Central Garden & Pet (CENT) 10-K 27 Nov 24 2024 FY Annual report Financial data

Cover Page

Cover Page - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024	Nov. 15, 2024	Mar. 30, 2024
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 28, 2024
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-28
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-33268
Entity Registrant Name	CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	68-0275553
Entity Address, Address Line One	1340 Treat Boulevard
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 600
Entity Address, City or Town	Walnut Creek
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	94597
City Area Code	925
Local Phone Number	948-4000
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true
Document Financial Statement Error Correction Flag	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Documents Incorporated by Reference	Definitive Proxy Statement for the Company’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders – Part III of this Form 10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000887733
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2024
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Common stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Trading Symbol	CENT
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Public Float			$ 408,400
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		10,720,796
Class A common stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Class A Common Stock
Trading Symbol	CENTA
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Public Float			1,900,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		53,271,103
Class B stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Public Float			$ 82
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,602,374

Audit Information

Audit Information	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Audit Information [Abstract]
Auditor firm ID	34
Auditor name	DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Auditor location	San Francisco, California

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 753,550	$ 488,730
Restricted cash	14,853	14,143
Accounts receivable, net	326,220	332,890
Inventories, net	757,943	838,188
Prepaid expenses and other	34,240	33,172
Total current assets	1,886,806	1,707,123
Plant, property and equipment, net	379,166	391,768
Goodwill	551,361	546,436
Other intangible assets, net	473,280	497,228
Operating lease right-of-use assets	205,137	173,540
Other assets	57,689	62,553
Total	3,553,439	3,378,648
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	212,606	190,902
Accrued expenses	245,226	216,241
Current lease liabilities	57,313	50,597
Current portion of long-term debt	239	247
Total current liabilities	515,384	457,987
Long-term debt	1,189,809	1,187,956
Long-term lease liabilities	173,086	135,621
Deferred income taxes and other long-term obligations	117,615	144,271
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
Equity:
Additional paid-in capital	598,098	594,282
Retained earnings	959,511	859,370
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(2,626)	(2,970)
Total Central Garden & Pet shareholders’ equity	1,555,654	1,451,353
Noncontrolling interest	1,891	1,460
Total equity	1,557,545	1,452,813
Total	3,553,439	3,378,648
Common stock ($0.01 par value; 80 million shares authorized; 11,074,620 and 11,077,612 issued at September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively)
Equity:
Common stock ($0.01 par value; 80 million shares authorized; 11,074,620 and 11,077,612 issued at September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively)	111	111
Class A common stock ($0.01 par value; 100 million shares authorized; 54,446,194 and 54,472,902 issued at September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively)
Equity:
Common stock ($0.01 par value; 80 million shares authorized; 11,074,620 and 11,077,612 issued at September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively)	544	544
Class B stock ($0.01 par value; 3 million shares authorized; 1,602,374 and 1,602,374 issued at September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively)
Equity:
Common stock ($0.01 par value; 80 million shares authorized; 11,074,620 and 11,077,612 issued at September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively)	$ 16	$ 16

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 3,200,460	$ 3,310,083	$ 3,338,588
Cost of goods sold	2,256,725	2,363,241	2,346,283
Gross profit	943,735	946,842	992,305
Selling, general and administrative expenses	758,348	736,196	732,269
Operating income	185,387	210,646	260,036
Interest expense	(57,527)	(57,025)	(58,253)
Interest income	19,655	7,362	719
Other income (expense), net	(5,090)	1,462	(3,596)
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	142,425	162,445	198,906
Income tax expense	33,112	36,348	46,234
Net income including noncontrolling interest	109,313	126,097	152,672
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,330	454	520
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$ 107,983	$ 125,643	$ 152,152
Net income per share attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company:
Basic (in usd per share)	$ 1.64	$ 1.92	$ 2.29
Diluted (in usd per share)	$ 1.62	$ 1.88	$ 2.24
Weighted average shares used in the computation of net income per share:
Basic (in shares)	65,711	65,493	66,525
Diluted (in shares)	66,860	66,783	68,031

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 109,313	$ 126,097	$ 152,672
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency adjustment, net of tax	344	1,175	(3,314)
Total comprehensive income	109,657	127,272	149,358
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,330	454	520
Comprehensive income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$ 108,327	$ 126,818	$ 148,838

Consolidated Statements of Equi

Consolidated Statements of Equity - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Total	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Non-controlling Interest	Common Stock Common Stock	Class A Common Stock Common Stock	Class B Stock Common Stock
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Sep. 25, 2021							11,335,658	56,090,659	1,612,374
Balance, Beginning balance at Sep. 25, 2021	$ 1,223,541	$ 1,222,249	$ 576,308	$ 646,082	$ (831)	$ 1,292	$ 113	$ 561	$ 16
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Amortization of share-based awards	18,610	18,610	18,610
Restricted share activity (in shares)								213,323
Restricted share activity	(3,034)	(3,034)	(3,036)					$ 2
Issuance of common stock (in shares)								326,716
Issuance of common stock	4,838	4,838	4,835					$ 3
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	(806)					(806)
Repurchased of stock (in shares)							(39,307)	(1,733,240)
Repurchase of stock	(57,795)	(57,795)	(14,797)	(42,981)				$ (17)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(3,314)	(3,314)			(3,314)
Net income	152,672	152,152		152,152		520
Ending Balance (in shares) at Sep. 24, 2022							11,296,351	54,897,458	1,612,374
Balance, Ending balance at Sep. 24, 2022	1,334,712	1,333,706	581,920	755,253	(4,145)	1,006	$ 113	$ 549	$ 16
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Amortization of share-based awards	20,117	20,117	20,117
Restricted share activity (in shares)								75,471
Restricted share activity	(4,766)	(4,766)	(4,767)					$ 1
Issuance of common stock (in shares)								343,085
Issuance of common stock	6,214	6,214	6,212					$ 2
Repurchased of stock (in shares)							(228,739)	(843,112)
Repurchase of stock	(30,736)	(30,736)	(9,200)	(21,526)			$ (2)	$ (8)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,175	1,175			1,175
Net income	126,097	125,643		125,643		454
Ending Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2023							11,077,612	54,472,902	1,602,374
Balance, Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2023	1,452,813	1,451,353	594,282	859,370	(2,970)	1,460	$ 111	$ 544	$ 16
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Amortization of share-based awards	13,785	13,785	13,785
Restricted share activity (in shares)								(84,508)
Restricted share activity	(8,496)	(8,496)	(8,495)					$ (1)
Issuance of common stock (in shares)								393,987
Issuance of common stock	1,531	1,531	1,527					$ 4
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	(899)					(899)
Repurchased of stock (in shares)							(2,992)	(336,187)
Repurchase of stock	(10,846)	(10,846)	(3,001)	(7,842)				$ (3)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	344	344			344
Net income	109,313	107,983		107,983		1,330
Ending Balance (in shares) at Sep. 28, 2024							11,074,620	54,446,194	1,602,374
Balance, Ending balance at Sep. 28, 2024	$ 1,557,545	$ 1,555,654	$ 598,098	$ 959,511	$ (2,626)	$ 1,891	$ 111	$ 544	$ 16

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 109,313	$ 126,097	$ 152,672
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	90,807	87,700	80,948
Amortization of deferred financing costs	2,687	2,698	2,657
Non-cash lease expense	56,180	51,868	48,656
Stock-based compensation	20,583	27,990	25,817
Debt extinguishment costs	0	0	169
Gain on sale of business	0	(5,845)	0
Deferred income taxes	(14,482)	(12,253)	28,128
Facility closures and business exit costs	27,842	15,674	0
Impairment of intangibles	12,790	0	0
Other asset impairments	7,462	750	0
Other	906	(525)	(648)
Changes in assets and liabilities (excluding businesses acquired):
Receivables	11,857	43,980	7,004
Inventories	84,306	86,980	(256,443)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	11,944	8,813	(6,031)
Accounts payable	18,373	(19,962)	(31,209)
Accrued expenses	17,152	6,766	(33,495)
Other long-term obligations	(12,631)	9,595	(7,728)
Operating lease liabilities	(50,197)	(48,692)	(44,527)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	394,892	381,634	(34,030)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(43,135)	(53,966)	(115,205)
Business acquired, net of cash acquired	(60,226)	0	0
Proceeds from sale of business	0	20,000	0
Payments for investments	(1,650)	(500)	(27,818)
Other investing activities	(175)	(115)	40
Net cash used in investing activities	(105,186)	(34,581)	(142,983)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments on revolving line of credit	0	(48,000)	0
Borrowings on revolving line of credit	0	48,000	0
Repayments of long-term debt	(370)	(338)	(1,096)
Repurchase of common stock, including shares surrendered for tax withholding	(24,075)	(37,161)	(62,287)
Payments of contingent consideration	(95)	(54)	(216)
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	(899)	0	(806)
Payment of financing costs	0	0	(2,410)
Net cash used in financing activities	(25,438)	(37,553)	(66,815)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents	1,261	1,189	(3,510)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	265,530	310,689	(247,338)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year	502,873	192,184	439,522
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year	768,403	502,873	192,184
Supplemental information:
Cash paid for interest	57,531	57,143	57,928
Cash paid for income taxes – net of refunds	53,582	17,910	34,964
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Capital expenditures incurred but not paid	1,936	2,243	8,016
Liability for contingent performance based payments	(20)	(374)	(847)
Shares of common stock repurchased but not settled	536	0	911
Lease liabilities arising from obtaining right-of-use assets	$ 95,391	$ 42,777	$ 70,794

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Common stock
Common stock, par value (in usd per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock authorized (in shares)	80,000,000	80,000,000
Common stock, shares, issued (in shares)	11,074,620	11,077,612
Class A common stock
Common stock, par value (in usd per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock authorized (in shares)	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares, issued (in shares)	54,446,194	54,472,902
Class B stock
Common stock, par value (in usd per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock authorized (in shares)	3,000,000	3,000,000
Common stock, shares, issued (in shares)	1,602,374	1,602,374

