares Per Share Income Shares Per Share (in thousands, except per share amounts) Basic EPS: Net income available to common shareholders $ 75,420 53,237 $ 1.42 $ 154,142 53,392 $ 2.89 Effect of dilutive securities: Options to purchase common stock — 421 (0.01) — 520 (0.03) Restricted shares — 671 (0.02) — 746 (0.04) Diluted EPS: Net income available to common shareholders $ 75,420 54,329 $ 1.39 $ 154,142 54,658 $ 2.82 Options to purchase 2.0 million shares of Class A common stock at prices ranging from $21.37 to $51.37 per share were outstanding at June 24, 2023, and options to purchase 2.3 million shares of Class A common stock at prices ranging from $21.37 to $51.37 per share were outstanding at June 25, 2022. For the three months ended June 24, 2023 and June 25, 2022, approximately 0.8 million and 0.3 million options outstanding, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the option exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares and therefore, the effect of including these options would be antidilutive. For the nine months ended June 24, 2023 and June 25, 2022, approximately 0.6 million a n d 0.4 million options outstanding, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the option exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares and therefore, the effect of including these options would be antidilutive.

Segment Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information Management has determined that the Company has two operating segments, which are also reportable segments based on the level at which the Chief Operating Decision Maker reviews the results of operations to make decisions regarding performance assessment and resource allocation. These operating segments are the Pet segment and the Garden segment. Substantially all of the Company's assets and operations relate to its business in the United States. Financial information relating to the Company's business segments is presented in the table below. Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended June 24, 2023 June 25, 2022 June 24, 2023 June 25, 2022 (in thousands) Net sales: Pet segment $ 503,329 $ 504,781 $ 1,394,352 $ 1,438,423 Garden segment 519,940 510,597 1,165,584 1,192,723 Total net sales $ 1,023,269 $ 1,015,378 $ 2,559,936 $ 2,631,146 Operating income (loss) Pet segment 59,969 62,616 154,779 168,512 Garden segment 88,088 75,564 126,887 152,132 Corporate (25,227) (24,101) (80,389) (73,506) Total operating income 122,830 114,079 201,277 247,138 Interest expense - net (13,134) (14,335) (41,600) (43,445) Other income (expense) 853 (759) 3,147 (1,337) Income tax expense 27,000 23,430 39,446 47,319 Income including noncontrolling interest 83,549 75,555 123,378 155,037 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 423 135 570 895 Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company $ 83,126 $ 75,420 $ 122,808 $ 154,142 Depreciation and amortization: Pet segment $ 10,060 $ 9,791 $ 30,647 $ 28,879 Garden segment 10,823 9,118 32,483 26,457 Corporate 818 975 2,374 2,997 Total depreciation and amortization $ 21,701 $ 19,884 $ 65,504 $ 58,333 June 24, 2023 June 25, 2022 September 24, 2022 (in thousands) Assets: Pet segment $ 1,009,606 $ 1,098,886 $ 1,069,167 Garden segment 1,473,774 1,498,856 1,405,802 Corporate 936,567 748,184 807,033 Total assets $ 3,419,947 $ 3,345,926 $ 3,282,002 Goodwill (included in corporate assets above): Pet segment $ 277,067 $ 277,067 $ 277,067 Garden segment 269,369 234,906 269,369 Total goodwill $ 546,436 $ 511,973 $ 546,436 The tables below present the Company's disaggregated revenues by segment: Three Months Ended June 24, 2023 Nine Months Ended June 24, 2023 Pet Segment Garden Segment Total Pet Segment Garden Segment Total (in millions) (in millions) Other pet products $ 208.9 $ — $ 208.9 $ 542.6 $ — $ 542.6 Dog and cat products 136.0 — 136.0 396.9 — 396.9 Other manufacturers' products 100.3 107.9 208.2 306.7 249.7 556.4 Wild bird products 58.1 81.5 139.6 148.2 222.6 370.8 Other garden supplies — 330.5 330.5 — 693.3 693.3 Total $ 503.3 $ 519.9 $ 1,023.3 $ 1,394.4 $ 1,165.6 $ 2,559.9 Three Months Ended June 25, 2022 Nine Months Ended June 25, 2022 Pet Segment Garden Segment Total Pet Segment Garden Segment Total (in millions) (in millions) Other pet products $ 233.3 $ — $ 233.3 $ 610.5 $ — $ 610.5 Dog and cat products 122.5 — 122.5 396.7 — 396.7 Other manufacturers' products 102.4 112.7 215.1 305.5 257.5 563.0 Wild bird products 46.6 79.4 126.0 125.7 207.0 332.7 Other garden supplies — 318.5 318.5 — 728.2 728.2 Total $ 504.8 $ 510.6 $ 1,015.4 $ 1,438.4 $ 1,192.7 $ 2,631.1

Contingencies

Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingencies	Contingencies The Company may from time to time become involved in legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. Currently, the Company is not a party to any legal proceedings the resolution of which management believes could have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations with the potential exception of the proceeding below. In 2012, Nite Glow Industries, Inc and its owner, Marni Markell, (“Nite Glow”) filed suit in the U.S. 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 court ruled on post-trial motions in early June 2020, reducing the judgment amount to $12.4 million and denying the plaintiff's request for attorneys' fees. The Company filed its notice of appeal and the plaintiffs cross-appealed. On July 14, 2021, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals issued its decision on the appeal. The Federal Circuit concluded that the Company did not infringe plaintiff's patent and determined that the breach of contract claim raised no non-duplicative damages and should be dismissed. The court affirmed the jury's liability verdict on the misappropriation of confidential information claim but ordered a new trial on damages on that single claim limited to the "head start" benefit, if any, generated by the confidential information. The Company intends to vigorously pursue its defenses in the future proceedings and believes that it will prevail on the merits as to the head start damages issue. 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 continuing; as a result, the ultimate resolution and impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements is uncertain. 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.

