Central Garden & Pet (CENT) 10-K12 Dec 132013 FY Annual reportFinancial data

Company Profile

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2013	Dec. 01, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Dec. 01, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013
	Sep. 28, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Common Stock [Member]	Class A Common Stock [Member]	Class A Common Stock [Member]	Class B Stock [Member]	Class B Stock [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'	'	'	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'	'	'	'	'
Document Period End Date	28-Sep-13	'	'	'	'	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'	'	'	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'	'	'	'	'
Trading Symbol	'CENT	'	'	'	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO	'	'	'	'	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000887733	'	'	'	'	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--09-28	'	'	'	'	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'	'	'	'	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'	'	'	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'	'	'	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'	'	'	'	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	'	12,246,751	35,385,956	'	1,652,262	'
Entity Public Float	'	$90,700,000	'	'	$257,100,000	'	$53,900

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$15,156	$48,475
Short term investments	17,820	22,705
Accounts receivable, net	194,260	202,422
Inventories	391,934	330,032
Prepaid expenses, deferred income taxes and other	53,484	48,149
Total current assets	672,654	651,783
Plant, property and equipment, net	188,913	191,163
Goodwill	205,756	210,223
Other intangible assets, net	79,868	78,853
Other assets	13,969	17,525
Total	1,161,160	1,149,547
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	103,569	126,662
Accrued expenses	78,618	79,491
Current portion of long-term debt	142	331
Total current liabilities	182,329	206,484
Long-term debt	472,445	449,483
Deferred income taxes and other long-term obligations	36,362	28,697
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)	'	'
Equity:	'	'
Common stock	122	122
Additional paid-in capital	389,153	382,195
Retained earnings	77,592	79,718
Accumulated other comprehensive income	1,442	1,539
Total Central Garden & Pet shareholders' equity	468,678	463,937
Noncontrolling interest	1,346	946
Total equity	470,024	464,883
Total	1,161,160	1,149,547
Class A Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Equity:	'	'
Common stock	353	347
Total equity	353	347
Class B Stock [Member]	'	'
Equity:	'	'
Common stock	16	16
Total equity	$16	$16

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 29, 2012	Jun. 23, 2012	Mar. 24, 2012	Dec. 24, 2011	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$368,837	$494,130	$498,169	$292,497	$397,236	$533,808	$466,903	$302,066	$1,653,633	$1,700,013	$1,628,652
Cost of goods sold and occupancy	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,189,731	1,185,855	1,134,733
Gross profit	81,307	152,466	153,170	76,959	105,072	180,652	147,696	80,738	463,902	514,158	493,919
Selling, general and administrative expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	416,038	439,737	408,744
Goodwill impairment	7,709	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	7,709	0	0
Income from operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	40,155	74,421	85,175
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-43,112	-40,315	-38,044
Interest income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	142	145	296
Other income (expense)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-677	678	550
Income (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-3,492	34,929	47,977
Income tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-2,592	12,816	19,595
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-900	22,113	28,382
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,029	940	59
Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	($22,581)	$13,725	$22,196	($15,269)	($10,059)	$22,699	$21,623	($13,090)	($1,929)	$21,173	$28,323
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic	($0.47)	$0.28	$0.46	($0.32)	($0.21)	$0.48	$0.46	($0.27)	($0.04)	$0.44	$0.50
Diluted	($0.47)	$0.28	$0.46	($0.32)	($0.21)	$0.47	$0.45	($0.27)	($0.04)	$0.44	$0.50
Weighted average shares used in the computation of net income per share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic	48,264	48,173	48,064	47,871	47,704	47,661	47,343	47,823	48,094	47,622	56,217
Diluted	48,264	48,822	48,740	47,871	47,704	48,388	48,036	47,823	48,094	48,374	56,645

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	($900)	$22,113	$28,382
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation	-97	520	75
Total comprehensive income (loss)	-997	22,633	28,457
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,029	940	59
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	($2,026)	$21,693	$28,398

Consolidated_Statements_of_Equ

Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Class A Common Stock [Member]	Class B Stock [Member]	Additional Paid in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Parent [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Class A Common Stock [Member]	Class B Stock [Member]	Additional Paid in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Parent [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Balance, Beginning balance at Sep. 25, 2010	$532,143	$163	$437	$16	$483,817	$45,319	$944	$530,696	$1,447
Shares, Issued, Beginning Balance at Sep. 25, 2010	'	16,258,704	43,696,426	1,652,262	'	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	75	0	0	0	0	0	75	75	0
Stock-based compensation	5,545	0	0	0	5,545	0	0	5,545	0
Tax benefit/deficiency on exercise of stock options, net of tax benefit	-501	0	0	0	-501	0	0	-501	0
Restricted share activity	-264	-1	4	'	-267	'	'	-264	'
Restricted share activity, shares	'	-5,867	470,009	0	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock	1,574	0	4	0	1,570	0	0	1,574	0
Issuance of common stock, shares	'	14,401	421,183	0	'	'	'	'	'
Repurchase of common stock	-108,672	-33	-86	0	-93,956	-14,597	0	-108,672	0
Repurchase of common stock, shares	'	-3,317,645	-8,646,258	0	'	'	'	'	'
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	-1,500	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1,500
Net income (loss)	28,382	0	0	0	0	28,323	0	28,323	59
Balance, Ending balance at Sep. 24, 2011	456,782	129	359	16	396,208	59,045	1,019	456,776	6
Shares, Issued, Ending Balance at Sep. 24, 2011	'	12,949,593	35,941,360	1,652,262	'	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	520	0	0	0	0	0	520	520	0
Stock-based compensation	5,449	0	0	0	5,449	0	0	5,449	0
Tax benefit/deficiency on exercise of stock options, net of tax benefit	56	0	0	0	56	0	0	56	0
Restricted share activity	370	0	1	'	369	'	'	370	'
Restricted share activity, shares	'	-9,722	90,540	'	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock	477	0	6	0	471	0	0	477	0
Issuance of common stock, shares	'	0	579,702	0	'	'	'	'	'
Repurchase of common stock	-20,884	-7	-19	0	-20,358	-500	0	-20,884	0
Repurchase of common stock, shares	'	-692,300	-1,904,700	0	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	22,113	0	0	0	0	21,173	0	21,173	940
Balance, Ending balance at Sep. 29, 2012	464,883	122	347	16	382,195	79,718	1,539	463,937	946
Shares, Issued, Ending Balance at Sep. 29, 2012	'	12,247,571	34,706,902	1,652,262	'	'	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-97	0	0	0	0	0	-97	-97	0
Stock-based compensation	4,210	0	0	0	4,210	0	0	4,210	0
Tax benefit/deficiency on exercise of stock options, net of tax benefit	-90	0	0	0	-90	0	0	-90	0
Restricted share activity	2,464	0	4	'	2,460	'	'	2,464	'
Restricted share activity, shares	'	-820	442,238	'	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock	1,686	0	3	0	1,683	0	0	1,686	0
Issuance of common stock, shares	'	0	307,761	0	'	'	'	'	'
Repurchase of common stock	-1,503	0	-1	0	-1,305	-197	0	-1,503	0
Repurchase of common stock, shares	'	0	-165,900	0	'	'	'	'	'
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	-629	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-629
Net income (loss)	-900	0	0	0	0	-1,929	0	-1,929	1,029
Balance, Ending balance at Sep. 28, 2013	$470,024	$122	$353	$16	$389,153	$77,592	$1,442	$468,678	$1,346
Shares, Issued, Ending Balance at Sep. 28, 2013	'	12,246,751	35,291,001	1,652,262	'	'	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	($900)	$22,113	$28,382
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	32,968	30,425	28,566
Stock-based compensation	15,892	7,510	7,447
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards	-388	-1,881	-945
Deferred income taxes	-3,233	14,411	25,289
Loss on acquisition of business	370	0	0
Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment	547	180	110
Unrealized (gains) losses on derivative financial instruments	0	-83	57
Goodwill impairment	7,709	0	0
Changes in assets and liabilities (excluding businesses acquired):	'	'	'
Receivables	8,185	-6,841	37
Inventories	-61,697	-164	-31,683
Prepaid expenses and other assets	4,798	7,549	-3,339
Accounts payable	-23,866	9,805	7,404
Accrued expenses	-7,781	4,955	-9,956
Other long-term obligations	-886	1,190	-361
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	-28,282	89,169	51,008
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'	'
Additions to property, plant and equipment	-25,172	-39,592	-31,563
Businesses acquired, net of cash acquired	-4,835	0	-25,307
Return of equity method investment	0	0	3,133
Sale of (investment in) short-term investments	4,885	-4,885	-2,500
Net cash used by investing activities	-25,122	-44,477	-56,237
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'	'
Repayments on revolving line of credit	-368,000	-339,000	-668,000
Borrowings on revolving line of credit	391,000	304,000	703,000
Repayments of long-term debt	-332	-353	-335
Issuance of long-term debt	0	49,312	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	613	2,129	1,675
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards	388	1,881	945
Repurchase of common stock, including shares surrendered for tax withholding	-2,731	-24,829	-108,727
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	-629	0	-1,500
Payment of financing costs	0	-1,715	-1,055
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	20,309	-8,575	-73,997
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents	-224	327	-203
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-33,319	36,444	-79,429
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	48,475	12,031	91,460
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	15,156	48,475	12,031
Supplemental information:	'	'	'
Cash paid for interest	42,960	40,930	37,936
Cash paid for income taxes - net of refunds	-2,493	-8,048	-947
Non-cash investing activities:	'	'	'
Capital expenditures incurred but not paid	926	1,677	1,974
Liability for contingent performance based payments	4,165	0	0
Non-cash financing activities:	'	'	'
Repurchased shares not yet settled	0	0	2,211
Restricted share stock bonus	$9,579	$948	$0

Organization_and_Significant_A

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Organization and Significant Accounting Policies	Sep. 28, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Organization and Significant Accounting Policies	'
	1. 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 for the pet and lawn and garden supplies markets.
	Basis of Consolidation and Presentation – The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Central and all majority-owned subsidiaries. Noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities are recognized for the share of assets, liabilities and operating results not owned by Central. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The fiscal years ended September 28, 2013 and September 24, 2011 included 52 weeks; the fiscal year ended September 29, 2012 included 53 weeks.
	Noncontrolling Interest – Noncontrolling interest in the Company’s consolidated financial statements represents the 20% interest not owned by the Company in a consolidated subsidiary. Since the Company controls this subsidiary, its financial statements are fully consolidated with those of the Company, and the noncontrolling owner’s 20% share of the subsidiary’s net assets and results of operations is deducted and reported as noncontrolling interest on the consolidated balance sheets and as net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest in the consolidated statements of operations.
	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. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Revenue Recognition – Sales are recognized when merchandise is shipped, risk of loss and title passes to the customer and the Company has no further obligations to provide services related to such merchandise. Discounts, volume-based rebate incentives and most cooperative advertising amounts are recorded as a reduction of sales. The Company’s practice on product returns is to accept and credit the return of unopened cases of products from customers where the quantity is small, where the product has been mis-shipped or the product is defective. Provisions are made for estimated sales returns which are deducted from net sales at the time of shipment. Sales also include shipping and handling costs billed directly to customers. The amount billed to customers for shipping and handling costs included in net sales for the fiscal years ended September 28, 2013, September 29, 2012 and September 24, 2011 was $6.9 million, $4.8 million and $2.7 million, respectively.
	Cost of goods sold and occupancy consists of cost of product, inbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, certain indirect purchasing, merchandise handling and storage costs, internal transfer costs as well as allocations of overhead costs, including depreciation, related to the Company’s facilities. Cost of goods sold excludes substantially all shipping and handling and out-bound freight costs to customers, which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses as delivery expenses. The cost of shipping and handling, including internal costs and payments to third parties, included in delivery expenses within selling, general and administrative expenses for the fiscal years ended September 28, 2013, September 29, 2012 and September 24, 2011 was $47.7 million, $54.6 million and $49.7 million, respectively.
	Advertising Costs – The Company expenses the costs of advertising as incurred. Advertising expenses were $44.5 million, $54.4 million and $39.6 million in fiscal 2013, 2012, and 2011, 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 $2.1 million for each of the fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011. In fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company’s matching contributions made in the Company’s Class A common stock resulted in the issuance of approximately 229,000, 230,000 and 190,000 shares, respectively.
	Other income consists principally of earnings from equity method investments and foreign exchange gains and losses.
	Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred income taxes result primarily from bad debt allowances, inventory and goodwill write-downs, amortization and depreciation. The Company establishes a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets when management believes it is more likely than not a deferred tax asset will not be realized. As of fiscal year-end 2013 and 2012, the Company had valuation allowances related to various state and foreign net deferred tax assets of $7.0 million and $7.3 million, respectively. The Company has no undistributed foreign earnings.
	Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid debt instruments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase.
	Short term investments include investments with original maturities greater than three months and remaining maturities of one year or less. Short-term investments classified as held-to-maturity are financial instruments that the Company has the intent and ability to hold to maturity and are reported at amortized cost and are not remeasured to fair value on a recurring basis.
	Accounts receivable are carried at their estimated collectible amounts. Trade credit is generally extended on a short-term basis; thus trade receivables do not bear interest, although a finance charge may be applied to such receivables that are past due.
	Allowance for doubtful accounts – Trade accounts receivable are regularly evaluated for collectability based on past credit history with customers and their current financial condition.
	Inventories, which primarily consist of garden products and pet supplies finished goods, are stated at the lower of FIFO cost or market. Cost includes certain indirect purchasing, merchandise handling and storage costs incurred to acquire or manufacture inventory, costs to unload, process and put away shipments received in order to prepare them to be picked for orders, and certain other overhead costs. The amount of such costs capitalized to inventory is computed based on an estimate of costs related to the procurement and processing of inventory to prepare it for sale compared to total product purchases.
	Long-Lived Assets – The Company reviews its long-lived assets, including amortizable and indefinite-lived intangible assets and property, plant and equipment, for potential impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable, and annually for indefinite-lived intangible assets. An impairment loss would be recognized for amortizable intangible assets and property, plant and equipment when estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset are less than its carrying amount. An impairment loss would be recognized for an intangible asset with an indefinite useful life if its carrying value exceeds its fair value. Impairment, if any, is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds its fair value. Should market conditions or the assumptions used by the Company in determining the fair value of assets change, or management changes plans regarding the future use of certain assets, additional charges to operations may be required in the period in which such conditions occur. See Note 10 – Other Intangible Assets.

	Land, buildings, improvements and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method over thirty 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 and accelerated methods over the estimated useful lives of 3 to 10 years.
	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 9 – Goodwill.
	Investments – The Company owns membership interests approximating 50% in two unconsolidated companies. The Company accounts for its interest in these entities using the equity method. Equity income of $0.9 million in fiscal 2013, $0.7 million in fiscal 2012 and $0.9 million in fiscal 2011 is included in other income in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company’s investment in these entities was $0.8 million at September 28, 2013 and $1.3 million at September 29, 2012. On a combined basis, the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of these entities are not significant.
	Accruals For Insurance – The Company maintains insurance for certain risks, including workers’ compensation, general liability and vehicle liability, and is self-insured for employee related health care benefits. The Company’s workers’ compensation, general liability and vehicle liability insurance policies include deductibles of $250,000 to $350,000 per occurrence. The Company maintains excess loss insurance that covers any health care claims in excess of $700,000 per person per year. The Company establishes reserves for losses based on its claims experience and actuarial estimates of the ultimate loss amount inherent in the claims, including claims incurred but not yet reported. Costs are recognized in the period the claim is incurred, and the financial statement accruals include an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported.
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments – At September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, 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 for further information regarding the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments.
	Derivative Financial Instruments – The Company reports all derivative financial instruments on the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in fair value are recognized in earnings, or are deferred, depending on the nature of the underlying exposure being hedged and how effective the derivative is at offsetting a change in the underlying exposure.
	The Company principally uses a combination of purchase orders and various short and long-term supply arrangements in connection with the purchase of raw materials, including certain commodities. The Company also enters into commodity futures, options and swap contracts to reduce the volatility of price fluctuations of corn, which impacts the cost of raw materials. The Company’s primary objective when entering into these derivative contracts is to achieve greater certainty with regard to the future price of commodities purchased for use in its supply chain. These derivative contracts are entered into for periods consistent with the related underlying exposures and do not constitute positions independent of those exposures. The Company does not enter into derivative contracts for speculative purposes and does not use leveraged instruments.

	The Company did not perform the assessments required to achieve hedge accounting for commodity derivative positions. Accordingly, the changes in the values of these derivatives are recorded currently in its consolidated statements of operations. As of September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, the notional amount of these contracts was not significant.
	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 2013 was $15.9 million ($10.0 million after tax), in fiscal 2012 was $7.5 million ($4.7 million after tax) and in fiscal 2011 was $7.4 million ($4.4 million after tax). See Note 13 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. Other comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of currency translation adjustments relating to the Company’s foreign subsidiary whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. The Company does not have any undistributed foreign earnings.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements – In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income.” ASU No. 2011-05 requires that all nonowner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements, eliminating the option to present other comprehensive income in the statement of changes in equity. Under either choice, items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income are required to be presented on the face of the financial statements where the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income are presented. In December 2011, the FASB issued an update to ASU No. 2011-05, ASU No. 2011-12, which was issued to defer the effective date for amendments to the reclassifications of items out of accumulated other comprehensive income in ASU No. 2011-05. ASU 2011-05 and the amendments in ASU No. 2011-12 are effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011 and became effective for the Company on September 30, 2012. The Company elected to report other comprehensive income and its components in a separate statement of comprehensive income. While the new guidance changed the presentation of comprehensive income, there were no changes to components that are recognized in net income or other comprehensive income as determined under previous accounting guidance. The amended guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment, which amended the guidance on the annual testing of goodwill for impairment. The amended guidance allows companies to assess qualitative factors to determine if it is more-likely-than-not that goodwill might be impaired and whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test required under current accounting standards. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, and became effective for the Company on September 30, 2012. This new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	In July 2012, the FASB issued an ASU No. 2012-02, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment, which simplifies the manner in which companies test indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. The ASU permits companies to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether events and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative impairment test. The ASU is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. The guidance became effective for the Company on September 30, 2012. This new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) – Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (ASU 2013-02). This guidance requires entities to disclose, either in the notes to the consolidated financial statements or parenthetically on the face of the statement that reports comprehensive income (loss), items reclassified out of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and into net earnings in their entirety and the effect of the reclassification on each affected Statement of Operations line item. In addition, for Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) reclassification items that are not reclassified in their entirety into net earnings, a cross reference to other required accounting standard disclosures is required. This guidance is effective for the Company on September 29, 2013. This new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
Fair Value Measurements	Sep. 28, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	2. Fair Value Measurements
	ASC 820 establishes a single authoritative definition of fair value, a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure of fair value measurements. ASC 820 requires financial assets and liabilities to be categorized based on the inputs used to calculate their fair values as follows:
	Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.
	Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (including assumptions about risk).
	The Company’s financial instruments include cash and equivalents, short term investments consisting of bank certificates of deposit, accounts receivable and payable, derivative instruments, short-term borrowings, and accrued liabilities. The carrying amount of these instruments approximates fair value because of their short-term nature.
	Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
	The following table presents the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis based upon the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall, as of September 28, 2013 (in thousands):

			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets:
	Certificates of deposit (a)		$	0	$	17,820	$	0	$	17,820

	Total assets		$	0	$	17,820	$	0	$	17,820

	Liabilities:
	Derivative liabilities (b)		$	0	$	0	$	0	$	0
	Liability for contingent consideration (c)			0		0		4,165		4,165

	Total liabilities		$	0	$	0	$	4,165	$	4,165

	The following table presents our financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis based upon the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall, as of September 29, 2012 (in thousands):

			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets:
	Certificates of deposit (a)		$	0	$	17,820	$	0	$	17,820
	Derivative assets (b)			0		334		0		334

	Total assets		$	0	$	18,154	$	0	$	18,154

	Liabilities:
	Derivative liabilities (b)		$	0	$	206	$	0	$	206

	Total liabilities		$	0	$	206	$	0	$	206

	(a)	The fair value of our time deposits is based on the most recent observable inputs for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active or are directly or indirectly observable. These are presented as short term investments in our consolidated balance sheets.
	(b)	Derivative assets and liabilities were valued using quoted forward pricing from bank counterparties and are presented as other current assets and liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets.
	(c)	The liability for contingent consideration relates to an earn-out for B2E, acquired in December 2012. The fair value of the contingent consideration arrangement is determined based on the Company’s evaluation as to the probability and amount of any earn-out that will be achieved based on expected future performance by the acquired entity. This is presented as part of long-term liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets.
	The following table provides a summary of changes in fair value of our Level 3 financial instruments for the years ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012 (in thousands):

			Amount
	Balance as of September 29, 2012		$	0
	Contingent performance-based payments established at the time of acquisition			4,165

	Balance as of September 28, 2013		$	4,165

	Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis
	The Company measures certain non-financial assets and liabilities, including long-lived assets, goodwill and intangible assets, at fair value on a non-recurring basis. Fair value measurements of non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities are used primarily in the impairment analyses of long-lived assets, goodwill and other intangible assets. During the period ended September 28, 2013, the Company recognized a non-cash charge of $7.7 million, as the carrying value of its Garden segment goodwill exceeded the implied fair value of the goodwill. See Note 9. -Goodwill.
	Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments
	The estimated fair value of the Company’s $450.0 million 8.25% senior subordinated notes due 2018 as of September 28, 2013 was $449.5 million, compared to a carrying value of $449.4 million. The estimated fair value is based on quoted market prices for these notes, which are Level 1 inputs within the fair value hierarchy.

