10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 _____________________________________________________________________________________________ 

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☑ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 27, 2020

or

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT OF SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             

Commission File Number: 001-33268

Delaware	68-0275553
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1340 Treat Blvd., Suite 600, Walnut Creek, California 94597

(Address of principal executive offices)

(925) 948-4000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

_______________________________________________________________________ 

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    ý  Yes    ¨  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    ý  Yes    ¨  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer	ý	Accelerated filer	¨
Non-accelerated filer	¨	Smaller reporting company	☐
		Emerging growth company	☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). ☐  Yes    ý  No

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock	CENT	The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
Class A Common Stock	CENTA	The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Common Stock Outstanding as of July 31, 2020	11,300,810
Class A Common Stock Outstanding as of July 31, 2020	41,748,750
Class B Stock Outstanding as of July 31, 2020	1,647,922

	PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements (Unaudited):
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 27, 2020, June 29, 2019 and September 28, 2019	4
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Three and Nine Months Ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019	5
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Three and Nine Months Ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019	6
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Nine Months Ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019	7
	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	8
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	27
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	42
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	42
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	42
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	42
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	43
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	44
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	44
Item 5.	Other Information	44
Item 6.	Exhibits	45

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This Form 10-Q includes “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements include statements concerning our plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, future revenues or performance, capital expenditures, plans or intentions relating to acquisitions, our competitive strengths and weaknesses, our business strategy and the trends we anticipate in the industries in which we operate and other information that is not historical information. When used in this Form 10-Q, the words “estimates,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “plans,” “intends,” “believes” and variations of such words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, our future earnings expectations, are based upon our current expectations and various assumptions. Our expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith, and we believe there is a reasonable basis for them, but we cannot assure you that our expectations, beliefs and projections will be realized.

There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-Q. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make in this Form 10-Q are set forth in the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2019, including the factors described in the section entitled “Item 1A – Risk Factors.” If any of these risks or uncertainties materializes, or if any of our underlying assumptions are incorrect, our actual results may differ significantly from the results that we express in, or imply by, any of our forward-looking statements. We do not undertake any obligation to revise these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances, except as required by law. Presently known risk factors include, but are not limited to, the following factors:

•the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, including but not limited to, the impact on our workforce, operations, supply chain, demand for our products and services, and our financial results and condition; our ability to successfully manage the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic;

•seasonality and fluctuations in our operating results and cash flow;

2

•fluctuations in market prices for seeds and grains and other raw materials;

•our inability to pass through cost increases in a timely manner;

•our dependence upon our key executives;

•risks associated with new product introductions, including the risk that our new products will not produce sufficient sales to recoup our investment;

•fluctuations in energy prices, fuel and related petrochemical costs;

•declines in consumer spending during economic downturns;

•inflation, deflation and other adverse macro-economic conditions;

•supply shortages in pet birds, small animals and fish;

•adverse weather conditions;

•risks associated with our acquisition strategy;

•access to and cost of additional capital;

•dependence on a small number of customers for a significant portion of our business;

•impacts of tariffs or a trade war;

•consolidation trends in the retail industry;

•competition in our industries;

•potential goodwill or intangible asset impairment;

•continuing implementation of an enterprise resource planning information technology system;

•our inability to protect our trademarks and other proprietary rights;

•potential environmental liabilities;

•risk associated with international sourcing;

•litigation and product liability claims;

•regulatory issues;

•the impact of product recalls;

•potential costs and risks associated with actual or potential cyber attacks;

•the impact of new accounting regulations and the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on the Company's tax rate;

•our ability to recover asset and business interruption losses caused by the recent fires at our DMC facility in Texas;

•the voting power associated with our Class B stock; and

•potential dilution from issuance of authorized shares.