Organization and Significant Ac

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization and Significant Accounting Policies	Organization and Significant Accounting Policies Organization – Central Garden & Pet Company (“Central”), a Delaware corporation, and subsidiaries (the “Company”), is a leading marketer and producer of quality branded products and distributor of third-party products in the pet and lawn and garden supplies markets. Basis of Consolidation and Presentation – The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and include the accounts of Central and all majority-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The fiscal year ended September 28, 2024 included 52 weeks, the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 included 53 weeks and the fiscal year ended September 24, 2022 included 52 weeks. Stock Dividend - In December 2023, the Board of Directors approved a stock dividend in the form of one share of the Company's Class A Common Stock for every four outstanding shares of its Common Stock, Class A Common Stock and Class B Stock. Dividend shares of Class A Common Stock were distributed on February 8, 2024, to stockholders of record as of January 8, 2024. The stock dividend did not affect the number of the Company's authorized shares and the par value of each share of stock remained unchanged. Proportionate adjustments were made to the per share exercise price and/or the number of shares issuable upon the exercise or vesting of all stock options, restricted stock and performance share units outstanding at January 8, 2024, which resulted in a proportional increase in the number of vesting stock options, restricted stock and performance share units, and, in the case of stock options, a proportional decrease in the exercise price of all such stock options. Unless noted, all Class A Common Stock share and per share amounts contained in the condensed consolidated financial statements and management's discussion and analysis have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the one-for-four stock dividend. The legal form of the stock dividend was accounted for as a stock split as the Company concluded that shareholders were not receiving a distribution of earnings. Noncontrolling Interest – Noncontrolling interest in the Company’s consolidated financial statements represents the 20% interest not owned by the Company in a consolidated subsidiary. Since the Company controls this subsidiary, its financial statements are consolidated with those of the Company, and the noncontrolling owner’s 20% share of the subsidiary’s net assets and results of operations is deducted and reported as noncontrolling interest on the consolidated balance sheets and as net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in the consolidated statements of operations. Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires that management make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period including realization of accounts receivable and inventory and valuation of goodwill and intangibles. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Revenue Recognition and Nature of Products and Services The Company manufactures, markets and distributes a wide variety of branded, private label and third-party pet and garden products to wholesalers, distributors and retailers, primarily in the United States. The majority of the Company’s revenue is generated from the sale of finished pet and garden products. The Company also recognizes a minor amount of non-product revenue (approximately one percent of consolidated net sales) comprising third-party logistics services, merchandising services and royalty income from sales-based licensing arrangements. Product and non-product revenue is recognized when performance obligations under the terms of the contracts with customers are satisfied. The Company recognizes product revenue when control over the finished goods transfers to its customers, which generally occurs upon shipment to, or receipt at, customers’ locations, as determined by the specific terms of the contract, and when control over the finished goods transfers to retail consumers in consignment arrangements. These revenue arrangements generally have single performance obligations. Non-product revenue is recognized as the services are provided to the customer in the case of third-party logistics services and merchandising services, or as third-party licensee sales occur for royalty income. Revenue, which includes shipping and handling charges billed to the customer, is reported net of variable consideration and consideration payable to our customers, including applicable discounts, returns, allowances, trade promotion, unsaleable product, consumer coupon redemption and rebates. The amount billed to customers for shipping and handling costs included in net sales for the fiscal years ended September 28, 2024, September 30, 2023 and September 24, 2022 was $12.8 million, $13.6 million and $15.8 million, respectively. Shipping and handling costs that occur before the customer obtains control of the goods are deemed to be fulfillment activities and are accounted for as fulfillment costs. Key sales terms are established on a frequent basis such that most customer arrangements and related incentives have a one year or shorter duration. As such, the Company does not capitalize contract inception costs. 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 consolidated balance sheets as part of accrued expenses, and the value of inventory associated with reserves for sales returns is included within prepaid and other current assets on the consolidated balance sheets. Cost of goods sold consists of cost of product, inbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, certain indirect purchasing, merchandise handling and storage costs, internal transfer costs as well as allocations of overhead costs, including depreciation, related to the Company’s facilities. Cost of goods sold excludes substantially all shipping and handling and out-bound freight costs to customers, which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses as delivery expenses. The cost of shipping and handling, including internal costs and payments to third parties, included in delivery expenses within selling, general and administrative expenses for the fiscal years ended September 28, 2024, September 30, 2023 and September 24, 2022 was $87.1 million, $97.1 million and $100.8 million, respectively. Advertising Costs – The Company expenses the costs of advertising as incurred. Advertising expenses were $56.2 million, $43.6 million and $54.7 million in fiscal 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. 401(k) Plans – The Company sponsors several 401(k) plans which cover substantially all employees. The Company’s matching contributions expensed under these plans were $6.8 million for fiscal 2024, $7.9 million for fiscal 2023 and $7.2 million for fiscal 2022. In fiscal 2024, 2023 and 2022, the Company’s matching contributions made in the Company’s Class A common stock resulted in the issuance of approximately 198,697, 216,000 and 170,000 shares, respectively. Other income (expense) consists principally of earnings (losses) from equity method investments and foreign exchange gains and losses. Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred income taxes reflect the impact of “temporary differences” between asset and liability amounts for financial reporting purposes and such amounts as determined based on existing tax laws. Deferred income taxes result primarily from bad debt allowances, inventory and goodwill write-downs, amortization and depreciation. The Company establishes a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets when management believes it is more likely than not a deferred tax asset will not be realized. As of fiscal year-end 2024 and 2023, the Company had valuation allowances related to various state and foreign net deferred tax assets of $9.9 million and $7.7 million, respectively. Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash – The Company considers cash and all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at date of purchase to be cash and cash equivalents. Restricted cash includes cash and highly liquid instruments that are used as collateral for stand-alone letter of credit agreements related to normal business transactions. These agreements require the Company to maintain specified amounts of cash as collateral in segregated accounts to support the letters of credit issued thereunder, which will affect the amount of cash the Company has available for other uses. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheets to the consolidated statements of cash flows as of September 28, 2024, September 30, 2023 and September 24, 2022, respectively (in thousands). September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 September 24, 2022 (in thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 753,550 $ 488,730 $ 177,442 Restricted cash 14,853 14,143 14,742 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 768,403 $ 502,873 $ 192,184 Accounts receivable are carried at their estimated net realizable value. Trade credit is generally extended on a short-term basis; thus trade receivables do not bear interest, although a finance charge may be applied to such receivables that are past due. Allowance for 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 for future expected credit losses for 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. See Note 5 – Allowance for Credit Losses and Customer Allowances . Inventories which primarily consist of garden products and pet supplies finished goods, are stated at net realizable value. Cost includes certain indirect purchasing, merchandise handling and storage costs incurred to acquire or manufacture inventory, costs to unload, process and put away shipments received in order to prepare them to be picked for orders, and certain other overhead costs. The amount of such costs capitalized to inventory is computed based on an estimate of costs related to the procurement and processing of inventory to prepare it for sale compared to total product purchases. See Note 6 – Inventories, net . Land, buildings, improvements and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method over 30 years for buildings. Improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the useful life of the asset or the terms of the related leases. Depreciation on equipment and capitalized software is computed by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of three Note 7 – Property and Equipment, Net . Long-Lived Assets – The Company reviews its long-lived assets, including amortizable and indefinite-lived intangible assets, property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets, for potential impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable, and at least annually for indefinite-lived intangible assets. The Company’s fixed assets and intangible assets subject to amortization are required to be tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may not be recoverable. If an evaluation of recoverability is required, the estimated undiscounted future cash flows associated with the asset group would be compared to the asset group carrying amount to determine if a write-down is required. If the undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recorded. Impairment, if any, is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds its fair value. The Company recognized impairment losses on certain intangible assets Note 9 – Other Intangible Assets . Goodwill represents the excess of cost of an acquired business over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Identifiable intangible assets acquired in business combinations are recorded based on their fair values at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is not subject to amortization but must be evaluated for impairment annually. The Company tests for goodwill impairment annually or whenever events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. See Note 8 – Goodwill . Investments – The Company owns membership interests ranging from 1% to 50% in fourteen unconsolidated companies. The Company accounts for its interest in these entities using the equity method and in accordance with ASC 321 – Investments – Equity Securities. Equity method losses of $6.7 million (which includes an investment impairment of $7.5 million) in fiscal year 2024, equity method losses of $0.2 million in fiscal year 2023, and equity method income of $0.8 million in fiscal 2022, are included in other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company’s investment in these entities was $31.5 million at September 28, 2024 and $38.7 million at September 30, 2023 and is included in Other assets in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. On an individual and combined basis, the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of these entities are not significant. See Note 3 – Acquisitions . 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 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 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. Operating lease cost is recorded on a straight-line basis over the lease term with expense recorded in cost of sales or selling, general and administrative expenses, depending on the nature of the leased item. All operating lease cash payments and lease costs 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 consolidated statements of cash flows. See Note 10 - Leases . Insurance – The Company maintains insurance for certain risks, including workers’ compensation, general liability and automobile liability, and is self-insured for employee related health care benefits. The Company’s workers’ compensation, general liability and automobile liability insurance policies include deductibles of $250,000 to $350,000 per occurrence. The Company maintains excess loss insurance that covers any health care claims in excess of $750,000 per person per year. The Company establishes reserves for losses based on its claims experience and actuarial estimates of the ultimate loss amount inherent in the claims, including claims incurred but not yet reported. Costs are recognized in the period the claim is incurred, and the financial statement accruals include an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported. Fair Value of Financial Instruments – At September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, short term investments, accounts receivable and payable, short term borrowings and accrued liabilities approximates fair value because of the short term nature of these instruments. The estimated fair value of the Company’s senior subordinated notes is based on quoted market prices for these instruments. See Note 2 – Fair Value Measurements for further information regarding the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments. Stock-Based Compensation – Stock-based compensation cost is estimated at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is expensed ratably over the service period of the award. Total compensation costs recognized under all share-based arrangements in fiscal 2024 was $20.6 million ($15.7 million after tax), fiscal 2023 was $28.0 million ($21.3 million after tax), and fiscal 2022 was $25.8 million ($19.7 million after tax). See Note 14 – Stock-Based Compensation for further information. Total Comprehensive Income (Loss) – Total comprehensive income (loss) consists of two components: net income and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) refers to gains and losses that under generally accepted accounting principles are recorded directly as an element of shareholders’ equity, but are excluded from net income, and is comprised of currency translation adjustments relating to the Company’s foreign subsidiaries in the U.K and Canada whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted Accounting Updates There are no recently adopted accounting pronouncements that had a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted Segment Reporting In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. This ASU requires enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker that are included within each reported measure of segment profit or loss, and also requires all annual disclosures currently required by Topic 280 to be included in interim periods. ASU No. 2023-07 is to be applied retrospectively for all periods presented in the financial statements and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this guidance will have on the Company’s disclosures. Income Taxes In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. This ASU primarily requires enhanced disclosures and disaggregation of income tax information by jurisdiction in the annual income tax reconciliation and quantitative and qualitative disclosures regarding income taxes paid. ASU No. 2023-09 is to be applied prospectively, with the option to apply the standard retrospectively, effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this guidance will have on the Company’s disclosures.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements Generally accepted accounting principles require financial assets and liabilities to be categorized based on the inputs used to calculate their fair values as follows: Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (including assumptions about risk). The Company’s financial instruments include cash and equivalents, restricted cash and equivalents, short term investments, accounts receivable and payable, derivative instruments, short-term borrowings, and accrued liabilities. The carrying amount of these instruments approximates fair value because of their short-term nature. Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis The fair values of the Company's contingent consideration liabilities from previous business acquisitions are considered "Level 3" measurements because the Company uses various estimates in the valuation models to project timing and amount of future contingent payments. The liability for contingent consideration relates to future performance-based contingent payments for Hydro-Organics Wholesale, Inc., acquired in October 2015. The performance period related to Hydro-Organics Wholesale extends through fiscal 2025. The fair value of the estimated contingent consideration arrangement is determined based on the Company’s evaluation as to the probability and amount of any earn-out that will be achieved based on expected future performance by the acquired entity. The balance, if there is an amount, is presented as part of long-term liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. The following table provides a summary of changes in fair value of the Company's Level 3 financial instruments for the years ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023: Amount (in thousands) Balance September 24, 2022 $ 543 Changes in the fair value of contingent performance-based payments (374) Performance-based payments made (54) Balance as of September 30, 2023 115 Changes in the fair value of contingent performance-based payments (20) Performance-based payments made (95) Balance as of September 28, 2024 $ — 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, intangible assets and right-of-use 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. As a result of market changes and declining sales, factors indicating the carrying value of certain amortizable and indefinite-lived intangible assets may not be recoverable were present in fiscal 2024. The Company performed impairment testing on these assets, found the carrying value was not recoverable, and accordingly, recorded impairment charges of approximately $12.8 million in its Pet segment, as part of selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2024. In fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, impairment charges of approximately $7.5 million and $3.9 million in the Company's Pet and Garden segments, respectively, were recorded as part of selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. There were no impairment losses recorded in fiscal 2022. 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 September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023 was $367.2 million and $327.1 million compared to a carrying value of $396.0 million and $395.4 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 September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023 was $465.2 million and $417.0 million compared to a carrying value of $495.2 million and $494.4 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 September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023 was $299.2 million and $279.5 million, respectively, compared to a carrying value of $298.4 million and $298.0 million, respectively. The estimated fair value is based on quoted market prices for these notes, which are Level 2 inputs within the fair value hierarchy.

Acquisitions and Investments in

Acquisitions and Investments in Joint Ventures	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Business Combination, Asset Acquisition, and Joint Venture Formation [Abstract]
Acquisitions and Investments in Joint Ventures	Acquisitions and Investments in Joint Ventures Fiscal 2024 On November 3, 2023, the Company acquired TDBBS, LLC (“TDBBS”), a provider of premium natural dog chews and treats for approximately $60 million. The addition of TDBBS expands Central’s portfolio with bully and collagen sticks, bones and jerky, adds scale to its dog and cat business and enhances Central’s eCommerce and direct-to-consumer capabilities. The purchase price exceeded the estimated fair value of the net tangible assets acquired by approximately $45 million, of which $23 million was allocated to identified intangible assets and approximately $5 million was included in goodwill in the Company's consolidated balance sheet as of September 28, 2024. Financial results of TDBBS have been included in the results of operations within the Pet segment since the date of acquisition. The following table summarizes the purchase price and recording of fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date and subsequent adjustments. Amounts Previously Recognized as of Acquisition Date (1) Measurement Period Adjustments Amounts Recognized as of Acquisition Date (as Adjusted) (in thousands) Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired $ 21,831 $ 1,137 $ 22,968 Fixed assets 2,369 — 2,369 Goodwill — 4,925 4,925 Other assets 44,891 (44,891) — Operating lease right-of-use assets 3,956 — 3,956 Deferred tax assets — 15,859 15,859 Other intangible assets, net — 22,970 22,970 Current liabilities (9,094) — (9,094) Long-term lease liabilities (3,727) — (3,727) Net assets acquired, less cash and cash equivalents $ 60,226 $ — $ 60,226 (1) As previously reported in the Company's Form 10-Q for the period ended June 29, 2024. The impact to the consolidated statement of operations associated with the finalization of purchase accounting and true-up of intangible assets for TDBBS was immaterial. Proforma financial information has not been presented as the TDBBS acquisition was not considered material to the Company's overall consolidated financial statements during the periods presented. Fiscal 2023 The Company did not make any acquisitions in fiscal 2023. Divestiture Sale of Garden Segment Independent Distribution Business In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, the Company sold their independent garden center distribution business for approximately $20 million for inventory and the related customer data. Associated with the sale, the Company is closing one facility and part of another facility due to excess space previously dedicated to serving the independent garden channel. As a result of these closures, the Company recorded a gain of $5.8 million which is net of the inventory sold, inventory transport costs and the associated facility closure costs, including severance. The gain was recorded as part of selling, general and administrative expenses. Fiscal 2022 The Company did not make any acquisitions in fiscal 2022. During the second quarter and fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, the Company finalized the allocation of the purchase price to the fair values of the tangible assets, intangible assets and liabilities acquired for its acquisitions of Green Garden Products and D&D Commodities Limited, respectively. Green Garden Products On February 11, 2021, the Company acquired Flora Parent, Inc. and its subsidiaries ("Green Garden Products"), a leading provider of vegetable, herb and flower seed packets, seed starters and plant nutrients in North America, for approximately $571 million. The Company borrowed approximately $180 million under its credit facility to partially finance the acquisition. The purchase price exceeded the estimated fair value of the net tangible assets acquired by approximately $487 million, of which $393 million was allocated to identified intangible assets and approximately $143 million was included in goodwill in the Company's consolidated balance sheet as of September 24, 2022. The financial results of Green Garden Products have been included in the results of operations within the Garden segment since the date of acquisition. The following table summarizes the purchase price and recording of fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date and subsequent adjustments. Amounts Previously Recognized as of Acquisition Date (1) Measurement Period Adjustments Amounts Recognized as of Acquisition Date (as Adjusted) (in thousands) Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired $ 118,421 $ 31,826 $ 150,247 Fixed assets 2,340 — 2,340 Goodwill — 142,582 142,582 Other intangible assets, net — 392,929 392,929 Other assets 487,420 (487,259) 161 Operating lease right-of-use assets 14,577 — 14,577 Current liabilities (26,507) — (26,507) Long-term lease liabilities (10,912) — (10,912) Deferred income taxes and other long-term obligations (14,829) (80,078) (94,907) Net assets acquired, less cash and cash equivalents $ 570,510 $ — $ 570,510 (1) As previously reported in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 25, 2021. The impact to the consolidated statement of operations associated with the finalization of purchase accounting and true-up of intangible asset amortization for Green Garden Products was immaterial. D&D Commodities Limited On June 30, 2021, the Company purchased D&D Commodities, Ltd. ("D&D"), a provider of high-quality, premium bird feed, for approximately $88 million in cash and the assumption of approximately $30 million of long-term debt. Subsequent to the acquisition, $30 million of cash was used to eliminate the acquired long-term debt. The purchase price exceeded the estimated fair value of the net tangible assets acquired by approximately $99 million, of which $64 million was allocated to identified intangible assets and approximately $34 million was included in goodwill in the Company's consolidated balance sheet as of September 24, 2022. The financial results of D&D have been included in the results of operations within the Garden segment since the date of acquisition. Amounts Previously Recognized as of Acquisition Date (1) Measurement Period Adjustments Amounts Recognized as of Acquisition Date (as Adjusted) (in thousands) Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired $ 17,183 $ 465 $ 17,648 Fixed assets 6,907 1,823 8,730 Goodwill — 34,463 34,463 Other assets 101,218 (101,051) 167 Other intangible assets, net — 64,300 64,300 Current liabilities (7,183) — (7,183) Long-term debt (30,000) — (30,000) Net assets acquired, less cash and cash equivalents $ 88,125 $ — $ 88,125 (1) As previously reported in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 25, 2021. The impact to the consolidated statement of operations associated with the finalization of purchase accounting and true-up of intangible asset amortization for D&D was immaterial. The Company expects all the goodwill from its acquisition of D&D Commodities Limited to be deductible for tax purposes. Investments

Concentration of Credit Risk an

Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Customers and Suppliers	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Customers and Suppliers	Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Customers and Suppliers Customer Concentration – Approximately 54% of the Company’s net sales for fiscal 2024, 52% for fiscal 2023 and 51% for fiscal 2022 were derived from sales to the Company’s top five customers. The Company’s largest customer accounted for approximately 17% of the Company’s net sales in fiscal 2024, 16% in 2023 and 17% in 2022 (in both Pet and Garden). The Company’s second largest customer in 2024 accounted for approximately 16% of the Company’s net sales in fiscal years 2024, 2023 and 2022 (in both Pet and Garden). The Company’s third largest customer in 2024 accounted for approximately 8% of the Company’s net sales in fiscal years 2024, 2023 and 2022 (in Pet). The loss of, or significant adverse change in, the relationship between the Company and any of these three customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and financial results. The loss of or reduction in orders from any significant customer, losses arising from customer disputes regarding shipments, fees, merchandise condition or related matters, or the Company’s inability to collect accounts receivable from any major customer could also have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business and financial results. As of September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, accounts receivable from the Company’s top five customers comprised approximately 53% and 51%, respectively, of the Company’s total accounts receivable, including 14% and 11%, respectively, from the Company’s largest customer. Supplier Concentration

Allowance for Credit Losses and

Allowance for Credit Losses and Customer Allowances	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Receivables [Abstract]
Allowance for Credit Losses and Customer Allowances	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 as described in Note 1 - Organization and Significant Accounting Policies . The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses related to its trade accounts receivable for 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 differences in current conditions as well as changes in forecasted macroeconomic conditions. The Company’s estimate of credit losses includes expected current and future economic and market conditions. The following provides a reconciliation of the activity in the Allowance for Credit Losses and Customer Allowances: Balances at Charged/ Asset Balances at (in thousands) Fiscal Year Ended September 24, 2022 $ 29,219 $ 1,264 $ (4,237) $ 26,246 Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2023 26,246 1,258 (1,707) 25,797 Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2024 25,797 1,055 (5,817) 21,035

Inventories, net

Inventories, net	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories, net	Inventories, net Inventories, net of allowance for obsolescence, consist of the following: September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 (in thousands) Raw materials $ 256,419 $ 270,672 Work in progress 146,041 166,394 Finished goods 338,762 384,903 Supplies 16,721 16,219 Total inventories, net $ 757,943 $ 838,188

Property and Equipment, Net

Property and Equipment, Net	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property and Equipment, Net	Property and Equipment, Net Property and equipment, net consists of the following: September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 (in thousands) Land $ 29,672 $ 29,434 Buildings and improvements 290,599 277,618 Transportation equipment 15,833 14,258 Machine and warehouse equipment 409,049 388,854 Capitalized software 117,666 117,007 Office furniture and equipment 31,432 30,534 Assets under construction 19,295 25,701 913,546 883,406 Accumulated depreciation and amortization (534,380) (491,638) Total property and equipment, net $ 379,166 $ 391,768 Depreciation and amortization expense, including the amortization of intangible assets, charged to operations was $90.8 million, $87.7 million and $80.9 million for fiscal 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Goodwill