Derivative_Instruments

Derivative Instruments	12 Months Ended
Derivative Instruments	Sep. 28, 2013
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative Instruments	'
	3. Derivative Instruments
	Our operations are exposed to market risks from adverse changes in commodity prices affecting the cost of raw materials. In the normal course of business, these risks are managed through a variety of strategies, including the use of derivatives. The utilization of these financial transactions is governed by policies covering acceptable counterparty exposure, instrument types and other practices. The Company does not enter into derivative contracts for speculative purposes. The Company performs assessments of its counterparty credit risk regularly, including a review of credit ratings and potential nonperformance of the counterparty, and minimizes counterparty concentrations.
	Commodity and commodity index futures, swaps and option contracts are used to economically hedge commodity input prices on grains and proteins. These derivative contracts are entered into for periods consistent with the related underlying exposures and do not constitute positions independent of those exposures. Generally, the Company economically hedges a portion of its anticipated consumption of commodity inputs for periods of up to 12 months. As of September 28, 2013, the Company had no outstanding derivative instruments. As of September 29, 2012, the Company had economically hedged certain portions of its anticipated consumption of commodity inputs using derivative instruments with expiration dates through February 2013.
	The Company recognizes all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value in the condensed consolidated balance sheets, with the exception of normal purchases and normal sales expected to result in physical delivery. The Company’s derivative financial instruments have not been designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes. The Company recognizes realized and unrealized gains and losses from derivatives used to economically hedge anticipated commodity consumption in other income (expense) on the condensed consolidated statement of operations.
	The following table presents the fair value of all derivative instruments outstanding in the condensed consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):


		September 28, 2013								September 29, 2012
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	Other Current				Other Current				Other Current			Other Current
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	Assets				Liabilities				Assets			Liabilities
	Commodity contracts	$	0			$	0			$	334		$	206

	Total derivative instruments	$	0			$	0			$	334		$	206

	The following table presents the effect of derivative instruments recorded in other income (expense) on the condensed consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):


		Fiscal Year Ended
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	September 28,				September 29,				September 24,
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	2013				2012				2011
	Commodity contracts	$	(958	)		$	111			$	(9	)

	Total derivative instruments	$	(958	)		$	111			$	(9	)

	The following table presents the gross contract notional volume of outstanding derivative contracts:


	Commodity	Metric		September 28,				September 29,
	Commodity	Metric		2013				2012
	Corn	Bushels			0				400,000
	Soy Meal	Tons			0				2,000

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
Acquisitions	Sep. 28, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions	'
	4. Acquisitions
	Fiscal 2013
	In December 2012, the Company acquired the remaining majority interest in FourStar Microbial Products, LLC (Four Star Microbial) for approximately $4.8 million in cash and approximately $4.2 million of contingent future performance-based payments. The purchase price exceeded the estimated fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired by $3.2 million, which was recorded as goodwill within our Pet segment. The operating results of FourStar Microbial had no material impact on the consolidated financial statements. In the future, we expect the acquisition will enhance the Company’s capability to service professional providers of mosquito abatement.
	Fiscal 2012
	The Company made no acquisitions during fiscal 2012.
	Fiscal 2011
	On February 28, 2011, the Company acquired certain assets of a privately-held maker of premium fertilizer for the professional and retail markets for approximately $23 million in cash. The purchase price exceeded the estimated fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired by $1.0 million, which was recorded as goodwill within our Garden segment.
	Contingent performance payments of $1.9 million were paid in fiscal 2011 for previous acquisitions and recorded as goodwill in fiscal 2011 within our Garden segment.

Concentration_of_Credit_Risk_a

Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Customers and Suppliers	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Customers and Suppliers	'
	5. Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Customers and Suppliers
	Customer Concentration – Approximately 43% of the Company’s net sales for fiscal 2013 and 45% for fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011 were derived from sales to the Company’s top five customers. The Company’s largest customer accounted for approximately 16%, 17% and 16% of the Company’s net sales in fiscal years 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. The Company’s second largest customer in 2013 accounted for approximately 8% of the Company’s net sales in 2013 and 7% of the Company’s net sales in each of the fiscal years 2012 and 2011. The Company’s third largest customer accounted for approximately 8%, 9% and 12% of the Company’s net sales in fiscal years 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. The loss of, or significant adverse change in, the relationship between the Company and any of these three customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and financial results. The loss of or reduction in orders from any significant customer, losses arising from customer disputes regarding shipments, fees, merchandise condition or related matters, or the Company’s inability to collect accounts receivable from any major customer could also have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business and financial results. As of September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, accounts receivable from the Company’s top five customers comprised approximately 35% and 42% of the Company’s total accounts receivable, including 9% and 15% from the Company’s largest customer.
	Supplier Concentration – While the Company purchases products from many different manufacturers and suppliers, approximately 11%, 9% and 12% of the Company’s cost of goods sold in fiscal years 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively, were derived from products purchased from the Company’s five largest suppliers.

Allowance_for_Doubtful_Account

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	'
	6. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	Changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts are summarized below (in thousands):


	Description	Balances at		Charged/			Asset			Balances
		Beginning		(Credited) to			Write-Offs,			at End of
		of Period		Costs and			Less			Period
				Expenses			Recoveries
	Fiscal year ended September 24, 2011	$	21,564	$	(3,662	)	$	(2,312	)	$	15,590
	Fiscal year ended September 29, 2012		15,590		5,291			(2,307	)		18,574
	Fiscal year ended September 28, 2013		18,574		4,373			(1,789	)		21,158

Inventories_Net

Inventories, Net	12 Months Ended
Inventories, Net	Sep. 28, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories, Net	'
	7. Inventories, net
	Inventories, net of allowance for obsolescence, consist of the following (in thousands):


		September 28,		September 29,
		2013		2012
	Raw materials	$	121,695	$	94,387
	Work in progress		19,856		13,587
	Finished goods		236,322		209,888
	Supplies		14,060		12,170

	Total inventories, net	$	391,934	$	330,032

Property_and_Equipment_Net

Property and Equipment, Net	12 Months Ended
Property and Equipment, Net	Sep. 28, 2013
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property and Equipment, Net	'
	8. Property and Equipment, Net
	Property and equipment consists of the following (in thousands):


		As of
		September 28,			September 29,
		2013			2012
	Land	$	9,504		$	9,504
	Buildings and improvements		112,882			108,122
	Transportation equipment		5,646			6,125
	Machine and warehouse equipment		179,723			174,411
	Capitalized software		104,034			99,090
	Office furniture and equipment		25,248			26,076

			437,037			423,328
	Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(248,124	)		(232,165	)

		$	188,913		$	191,163

	Depreciation and amortization expense charged to operations was $33.0 million, $30.4 million and $28.6 million for fiscal 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.

Goodwill

Goodwill	12 Months Ended
Goodwill	Sep. 28, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill	'
	9. Goodwill
	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the fiscal years ended September 28, 2013, September 29, 2012 and September 24, 2011 (in thousands):


		Garden Products			Pet Products			Total
		Segment			Segment			Total
	Balance as of September 25, 2010
	Goodwill	$	211,554		$	397,617		$	609,171
	Accumulated impairment losses		(205,874	)		(195,978	)		(401,852	)

			5,680			201,639			207,319

	Additions in fiscal 2011		2,029			875			2,904
	Balance as of September 24, 2011
	Goodwill		213,583			398,492			612,075
	Accumulated impairment losses		(205,874	)		(195,978	)		(401,852	)

			7,709			202,514			210,223

	Balance as of September 29, 2012
	Goodwill		213,583			398,492			612,075
	Accumulated impairment losses		(205,874	)		(195,978	)		(401,852	)

			7,709			202,514			210,223

	Additions in fiscal 2013		0			3,242			3,242
	Impairment losses in fiscal 2013		(7,709	)		0			(7,709	)
	Balance as of September 28, 2013
	Goodwill		213,583			401,734			615,317
	Accumulated impairment losses		(213,583	)		(195,978	)		(409,561	)

		$	0		$	205,756		$	205,756

	Additions or reductions to goodwill include acquisitions, purchase price adjustments and adjustments of amounts upon finalization of purchase accounting.
	The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually (on 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 initially comparing the fair value of each of the Company’s four reporting units to their related carrying values. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the Company performs an additional step to determine the implied fair value of goodwill associated with that reporting unit. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by first allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities and then computing the excess of the reporting unit’s fair value over the amounts assigned to the assets and liabilities. If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill, such excess represents the amount of goodwill impairment, and, accordingly, the Company recognizes such impairment. The Company’s goodwill impairment analysis also includes a comparison of the aggregate estimated fair value of all four 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 2013, the first step of such testing indicated that the fair value of the Company’s Pet segment reporting units exceeded their carrying value, and accordingly, no further testing of goodwill was required for the Pet segment. However, the carrying value of the Company’s Garden segment reporting units exceeded their fair value, indicating potential impairment. Based on further analysis, it was determined that the entire carrying value of the Company’s Garden segment goodwill was impaired, resulting in a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $7.7 million.
	In connection with the Company’s annual goodwill impairment testing performed during fiscal 2012 and 2011, the first step of such testing indicated that the fair value of the Company’s reporting segments exceeded their carrying value by more than 10%, and accordingly, no further testing of goodwill was required.
	Changes in the judgments and estimates underlying the Company’s analysis of goodwill for possible impairment, including expected future cash flows and discount rate, could result in a significantly different estimate of the fair value of the reporting units in the future and could result in additional impairment of goodwill.

Other_Intangible_Assets

Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
Other Intangible Assets	Sep. 28, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Other Intangible Assets	'
	10. Other Intangible Assets
	The following table summarizes the components of gross and net acquired intangible assets:


		Gross		Accumulated			Impairment			Net
				Amortization						Carrying
										Value
				(in millions)
	September 28, 2013
	Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable	$	12.5	$	(8.9	)	$	0		$	3.6
	Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable		59.6		0			(16.9	)		42.7

	Total		72.1		(8.9	)		(16.9	)		46.3

	Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable		42.8		(17.9	)		0			24.9

	Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable		16.6		(7.9	)		0			8.7
	Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable		1.2		0			(1.2	)		0

	Total		17.8		(7.9	)		(1.2	)		8.7

	Total other intangible assets	$	132.7	$	(34.7	)	$	(18.1	)	$	79.9

	September 29, 2012
	Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable	$	12.3	$	(7.5	)	$	0		$	4.8
	Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable		59.6		0			(16.9	)		42.7

	Total		71.9		(7.5	)		(16.9	)		47.5

	Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable		42.7		(15.4	)		0			27.3

	Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable		10.8		(6.7	)		0			4.1
	Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable		1.2		0			(1.2	)		0

	Total		12		(6.7	)		(1.2	)		4.1

	Total other intangible assets	$	126.6	$	(29.6	)	$	(18.1	)	$	78.9


	Other intangible assets acquired include contract-based and technology-based intangible assets.
	As part of its acquisition of the remaining majority interest in FourStar Microbial during the first quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company acquired approximately $0.1 million of marketing related intangible assets and $7.0 million of other intangible assets. See Note 4 – 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. In fiscal 2013, the Company tested its indefinite-lived intangible assets and no impairment was indicated. Other factors indicating the carrying value of the Company’s amortizable intangible assets may not be recoverable were not present in fiscal 2013, 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 1 to 25 years; over weighted average remaining lives of six years for marketing-related intangibles, 15 years for customer-related intangibles and 15 years for other acquired intangibles. Amortization expense for intangibles subject to amortization was approximately $5.1 million, $5.6 million and $5.0 million, for fiscal 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively, and is classified within operating expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Estimated annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets in each of the succeeding five years is estimated to be approximately $5 million per year from fiscal 2014 through fiscal 2018.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
Long-Term Debt	Sep. 28, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Debt	'
	11. Long-Term Debt
	Long-term debt consists of the following:


			September 28			September 29,
			2013			2012
			(in thousands)
	Senior subordinated notes, net of unamortized discount (1), interest at 8.25%, payable semi-annually, principal due March 2018		$	449,417		$	449,312
	Revolving credit facility, interest at Alternate Base Rate plus a margin of 0.75% to 1.75%, or LIBOR plus a margin of 1.75% to 2.75%, final maturity June 2016			23,000			0
	Other notes payable			170			502

	Total			472,587			449,814
	Less current portion			(142	)		(331	)

	Long-term portion		$	472,445		$	449,483


	-1	Represents unamortized original issue discount of $583 and $688, as of September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, respectively, which is amortizable until March 2018.
	Senior Credit Facility
	On June 8, 2011, the Company amended its $275 million, five-year senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Old Credit Facility”) included in its Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Old Credit Agreement”). Under the modified terms, the Old Credit Facility has a borrowing capacity of $375 million and a maturity date of June 2016. On August 1, 2013, the Company further amended the Old Credit Facility. Under the terms of this amendment, the Company’s minimum interest coverage ratio, as defined in the Old Credit Agreement, was further reduced to 2.25 times, from 2.5 times, and a minimum asset coverage ratio was added at 1.1 times. There was $23 million outstanding as of September 28, 2013 under the Old Credit Facility. There were no letters of credit outstanding under the Old Credit Facility as of September 28, 2013. There were other letters of credit of $17.5 million outstanding as of September 28, 2013. As of September 28, 2013, there were $351.1 million of unused commitments under the Old Credit Facility or, after giving effect to the financial covenants in the Old Credit Agreement, $168.3 million of available unused commitments.
	Interest on the Old Credit Facility was based, at the Company’s option, on a rate equal to the Alternate Base Rate (ABR), which is the greatest of the prime rate, the Federal Funds rate plus 0.5% or one month LIBOR plus 1%, plus a margin, which fluctuates from 0.75% to 1.75%, or LIBOR plus a margin, which fluctuates from 1.75% to 2.75% and commitment fees that range from 0.30% to 0.50%, determined quarterly based on consolidated total debt to consolidated EBITDA for the most recent trailing 12-month period. As of September 28, 2013, the applicable interest rate on the Old Credit Facility related to alternate base rate borrowings was 5.0%, and the applicable interest rate related to LIBOR rate borrowings was 2.9%.
	The Credit Facility was guaranteed by the Company’s material subsidiaries and was secured by the Company’s assets, excluding real property but including substantially all of the capital stock of the Company’s subsidiaries. The Old Credit Agreement contained certain financial and other covenants which required the Company to maintain minimum levels of interest coverage and maximum levels of senior debt to EBITDA and that restricted the Company’s ability to repurchase its stock, make investments in or acquisitions of other businesses and pay dividends above certain levels over the life of the Old Credit Facility. Under the terms of the Company’s Old Credit Facility, it could make restricted payments, including cash dividends and stock repurchases, in an aggregate amount initially not to exceed $200 million over the life of the Old Credit Facility, subject to qualifications and baskets as defined in the Old Credit Agreement.
	As of September 28, 2013, the Company’s Total Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Old Credit Agreement, was 4.9 to 1.0, and the Company’s Senior Secured Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Old Credit Agreement with a maximum of 2.0 to 1.0, was 0.3 to 1.0. As of September 28, 2013, the Company’s interest coverage ratio was 2.35 times, with a minimum of 2.25 times. The Company’s minimum asset coverage ratio was 14.7 times as of September 28, 2013. Apart from the covenants limiting restricted payments and capital expenditures, the Old Credit Facility does not restrict the use of retained earnings or net income. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants as of September 28, 2013.
	Asset Backed Loan Facility
	On December 5, 2013, the Company entered into a new credit agreement which provides for a $390 million principal amount senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility, with up to an additional $200 million principal amount available with the consent of the Lenders if the Company exercises the accordion feature set forth therein (collectively, the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility matures on December 5, 2018 and replaced the Company’s Old Credit Facility. 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. See Note 21.—Subsequent Events.
	Senior Subordinated Notes
	On March 8, 2010, the Company issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of 8.25% senior subordinated notes due March 1, 2018 (the “2018 Notes”).

	On February 13, 2012, the Company issued an additional $50 million aggregate principal amount of its 2018 Notes at a price of 98.501%, plus accrued interest from September 1, 2011, in a private placement. The Company used the net proceeds from the offering to pay a portion of the outstanding balance under its Old Credit Facility.
	The estimated fair value of the Company’s $450 million of 2018 Notes as of September 28, 2013 was approximately $449.5 million, compared to a carrying value of $449.4 million. The estimated fair value is based on quoted market prices for these notes.
	The 2018 Notes require semiannual interest payments, which commenced on September 1, 2010. The 2018 Notes are unsecured senior subordinated obligations and are subordinated to all of the Company’s existing and future senior debt, including the Company’s Old Credit Facility and Credit Facility. The obligations under the 2018 Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis by each of the Company’s existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries with certain exceptions. The guarantees are general unsecured senior subordinated obligations of the guarantors and are subordinated to all existing and future senior debt of the guarantors.
	The Company may redeem some or all of the 2018 Notes at any time prior to March 1, 2014 at the principal amount plus a “make whole” premium. The Company may redeem some or all of the 2018 Notes at any time on or after March 1, 2014 for 104.125%, after March 1, 2015 for 102.063% and after March 1, 2016 for 100%, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The holders of the 2018 Notes have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of the 2018 Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest upon the occurrence of a change of control.
	The 2018 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, 2013.
	The scheduled principal repayments on long-term debt as of September 28, 2013 are as follows:


			(in thousands)
	Fiscal year:
	2014		$	142
	2015			26
	2016			23,002
	2017			0
	2018			450,000
	Thereafter			0

	Total		$	473,170	(1)


	-1	Debt repayments include an amount in excess of the carrying value of debt and reflect the unamortized portion of the original issue discount on the Senior Subordinated Notes of $0.6 million as of September 28, 2013, which is amortizable until March 2018.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Sep. 28, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	12. Commitments and Contingencies
	Commitments
	Letters of credit – The Company had $17.5 million of outstanding letters of credit related to normal business transactions at September 28, 2013.

	Purchase commitments – Production and purchase agreements (primarily for grass seed and grains) entered into in the ordinary course of business obligate the Company to make future purchases based on estimated yields. The terms of these contracts vary and have fixed prices or quantities. At September 28, 2013, estimated annual purchase commitments were $106.8 million for fiscal 2014, $48.8 million for fiscal 2015, $28.8 million for fiscal 2016, $16.1 million for fiscal 2017, $11.6 million for fiscal 2018 and $6.6 million thereafter.
	Leases – The Company has operating lease agreements principally for office and warehouse facilities and equipment. Such leases have remaining terms of 1 to 9 years. Rental expense was $22.4 million for fiscal 2013, $23.6 million for fiscal 2012, and $24.4 million for fiscal 2011.
	Certain facility leases have renewal options and include escalation clauses. Minimum lease payments include scheduled rent increases pursuant to these escalation provisions.
	Aggregate minimum annual payments on non-cancelable operating leases at September 28, 2013 are as follows:


		(in thousands)
	Fiscal year:
	2014	$	15,899
	2015		12,011
	2016		8,649
	2017		6,041
	2018		2,099
	Thereafter		1,723

	Total	$	46,422

	Contingencies
	The Company may from time to time become involved in certain legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. Currently, the Company is not a party to any legal proceedings that management believes the resolution of which would have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
	The Company has experienced, and may in the future experience, issues with products that may lead to product liability, recalls, withdrawals, replacements of products, or regulatory actions by governmental authorities. Currently, the Company has not experienced any product liability, recalls, withdrawals or replacements of products that management believes the resolution of which would have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Sep. 28, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	13. Income Taxes
	The provision for income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following:


			Fiscal Year Ended
			September 28,				September 29,				September 24,
			2013				2012				2011
			(in thousands)
	Current:
	Federal.		$	52			$	(1,003	)		$	(5,512	)
	State.			958				603				160
	Foreign.			0				35				35

	Total			1,010				(365	)			(5,317	)

	Deferred:
	Federal.			(2,915	)			12,671				22,667
	State.			(687	)			198				1,214
	Foreign.			0				312				1,031

	Total			(3,602	)			13,181				24,912

	Total		$	(2,592	)		$	12,816			$	19,595

	A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the Company’s effective income tax rate is as follows:


			Fiscal Year Ended
			September 28,				September 29,				September 24,
			2013				2012				2011
	Statutory federal income tax rate			(35.0	)%			35	%			35	%
	State income taxes, net of federal benefit			(5.2	)			2.3				2.8
	Other permanent differences			2.4				0.6				1.4
	Adjustment of prior year accruals			1.8				0.2				1.2
	Uncertain tax positions			3.7				0				(0.3	)
	Credits			(29.3	)			(1.2	)			(2.9	)
	Change in valuation allowances			(9.0	)			(0.1	)			3.2
	Foreign rate differential			(3.6	)			(0.1	)			0.4

	Effective income tax rate (benefit)			(74.2	%)			36.7	%			40.8	%


	Deferred income taxes reflect the impact of “temporary differences” between asset and liability amounts for financial reporting purposes and such amounts as determined based on existing tax laws. The tax effect of temporary differences and carryforwards which give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:


			September 28, 2013								September 29, 2012
			Deferred				Deferred				Deferred				Deferred
			Tax				Tax				Tax				Tax
			Assets				Liabilities				Assets				Liabilities
			(in thousands)
	Current:
	Allowance for doubtful accounts .		$	7,758			$	0			$	6,741			$	0
	Inventory write-downs			14,983				0				10,411				0
	Prepaid expenses.			620				0				112				0
	Nondeductible reserves			2,782				0				997				0
	State taxes.			0				188				0				245
	Employee benefits			6,062				0				5,885				0
	Other.			3,012				0				3,509				0

	Total			35,218				188				27,655				245

	Noncurrent:
	Depreciation and amortization.			0				39,100				0				30,358
Equity income.			0				393				0				280
State net operating loss carryforward			4,816				0				4,160				0
Stock based compensation			6,061				0				5,225				0
State credits			2,421				0				2,241				0
Other.			5,349				0				2,866				0
Valuation allowance			(6,968	)			0				(7,282	)			0

Total.			11,679				39,493				7,210				30,638

Total.		$	46,897			$	39,681			$	34,865			$	30,883

The Company has state tax net operating losses of $94.9 million which expire at various times between 2013 and 2033, and foreign losses of $2.4 million, which do not expire. The Company has federal income tax credits of $1.4 million which expire between 2023 and 2033. The Company also has state income tax credits of $3.7 million, which expire at various times beginning in 2013 through 2029. 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 international taxable income for the separate parent company and the Company’s foreign operations to realize its deferred tax assets. Therefore, valuation allowances of $7.0 million and $7.3 million (net of federal impact) at September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, respectively, have been provided to reduce state and foreign 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, 2013 and September 29, 2012 accrued interest was less than $0.1 million and no penalties were accrued related to uncertain tax positions.