3

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

	June 27, 2020		June 29, 2019		September 28, 2019
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	495,339	$	445,632	$	497,749
Restricted cash	13,536		10,924		12,952
Short term investments	—		119		—
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $24,034, $15,875 and $21,128)	503,288		395,581		300,135
Inventories, net	425,919		464,917		466,197
Prepaid expenses and other	29,211		32,453		30,160
Total current assets	1,467,293		1,349,626		1,307,193
Plant, property and equipment, net	239,240		238,948		245,405
Goodwill	289,854		281,177		286,077
Other intangible assets, net	138,305		139,406		146,137
Operating lease right-of-use assets	99,111		—		—
Other assets	30,166		55,761		40,208
Total	$	2,263,969	$	2,064,918	$	2,025,020
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	178,728	$	137,668	$	149,246
Accrued expenses	174,776		141,029		129,166
Current lease liabilities	31,648		—		—
Current portion of long-term debt	98		116		113
Total current liabilities	385,250		278,813		278,525
Long-term debt	693,915		692,948		693,037
Long-term lease liabilities	71,458		—		—
Deferred income taxes and other long-term obligations	52,994		58,834		57,281
Equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value: 11,300,810, 12,145,135 and 11,543,969 shares outstanding at June 27, 2020, June 29, 2019 and September 28, 2019	113		121		115
Class A common stock, $0.01 par value: 41,747,928, 44,081,467 and 42,968,493 shares outstanding at June 27, 2020, June 29, 2019 and September 28, 2019	417		440		430
Class B stock, $0.01 par value: 1,647,922, 1,652,262 and 1,652,262 shares outstanding at June 27, 2020, June 29, 2019 and September 28, 2019	16		16		16
Additional paid-in capital	563,371		589,849		575,380
Retained earnings	497,192		444,645		421,742
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(1,684)		(1,426)		(1,676)
Total Central Garden & Pet Company shareholders’ equity	1,059,425		1,033,645		996,007
Noncontrolling interest	927		678		170
Total equity	1,060,352		1,034,323		996,177
Total	$	2,263,969	$	2,064,918	$	2,025,020

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2020		June 29, 2019		June 27, 2020		June 29, 2019
Net sales	$	833,483	$	706,575	$	2,019,540	$	1,842,266
Cost of goods sold and occupancy	571,423		487,291		1,419,097		1,286,749
Gross profit	262,060		219,284		600,443		555,517
Selling, general and administrative expenses	157,420		150,413		427,633		414,312
Operating income	104,640		68,871		172,810		141,205
Interest expense	(11,829)		(10,676)		(33,223)		(31,930)
Interest income	358		2,178		3,779		6,970
Other income (expense)	(3,541)		180		(4,215)		488
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	89,628		60,553		139,151		116,733
Income tax expense	20,291		14,212		31,211		26,031
Income including noncontrolling interest	69,337		46,341		107,940		90,702
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	537		189		853		356
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$	68,800	$	46,152	$	107,087	$	90,346
Net income per share attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company:
Basic	$	1.29	$	0.81	$	1.97	$	1.58
Diluted	$	1.27	$	0.80	$	1.95	$	1.56
Weighted average shares used in the computation of net income per share:
Basic	53,441		57,319		54,261		57,021
Diluted	54,168		57,985		54,984		57,937

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2020		June 29, 2019		June 27, 2020		June 29, 2019
Income including noncontrolling interest	$	69,337	$	46,341	$	107,940	$	90,702
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation	(39)		(146)		(8)		(208)
Total comprehensive income	69,298		46,195		107,932		90,494
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	537		189		853		356
Comprehensive income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$	68,761	$	46,006	$	107,079	$	90,138

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands, unaudited)

	Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2020		June 29, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	107,940	$	90,702
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	39,598		37,311
Amortization of deferred financing costs	1,397		1,374
Non-cash lease expense	25,893		—
Stock-based compensation	14,042		10,444
Deferred income taxes	5,447		9,875
(Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment	(5)		58
Write-downs of investments	3,566		—
Other	3,666		(281)
Change in assets and liabilities (excluding businesses acquired):
Accounts receivable	(203,140)		(93,775)
Inventories	40,750		(3,850)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	1,007		(239)
Accounts payable	29,879		19,728
Accrued expenses	45,572		23,268
Other long-term obligations	117		(1,811)
Operating lease liabilities	(26,809)		—
Net cash provided by operating activities	88,920		92,804
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to plant, property and equipment	(26,796)		(20,888)
Payments to acquire companies, net of cash acquired	—		(41,158)
Investments	(4,439)		(1,758)
Other investing activities	(562)		(1,203)
Net cash used in investing activities	(31,797)		(65,007)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(88)		(46,162)
Borrowings under revolving line of credit	200,000		—
Repayments under revolving line of credit	(200,000)		—
Repurchase of common stock, including shares surrendered for tax withholding	(57,703)		(17,796)
Payment of contingent consideration liability	(154)		(104)
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	(96)		(64)
Payment of financing costs	(948)		—
Net cash used by financing activities	(58,989)		(64,126)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	40		(120)
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(1,826)		(36,449)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	510,701		493,005
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$	508,875	$	456,556
Supplemental information:
Cash paid for interest	$	35,330	$	34,277
Cash paid for income taxes	$	15,714	$	12,277

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

7

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Three and Nine Months Ended June 27, 2020

(Unaudited)

1.  Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated balance sheets of Central Garden & Pet Company and subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Central”) as of June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019, the condensed consolidated statements of operations and the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019 have been prepared by the Company, without audit. In the opinion of management, the interim financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented.

For the Company’s foreign business in the UK, the local currency is the functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated using the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Income and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate for the period. Deferred taxes are not provided on translation gains and losses because the Company expects earnings of its foreign subsidiary to be permanently reinvested. Transaction gains and losses are included in results of operations.

Due to the seasonal nature of the Company’s garden business, the results of operations for the three and nine months ended June 27, 2020 are not indicative of the operating results that may be expected for the entire fiscal year. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual audited financial statements, accounting policies and financial notes thereto, included in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has previously been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The September 28, 2019 balance sheet presented herein was derived from the audited financial statements.

Noncontrolling Interest

Noncontrolling interest in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements represents the 20% interest not owned by Central in a consolidated subsidiary. Since the Company controls this subsidiary, its financial statements are consolidated with those of the Company, and the noncontrolling owner’s 20% share of the subsidiary’s net assets and results of operations is deducted and reported as noncontrolling interest on the consolidated balance sheets and as net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest in the consolidated statements of operations. See Note 9, Supplemental Equity Information, for additional information.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

The Company considers cash and all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at date of purchase to be cash and cash equivalents. Restricted cash includes cash and highly liquid instruments that are used as collateral for stand-alone letter of credit agreements related to normal business transactions. These agreements require the Company to maintain specified amounts of cash as collateral in segregated accounts to support the letters of credit issued thereunder, which will affect the amount of cash the Company has available for other uses. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the condensed consolidated balance sheets to the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows as of June 27, 2020, June 29, 2019 and September 28, 2019, respectively (in thousands).

	June 27, 2020		June 29, 2019		September 28, 2019
Cash and cash equivalents	$	495,339	$	445,632	$	497,749
Restricted cash	13,536		10,924		12,952
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	508,875	$	456,556	$	510,701

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Trade accounts receivable are regularly evaluated for collectability based on past credit history with customers, their current financial condition and their expected deductions.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition and Nature of Products and Services

The Company manufactures, markets and distributes a wide variety of branded, private label and third-party pet and garden products to wholesalers, distributors and retailers, primarily in the United States. The majority of the Company’s revenue is generated from the sale of finished pet and garden products. The Company also recognizes a minor amount of non-product revenue (less than one percent of consolidated net sales) comprising third-party logistics services, merchandising services and royalty income from sales-based licensing