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

Pay vs Performance Disclosure - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023	Jun. 25, 2022	Jun. 24, 2023	Jun. 25, 2022
Pay vs Performance Disclosure
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$ 83,126	$ 75,420	$ 122,808	$ 154,142

Insider Trading Arrangements

Insider Trading Arrangements	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023
Trading Arrangements, by Individual
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted	false
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted	false
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated	false
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated	false

Basis of Presentation (Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The condensed consolidated balance sheets of Central Garden & Pet Company and subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Central”) as of June 24, 2023 and June 25, 2022, the condensed consolidated statements of operations and the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended June 24, 2023 and June 25, 2022, and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended June 24, 2023 and June 25, 2022 have been prepared by the Company, without audit. In the opinion of management, the interim financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. For the Company’s foreign businesses in the United Kingdom and Canada, the local currency is the functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated using the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Income and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate for the period. Deferred taxes are not provided on translation gains and losses because the Company expects earnings of its foreign subsidiaries to be permanently reinvested. Transaction gains and losses are included in results of operations. Due to the seasonal nature of the Company’s Garden business, the results of operations for the three and nine months ended June 24, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results that may be expected for the entire fiscal year. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual audited financial statements, accounting policies and financial notes thereto, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 24, 2022, which has previously been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The September 24, 2022 balance sheet presented herein was derived from the audited financial statements.
Noncontrolling Interest	Noncontrolling InterestNoncontrolling interest in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements represents the 20% interest not owned by Central in a consolidated subsidiary. Since the Company controls this subsidiary, its financial statements are consolidated with those of the Company, and the noncontrolling owner’s 20% share of the subsidiary’s net assets and results of operations is deducted and reported as noncontrolling interest on the consolidated balance sheets and as net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash	Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash The Company considers cash and all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at date of purchase to be cash and cash equivalents. Restricted cash includes cash and highly liquid instruments that are used as collateral for stand-alone letter of credit agreements related to normal business transactions. These agreements require the Company to maintain specified amounts of cash as collateral in segregated accounts to support the letters of credit issued thereunder, which will affect the amount of cash the Company has available for other uses. Credit Risk Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash, cash equivalents and investments. The Company manages the credit risk associated with cash equivalents and investments by investing with high-quality institutions and, by policy, limiting investments only to those which meet prescribed investment guidelines. The Company maintains cash accounts that exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses from maintaining cash accounts in excess of such limits. Management believes that it is not exposed to any significant risks on its cash and cash equivalent accounts.
Allowance for Credit Losses and Customer Allowances	Allowance for Credit Losses and Customer Allowances
Derivative Financial Instruments	Derivative Financial Instruments The Company is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations and principally uses a combination of purchase orders and various short and long-term supply arrangements in connection with the purchase of raw materials, including certain commodities, to manage its exposure to commodity price risk. The Company also enters into commodity swap contracts that have been designated as cash flow hedges to reduce the volatility of price fluctuations of certain commodities, which impact its cost of raw materials. The Company’s primary objective when entering into these derivative contracts is to achieve greater certainty with regard to the future price of commodities purchased for use in some of its supply chain. These derivative contracts are entered into for periods consistent with the underlying exposures and do not constitute positions independent of those exposures. The Company does not enter into derivative contracts for speculative purposes and does not use leveraged instruments.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition Revenue Recognition and Nature of Products and Services The Company manufactures, markets and distributes a wide variety of 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. 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. 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 its 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
Leases	Leases The Company determines whether an arrangement contains a lease at inception by determining if the contract conveys the right to control the use of identified property, plant or equipment for a period of time in exchange for consideration and other facts and circumstances. Long-term operating lease right-of-use ("ROU") assets and current and long-term operating lease liabilities are presented separately in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Finance lease ROU assets are presented in property, plant and equipment, net, and the related finance liabilities are presented with current and long-term debt in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Lease ROU assets represent the Company's right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent the Company's obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets are calculated based on the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments paid to the lessor at or before the commencement date and excludes any lease incentives received from the lessor. Lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term. The lease term may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. As the Company's leases typically do not contain a readily determinable implicit rate, the Company determines the present value of the lease liability using its incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date based on the lease term on a collateralized basis. Variable lease payments are expensed as incurred and include certain non-lease components, such as maintenance and other services provided by the lessor, and other charges included in the lease, as applicable. Non-lease components and the lease components to which they relate are accounted for as a single lease component, as the Company has elected to combine lease and non-lease components for all classes of underlying assets. Amortization of ROU lease assets is calculated on a straight-line basis over the lease term with the expense recorded in cost of sales or selling, general and administrative expenses, depending on the nature of the leased item. Interest expense is recorded over the lease term and is recorded in interest expense (based on a front-loaded interest expense pattern) for finance leases and is recorded in cost of sales or selling, general and administrative expenses (on a straight-line basis) for operating leases. All operating lease cash payments and interest on finance leases are recorded within cash flows from operating activities and all finance lease principal payments are recorded within cash flows from financing activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements Recently Issued Accounting Updates There are no recent accounting pronouncements that are anticipated to have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.
Fair Value Measurement	Fair Value Measurements ASC 820 establishes a single authoritative definition of fair value, a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure of fair value measurements. ASC 820 requires financial assets and liabilities to be categorized based on the inputs used to calculate their fair values as follows: Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (including assumptions about risk). The Company’s financial instruments include cash and equivalents, short term investments consisting of bank certificates of deposit, accounts receivable and payable, derivative instruments, short-term borrowings, and accrued liabilities. The carrying amount of these instruments approximates fair value because of their short-term nature.
Goodwill	GoodwillThe 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. The qualitative assessment evaluates factors including macro-economic conditions, industry-specific and company-specific considerations, legal and regulatory environments and historical performance. 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 quantitative 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 quantitative 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 quantitative goodwill impairment test, which compares the estimated fair value of our reporting units to their related carrying values, including goodwill. Impairment is indicated if the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, and an impairment charge is recognized for the differential. The Company’s goodwill impairment analysis also includes a comparison of the aggregate estimated fair value of its two reporting units to the Company’s total market capitalization. No impairment of goodwill was recorded for the nine months ended June 24, 2023 and June 25, 2022.