The following table, which excludes interest and penalties, summarizes the activity related to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits for fiscal years ended September 29, 2012 and September 28, 2013 (in thousands):


Balance as of September 24, 2011		$	282
Increases related to prior year tax positions			1
Increases related to current year tax positions			16
Settlements			(37	)

Balance as of September 29, 2012		$	262
Increases related to prior year tax positions			247
Increases related to current year tax positions			60
Settlements			(202	)
Decreases related to lapse of statute of limitations			(3	)

Balance as of September 28, 2013		$	364

As of September 28, 2013, unrecognized income tax benefits totaled approximately $0.4 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 2010 forward and in various state taxing authorities generally from fiscal year ended 2009 forward.
The Company does not believe there will be any significant change in its unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
Stock-Based Compensation	Sep. 28, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	14. Stock-Based Compensation
	In February 2003, the Company adopted the 2003 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “2003 Plan”) which provides for the grant of options and restricted stock to key employees, directors and consultants of the Company up to an aggregate of 2.5 million shares of common stock 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. In February 2005, the Company’s shareholders approved an amendment to the 2003 Plan to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance there under by 3.3 million shares, resulting in a total of 5.8 million shares authorized for issuance under the 2003 Plan.
	In connection with a dividend payable in the form of two shares of the Class A Common Stock for each outstanding share of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock on February 5, 2007, the 2003 Plan was amended to include 9,734,982 shares of Class A Common Stock authorized for issuance. In February 2009, the Company’s shareholders approved an increase in the number of shares authorized for issuance under the 2003 Plan by an additional 5,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock and to authorize for issuance 500,000 shares of Preferred Stock. In February 2012, the Company’s shareholders approved an increase in the number of shares authorized for issuance under the 2003 Plan by an additional 5,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock. As a result of these amendments, there is a total of 5,800,000 shares of Common Stock, 19,734,982 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 Stock Option 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 in 2001 and 2006, provides for the granting to each independent director of options to purchase a number of shares equal to $200,000 divided by the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of each annual meeting of stockholders and a number of shares of restricted stock equal to $20,000 divided by such fair market value.
	As of September 28, 2013, there were approximately 3.1 million shares of Common Stock, 10.4 million shares of Class A Common Stock and no shares of Preferred Stock reserved for outstanding equity awards, and there were 1.9 million shares of Common Stock, 7.5 million shares of Class A Common Stock and 0.5 million shares of Preferred Stock remaining for future awards.
	Stock Option Awards
	The Company recognized share-based compensation expense of $15.9 million, $7.5 million, and $7.4 million for the years ended September 28, 2013, September 29, 2012, and September 24, 2011, respectively, as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses. Share-based compensation expense in fiscal 2013, 2012, consisted of $2.7 million, $3.8 million, and $3.1 million for stock options, and $11.2 million, $1.7 million, and $2.4 million for restricted stock awards. Share-based compensation expense in fiscal 2013, 2012, and 2011 also includes $2.0 million, $2.0 million, and $1.9 million for the Company’s 401(k) matching contributions.
	Prior to fiscal 2008, stock options granted were generally exercisable with a 30 month cliff vesting and 42 month expiration, but were also granted with vesting increments of 20%, 25% or 33% per year beginning two, three or four years from the date of grant and expiring one year after the last increment has vested.
	From fiscal 2008 to fiscal 2011, the Company granted stock options under its 2003 Plan that included performance targets and time-based vesting to key employees and executives. The performance-based options contingently vested up to 20% each year over the following 5 years dependent upon service and the achievement of annual or cumulative target performance measures and have contractual lives of 6 years. The target performance measures included various business unit, segment and company-wide performance goals, including adjusted earnings before taxes and net controllable assets. If any of the options subject to the performance target measurements did not vest on any particular vesting date because the Company, segment and/or business unit performance had not been achieved, such options will vest and become exercisable if at the end of the following fiscal year, the cumulative target for that later fiscal year has been achieved. The options were granted at the then-current market price, except for 4.4 million shares that were granted at prices significantly above the grant date market price. Of the options granted in fiscal 2008, approximately 216,000 options scheduled to possibly vest in each of fiscal years 2009 and 2010 were amended and were only subject to service vesting conditions. The fair value of each performance-based option granted was estimated on the date of grant using the same option valuation model used for options granted as service vesting only. In fiscal 2011, 100% of the performance options granted in fiscal 2010 that were eligible to vest in fiscal 2011 had vested. In fiscal 2011, approximately 97%, on a cumulative basis, of the performance options granted in fiscal 2009 that were eligible to vest in fiscal 2011 had vested. In fiscal 2011, approximately 99%, on a cumulative basis, of the performance options granted in fiscal 2008 that were eligible to vest in fiscal 2009 through fiscal 2011 had vested.
	In March 2012, the Company eliminated all of the past and future performance goals relating to stock options granted from fiscal 2008 to fiscal 2011, except for the performance goals relating to the overall Company performance. The Company took this action because, as a result of the Company’s reorganization around functional lines during 2011, the extent to which cumulative performance targets for segments or business units have been or may be achieved has become difficult or impossible to measure and the changes underway within the Company were not contemplated when the Company granted the options. After the amendment, 20% of the shares covered by each award continue to be performance-based. The time vested component of the options did not change. Approximately 250 employees were affected by the modification, and no additional compensation cost was recorded.
	The performance-based component of the options granted in fiscal 2008 was achieved and the related expense was recorded over the estimated service period. The Company currently estimates the performance-based component of the options granted in fiscal 2009, 2010 and 2011 is not probable of achievement and are not recording related expense. As of September 28, 2013, there were 6.2 million of unvested options, of which approximately 0.9 million are subject to performance based vesting criteria. To the extent Company goals are or are not achieved, the amount of stock-based compensation recognized in the future will be adjusted.
	During fiscal 2013, the Company granted time-based stock options with an exercise price based on the closing fair market value date of the grant. The options granted in fiscal 2013 vest in four annual installments commencing approximately one year from the date of grant and expire approximately six years after the grant date.
	The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. Expected stock price volatilities are estimated based on the Company’s historical volatility. The expected term of options granted is based on analyses of historical employee termination rates, option exercises and the contractual term of the option. The risk-free rates are based on U.S. Treasury yields, for notes with comparable terms as the option grants, in effect at the time of the grant. For purposes of this valuation model, no dividends have been assumed.
	The Company’s calculations were made using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions: expected life from the date of grant, 3.5 years in fiscal 2013, 3.5 years in fiscal 2012, and 3.5 years in fiscal 2011; stock price volatility, 34.8% in fiscal 2013, 37.9% in fiscal 2012, and 36.4% in fiscal 2011; risk free interest rates, 1.2% in fiscal 2013, 0.9% in fiscal 2012 and 2.2% in fiscal 2011; and no dividends during the expected term.
	The following table summarizes option activity for the period ended September 28, 2013:


		Number of			Weighted		Weighted Average		Aggregate
		Shares			Average Exercise		Remaining		Intrinsic Value
		(in thousands)			Price per Share		Contractual Life		(in thousands)
	Outstanding at September 29, 2012		11,638		$	10.73		3 years	$	22,172
	Granted		2,000		$	8.4
	Exercised		(285	)	$	5.35
	Cancelled or expired		(782	)	$	9.24

	Outstanding at September 28, 2013		12,571		$	10.57		3 years	$	1,166

	Exercisable at September 24, 2011		4,162		$	11.32		3 years	$	1,139
	Exercisable at September 29, 2012		4,601		$	11.34		2 years	$	6,708
	Exercisable at September 28, 2013		6,409		$	11.21		2 years		770
	Expected to vest after September 28, 2013		5,388		$	9.9		4 years	$	347
	The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during the fiscal years ended September 28, 2013, September 29, 2012, and September 24, 2011 was $1.72, $2.72, and $2.04. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the fiscal years ended September 28, 2013, September 29, 2012, and September 24, 2011 was $1.1 million, $5.1 million and $2.6 million, respectively.

	As of September 28, 2013, there was $8.0 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options, which is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted average vesting period of 2 years.
	Restricted Stock Awards
	As of September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, there were approximately 894,000 and 785,000 shares, respectively, of restricted stock awards outstanding. The awards granted in fiscal 2013 generally vest in 1/3 increments, after a three year waiting period, over a five year period of employment after the grant date. In fiscal 2013, approximately $4.4 million of bonus amounts earned in fiscal 2012 were paid by granting approximately 290,000 restricted shares that vested immediately.
	Restricted stock award activity during the three fiscal years in the period ended September 28, 2013 is summarized as follows:


		Number of			Weighted Average
		Shares			Grant Date
					Fair Value per
					Share
		(in thousands)
	Nonvested at September 25, 2010		432		$	10.6
	Granted		496		$	9.32
	Vested		(120	)	$	12.38
	Forfeited		(4	)	$	13

	Nonvested at September 24, 2011		804		$	9.79
	Granted		159		$	9.16
	Vested		(98	)	$	12.12
	Forfeited		(80	)	$	8.32

	Nonvested at September 29, 2012		785		$	9.53
	Granted		552		$	9.26
	Vested		(354	)	$	9.6
	Forfeited		(89	)	$	9.37

	Nonvested at September 28, 2013		894		$	9.35

	The weighted average grant date fair value of restricted stock awards granted during the fiscal years ended September 28, 2013, September 29, 2012 and September 24, 2011 was $9.26, $9.16 and $9.32, respectively. The aggregate fair value as of the vesting date of restricted shares that vested was $3.4 million, $0.9 million, and $1.1 million for fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
As of September 28, 2013, there was $4.4 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock awards, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of two years.

Shareholders_Equity

Shareholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
Shareholders' Equity	Sep. 28, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Shareholders' Equity	'
	15. Shareholders’ Equity
	At September 28, 2013, there were 80,000,000 shares of common stock ($0.01 par value) authorized, of which 12,246,751 were outstanding, and 100,000,000 shares of non-voting Class A common stock ($0.01 par value) authorized, of which 35,291,001 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 will have no voting rights unless otherwise required by Delaware law.

	There are 3,000,000 shares of Class B stock ($0.01 par value) authorized, of which 1,652,262 were outstanding at September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012. 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.
	Under the Company’s former stock repurchase program, the Company was authorized to repurchase up to $100 million of its common stock, in part, to minimize the dilutive impact of the Company’s stock-based equity compensation programs over time. During the third fiscal quarter of fiscal 2011 the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a new $100 million share repurchase program. During the fiscal year ended September 28, 2013, the Company repurchased approximately 0.2 million shares of its Class A non-voting common stock for an aggregate price of approximately $1.5 million. In total, as of September 28, 2013, the Company had repurchased approximately 6.3 million shares for an aggregate price of approximately $49.9 million under the new share repurchase program.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
Earnings Per Share	Sep. 28, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	16. Earnings Per Share
	The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (EPS) computations:


		Fiscal Year Ended								Fiscal Year Ended						Fiscal Year Ended
		28-Sep-13								29-Sep-12						24-Sep-11
		Net			Shares		Per			Net		Shares		Per		Net		Shares		Per
		Income					Share			Income				Share		Income				Share
		(Loss)
		(in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Basic EPS:
	Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	$	(1,929	)		48,094	$	(0.04	)	$	21,173		47,622	$	0.44	$	28,323		56,217	$	0.5
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Options to purchase common stock					0		0					497		0				274		0
	Restricted shares					0		0					255		0				154		0
	Diluted EPS:
	Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	$	(1,929	)		48,094	$	(0.04	)	$	21,173		48,374	$	0.44	$	28,323		56,645	$	0.5
	Options to purchase 12.6 million shares of common stock and Class A common stock at prices ranging from $4.60 to $16.23 per share were outstanding at September 28, 2013. Of these shares, 10.4 million 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. Regardless of exercise price, all outstanding stock options were excluded in the calculation due to the net loss recorded for the period ended September 28, 2013. In periods where net earnings are reported, these options may become dilutive if the average market price of our common stock exceeds the exercise price of the outstanding options.

	Options to purchase 11.6 million shares of common stock and Class A common stock at prices ranging from $4.60 to $16.23 per share were outstanding at September 29, 2012. Of these shares, 6.1 million 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.
	Options to purchase 12.1 million shares of common stock and Class A common stock at prices ranging from $4.60 to $17.99 per share were outstanding at September 24, 2011. Of these shares, 8.4 million 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.

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud

Quarterly Financial Data - Unaudited	12 Months Ended
Quarterly Financial Data - Unaudited	Sep. 28, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Quarterly Financial Data - Unaudited	'
	17. Quarterly Financial Data – Unaudited


			Fiscal 2013
			1^st Quarter			2^nd Quarter		3^rd Quarter		4^th Quarter
			(in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Net sales		$	292,497		$	498,169	$	494,130	$	368,837
	Gross profit			76,959			153,170		152,466		81,307
	Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company			(15,269	)		22,196		13,725		(22,581	) (1)
	Net income (loss) per share:
	Basic		$	(0.32	)	$	0.46	$	0.28	$	(0.47	)
	Diluted		$	(0.32	)	$	0.46	$	0.28	$	(0.47	)
	Weighted average common shares outstanding:
	Basic			47,871			48,064		48,173		48,264
	Diluted			47,871			48,740		48,822		48,264


			Fiscal 2012
			1^st Quarter			2^nd Quarter		3^rd Quarter		4^th Quarter
			(in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Net sales		$	302,066		$	466,903	$	533,808	$	397,236
	Gross profit			80,738			147,696		180,652		105,072
	Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company			(13,090	)		21,623		22,699		(10,059	)
	Net income (loss) per share:
	Basic		$	(0.27	)	$	0.46	$	0.48	$	(0.21	)
	Diluted		$	(0.27	)	$	0.45	$	0.47	$	(0.21	)
	Weighted average common shares outstanding:
	Basic			47,823			47,343		47,661		47,704
	Diluted			47,823			48,036		48,388		47,704

	-1	The Company recognized a $7.7 million goodwill impairment charge and an $11.2 million charge related to certain new products introduced in fiscal 2013 in its Garden segment during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013.

Transactions_with_Related_Part

Transactions with Related Parties	12 Months Ended
Transactions with Related Parties	Sep. 28, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Transactions with Related Parties	'
	18. Transactions with Related Parties
	During fiscal 2013, 2012, and 2011, subsidiaries of the Company purchased approximately $1.0 million, $1.0 million, and $0.9 million, respectively, of products from Bio Plus, Inc., a company that produces granular peanut hulls. As of September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, the amounts owed to BioPlus, Inc. for such purchases were not material. A director of the Company was a minority shareholder and a director of Bio Plus, Inc. until May 2013.

	During fiscal 2013, 2012, and 2011, Tech Pac, a subsidiary of the Company, made purchases from Contract Packaging, Inc, (“CPI”), Tech Pac’s principal supplier and a minority 20% shareholder in Tech Pac. Tech Pac’s total purchases from CPI were approximately $32.5 million, $39.3 million, and $33.2 million for fiscal years 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. Amounts due to CPI as of September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012 were $0.5 million and $2.1 million, respectively.

Business_Segment_Data

Business Segment Data	12 Months Ended
Business Segment Data	Sep. 28, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Business Segment Data	'
	19. 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 profit or loss from operations. 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 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 Four Paws Products, TFH Publications, Kaytee, Aquatics, Interpet, Pets International, Breeder’s Choice and Life Sciences. These businesses are engaged in the manufacturing, purchase, sale and delivery of internally and externally produced pet supplies, books and food principally to independent pet distributors, national and regional retail chains, grocery stores, mass merchants and bookstores. The Garden segment consists of Pennington Seed, Matthews Four Seasons, Grant’s, AMBRANDS, Lilly Miller, the Pottery Group, Gulfstream and GKI/Bethlehem Lighting. Products manufactured, designed and sourced, or distributed are products found typically in the lawn and garden sections of mass merchandisers, warehouse-type clubs, home improvement centers and nurseries and include grass seed, bird feed, clay pottery, outdoor wooden planters and trellises, herbicides and insecticides. These products are sold directly to national and regional retail chains, independent garden distributors, grocery stores, nurseries and garden supply retailers.
	The Corporate division includes expenses associated with corporate functions and projects, certain employee benefits, interest income, interest expense and intersegment eliminations.
	The following table indicates each class of similar products which represented more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated net sales in the fiscal years presented (in millions).


	Category		2013				2012				2011
	Pet supplies (excluding wild bird feed)		$	807.4			$	847.1			$	773.1
	Garden controls and fertilizer products			274.9				281.7				260
	Wild bird feed			210.8				205.1				197.5
	Other garden supplies			183.5				185.7				212.1
	Grass seed			177				180.4				185.9

	Total		$	1,653.60			$	1,700.00			$	1,628.60

	The Company’s largest customer represented approximately 16%, 17% and 16% of the total company net sales in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and represented approximately 30% of the Garden segment’s net sales in fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, and 28% in fiscal 2011. Sales to the Company’s second largest customer represented approximately 18% of our Garden segment’s net sales in fiscal 2013, 16% in fiscal 2012 and 15% in fiscal 2011. Sales to the Company’s third largest customer represented approximately 8%, 9% and 12% of total company net sales in fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and represented approximately 17% of our Garden segment’s net sales in fiscal 2013, 20% in fiscal 2012 and 24% in fiscal 2011. The Pet segment’s largest customer represented approximately 11% of our Pet segment’s net sales in fiscal 2013 and 12% in both fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011.
	Financial information relating to the Company’s business segments for each of the three most recent fiscal years is presented in the table below (in thousands):


			Fiscal Year Ended
			September 28,				September 29,				September 24,
			2013				2012				2011
	Net sales:
	Pet segment		$	888,228			$	930,753			$	851,307
	Garden segment			765,405				769,260				777,345

	Total		$	1,653,633			$	1,700,013			$	1,628,652

	Income (loss) from operations:
	Pet segment		$	95,451			$	87,650			$	77,623
	Garden segment			8,286	(1)			40,376				50,013
	Corporate			(63,582	)			(53,605	)			(42,461	)

	Total			40,155				74,421				85,175
	Interest expense			(43,112	)			(40,315	)			(38,044	)
	Interest income			142				145				296
	Other income (expense)			(677	)			678				550

	Income (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interest			(3,492	)			34,929				47,977
	Income tax expense (benefit)			(2,592	)			12,816				19,595

	Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest			(900	)			22,113				28,382
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			1,029				940				59

	Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company		$	(1,929	)		$	21,173			$	28,323

	Assets:
	Pet segment		$	425,988			$	411,059			$	396,637
	Garden segment			388,581				341,716				350,234
	Corporate and eliminations			346,591				396,772				346,132

	Total		$	1,161,160			$	1,149,547			$	1,093,003

	Depreciation and amortization:
	Pet segment		$	15,753			$	14,507			$	14,479
	Garden segment			6,410				6,213				5,986
	Corporate			10,805				9,705				8,101

	Total		$	32,968			$	30,425			$	28,566

	Expenditures for long-lived assets:
Pet segment		$	9,694			$	15,540			$	9,953
Garden segment			7,496				4,138				5,902
Corporate			7,982				19,914				15,708

Total		$	25,172			$	39,592			$	31,563


Noncontrolling interest is associated with the Garden segment.

-1	Includes goodwill impairment of $7.7 million and an $11.2 million charge related to certain new products introduced in fiscal 2013.