8

arrangements. Product and non-product revenue is recognized when performance obligations under the terms of the contracts with customers are satisfied. The Company recognizes product revenue when control over the finished goods transfers to its customers, which generally occurs upon shipment to, or receipt at, customers’ locations, as determined by the specific terms of the contract. These revenue arrangements generally have single performance obligations. Non-product revenue is recognized as the services are provided to the customer in the case of third-party logistics services and merchandising services, or as third-party licensee sales occur for royalty income. Revenue, which includes shipping and handling charges billed to the customer, is reported net of variable consideration and consideration payable to our customers, including applicable discounts, returns, allowances, trade promotion, unsaleable product, consumer coupon redemption and rebates. Shipping and handling costs that occur before the customer obtains control of the goods are deemed to be fulfillment activities and are accounted for as fulfillment costs.

Key sales terms are established on a frequent basis such that most customer arrangements and related incentives have a one year or shorter duration. As such, the Company does not capitalize contract inception costs. Product fulfillment costs are capitalized as a part of inventoriable costs in accordance with our inventory policies. The Company generally does not have unbilled receivables at the end of a period. Deferred revenues are not material and primarily include advance payments for services that have yet to be rendered. The Company does not receive noncash consideration for the sale of goods. Amounts billed and due from our customers are classified as receivables and require payment on a short-term basis; therefore, the Company does not have any significant financing components.

Sales Incentives and Other Promotional Programs

The Company routinely offers sales incentives and discounts through various regional and national programs to our customers and consumers. These programs include product discounts or allowances, product rebates, product returns, one-time or ongoing trade-promotion programs with customers and consumer coupon programs that require the Company to estimate and accrue the expected costs of such programs. The costs associated with these activities are accounted for as reductions to the transaction price of the Company’s products and are, therefore, recorded as reductions to gross sales at the time of sale. The Company bases its estimates of incentive costs on historical trend experience with similar programs, actual incentive terms per customer contractual obligations and expected levels of performance of trade promotions, utilizing customer and sales organization inputs. The Company maintains liabilities at the end of each period for the estimated incentive costs incurred but unpaid for these programs. Differences between estimated and actual incentive costs are generally not material and are recognized in earnings in the period such differences are determined. Reserves for product returns, accrued rebates and promotional accruals are included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as part of accrued expenses, and the value of inventory associated with reserves for sales returns is included within prepaid expenses and other current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Leases

Effective September 29, 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification 842, Leases ("ASC 842"). Under this guidance, the Company determines whether an arrangement contains a lease at inception by determining if the contract conveys the right to control the use of identified property, plant or equipment for a period of time in exchange for consideration and other facts and circumstances. On September 29, 2019, the Company began to record operating leases on its condensed consolidated balance sheet. As of December 28, 2019, long-term operating lease right-of-use ("ROU") assets and current and long-term operating lease liabilities were presented separately in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Finance lease ROU assets continue to be presented in property, plant and equipment, net, and the related finance liabilities have been presented with current and long-term debt in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Lease ROU assets represent the Company's right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent the Company's obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets are calculated based on the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments paid to the lessor at or before the commencement date and excludes any lease incentives received from the lessor. Lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term. The lease term may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. As the Company's leases typically do not contain a readily determinable implicit rate, the Company determines the present value of the lease liability using its incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date based on the lease term on a collateralized basis. Variable lease payments are expensed as incurred and include certain non-lease components, such as maintenance and other services provided by the lessor, and other charges included in the lease, as applicable. Non-lease components and the lease components to which they relate are accounted for as a single lease component, as the Company has elected to combine lease and non-lease components for all classes of underlying assets.