Basis of Presentation Basis of

Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule of 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 June 24, 2023, June 25, 2022 and September 24, 2022, respectively. June 24, 2023 June 25, 2022 September 24, 2022 (in thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 333,139 $ 195,791 $ 177,442 Restricted cash 13,542 12,676 14,742 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 346,681 $ 208,467 $ 192,184
Schedule of 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 June 24, 2023, June 25, 2022 and September 24, 2022, respectively. June 24, 2023 June 25, 2022 September 24, 2022 (in thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 333,139 $ 195,791 $ 177,442 Restricted cash 13,542 12,676 14,742 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 346,681 $ 208,467 $ 192,184

Inventories, net (Tables)

Inventories, net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventories, Net of Allowance for Obsolescence	Inventories, net of allowance for obsolescence, consist of the following: June 24, 2023 June 25, 2022 September 24, 2022 (in thousands) Raw materials $ 286,869 $ 252,075 $ 266,695 Work in progress 158,406 82,282 99,842 Finished goods 399,555 514,585 528,481 Supplies 20,666 33,580 42,982 Total inventories, net $ 865,496 $ 882,522 $ 938,000

Other Intangible Assets (Tables

Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Gross and Net Acquired Intangible Assets	The following table summarizes the components of gross and net acquired intangible assets: Gross Accumulated Accumulated Net (in millions) June 24, 2023 Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable $ 22.1 $ (21.3) $ — $ 0.8 Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable 252.5 — (26.0) 226.5 Total 274.6 (21.3) (26.0) 227.3 Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable 416.4 (140.3) (7.3) 268.8 Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable 39.7 (29.5) — 10.2 Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable 7.1 — (1.2) 5.9 Total 46.8 (29.5) (1.2) 16.1 Total other intangible assets, net $ 737.8 $ (191.2) $ (34.5) $ 512.2 Gross Accumulated Accumulated Net (in millions) June 25, 2022 Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable $ 22.1 $ (20.2) $ — $ 1.9 Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable 218.2 — (26.0) 192.2 Total 240.3 (20.2) (26.0) 194.1 Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable 386.4 (107.1) (2.5) 276.8 Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable 39.7 (25.5) — 14.2 Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable 7.1 — (1.2) 5.9 Total 46.8 (25.5) (1.2) 20.1 Total other intangible assets, net $ 673.5 $ (152.8) $ (29.8) $ 491.0 Gross Accumulated Accumulated Net (in millions) September 24, 2022 Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable $ 22.1 $ (20.5) $ — $ 1.5 Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable 252.5 — (26.0) 226.5 Total 274.6 (20.5) (26.0) 228.0 Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable 416.4 (117.8) (2.5) 296.1 Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable 39.7 (26.6) — 13.2 Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable 7.1 — (1.2) 5.9 Total 46.8 (26.6) (1.2) 19.1 Total other intangible assets, net $ 737.8 $ (164.9) $ (29.8) $ 543.2

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Components of Long-Term Debt	Long-term debt consists of the following: June 24, 2023 June 25, 2022 September 24, 2022 (in thousands) Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028 $ 300,000 $ 300,000 $ 300,000 Senior notes, interest at 4.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due October 2030 500,000 500,000 500,000 Senior notes, interest at 4.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due April 2031 400,000 400,000 400,000 Unamortized debt issuance costs (12,702) (14,588) (14,116) Net carrying value 1,187,298 1,185,412 1,185,884 Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at SOFR plus a margin of 1.00% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.0% to 0.50%, final maturity December 2026. — — — Other notes payable 455 782 678 Total 1,187,753 1,186,194 1,186,562 Less current portion (255) (352) (317) Long-term portion $ 1,187,498 $ 1,185,842 $ 1,186,245

Supplemental Equity Informati_2

Supplemental Equity Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Changes in Carrying Amounts of Equity Attributable to Controlling Interest and Noncontrolling Interest	The following table provides a summary of the changes in the carrying amounts of equity attributable to controlling interest and noncontrolling interest through the nine months ended June 24, 2023 and June 25, 2022. Controlling Interest Common Class A Class Additional Retained Accumulated Total Noncontrolling Total (in thousands) Balance September 24, 2022 $ 113 $ 413 $ 16 $ 582,056 $ 755,253 $ (4,145) $ 1,333,706 $ 1,006 $ 1,334,712 Comprehensive loss — — — — (8,433) 782 (7,651) (416) (8,067) Amortization of share-based awards — — — 4,647 — — 4,647 — 4,647 Restricted share activity, including net share settlement — — — (590) — — (590) — (590) Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options — 1 — 1,707 — — 1,708 — 1,708 Repurchase of stock — (2) — (2,693) (6,271) — (8,966) — (8,966) Balance December 24, 2022 $ 113 $ 412 $ 16 $ 585,127 $ 740,549 $ (3,363) $ 1,322,854 $ 590 $ 1,323,444 Comprehensive income — — — — 48,115 (238) 47,877 563 48,440 Amortization of share-based awards — — — 5,015 — — 5,015 — 5,015 Restricted share activity, including net share settlement — 1 — (3,115) — — (3,114) — (3,114) Repurchase of stock (1) (1) — (807) (1,888) — (2,697) — (2,697) Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options — 1 — 1,158 — — 1,159 — 1,159 Balance March 25, 2023 $ 112 $ 413 $ 16 $ 587,378 $ 786,776 $ (3,601) $ 1,371,094 $ 1,153 $ 1,372,247 Comprehensive income — — — — 83,126 1,646 84,772 423 85,195 Amortization of share-based awards — — — 5,017 — — 5,017 — 5,017 Restricted share activity, including net share settlement — (1) — (888) — — (889) — (889) Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options — 1 — 2,225 — — 2,226 — 2,226 Repurchase of common stock (1) (3) — (5,001) (11,685) — (16,690) — (16,690) Distribution to Noncontrolling interest — — — — — — — — — Other — — — — — — — — — Balance June 24, 2023 $ 111 $ 410 $ 16 $ 588,731 $ 858,217 $ (1,955) $ 1,445,530 $ 1,576 $ 1,447,106 Controlling Interest Common Stock Class A Common Stock Class B Stock Additional Paid In Capital Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Total Noncontrolling Interest Total (in thousands) Balance September 25, 2021 $ 113 $ 423 $ 16 $ 576,446 $ 646,082 $ (831) $ 1,222,249 $ 1,292 $ 1,223,541 Comprehensive income — — — — 9,009 (442) 8,567 187 8,754 Amortization of share-based awards — — — 3,886 — — 3,886 — 3,886 Restricted share activity, including net share settlement — — — (705) — — (705) — (705) Repurchase of stock — (1) — (1,600) (5,059) — (6,660) — (6,660) Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options — — — 890 — — 890 — 890 Distribution to Noncontrolling interest — — — — — — — (806) (806) Balance December 25, 2021 $ 113 $ 422 $ 16 $ 578,917 $ 650,032 $ (1,273) $ 1,228,227 $ 673 $ 1,228,900 Comprehensive income — — — — 69,713 570 70,283 573 70,856 Amortization of share-based awards — — — 4,624 — — 4,624 — 4,624 Restricted share activity, including net share settlement — 2 — (923) — — (921) — (921) Repurchase of stock — (2) (2,372) (7,062) — (9,436) (9,436) Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options — — — 309 — — 309 — 309 Other — — — — — — — 1 1 Balance March 26, 2022 $ 113 $ 422 $ 16 $ 580,555 $ 712,683 $ (703) $ 1,293,086 $ 1,247 $ 1,294,333 Comprehensive income — — — — 75,420 (1,221) 74,199 135 74,334 Amortization of share-based awards — — — 4,970 — — 4,970 — 4,970 Restricted share activity, including net share settlement — — — (1,258) — — (1,258) — (1,258) Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options — — — 2,165 — — 2,165 — 2,165 Repurchase of common stock (5) — (5,372) (16,762) — (22,139) (22,139) Distribution to Noncontrolling interest — — — — — — — — — Balance June 25, 2022 $ 113 $ 417 $ 16 $ 581,060 $ 771,341 $ (1,924) $ 1,351,023 $ 1,382 $ 1,352,405