Consolidating_Condensed_Financ

Consolidating Condensed Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Condensed Financial Information Of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Consolidating Condensed Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries	'
	20. Consolidating Condensed Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries
	Certain 100% wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company (as listed below, collectively the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”) have guaranteed fully and unconditionally, on a joint and several basis, the obligation to pay principal and interest on the Company’s $450 million 8.25% Senior Subordinated Notes (the “Notes”) due March 1, 2018. Certain subsidiaries and operating divisions are not guarantors of the Notes and have been included in the financial results of the Parent in the information below. These Non-Guarantor entities are not material to the Parent. Those subsidiaries that are guarantors and co-obligors of the Notes are as follows:
	Farnam Companies, Inc.
	Four Paws Products Ltd.
	Gulfstream Home & Garden, Inc.
	Kaytee Products, Inc.
	Matson, LLC
	New England Pottery, LLC
	Pennington Seed, Inc. (including Gro Tec, Inc. and All-Glass Aquarium Co., Inc.)
	Pets International, Ltd.
	T.F.H. Publications, Inc.
	Wellmark International (including B2E Corporation and B2E Biotech LLC)
	During fiscal 2012, the Company merged certain of its subsidiaries into the Parent. In fiscal years 2011, the following were included as Guarantor Subsidiaries because they were separate legal entities at that time:
	Grant Laboratories, Inc.
	Interpet USA, LLC
	Matthews Redwood & Nursery Supply, Inc.
	Fiscal 2012 and 2013 financial results reflect these entities as part of the Parent. Fiscal 2011 financial results presented herein have been restated to reflect the current Guarantor structure.
	In lieu of providing separate audited financial statements for the Guarantor Subsidiaries, the Company has included the accompanying consolidating condensed financial statements based on the Company’s understanding of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s interpretation and application of Rule 3-10 of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulation S-X.

			CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
			Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2013
			(in thousands)
			Parent				Guarantor			Eliminations				Consolidated
			Parent				Subsidiaries			Eliminations				Consolidated
	Net sales		$	502,311			$	1,198,672		$	(47,350	)		$	1,653,633
	Cost of goods sold and occupancy			402,801				834,280			(47,350	)			1,189,731

	Gross profit			99,510				364,392			0				463,902
	Selling, general and administrative expenses			141,447				274,591			0				416,038
	Goodwill impairment			0				7,709			0				7,709

	Income (loss) from operations			(41,937	)			82,092			0				40,155
	Interest – net			(43,047	)			77			0				(42,970	)
	Other income (expense)			(3,791	)			3,114			0				(677	)

	Income (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interest			(88,775	)			85,283			0				(3,492	)
	Income tax expense (benefit)			(47,803	)			45,211			0				(2,592	)

	Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest			(40,972	)			40,072			0				(900	)
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			1,029				0			0				1,029

	Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company before equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries			(42,001	)			40,072			0				(1,929	)
	Equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries			40,072				0			(40,072	)			0

	Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company		$	(1,929	)		$	40,072		$	(40,072	)		$	(1,929	)


			CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
			Fiscal Year Ended September 29, 2012
			(in thousands)
			Parent				Guarantor			Eliminations				Consolidated
			Parent				Subsidiaries			Eliminations				Consolidated
	Net sales		$	527,901			$	1,244,430		$	(72,318	)		$	1,700,013
	Cost of goods sold and occupancy			383,990				874,183			(72,318	)			1,185,855

	Gross profit			143,911				370,247			0				514,158
	Selling, general and administrative expenses			144,171				295,566			0				439,737

	Income (loss) from operations			(260	)			74,681			0				74,421
	Interest – net			(40,324	)			154			0				(40,170	)
	Other income (expense)			(3,764	)			4,442			0				678

	Income (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interest			(44,348	)			79,277			0				34,929
Income tax expense (benefit)			(15,698	)			28,514			0				12,816

Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest			(28,650	)			50,763			0				22,113
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			940				0			0				940

Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company before equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries			(29,590	)			50,763			0				21,173
Equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries			50,763				0			(50,763	)			0

Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company		$	21,173			$	50,763		$	(50,763	)		$	21,173


		CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
		Fiscal Year Ended September 24, 2011
		(in thousands)
		Parent				Guarantor			Eliminations				Consolidated
		Parent				Subsidiaries			Eliminations				Consolidated
Net sales		$	500,668			$	1,244,207		$	(116,223	)		$	1,628,652
Cost of goods sold and occupancy			374,215				876,741			(116,223	)			1,134,733

Gross profit			126,453				367,466			0				493,919
Selling, general and administrative expenses			132,974				275,770			0				408,744

Income from operations			(6,521	)			91,696			0				85,175
Interest – net			(37,984	)			236			0				(37,748	)
Other income (expense)			(236	)			786			0				550

Income (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interest			(44,741	)			92,718			0				47,977
Income tax expense (benefit)			(17,299	)			36,894			0				19,595

Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest			(27,442	)			55,824							28,382
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			59				0			0				59

Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company before equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries			(27,501	)			55,824			0				28,323
Equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries			55,824				0			(55,824	)			0

Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company		$	28,323			$	55,824		$	(55,824	)		$	28,323


		CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF
		COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
		Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2013
		(in thousands)
		(unaudited)
		Parent				Guarantor			Eliminations				Consolidated
		Parent				Subsidiaries			Eliminations				Consolidated
Net income (loss)		$	(40,972	)		$	40,072		$	0			$	(900	)
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation			(97	)			0			0				(97	)

Total comprehensive income (loss)			(41,069	)			40,072			0				(997	)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests			1,029				0			0				1,029

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company		$	(42,098	)		$	40,072		$	0			$	(2,026	)


		CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF
		COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
		Fiscal Ended September 29, 2012
		(in thousands)
		(unaudited)
		Parent				Guarantor			Eliminations				Consolidated
		Parent				Subsidiaries			Eliminations				Consolidated
Net income (loss)		$	(28,650	)		$	50,763		$	0			$	22,113
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation			520				0			0				520

Total comprehensive income (loss)			(28,130	)			50,763			0				22,633
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests			940				0			0				940

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company		$	(29,070	)		$	50,763		$	0			$	21,693


		CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF
		COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
		Fiscal Ended September 24, 2011
		(in thousands)
		(unaudited)
		Parent				Guarantor			Eliminations				Consolidated
		Parent				Subsidiaries			Eliminations				Consolidated
Net income (loss)		$	(27,442	)		$	55,824		$	0			$	28,382
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation			75				0			0				75

Total comprehensive income (loss)			(27,367	)			55,824			0				28,457
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests			59				0			0				59

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company		$	(27,426	)		$	55,824		$	0			$	28,398


		CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
		28-Sep-13
		(in thousands)
		Parent				Guarantor			Eliminations				Consolidated
		Parent				Subsidiaries			Eliminations				Consolidated
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		$	12,441			$	2,715		$	0			$	15,156
Short term investments			17,820				0			0				17,820
Accounts receivable, net			43,660				153,734			(3,134	)			194,260
Inventories			114,662				277,272			0				391,934
Prepaid expenses and other assets			24,747				28,737			0				53,484

Total current assets			213,330				462,458			(3,134	)			672,654
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net			78,662				110,251			0				188,913
Goodwill			0				205,756			0				205,756
Investment in guarantors			693,615				0			(693,615	)			0
Other assets			57,255				36,582			0				93,837

Total		$	1,042,862			$	815,047		$	(696,749	)		$	1,161,160

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable		$	36,869			$	69,834		$	(3,134	)		$	103,569
Accrued expenses and other liabilities			33,664				45,096			0				78,760

Total current liabilities			70,533				114,930			(3,134	)			182,329
Long-term debt			472,418				27			0				472,445
Other long-term obligations			29,887				6,475			0				36,362
Shareholders’ equity attributable to Central Garden & Pet			468,678				693,615			(693,615	)			468,678
Noncontrolling interest			1,346				0			0				1,346

Total equity			470,024				693,615			(693,615	)			470,024

Total		$	1,042,862			$	815,047		$	(696,749	)		$	1,161,160


		CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
		29-Sep-12
		(in thousands)
		Parent				Guarantor			Eliminations				Consolidated
		Parent				Subsidiaries			Eliminations				Consolidated
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		$	44,662			$	3,813		$	0			$	48,475
Short term investments			22,705				0			0				22,705
Accounts receivable, net			48,339				159,328			(5,245	)			202,422
Inventories			97,017				233,015			0				330,032
Prepaid expenses and other assets			25,242				22,907			0				48,149

Total current assets			237,965				419,063			(5,245	)			651,783
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net			81,727				109,436			0				191,163
Goodwill			0				210,223			0				210,223
Investment in guarantors			654,362				0			(654,362	)			0
Other assets			54,910				41,468			0				96,378

Total		$	1,028,964			$	780,190		$	(659,607	)		$	1,149,547

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable		$	49,894			$	82,013		$	(5,245	)		$	126,662
Accrued expenses and other liabilities			38,673				41,149			0				79,822

Total current liabilities			88,567				123,162			(5,245	)			206,484
Long-term debt			449,387				96			0				449,483
Other long-term obligations			26,127				2,570			0				28,697
Shareholders’ equity attributable to Central Garden & Pet			463,937				654,362			(654,362	)			463,937
Noncontrolling interest			946				0			0				946

Total equity			464,883				654,362			(654,362	)			464,883

Total		$	1,028,964			$	780,190		$	(659,607	)		$	1,149,547


		CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
		Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2013
		(in thousands)
		Parent				Guarantor			Eliminations				Consolidated
		Parent				Subsidiaries			Eliminations				Consolidated
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities		$	(9,068	)		$	20,858		$	(40,072	)		$	(28,282	)

Additions to property			(8,993	)			(16,179	)		0				(25,172	)
Businesses acquired, net of cash acquired			0				(4,835	)		0				(4,835	)
Sale of short term investments			4,885				0			0				4,885
Investment in guarantor			(39,253	)			(819	)		40,072				0

Net cash (used) provided by investing activities			(43,361	)			(21,833	)		40,072				(25,122	)

Repayments on revolving line of credit			(368,000	)			0			0				(368,000	)
Borrowings on revolving line of credit			391,000				0			0				391,000
Repayments of long-term debt			(206	)			(126	)		0				(332	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock			613				0			0				613
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards			388				0			0				388
Repurchase of common stock			(2,731	)			0			0				(2,731	)
Distribution to noncontrolling interest			(629	)			0			0				(629	)

Net cash provided (used) by financing activities			20,435				(126	)		0				20,309

Effect of exchange rates on cash			(227	)			3			0				(224	)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			(32,221	)			(1,098	)		0				(33,319	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year			44,662				3,813			0				48,475

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		$	12,441			$	2,715		$	0			$	15,156


		CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
		Fiscal Year Ended September 29, 2012
		(in thousands)
		Parent				Guarantor			Eliminations				Consolidated
		Parent				Subsidiaries			Eliminations				Consolidated
Net cash provided by operating activities		$	74,405			$	65,527		$	(50,763	)		$	89,169

Additions to property			(20,736	)			(18,856	)		0				(39,592	)
Investment in short term investments			(4,885	)			0			0				(4,885	)
Investment in guarantor			(6,736	)			(44,027	)		50,763				0

Net cash provided (used) by investing activities			(32,357	)			(62,883	)		50,763				(44,477	)

Repayments on revolving line of credit			(339,000	)			0			0				(339,000	)
Borrowings on revolving line of credit			304,000				0			0				304,000
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt			49,312				0			0				49,312
Repayments of long-term debt			(231	)			(122	)		0				(353	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock			2,129				0			0				2,129
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards			1,881				0			0				1,881
Repurchase of common stock			(24,829	)			0			0				(24,829	)
Payment of financing costs			(1,715	)			0			0				(1,715	)

Net cash used in financing activities			(8,453	)			(122	)		0				(8,575	)

Effect of exchange rates on cash			434				(107	)		0				327

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			34,029				2,415			0				36,444
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year			10,633				1,398			0				12,031

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		$	44,662			$	3,813		$	0			$	48,475


		CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
		Fiscal Year Ended September 24, 2011
		(in thousands)
		Parent				Guarantor			Eliminations				Consolidated
		Parent				Subsidiaries			Eliminations				Consolidated
Net cash provided by operating activities		$	50,459			$	56,373		$	(55,824	)		$	51,008

Additions to property			(16,802	)			(14,761	)		0				(31,563	)
Businesses acquired, net of cash acquired			(23,403	)			(1,904	)		0				(25,307	)
Return of equity investment			3,133				0			0				3,133
Investment in short term investments			(2,500	)			0			0				(2,500	)
Investment in guarantor			(16,719	)			(39,105	)		55,824				0

Net cash used by investing activities			(56,291	)			(55,770	)		55,824				(56,237	)

Repayments on revolving line of credit			(668,000	)			0			0				(668,000	)
Borrowings on revolving line of credit			703,000				0			0				703,000
Repayments of long-term debt			(190	)			(145	)		0				(335	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock			1,675				0			0				1,675
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards			945				0			0				945
Repurchase of common stock			(108,727	)			0			0				(108,727	)
Payment of financing costs			(1,055	)			0			0				(1,055	)
Distribution to noncontrolling interest			(1,500	)			0			0				(1,500	)

Net cash used in financing activities			(73,852	)			(145	)		0				(73,997	)

Effect of exchange rates on cash			52				(255	)		0				(203	)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			(79,632	)			203			0				(79,429	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year			90,265				1,195			0				91,460

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		$	10,633			$	1,398		$	0			$	12,031

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
Subsequent Events	Sep. 28, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	21. Subsequent Events
	Asset Backed Loan Facility
	On December 5, 2013, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement which provides for a $390 million principal amount senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility, with up to an additional $200 million principal amount available with the consent of the Lenders if the Company exercises the accordion feature set forth therein (collectively, the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility matures on December 5, 2018 and replaced the Company’s Old Credit Facility. 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, calculated using a formula based upon eligible receivables and inventory, minus certain reserves and subject to restrictions. The Company did not draw down under the Credit Facility upon closing. Borrowings under the Credit Facility will bear interest at an index based on LIBOR or, at the option of the Company, the Base Rate (defined as the highest of (a) the SunTrust prime rate, (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5% and (c) one-month LIBOR plus 1.00%), plus, in either case, an applicable margin based on the Company’s total outstanding borrowings. Such applicable margin for LIBOR-based borrowings fluctuates between 1.25%-1.75% (and was 1.25% at the time of closing) and such applicable margin for Base Rate borrowings fluctuates between 0.25%-0.75% (and was 0.25% at closing).

	The Credit Facility contains customary covenants, including financial covenants which require the Company to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.00:1.00 upon reaching certain borrowing levels. The Credit Facility is secured by substantially all assets of the Company.

Organization_and_Significant_A1

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Accounting Policies [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 for the pet and lawn and garden supplies markets.
Basis of Consolidation and Presentation	'
	Basis of Consolidation and Presentation – The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Central and all majority-owned subsidiaries. Noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities are recognized for the share of assets, liabilities and operating results not owned by Central. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The fiscal years ended September 28, 2013 and September 24, 2011 included 52 weeks; the fiscal year ended September 29, 2012 included 53 weeks.
Noncontrolling Interest	'
	Noncontrolling Interest – Noncontrolling interest in the Company’s consolidated financial statements represents the 20% interest not owned by the Company in a consolidated subsidiary. Since the Company controls this subsidiary, its financial statements are fully consolidated with those of the Company, and the noncontrolling owner’s 20% share of the subsidiary’s net assets and results of operations is deducted and reported as noncontrolling interest on the consolidated balance sheets and as net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest in the consolidated statements of operations.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires that management make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period including realization of accounts receivable and inventory and valuation of goodwill. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition – Sales are recognized when merchandise is shipped, risk of loss and title passes to the customer and the Company has no further obligations to provide services related to such merchandise. Discounts, volume-based rebate incentives and most cooperative advertising amounts are recorded as a reduction of sales. The Company’s practice on product returns is to accept and credit the return of unopened cases of products from customers where the quantity is small, where the product has been mis-shipped or the product is defective. Provisions are made for estimated sales returns which are deducted from net sales at the time of shipment. Sales also include shipping and handling costs billed directly to customers. The amount billed to customers for shipping and handling costs included in net sales for the fiscal years ended September 28, 2013, September 29, 2012 and September 24, 2011 was $6.9 million, $4.8 million and $2.7 million, respectively.
Cost of Goods Sold and Occupancy	'
	Cost of goods sold and occupancy consists of cost of product, inbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, certain indirect purchasing, merchandise handling and storage costs, internal transfer costs as well as allocations of overhead costs, including depreciation, related to the Company’s facilities. Cost of goods sold excludes substantially all shipping and handling and out-bound freight costs to customers, which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses as delivery expenses. The cost of shipping and handling, including internal costs and payments to third parties, included in delivery expenses within selling, general and administrative expenses for the fiscal years ended September 28, 2013, September 29, 2012 and September 24, 2011 was $47.7 million, $54.6 million and $49.7 million, respectively.
Advertising Costs	'
	Advertising Costs – The Company expenses the costs of advertising as incurred. Advertising expenses were $44.5 million, $54.4 million and $39.6 million in fiscal 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.
401(k) Plans	'
	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 $2.1 million for each of the fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011. In fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company’s matching contributions made in the Company’s Class A common stock resulted in the issuance of approximately 229,000, 230,000 and 190,000 shares, respectively.
Other Income	'
	Other income consists principally of earnings from equity method investments and foreign exchange gains and losses.
Income Taxes	'
	Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred income taxes result primarily from bad debt allowances, inventory and goodwill write-downs, amortization and depreciation. The Company establishes a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets when management believes it is more likely than not a deferred tax asset will not be realized. As of fiscal year-end 2013 and 2012, the Company had valuation allowances related to various state and foreign net deferred tax assets of $7.0 million and $7.3 million, respectively. The Company has no undistributed foreign earnings.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid debt instruments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase.
Short Term Investments	'
	Short term investments include investments with original maturities greater than three months and remaining maturities of one year or less. Short-term investments classified as held-to-maturity are financial instruments that the Company has the intent and ability to hold to maturity and are reported at amortized cost and are not remeasured to fair value on a recurring basis.
Accounts Receivable	'
	Accounts receivable are carried at their estimated collectible amounts. Trade credit is generally extended on a short-term basis; thus trade receivables do not bear interest, although a finance charge may be applied to such receivables that are past due.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	'
	Allowance for doubtful accounts – Trade accounts receivable are regularly evaluated for collectability based on past credit history with customers and their current financial condition.
Inventories	'
	Inventories, which primarily consist of garden products and pet supplies finished goods, are stated at the lower of FIFO cost or market. Cost includes certain indirect purchasing, merchandise handling and storage costs incurred to acquire or manufacture inventory, costs to unload, process and put away shipments received in order to prepare them to be picked for orders, and certain other overhead costs. The amount of such costs capitalized to inventory is computed based on an estimate of costs related to the procurement and processing of inventory to prepare it for sale compared to total product purchases.
Long-Lived Assets	'
	Long-Lived Assets – The Company reviews its long-lived assets, including amortizable and indefinite-lived intangible assets and property, plant and equipment, for potential impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable, and annually for indefinite-lived intangible assets. An impairment loss would be recognized for amortizable intangible assets and property, plant and equipment when estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset are less than its carrying amount. An impairment loss would be recognized for an intangible asset with an indefinite useful life if its carrying value exceeds its fair value. Impairment, if any, is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds its fair value. Should market conditions or the assumptions used by the Company in determining the fair value of assets change, or management changes plans regarding the future use of certain assets, additional charges to operations may be required in the period in which such conditions occur. See Note 10 – Other Intangible Assets.
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment	'
	Land, buildings, improvements and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method over thirty 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 and accelerated methods over the estimated useful lives of 3 to 10 years.
Goodwill	'
	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 9 – Goodwill.
Investments	'
	Investments – The Company owns membership interests approximating 50% in two unconsolidated companies. The Company accounts for its interest in these entities using the equity method. Equity income of $0.9 million in fiscal 2013, $0.7 million in fiscal 2012 and $0.9 million in fiscal 2011 is included in other income in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company’s investment in these entities was $0.8 million at September 28, 2013 and $1.3 million at September 29, 2012. On a combined basis, the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of these entities are not significant.
Accruals For Insurance	'
	Accruals For Insurance – The Company maintains insurance for certain risks, including workers’ compensation, general liability and vehicle liability, and is self-insured for employee related health care benefits. The Company’s workers’ compensation, general liability and vehicle liability insurance policies include deductibles of $250,000 to $350,000 per occurrence. The Company maintains excess loss insurance that covers any health care claims in excess of $700,000 per person per year. The Company establishes reserves for losses based on its claims experience and actuarial estimates of the ultimate loss amount inherent in the claims, including claims incurred but not yet reported. Costs are recognized in the period the claim is incurred, and the financial statement accruals include an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments – At September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, 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 for further information regarding the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments.
Derivative Financial Instruments	'
	Derivative Financial Instruments – The Company reports all derivative financial instruments on the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in fair value are recognized in earnings, or are deferred, depending on the nature of the underlying exposure being hedged and how effective the derivative is at offsetting a change in the underlying exposure.
	The Company principally uses a combination of purchase orders and various short and long-term supply arrangements in connection with the purchase of raw materials, including certain commodities. The Company also enters into commodity futures, options and swap contracts to reduce the volatility of price fluctuations of corn, which impacts the cost of raw materials. The Company’s primary objective when entering into these derivative contracts is to achieve greater certainty with regard to the future price of commodities purchased for use in its supply chain. These derivative contracts are entered into for periods consistent with the related underlying exposures and do not constitute positions independent of those exposures. The Company does not enter into derivative contracts for speculative purposes and does not use leveraged instruments.