Amortization of ROU lease assets is calculated on a straight-line basis over the lease term with the expense recorded in cost of sales or selling, general and administrative expenses, depending on the nature of the leased item. Interest expense is recorded over the lease term and is recorded in interest expense (based on a front-loaded interest expense pattern) for finance leases and is recorded in cost of sales or selling, general and administrative expenses (on a straight-line basis) for operating leases. All operating lease cash payments and interest on finance leases are recorded within cash flows from operating activities and all finance lease principal payments are recorded within cash flows from financing activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

9

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 (ASU 2016-02), Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2016-02 requires companies to recognize on the balance sheet operating and financing lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use assets and disclose key information about leasing information. Topic 842 was subsequently amended by ASU 2018-01, Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842; ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases; and ASU 2018-11, Targeted Improvements. The new standard establishes a right-of-use model (ROU) that requires a lessee to recognize a ROU asset and lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with a term longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern and classification of expense recognition in the statement of operations.

The Company adopted the new standard in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, on a modified retrospective basis using the optional transition method, and accordingly, has not restated comparative periods. Fiscal year 2019 balances and related disclosures supporting those comparative period balances continue to be presented under ASC 840, "Leases." The new standard provides a number of optional practical expedients in transition. The Company elected the 'package of practical expedients,' which permit it to not reassess under the new standard its prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. The Company elected not to recognize ROU assets and lease liabilities for short-term operating leases with terms of 12 months or less. The Company did not elect the use-of-hindsight or the practical expedient pertaining to land easements, the latter not being applicable. Upon adoption, the Company recorded operating lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities of approximately $111 million and $115 million, respectively, in the condensed consolidated balance sheet, which included the reclassifications of amounts presented in comparative periods as deferred rent as a reduction of the ROU assets. The Company did not record an adjustment to beginning retained earnings associated with the adoption of this standard. See Note 7. Leases for more information.

Guarantor Financial Information

In March 2020, the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) amended Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X regarding financial disclosure requirements for registered debt offerings involving subsidiaries as either issuers or guarantors and affiliates whose securities are pledged as collateral. This new guidance narrows the circumstances that require separate financial statements of subsidiary issuers and guarantors and streamlines the alternative disclosures required in lieu of those statements. The guidance is effective for filings on or after January 4, 2021, with early adoption permitted. The Company early adopted these amendments for the quarter ended June 27, 2020, which included replacing guarantor condensed consolidating financial information with summarized financial information for the Parent Issuer subsidiaries and Guarantor subsidiaries, as well as no longer requiring guarantor cash flow information, financial information for non-guarantor subsidiaries, and a reconciliation to the consolidated results. Accordingly, summarized financial information has been presented for the Parent/Issuer subsidiaries and Guarantors on our senior notes for the most recent fiscal year and the year-to-date interim period, and the location of the required disclosures has been removed from the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and moved to Part 1. Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

Credit Losses

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), which changes the impairment model for most financial assets to require measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held. The guidance is effective for annual periods or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, or the Company's first quarter of fiscal 2021. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2016-13 will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

10

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The new guidance simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by removing the second step of the two-step impairment test. The amendment requires an entity to perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. The new guidance is effective for annual periods or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, or the Company's first quarter of fiscal 2021. The amendment should be applied on a prospective basis. Based on the Company's most recent annual goodwill impairment test performed as of July 1, 2019, there were no reporting units for which the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeded its fair value; therefore, this ASU would not currently have an impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. However, if upon adoption the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company would be impacted by the amount of impairment recognized.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40), Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract. This ASU aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). ASU 2018-15 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted, and is effective for the Company in fiscal 2021. The amendments in this ASU should be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2018-15 will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Fair Value Disclosures

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. This ASU modifies the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by removing, modifying or adding certain disclosures. ASU 2018-13 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted and is effective for the Company in fiscal 2021. The amendments on changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty should be applied prospectively for only the most recent interim or annual period presented in the initial fiscal year of adoption. All other amendments should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented upon their effective date. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2018-13 will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Accounting for Income Taxes

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740), Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which eliminates certain exceptions related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating taxes during the quarters and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. This guidance also simplifies aspects of the accounting for franchise taxes, enacts changes in tax laws or rates and clarifies the accounting for transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill. ASU 2019-12 is effective for the Company in its first quarter of fiscal 2022 and would require the Company to recognize a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings, if applicable. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that ASU 2019-12 may have on its consolidated financial statements.