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted per share computations for income from continuing operations. Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended June 24, 2023 June 24, 2023 Income Shares Per Share Income Shares Per Share (in thousands, except per share amounts) Basic EPS: Net income available to common shareholders $ 83,126 52,464 $ 1.58 $ 122,808 52,462 $ 2.34 Effect of dilutive securities: Options to purchase common stock — 247 (0.01) — 278 (0.01) Restricted shares — 544 (0.01) — 636 (0.03) Performance stock units — 125 — 90 — Diluted EPS: Net income available to common shareholders $ 83,126 53,380 $ 1.56 $ 122,808 53,466 $ 2.30 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended June 25, 2022 June 25, 2022 Income Shares Per Share Income Shares Per Share (in thousands, except per share amounts) Basic EPS: Net income available to common shareholders $ 75,420 53,237 $ 1.42 $ 154,142 53,392 $ 2.89 Effect of dilutive securities: Options to purchase common stock — 421 (0.01) — 520 (0.03) Restricted shares — 671 (0.02) — 746 (0.04) Diluted EPS: Net income available to common shareholders $ 75,420 54,329 $ 1.39 $ 154,142 54,658 $ 2.82

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Financial Information Relating to Company's Business Segments	Financial information relating to the Company's business segments is presented in the table below. Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended June 24, 2023 June 25, 2022 June 24, 2023 June 25, 2022 (in thousands) Net sales: Pet segment $ 503,329 $ 504,781 $ 1,394,352 $ 1,438,423 Garden segment 519,940 510,597 1,165,584 1,192,723 Total net sales $ 1,023,269 $ 1,015,378 $ 2,559,936 $ 2,631,146 Operating income (loss) Pet segment 59,969 62,616 154,779 168,512 Garden segment 88,088 75,564 126,887 152,132 Corporate (25,227) (24,101) (80,389) (73,506) Total operating income 122,830 114,079 201,277 247,138 Interest expense - net (13,134) (14,335) (41,600) (43,445) Other income (expense) 853 (759) 3,147 (1,337) Income tax expense 27,000 23,430 39,446 47,319 Income including noncontrolling interest 83,549 75,555 123,378 155,037 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 423 135 570 895 Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company $ 83,126 $ 75,420 $ 122,808 $ 154,142 Depreciation and amortization: Pet segment $ 10,060 $ 9,791 $ 30,647 $ 28,879 Garden segment 10,823 9,118 32,483 26,457 Corporate 818 975 2,374 2,997 Total depreciation and amortization $ 21,701 $ 19,884 $ 65,504 $ 58,333 June 24, 2023 June 25, 2022 September 24, 2022 (in thousands) Assets: Pet segment $ 1,009,606 $ 1,098,886 $ 1,069,167 Garden segment 1,473,774 1,498,856 1,405,802 Corporate 936,567 748,184 807,033 Total assets $ 3,419,947 $ 3,345,926 $ 3,282,002 Goodwill (included in corporate assets above): Pet segment $ 277,067 $ 277,067 $ 277,067 Garden segment 269,369 234,906 269,369 Total goodwill $ 546,436 $ 511,973 $ 546,436 The tables below present the Company's disaggregated revenues by segment: Three Months Ended June 24, 2023 Nine Months Ended June 24, 2023 Pet Segment Garden Segment Total Pet Segment Garden Segment Total (in millions) (in millions) Other pet products $ 208.9 $ — $ 208.9 $ 542.6 $ — $ 542.6 Dog and cat products 136.0 — 136.0 396.9 — 396.9 Other manufacturers' products 100.3 107.9 208.2 306.7 249.7 556.4 Wild bird products 58.1 81.5 139.6 148.2 222.6 370.8 Other garden supplies — 330.5 330.5 — 693.3 693.3 Total $ 503.3 $ 519.9 $ 1,023.3 $ 1,394.4 $ 1,165.6 $ 2,559.9 Three Months Ended June 25, 2022 Nine Months Ended June 25, 2022 Pet Segment Garden Segment Total Pet Segment Garden Segment Total (in millions) (in millions) Other pet products $ 233.3 $ — $ 233.3 $ 610.5 $ — $ 610.5 Dog and cat products 122.5 — 122.5 396.7 — 396.7 Other manufacturers' products 102.4 112.7 215.1 305.5 257.5 563.0 Wild bird products 46.6 79.4 126.0 125.7 207.0 332.7 Other garden supplies — 318.5 318.5 — 728.2 728.2 Total $ 504.8 $ 510.6 $ 1,015.4 $ 1,438.4 $ 1,192.7 $ 2,631.1