	The Company did not perform the assessments required to achieve hedge accounting for commodity derivative positions. Accordingly, the changes in the values of these derivatives are recorded currently in its consolidated statements of operations. As of September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, the notional amount of these contracts was not significant.
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	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 2013 was $15.9 million ($10.0 million after tax), in fiscal 2012 was $7.5 million ($4.7 million after tax) and in fiscal 2011 was $7.4 million ($4.4 million after tax). See Note 13 for further information.
Total Comprehensive Income	'
	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. Other comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of currency translation adjustments relating to the Company’s foreign subsidiary whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. The Company does not have any undistributed foreign earnings.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements – In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income.” ASU No. 2011-05 requires that all nonowner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements, eliminating the option to present other comprehensive income in the statement of changes in equity. Under either choice, items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income are required to be presented on the face of the financial statements where the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income are presented. In December 2011, the FASB issued an update to ASU No. 2011-05, ASU No. 2011-12, which was issued to defer the effective date for amendments to the reclassifications of items out of accumulated other comprehensive income in ASU No. 2011-05. ASU 2011-05 and the amendments in ASU No. 2011-12 are effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011 and became effective for the Company on September 30, 2012. The Company elected to report other comprehensive income and its components in a separate statement of comprehensive income. While the new guidance changed the presentation of comprehensive income, there were no changes to components that are recognized in net income or other comprehensive income as determined under previous accounting guidance. The amended guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment, which amended the guidance on the annual testing of goodwill for impairment. The amended guidance allows companies to assess qualitative factors to determine if it is more-likely-than-not that goodwill might be impaired and whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test required under current accounting standards. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, and became effective for the Company on September 30, 2012. This new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	In July 2012, the FASB issued an ASU No. 2012-02, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment, which simplifies the manner in which companies test indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. The ASU permits companies to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether events and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative impairment test. The ASU is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. The guidance became effective for the Company on September 30, 2012. This new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) – Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (ASU 2013-02). This guidance requires entities to disclose, either in the notes to the consolidated financial statements or parenthetically on the face of the statement that reports comprehensive income (loss), items reclassified out of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and into net earnings in their entirety and the effect of the reclassification on each affected Statement of Operations line item. In addition, for Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) reclassification items that are not reclassified in their entirety into net earnings, a cross reference to other required accounting standard disclosures is required. This guidance is effective for the Company on September 29, 2013. This new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	Sep. 28, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Summary of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	'
	Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
	The following table presents the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis based upon the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall, as of September 28, 2013 (in thousands):

			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets:
	Certificates of deposit (a)		$	0	$	17,820	$	0	$	17,820

	Total assets		$	0	$	17,820	$	0	$	17,820

	Liabilities:
	Derivative liabilities (b)		$	0	$	0	$	0	$	0
	Liability for contingent consideration (c)			0		0		4,165		4,165

	Total liabilities		$	0	$	0	$	4,165	$	4,165

	The following table presents our financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis based upon the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall, as of September 29, 2012 (in thousands):

			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets:
	Certificates of deposit (a)		$	0	$	17,820	$	0	$	17,820
	Derivative assets (b)			0		334		0		334

	Total assets		$	0	$	18,154	$	0	$	18,154

	Liabilities:
	Derivative liabilities (b)		$	0	$	206	$	0	$	206

	Total liabilities		$	0	$	206	$	0	$	206

	(a)	The fair value of our time deposits is based on the most recent observable inputs for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active or are directly or indirectly observable. These are presented as short term investments in our consolidated balance sheets.
	(b)	Derivative assets and liabilities were valued using quoted forward pricing from bank counterparties and are presented as other current assets and liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets.
	(c)	The liability for contingent consideration relates to an earn-out for B2E, acquired in December 2012. The fair value of the contingent consideration arrangement is determined based on the Company’s evaluation as to the probability and amount of any earn-out that will be achieved based on expected future performance by the acquired entity. This is presented as part of long-term liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets.
Summary of Changes in Fair Value of Level 3 Financial Instruments	'
	The following table provides a summary of changes in fair value of our Level 3 financial instruments for the years ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012 (in thousands):


			Amount
	Balance as of September 29, 2012		$	0
	Contingent performance-based payments established at the time of acquisition			4,165

	Balance as of September 28, 2013		$	4,165

Derivative_Instruments_Tables

Derivative Instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Derivative Instruments (Tables)	Sep. 28, 2013
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	'
	The following table presents the fair value of all derivative instruments outstanding in the condensed consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):


		September 28, 2013								September 29, 2012
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	Other Current				Other Current				Other Current			Other Current
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	Assets				Liabilities				Assets			Liabilities
	Commodity contracts	$	0			$	0			$	334		$	206

	Total derivative instruments	$	0			$	0			$	334		$	206

Summary of Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments Statements of Financial Performance	'
	The following table presents the effect of derivative instruments recorded in other income (expense) on the condensed consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):


		Fiscal Year Ended
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	September 28,				September 29,				September 24,
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	2013				2012				2011
	Commodity contracts	$	(958	)		$	111			$	(9	)

	Total derivative instruments	$	(958	)		$	111			$	(9	)

Gross Contract Notional Volume of Outstanding Derivative Contracts	'
	The following table presents the gross contract notional volume of outstanding derivative contracts:


	Commodity	Metric		September 28,				September 29,
	Commodity	Metric		2013				2012
	Corn	Bushels			0				400,000
	Soy Meal	Tons			0				2,000

Allowance_for_Doubtful_Account1

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	'
	Changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts are summarized below (in thousands):


	Description	Balances at		Charged/			Asset			Balances
		Beginning		(Credited) to			Write-Offs,			at End of
		of Period		Costs and			Less			Period
				Expenses			Recoveries
	Fiscal year ended September 24, 2011	$	21,564	$	(3,662	)	$	(2,312	)	$	15,590
	Fiscal year ended September 29, 2012		15,590		5,291			(2,307	)		18,574
	Fiscal year ended September 28, 2013		18,574		4,373			(1,789	)		21,158

Inventories_Net_Tables

Inventories, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Inventories, Net (Tables)	Sep. 28, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Inventories, Net of Allowance for Obsolescence	'
	Inventories, net of allowance for obsolescence, consist of the following (in thousands):


		September 28,		September 29,
		2013		2012
	Raw materials	$	121,695	$	94,387
	Work in progress		19,856		13,587
	Finished goods		236,322		209,888
	Supplies		14,060		12,170

	Total inventories, net	$	391,934	$	330,032

Property_and_Equipment_Net_Tab

Property and Equipment, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Property and Equipment, Net (Tables)	Sep. 28, 2013
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Components of Property and Equipment	'
	Property and equipment consists of the following (in thousands):


		As of
		September 28,			September 29,
		2013			2012
	Land	$	9,504		$	9,504
	Buildings and improvements		112,882			108,122
	Transportation equipment		5,646			6,125
	Machine and warehouse equipment		179,723			174,411
	Capitalized software		104,034			99,090
	Office furniture and equipment		25,248			26,076

			437,037			423,328
	Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(248,124	)		(232,165	)

		$	188,913		$	191,163

Goodwill_Tables

Goodwill (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Goodwill (Tables)	Sep. 28, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill	'
	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the fiscal years ended September 28, 2013, September 29, 2012 and September 24, 2011 (in thousands):


		Garden Products			Pet Products			Total
		Segment			Segment			Total
	Balance as of September 25, 2010
	Goodwill	$	211,554		$	397,617		$	609,171
	Accumulated impairment losses		(205,874	)		(195,978	)		(401,852	)

			5,680			201,639			207,319

	Additions in fiscal 2011		2,029			875			2,904
	Balance as of September 24, 2011
	Goodwill		213,583			398,492			612,075
	Accumulated impairment losses		(205,874	)		(195,978	)		(401,852	)

			7,709			202,514			210,223

	Balance as of September 29, 2012
	Goodwill		213,583			398,492			612,075
	Accumulated impairment losses		(205,874	)		(195,978	)		(401,852	)

			7,709			202,514			210,223

	Additions in fiscal 2013		0			3,242			3,242
	Impairment losses in fiscal 2013		(7,709	)		0			(7,709	)
	Balance as of September 28, 2013
	Goodwill		213,583			401,734			615,317
	Accumulated impairment losses		(213,583	)		(195,978	)		(409,561	)

		$	0		$	205,756		$	205,756

Other_Intangible_Assets_Tables

Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	Sep. 28, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components of Gross and Net Acquired Intangible Assets	'
	The following table summarizes the components of gross and net acquired intangible assets:


		Gross		Accumulated			Impairment			Net
				Amortization						Carrying
										Value
				(in millions)
	September 28, 2013
	Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable	$	12.5	$	(8.9	)	$	0		$	3.6
	Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable		59.6		0			(16.9	)		42.7

	Total		72.1		(8.9	)		(16.9	)		46.3

	Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable		42.8		(17.9	)		0			24.9

	Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable		16.6		(7.9	)		0			8.7
	Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable		1.2		0			(1.2	)		0

	Total		17.8		(7.9	)		(1.2	)		8.7

	Total other intangible assets	$	132.7	$	(34.7	)	$	(18.1	)	$	79.9

	September 29, 2012
	Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable	$	12.3	$	(7.5	)	$	0		$	4.8
	Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable		59.6		0			(16.9	)		42.7

	Total		71.9		(7.5	)		(16.9	)		47.5

	Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable		42.7		(15.4	)		0			27.3

	Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable		10.8		(6.7	)		0			4.1
	Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable		1.2		0			(1.2	)		0

	Total		12		(6.7	)		(1.2	)		4.1

	Total other intangible assets	$	126.6	$	(29.6	)	$	(18.1	)	$	78.9

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Long-Term Debt (Tables)	Sep. 28, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components of Long-Term Debt	'
	Long-term debt consists of the following:


			September 28			September 29,
			2013			2012
			(in thousands)
	Senior subordinated notes, net of unamortized discount (1), interest at 8.25%, payable semi-annually, principal due March 2018		$	449,417		$	449,312
	Revolving credit facility, interest at Alternate Base Rate plus a margin of 0.75% to 1.75%, or LIBOR plus a margin of 1.75% to 2.75%, final maturity June 2016			23,000			0
	Other notes payable			170			502

	Total			472,587			449,814
	Less current portion			(142	)		(331	)

	Long-term portion		$	472,445		$	449,483


	-1	Represents unamortized original issue discount of $583 and $688, as of September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, respectively, which is amortizable until March 2018.
Scheduled Principal Repayments on Long-term Debt	'
	The scheduled principal repayments on long-term debt as of September 28, 2013 are as follows:


			(in thousands)
	Fiscal year:
	2014		$	142
	2015			26
	2016			23,002
	2017			0
	2018			450,000
	Thereafter			0

	Total		$	473,170	(1)


	-1	Debt repayments include an amount in excess of the carrying value of debt and reflect the unamortized portion of the original issue discount on the Senior Subordinated Notes of $0.6 million as of September 28, 2013, which is amortizable until March 2018.

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	Sep. 28, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Aggregate Minimum Annual Payments on Non-Cancelable Operating Leases	'
	Aggregate minimum annual payments on non-cancelable operating leases at September 28, 2013 are as follows:


		(in thousands)
	Fiscal year:
	2014	$	15,899
	2015		12,011
	2016		8,649
	2017		6,041
	2018		2,099
	Thereafter		1,723

	Total	$	46,422

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Tables)	Sep. 28, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Provision for Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	'
	The provision for income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following:


		Fiscal Year Ended
		September 28,			September 29,			September 24,
		2013			2012			2011
		(in thousands)
	Current:
	Federal.	$	52		$	(1,003	)	$	(5,512	)
	State.		958			603			160
	Foreign.		0			35			35

	Total		1,010			(365	)		(5,317	)

	Deferred:
	Federal.		(2,915	)		12,671			22,667
	State.		(687	)		198			1,214
	Foreign.		0			312			1,031

	Total		(3,602	)		13,181			24,912

	Total	$	(2,592	)	$	12,816		$	19,595

Reconciliation of the Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate to the Company's Effective Income Tax Rate	'
	A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the Company’s effective income tax rate is as follows:


		Fiscal Year Ended
		September 28,			September 29,			September 24,
		2013			2012			2011
	Statutory federal income tax rate		(35.0	)%		35	%		35	%
	State income taxes, net of federal benefit		(5.2	)		2.3			2.8
	Other permanent differences		2.4			0.6			1.4
	Adjustment of prior year accruals		1.8			0.2			1.2
	Uncertain tax positions		3.7			0			(0.3	)
	Credits		(29.3	)		(1.2	)		(2.9	)
	Change in valuation allowances		(9.0	)		(0.1	)		3.2
	Foreign rate differential		(3.6	)		(0.1	)		0.4

	Effective income tax rate (benefit)		(74.2	%)		36.7	%		40.8	%

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, 2013						September 29, 2012
		Deferred			Deferred			Deferred			Deferred
		Tax			Tax			Tax			Tax
		Assets			Liabilities			Assets			Liabilities
		(in thousands)
	Current:
	Allowance for doubtful accounts .	$	7,758		$	0		$	6,741		$	0
	Inventory write-downs		14,983			0			10,411			0
	Prepaid expenses.		620			0			112			0
	Nondeductible reserves		2,782			0			997			0
	State taxes.		0			188			0			245
	Employee benefits		6,062			0			5,885			0
	Other.		3,012			0			3,509			0

	Total		35,218			188			27,655			245

	Noncurrent:
	Depreciation and amortization.		0			39,100			0			30,358
	Equity income.		0			393			0			280
	State net operating loss carryforward		4,816			0			4,160			0
	Stock based compensation		6,061			0			5,225			0
	State credits		2,421			0			2,241			0
	Other.		5,349			0			2,866			0
	Valuation allowance		(6,968	)		0			(7,282	)		0

	Total.		11,679			39,493			7,210			30,638

	Total.	$	46,897		$	39,681		$	34,865		$	30,883

Activity Related to Company's Unrecognized Tax Benefits	'
	The following table, which excludes interest and penalties, summarizes the activity related to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits for fiscal years ended September 29, 2012 and September 28, 2013 (in thousands):


	Balance as of September 24, 2011	$	282
	Increases related to prior year tax positions		1
	Increases related to current year tax positions		16
	Settlements		(37	)

	Balance as of September 29, 2012	$	262
	Increases related to prior year tax positions		247
	Increases related to current year tax positions		60
	Settlements		(202	)
	Decreases related to lapse of statute of limitations		(3	)

	Balance as of September 28, 2013	$	364

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	Sep. 28, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Summary of Stock Option Activity	'
	The following table summarizes option activity for the period ended September 28, 2013:


		Number of			Weighted		Weighted Average		Aggregate
		Shares			Average Exercise		Remaining		Intrinsic Value
		(in thousands)			Price per Share		Contractual Life		(in thousands)
	Outstanding at September 29, 2012		11,638		$	10.73		3 years	$	22,172
	Granted		2,000		$	8.4
	Exercised		(285	)	$	5.35
	Cancelled or expired		(782	)	$	9.24

	Outstanding at September 28, 2013		12,571		$	10.57		3 years	$	1,166

	Exercisable at September 24, 2011		4,162		$	11.32		3 years	$	1,139
	Exercisable at September 29, 2012		4,601		$	11.34		2 years	$	6,708
	Exercisable at September 28, 2013		6,409		$	11.21		2 years		770
	Expected to vest after September 28, 2013		5,388		$	9.9		4 years	$	347
Summary of Restricted Stock Award Activity	'
	Restricted stock award activity during the three fiscal years in the period ended September 28, 2013 is summarized as follows:


		Number of			Weighted Average
		Shares			Grant Date
					Fair Value per
					Share
		(in thousands)
	Nonvested at September 25, 2010		432		$	10.6
	Granted		496		$	9.32
	Vested		(120	)	$	12.38
	Forfeited		(4	)	$	13

	Nonvested at September 24, 2011		804		$	9.79
	Granted		159		$	9.16
	Vested		(98	)	$	12.12
	Forfeited		(80	)	$	8.32

	Nonvested at September 29, 2012		785		$	9.53
	Granted		552		$	9.26
	Vested		(354	)	$	9.6
	Forfeited		(89	)	$	9.37

	Nonvested at September 28, 2013		894		$	9.35

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Earnings Per Share (Tables)	Sep. 28, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Numerators and Denominators in Basic and Diluted Per Share	'
	The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (EPS) computations:


		Fiscal Year Ended								Fiscal Year Ended						Fiscal Year Ended
		28-Sep-13								29-Sep-12						24-Sep-11
		Net			Shares		Per			Net		Shares		Per		Net		Shares		Per
		Income					Share			Income				Share		Income				Share
		(Loss)
		(in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Basic EPS:
	Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	$	(1,929	)		48,094	$	(0.04	)	$	21,173		47,622	$	0.44	$	28,323		56,217	$	0.5
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Options to purchase common stock					0		0					497		0				274		0
	Restricted shares					0		0					255		0				154		0
	Diluted EPS:
	Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	$	(1,929	)		48,094	$	(0.04	)	$	21,173		48,374	$	0.44	$	28,323		56,645	$	0.5

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud1

Quarterly Financial Data - Unaudited (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Quarterly Financial Data - Unaudited (Tables)	Sep. 28, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Data - Unaudited	'

			Fiscal 2013
			1^st Quarter			2^nd Quarter		3^rd Quarter		4^th Quarter
			(in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Net sales		$	292,497		$	498,169	$	494,130	$	368,837
	Gross profit			76,959			153,170		152,466		81,307
	Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company			(15,269	)		22,196		13,725		(22,581	) (1)
	Net income (loss) per share:
	Basic		$	(0.32	)	$	0.46	$	0.28	$	(0.47	)
	Diluted		$	(0.32	)	$	0.46	$	0.28	$	(0.47	)
	Weighted average common shares outstanding:
	Basic			47,871			48,064		48,173		48,264
	Diluted			47,871			48,740		48,822		48,264


			Fiscal 2012
			1^st Quarter			2^nd Quarter		3^rd Quarter		4^th Quarter
			(in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Net sales		$	302,066		$	466,903	$	533,808	$	397,236
	Gross profit			80,738			147,696		180,652		105,072
	Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company			(13,090	)		21,623		22,699		(10,059	)
	Net income (loss) per share:
	Basic		$	(0.27	)	$	0.46	$	0.48	$	(0.21	)
	Diluted		$	(0.27	)	$	0.45	$	0.47	$	(0.21	)
	Weighted average common shares outstanding:
	Basic			47,823			47,343		47,661		47,704
	Diluted			47,823			48,036		48,388		47,704

	-1	The Company recognized a $7.7 million goodwill impairment charge and an $11.2 million charge related to certain new products introduced in fiscal 2013 in its Garden segment during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013.

Business_Segment_Data_Tables

Business Segment Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
Business Segment Data (Tables)	Sep. 28, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Class of Similar Products Which Represented More than 10% of Company's Consolidated Net Sales	'
	The following table indicates each class of similar products which represented more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated net sales in the fiscal years presented (in millions).