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.

11

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 June 27, 2020 (in thousands): 

	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Liabilities:
Liability for contingent consideration (a)	$	—	$	—	$	1,246	$	1,246
Total liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	1,246	$	1,246

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 June 29, 2019 (in thousands): 

	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Short term investments (b)	$	119	$	—	$	—	$	119
Total assets	$	119	$	—	$	—	$	119
Liabilities:
Liability for contingent consideration (a)	$	—	$	—	$	7,824	$	7,824
Total liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	7,824	$	7,824

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 28, 2019 (in thousands): 

	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Liabilities:
Liability for contingent consideration (a)	$	—	$	—	$	7,369	$	7,369
Total liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	7,369	$	7,369

(a)The liability for contingent consideration relates to an earn-out for B2E, acquired in December 2012, future performance-based contingent payments for Hydro-Organics Wholesale, Inc., acquired in October 2015 and future performance-based contingent payments for Segrest, Inc., acquired in October 2016. In December 2019, performance-based criteria associated with the $6 million contingent consideration liability related to Segrest, Inc. were met and accordingly, the entire amount was released out of an independent escrow account to the former owners as of December 28, 2019. The fair value of the estimated contingent consideration arrangement is determined based on the Company’s evaluation as to the probability and amount of any earn-out that will be achieved based on expected future performance by the acquired entity. This is presented as part of long-term liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

(b) The fair value of short-term investments are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.

The following table provides a summary of the changes in fair value of the Company's Level 3 financial instruments for the periods ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019 (in thousands):

12

	Amount
Balance September 28, 2019	$	7,369
Estimated contingent performance-based consideration established at the time of acquisition	—
Changes in the fair value of contingent performance-based payments established at the time of acquisition	31
Performance-based payments	(6,154)
Balance June 27, 2020	$	1,246
	Amount
Balance September 29, 2018	$	8,224
Estimated contingent performance-based consideration established at the time of acquisition	—
Changes in the fair value of contingent performance-based payments established at the time of acquisition	(296)
Performance-based payments	(104)
Balance June 29, 2019	$	7,824

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis

The Company measures certain non-financial assets and liabilities, including long-lived assets, goodwill and intangible assets, at fair value on a non-recurring basis. Fair value measurements of non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities are used primarily in the impairment analyses of long-lived assets, goodwill and other intangible assets. During the periods ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019, the Company was not required to measure any significant non-financial assets and liabilities at fair value.

Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments

In December 2017, the Company issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 5.125% senior notes due February 2028 (the "2028 Notes"). The estimated fair value of the Company's 2028 Notes as of June 27, 2020, June 29, 2019 and September 28, 2019 was $310.9 million, $295.0 million and $307.1 million, respectively, compared to a carrying value of $296.5 million, $296 million and $296.1 million, respectively.

In November 2015, the Company issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% senior notes due November 2023 (the “2023 Notes”). The estimated fair value of the Company’s 2023 Notes as of June 27, 2020, June 29, 2019 and September 28, 2019 was $409.5 million, $415.8 million and $414.6 million, respectively, compared to a carrying value of $397.3 million, $396.5 million and $396.7 million, respectively.

13

3.  Acquisitions

C&S Products

In May 2019, the Company purchased C&S Products, a manufacturer of suet and other wild bird feed products, to complement our existing wild bird feed business for approximately $30.0 million. Subsequent to the acquisition, approximately $4.7 million of cash was used to eliminate the acquired long-term debt. The financial results of C&S Products have been included in the results of operations within the Pet segment since the date of acquisition. The following table summarizes the purchase price and recording of fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date and subsequent adjustments.