Goodwill	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	Goodwill Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the fiscal years ended September 28, 2024, September 30, 2023 and September 24, 2022: Garden Products Segment Pet Products Total (in thousands) Balance as of September 25, 2021 Goodwill $ 305,907 $ 473,045 $ 778,952 Accumulated impairment losses (213,583) (195,978) (409,561) 92,324 277,067 369,391 Additions in fiscal 2022 177,045 — 177,045 Balance as of September 24, 2022 Goodwill 482,952 473,045 955,997 Accumulated impairment losses (213,583) (195,978) (409,561) 269,369 277,067 546,436 Additions in fiscal 2023 — — — Balance as of September 30, 2023 Goodwill 482,952 473,045 955,997 Accumulated impairment losses (213,583) (195,978) (409,561) 269,369 277,067 546,436 Additions in fiscal 2024 — 4,925 4,925 Balance as of September 28, 2024 Goodwill 482,952 477,970 960,922 Accumulated impairment losses (213,583) (195,978) (409,561) $ 269,369 $ 281,992 $ 551,361 Additions or reductions to goodwill include acquisitions, sale of businesses, purchase price adjustments and adjustments of amounts upon finalization of purchase accounting. The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually (as of the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter), or whenever events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount, by first assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. 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. Determining the fair value of a reporting unit involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. The estimate of fair value of each of the Company’s reporting units is based on the Company’s projection of revenues, gross margin, operating costs and cash flows considering historical and estimated future results, general economic and market conditions as well as the impact of planned business and operational strategies. The Company bases its fair value estimates on assumptions the Company believes to be reasonable at the time, but such assumptions are subject to inherent uncertainty. Assumptions critical to the Company’s fair value estimates were: (i) discount rates used in determining the fair value of the reporting units; (ii) estimated future cash flows; and (iii) projected revenue and operating profit growth rates used in the reporting unit models. Actual results may differ from those estimates. The valuations employ present value techniques to measure fair value and consider market factors. In connection with the Company's annual goodwill impairment testing performed during fiscal 2024, the Company made a qualitative evaluation about the likelihood of goodwill impairment to determine whether it was necessary to calculate the fair values of its reporting units under the goodwill impairment test. The Company completed its qualitative assessment of potential goodwill impairment and determined that it was more likely than not the fair values of the Company's reporting units were greater than their carrying amount in fiscal year 2024, and accordingly, no further testing of goodwill was required in fiscal 2024. In connection with the Company’s annual goodwill impairment testing performed during fiscal 2023, the Company elected to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceeded directly to performing the quantitative goodwill impairment test. The Company completed its quantitative assessment of potential goodwill and determined that it was more likely than not the fair values of the Company's reporting units were greater than their carrying amounts. In connection with the the Company’s annual goodwill impairment testing performed during fiscal year 2022, the Company made a qualitative evaluation about the likelihood of goodwill impairment to determine whether it was necessary to calculate the fair values of its reporting segments under the goodwill impairment test. The Company completed our qualitative assessment of potential goodwill impairment and determined that it was more likely than not the fair values of the Company’s reporting segments were greater than their carrying amount in fiscal year 2022, and accordingly, no further testing of goodwill was required in fiscal year 2022.

Other Intangible Assets

Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
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) September 28, 2024 Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable $ 26.0 $ (22.8) $ — $ 3.1 Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable 266.3 — (35.0) 231.4 Total 292.3 (22.8) (35.0) 234.5 Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable 421.7 (176.4) (17.5) 227.8 Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable 39.7 (34.3) (0.3) 5.1 Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable 7.1 — (1.2) 5.9 Total 46.8 (34.3) (1.5) 11.0 Total other intangible assets $ 760.8 $ (233.5) $ (54.0) $ 473.3 September 30, 2023 Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable $ 22.1 $ (21.5) $ — $ 0.6 Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable 252.5 — (29.4) 223.1 Total 274.6 (21.5) (29.4) 223.7 Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable 416.4 (147.4) (10.3) 258.8 Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable 39.7 (30.5) (0.3) 8.9 Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable 7.1 — (1.2) 5.9 Total 46.8 (30.5) (1.5) 14.8 Total other intangible assets $ 737.8 $ (199.4) $ (41.2) $ 497.2 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 $ 737.8 $ (164.9) $ (29.8) $ 543.2 Other acquired intangible assets include contract-based and technology-based intangible assets. As part of its acquisition of TDBBS, the Company acquired approximately $17.7 million of marketing related intangible assets and $5.3 million of customer related intangible assets. See Note 3 – Acquisitions . The Company evaluates long-lived assets, including amortizable and indefinite-lived intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company evaluates indefinite-lived intangible assets on an annual basis. As a result of market changes and declining sales, factors indicating the carrying value of certain amortizable and indefinite-lived intangible assets may not be recoverable were present in fiscal 2024 and 2023. The Company performed impairment testing on these assets, found the carrying value was not recoverable, and accordingly, recorded impairment charges of approximately $12.8 million in its Pet segment as part of selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2024 and $7.5 million and $3.9 million in its Pet and Garden segments, respectively, as part of selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023. Factors indicating the carrying value of the Company's amortizable and indefinite-lived intangible assets may not be recoverable were not present in fiscal 2022, and accordingly, no impairment testing was performed on these assets. The Company is currently amortizing its acquired intangible assets with definite lives over periods ranging from four years to 25 years; over weighted-average remaining lives of nine years for marketing-related intangibles, ten years for customer-related intangibles and seven years for other acquired intangibles. Amortization expense for intangibles subject to amortization was approximately $34.1 million, $34.5 million and $35.1 million, for fiscal 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and is classified within selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. Annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets in each of the succeeding five years is estimated to be approximately $25 million per year from fiscal 2025 through fiscal 2027, and $23 million per year from fiscal 2028 through fiscal 2029.

Leases

Leases	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	Leases The Company has operating and finance leases for manufacturing and distribution facilities, vehicles, equipment and office space. The Company's leases have remaining lease terms of one Note 1 – Organization and Significant Accounting Policies , for more information about the Company's lease accounting policies. Supplemental balance sheet information related to the Company's leases was as follows: Balance Sheet Classification September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 (in millions) Operating leases Right-of-use assets Operating lease right-of-use assets $ 205.1 $ 173.5 Current lease liabilities Current operating lease liabilities $ 57.3 $ 50.6 Non-current lease liabilities Long-term operating lease liabilities 173.1 135.6 Total operating lease liabilities $ 230.4 $ 186.2 Finance leases Right-of-use assets Property, plant and equipment, net $ 0.3 $ 0.1 Current lease liabilities Current portion of long-term debt $ 0.1 $ — Non-current lease liabilities Long-term debt 0.2 — Total finance lease liabilities $ 0.3 $ — Components of lease cost were as follows: Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 (in millions) Operating lease cost $ 62.8 $ 58.0 Finance lease cost: Amortization of right-of-use assets 0.2 0.1 Interest on lease liabilities — — Total finance lease cost $ 0.2 $ 0.1 Short-term lease cost 13.6 12.6 Variable lease cost 10.6 10.6 Total lease cost $ 87.2 $ 81.3 Supplemental cash flow information and non-cash activity related to the Company's leases was as follows: Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 (in millions) Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 50.7 $ 50.1 Operating cash flows from finance leases — — Financing cash flows from finance leases 0.1 — Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: Operating leases $ 95.4 $ 42.8 Finance leases — — Weighted-average remaining lease term and discount rate for the Company's leases were as follows: September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years): Operating leases 5.3 5.3 Finance leases 2.9 4.4 Weighted-average discount rate: Operating leases 5.64 % 3.85 % Finance leases 6.80 % 6.89 % Lease liability maturities as of September 28, 2024 are as follows: September 28, 2024 Operating Leases Finance Leases Fiscal Year (in millions) 2025 $ 65.0 $ 0.1 2026 53.7 0.1 2027 42.6 0.1 2028 30.8 — 2029 24.7 — Thereafter 55.6 — Total future undiscounted lease payments $ 272.4 $ 0.3 Less imputed interest (42.0) — Total reported lease liability $ 230.4 $ 0.3
Leases	Leases The Company has operating and finance leases for manufacturing and distribution facilities, vehicles, equipment and office space. The Company's leases have remaining lease terms of one Note 1 – Organization and Significant Accounting Policies , for more information about the Company's lease accounting policies. Supplemental balance sheet information related to the Company's leases was as follows: Balance Sheet Classification September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 (in millions) Operating leases Right-of-use assets Operating lease right-of-use assets $ 205.1 $ 173.5 Current lease liabilities Current operating lease liabilities $ 57.3 $ 50.6 Non-current lease liabilities Long-term operating lease liabilities 173.1 135.6 Total operating lease liabilities $ 230.4 $ 186.2 Finance leases Right-of-use assets Property, plant and equipment, net $ 0.3 $ 0.1 Current lease liabilities Current portion of long-term debt $ 0.1 $ — Non-current lease liabilities Long-term debt 0.2 — Total finance lease liabilities $ 0.3 $ — Components of lease cost were as follows: Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 (in millions) Operating lease cost $ 62.8 $ 58.0 Finance lease cost: Amortization of right-of-use assets 0.2 0.1 Interest on lease liabilities — — Total finance lease cost $ 0.2 $ 0.1 Short-term lease cost 13.6 12.6 Variable lease cost 10.6 10.6 Total lease cost $ 87.2 $ 81.3 Supplemental cash flow information and non-cash activity related to the Company's leases was as follows: Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 (in millions) Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 50.7 $ 50.1 Operating cash flows from finance leases — — Financing cash flows from finance leases 0.1 — Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: Operating leases $ 95.4 $ 42.8 Finance leases — — Weighted-average remaining lease term and discount rate for the Company's leases were as follows: September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years): Operating leases 5.3 5.3 Finance leases 2.9 4.4 Weighted-average discount rate: Operating leases 5.64 % 3.85 % Finance leases 6.80 % 6.89 % Lease liability maturities as of September 28, 2024 are as follows: September 28, 2024 Operating Leases Finance Leases Fiscal Year (in millions) 2025 $ 65.0 $ 0.1 2026 53.7 0.1 2027 42.6 0.1 2028 30.8 — 2029 24.7 — Thereafter 55.6 — Total future undiscounted lease payments $ 272.4 $ 0.3 Less imputed interest (42.0) — Total reported lease liability $ 230.4 $ 0.3

Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Long-Term Debt Long-term debt consists of the following: September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 (in thousands) Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028 $ 300,000 $ 300,000 Senior notes, interest at 4.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due October 2030 500,000 500,000 Senior notes, interest at 4.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due April 2031 400,000 400,000 Unamortized debt issuance costs (10,345) (12,231) Net carrying value 1,189,655 1,187,769 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 393 434 Total 1,190,048 1,188,203 Less current portion (239) (247) Long-term portion $ 1,189,809 $ 1,187,956 Senior Notes $400 million 4.125% Senior Notes due 2031 In April 2021, the Company issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of 4.125% senior notes due April 2031 (the "2031 Not es"). The Company used a portion of the net proceeds from the offering to repay all outstanding borrowings under its 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 the Company's 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. The Company may redeem some or all of the 2031 Notes at its 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 September 28, 2024. $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"). 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 the Company's 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. The Company may redeem some or all of the 2030 Notes, at its option, 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 September 28, 2024. $300 million 5.125% Senior Notes due 2028 In December 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 who are borrowers under or guarantors of the Company's Credit Facility. The Company may redeem some or all of the 2028 Notes, at its option, at any time during 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 September 28, 2024. Asset-Based Loan Facility Amendment On December 16, 2021, the Company entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (“Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement 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 “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility matures on December 16, 2026. The Company may borrow, repay and reborrow amounts under the Credit Facility until its maturity date, at which time all amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility must be repaid in full. The 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 Credit Facility will be used for general corporate purposes. Net availability under the Credit Facility was approximately $481 million as of September 28, 2024. The Credit Facility includes a $50 million sublimit for the issuance of commercial and standby letters of credit and a $75 million sublimit for Swing Loan borrowings. As of September 28, 2024, there were no borrowings outstanding and no letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Facility. Outside of the Credit Facility, there were other letters of credit of $3.0 million outstanding as of September 28, 2024. Borrowings under the Credit Facility will 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 1.0% as of September 28, 2024, and the applicable margin for Base Rate borrowings fluctuates between 0.00%-0.50%, and was 0.00% as of September 28, 2024. An unused line fee shall be payable quarterly in respect of the total amount of the unutilized Lenders’ commitments under the Credit Facility. Standby letter of credit fees accruing at the applicable margin on the average undrawn and unreimbursed amount 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 Credit Facility. The Credit Facility was amended on May 15, 2023 to transition from LIBOR to SOFR. As of September 28, 2024, the applicable interest rate related to Base Rate borrowings was 8.0%, and the applicable interest rate related to one-month SOFR-based borrowings was 5.8%. 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 Credit Facility. The Credit Facility continues to contain 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 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 Credit Facility as of September 28, 2024. The scheduled principal repayments on long-term debt as of September 28, 2024 are as follows: (in thousands) Fiscal year: 2025 $ 239 2026 62 2027 57 2028 35 2029 — Thereafter 1,200,000 Total $ 1,200,393 (1) (1) Debt repayments do not reflect the unamortized portion of deferred financing costs associated with the 2028 Notes, 2030 Notes and 2031 Notes of approximately $10.3 million as of September 28, 2024, of which, $1.6 million is amortizable until February 2028, $4.8 million is amortizable until October 2030 and $4.0 million is amortizable until April 2031, and are included in the carrying value.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Commitments Letters of credit – The Company had $3.0 million of outstanding letters of credit related to normal business transactions at September 28, 2024. These agreements require the Company to maintain specified amounts of cash as collateral in segregated accounts to support the letters of credit issued thereunder, which will affect the amount of cash the Company has available for other uses. The amount of cash collateral in these segregated accounts was $14.9 million and $14.1 million as of September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively, and is reflected in “Restricted cash” on the Company's consolidated balance sheets. Purchase commitments – Production and purchase agreements (primarily for grass seed and grains) entered into in the ordinary course of business may obligate the Company to make future purchases based on estimated yields. The terms of these contracts vary; some have fixed prices or quantities while others have variable pricing and quantities. For certain agreements, management estimates are used to develop the quantities and pricing for anticipated purchases, and future purchases could vary significantly from such estimates. Contingencies The Company may from time to time become involved in legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. Currently, the Company is not a party to any legal proceedings the resolution of which management believes could have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations with the exception of the proceeding below. In 2012, Nite Glow Industries, Inc and its owner, Marni Markell, (“Nite Glow”) filed suit in the 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 retrial on the "head start" damages issue concluded in early March 2024, but no decision has been issued by the court. The Company intends to vigorously pursue its defenses in any 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. The Company has experienced, and may in the future experience, issues with products that may lead to product liability, recalls, withdrawals, replacements of products, or regulatory actions by governmental authorities. The Company has not experienced recent issues with products, the resolution of which management believes would have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The provision for income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following: Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 September 24, 2022 (in thousands) Current: Federal $ 42,400 $ 41,375 $ 11,391 State 4,107 6,229 4,418 Foreign 1,087 997 2,297 Total 47,594 48,601 18,106 Deferred: Federal (14,495) (10,339) 27,276 State 757 (2,547) 1,710 Foreign (744) 633 (858) Total (14,482) (12,253) 28,128 Total $ 33,112 $ 36,348 $ 46,234 A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the Company’s effective income tax rate is as follows: Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 September 24, 2022 Statutory federal income tax rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 21.0 % State income taxes, net of federal benefit 2.8 1.5 2.5 Other permanent differences (0.1) (0.2) (0.1) Non-Deductible Officers Compensation 1.4 0.7 0.5 Adjustment of prior year accruals (0.3) (0.2) 0.2 Credits (0.7) (0.7) (0.5) Stock based compensation (1.5) (0.3) (0.5) Other 0.6 0.6 0.1 Effective income tax rate 23.2 % 22.4 % 23.2 % The tax effect of temporary differences and carryforwards which give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows: September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 Deferred Deferred Deferred Deferred (in thousands) Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 5,005 $ — $ 5,338 $ — Inventory write-downs 23,570 — 18,230 — Prepaid expenses 1,928 1,602 Nondeductible reserves 10,958 — 10,045 — State taxes — 220 181 — Employee benefits 12,232 — 10,743 — Depreciation and amortization 185,560 192,235 Equity earnings 1,067 653 State net operating loss carryforward 16,505 — 6,158 — Stock based compensation 6,939 — 8,155 — State credits 3,007 — 3,055 — Other 15,342 — 5,389 — Valuation allowance (9,900) — (7,659) — Total $ 83,658 $ 188,775 $ 59,635 $ 194,490 The Company also has state tax net operating losses of $93.4 million, which expire at various times between 2024 and 2043, and foreign losses of $11.8 million, which do not expire. The Company has state income tax credits of $3.5 million, which expire at various times beginning in 2025 through 2043. In evaluating the Company’s ability to recover its deferred tax assets, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence including past operating results, future taxable income, and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for a valuation allowance against any deferred tax assets. The Company has determined there will be insufficient future separate state and foreign taxable income for the separate parent company and foreign subsidiaries to realize the deferred tax assets. Therefore, valuation allowances of $9.9 million and $7.7 million (net of federal impact) at September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively, have been provided to reduce state deferred tax assets to amounts considered recoverable. The Company classifies uncertain tax positions as non-current income tax liabilities unless expected to be paid within one year. The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters as a component of pretax income. As of September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, accrued interest was less than $0.1 million and no penalties were accrued related to uncertain tax positions. The following table summarizes the activity related to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits for fiscal years ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023: (in thousands) Balance as of September 24, 2022 $ 382 Increases related to prior year tax positions 222 Increases related to current year tax positions 100 Decreases related to prior year tax positions (10) Settlements (222) Decreases related to lapse of statute of limitations (81) Balance as of September 30, 2023 $ 391 Increases related to prior year tax positions 1 Increases related to current year tax positions — Decreases related to prior year tax positions (12) Settlements (1) Decreases related to lapse of statute of limitations (84) Balance as of September 28, 2024 $ 295 As of September 28, 2024, unrecognized income tax benefits totaled approximately $0.3 million and all of the unrecognized tax benefits would, if recognized, impact the Company’s effective income tax rate. The Company is principally subject to taxation by the United States and various states within the United States. The Company’s tax filings in major jurisdictions are open to examination by tax authorities by the Internal Revenue Service from fiscal year ended 2021 forward and in various state taxing authorities generally from fiscal year ended 2020 forward. The Company believes there is a reasonable chance that its unrecognized tax benefits will decrease by less than $0.1 million within the next twelve months.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation The Company’s 2003 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “2003 Plan”), as amended, allows for the grant of options, restricted stock and certain other specified types of awards to key employees, directors and consultants of the Company. The 2003 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, which is comprised only of independent directors, and which must approve individual awards to be granted, vesting and exercise of share conditions. There are a total of 5.8 million shares of Common Stock, 19.7 million shares of Class A Common Stock and 500,000 shares of Preferred Stock authorized under the 2003 Plan. If and when the Company issues any shares of Preferred Stock under the 2003 Plan, it will reduce the amount of Class A Common Stock available for future issuance in an amount equal to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock that are issuable upon conversion of such Preferred Stock. The Company has a Nonemployee Director Equity Incentive Plan (the “Director Plan”) which provides for the grant of options and restricted stock to nonemployee directors of the Company. The Director Plan, as amended, provides for the granting to each independent director a number of shares of restricted stock equal to $120,000 divided by such fair market value. As of September 28, 2024, there were approximately 2.5 million shares of Class A Common Stock and no shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock reserved for outstanding equity awards, and there were approximately 4.6 million shares of Common Stock, 11.2 million shares of Class A Common Stock and 0.5 million shares of Preferred Stock remaining for future awards. In fiscal 2024, no shares were granted from the Director Plan and each independent director was granted restricted shares from the 2003 Plan. The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of $20.6 million, $28.0 million, and $25.8 million for the fiscal years ended September 28, 2024, September 30, 2023 and September 24, 2022, respectively, as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses. Share-based compensation expense in fiscal 2024, 2023 and 2022 consisted of $0.7 million, $3.8 million, and $4.9 million, respectively, for stock options, and $13.1 million, $16.3 million and $13.7 million, respectively, for stock awards. Share-based compensation expense in fiscal 2024, 2023 and 2022 also includes $6.8 million, $7.9 million and $7.2 million, respectively, for the Company’s 401(k) matching contributions. Stock Option Awards During fiscal 2024, the Company did not grant any stock options. During fiscal 2023, the Company granted time-based stock options with an exercise price 15% above the market price on the date of the grant. But generally, the Company has granted options at the market price on the date of the grant. The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. Expected stock price volatilities are estimated based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock price. The expected term of options granted is based on exercise behavior, option exercises and the contractual term of the option. The risk-free rates are based on U.S. Treasury yields, for notes with comparable terms as the option grants, in effect at the time of the grant. For purposes of this valuation model, no dividends have been assumed. In fiscal years 2023 and 2022, the Company’s calculations were made using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions: expected life from the date of grant, 8 years in fiscal 2023 and 3.7 years in 2022; stock price volatility, 30.6% in fiscal 2023 and 31.1% in fiscal 2022; risk free interest rates, 3.6% in fiscal 2023 and 1.7% in fiscal 2022; and no dividends during the expected term. The following table summarizes option activity for the period ended September 28, 2024: Number of Weighted Weighted Average Aggregate Outstanding at September 30, 2023 2,228 $ 26.53 3 years $ 30,229 Granted — $ — Exercised (1,136) $ 23.96 Canceled or expired (264) $ 30.37 Outstanding at September 28, 2024 828 $ 28.83 2 years $ 3,520 Exercisable at September 24, 2022 1,489 $ 25.50 3 years $ 5,826 Exercisable at September 30, 2023 1,613 $ 24.99 2 years $ 11,361 Exercisable at September 28, 2024 758 $ 28.25 2 years $ 3,518 Expected to vest after September 28, 2024 70 $ 35.16 1 year $ 2 The prices of options to purchase shares of Class A common stock outstanding at September 28, 2024, September 30, 2023 and September 24, 2022 were $20.63 to $41.10 per share, $20.63 to $41.10 per share and $17.10 to $41.10 per share, respectively. There were no options granted in fiscal year ended September 28, 2024. The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023 and September 24, 2022 was $12.29 and $8.77, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the fiscal years ended September 28, 2024, September 30, 2023 and September 24, 2022 was $12.0 million, $3.9 million, and $6.1 million, respectively. As of September 28, 2024, there was $0.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options, which is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted-average vesting period of one year. Restricted Stock Awards As of September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, there were approximately 1.4 million and 1.8 million shares, respectively, of restricted stock awards outstanding. Awards granted in fiscal 2024 and 2023 generally vest within four Restricted stock award activity during the period ended September 28, 2024 is summarized as follows: Number of Weighted Average (in thousands) Nonvested at September 30, 2023 1,848 $ 29.13 Granted 332 $ 33.27 Vested (603) $ 26.87 Forfeited (179) $ 32.32 Nonvested at September 28, 2024 1,398 $ 30.68 As of September 28, 2024, there was $24.4 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock awards, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of three years. In fiscal years 2024, 2023 and 2022, the Company granted a combination of performance stock units (PSU’s) and restricted stock awards under its long-term incentive program, which replaced the option or restricted stock awards historically granted annually under the Company’s long-term incentive plan. The impact of granting PSU’s during fiscal year 2024 was not material to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. PSU’s provide the right to receive shares of the Company’s common stock based on the Company’s achievement of certain performance criteria at the end of a four-year measurement period (fiscal 2024-fiscal 2027) and continued employment through the vesting period. The number of shares issued at the end of the performance period may range from 50% to 225% of the original target award amount (100%).

Shareholders' Equity

Shareholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Equity [Abstract]
Shareholders' Equity	Shareholders’ Equity At September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, there were 80,000,000 shares of common stock ($0.01 par value) authorized, of which 11,074,620 and 11,077,612, respectively, were outstanding, and 100,000,000 shares of non-voting Class A common stock ($0.01 par value) authorized, of which 54,446,194 and 54,472,902, respectively, were outstanding. The preferences and relative rights of the Class A common stock are identical to common stock in all respects, except that the Class A common stock generally has no voting rights unless otherwise required by Delaware law. There are 3,000,000 shares of Class B stock ($0.01 par value) authorized, of which 1,602,374 was outstanding at September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023. The voting powers, preferences and relative rights of the Class B stock are identical to common stock in all respects except that (i) the holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share and the holders of Class B stock are entitled to the lesser of ten votes per share or 49% of the total votes cast, (ii) stock dividends on common stock may be paid only in shares of common stock and stock dividends on Class B stock may be paid only in shares of Class B stock and (iii) shares of Class B stock have certain conversion rights and are subject to certain restrictions on ownership and transfer. Each share of Class B stock is convertible into one share of common stock, at the option of the holder. Additional shares of Class B stock may only be issued with majority approval of the holders of the common stock and Class B stock, voting as separate classes. There are 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock ($0.01 par value) authorized, of which none were outstanding at September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023. In August 2019, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program to purchase up to $100 million of its common stock (the "2019 Repurchase Authorization"). The 2019 Repurchase Authorization has no fixed expiration date and expires when the amount authorized has been used or the Board withdraws its authorization. As of September 28, 2024, the Company had $82.0 million remaining under its 2019 Repurchase Authorization. During fiscal 2024, the Company repurchased approximately 0.3 million shares of its non-voting common stock (CENTA) on the open market at an aggregate cost of approximately $10.7 million and approximately 3 thousand shares of its voting common stock (CENT) on the open market at an aggregate cost of approximately $109 thousand. In February 2019, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to make supplemental purchases to minimize dilution resulting from issuances under its equity compensation plans (the "Equity Dilution Authorization"). In addition to the Company's regular share repurchase program, it is permitted to purchase annually a number of shares equal to the number of shares of restricted stock or stock options granted in the prior fiscal year, to the extent not already repurchased, and the current fiscal year. The Equity Dilution Authorization has no fixed expiration date and expires when the Board withdraws its authorization. As of September 28, 2024, the Company had authorization remaining to repurchase up to 38 thousand shares under its Equity Dilution Authorization.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) computations: Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2024 Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2023 Fiscal Year Ended September 24, 2022 Net Shares Per Net Shares Per Net Shares Per (in thousands, except per share amounts) Basic EPS: Net income available to common shareholders $ 107,983 65,711 $ 1.64 $ 125,643 65,493 $ 1.92 $ 152,152 66,525 $ 2.29 Effect of dilutive securities: Options to purchase common stock 228 — 369 (0.01) 596 (0.02) Restricted shares 741 (0.02) 797 (0.03) 910 (0.03) Performance stock units 180 — 124 — — — Diluted EPS: Net income available to common shareholders $ 107,983 66,860 $ 1.62 $ 125,643 66,783 $ 1.88 $ 152,152 68,031 $ 2.24 For fiscal 2024, options to purchase 0.3 million shares were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the option exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares and, therefore, the effect of including these options would be anti-dilutive. For fiscal 2023, options to purchase 0.6 million shares were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the option exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares and, therefore, the effect of including these options would be anti-dilutive. For fiscal 2022, options to purchase 0.4 million shares were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the option exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares and, therefore, the effect of including these options would be anti-dilutive.

Transactions with Related Parti

Transactions with Related Parties	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Transactions with Related Parties	Transactions with Related Parties During fiscal 2024, 2023 and 2022, Tech Pac, a subsidiary of the Company, made purchases from Contract Packaging, Inc, (“CPI”), Tech Pac’s principal supplier and a minority 20% shareholder in Tech Pac. Tech Pac’s total purchases from CPI were approximately $37.0 million, $31.0 million and $41.0 million for fiscal years 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Amounts due to CPI as of September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023 were $1.4 million and $1.6 million, respectively.

Business Segment Data

Business Segment Data	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business Segment Data	Business Segment Data The Company’s chief operating decision-maker is its Chief Executive Officer. Operating segments are managed separately because each segment represents a strategic business that offers different products or services. The Company’s chief operating decision maker evaluates performance based on operating income or loss. The Company’s Corporate division is included in the following presentation since certain expenses of this division are not allocated separately to the two operating segments. Segment assets exclude cash equivalents, short-term investments, goodwill, and deferred taxes. Management has determined that the Company has two operating segments which are also reportable segments based on the level at which the chief operating decision maker reviews the results of operations to make decisions regarding performance assessment and resource allocation. These operating segments are the Pet segment and the Garden segment. Substantially all of the Company’s assets and operations relate to its business in the United States. The Pet segment consists of Nylabone Products, IMS Trading, Four Paws Products, Central Specialty Pet (Avian and Small Animal, C&S Products and Aquatics), Segrest, K&H Pet Products, Arden, DMC, Life Sciences, Interpet, General Pet and Pet Distribution. These businesses are engaged in the manufacture, purchase, sale and delivery of internally and externally produced pet supplies, animal health and insect controls, aquariums, books, dog treats and food, as well as live fish and small animals principally to independent pet distributors, big-box retailers, regional retailer chains, eCommerce retailers, grocery stores and mass merchants. The Garden segment consists of Grass Seed, Bird Feed, Chemicals and Fertilizers, Excel Marketing, Gulfstream, Cedarworks, Bell Nursery, Hopewell Nursery, DMO, Green Garden, D&D Commodities and Garden Distribution. Products manufactured, designed and sourced, or distributed include products found typically in the lawn and garden sections of mass merchandisers, warehouse-type clubs, home improvement centers and nurseries and include live plants; grass, vegetable, flower and herb seed; wild bird feed, bird houses and other birding accessories; terra-cotta pottery; herbicides, pesticides and insecticides. These products are sold directly to national and regional retail chains, independent garden distributors, online retailers, grocery stores, nurseries and garden supply retailers. The Corporate division includes expenses associated with corporate functions and projects, certain employee benefits, interest income, interest expense and inter-segment eliminations. The following table indicates each class of similar products which represented approximately 10% or more of the Company’s consolidated net sales in the fiscal years presented (in millions). Category 2024 2023 2022 (in millions) Other garden products $ 802.6 $ 832.2 $ 865.3 Other pet products 701.4 699.4 765.9 Other manufacturers' products 735.9 734.9 730.2 Dog & cat products 534.2 568.6 542.9 Wild bird 426.4 475.0 434.3 Total $ 3,200.5 $ 3,310.1 $ 3,338.6 See Note 4 – Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Customers and Suppliers for the Company’s largest customers by segment. Financial information relating to the Company’s business segments for each of the three most recent fiscal years is presented in the table below: Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 September 24, 2022 (in thousands) Net sales: Pet segment $ 1,832,744 $ 1,877,177 $ 1,878,110 Garden segment 1,367,716 1,432,906 1,460,478 Total $ 3,200,460 $ 3,310,083 $ 3,338,588 Operating income (loss): Pet segment $ 203,425 $ 198,004 $ 208,924 Garden segment 81,893 123,455 153,956 Corporate (99,931) (110,813) (102,844) Total 185,387 210,646 260,036 Interest expense (57,527) (57,025) (58,253) Interest income 19,655 7,362 719 Other income (expense), net (5,090) 1,462 (3,596) Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest 142,425 162,445 198,906 Income tax expense 33,112 36,348 46,234 Net income including noncontrolling interest 109,313 126,097 152,672 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 1,330 454 520 Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company $ 107,983 $ 125,643 $ 152,152 Assets: Pet segment $ 955,000 $ 944,359 $ 1,069,167 Garden segment 1,272,033 1,349,426 1,405,802 Corporate and eliminations 1,326,406 1,084,863 807,033 Total $ 3,553,439 $ 3,378,648 $ 3,282,002 Depreciation and amortization: Pet segment $ 43,642 $ 41,126 $ 38,960 Garden segment 44,403 43,375 36,583 Corporate 2,762 3,199 5,405 Total $ 90,807 $ 87,700 $ 80,948 Expenditures for long-lived assets: Pet segment $ 27,757 $ 33,515 $ 46,917 Garden segment 17,307 19,109 65,126 Corporate 1,600 1,342 3,162 Total $ 46,664 $ 53,966 $ 115,205 Noncontrolling interest is associated with the Garden segment.