	Category	2013			2012			2011
	Pet supplies (excluding wild bird feed)	$	807.4		$	847.1		$	773.1
	Garden controls and fertilizer products		274.9			281.7			260
	Wild bird feed		210.8			205.1			197.5
	Other garden supplies		183.5			185.7			212.1
	Grass seed		177			180.4			185.9

	Total	$	1,653.60		$	1,700.00		$	1,628.60

Financial Information Relating to Company's Business Segments	'
	Financial information relating to the Company’s business segments for each of the three most recent fiscal years is presented in the table below (in thousands):


		Fiscal Year Ended
		September 28,			September 29,			September 24,
		2013			2012			2011
	Net sales:
	Pet segment	$	888,228		$	930,753		$	851,307
	Garden segment		765,405			769,260			777,345

	Total	$	1,653,633		$	1,700,013		$	1,628,652

	Income (loss) from operations:
	Pet segment	$	95,451		$	87,650		$	77,623
	Garden segment		8,286	(1)		40,376			50,013
	Corporate		(63,582	)		(53,605	)		(42,461	)

	Total		40,155			74,421			85,175
	Interest expense		(43,112	)		(40,315	)		(38,044	)
	Interest income		142			145			296
	Other income (expense)		(677	)		678			550

	Income (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interest		(3,492	)		34,929			47,977
	Income tax expense (benefit)		(2,592	)		12,816			19,595

	Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest		(900	)		22,113			28,382
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		1,029			940			59

	Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$	(1,929	)	$	21,173		$	28,323

	Assets:
	Pet segment	$	425,988		$	411,059		$	396,637
	Garden segment		388,581			341,716			350,234
	Corporate and eliminations		346,591			396,772			346,132

	Total	$	1,161,160		$	1,149,547		$	1,093,003

	Depreciation and amortization:
	Pet segment	$	15,753		$	14,507		$	14,479
	Garden segment		6,410			6,213			5,986
	Corporate		10,805			9,705			8,101

	Total	$	32,968		$	30,425		$	28,566

	Expenditures for long-lived assets:
	Pet segment	$	9,694		$	15,540		$	9,953
	Garden segment		7,496			4,138			5,902
	Corporate		7,982			19,914			15,708

	Total	$	25,172		$	39,592		$	31,563

Consolidating_Condensed_Financ1

Consolidating Condensed Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013
Condensed Financial Information Of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Condensed Statement of Operations Based on Company's Understanding of SEC's Interpretation	'

			CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
			Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2013
			(in thousands)
			Parent				Guarantor				Eliminations				Consolidated
			Parent				Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Consolidated
	Net sales		$	502,311			$	1,198,672			$	(47,350	)		$	1,653,633
	Cost of goods sold and occupancy			402,801				834,280				(47,350	)			1,189,731

	Gross profit			99,510				364,392				0				463,902
	Selling, general and administrative expenses			141,447				274,591				0				416,038
	Goodwill impairment			0				7,709				0				7,709

	Income (loss) from operations			(41,937	)			82,092				0				40,155
	Interest – net			(43,047	)			77				0				(42,970	)
	Other income (expense)			(3,791	)			3,114				0				(677	)

	Income (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interest			(88,775	)			85,283				0				(3,492	)
	Income tax expense (benefit)			(47,803	)			45,211				0				(2,592	)

	Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest			(40,972	)			40,072				0				(900	)
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			1,029				0				0				1,029

	Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company before equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries			(42,001	)			40,072				0				(1,929	)
	Equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries			40,072				0				(40,072	)			0

	Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company		$	(1,929	)		$	40,072			$	(40,072	)		$	(1,929	)



			CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
			Fiscal Year Ended September 29, 2012
			(in thousands)
			Parent				Guarantor				Eliminations				Consolidated
			Parent				Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Consolidated
	Net sales		$	527,901			$	1,244,430			$	(72,318	)		$	1,700,013
	Cost of goods sold and occupancy			383,990				874,183				(72,318	)			1,185,855

	Gross profit			143,911				370,247				0				514,158
	Selling, general and administrative expenses			144,171				295,566				0				439,737

	Income (loss) from operations			(260	)			74,681				0				74,421
	Interest – net			(40,324	)			154				0				(40,170	)
	Other income (expense)			(3,764	)			4,442				0				678

	Income (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interest			(44,348	)			79,277				0				34,929
	Income tax expense (benefit)			(15,698	)			28,514				0				12,816

	Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest			(28,650	)			50,763				0				22,113
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			940				0				0				940

	Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company before equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries			(29,590	)			50,763				0				21,173
	Equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries			50,763				0				(50,763	)			0

	Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company		$	21,173			$	50,763			$	(50,763	)		$	21,173



			CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
			Fiscal Year Ended September 24, 2011
			(in thousands)
			Parent				Guarantor				Eliminations				Consolidated
			Parent				Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Consolidated
Net sales		$	500,668			$	1,244,207			$	(116,223	)		$	1,628,652
Cost of goods sold and occupancy			374,215				876,741				(116,223	)			1,134,733

Gross profit			126,453				367,466				0				493,919
Selling, general and administrative expenses			132,974				275,770				0				408,744

Income from operations			(6,521	)			91,696				0				85,175
Interest – net			(37,984	)			236				0				(37,748	)
Other income (expense)			(236	)			786				0				550

Income (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interest			(44,741	)			92,718				0				47,977
Income tax expense (benefit)			(17,299	)			36,894				0				19,595

Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest			(27,442	)			55,824								28,382
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest			59				0				0				59

Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company before equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries			(27,501	)			55,824				0				28,323
Equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries			55,824				0				(55,824	)			0

Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company		$	28,323			$	55,824			$	(55,824	)		$	28,323

Consolidating Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF
	COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2013
	(in thousands)
	(unaudited)
			Parent				Guarantor				Eliminations				Consolidated
			Parent				Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Consolidated
	Net income (loss)		$	(40,972	)		$	40,072			$	0			$	(900	)
	Other comprehensive loss:
	Foreign currency translation			(97	)			0				0				(97	)

	Total comprehensive income (loss)			(41,069	)			40,072				0				(997	)
	Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests			1,029				0				0				1,029

	Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company		$	(42,098	)		$	40,072			$	0			$	(2,026	)


			CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF
			COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
			Fiscal Ended September 29, 2012
			(in thousands)
			(unaudited)
			Parent				Guarantor				Eliminations				Consolidated
			Parent				Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Consolidated
	Net income (loss)		$	(28,650	)		$	50,763			$	0			$	22,113
	Other comprehensive income:
	Foreign currency translation			520				0				0				520

	Total comprehensive income (loss)			(28,130	)			50,763				0				22,633
	Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests			940				0				0				940

	Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company		$	(29,070	)		$	50,763			$	0			$	21,693


			CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF
			COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
			Fiscal Ended September 24, 2011
			(in thousands)
			(unaudited)
			Parent				Guarantor				Eliminations				Consolidated
			Parent				Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Consolidated
	Net income (loss)		$	(27,442	)		$	55,824			$	0			$	28,382
	Other comprehensive income:
	Foreign currency translation			75				0				0				75

	Total comprehensive income (loss)			(27,367	)			55,824				0				28,457
	Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests			59				0				0				59

	Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company		$	(27,426	)		$	55,824			$	0			$	28,398

Condensed Balance Sheet based on Company's Understanding of SEC Interpretation	'

			CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
			September 28, 2013
			(in thousands)
			Parent				Guarantor				Eliminations				Consolidated
			Parent				Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Consolidated
	ASSETS
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	12,441			$	2,715			$	0			$	15,156
	Short term investments			17,820				0				0				17,820
	Accounts receivable, net			43,660				153,734				(3,134	)			194,260
	Inventories			114,662				277,272				0				391,934
	Prepaid expenses and other assets			24,747				28,737				0				53,484

	Total current assets			213,330				462,458				(3,134	)			672,654
	Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net			78,662				110,251				0				188,913
	Goodwill			0				205,756				0				205,756
	Investment in guarantors			693,615				0				(693,615	)			0
	Other assets			57,255				36,582				0				93,837

	Total		$	1,042,862			$	815,047			$	(696,749	)		$	1,161,160

	LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
	Accounts payable		$	36,869			$	69,834			$	(3,134	)		$	103,569
	Accrued expenses and other liabilities			33,664				45,096				0				78,760

	Total current liabilities			70,533				114,930				(3,134	)			182,329
	Long-term debt			472,418				27				0				472,445
	Other long-term obligations			29,887				6,475				0				36,362
	Shareholders’ equity attributable to Central Garden & Pet			468,678				693,615				(693,615	)			468,678
	Noncontrolling interest			1,346				0				0				1,346

	Total equity			470,024				693,615				(693,615	)			470,024

	Total		$	1,042,862			$	815,047			$	(696,749	)		$	1,161,160



			CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
			September 29, 2012
			(in thousands)
			Parent				Guarantor				Eliminations				Consolidated
			Parent				Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Consolidated
	ASSETS
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	44,662			$	3,813			$	0			$	48,475
	Short term investments			22,705				0				0				22,705
	Accounts receivable, net			48,339				159,328				(5,245	)			202,422
	Inventories			97,017				233,015				0				330,032
	Prepaid expenses and other assets			25,242				22,907				0				48,149

	Total current assets			237,965				419,063				(5,245	)			651,783
	Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net			81,727				109,436				0				191,163
	Goodwill			0				210,223				0				210,223
	Investment in guarantors			654,362				0				(654,362	)			0
	Other assets			54,910				41,468				0				96,378

	Total		$	1,028,964			$	780,190			$	(659,607	)		$	1,149,547

	LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
	Accounts payable		$	49,894			$	82,013			$	(5,245	)		$	126,662
	Accrued expenses and other liabilities			38,673				41,149				0				79,822

	Total current liabilities			88,567				123,162				(5,245	)			206,484
	Long-term debt			449,387				96				0				449,483
Other long-term obligations			26,127				2,570				0				28,697
Shareholders’ equity attributable to Central Garden & Pet			463,937				654,362				(654,362	)			463,937
Noncontrolling interest			946				0				0				946

Total equity			464,883				654,362				(654,362	)			464,883

Total		$	1,028,964			$	780,190			$	(659,607	)		$	1,149,547

Condensed Cash Flows Statement on Company's Understanding of SEC Interpretation	'

			CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
			Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2013
			(in thousands)
			Parent				Guarantor				Eliminations				Consolidated
			Parent				Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Consolidated
	Net cash (used) provided by operating activities		$	(9,068	)		$	20,858			$	(40,072	)		$	(28,282	)

	Additions to property			(8,993	)			(16,179	)			0				(25,172	)
	Businesses acquired, net of cash acquired			0				(4,835	)			0				(4,835	)
	Sale of short term investments			4,885				0				0				4,885
	Investment in guarantor			(39,253	)			(819	)			40,072				0

	Net cash (used) provided by investing activities			(43,361	)			(21,833	)			40,072				(25,122	)

	Repayments on revolving line of credit			(368,000	)			0				0				(368,000	)
	Borrowings on revolving line of credit			391,000				0				0				391,000
	Repayments of long-term debt			(206	)			(126	)			0				(332	)
	Proceeds from issuance of common stock			613				0				0				613
	Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards			388				0				0				388
	Repurchase of common stock			(2,731	)			0				0				(2,731	)
	Distribution to noncontrolling interest			(629	)			0				0				(629	)

	Net cash provided (used) by financing activities			20,435				(126	)			0				20,309

	Effect of exchange rates on cash			(227	)			3				0				(224	)

	Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			(32,221	)			(1,098	)			0				(33,319	)
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year			44,662				3,813				0				48,475

	Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		$	12,441			$	2,715			$	0			$	15,156



			CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
			Fiscal Year Ended September 29, 2012
			(in thousands)
			Parent				Guarantor				Eliminations				Consolidated
			Parent				Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Consolidated
	Net cash provided by operating activities		$	74,405			$	65,527			$	(50,763	)		$	89,169

	Additions to property			(20,736	)			(18,856	)			0				(39,592	)
	Investment in short term investments			(4,885	)			0				0				(4,885	)
	Investment in guarantor			(6,736	)			(44,027	)			50,763				0

	Net cash provided (used) by investing activities			(32,357	)			(62,883	)			50,763				(44,477	)

	Repayments on revolving line of credit			(339,000	)			0				0				(339,000	)
	Borrowings on revolving line of credit			304,000				0				0				304,000
	Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt			49,312				0				0				49,312
	Repayments of long-term debt			(231	)			(122	)			0				(353	)
	Proceeds from issuance of common stock			2,129				0				0				2,129
	Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards			1,881				0				0				1,881
	Repurchase of common stock			(24,829	)			0				0				(24,829	)
	Payment of financing costs			(1,715	)			0				0				(1,715	)

	Net cash used in financing activities			(8,453	)			(122	)			0				(8,575	)

	Effect of exchange rates on cash			434				(107	)			0				327

	Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			34,029				2,415				0				36,444
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year			10,633				1,398				0				12,031

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		$	44,662			$	3,813			$	0			$	48,475



		CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
		Fiscal Year Ended September 24, 2011
		(in thousands)
		Parent				Guarantor				Eliminations				Consolidated
		Parent				Subsidiaries				Eliminations				Consolidated
Net cash provided by operating activities		$	50,459			$	56,373			$	(55,824	)		$	51,008

Additions to property			(16,802	)			(14,761	)			0				(31,563	)
Businesses acquired, net of cash acquired			(23,403	)			(1,904	)			0				(25,307	)
Return of equity investment			3,133				0				0				3,133
Investment in short term investments			(2,500	)			0				0				(2,500	)
Investment in guarantor			(16,719	)			(39,105	)			55,824				0

Net cash used by investing activities			(56,291	)			(55,770	)			55,824				(56,237	)

Repayments on revolving line of credit			(668,000	)			0				0				(668,000	)
Borrowings on revolving line of credit			703,000				0				0				703,000
Repayments of long-term debt			(190	)			(145	)			0				(335	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock			1,675				0				0				1,675
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards			945				0				0				945
Repurchase of common stock			(108,727	)			0				0				(108,727	)
Payment of financing costs			(1,055	)			0				0				(1,055	)
Distribution to noncontrolling interest			(1,500	)			0				0				(1,500	)

Net cash used in financing activities			(73,852	)			(145	)			0				(73,997	)

Effect of exchange rates on cash			52				(255	)			0				(203	)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			(79,632	)			203				0				(79,429	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year			90,265				1,195				0				91,460

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		$	10,633			$	1,398			$	0			$	12,031

Organization_and_Significant_A2

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption [Line Items]	'	'	'
Noncontrolling interest owned by the subsidiary	20.00%	'	'
Shipping and handling costs included in net sales	$6.90	$4.80	$2.70
Cost of shipping and handling included in selling, general and administrative expenses	47.7	54.6	49.7
Advertising expenses	44.5	54.4	39.6
Employees benefit plan	2.1	2.1	2.1
Valuation allowances related to net deferred tax assets	$7	$7.30	'
Class A Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption [Line Items]	'	'	'
401(k) matching contributions made in Class A common stock	229,000	230,000	190,000
Building [Member]	'	'	'
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption [Line Items]	'	'	'
Useful life	'30 years	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption [Line Items]	'	'	'
Maturity period of debt instruments	'3 months	'	'
Maturity date of investments	'1 year	'	'
Maximum [Member] \| Equipment And Capitalized Software [Member]	'	'	'
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption [Line Items]	'	'	'
Useful life	'10 years	'	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption [Line Items]	'	'	'
Maturity date of investments	'3 months	'	'
Minimum [Member] \| Equipment And Capitalized Software [Member]	'	'	'
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption [Line Items]	'	'	'
Useful life	'3 years	'	'

Organization_and_Significant_A3

Organization and Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information1 (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption [Line Items]	'	'	'
Owned Percentage in unconsolidated Entities	50.00%	'	'
Equity income	$900,000	$700,000	$900,000
Investment in unconsolidated companies	800,000	1,300,000	'
Excess loss insurance that covers any health care claims	700,000	'	'
Stock-based compensation	15,892,000	7,510,000	7,447,000
Stock-based compensation after tax	10,000,000	4,700,000	4,400,000
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption [Line Items]	'	'	'
General liability and vehicle liability insurance policies	350,000	'	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption [Line Items]	'	'	'
General liability and vehicle liability insurance policies	$250,000	'	'

Fair_Value_Measurements_Summar

Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $)	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Assets:	'	'
Total assets	$17,820	$18,154
Liabilities:	'	'
Total liabilities	4,165	206
Derivative liabilities [Member]	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'
Total liabilities	0	206
Liability for contingent consideration [Member]	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'
Total liabilities	4,165	'
Certificates of deposit [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Total assets	17,820	17,820
Derivative assets [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Total assets	'	334
Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Total assets	0	0
Liabilities:	'	'
Total liabilities	0	0
Level 1 [Member] \| Derivative liabilities [Member]	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'
Total liabilities	0	0
Level 1 [Member] \| Certificates of deposit [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Total assets	0	0
Level 1 [Member] \| Derivative assets [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Total assets	'	0
Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Total assets	17,820	18,154
Liabilities:	'	'
Total liabilities	0	206
Level 2 [Member] \| Derivative liabilities [Member]	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'
Total liabilities	0	206
Level 2 [Member] \| Certificates of deposit [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Total assets	17,820	17,820
Level 2 [Member] \| Derivative assets [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Total assets	'	334
Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Total assets	0	0
Liabilities:	'	'
Total liabilities	4,165	0
Level 3 [Member] \| Derivative liabilities [Member]	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'
Total liabilities	0	0
Level 3 [Member] \| Liability for contingent consideration [Member]	'	'
Liabilities:	'	'
Total liabilities	4,165	'
Level 3 [Member] \| Certificates of deposit [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Total assets	0	0
Level 3 [Member] \| Derivative assets [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Total assets	'	$0

Fair_Value_Measurements_Summar1

Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Changes in Fair Value of Level 3 Financial Instruments (Detail) (Level 3 [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013
Level 3 [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'
Balance as of September 29, 2012	$0
Contingent performance-based payments established at the time of acquisition	4,165
Balance as of September 28, 2013	$4,165

Fair_Value_Measurements_Additi

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Goodwill impairment	$7,709,000	$7,709,000	$0	$0
Senior subordinated notes due date	'	1-Jun-18	'	'
Senior subordinated notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Obligation to pay principle on the company Senior Subordinates Notes	450,000,000	450,000,000	'	'
Senior subordinated notes, percentage	8.25%	8.25%	'	'
Senior subordinated notes [Member] \| Portion at Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Senior subordinated notes due 2018	449,500,000	449,500,000	'	'
Senior subordinated notes [Member] \| Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Fair value and carrying value of senior subordinated Notes	$449,400,000	$449,400,000	'	'

Derivative_Instruments_Summary

Derivative Instruments - Summary of Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Abstract]	'	'
Other Current Assets	$0	$334
Other Current Liabilities	0	206
Commodity contracts [Member] \| Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments [Abstract]	'	'
Other Current Assets	0	334
Other Current Liabilities	$0	$206

Derivative_Instruments_Summary1

Derivative Instruments - Summary of Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments Statements of Financial Performance (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net [Abstract]	'	'	'
Total derivative instruments	($958)	$111	($9)
Commodity contracts [Member] \| Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net [Abstract]	'	'	'
Total derivative instruments	($958)	$111	($9)

Derivative_Instruments_Gross_C

Derivative Instruments - Gross Contract Notional Volume of Outstanding Derivative Contracts (Detail) (Commodity contracts [Member])	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
	bu	bu
Corn [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative commodity contract outstanding volume	0	400,000
Soy Meal [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative commodity contract outstanding mass	0	2,000

Acquisitions_Additional_Inform

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011	Feb. 28, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012
	Acquisition	Sep. 24, 2011	Feb. 28, 2011	FourStar Microbial [Member]
Business Combination Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Assets acquired during the period	'	'	$23	$4.80
Contingent future performance-based payments	'	'	'	4.2
Excess of purchase price recorded as goodwill	'	'	1	3.2
Company made acquisitions	0	'	'	'
Contingent performance payments	'	$1.90	'	'

Concentration_of_Credit_Risk_a1

Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Customers and Suppliers - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
	Customer	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Concentration Of Credit Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of net sales	43.00%	45.00%	45.00%
Number of major customers	5	'	'
Percentage of accounts receivable	35.00%	42.00%	'
Percentage of accounts receivable including Company's largest customer	9.00%	15.00%	'
Percentage of cost of goods sold	11.00%	9.00%	12.00%
Number of major suppliers	5	'	'
Customer One [Member]	'	'	'
Concentration Of Credit Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of largest customer accounted of the Company's net sales	16.00%	17.00%	16.00%
Customer Two [Member]	'	'	'
Concentration Of Credit Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of largest customer accounted of the Company's net sales	8.00%	7.00%	7.00%
Customer Three [Member]	'	'	'
Concentration Of Credit Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of largest customer accounted of the Company's net sales	8.00%	9.00%	12.00%

Allowance_for_Doubtful_Account2

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - Schedule of Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Receivables [Abstract]	'	'	'
Balances at Beginning of Period	$18,574	$15,590	$21,564
Charged/ (Credited) to Cost and Expenses	4,373	5,291	-3,662
Asset Write-Offs, Less Recoveries	-1,789	-2,307	-2,312
Balances at End of Period	$21,158	$18,574	$15,590

Inventories_Net_Summary_of_Inv

Inventories, Net - Summary of Inventories, Net of Allowance for Obsolescence (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Inventory Net [Abstract]	'	'
Raw materials	$121,695	$94,387
Work in progress	19,856	13,587
Finished goods	236,322	209,888
Supplies	14,060	12,170
Total inventories, net	$391,934	$330,032

Property_and_Equipment_Net_Com

Property and Equipment, Net - Components of Property and Equipment (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and Equipment, Gross	$437,037	$423,328
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	-248,124	-232,165
Property and Equipment, Net	188,913	191,163
Land [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and Equipment, Gross	9,504	9,504
Building and improvements [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and Equipment, Gross	112,882	108,122
Transportation equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and Equipment, Gross	5,646	6,125
Machine and warehouse equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and Equipment, Gross	179,723	174,411
Capitalized software [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and Equipment, Gross	104,034	99,090
Office furniture and equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and Equipment, Gross	$25,248	$26,076

Property_and_Equipment_Net_Add

Property and Equipment, Net - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Property Plant And Equipment Useful Life And Values [Abstract]	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	$32,968	$30,425	$28,566

Goodwill_Changes_in_Carrying_A

Goodwill - Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011	Sep. 25, 2010
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Additions in fiscal year	'	$3,242	'	$2,904	'
Impairment losses in fiscal year	-7,709	-7,709	0	0	'
Goodwill	615,317	615,317	612,075	612,075	609,171
Accumulated impairment losses	-409,561	-409,561	-401,852	-401,852	-401,852
Total goodwill	205,756	205,756	210,223	210,223	207,319
Garden Products Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Additions in fiscal year	'	0	'	2,029	'
Impairment losses in fiscal year	'	-7,709	'	'	'
Goodwill	213,583	213,583	213,583	213,583	211,554
Accumulated impairment losses	-213,583	-213,583	-205,874	-205,874	-205,874
Total goodwill	0	0	7,709	7,709	5,680
Pet Products Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Additions in fiscal year	'	3,242	'	875	'
Impairment losses in fiscal year	'	0	'	'	'
Goodwill	401,734	401,734	398,492	398,492	397,617
Accumulated impairment losses	-195,978	-195,978	-195,978	-195,978	-195,978
Total goodwill	$205,756	$205,756	$202,514	$202,514	$201,639