Basis of Presentation - Narrati

Basis of Presentation - Narrative (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023
Revenue Benchmark | Revenue from Rights Concentration Risk | Third Party Providers
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Minor amount of non-product revenue (less than)	1%
Subsidiary
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest owned by the subsidiary	20%

Basis of Presentation - Cash, C

Basis of Presentation - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 24, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022	Jun. 25, 2022	Sep. 25, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 333,139	$ 177,442	$ 195,791
Restricted cash	13,542	14,742	12,676
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$ 346,681	$ 192,184	$ 208,467	$ 439,522

Fair Value Measurements - Narra

Fair Value Measurements - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022	Jun. 25, 2022	Apr. 30, 2021	Oct. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 14, 2017
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets	$ 4,700
Impairment of intangible assets	4,700
Carrying value of senior subordinated notes	1,187,753	$ 1,186,562	$ 1,186,194
Senior notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior subordinated notes	$ 1,187,298	1,185,884	1,185,412
Senior notes | Senior notes, interest at 4.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due April 2031
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt, aggregate principal amount				$ 400,000
Interest rate	4.125%			4.125%
Estimated fair value of senior notes	$ 326,000	327,600	330,100
Carrying value of senior subordinated notes	$ 395,300	394,800	394,700
Senior notes | Senior notes, interest at 4.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due October 2030
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt, aggregate principal amount					$ 500,000
Interest rate	4.125%				4.125%
Estimated fair value of senior notes	$ 413,800	407,600	412,600
Carrying value of senior subordinated notes	$ 494,200	493,600	493,400
Senior notes | Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt, aggregate principal amount						$ 300,000	$ 300,000
Interest rate	5.125%					5.125%	5.125%
Estimated fair value of senior notes	$ 280,700	272,200	278,200
Carrying value of senior subordinated notes	$ 297,900	$ 297,500	$ 297,400

Inventories, net - Summary of I

Inventories, net - Summary of Inventories, Net of Allowance for Obsolescence (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 24, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022	Jun. 25, 2022
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials	$ 286,869	$ 266,695	$ 252,075
Work in progress	158,406	99,842	82,282
Finished goods	399,555	528,481	514,585
Supplies	20,666	42,982	33,580
Total inventories, net	$ 865,496	$ 938,000	$ 882,522

Goodwill - Narrative (Details)

Goodwill - Narrative (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023 USD ($) segment	Jun. 25, 2022 USD ($)
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Number of reporting units | segment	2
Impairment of goodwill | $	$ 0	$ 0

Other Intangible Assets - Compo

Other Intangible Assets - Components of Gross and Net Acquired Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 24, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022	Jun. 25, 2022
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	$ 737,800	$ 737,800	$ 673,500
Accumulated Amortization	(191,200)	(164,900)	(152,800)
Accumulated Impairment	(34,500)	(29,800)	(29,800)
Net Carrying Value	512,175	543,210	490,959
Marketing-related intangible assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	274,600	274,600	240,300
Accumulated Amortization	(21,300)	(20,500)	(20,200)
Accumulated Impairment	(26,000)	(26,000)	(26,000)
Net Carrying Value	227,300	228,000	194,100
Other acquired intangible assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	46,800	46,800	46,800
Accumulated Amortization	(29,500)	(26,600)	(25,500)
Accumulated Impairment	(1,200)	(1,200)	(1,200)
Net Carrying Value	16,100	19,100	20,100
Amortizable | Marketing-related intangible assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	22,100	22,100	22,100
Accumulated Amortization	(21,300)	(20,500)	(20,200)
Accumulated Impairment	0	0	0
Net Carrying Value	800	1,500	1,900
Amortizable | Customer-related intangible assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	416,400	416,400	386,400
Accumulated Amortization	(140,300)	(117,800)	(107,100)
Accumulated Impairment	(7,300)	(2,500)	(2,500)
Net Carrying Value	268,800	296,100	276,800
Amortizable | Other acquired intangible assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	39,700	39,700	39,700
Accumulated Amortization	(29,500)	(26,600)	(25,500)
Accumulated Impairment	0	0	0
Net Carrying Value	10,200	13,200	14,200
Nonamortizable | Marketing-related intangible assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	252,500	252,500	218,200
Accumulated Amortization	0	0	0
Accumulated Impairment	(26,000)	(26,000)	(26,000)
Net Carrying Value	226,500	226,500	192,200
Nonamortizable | Other acquired intangible assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	7,100	7,100	7,100
Accumulated Amortization	0	0	0
Accumulated Impairment	(1,200)	(1,200)	(1,200)
Net Carrying Value	$ 5,900	$ 5,900	$ 5,900

Other Intangible Assets - Narra

Other Intangible Assets - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023	Jun. 25, 2022	Jun. 24, 2023	Jun. 25, 2022
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets, impairment charge	$ 4.7
Useful life of intangible assets	5 years		5 years
Estimated annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets 2023	$ 35		$ 35
Estimated annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets 2024	35		35
Estimated annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets 2025	35		35
Estimated annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets 2026	26		26
Estimated annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets 2027	$ 26		$ 26
Marketing-related intangible assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining lives of acquired intangible assets	2 years		2 years
Customer-related intangible assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining lives of acquired intangible assets	12 years		12 years
Other acquired intangible assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining lives of acquired intangible assets	6 years		6 years
Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining lives of acquired intangible assets	2 years		2 years
Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining lives of acquired intangible assets	25 years		25 years
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense for intangibles	$ 8.4	$ 8.3	$ 26.3	$ 23