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

Pay vs Performance Disclosure - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022
Pay vs Performance Disclosure
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	$ 107,983	$ 125,643	$ 152,152

Insider Trading Arrangements

Insider Trading Arrangements	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024 shares	Sep. 28, 2024 shares
Trading Arrangements, by Individual
Material Terms of Trading Arrangement		During the quarter ended September 28, 2024, none of our directors or officers informed us of the adoption, modification or termination of a "Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement" or "non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement," as those terms are defined in Regulation S-K, Item 408, except as described in the table below: Name & Title Date Adopted Character of Trading Arrangement 1 Aggregate Number of Shares of Common Stock to be Purchased or Sold Pursuant to Trading Arrangement Duration 2 Other Material Terms Date Terminated Brooks M. Pennington III, Director 8/29/2024 Rule 10b5-1 Up to 27,789 shares of CENTA to be sold 3 2/10/2025 through 5/14/2027 N/A N/A 1 Except as indicated by footnote, each trading arrangement marked as a "Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangement" is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense of Rule 10b5-1(c), as amended (the "Rule"). 2 The Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangements permit transactions through and including the earlier to occur of (a) the completion of all purchases or sales or (b) the date listed in the table. The Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangements only permit transactions upon expiration of the applicable mandatory cooling-off period under the Rule. The Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangements also provide for automatic expiration in the event of certain events, including written notice of death or legal incapacity, filing of a bankruptcy petition, upon transfer of the securities account to another broker-dealer; the closing of a merger, recapitalization, consolidation or similar transaction, or the termination of the Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangement by the executive. 3 Includes options to purchase 20,446 shares of CENTA of which only the amount of net shares issued after withholding shares to cover the exercise price and tax withholding will be sold.
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted	false
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated	false
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated	false
Brooks M. Pennington III [Member]
Trading Arrangements, by Individual
Name	Brooks M. Pennington III
Title	Director
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted	true
Adoption Date	8/29/2024
Expiration Date	5/14/2027
Arrangement Duration	823 days
Aggregate Available	27,789	27,789

Insider Trading Policies and Pr

Insider Trading Policies and Procedures	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Insider Trading Policies and Procedures [Line Items]
Insider Trading Policies and Procedures Adopted	true

Organization and Significant _2

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization	Organization – Central Garden & Pet Company (“Central”), a Delaware corporation, and subsidiaries (the “Company”), is a leading marketer and producer of quality branded products and distributor of third-party products in the pet and lawn and garden supplies markets.
Basis of Consolidation and Presentation	Basis of Consolidation and Presentation – The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and include the accounts of Central and all majority-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The fiscal year ended September 28, 2024 included 52 weeks, the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 included 53 weeks and the fiscal year ended September 24, 2022 included 52 weeks. Stock Dividend - In December 2023, the Board of Directors approved a stock dividend in the form of one share of the Company's Class A Common Stock for every four outstanding shares of its Common Stock, Class A Common Stock and Class B Stock. Dividend shares of Class A Common Stock were distributed on February 8, 2024, to stockholders of record as of January 8, 2024. The stock dividend did not affect the number of the Company's authorized shares and the par value of each share of stock remained unchanged. Proportionate adjustments were made to the per share exercise price and/or the number of shares issuable upon the exercise or vesting of all stock options, restricted stock and performance share units outstanding at January 8, 2024, which resulted in a proportional increase in the number of vesting stock options, restricted stock and performance share units, and, in the case of stock options, a proportional decrease in the exercise price of all such stock options. Unless noted, all Class A Common Stock share and per share amounts contained in the condensed consolidated financial statements and management's discussion and analysis have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the one-for-four stock dividend. The legal form of the stock dividend was accounted for as a stock split as the Company concluded that shareholders were not receiving a distribution of earnings.
Noncontrolling Interest	Noncontrolling Interest
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates
Revenue Recognition and Nature of Products and Services And Sales Incentives and Other Promotional Programs	Revenue Recognition and Nature of Products and Services The Company manufactures, markets and distributes a wide variety of branded, private label and third-party pet and garden products to wholesalers, distributors and retailers, primarily in the United States. The majority of the Company’s revenue is generated from the sale of finished pet and garden products. The Company also recognizes a minor amount of non-product revenue (approximately one percent of consolidated net sales) comprising third-party logistics services, merchandising services and royalty income from sales-based licensing arrangements. Product and non-product revenue is recognized when performance obligations under the terms of the contracts with customers are satisfied. The Company recognizes product revenue when control over the finished goods transfers to its customers, which generally occurs upon shipment to, or receipt at, customers’ locations, as determined by the specific terms of the contract, and when control over the finished goods transfers to retail consumers in consignment arrangements. These revenue arrangements generally have single performance obligations. Non-product revenue is recognized as the services are provided to the customer in the case of third-party logistics services and merchandising services, or as third-party licensee sales occur for royalty income. Revenue, which includes shipping and handling charges billed to the customer, is reported net of variable consideration and consideration payable to our customers, including applicable discounts, returns, allowances, trade promotion, unsaleable product, consumer coupon redemption and rebates. The amount billed to customers for shipping and handling costs included in net sales for the fiscal years ended September 28, 2024, September 30, 2023 and September 24, 2022 was $12.8 million, $13.6 million and $15.8 million, respectively. Shipping and handling costs that occur before the customer obtains control of the goods are deemed to be fulfillment activities and are accounted for as fulfillment costs. Key sales terms are established on a frequent basis such that most customer arrangements and related incentives have a one year or shorter duration. As such, the Company does not capitalize contract inception costs. 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 consolidated balance sheets as part of accrued expenses, and the value of inventory associated with reserves for sales returns is included within prepaid and other current assets on the consolidated balance sheets.
Cost of goods sold and occupancy	Cost of goods sold
Advertising Costs	Advertising Costs
Other income (expense)	Other income (expense) consists principally of earnings (losses) from equity method investments and foreign exchange gains and losses.
Income taxes	Income taxes
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
Accounts receivable	Accounts receivable are carried at their estimated net realizable value. Trade credit is generally extended on a short-term basis; thus trade receivables do not bear interest, although a finance charge may be applied to such receivables that are past due.
Allowance for Credit Losses and Customer Allowances	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.
Inventories	Inventories
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment	Land, buildings, improvements and equipment three
Long-Lived Assets	Long-Lived Assets impairment losses on certain intangible assets
Goodwill	Goodwill
Investments	Investments – The Company owns membership interests ranging from 1% to 50% in fourteen unconsolidated companies. The Company accounts for its interest in these entities using the equity method and in accordance with ASC 321 –
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 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 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.
Insurance	Insurance – The Company maintains insurance for certain risks, including workers’ compensation, general liability and automobile liability, and is self-insured for employee related health care benefits. The Company’s workers’ compensation, general liability and automobile liability insurance policies include deductibles of $250,000 to $350,000 per occurrence. The Company maintains excess loss insurance that covers any health care claims in excess of $750,000 per person per year. The Company establishes reserves for losses based on its claims experience and actuarial estimates of the ultimate loss amount inherent in the claims, including claims incurred but not yet reported. Costs are recognized in the period the claim is incurred, and the financial statement accruals include an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation
Total Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Total Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted Accounting Updates There are no recently adopted accounting pronouncements that had a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted Segment Reporting In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. This ASU requires enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker that are included within each reported measure of segment profit or loss, and also requires all annual disclosures currently required by Topic 280 to be included in interim periods. ASU No. 2023-07 is to be applied retrospectively for all periods presented in the financial statements and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this guidance will have on the Company’s disclosures. Income Taxes In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. This ASU primarily requires enhanced disclosures and disaggregation of income tax information by jurisdiction in the annual income tax reconciliation and quantitative and qualitative disclosures regarding income taxes paid. ASU No. 2023-09 is to be applied prospectively, with the option to apply the standard retrospectively, effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this guidance will have on the Company’s disclosures.
Fair Value Measurements	Generally accepted accounting principles require financial assets and liabilities to be categorized based on the inputs used to calculate their fair values as follows: Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (including assumptions about risk). The Company’s financial instruments include cash and equivalents, restricted cash and equivalents, short term investments, accounts receivable and payable, derivative instruments, short-term borrowings, and accrued liabilities. The carrying amount of these instruments approximates fair value because of their short-term nature.

Organization and Significant _3

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
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 consolidated balance sheets to the consolidated statements of cash flows as of September 28, 2024, September 30, 2023 and September 24, 2022, respectively (in thousands). September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 September 24, 2022 (in thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 753,550 $ 488,730 $ 177,442 Restricted cash 14,853 14,143 14,742 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 768,403 $ 502,873 $ 192,184
Schedule of Reconciliation of Restricted Cash	The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheets to the consolidated statements of cash flows as of September 28, 2024, September 30, 2023 and September 24, 2022, respectively (in thousands). September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 September 24, 2022 (in thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 753,550 $ 488,730 $ 177,442 Restricted cash 14,853 14,143 14,742 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 768,403 $ 502,873 $ 192,184

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Changes in Fair Value of Level 3 Financial Instruments	The following table provides a summary of changes in fair value of the Company's Level 3 financial instruments for the years ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023: Amount (in thousands) Balance September 24, 2022 $ 543 Changes in the fair value of contingent performance-based payments (374) Performance-based payments made (54) Balance as of September 30, 2023 115 Changes in the fair value of contingent performance-based payments (20) Performance-based payments made (95) Balance as of September 28, 2024 $ —

Acquisitions and Investments _2

Acquisitions and Investments in Joint Ventures (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Business Combination, Asset Acquisition, and Joint Venture Formation [Abstract]
Schedule of Recording of Fair Values of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	The following table summarizes the purchase price and recording of fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date and subsequent adjustments. Amounts Previously Recognized as of Acquisition Date (1) Measurement Period Adjustments Amounts Recognized as of Acquisition Date (as Adjusted) (in thousands) Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired $ 21,831 $ 1,137 $ 22,968 Fixed assets 2,369 — 2,369 Goodwill — 4,925 4,925 Other assets 44,891 (44,891) — Operating lease right-of-use assets 3,956 — 3,956 Deferred tax assets — 15,859 15,859 Other intangible assets, net — 22,970 22,970 Current liabilities (9,094) — (9,094) Long-term lease liabilities (3,727) — (3,727) Net assets acquired, less cash and cash equivalents $ 60,226 $ — $ 60,226 (1) As previously reported in the Company's Form 10-Q for the period ended June 29, 2024. Amounts Previously Recognized as of Acquisition Date (1) Measurement Period Adjustments Amounts Recognized as of Acquisition Date (as Adjusted) (in thousands) Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired $ 118,421 $ 31,826 $ 150,247 Fixed assets 2,340 — 2,340 Goodwill — 142,582 142,582 Other intangible assets, net — 392,929 392,929 Other assets 487,420 (487,259) 161 Operating lease right-of-use assets 14,577 — 14,577 Current liabilities (26,507) — (26,507) Long-term lease liabilities (10,912) — (10,912) Deferred income taxes and other long-term obligations (14,829) (80,078) (94,907) Net assets acquired, less cash and cash equivalents $ 570,510 $ — $ 570,510 (1) As previously reported in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 25, 2021. Amounts Previously Recognized as of Acquisition Date (1) Measurement Period Adjustments Amounts Recognized as of Acquisition Date (as Adjusted) (in thousands) Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired $ 17,183 $ 465 $ 17,648 Fixed assets 6,907 1,823 8,730 Goodwill — 34,463 34,463 Other assets 101,218 (101,051) 167 Other intangible assets, net — 64,300 64,300 Current liabilities (7,183) — (7,183) Long-term debt (30,000) — (30,000) Net assets acquired, less cash and cash equivalents $ 88,125 $ — $ 88,125 (1) As previously reported in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 25, 2021.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Receivables [Abstract]
Schedule of Allowance for Credit Losses and Customer Allowances	The following provides a reconciliation of the activity in the Allowance for Credit Losses and Customer Allowances: Balances at Charged/ Asset Balances at (in thousands) Fiscal Year Ended September 24, 2022 $ 29,219 $ 1,264 $ (4,237) $ 26,246 Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2023 26,246 1,258 (1,707) 25,797 Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2024 25,797 1,055 (5,817) 21,035

Inventories, net (Tables)

Inventories, net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventories, Net of Allowance for Obsolescence	Inventories, net of allowance for obsolescence, consist of the following: September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 (in thousands) Raw materials $ 256,419 $ 270,672 Work in progress 146,041 166,394 Finished goods 338,762 384,903 Supplies 16,721 16,219 Total inventories, net $ 757,943 $ 838,188

Property and Equipment, Net (Ta

Property and Equipment, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Schedule of Components of Property and Equipment	Property and equipment, net consists of the following: September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 (in thousands) Land $ 29,672 $ 29,434 Buildings and improvements 290,599 277,618 Transportation equipment 15,833 14,258 Machine and warehouse equipment 409,049 388,854 Capitalized software 117,666 117,007 Office furniture and equipment 31,432 30,534 Assets under construction 19,295 25,701 913,546 883,406 Accumulated depreciation and amortization (534,380) (491,638) Total property and equipment, net $ 379,166 $ 391,768

Goodwill (Tables)

Goodwill (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the fiscal years ended September 28, 2024, September 30, 2023 and September 24, 2022: Garden Products Segment Pet Products Total (in thousands) Balance as of September 25, 2021 Goodwill $ 305,907 $ 473,045 $ 778,952 Accumulated impairment losses (213,583) (195,978) (409,561) 92,324 277,067 369,391 Additions in fiscal 2022 177,045 — 177,045 Balance as of September 24, 2022 Goodwill 482,952 473,045 955,997 Accumulated impairment losses (213,583) (195,978) (409,561) 269,369 277,067 546,436 Additions in fiscal 2023 — — — Balance as of September 30, 2023 Goodwill 482,952 473,045 955,997 Accumulated impairment losses (213,583) (195,978) (409,561) 269,369 277,067 546,436 Additions in fiscal 2024 — 4,925 4,925 Balance as of September 28, 2024 Goodwill 482,952 477,970 960,922 Accumulated impairment losses (213,583) (195,978) (409,561) $ 269,369 $ 281,992 $ 551,361

Other Intangible Assets (Tables

Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Components 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) September 28, 2024 Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable $ 26.0 $ (22.8) $ — $ 3.1 Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable 266.3 — (35.0) 231.4 Total 292.3 (22.8) (35.0) 234.5 Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable 421.7 (176.4) (17.5) 227.8 Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable 39.7 (34.3) (0.3) 5.1 Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable 7.1 — (1.2) 5.9 Total 46.8 (34.3) (1.5) 11.0 Total other intangible assets $ 760.8 $ (233.5) $ (54.0) $ 473.3 September 30, 2023 Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable $ 22.1 $ (21.5) $ — $ 0.6 Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable 252.5 — (29.4) 223.1 Total 274.6 (21.5) (29.4) 223.7 Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable 416.4 (147.4) (10.3) 258.8 Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable 39.7 (30.5) (0.3) 8.9 Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable 7.1 — (1.2) 5.9 Total 46.8 (30.5) (1.5) 14.8 Total other intangible assets $ 737.8 $ (199.4) $ (41.2) $ 497.2 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 $ 737.8 $ (164.9) $ (29.8) $ 543.2

Leases (Tables)

Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Leases [Abstract]
Schedule of Supplemental Balance Sheet Information	Supplemental balance sheet information related to the Company's leases was as follows: Balance Sheet Classification September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 (in millions) Operating leases Right-of-use assets Operating lease right-of-use assets $ 205.1 $ 173.5 Current lease liabilities Current operating lease liabilities $ 57.3 $ 50.6 Non-current lease liabilities Long-term operating lease liabilities 173.1 135.6 Total operating lease liabilities $ 230.4 $ 186.2 Finance leases Right-of-use assets Property, plant and equipment, net $ 0.3 $ 0.1 Current lease liabilities Current portion of long-term debt $ 0.1 $ — Non-current lease liabilities Long-term debt 0.2 — Total finance lease liabilities $ 0.3 $ — Weighted-average remaining lease term and discount rate for the Company's leases were as follows: September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years): Operating leases 5.3 5.3 Finance leases 2.9 4.4 Weighted-average discount rate: Operating leases 5.64 % 3.85 % Finance leases 6.80 % 6.89 %
Schedule of Supplemental Cash Flow and Other Information Related to Leases	Components of lease cost were as follows: Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 (in millions) Operating lease cost $ 62.8 $ 58.0 Finance lease cost: Amortization of right-of-use assets 0.2 0.1 Interest on lease liabilities — — Total finance lease cost $ 0.2 $ 0.1 Short-term lease cost 13.6 12.6 Variable lease cost 10.6 10.6 Total lease cost $ 87.2 $ 81.3 Supplemental cash flow information and non-cash activity related to the Company's leases was as follows: Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 (in millions) Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 50.7 $ 50.1 Operating cash flows from finance leases — — Financing cash flows from finance leases 0.1 — Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: Operating leases $ 95.4 $ 42.8 Finance leases — —
Schedule of Operating Lease Maturity	Lease liability maturities as of September 28, 2024 are as follows: September 28, 2024 Operating Leases Finance Leases Fiscal Year (in millions) 2025 $ 65.0 $ 0.1 2026 53.7 0.1 2027 42.6 0.1 2028 30.8 — 2029 24.7 — Thereafter 55.6 — Total future undiscounted lease payments $ 272.4 $ 0.3 Less imputed interest (42.0) — Total reported lease liability $ 230.4 $ 0.3
Schedule of Finance Leases Maturity	Lease liability maturities as of September 28, 2024 are as follows: September 28, 2024 Operating Leases Finance Leases Fiscal Year (in millions) 2025 $ 65.0 $ 0.1 2026 53.7 0.1 2027 42.6 0.1 2028 30.8 — 2029 24.7 — Thereafter 55.6 — Total future undiscounted lease payments $ 272.4 $ 0.3 Less imputed interest (42.0) — Total reported lease liability $ 230.4 $ 0.3

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-Term Debt	Long-term debt consists of the following: September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 (in thousands) Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028 $ 300,000 $ 300,000 Senior notes, interest at 4.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due October 2030 500,000 500,000 Senior notes, interest at 4.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due April 2031 400,000 400,000 Unamortized debt issuance costs (10,345) (12,231) Net carrying value 1,189,655 1,187,769 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 393 434 Total 1,190,048 1,188,203 Less current portion (239) (247) Long-term portion $ 1,189,809 $ 1,187,956
Schedule of Principal Repayments on Long-Term Debt	The scheduled principal repayments on long-term debt as of September 28, 2024 are as follows: (in thousands) Fiscal year: 2025 $ 239 2026 62 2027 57 2028 35 2029 — Thereafter 1,200,000 Total $ 1,200,393 (1) (1) Debt repayments do not reflect the unamortized portion of deferred financing costs associated with the 2028 Notes, 2030 Notes and 2031 Notes of approximately $10.3 million as of September 28, 2024, of which, $1.6 million is amortizable until February 2028, $4.8 million is amortizable until October 2030 and $4.0 million is amortizable until April 2031, and are included in the carrying value.

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Provision for Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	The provision for income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following: Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 September 24, 2022 (in thousands) Current: Federal $ 42,400 $ 41,375 $ 11,391 State 4,107 6,229 4,418 Foreign 1,087 997 2,297 Total 47,594 48,601 18,106 Deferred: Federal (14,495) (10,339) 27,276 State 757 (2,547) 1,710 Foreign (744) 633 (858) Total (14,482) (12,253) 28,128 Total $ 33,112 $ 36,348 $ 46,234
Schedule of Reconciliation of the Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate to the Company's Effective Income Tax Rate	A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the Company’s effective income tax rate is as follows: Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 September 24, 2022 Statutory federal income tax rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 21.0 % State income taxes, net of federal benefit 2.8 1.5 2.5 Other permanent differences (0.1) (0.2) (0.1) Non-Deductible Officers Compensation 1.4 0.7 0.5 Adjustment of prior year accruals (0.3) (0.2) 0.2 Credits (0.7) (0.7) (0.5) Stock based compensation (1.5) (0.3) (0.5) Other 0.6 0.6 0.1 Effective income tax rate 23.2 % 22.4 % 23.2 %
Schedule of Tax Effect of Temporary Differences and Carryforwards which Give Rise to Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	The tax effect of temporary differences and carryforwards which give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows: September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 Deferred Deferred Deferred Deferred (in thousands) Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 5,005 $ — $ 5,338 $ — Inventory write-downs 23,570 — 18,230 — Prepaid expenses 1,928 1,602 Nondeductible reserves 10,958 — 10,045 — State taxes — 220 181 — Employee benefits 12,232 — 10,743 — Depreciation and amortization 185,560 192,235 Equity earnings 1,067 653 State net operating loss carryforward 16,505 — 6,158 — Stock based compensation 6,939 — 8,155 — State credits 3,007 — 3,055 — Other 15,342 — 5,389 — Valuation allowance (9,900) — (7,659) — Total $ 83,658 $ 188,775 $ 59,635 $ 194,490
Schedule of Activity Related to Company's Unrecognized Tax Benefits	The following table summarizes the activity related to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits for fiscal years ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023: (in thousands) Balance as of September 24, 2022 $ 382 Increases related to prior year tax positions 222 Increases related to current year tax positions 100 Decreases related to prior year tax positions (10) Settlements (222) Decreases related to lapse of statute of limitations (81) Balance as of September 30, 2023 $ 391 Increases related to prior year tax positions 1 Increases related to current year tax positions — Decreases related to prior year tax positions (12) Settlements (1) Decreases related to lapse of statute of limitations (84) Balance as of September 28, 2024 $ 295

Stock-Based Compensation (Table

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Schedule of Stock Option Activity	The following table summarizes option activity for the period ended September 28, 2024: Number of Weighted Weighted Average Aggregate Outstanding at September 30, 2023 2,228 $ 26.53 3 years $ 30,229 Granted — $ — Exercised (1,136) $ 23.96 Canceled or expired (264) $ 30.37 Outstanding at September 28, 2024 828 $ 28.83 2 years $ 3,520 Exercisable at September 24, 2022 1,489 $ 25.50 3 years $ 5,826 Exercisable at September 30, 2023 1,613 $ 24.99 2 years $ 11,361 Exercisable at September 28, 2024 758 $ 28.25 2 years $ 3,518 Expected to vest after September 28, 2024 70 $ 35.16 1 year $ 2
Schedule of Restricted Stock Award Activity	Restricted stock award activity during the period ended September 28, 2024 is summarized as follows: Number of Weighted Average (in thousands) Nonvested at September 30, 2023 1,848 $ 29.13 Granted 332 $ 33.27 Vested (603) $ 26.87 Forfeited (179) $ 32.32 Nonvested at September 28, 2024 1,398 $ 30.68

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Numerators and Denominators in Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share	The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) computations: Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2024 Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2023 Fiscal Year Ended September 24, 2022 Net Shares Per Net Shares Per Net Shares Per (in thousands, except per share amounts) Basic EPS: Net income available to common shareholders $ 107,983 65,711 $ 1.64 $ 125,643 65,493 $ 1.92 $ 152,152 66,525 $ 2.29 Effect of dilutive securities: Options to purchase common stock 228 — 369 (0.01) 596 (0.02) Restricted shares 741 (0.02) 797 (0.03) 910 (0.03) Performance stock units 180 — 124 — — — Diluted EPS: Net income available to common shareholders $ 107,983 66,860 $ 1.62 $ 125,643 66,783 $ 1.88 $ 152,152 68,031 $ 2.24

Business Segment Data (Tables)

Business Segment Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Class of Similar Products Which Represented Approximately 10% or More of Company's Consolidated Net Sales	The following table indicates each class of similar products which represented approximately 10% or more of the Company’s consolidated net sales in the fiscal years presented (in millions). Category 2024 2023 2022 (in millions) Other garden products $ 802.6 $ 832.2 $ 865.3 Other pet products 701.4 699.4 765.9 Other manufacturers' products 735.9 734.9 730.2 Dog & cat products 534.2 568.6 542.9 Wild bird 426.4 475.0 434.3 Total $ 3,200.5 $ 3,310.1 $ 3,338.6
Schedule of Financial Information Relating to Company's Business Segments	Financial information relating to the Company’s business segments for each of the three most recent fiscal years is presented in the table below: Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 September 24, 2022 (in thousands) Net sales: Pet segment $ 1,832,744 $ 1,877,177 $ 1,878,110 Garden segment 1,367,716 1,432,906 1,460,478 Total $ 3,200,460 $ 3,310,083 $ 3,338,588 Operating income (loss): Pet segment $ 203,425 $ 198,004 $ 208,924 Garden segment 81,893 123,455 153,956 Corporate (99,931) (110,813) (102,844) Total 185,387 210,646 260,036 Interest expense (57,527) (57,025) (58,253) Interest income 19,655 7,362 719 Other income (expense), net (5,090) 1,462 (3,596) Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest 142,425 162,445 198,906 Income tax expense 33,112 36,348 46,234 Net income including noncontrolling interest 109,313 126,097 152,672 Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 1,330 454 520 Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company $ 107,983 $ 125,643 $ 152,152 Assets: Pet segment $ 955,000 $ 944,359 $ 1,069,167 Garden segment 1,272,033 1,349,426 1,405,802 Corporate and eliminations 1,326,406 1,084,863 807,033 Total $ 3,553,439 $ 3,378,648 $ 3,282,002 Depreciation and amortization: Pet segment $ 43,642 $ 41,126 $ 38,960 Garden segment 44,403 43,375 36,583 Corporate 2,762 3,199 5,405 Total $ 90,807 $ 87,700 $ 80,948 Expenditures for long-lived assets: Pet segment $ 27,757 $ 33,515 $ 46,917 Garden segment 17,307 19,109 65,126 Corporate 1,600 1,342 3,162 Total $ 46,664 $ 53,966 $ 115,205 Noncontrolling interest is associated with the Garden segment.

Organization and Significant _4

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - Basis of Consolidation and Presentation (Details)	1 Months Ended
	Dec. 30, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Stock split, conversion ratio	0.25

Organization and Significant _5

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - Noncontrolling Interest, Additional Information (Details)	Sep. 28, 2024
Subsidiary
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest owned by the subsidiary	20%

Organization and Significant _6

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - Revenue Recognition, Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Cost of goods sold	$ 2,256,725	$ 2,363,241	$ 2,346,283
Third Party Providers | Sales Revenue, Net | Revenue from Rights Concentration Risk
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Percentage of largest customer accounted of the Company's net sales	1%
Shipping and Handling
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Cost of goods sold	$ 12,800	$ 13,600	$ 15,800

Organization and Significant _7

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - Cost of Goods Sold, Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Cost of shipping and handling included in selling, general and administrative expenses	$ 87.1	$ 97.1	$ 100.8

Organization and Significant _8

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - Advertising Costs, Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Advertising expenses	$ 56.2	$ 43.6	$ 54.7

Organization and Significant _9

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - 401(k) Plans, Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]
Employees benefit plan	$ 6.8	$ 7.9	$ 7.2
Class A common stock
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]
401(k) matching contributions made in Class A common stock (in shares)	198,697	216,000	170,000

Organization and Significant_10

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - Income Taxes, Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Valuation allowances related to net deferred tax assets	$ 9,900	$ 7,659

Organization and Significant_11

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022	Sep. 25, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 753,550	$ 488,730	$ 177,442
Restricted cash	14,853	14,143	14,742
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$ 768,403	$ 502,873	$ 192,184	$ 439,522

Organization and Significant_12

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - Land, Buildings, Improvements and Equipment, Additional Information (Details)	Sep. 28, 2024
Building
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life (in years)	30 years
Minimum | Equipment and Capitalized Software
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life (in years)	3 years
Maximum | Equipment and Capitalized Software
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life (in years)	10 years

Organization and Significant_13

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - Long-Lived Assets, Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Impairment, Intangible Asset, Statement of Income or Comprehensive Income [Extensible Enumeration]	Impairment of intangibles	Impairment of intangibles
Impairment charge	$ 12,800,000	$ 11,500,000	$ 0

Organization and Significant_14

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - Investments, Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024 USD ($) company	Sep. 30, 2023 USD ($)	Sep. 24, 2022 USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of unconsolidated companies | company	14
Equity (loss) income	$ 6.7	$ (0.2)	$ (0.8)
Equity investment impairment	7.5
Investment in unconsolidated companies	$ 31.5	$ 38.7
Minimum | Thirteen Unconsolidated Companies
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Owned percentage in unconsolidated entities	1%
Maximum | Thirteen Unconsolidated Companies
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Owned percentage in unconsolidated entities	50%

Organization and Significant_15

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - Insurance, Additional Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024 USD ($)
Insurance [Line Items]
Excess loss insurance that covers any health care claims	$ 750,000
Minimum
Insurance [Line Items]
General liability and vehicle liability insurance policies	250,000
Maximum
Insurance [Line Items]
General liability and vehicle liability insurance policies	$ 350,000

Organization and Significant_16

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - Stock-Based Compensation, Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Stock-based compensation	$ 20,583	$ 27,990	$ 25,817
Stock-based compensation after tax	$ 15,700	$ 21,300	$ 19,700

Fair Value Measurements - Summa

Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Changes in Fair Value of Level 3 Financial Instruments (Details) - Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Amount of Contingent Consideration [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 115	$ 543
Changes in the fair value of contingent performance-based payments	(20)	(374)
Performance-based payments made	(95)	(54)
Ending balance	$ 0	$ 115

Fair Value Measurements - Addit

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022	Apr. 30, 2021	Oct. 31, 2020	Oct. 16, 2020	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impairment charge	$ 12,800,000	$ 11,500,000	$ 0
Carrying value of debt	1,190,048,000	1,188,203,000
Pet Products Segment
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impairment charge	12,800,000	7,500,000
Garden Products Segment
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impairment charge		3,900,000
Senior notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying value of debt	$ 1,189,655,000	1,187,769,000
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				$ 400,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate	4.125%			4.125%
Estimated fair value of senior notes	$ 367,200,000	327,100,000
Carrying value of debt	$ 396,000,000	395,400,000
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					$ 500,000,000	$ 500,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate	4.125%				4.125%	4.125%
Estimated fair value of senior notes	$ 465,200,000	417,000,000
Carrying value of debt	495,200,000	494,400,000
Senior notes | Senior Notes Due February 2028
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt, aggregate principal amount							$ 300,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate							5.125%
Estimated fair value of senior notes	299,200,000	279,500,000
Carrying value of debt	$ 298,400,000	$ 298,000,000

Acquisitions and Investments _3

Acquisitions and Investments in Joint Ventures - TDBBS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Nov. 03, 2023	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022	Sep. 25, 2021
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 551,361	$ 546,436	$ 546,436	$ 369,391
TDBBS, LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price	$ 60,000
Other assets	0	45,000
Other intangible assets, net	22,970	23,000
Goodwill	$ 4,925	$ 5,000

Acquisitions and Investments _4

Acquisitions and Investments in Joint Ventures - Green Garden Products - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	Feb. 11, 2021	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022	Sep. 25, 2021
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Borrowings on revolving line of credit		$ 0	$ 48,000	$ 0
Goodwill		$ 551,361	$ 546,436	546,436	$ 369,391
Green Garden Products
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price	$ 571,000
Borrowings on revolving line of credit	180,000
Other assets	161			487,000
Other intangible assets, net	392,929			393,000
Goodwill	$ 142,582			$ 143,000