Goodwill_Additional_Informatio

Goodwill - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
	Sep. 28, 2013	Segment	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Number of reportable segments	'	4	'	'
Impairment losses in fiscal year	$7,709	$7,709	$0	$0
Fair value of reporting segment exceeds carrying value, percentage	'	'	10.00%	10.00%

Other_Intangible_Assets_Compon

Other Intangible Assets - Components of Gross and Net Acquired Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross	$132,700,000	$126,600,000
Accumulated Amortization	-34,700,000	-29,600,000
Impairment	-18,100,000	-18,100,000
Net Carrying Value	79,868,000	78,853,000
Marketing-related intangible assets [Member]	'	'
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross	72,100,000	71,900,000
Accumulated Amortization	-8,900,000	-7,500,000
Impairment	-16,900,000	-16,900,000
Net Carrying Value	46,300,000	47,500,000
Other acquired intangible assets [Member]	'	'
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross	17,800,000	12,000,000
Accumulated Amortization	-7,900,000	-6,700,000
Impairment	-1,200,000	-1,200,000
Net Carrying Value	8,700,000	4,100,000
Amortizable [Member] \| Marketing-related intangible assets [Member]	'	'
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross	12,500,000	12,300,000
Accumulated Amortization	-8,900,000	-7,500,000
Impairment	0	0
Net Carrying Value	3,600,000	4,800,000
Amortizable [Member] \| Customer-related intangible assets [Member]	'	'
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross	42,800,000	42,700,000
Accumulated Amortization	-17,900,000	-15,400,000
Impairment	0	0
Net Carrying Value	24,900,000	27,300,000
Amortizable [Member] \| Other acquired intangible assets [Member]	'	'
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross	16,600,000	10,800,000
Accumulated Amortization	-7,900,000	-6,700,000
Impairment	0	0
Net Carrying Value	8,700,000	4,100,000
Nonamortizable [Member] \| Marketing-related intangible assets [Member]	'	'
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross	59,600,000	59,600,000
Accumulated Amortization	0	0
Impairment	-16,900,000	-16,900,000
Net Carrying Value	42,700,000	42,700,000
Nonamortizable [Member] \| Other acquired intangible assets [Member]	'	'
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross	1,200,000	1,200,000
Accumulated Amortization	0	0
Impairment	-1,200,000	-1,200,000
Net Carrying Value	$0	$0

Other_Intangible_Assets_Additi

Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended					12 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013
				Marketing-related intangible assets [Member]	Marketing-related intangible assets [Member]	Customer-related intangible assets [Member]	Other acquired intangible assets [Member]	Other acquired intangible assets [Member]	Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]
					FourStar Microbial [Member]			FourStar Microbial [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible assets acquired	'	'	'	'	$100,000	'	'	$7,000,000	'	'
Indefinite-lived intangibles assets, impairment charge	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted average remaining lives of acquired intangible assets	'	'	'	'6 years	'	'15 years	'15 years	'	'1 year	'25 years
Amortization expense for intangibles	5,100,000	5,600,000	5,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Estimated annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets, 2014	5,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Estimated annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets, 2015	5,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Estimated annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets, 2016	5,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Estimated annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets, 2017	5,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Estimated annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets, 2018	$5,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

LongTerm_Debt_Components_of_Lo

Long-Term Debt - Components of Long-Term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Mar. 08, 2010
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Mar. 08, 2010
Components of long-term debt	'	'	'
Total	$472,587	$449,814	'
Less current portion	-142	-331	'
Long-term portion	472,445	449,483	'
Senior subordinated notes, net of unamortized discount, interest at 8.25%, payable semi-annually, principal due March 2018 [Member]	'	'	'
Components of long-term debt	'	'	'
Total	449,417	449,312	400,000
Revolving credit facility, interest at Alternate Base Rate plus a margin [Member]	'	'	'
Components of long-term debt	'	'	'
Total	23,000	0	'
Other notes payable [Member]	'	'	'
Components of long-term debt	'	'	'
Total	$170	$502	'

LongTerm_Debt_Components_of_Lo1

Long-Term Debt - Components of Long-Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Mar. 08, 2010	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013
			Senior subordinated notes, net of unamortized discount, interest at 8.25%, payable semi-annually, principal due March 2018 [Member]	Senior subordinated notes, net of unamortized discount, interest at 8.25%, payable semi-annually, principal due March 2018 [Member]	Option Two [Member]	Option Two [Member]	Option One [Member]	Option One [Member]
					Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]	Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]
Components of long-term debt	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt instrument interest rate stated, percentage	'	'	8.25%	8.25%	'	'	'	'
Applicable interest rate on the Credit Facility	5.00%	'	'	'	1.75%	2.75%	0.75%	1.75%
Unamortized original issue discount	$583	$688	'	'	'	'	'	'

LongTerm_Debt_Additional_Infor

Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Aug. 01, 2013

Jun. 30, 2011

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 29, 2012

Jun. 08, 2011

Sep. 28, 2013

Jun. 08, 2011

Sep. 28, 2013

Aug. 01, 2013

Sep. 28, 2013

Dec. 05, 2013

Feb. 13, 2012

Mar. 08, 2010

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 29, 2012

Feb. 13, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Old Credit Facility [Member]

Financial covenants [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

March 2014 [Member]

March 2015 [Member]

March 2016 [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Senior subordinated notes, net of unamortized discount, interest at 8.25%, payable semi-annually, principal due March 2018 [Member]

Senior subordinated notes [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Asset Backed Loan Facility [Member]

Old Credit Facility [Member]

Portion at Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]

Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]

Components of long-term debt

Revolving credit facility

$275,000,000

Senior Credit Facility maturity period

'5 years

Borrowing capacity

375,000,000

Old Credit Facility, maturity date

'2016-06

Minimum interest coverage ratio

2.5

2.25

Minimum asset coverage ratio

1.1

14.7

Credit Facility, principal amount

23,000,000

390,000,000

Letters of credit outstanding

Other letters of credit outstanding

17,500,000

Unused commitments under the Credit Facility

351,100,000

168,300,000

Debt interest terms

'Interest on the Old Credit Facility was based, at the Company's option, on a rate equal to the Alternate Base Rate (ABR), which is the greatest of the prime rate, the Federal Funds rate plus 0.5% or one month LIBOR plus 1%, plus a margin, which fluctuates from 0.75% to 1.75%, or LIBOR plus a margin, which fluctuates from 1.75% to 2.75% and commitment fees that range from 0.30% to 0.50%, determined quarterly based on consolidated total debt to consolidated EBITDA for the most recent trailing 12-month period.

Old Credit Facility, Alternate Base Rate computation, option first description

'prime rate

Old Credit Facility, alternate base rate computation, option second description

'Federal Funds rate plus 0.5%

Old Credit Facility, Alternate Base Rate computation, option second description, basis spread percentage

0.50%

Old Credit Facility basis percentage for calculation of variable rate spread

1.00%

Old Credit Facility, alternate base rate computation, option third description

'One month LIBOR plus 1%, plus a margin,

Old Credit Facility alternate base rate computation option three

1.00%

Commitment fees range

0.30%

0.50%

Applicable interest rate on the Credit Facility

5.00%

2.90%

Maximum restricted payments including cash dividends and stock repurchases under Credit Agreement

200,000,000

Total Leverage Ratio

4.9

Present Senior Secured Leverage Ratio

0.3

Interest coverage ratio

2.35

2.25

Credit Facility, additional borrowings available

200,000,000

Credit Facility, maturity date

5-Dec-18

Debt, aggregate principal amount

472,587,000

449,814,000

400,000,000

449,417,000

449,312,000

Debt instrument interest rate stated, percentage

8.25%

Senior subordinated notes due date

1-Jun-18

1-Mar-18

Additional issuance amount on senior notes

50,000,000

Notes issue price percentage

98.50%

Issuance price of additional senior subordinated notes

'2018 Notes at a price of 98.501%, plus accrued interest from September 1, 2011, in a private placement.

Obligation to pay principle on the company Senior Subordinates Notes

450,000,000

Senior subordinated notes due 2018

449,500,000

Carrying value of senior subordinated Notes

$449,400,000

Notes redemption price percentage

101.00%

104.13%

102.06%

100.00%

Debt redemption terms

'The Company may redeem some or all of the 2018 Notes at any time prior to March 1, 2014 at the principal amount plus a "make whole" premium. The Company may redeem some or all of the 2018 Notes at any time on or after March 1, 2014 for 104.125%, after March 1, 2015 for 102.063% and after March 1, 2016 for 100%, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

LongTerm_Debt_Scheduled_Princi

Long-Term Debt - Scheduled Principal Repayments on Long-term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
2014	$142
2015	26
2016	23,002
2017	0
2018	450,000
Thereafter	0
Total	$473,170

LongTerm_Debt_Scheduled_Princi1

Long-Term Debt - Scheduled Principal Repayments on Long-term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Unamortized portion of discount on Senior Subordinated Notes	$583	$688

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Outstanding letters of credit	$17.50	'	'
Estimated annual purchase commitments for fiscal 2014	106.8	'	'
Estimated annual purchase commitments for fiscal 2015	48.8	'	'
Estimated annual purchase commitments for fiscal 2016	28.8	'	'
Estimated annual purchase commitments for fiscal 2017	16.1	'	'
Estimated annual purchase commitments for fiscal 2018	11.6	'	'
Estimated annual purchase commitments for thereafter	6.6	'	'
Minimum operating lease agreement terms	'1 year	'	'
Maximum operating lease agreement terms	'9 years	'	'
Operating lease rental expense	$22.40	$23.60	$24.40

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies - Aggregate Minimum Annual Payments on Non-Cancelable Operating Leases (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
2014	$15,899
2015	12,011
2016	8,649
2017	6,041
2018	2,099
Thereafter	1,723
Total	$46,422

Income_Taxes_Provision_for_Inc

Income Taxes - Provision for Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Current:	'	'	'
Federal	$52	($1,003)	($5,512)
State	958	603	160
Foreign	0	35	35
Total	1,010	-365	-5,317
Deferred:	'	'	'
Federal	-2,915	12,671	22,667
State	-687	198	1,214
Foreign	0	312	1,031
Total	-3,602	13,181	24,912
Total	($2,592)	$12,816	$19,595

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_of

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of the Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate to the Company's Effective Income Tax Rate (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Statutory federal income tax rate	-35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net of federal benefit	-5.20%	2.30%	2.80%
Other permanent differences	2.40%	0.60%	1.40%
Adjustment of prior year accruals	1.80%	0.20%	1.20%
Uncertain tax positions	3.70%	0.00%	-0.30%
Credits	-29.30%	-1.20%	-2.90%
Change in valuation allowances	-9.00%	-0.10%	3.20%
Foreign rate differential	-3.60%	-0.10%	0.40%
Effective income tax rate (benefit)	-74.20%	36.70%	40.80%

Income_Taxes_Tax_Effect_of_Tem

Income Taxes - Tax Effect of Temporary Differences and Carryforwards which Give Rise to Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Current:	'	'
Allowance for doubtful accounts, Deferred Tax Assets	$7,758	$6,741
Inventory write-downs, Deferred Tax Assets	14,983	10,411
Prepaid expenses, Deferred Tax Assets	620	112
Nondeductible reserves, Deferred Tax Assets	2,782	997
State taxes, Deferred Tax Assets	0	0
Employee benefits, Deferred Tax Assets	6,062	5,885
Other, Deferred Tax Assets	3,012	3,509
Total, Current Deferred Tax Assets	35,218	27,655
Noncurrent:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization, Deferred Tax Assets	0	0
Equity income, Deferred Tax Assets	0	0
State net operating loss carryforward, Deferred Tax Assets	4,816	4,160
Stock based compensation, Deferred Tax Assets	6,061	5,225
State credits, Deferred Tax Assets	2,421	2,241
Other, Deferred Tax Assets	5,349	2,866
Valuation allowance, Deferred Tax Assets	-6,968	-7,282
Total, Noncurrent Deferred Tax Assets	11,679	7,210
Total, Deferred Tax Assets	46,897	34,865
Allowance for doubtful accounts, Deferred Tax Liabilities	0	0
Inventory write-downs, Deferred Tax Liabilities	0	0
Prepaid expenses, Deferred Tax Liabilities	0	0
Nondeductible reserves, Deferred Tax Liabilities	0	0
State taxes, Deferred Tax Liabilities	188	245
Employee benefits, Deferred Tax Liabilities	0	0
Other, Deferred Tax Liabilities	0	0
Total, Current Deferred Tax Liabilities	188	245
Depreciation and amortization, Deferred Tax Liabilities	39,100	30,358
Equity income, Deferred Tax Liabilities	393	280
State net operating loss carryforward, Deferred Tax Liabilities	0	0
Stock based compensation, Deferred Tax Liabilities	0	0
State credits, Deferred Tax Liabilities	0	0
Other, Deferred Tax Liabilities	0	0
Valuation allowance, Deferred Tax Liabilities	0	0
Total, Noncurrent Deferred Tax Liabilities	39,493	30,638
Total, Deferred Tax Liabilities	$39,681	$30,883

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'
State tax net operating losses	$94,900,000	'
Foreign losses	2,400,000	'
Federal income tax credits	1,400,000	'
State income tax credits	3,700,000	'
Valuation allowances	6,968,000	7,282,000
Period of uncertain tax positions as non-current income tax liabilities unless expected to be paid	'1 year	'
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	400,000	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'
State tax net operating losses expiration year	'2033	'
Federal income tax credits expiration year	'2033	'
State income tax credits expiration year	'2029	'
Accrued interest	$100,000	$100,000
Minimum [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'
State tax net operating losses expiration year	'2013	'
Federal income tax credits expiration year	'2023	'
State income tax credits expiration year	'2013	'

Income_Taxes_Activity_Related_

Income Taxes - Activity Related to Company's Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Beginning Balance	$262	$282
Increases related to prior year tax positions	247	1
Increases related to current year tax positions	60	16
Settlements	-202	-37
Decreases related to lapse of statute of limitations	-3	'
Ending Balance	$364	$262

StockBased_Compensation_Additi

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 24, 2011

Sep. 27, 2008

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 24, 2011

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 24, 2011

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 24, 2011

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 24, 2011

Feb. 28, 2005

Sep. 28, 2013

Feb. 28, 2012

Feb. 28, 2009

Sep. 28, 2013

Feb. 28, 2009

Sep. 28, 2013

Restricted Stock Awards [Member]

Stock Options [Member]

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]

2003 Plan [Member]

Director Plan [Member]

Restricted Stock Awards [Member]

Stock Options [Member]

Four Hundred One Plan (K) [Member]

Class A Common Stock [Member]

Preferred Stock [Member]

Common Stock [Member]

Restricted Stock Awards [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Share based compensation, number of shares

5,800,000

2,500,000

19,734,982

500,000

5,800,000

Increase authorized shares for issuance

3,300,000

5,000,000

9,734,982

500,000

Granting of options

2,000,000

200,000

Number of shares of restricted stock

552,000

159,000

496,000

20,000

Shares reserved for outstanding equity awards

10,400,000

3,100,000

Shares reserved for future awards

7,500,000

500,000

1,900,000

Share-based compensation expense

$15.90

$7.50

$7.40

$11.20

$1.70

$2.40

$2.70

$3.80

$3.10

$1.90

Stock options exercisable

'30 months

Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment award expiration period

'42 months

Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment incremental percentage of vesting beginning from two years of grant

20.00%

Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment incremental percentage of vesting beginning from three years of grant

25.00%

Share based compensation arrangement by share based payment incremental percentage of vesting beginning from four years of grant

33.00%

StockBased_Compensation_Additi1

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information 1 (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 24, 2011

Sep. 25, 2010

Sep. 28, 2013

Sep. 29, 2012

Sep. 24, 2011

Sep. 25, 2010

Sep. 28, 2013

Employees

Stock Options [Member]

Performance Shares [Member]

Restricted Stock Awards [Member]

2003 Plan [Member]

Installment

Stock Options [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Options contingently vest up to five years

20.00%

Options contractual lives

'6 years

Shares granted above the market price

4,400,000

Options schedule to possibly vest

216,000

Percentage of options granted and eligible to vest

100.00%

Cumulative percentage of options vested that were eligible to vest

97.00%

99.00%

Number of affected employees

250

Recorded additional compensation cost

Unvested options

6,200,000

Options subject to performance based vesting criteria

900,000

Number of vesting installments

Expiration period approximately

'6 years

Expected life of option award

'3 years 6 months

Stock price volatility

34.80%

37.90%

36.40%

Risk free interest rates

1.20%

0.90%

2.20%

Dividend during expected term

Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted

$1.72

$2.72

$2.04

Total intrinsic value of options exercised

1,100,000

5,100,000

2,600,000

Total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options

8,000,000

4,400,000

Nonvested stock options remaining weighted average vesting period

'2 years

Restricted stock awards outstanding, shares

894,000

785,000

804,000

432,000

Restricted stock awards generally vest percentage in increments

33.33%

Share based payment award vesting period description

'3 years

Share based payment award vesting conditional period of employment

'5 years

Bonus earned in vested shares

4,400,000

Share based payment award, shares granted and vested

290,000

Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share

$9.26

$9.16

$9.32

Aggregate fair value as of the vesting date of restricted shares

$3,400,000

$900,000

$1,100,000

StockBased_Compensation_Summar

Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance, Outstanding, Number of Shares	11,638	'	'
Granted, Number of Shares	2,000	'	'
Exercised, Number of Shares	-285	'	'
Cancelled or expired, Number of Shares	-782	'	'
Ending Balance, Outstanding, Number of Shares	12,571	11,638	'
Exercisable, Number of Shares	6,409	4,601	4,162
Expected to vest, Number of Shares	5,388	'	'
Beginning Balance, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price per share	$10.73	'	'
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price per share	$8.40	'	'
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price per share	$5.35	'	'
Cancelled or expired, Weighted Average Exercise Price per share	$9.24	'	'
Ending Balance, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price per share	$10.57	$10.73	'
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price per share	$11.21	$11.34	$11.32
Expected to vest, Weighted Average Exercise Price per share	$9.90	'	'
Beginning Balance, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	'3 years	'3 years	'
Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	'2 years	'2 years	'3 years
Expected to vest, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	'4 years	'	'
Beginning Balance, Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$22,172	'	'
Ending Balance, Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	1,166	22,172	'
Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	770	6,708	1,139
Expected to Vest, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$347	'	'

StockBased_Compensation_Summar1

Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Restricted Stock Award Activity (Detail) (Restricted Stock Awards [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Restricted Stock Awards [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Beginning Balance, Nonvested, Number of Shares	785,000	804,000	432,000
Granted, Number of Shares	552,000	159,000	496,000
Vested, Number of Shares	-354,000	-98,000	-120,000
Forfeited, Number of Shares	-89,000	-80,000	-4,000
Ending Balance, Nonvested, Number of Shares	894,000	785,000	804,000
Beginning Balance, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share	$9.53	$9.79	$10.60
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share	$9.26	$9.16	$9.32
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share	$9.60	$12.12	$12.38
Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share	$9.37	$8.32	$13
Ending Balance, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share	$9.35	$9.53	$9.79

Shareholders_Equity_Additional

Shareholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 25, 2011	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Repurchase of common stock	'	$1,503,000	$20,884,000	$108,672,000
Class B Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Common stock authorized	'	3,000,000	3,000,000	'
Common stock, par value	'	$0.01	$0.01	'
Common stock, shares outstanding	'	1,652,262	1,652,262	'
Percentage of vote cast for shares	'	49.00%	'	'
Convertible shares conversion ratio	'	1	'	'
Repurchase of common stock, shares	'	0	0	0
Repurchase of common stock	'	0	0	0
Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Common stock authorized	'	80,000,000	'	'
Common stock, par value	'	$0.01	'	'
Common stock, shares outstanding	'	12,246,751	'	'
Authorized amount to repurchase stock	100,000,000	100,000,000	'	'
Repurchase of common stock, shares	'	0	692,300	3,317,645
Repurchase of common stock	'	0	7,000	33,000
Aggregate stock repurchased shares	'	6,300,000	'	'
Aggregate stock repurchased value	'	49,900,000	'	'
Class A Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Common stock authorized	'	100,000,000	'	'
Common stock, par value	'	$0.01	'	'
Common stock, shares outstanding	'	35,291,001	'	'
Repurchase of common stock, shares	'	165,900	1,904,700	8,646,258
Repurchase of common stock	'	$1,000	$19,000	$86,000
Maximum [Member] \| Class B Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Number of voting powers	'	10	'	'
Minimum [Member] \| Class B Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Number of voting powers	'	1	'	'