Long-Term Debt - Components of

Long-Term Debt - Components of Long-term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022	Jun. 25, 2022	Apr. 30, 2021	Oct. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 14, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total	$ 1,187,753	$ 1,186,562	$ 1,186,194
Less current portion	(255)	(317)	(352)
Long-term portion	1,187,498	1,186,245	1,185,842
Senior notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(12,702)	(14,116)	(14,588)
Total	$ 1,187,298	1,185,884	1,185,412
Senior notes | Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	5.125%					5.125%	5.125%
Gross carrying value	$ 300,000	300,000	300,000
Total	$ 297,900	297,500	297,400
Senior notes | Senior notes, interest at 4.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due October 2030
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	4.125%				4.125%
Gross carrying value	$ 500,000	500,000	500,000
Total	$ 494,200	493,600	493,400
Senior notes | Senior notes, interest at 4.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due April 2031
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	4.125%			4.125%
Gross carrying value	$ 400,000	400,000	400,000
Total	395,300	394,800	394,700
Secured debt | Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at SOFR plus a margin of 1.00% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.0% to 0.50%, final maturity December 2026.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total	$ 0	0	0
Secured debt | Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at SOFR plus a margin of 1.00% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.0% to 0.50%, final maturity December 2026. | Minimum | SOFR-based borrowings
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate margin	1%
Secured debt | Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at SOFR plus a margin of 1.00% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.0% to 0.50%, final maturity December 2026. | Minimum | Base rate borrowings
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate margin	0%
Secured debt | Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at SOFR plus a margin of 1.00% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.0% to 0.50%, final maturity December 2026. | Maximum | SOFR-based borrowings
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate margin	1.50%
Secured debt | Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at SOFR plus a margin of 1.00% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.0% to 0.50%, final maturity December 2026. | Maximum | Base rate borrowings
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate margin	0.50%
Other notes payable
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total	$ 455	$ 678	$ 782

Long-Term Debt - Narrative (Det

Long-Term Debt - Narrative (Details)				9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2021 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 14, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 24, 2023 USD ($)	Dec. 16, 2021 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Apr. 22, 2016
Components of long-term debt
Line of credit facility, commitment fee percentage				0.125%
Domestic Subsidiary
Components of long-term debt
Stock or equity interest, percentage				100%
Foreign Subsidiary
Components of long-term debt
Stock or equity interest, percentage				65%
Revolving credit facility | SOFR-based borrowings
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility				0%
Letter of credit
Components of long-term debt
Letters of credit outstanding				$ 0
Other letters of credit outstanding				3,300,000
Standby letters of credit
Components of long-term debt
Letters of credit outstanding				50,000,000
Short-term Debt
Components of long-term debt
Letters of credit outstanding				75,000,000
Secured debt | Revolving credit facility
Components of long-term debt
Credit facility, maximum principal amount					$ 750,000,000
Credit facility, additional borrowings available					$ 400,000,000
Credit facility, available capacity				559,000,000
Amount borrowed to partially finance acquisition				0
Debt issuance costs				$ 2,400,000
Debt instrument fixed charge coverage ratio							1
Secured debt | Revolving credit facility | Fed Funds Effective Rate Overnight Index Swap Rate
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility				0.50%
Secured debt | Revolving credit facility | One-month SOFR
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility				1%
Secured debt | Revolving credit facility | SOFR-based borrowings
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility				1%
Applicable interest rate on the credit facility				6.10%
Secured debt | Revolving credit facility | SOFR-based borrowings | Minimum
Components of long-term debt
Line of credit facility, interest rate during period				0%
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility				1%
Secured debt | Revolving credit facility | SOFR-based borrowings | Maximum
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility				1.50%
Secured debt | Revolving credit facility | Base rate borrowings
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility				0%
Applicable interest rate on the credit facility				8.30%
Secured debt | Revolving credit facility | Base rate borrowings | Minimum
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility				0%
Secured debt | Revolving credit facility | Base rate borrowings | Maximum
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility				0.50%
4.125% Senior Notes due 2031 | Upon change of control
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage	101%
4.125% Senior Notes due 2031 | Senior notes
Components of long-term debt
Debt, aggregate principal amount	$ 400,000,000
Interest rate	4.125%			4.125%
Debt issuance costs	$ 6,000,000
Debt option to redeem, percentage	40%
Debt redemption price percentage	104.125%
4.125% Senior Notes due 2031 | Senior notes | Redemption period one
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage	102.063%
4.125% Senior Notes due 2031 | Senior notes | Redemption period two
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage	101.375%
4.125% Senior Notes due 2031 | Senior notes | Redemption period three
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage	100.688%
4.125% Senior Notes due 2031 | Senior notes | Redemption period four
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage	100%
4.125% Senior Notes due 2030 | Senior notes
Components of long-term debt
Debt, aggregate principal amount		$ 500,000,000
Interest rate		4.125%		4.125%
Debt issuance costs		$ 8,000,000
Debt redemption price percentage		104.125%
Percentage of purchase price equal		100%
Redemption percentage		40%
4.125% Senior Notes due 2030 | Senior notes | Redemption period one
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage		102.063%
4.125% Senior Notes due 2030 | Senior notes | Redemption period two
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage		101.375%
4.125% Senior Notes due 2030 | Senior notes | Redemption period three
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage		100.688%
4.125% Senior Notes due 2030 | Senior notes | Redemption period four
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage		100%
4.125% Senior Notes due 2030 | Senior notes | Upon change of control
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage			101%
2023 Notes | Senior notes
Components of long-term debt
Interest rate		6.125%
2023 Notes | Senior notes | Redemption period two
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage		101.531%
5.125% Senior Notes due 2028 | Senior notes
Components of long-term debt
Debt, aggregate principal amount			$ 300,000,000			$ 300,000,000
Interest rate			5.125%	5.125%		5.125%
Debt issuance cost			$ 4,800,000
5.125% Senior Notes due 2028 | Senior notes | Redemption period two
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage			102.563%
5.125% Senior Notes due 2028 | Senior notes | Redemption period three
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage			101.708%
5.125% Senior Notes due 2028 | Senior notes | Redemption period four
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage			100.854%
5.125% Senior Notes due 2028 | Senior notes | Redemption period five
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage			100%
5.125% Senior Notes due 2028 | Senior notes | Upon change of control
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage			101%