Acquisitions and Investments _5

Acquisitions and Investments in Joint Ventures - Fair Assets and Liabilities Acquired (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 28, 2024	Nov. 03, 2023	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022	Sep. 25, 2021	Jun. 30, 2021	Feb. 11, 2021
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 551,361		$ 546,436	$ 546,436	$ 369,391
TDBBS, LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired		$ 22,968
Fixed assets		2,369
Goodwill	5,000	4,925
Other assets	45,000	0
Operating lease right-of-use assets		3,956
Deferred tax assets		15,859
Other intangible assets, net	23,000	22,970
Current liabilities		(9,094)
Long-term lease liabilities		(3,727)
Business Combination, Net Asset Acquired Excluding Cash And Cash Equivalents		60,226
TDBBS, LLC | Amounts Previously Recognized as of Acquisition Date
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired		21,831
Fixed assets		2,369
Goodwill		0
Other assets		44,891
Operating lease right-of-use assets		3,956
Deferred tax assets		0
Other intangible assets, net		0
Current liabilities		(9,094)
Long-term lease liabilities		(3,727)
Business Combination, Net Asset Acquired Excluding Cash And Cash Equivalents		60,226
TDBBS, LLC | Measurement Period Adjustments
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired		1,137
Fixed assets		0
Goodwill		4,925
Other assets		(44,891)
Operating lease right-of-use assets		0
Deferred tax assets		15,859
Other intangible assets, net		22,970
Current liabilities		0
Long-term lease liabilities		0
Business Combination, Net Asset Acquired Excluding Cash And Cash Equivalents		$ 0
Green Garden Products
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired							$ 150,247
Fixed assets							2,340
Goodwill				143,000			142,582
Other assets				487,000			161
Operating lease right-of-use assets							14,577
Other intangible assets, net				$ 393,000			392,929
Current liabilities							(26,507)
Long-term lease liabilities							(10,912)
Deferred income taxes and other long-term obligations							(94,907)
Business Combination, Net Asset Acquired Excluding Cash And Cash Equivalents							570,510
Green Garden Products | Amounts Previously Recognized as of Acquisition Date
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired							118,421
Fixed assets							2,340
Goodwill							0
Other assets							487,420
Operating lease right-of-use assets							14,577
Other intangible assets, net							0
Current liabilities							(26,507)
Long-term lease liabilities							(10,912)
Deferred income taxes and other long-term obligations							(14,829)
Business Combination, Net Asset Acquired Excluding Cash And Cash Equivalents							570,510
Green Garden Products | Measurement Period Adjustments
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired							31,826
Fixed assets							0
Goodwill							142,582
Other assets							(487,259)
Operating lease right-of-use assets							0
Other intangible assets, net							392,929
Current liabilities							0
Long-term lease liabilities							0
Deferred income taxes and other long-term obligations							(80,078)
Business Combination, Net Asset Acquired Excluding Cash And Cash Equivalents							$ 0
D&D Commodities Limited
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired						$ 17,648
Fixed assets						8,730
Goodwill	$ 34,000					34,463
Other assets						167
Other intangible assets, net						64,300
Current liabilities						(7,183)
Long-term debt						(30,000)
Business Combination, Net Asset Acquired Excluding Cash And Cash Equivalents						88,125
D&D Commodities Limited | Amounts Previously Recognized as of Acquisition Date
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired						17,183
Fixed assets						6,907
Goodwill						0
Other assets						101,218
Other intangible assets, net						0
Current liabilities						(7,183)
Long-term debt						(30,000)
Business Combination, Net Asset Acquired Excluding Cash And Cash Equivalents						88,125
D&D Commodities Limited | Measurement Period Adjustments
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired						465
Fixed assets						1,823
Goodwill						34,463
Other assets						(101,051)
Other intangible assets, net						64,300
Current liabilities						0
Long-term debt						0
Business Combination, Net Asset Acquired Excluding Cash And Cash Equivalents						$ 0

Acquisitions and Investments _6

Acquisitions and Investments in Joint Ventures - D&D Commodities Limited - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands			12 Months Ended
	Sep. 24, 2022	Jun. 30, 2021	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022	Sep. 25, 2021
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Borrowings on revolving line of credit			$ 0	$ 48,000	$ 0
Goodwill	$ 546,436		551,361	$ 546,436	546,436	$ 369,391
D&D Commodities Limited
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Borrowings on revolving line of credit		$ 88,000
Long term debt		30,000
Premium paid on extinguishment of debt		30,000
Excess of purchase price over estimated fair value of net tangible assets acquired	99,000				$ 99,000
Business combination, provisional information, initial accounting incomplete, adjustment, intangibles	$ 64,000
Goodwill		$ 34,463	$ 34,000

Acquisitions and Investments _7

Acquisitions and Investments in Joint Ventures - Divestiture (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023 USD ($) company	Sep. 28, 2024 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2023 USD ($)	Sep. 24, 2022 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Gain on sale of business		$ 0	$ 5,845	$ 0
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations | Garden Segment Independent Distribution Business
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash proceeds	$ 20,000
Number of facilities | company	1
Gain on sale of business	$ 5,800

Acquisitions and Investments _8

Acquisitions and Investments in Joint Ventures - Investments - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity investment impairment	$ 7.5
Investments in business		$ 0.9	$ 26.1
Owned percentage in unconsolidated entities		6%
Venture 1
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Owned percentage in unconsolidated entities			7%
Venture 2
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Owned percentage in unconsolidated entities			10%

Concentration of Credit Risk _2

Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Customers and Suppliers (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of net sales	54%	52%	51%
Percentage of accounts receivable	53%	51%
Percentage of accounts receivable including Company's largest customer	14%	11%
Percentage of cost of goods sold	7%	5%	7%
Sales Revenue, Net | Customer Concentration Risk | Customer One
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of largest customer accounted of the Company's net sales	17%	16%	17%
Sales Revenue, Net | Customer Concentration Risk | Customer Two
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of largest customer accounted of the Company's net sales	16%	16%	16%
Sales Revenue, Net | Customer Concentration Risk | Customer Three
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of largest customer accounted of the Company's net sales	8%	8%	8%

Allowance for Doubtful Accoun_2

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss [Roll Forward]
Balances at Beginning of Period	$ 25,797	$ 26,246	$ 29,219
Charged/ (Credited)  to Costs and Expenses	1,055	1,258	1,264
Asset Write-Offs, Less Recoveries	(5,817)	(1,707)	(4,237)
Balances at End of Period	$ 21,035	$ 25,797	$ 26,246

Inventories, net (Details)

Inventories, net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials	$ 256,419	$ 270,672
Work in progress	146,041	166,394
Finished goods	338,762	384,903
Supplies	16,721	16,219
Total inventories, net	$ 757,943	$ 838,188

Property and Equipment, Net - C

Property and Equipment, Net - Components of Property and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 913,546	$ 883,406
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(534,380)	(491,638)
Total property and equipment, net	379,166	391,768
Land
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	29,672	29,434
Buildings and improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	290,599	277,618
Transportation equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	15,833	14,258
Machine and warehouse equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	409,049	388,854
Capitalized software
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	117,666	117,007
Office furniture and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	31,432	30,534
Assets under construction
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 19,295	$ 25,701

Property and Equipment, Net - A

Property and Equipment, Net - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Depreciation and amortization expense, including the amortization of intangible assets	$ 90,807	$ 87,700	$ 80,948

Goodwill - Changes in Carrying

Goodwill - Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022	Sep. 25, 2021
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	$ 960,922	$ 955,997	$ 955,997	$ 778,952
Accumulated impairment losses	(409,561)	(409,561)	(409,561)	(409,561)
Balance as of beginning of period	546,436	546,436	369,391
Additions in fiscal year	4,925	0	177,045
Balance as of end of period	551,361	546,436	546,436
Garden Products Segment
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	482,952	482,952	482,952	305,907
Accumulated impairment losses	(213,583)	(213,583)	(213,583)	(213,583)
Balance as of beginning of period	269,369	269,369	92,324
Additions in fiscal year	0	0	177,045
Balance as of end of period	269,369	269,369	269,369
Pet Products Segment
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill	477,970	473,045	473,045	473,045
Accumulated impairment losses	(195,978)	(195,978)	(195,978)	$ (195,978)
Balance as of beginning of period	277,067	277,067	277,067
Additions in fiscal year	4,925	0	0
Balance as of end of period	$ 281,992	$ 277,067	$ 277,067

Goodwill - Additional Informati

Goodwill - Additional Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024 reportingUnit
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Number of reporting units	2

Other Intangible Assets - Compo

Other Intangible Assets - Components of Gross and Net Acquired Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	$ 760,800	$ 737,800	$ 737,800
Accumulated Amortization	(233,500)	(199,400)	(164,900)
Accumulated Impairment	(54,000)	(41,200)	(29,800)
Net Carrying Value	473,280	497,228	543,200
Marketing-Related Intangible Assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	292,300	274,600	274,600
Accumulated Amortization	(22,800)	(21,500)	(20,500)
Accumulated Impairment	(35,000)	(29,400)	(26,000)
Net Carrying Value	234,500	223,700	228,000
Other Acquired Intangible Assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	46,800	46,800	46,800
Accumulated Amortization	(34,300)	(30,500)	(26,600)
Accumulated Impairment	(1,500)	(1,500)	(1,200)
Net Carrying Value	11,000	14,800	19,100
Amortizable | Marketing-Related Intangible Assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	26,000	22,100	22,100
Accumulated Amortization	(22,800)	(21,500)	(20,500)
Accumulated Impairment	0	0	0
Net Carrying Value	3,100	600	1,500
Amortizable | Customer-Related Intangible Assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	421,700	416,400	416,400
Accumulated Amortization	(176,400)	(147,400)	(117,800)
Accumulated Impairment	(17,500)	(10,300)	(2,500)
Net Carrying Value	227,800	258,800	296,100
Amortizable | Other Acquired Intangible Assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	39,700	39,700	39,700
Accumulated Amortization	(34,300)	(30,500)	(26,600)
Accumulated Impairment	(300)	(300)	0
Net Carrying Value	5,100	8,900	13,200
Nonamortizable | Marketing-Related Intangible Assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	266,300	252,500	252,500
Accumulated Amortization	0	0	0
Accumulated Impairment	(35,000)	(29,400)	(26,000)
Net Carrying Value	231,400	223,100	226,500
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 - Addit

Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2021	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment charge		$ 12,800,000	$ 11,500,000	$ 0
Useful life (in years)		5 years
Amortization expense for intangibles		$ 34,100,000	34,500,000	$ 35,100,000
Intangible asset, expected amortization, year one		25,000,000
Intangible asset, expected amortization, year two		25,000,000
Intangible asset, expected amortization, year three		25,000,000
Intangible asset, expected amortization, year four		23,000,000
Intangible asset, expected amortization, year five		23,000,000
Pet Products Segment
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment charge		$ 12,800,000	7,500,000
Garden Products Segment
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment charge			$ 3,900,000
Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life (in years)		4 years
Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life (in years)		25 years
Marketing-Related Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets, net	$ 17,700,000
Marketing-Related Intangible Assets | Weighted Average
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life (in years)		9 years
Customer-Related Intangible Assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets, net	$ 5,300,000
Customer-Related Intangible Assets | Weighted Average
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life (in years)		10 years
Other Acquired Intangible Assets | Weighted Average
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Useful life (in years)		7 years

Leases - Narrative (Details)

Leases - Narrative (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024
Minimum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Remaining lease term (in years)	1 year
Maximum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Remaining lease term (in years)	10 years

Leases - Supplemental Balance S

Leases - Supplemental Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Operating leases
Operating lease right-of-use assets	$ 205,137	$ 173,540
Current lease liabilities	57,313	50,597
Long-term lease liabilities	173,086	135,621
Total operating lease liabilities	230,400	186,200
Finance leases
Finance lease right-of-use assets	300	100
Current lease liabilities	100	0
Non-current lease liabilities	200	0
Total finance lease liabilities	$ 300	$ 0
Finance lease, right-of-use asset, statement of financial position [extensible list]	Property, Plant, and Equipment and Finance Lease Right-of-Use Asset, after Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization	Property, Plant, and Equipment and Finance Lease Right-of-Use Asset, after Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization
Finance lease, liability, current, statement of financial position [extensible list]	Long-Term Debt, Current Maturities	Long-Term Debt, Current Maturities
Finance lease, liability, noncurrent, statement of financial position [extensible list]	Long-term debt	Long-term debt
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years):
Operating leases	5 years 3 months 18 days	5 years 3 months 18 days
Finance leases	2 years 10 months 24 days	4 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted-average discount rate:
Operating leases	5.64%	3.85%
Finance leases	6.80%	6.89%

Leases - Schedule of Supplement

Leases - Schedule of Supplemental Cash Flow and Other Information Related to Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022
Leases [Abstract]
Operating lease cost	$ 62,800	$ 58,000
Amortization of right-of-use assets	200	100
Interest on lease liabilities	0	0
Total finance lease cost	200	100
Short-term lease cost	13,600	12,600
Variable lease cost	10,600	10,600
Total lease cost	87,200	81,300
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	50,700	50,100
Operating cash flows from finance leases	0	0
Financing cash flows from finance leases	100	0
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases	95,391	42,777	$ 70,794
Finance leases	$ 0	$ 0

Leases - Lease Maturity (Detail

Leases - Lease Maturity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Operating Leases
2025	$ 65
2026	53.7
2027	42.6
2028	30.8
2029	24.7
Thereafter	55.6
Total future undiscounted lease payments	272.4
Less imputed interest	(42)
Total reported lease liability	230.4	$ 186.2
Finance Leases
2025	0.1
2026	0.1
2027	0.1
2028	0
2029	0
Thereafter	0
Total future undiscounted lease payments	0.3
Less imputed interest	0
Total reported lease liability	$ 0.3	$ 0

Long-Term Debt - Components of

Long-Term Debt - Components of Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Apr. 30, 2021	Oct. 31, 2020	Oct. 16, 2020	Dec. 14, 2017
Components of long-term debt
Total	$ 1,190,048	$ 1,188,203
Less current portion	(239)	(247)
Long-term portion	1,189,809	1,187,956
Senior Notes
Components of long-term debt
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(10,345)	(12,231)
Total	1,189,655	1,187,769
Senior Notes | Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028
Components of long-term debt
Gross carrying value	$ 300,000	300,000
Debt instrument, interest rate	5.125%					5.125%
Senior Notes | Senior notes, interest at 4.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due October 2030
Components of long-term debt
Gross carrying value	$ 500,000	500,000
Total	$ 495,200	494,400
Debt instrument, interest rate	4.125%			4.125%	4.125%
Senior Notes | Senior notes, interest at 4.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due April 2031
Components of long-term debt
Gross carrying value	$ 400,000	400,000
Total	$ 396,000	395,400
Debt instrument, interest rate	4.125%		4.125%
Secured Debt | Asset-based Revolving Credit Facility One
Components of long-term debt
Total	$ 0	0
Secured Debt | Asset-based Revolving Credit Facility One | Minimum | Base Rate
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	0%
Secured Debt | Asset-based Revolving Credit Facility One | Minimum | Secured Overnight Financing Rate
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	1%
Secured Debt | Asset-based Revolving Credit Facility One | Maximum | Base Rate
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	0.50%
Secured Debt | Asset-based Revolving Credit Facility One | Maximum | Secured Overnight Financing Rate
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	1.50%
Other Notes Payable
Components of long-term debt
Total	$ 393	$ 434

Long-Term Debt - Senior Notes,

Long-Term Debt - Senior Notes, Additional Information (Details) - Senior Notes - USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2021	Oct. 31, 2020	Oct. 16, 2020	Dec. 14, 2017	Sep. 28, 2024
Senior notes, interest at 4.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due April 2031
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt, aggregate principal amount	$ 400,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate	4.125%				4.125%
Senior notes, interest at 4.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due October 2030
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt, aggregate principal amount		$ 500,000,000	$ 500,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate		4.125%	4.125%		4.125%
Debt issuance costs	$ 6,000,000		$ 8,000,000
Percentage of purchase price equal		100%
Senior notes, interest at 4.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due October 2030 | Redemption Period, One
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt redemption price percentage	102.063%	102.063%
Senior notes, interest at 4.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due October 2030 | Redemption Period, Two
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt redemption price percentage	101.375%	101.375%
Senior notes, interest at 4.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due October 2030 | Redemption Period, Three
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt redemption price percentage	100.688%	100.688%
Senior notes, interest at 4.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due October 2030 | Redemption Period, Four
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt redemption price percentage	100%	100%
Senior notes, interest at 4.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due October 2030 | Upon Change Of Control
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt redemption price percentage	101%			101%
Senior notes interest at 6.125% payable semi-annually, principal due November 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate		6.125%
Senior notes interest at 6.125% payable semi-annually, principal due November 2023 | Redemption Period, Two
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate		101.531%
Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt, aggregate principal amount				$ 300,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate				5.125%	5.125%
Debt issuance costs				$ 4,800,000
Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028 | Redemption Period, Three
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt redemption price percentage				101.708%
Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028 | Redemption Period, Four
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt redemption price percentage				100.854%
Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028 | Upon Change Of Control
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt redemption price percentage				101%
Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028 | Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Five
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt redemption price percentage				100%