Earnings_Per_Share_Numerators_

Earnings Per Share - Numerators and Denominators in Basic and Diluted Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 29, 2012	Jun. 23, 2012	Mar. 24, 2012	Dec. 24, 2011	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Basic EPS:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders, Net Income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	($1,929)	$21,173	$28,323
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders, Shares	48,264	48,173	48,064	47,871	47,704	47,661	47,343	47,823	48,094	47,622	56,217
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders, Per Share	($0.47)	$0.28	$0.46	($0.32)	($0.21)	$0.48	$0.46	($0.27)	($0.04)	$0.44	$0.50
Effect of dilutive securities:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Options to purchase common stock, Shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	497	274
Options to purchase common stock, Per Share	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$0	$0	$0
Restricted shares, Shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	255	154
Restricted shares, Per Share	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$0	$0	$0
Diluted EPS:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders, Net Income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	($1,929)	$21,173	$28,323
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders, Shares	48,264	48,822	48,740	47,871	47,704	48,388	48,036	47,823	48,094	48,374	56,645
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders, Per Share	($0.47)	$0.28	$0.46	($0.32)	($0.21)	$0.47	$0.45	($0.27)	($0.04)	$0.44	$0.50

Earnings_Per_Share_Additional_

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Common stock outstanding, included in computation of diluted EPS	12,571,000	11,638,000	'
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Common stock outstanding, not included in computation of diluted EPS	10,400,000	6,100,000	8,400,000
Stock Options [Member] \| Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Outstanding options to purchase common stock	4.6	4.6	4.6
Stock Options [Member] \| Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Outstanding options to purchase common stock	16.23	16.23	17.99
Stock Options [Member] \| Class A Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Common stock outstanding, included in computation of diluted EPS	12,600,000	11,600,000	12,100,000

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud2

Quarterly Financial Data - Unaudited - Schedule of Quarterly Financial Data - Unaudited (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 29, 2012	Jun. 23, 2012	Mar. 24, 2012	Dec. 24, 2011	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$368,837	$494,130	$498,169	$292,497	$397,236	$533,808	$466,903	$302,066	$1,653,633	$1,700,013	$1,628,652
Gross profit	81,307	152,466	153,170	76,959	105,072	180,652	147,696	80,738	463,902	514,158	493,919
Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	($22,581)	$13,725	$22,196	($15,269)	($10,059)	$22,699	$21,623	($13,090)	($1,929)	$21,173	$28,323
Net income (loss) per share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic	($0.47)	$0.28	$0.46	($0.32)	($0.21)	$0.48	$0.46	($0.27)	($0.04)	$0.44	$0.50
Diluted	($0.47)	$0.28	$0.46	($0.32)	($0.21)	$0.47	$0.45	($0.27)	($0.04)	$0.44	$0.50
Weighted average common shares outstanding:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic	48,264	48,173	48,064	47,871	47,704	47,661	47,343	47,823	48,094	47,622	56,217
Diluted	48,264	48,822	48,740	47,871	47,704	48,388	48,036	47,823	48,094	48,374	56,645

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Unaud3

Quarterly Financial Data - Unaudited - Schedule of Quarterly Financial Data - Unaudited (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Goodwill impairment	$7,709,000	$7,709,000	$0	$0
Charge related to new products	$11,200,000	$11,200,000	'	'

Transactions_with_Related_Part1

Transactions with Related Parties - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Contract Packaging, Inc. [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Other Related Party Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of shares held by CPI in Tech Pac	20.00%	20.00%	20.00%
Amount due to related party	$0.50	$2.10	'
Contract Packaging, Inc. [Member] \| Tech Pac [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Other Related Party Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Purchases products from related party	32.5	39.3	33.2
Bio Plus, Inc. [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Other Related Party Transactions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Purchases products from related party	$1	$1	0.9

Business_Segment_Data_Addition

Business Segment Data - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
Business Segment Data - Additional Information (Detail)	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of operating segments	2	'	'
Customer One [Member]	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Customer represented percentage of total company net sales	16.00%	17.00%	16.00%
Customer Two [Member]	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Customer represented percentage of total company net sales	8.00%	7.00%	7.00%
Customer Three [Member]	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Customer represented percentage of total company net sales	8.00%	9.00%	12.00%
Sales [Member] \| Customer One [Member]	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Customer represented percentage of total company net sales	16.00%	17.00%	16.00%
Sales [Member] \| Customer One [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member] \| Garden Segment [Member]	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Customer represented percentage of total company net sales	30.00%	30.00%	28.00%
Sales [Member] \| Customer Two [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member] \| Garden Segment [Member]	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Customer represented percentage of total company net sales	18.00%	16.00%	15.00%
Sales [Member] \| Customer Two [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member] \| Pet Segment [Member]	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Customer represented percentage of total company net sales	11.00%	12.00%	12.00%
Sales [Member] \| Customer Three [Member]	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Customer represented percentage of total company net sales	8.00%	9.00%	12.00%
Sales [Member] \| Customer Three [Member] \| Operating Segments [Member] \| Garden Segment [Member]	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Customer represented percentage of total company net sales	17.00%	20.00%	24.00%

Business_Segment_Data_Class_of

Business Segment Data - Class of Similar Products Which Represented More than 10% of Company's Consolidated Net Sales (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 29, 2012	Jun. 23, 2012	Mar. 24, 2012	Dec. 24, 2011	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$368,837	$494,130	$498,169	$292,497	$397,236	$533,808	$466,903	$302,066	$1,653,633	$1,700,013	$1,628,652
Pet supplies (excluding wild bird feed) [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	807,400	847,100	773,100
Garden controls and fertilizer products [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	274,900	281,700	260,000
Wild bird feed [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	210,800	205,100	197,500
Other garden supplies [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	183,500	185,700	212,100
Grass seed [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$177,000	$180,400	$185,900

Business_Segment_Data_Financia

Business Segment Data - Financial Information Relating to Company's Business Segments (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 29, 2012	Jun. 23, 2012	Mar. 24, 2012	Dec. 24, 2011	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Net sales:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$368,837	$494,130	$498,169	$292,497	$397,236	$533,808	$466,903	$302,066	$1,653,633	$1,700,013	$1,628,652
Income (loss) from operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income from operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	40,155	74,421	85,175
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-43,112	-40,315	-38,044
Interest income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	142	145	296
Other income (expense)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-677	678	550
Income (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-3,492	34,929	47,977
Income tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-2,592	12,816	19,595
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-900	22,113	28,382
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,029	940	59
Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	-22,581	13,725	22,196	-15,269	-10,059	22,699	21,623	-13,090	-1,929	21,173	28,323
Assets:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	1,161,160	'	'	'	1,149,547	'	'	'	1,161,160	1,149,547	1,093,003
Depreciation and amortization:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	32,968	30,425	28,566
Expenditures for long-lived assets:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Expenditures for long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	25,172	39,592	31,563
Operating Segments [Member] \| Pet Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	888,228	930,753	851,307
Income (loss) from operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income from operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	95,451	87,650	77,623
Assets:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	425,988	'	'	'	411,059	'	'	'	425,988	411,059	396,637
Depreciation and amortization:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	15,753	14,507	14,479
Expenditures for long-lived assets:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Expenditures for long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	9,694	15,540	9,953
Operating Segments [Member] \| Garden Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	765,405	769,260	777,345
Income (loss) from operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income from operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	40,376	50,013
Assets:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	388,581	'	'	'	341,716	'	'	'	388,581	341,716	350,234
Depreciation and amortization:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,410	6,213	5,986
Expenditures for long-lived assets:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Expenditures for long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	7,496	4,138	5,902
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) from operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Income from operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-63,582	-53,605	-42,461
Assets:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Assets	346,591	'	'	'	396,772	'	'	'	346,591	396,772	346,132
Depreciation and amortization:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	10,805	9,705	8,101
Expenditures for long-lived assets:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Expenditures for long-lived assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$7,982	$19,914	$15,708

Business_Segment_Data_Financia1

Business Segment Data - Financial Information Relating to Company's Business Segments (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Goodwill impairment	$7,709,000	$7,709,000	$0	$0
Charge related to new products	$11,200,000	$11,200,000	'	'

Consolidating_Condensed_Financ2

Consolidating Condensed Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 08, 2010	Sep. 28, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Collective ownership percentage on guarantor subsidiaries	'	100.00%
Senior subordinated notes due date	'	1-Jun-18
Senior subordinated notes, net of unamortized discount, interest at 8.25%, payable semi-annually, principal due March 2018 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Obligation to pay principal on the company's senior subordinated notes	'	$450
Senior subordinated notes, percentage	8.25%	8.25%
Senior subordinated notes due date	1-Mar-18	1-Mar-18

Consolidating_Condensed_Financ3

Consolidating Condensed Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries - Condensed Statement of Operations Based on Company's Understanding of SEC's Interpretation (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 29, 2012	Jun. 23, 2012	Mar. 24, 2012	Dec. 24, 2011	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$368,837	$494,130	$498,169	$292,497	$397,236	$533,808	$466,903	$302,066	$1,653,633	$1,700,013	$1,628,652
Cost of goods sold and occupancy	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,189,731	1,185,855	1,134,733
Gross profit	81,307	152,466	153,170	76,959	105,072	180,652	147,696	80,738	463,902	514,158	493,919
Selling, general and administrative expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	416,038	439,737	408,744
Goodwill impairment	7,709	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	7,709	0	0
Income from operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	40,155	74,421	85,175
Interest - net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-42,970	-40,170	-37,748
Other income (expense)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-677	678	550
Income (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-3,492	34,929	47,977
Income tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-2,592	12,816	19,595
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-900	22,113	28,382
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,029	940	59
Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company before equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries	-22,581	13,725	22,196	-15,269	-10,059	22,699	21,623	-13,090	-1,929	21,173	28,323
Equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1,929	21,173	28,323
Parent [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	502,311	527,901	500,668
Cost of goods sold and occupancy	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	402,801	383,990	374,215
Gross profit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	99,510	143,911	126,453
Selling, general and administrative expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	141,447	144,171	132,974
Goodwill impairment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	'	'
Income from operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-41,937	-260	-6,521
Interest - net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-43,047	-40,324	-37,984
Other income (expense)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-3,791	-3,764	-236
Income (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-88,775	-44,348	-44,741
Income tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-47,803	-15,698	-17,299
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-40,972	-28,650	-27,442
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,029	940	59
Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company before equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-42,001	-29,590	-27,501
Equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	40,072	50,763	55,824
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1,929	21,173	28,323
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,198,672	1,244,430	1,244,207
Cost of goods sold and occupancy	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	834,280	874,183	876,741
Gross profit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	364,392	370,247	367,466
Selling, general and administrative expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	274,591	295,566	275,770
Goodwill impairment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	7,709	'	'
Income from operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	82,092	74,681	91,696
Interest - net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	77	154	236
Other income (expense)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,114	4,442	786
Income (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	85,283	79,277	92,718
Income tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	45,211	28,514	36,894
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	40,072	50,763	55,824
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company before equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	40,072	50,763	55,824
Equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	40,072	50,763	55,824
Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-47,350	-72,318	-116,223
Cost of goods sold and occupancy	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-47,350	-72,318	-116,223
Gross profit	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Selling, general and administrative expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Goodwill impairment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	'	'
Income from operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Interest - net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Other income (expense)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Income (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Income tax expense (benefit)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company before equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0	0	0
Equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-40,072	-50,763	-55,824
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	($40,072)	($50,763)	($55,824)

Consolidating_Condensed_Financ4

Consolidating Condensed Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries - Consolidating Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	($900)	$22,113	$28,382
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation	-97	520	75
Total comprehensive income (loss)	-997	22,633	28,457
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,029	940	59
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	-2,026	21,693	28,398
Parent [Member]	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	-40,972	-28,650	-27,442
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation	-97	520	75
Total comprehensive income (loss)	-41,069	-28,130	-27,367
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,029	940	59
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	-42,098	-29,070	-27,426
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	40,072	50,763	55,824
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0
Total comprehensive income (loss)	40,072	50,763	55,824
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	40,072	50,763	55,824
Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation	0	0	0
Total comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$0	$0	$0

Consolidating_Condensed_Financ5

Consolidating Condensed Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries - Condensed Balance Sheet Based on Company's Understanding of SEC Interpretation (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011	Sep. 25, 2010
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011	Sep. 25, 2010
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$15,156	$48,475	$12,031	$91,460
Short term investments	17,820	22,705	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	194,260	202,422	'	'
Inventories	391,934	330,032	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other assets	53,484	48,149	'	'
Total current assets	672,654	651,783	'	'
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net	188,913	191,163	'	'
Goodwill	205,756	210,223	210,223	207,319
Investment in guarantors	0	0	'	'
Other assets	93,837	96,378	'	'
Total	1,161,160	1,149,547	1,093,003	'
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	103,569	126,662	'	'
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	78,760	79,822	'	'
Total current liabilities	182,329	206,484	'	'
Long-term debt	472,445	449,483	'	'
Other long-term obligations	36,362	28,697	'	'
Shareholders' equity attributable to Central Garden & Pet	468,678	463,937	'	'
Noncontrolling interest	1,346	946	'	'
Total equity	470,024	464,883	456,782	532,143
Total	1,161,160	1,149,547	'	'
Parent [Member]	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	12,441	44,662	10,633	90,265
Short term investments	17,820	22,705	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	43,660	48,339	'	'
Inventories	114,662	97,017	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other assets	24,747	25,242	'	'
Total current assets	213,330	237,965	'	'
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net	78,662	81,727	'	'
Goodwill	0	0	'	'
Investment in guarantors	693,615	654,362	'	'
Other assets	57,255	54,910	'	'
Total	1,042,862	1,028,964	'	'
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	36,869	49,894	'	'
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	33,664	38,673	'	'
Total current liabilities	70,533	88,567	'	'
Long-term debt	472,418	449,387	'	'
Other long-term obligations	29,887	26,127	'	'
Shareholders' equity attributable to Central Garden & Pet	468,678	463,937	'	'
Noncontrolling interest	1,346	946	'	'
Total equity	470,024	464,883	'	'
Total	1,042,862	1,028,964	'	'
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	2,715	3,813	1,398	1,195
Short term investments	0	0	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	153,734	159,328	'	'
Inventories	277,272	233,015	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other assets	28,737	22,907	'	'
Total current assets	462,458	419,063	'	'
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net	110,251	109,436	'	'
Goodwill	205,756	210,223	'	'
Investment in guarantors	0	0	'	'
Other assets	36,582	41,468	'	'
Total	815,047	780,190	'	'
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	69,834	82,013	'	'
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	45,096	41,149	'	'
Total current liabilities	114,930	123,162	'	'
Long-term debt	27	96	'	'
Other long-term obligations	6,475	2,570	'	'
Shareholders' equity attributable to Central Garden & Pet	693,615	654,362	'	'
Noncontrolling interest	0	0	'	'
Total equity	693,615	654,362	'	'
Total	815,047	780,190	'	'
Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'
ASSETS	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Short term investments	0	0	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	-3,134	-5,245	'	'
Inventories	0	0	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other assets	0	0	'	'
Total current assets	-3,134	-5,245	'	'
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net	0	0	'	'
Goodwill	0	0	'	'
Investment in guarantors	-693,615	-654,362	'	'
Other assets	0	0	'	'
Total	-696,749	-659,607	'	'
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	-3,134	-5,245	'	'
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	0	0	'	'
Total current liabilities	-3,134	-5,245	'	'
Long-term debt	0	0	'	'
Other long-term obligations	0	0	'	'
Shareholders' equity attributable to Central Garden & Pet	-693,615	-654,362	'	'
Noncontrolling interest	0	0	'	'
Total equity	-693,615	-654,362	'	'
Total	($696,749)	($659,607)	'	'

Consolidating_Condensed_Financ6

Consolidating Condensed Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries - Condensed Cash Flows Statement on Company's Understanding of SEC Interpretation (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 24, 2011
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	($28,282)	$89,169	$51,008
Additions to property	-25,172	-39,592	-31,563
Businesses acquired, net of cash acquired	-4,835	0	-25,307
Return of equity investment	'	'	3,133
Sale of short term investments	4,885	-4,885	-2,500
Investment in short term investments	'	-4,885	-2,500
Investment in guarantor	0	0	0
Net cash used by investing activities	-25,122	-44,477	-56,237
Repayments on revolving line of credit	-368,000	-339,000	-668,000
Borrowings on revolving line of credit	391,000	304,000	703,000
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt	0	49,312	0
Repayments of long-term debt	-332	-353	-335
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	613	2,129	1,675
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards	388	1,881	945
Repurchase of common stock	-2,731	-24,829	-108,727
Payment of financing costs	0	-1,715	-1,055
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	-629	0	-1,500
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	20,309	-8,575	-73,997
Effect of exchange rates on cash	-224	327	-203
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-33,319	36,444	-79,429
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	48,475	12,031	91,460
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	15,156	48,475	12,031
Parent [Member]	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	-9,068	74,405	50,459
Additions to property	-8,993	-20,736	-16,802
Businesses acquired, net of cash acquired	0	'	-23,403
Return of equity investment	'	'	3,133
Sale of short term investments	4,885	'	'
Investment in short term investments	'	-4,885	-2,500
Investment in guarantor	-39,253	-6,736	-16,719
Net cash used by investing activities	-43,361	-32,357	-56,291
Repayments on revolving line of credit	-368,000	-339,000	-668,000
Borrowings on revolving line of credit	391,000	304,000	703,000
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt	'	49,312	'
Repayments of long-term debt	-206	-231	-190
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	613	2,129	1,675
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards	388	1,881	945
Repurchase of common stock	-2,731	-24,829	-108,727
Payment of financing costs	'	-1,715	-1,055
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	-629	'	-1,500
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	20,435	-8,453	-73,852
Effect of exchange rates on cash	-227	434	52
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-32,221	34,029	-79,632
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	44,662	10,633	90,265
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	12,441	44,662	10,633
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	20,858	65,527	56,373
Additions to property	-16,179	-18,856	-14,761
Businesses acquired, net of cash acquired	-4,835	'	-1,904
Return of equity investment	'	'	0
Sale of short term investments	0	'	'
Investment in short term investments	'	0	0
Investment in guarantor	-819	-44,027	-39,105
Net cash used by investing activities	-21,833	-62,883	-55,770
Repayments on revolving line of credit	0	0	0
Borrowings on revolving line of credit	0	0	0
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt	'	0	'
Repayments of long-term debt	-126	-122	-145
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	0	0	0
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards	0	0	0
Repurchase of common stock	0	0	0
Payment of financing costs	'	0	0
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	0	'	0
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	-126	-122	-145
Effect of exchange rates on cash	3	-107	-255
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-1,098	2,415	203
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	3,813	1,398	1,195
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	2,715	3,813	1,398
Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	-40,072	-50,763	-55,824
Additions to property	0	0	0
Businesses acquired, net of cash acquired	0	'	0
Return of equity investment	'	'	0
Sale of short term investments	0	'	'
Investment in short term investments	'	0	0
Investment in guarantor	40,072	50,763	55,824
Net cash used by investing activities	40,072	50,763	55,824
Repayments on revolving line of credit	0	0	0
Borrowings on revolving line of credit	0	0	0
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt	'	0	'
Repayments of long-term debt	0	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	0	0	0
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards	0	0	0
Repurchase of common stock	0	0	0
Payment of financing costs	'	0	0
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	0	'	0
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	0	0	0
Effect of exchange rates on cash	0	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$0	$0	$0

Subsequent_Events_Additional_I

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2013	Dec. 05, 2013	Dec. 05, 2013	Dec. 05, 2013	Dec. 05, 2013	Dec. 05, 2013	Dec. 05, 2013	Dec. 05, 2013	Dec. 05, 2013
		Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]
		LIBOR [Member]	LIBOR [Member]	Base Rate [Member]	Base Rate [Member]	Asset Backed Loan Facility [Member]	Asset Backed Loan Facility [Member]	Asset Backed Loan Facility [Member]	Asset Backed Loan Facility [Member]
		Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]	Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]		Federal Funds Rate [Member]	LIBOR [Member]	Base Rate [Member]
Credit Facility, principal amount	$23	'	'	'	'	$390	'	'	'
Credit Facility, additional borrowings available	'	'	'	'	'	$200	'	'	'
Credit Facility, maturity date	'	'	'	'	'	5-Dec-18	'	'	'
Credit Facility, interest rate description	'	'	'	'	'	'Borrowings under the Credit Facility will bear interest at an index based on LIBOR or, at the option of the Company, the Base Rate (defined as the highest of (a) the SunTrust prime rate, (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5% and (c) one-month LIBOR plus 1.00%), plus, in either case, an applicable margin based on the Companybs total outstanding borrowings. Such applicable margin for LIBOR-based borrowings fluctuates between 1.25%-1.75% (and was 1.25% at the time of closing) and such applicable margin for Base Rate borrowings fluctuates between 0.25%-0.75% (and was 0.25% at closing).	'	'	'
Credit Facility, percentage of additional base rate for interest	'	'	'	'	'	'	0.50%	1.00%	'
Credit Facility, description of variable base rate	'	'	'	'	'	'One-month LIBOR	'	'	'
Credit Facility, LIBOR margin rate	'	1.25%	1.75%	'	'	'	'	'	'
Credit Facility, LIBOR margin rate at period end	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1.25%	'
Credit Facility, percentage of base rate for interest	5.00%	'	'	0.25%	0.75%	'	'	'	'
Credit Facility, percentage of base rate at period end	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0.25%
Fixed charge coverage ratio	'	'	'	'	'	1	'	'	'