Supplemental Equity Informati_3

Supplemental Equity Information - Summary of Changes in Carrying Amounts of Equity Attributable to Controlling Interest and Noncontrolling Interest (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023	Mar. 25, 2023	Dec. 24, 2022	Jun. 25, 2022	Mar. 26, 2022	Dec. 25, 2021	Jun. 24, 2023	Jun. 25, 2022
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 1,372,247,000	$ 1,323,444,000	$ 1,334,712,000	$ 1,294,333,000	$ 1,228,900,000	$ 1,223,541,000	$ 1,334,712,000	$ 1,223,541,000
Comprehensive loss	85,195,000	48,440,000	(8,067,000)	74,334,000	70,856,000	8,754,000	125,569,000	153,944,000
Amortization of share-based awards	5,017,000	5,015,000	4,647,000	4,970,000	4,624,000	3,886,000
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement	(889,000)	(3,114,000)	(590,000)	(1,258,000)	(921,000)	(705,000)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options	2,226,000	1,159,000	1,708,000	2,165,000	309,000	890,000
Repurchase of stock	(16,690,000)	(2,697,000)	(8,966,000)	(22,139,000)	(9,436,000)	(6,660,000)
Other	0				1,000
Distribution to Noncontrolling interest	0			0		(806,000)
Ending balance	1,447,106,000	1,372,247,000	1,323,444,000	1,352,405,000	1,294,333,000	1,228,900,000	1,447,106,000	1,352,405,000
Total
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	1,371,094,000	1,322,854,000	1,333,706,000	1,293,086,000	1,228,227,000	1,222,249,000	1,333,706,000	1,222,249,000
Comprehensive loss	84,772,000	47,877,000	(7,651,000)	74,199,000	70,283,000	8,567,000
Amortization of share-based awards	5,017,000	5,015,000	4,647,000	4,970,000	4,624,000	3,886,000
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement	(889,000)	(3,114,000)	(590,000)	(1,258,000)	(921,000)	(705,000)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options	2,226,000	1,159,000	1,708,000	2,165,000	309,000	890,000
Repurchase of stock	(16,690,000)	(2,697,000)	(8,966,000)	(22,139,000)	(9,436,000)	(6,660,000)
Ending balance	1,445,530,000	1,371,094,000	1,322,854,000	1,351,023,000	1,293,086,000	1,228,227,000	1,445,530,000	1,351,023,000
Additional Paid In Capital
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	587,378,000	585,127,000	582,056,000	580,555,000	578,917,000	576,446,000	582,056,000	576,446,000
Amortization of share-based awards	5,017,000	5,015,000	4,647,000	4,970,000	4,624,000	3,886,000
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement	(888,000)	(3,115,000)	(590,000)	(1,258,000)	(923,000)	(705,000)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options	2,225,000	1,158,000	1,707,000	2,165,000	309,000	890,000
Repurchase of stock	(5,001,000)	(807,000)	(2,693,000)	(5,372,000)	(2,372,000)	(1,600,000)
Ending balance	588,731,000	587,378,000	585,127,000	581,060,000	580,555,000	578,917,000	588,731,000	581,060,000
Retained Earnings
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	786,776,000	740,549,000	755,253,000	712,683,000	650,032,000	646,082,000	755,253,000	646,082,000
Comprehensive loss	83,126,000	48,115,000	(8,433,000)	75,420,000	69,713,000	9,009,000
Repurchase of stock	(11,685,000)	(1,888,000)	(6,271,000)	(16,762,000)	(7,062,000)	(5,059,000)
Ending balance	858,217,000	786,776,000	740,549,000	771,341,000	712,683,000	650,032,000	858,217,000	771,341,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(3,601,000)	(3,363,000)	(4,145,000)	(703,000)	(1,273,000)	(831,000)	(4,145,000)	(831,000)
Comprehensive loss	1,646,000	(238,000)	782,000	(1,221,000)	570,000	(442,000)
Ending balance	(1,955,000)	(3,601,000)	(3,363,000)	(1,924,000)	(703,000)	(1,273,000)	(1,955,000)	(1,924,000)
Noncontrolling Interest
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	1,153,000	590,000	1,006,000	1,247,000	673,000	1,292,000	1,006,000	1,292,000
Comprehensive loss	423,000	563,000	(416,000)	135,000	573,000	187,000
Other	0				1,000
Distribution to Noncontrolling interest	0			0		(806,000)
Ending balance	1,576,000	1,153,000	590,000	1,382,000	1,247,000	673,000	1,576,000	1,382,000
Common Stock | Common Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 112,000	$ 113,000	113,000	113,000	113,000	113,000	113,000	113,000
Repurchase of stock (in shares)	(1,000)	(1,000)
Repurchase of stock					0
Ending balance	$ 111,000	$ 112,000	113,000	113,000	113,000	113,000	111,000	113,000
Class A Common Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options				0
Repurchase of stock	(3,000)			(5,000)
Class A Common Stock | Common Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	413,000	412,000	$ 413,000	422,000	422,000	423,000	413,000	423,000
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement	$ (1,000)	1,000			2,000
Issuance of common stock, including new shares settlement of stock options (in shares)	1,000		1,000
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options		$ 1,000
Repurchase of stock (in shares)		(1,000)	(2,000)
Repurchase of stock					(2,000)	(1,000)
Ending balance	$ 410,000	$ 413,000	$ 412,000	417,000	422,000	422,000	410,000	417,000
Class B Stock | Common Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	16,000	16,000	16,000	16,000	16,000	16,000	16,000	16,000
Ending balance	$ 16,000	$ 16,000	$ 16,000	$ 16,000	$ 16,000	$ 16,000	$ 16,000	$ 16,000