Long-Term Debt - Asset-Based Lo

Long-Term Debt - Asset-Based Loan Facility Amendment, Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)			12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024	Dec. 16, 2021	Sep. 28, 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding letters of credit	$ 3,000,000		$ 3,000,000
Line of credit facility, commitment fee percentage	0.125%
Domestic Subsidiary
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, stock or equity interest, percentage	100%		100%
Foreign Subsidiary
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, stock or equity interest, percentage	65%		65%
Short-Notice Borrowing
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding letters of credit		$ 75,000,000
Standby Letters of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding letters of credit		50,000,000
Asset-based Revolving Credit Facility | Secured Overnight Financing Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	0%
Letter of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding letters of credit		0
Other letters of credit outstanding	$ 3,000,000		$ 3,000,000
Secured Debt | Asset-based Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount		750,000,000
Additional principal amount		$ 400,000,000
Borrowing base	481,000,000		481,000,000
Long-term line of credit	0		0
Debt issuance costs	$ 2,400,000		$ 2,400,000
Debt instrument fixed charge coverage ratio	1		1
Secured Debt | Asset-based Revolving Credit Facility | Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	0%
Applicable interest rate on the credit facility	8%		8%
Secured Debt | Asset-based Revolving Credit Facility | Base Rate | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility			0%
Secured Debt | Asset-based Revolving Credit Facility | Base Rate | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	0.50%		0.50%
Secured Debt | Asset-based Revolving Credit Facility | One-Month SOFR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	1%
Applicable interest rate on the credit facility	5.80%		5.80%
Secured Debt | Asset-based Revolving Credit Facility | Secured Overnight Financing Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	1%
Secured Debt | Asset-based Revolving Credit Facility | Secured Overnight Financing Rate | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate during period		0%
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility			1%
Secured Debt | Asset-based Revolving Credit Facility | Secured Overnight Financing Rate | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility			1.50%

Long-Term Debt - Scheduled Prin

Long-Term Debt - Scheduled Principal Repayments on Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2025	$ 239
2026	62
2027	57
2028	35
2029	0
Thereafter	1,200,000
Total	1,200,393
Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance costs	10,345	$ 12,231
Senior Notes | Senior Notes Due February 2028
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance costs	1,600
Senior Notes | Senior Notes Due October 2030
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance costs	4,800
Senior Notes | Senior Notes Due April 2031
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance costs	$ 4,000

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - (Details) $ in Millions		1 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2018 USD ($) claim	Jun. 27, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 28, 2024 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2023 USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Outstanding letters of credit			$ 3
Restricted cash			$ 14.9	$ 14.1
Number of claims | claim	3
Awarded damages	$ 12.6	$ 12.4

Income Taxes - Provision for In

Income Taxes - Provision for Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022
Current:
Federal	$ 42,400	$ 41,375	$ 11,391
State	4,107	6,229	4,418
Foreign	1,087	997	2,297
Total	47,594	48,601	18,106
Deferred:
Federal	(14,495)	(10,339)	27,276
State	757	(2,547)	1,710
Foreign	(744)	633	(858)
Total	(14,482)	(12,253)	28,128
Total	$ 33,112	$ 36,348	$ 46,234

Income Taxes - Reconciliation o

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of the Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate to the Company's Effective Income Tax Rate (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Statutory federal income tax rate	21%	21%	21%
State income taxes, net of federal benefit	2.80%	1.50%	2.50%
Other permanent differences	(0.10%)	(0.20%)	(0.10%)
Non-Deductible Officers Compensation	0.014	0.007	0.005
Adjustment of prior year accruals	(0.30%)	(0.20%)	0.20%
Credits	(0.70%)	(0.70%)	(0.50%)
Stock based compensation	(1.50%)	(0.30%)	(0.50%)
Other	0.60%	0.60%	0.10%
Effective income tax rate	23.20%	22.40%	23.20%

Income Taxes - Tax Effect of Te

Income Taxes - Tax Effect of Temporary Differences and Carryforwards which Give Rise to Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Deferred Tax Assets
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 5,005	$ 5,338
Inventory write-downs	23,570	18,230
Nondeductible reserves	10,958	10,045
State taxes	0
Employee benefits	12,232	10,743
State net operating loss carryforward	16,505	6,158
Stock based compensation	6,939	8,155
State credits	3,007	3,055
Other	15,342	5,389
Valuation allowance	(9,900)	(7,659)
Total	83,658	59,635
Deferred Tax Liabilities
Prepaid expenses	1,928	1,602
Deferred tax liabilities, state taxes	220	0
Depreciation and amortization	185,560	192,235
Deferred tax liabilities, equity loss	1,067	653
Total	$ 188,775	$ 194,490

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
State income tax credits	$ 3,500,000
Valuation allowances	9,900,000	$ 7,659,000
Accrued interest (less than)	100,000	100,000
Penalties were accrued related to uncertain tax positions	0	$ 0
Unrecognized tax benefit may be recognized within twelve months as a result of a settlement	300,000
Decrease in unrecognized tax benefits	100,000
State
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Net operating losses	93,400,000
Foreign
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Net operating losses	$ 11,800,000

Income Taxes - Activity Related

Income Taxes - Activity Related to Company's Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Unrecognized Tax Benefits [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 391	$ 382
Increases related to prior year tax positions	1	222
Increases related to current year tax positions	0	100
Decreases related to prior year tax positions	(12)	(10)
Settlements	(1)	(222)
Decreases related to lapse of statute of limitations	(84)	(81)
Ending Balance	$ 295	$ 391

Stock-Based Compensation - Addi

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024 USD ($) shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted (in shares)	0
2003 Plan | Class A common stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares authorized (in shares)	19,700,000
Shares reserved for outstanding equity awards (in shares)	0
Shares reserved for future awards (in shares)	11,200,000
2003 Plan | Common stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares authorized (in shares)	5,800,000
Shares reserved for outstanding equity awards (in shares)	2,500,000
Shares reserved for future awards (in shares)	4,600,000
2003 Plan | Preferred Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares authorized (in shares)	500,000,000
Shares reserved for outstanding equity awards (in shares)	2,500,000
Shares reserved for future awards (in shares)	500,000
Director Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Granted (in shares)	0
Director Plan | Restricted Stock Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted shares maximum value | $	$ 120

Stock-Based Compensation - Stoc

Stock-Based Compensation - Stock Option Awards, Additional Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Sep. 30, 2023 USD ($) $ / shares	Sep. 24, 2022 USD ($) $ / shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Dividend during expected term	$ 0
Granted (in shares) | shares	0
Time-Based Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercise price percentage above market price	0.15
Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Dividend during expected term	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Expected life of option award (in years)		8 years	3 years 8 months 12 days
Stock price volatility (percent)		30.60%	31.10%
Risk free interest rate		3.60%	1.70%
Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted (in usd per share) | $ / shares		$ 12.29	$ 8.77
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	12,000,000	$ 3,900,000	$ 6,100,000
Total unrecognized compensation cost	$ 300,000
Weighted average vesting period (in years)	1 year
Stock Options | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding options to purchase common stock (in usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 20.63	$ 20.63	$ 17.10
Stock Options | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Outstanding options to purchase common stock (in usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 41.10	$ 41.10	$ 41.10
Restricted Stock Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total unrecognized compensation cost	$ 24,400,000
Weighted average vesting period (in years)	3 years
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 20,600,000	$ 28,000,000	$ 25,800,000
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Stock Options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	700,000	3,800,000	4,900,000
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | Restricted Stock Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	13,100,000	16,300,000	13,700,000
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | 401 (K)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 6,800,000	$ 7,900,000	$ 7,200,000

Stock-Based Compensation - Summ

Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022
Number of Shares (in thousands)
Beginning Balance, Outstanding (in shares)	2,228,000
Granted (in shares)	0
Exercised (in shares)	(1,136,000)
Canceled or expired (in shares)	(264,000)
Ending Balance, Outstanding (in shares)	828,000	2,228,000
Exercisable (in shares)	758,000	1,613,000	1,489,000
Expected to vest (in shares)	70,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share
Beginning Balance, Outstanding (in usd per share)	$ 26.53
Granted (in usd per share)	0
Exercised (in usd per share)	23.96
Canceled or expired (in usd per share)	30.37
Ending Balance, Outstanding (in usd per share)	28.83	$ 26.53
Exercised (in usd per share)	28.25	$ 24.99	$ 25.50
Expected to vest (in usd per share)	$ 35.16
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life
Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	2 years	3 years
Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	2 years	2 years	3 years
Expected to vest, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	1 year
Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 3,520	$ 30,229
Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	3,518	$ 11,361	$ 5,826
Expected to vest, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 2

Stock-Based Compensation - Rest

Stock-Based Compensation - Restricted Stock Awards, Additional Information (Details) shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended	24 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024 USD ($) shares	Sep. 24, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023 shares
Restricted Stock Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Awards outstanding (in shares) | shares	1,398		1,848
Total unrecognized compensation cost | $	$ 24.4
Weighted average vesting period (in years)	3 years
Restricted Stock Awards | Vesting One
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period (in years)		4 years
Restricted Stock Awards | Vesting Two
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period (in years)		5 years
Performance Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance measurement period	4 years
Shares issued, performance stock units, award amount percentage	1
Performance Stock Units | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares issued, performance stock units, award amount percentage	0.50
Performance Stock Units | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares issued, performance stock units, award amount percentage	2.25

Stock-Based Compensation - Su_2

Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Restricted Stock Award Activity (Details) - Restricted Stock Awards shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024 $ / shares shares
Number of Shares
Beginning Balance, Nonvested (in shares) | shares	1,848
Granted (in shares) | shares	332
Vested (in shares) | shares	(603)
Forfeited (in shares) | shares	(179)
Ending Balance, Nonvested (in shares) | shares	1,398
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share
Beginning Balance, Nonvested (in usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 29.13
Granted (in usd per share) | $ / shares	33.27
Vested (in usd per share) | $ / shares	26.87
Forfeited (in usd per share) | $ / shares	32.32
Ending Balance, Nonvested (in usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 30.68

Shareholders' Equity (Details)

Shareholders' Equity (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024 USD ($) vote $ / shares shares	Sep. 30, 2023 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Sep. 24, 2022 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock authorized (in shares)	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, par value (in usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Repurchased of stock | $	$ 10,846,000	$ 30,736,000	$ 57,795,000
2019 Repurchase Authorization
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchase program, authorized amount | $				$ 100,000,000
Stock repurchase program remaining authorized amount | $	$ 82,000,000
Equity Dilution Authorization
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchase, remaining authorization (in shares)	38,000
Common stock ($0.01 par value; 80 million shares authorized; 11,074,620 and 11,077,612 issued at September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively)
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock authorized (in shares)	80,000,000	80,000,000
Common stock, par value (in usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	11,074,620	11,077,612
Class A common stock ($0.01 par value; 100 million shares authorized; 54,446,194 and 54,472,902 issued at September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively)
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock authorized (in shares)	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, par value (in usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	54,446,194	54,472,902
Class B stock ($0.01 par value; 3 million shares authorized; 1,602,374 and 1,602,374 issued at September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively)
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock authorized (in shares)	3,000,000	3,000,000
Common stock, par value (in usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	1,602,374	1,602,374
Percentage of vote cast for shares (percent)	49%
Convertible shares conversion ratio	1
Class B stock ($0.01 par value; 3 million shares authorized; 1,602,374 and 1,602,374 issued at September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively) | Minimum
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of voting powers | vote	1
Class B stock ($0.01 par value; 3 million shares authorized; 1,602,374 and 1,602,374 issued at September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively) | Maximum
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Number of voting powers | vote	10
Non voting common stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Repurchased of stock (in shares)	300,000
Repurchased of stock | $	$ 10,700,000
Voting Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Repurchased of stock | $	3,000
Common Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Repurchased of stock | $	$ 109,000

Earnings Per Share - Numerators

Earnings Per Share - Numerators and Denominators in Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022
Basic EPS:
Net income available to common shareholders	$ 107,983	$ 125,643	$ 152,152
Net income available to common shareholders (in shares)	65,711	65,493	66,525
Net income available to common shareholders (in usd per share)	$ 1.64	$ 1.92	$ 2.29
Effect of dilutive securities:
Options to purchase common stock (in shares)	228	369	596
Options to purchase common stock (in usd per share)	$ 0	$ (0.01)	$ (0.02)
Restricted shares (in shares)	741	797	910
Restricted shares (in usd per share)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.03)
Performance stock units (in shares)	180	124	0
Performance stock units (in usd per share)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Diluted EPS:
Net income available to common shareholders	$ 107,983	$ 125,643	$ 152,152
Net income available to common shareholders (in shares)	66,860	66,783	68,031
Net income available to common shareholders (in usd per share)	$ 1.62	$ 1.88	$ 2.24

Earnings Per Share - Additional

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Details) - shares shares in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022
Stock Options
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Common stock outstanding, not included in computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)	0.3	0.6	0.4

Transactions with Related Par_2

Transactions with Related Parties (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Accounts payable	$ 212,606	$ 190,902
Contract Packaging, Inc.
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of shares held by CPI in Tech Pac	20%	20%	20%
Accounts payable	$ 1,400	$ 1,600
Contract Packaging, Inc. | Tech Pac
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Purchases products from related party	$ 37,000	$ 31,000	$ 41,000

Business Segment Data - Additio

Business Segment Data - Additional Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024 segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	2

Business Segment Data - Class o

Business Segment Data - Class of Similar Products Which Represented Approximately 10% or More of Company's Consolidated Net Sales (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 3,200,460	$ 3,310,083	$ 3,338,588
Other garden products
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	802,600	832,200	865,300
Other pet products
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	701,400	699,400	765,900
Other manufacturers' products
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	735,900	734,900	730,200
Dog & cat products
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	534,200	568,600	542,900
Wild bird
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 426,400	$ 475,000	$ 434,300

Business Segment Data - Financi

Business Segment Data - Financial Information Relating to Company's Business Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 24, 2022
Net sales:
Revenues	$ 3,200,460	$ 3,310,083	$ 3,338,588
Operating income (loss):
Operating income (loss)	185,387	210,646	260,036
Interest expense	(57,527)	(57,025)	(58,253)
Interest income	19,655	7,362	719
Other income (expense), net	(5,090)	1,462	(3,596)
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	142,425	162,445	198,906
Income tax expense	33,112	36,348	46,234
Net income including noncontrolling interest	109,313	126,097	152,672
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,330	454	520
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	107,983	125,643	152,152
Assets:
Assets	3,553,439	3,378,648	3,282,002
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	90,807	87,700	80,948
Expenditures for long-lived assets:
Expenditures for long-lived assets	46,664	53,966	115,205
Operating Segments | Pet segment
Net sales:
Revenues	1,832,744	1,877,177	1,878,110
Operating income (loss):
Operating income (loss)	203,425	198,004	208,924
Assets:
Assets	955,000	944,359	1,069,167
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	43,642	41,126	38,960
Expenditures for long-lived assets:
Expenditures for long-lived assets	27,757	33,515	46,917
Operating Segments | Garden segment
Net sales:
Revenues	1,367,716	1,432,906	1,460,478
Operating income (loss):
Operating income (loss)	81,893	123,455	153,956
Assets:
Assets	1,272,033	1,349,426	1,405,802
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	44,403	43,375	36,583
Expenditures for long-lived assets:
Expenditures for long-lived assets	17,307	19,109	65,126
Corporate and eliminations
Operating income (loss):
Operating income (loss)	(99,931)	(110,813)	(102,844)
Assets:
Assets	1,326,406	1,084,863	807,033
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	2,762	3,199	5,405
Expenditures for long-lived assets:
Expenditures for long-lived assets	$ 1,600	$ 1,342	$ 3,162