Stock-Based Compensation - Narr

Stock-Based Compensation - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023	Jun. 25, 2022
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Share-based compensation expense	$ 20.6	$ 18.9
Tax benefit associated with share-based compensation expense	$ 4.9	$ 4.5

Earnings Per Share - Earnings P

Earnings Per Share - Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023	Jun. 25, 2022	Jun. 24, 2023	Jun. 25, 2022
Basic EPS:
Net income available to common shareholders	$ 83,126	$ 75,420	$ 122,808	$ 154,142
Weighted average shares, basic (in shares)	52,464	53,237	52,462	53,392
Earnings per share, basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.58	$ 1.42	$ 2.34	$ 2.89
Diluted EPS:
Net income available to common shareholders	$ 83,126	$ 75,420	$ 122,808	$ 154,142
Net income available to common shareholders, diluted (in shares)	53,380	54,329	53,466	54,658
Net income available to common shareholders, diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.56	$ 1.39	$ 2.30	$ 2.82
Options to purchase common stock
Effect of dilutive securities:
Options to purchase common stock, restricted shares, and performance stock units	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Options to purchase common stock units (in shares)	247	421	278	520
Options to purchase common stock (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.03)
Restricted shares
Effect of dilutive securities:
Options to purchase common stock, restricted shares, and performance stock units	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Restricted shares (in shares)	544	671	636	746
Restricted shares (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.04)
Performance stock units
Effect of dilutive securities:
Options to purchase common stock, restricted shares, and performance stock units	$ 0
Performance stock units (in shares)	125		90
Performance stock units (in dollars per share)	$ 0		$ 0

Earnings Per Share - Narrative

Earnings Per Share - Narrative (Details) - $ / shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023	Jun. 25, 2022	Jun. 24, 2023	Jun. 25, 2022
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Number of options to purchase common stock outstanding (in shares)	2	2.3	2	2.3
Employee Stock Option
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount (in shares)	0.8	0.3
Restricted stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount (in shares)			0.6	0.4
Minimum
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Options to purchase common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 21.37	$ 21.37	$ 21.37	$ 21.37
Maximum
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Options to purchase common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 51.37	$ 51.37	$ 51.37	$ 51.37

Segment Information - Narrative

Segment Information - Narrative (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023 segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	2

Segment Information - Financial

Segment Information - Financial Information Relating to Company's Business Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023	Jun. 25, 2022	Jun. 24, 2023	Jun. 25, 2022	Sep. 24, 2022
Net sales:
Net sales	$ 1,023,269	$ 1,015,378	$ 2,559,936	$ 2,631,146
Operating income (loss)
Total operating income	122,830	114,079	201,277	247,138
Interest expense - net	(13,134)	(14,335)	(41,600)	(43,445)
Other income (expense)	853	(759)	3,147	(1,337)
Income tax expense	27,000	23,430	39,446	47,319
Income including noncontrolling interest	83,549	75,555	123,378	155,037
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	423	135	570	895
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	83,126	75,420	122,808	154,142
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	21,701	19,884	65,504	58,333
Assets:
Total assets	3,419,947	3,345,926	3,419,947	3,345,926	$ 3,282,002
Goodwill (included in corporate assets above):
Total goodwill	546,436	511,973	546,436	511,973	546,436
Pet Segment
Net sales:
Net sales	503,329	504,781	1,394,352	1,438,423
Garden Segment
Net sales:
Net sales	519,940	510,597	1,165,584	1,192,723
Operating segments | Pet Segment
Operating income (loss)
Total operating income	59,969	62,616	154,779	168,512
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	10,060	9,791	30,647	28,879
Assets:
Total assets	1,009,606	1,098,886	1,009,606	1,098,886	1,069,167
Goodwill (included in corporate assets above):
Total goodwill	277,067	277,067	277,067	277,067	277,067
Operating segments | Garden Segment
Operating income (loss)
Total operating income	88,088	75,564	126,887	152,132
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	10,823	9,118	32,483	26,457
Assets:
Total assets	1,473,774	1,498,856	1,473,774	1,498,856	1,405,802
Goodwill (included in corporate assets above):
Total goodwill	269,369	234,906	269,369	234,906	269,369
Corporate
Operating income (loss)
Total operating income	(25,227)	(24,101)	(80,389)	(73,506)
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	818	975	2,374	2,997
Assets:
Total assets	$ 936,567	$ 748,184	$ 936,567	$ 748,184	$ 807,033

Segment Information - Disaggreg

Segment Information - Disaggregated Revenues by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2023	Jun. 25, 2022	Jun. 24, 2023	Jun. 25, 2022
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 1,023,269	$ 1,015,378	$ 2,559,936	$ 2,631,146
Pet Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	503,329	504,781	1,394,352	1,438,423
Garden Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	519,940	510,597	1,165,584	1,192,723
Other pet products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	208,900	233,300	542,600	610,500
Other pet products | Pet Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	208,900	233,300	542,600	610,500
Other pet products | Garden Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Dog and cat products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	136,000	122,500	396,900	396,700
Dog and cat products | Pet Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	136,000	122,500	396,900	396,700
Dog and cat products | Garden Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Other manufacturers' products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	208,200	215,100	556,400	563,000
Other manufacturers' products | Pet Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	100,300	102,400	306,700	305,500
Other manufacturers' products | Garden Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	107,900	112,700	249,700	257,500
Wild bird products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	139,600	126,000	370,800	332,700
Wild bird products | Pet Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	58,100	46,600	148,200	125,700
Wild bird products | Garden Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	81,500	79,400	222,600	207,000
Other garden supplies
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	330,500	318,500	693,300	728,200
Other garden supplies | Pet Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Other garden supplies | Garden Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 330,500	$ 318,500	$ 693,300	$ 728,200

Contingencies Contingencies (De

Contingencies Contingencies (Details) $ in Millions		1 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2018 USD ($) claim	Jun. 30, 2020 USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Number of claims | claim	3
Damages awarded | $	$ 12.6	$ 12.4