In thousands	Amounts Previously Recognized as of Acquisition Date (1)		Measurement Period Adjustments		Amounts Recognized as of Acquisition Date (as Adjusted)
Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	$	9,794	$	441	$	10,235
Fixed assets	23,743		(3,786)		19,957
Goodwill	—		3,777		3,777
Other assets	5,081		(3,242)		1,839
Other intangible assets, net	—		2,810		2,810
Current liabilities	(2,137)		—		(2,137)
Long-term obligations	(6,457)		$	—	(6,457)
Net assets acquired, less cash and cash equivalents	$	30,024	$	—	$	30,024

(1) As previously reported in the Company's Form 10-K for the period ended September 28, 2019.

The impact to the consolidated statement of operations associated with the finalization of purchase accounting and true-up of intangible assets for C&S Products during the quarter ended December 28, 2019 was immaterial.

4.  Inventories, net

Inventories, net of allowance for obsolescence, consist of the following (in thousands):

	June 27, 2020		June 29, 2019		September 28, 2019
Raw materials	$	151,412	$	138,073	$	145,331
Work in progress	42,185		36,355		51,154
Finished goods	218,542		275,286		255,870
Supplies	13,780		15,203		13,842
Total inventories, net	$	425,919	$	464,917	$	466,197

14

5. Goodwill

The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually (as of the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter), or whenever events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount, by first assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If it is determined that it is more likely than not the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, it is unnecessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the two-step test is performed to identify potential goodwill impairment. Based on certain circumstances, the Company may elect to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to performing the first step of the two-step goodwill impairment test, which compares the fair value of the Company’s reporting units to their related carrying values, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the Company performs an additional step to determine the implied fair value of goodwill associated with that reporting unit. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by first allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities and then computing the excess of the reporting unit’s fair value over the amounts assigned to the assets and liabilities. If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill, such excess represents the amount of goodwill impairment, and accordingly, the Company recognizes such impairment. The Company’s goodwill impairment analysis also includes a comparison of the aggregate estimated fair value of its two reporting units to the Company’s total market capitalization. No impairment of goodwill was recorded for the three and nine months ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019. The Company recorded approximately $3.8 million of goodwill in its Pet segment during the three months ended December 28, 2019 as part of its finalization of the purchase price allocation of C&S Products.

15

6. Other Intangible Assets

The following table summarizes the components of gross and net acquired intangible assets:

	Gross		Accumulated Amortization		Accumulated Impairment		Net Carrying Value
	(in millions)
June 27, 2020
Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable	$	20.6	$	(17.3)	$	—	$	3.3
Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable	70.6		—		(26.0)		44.6
Total	91.2		(17.3)		(26.0)		47.9
Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable	140.3		(61.4)		(2.5)		76.3
Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable	26.0		(17.8)		—		8.2
Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable	7.1		—		(1.2)		5.9
Total	33.0		(17.8)		(1.2)		14.1
Total other intangible assets	$	264.6	$	(96.5)	$	(29.7)	$	138.3
	Gross		Accumulated Amortization		Accumulated Impairment		Net Carrying Value
	(in millions)
June 29, 2019
Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable	$	18.6	$	(15.7)	$	—	$	2.9
Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable	70.6		—		(26.0)		44.6
Total	89.2		(15.7)		(26.0)		47.5
Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable	128.3		(50.0)		(2.5)		75.8
Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable	26.0		(15.9)		—		10.1
Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable	7.2		—		(1.2)		6.0
Total	33.2		(15.9)		(1.2)		16.1
Total other intangible assets	$	250.7	$	(81.6)	$	(29.7)	$	139.4
	Gross		Accumulated Amortization		Accumulated Impairment		Net Carrying Value
	(in millions)
September 28, 2019
Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable	$	19.7	$	(16.3)	$	—	$	3.4
Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable	70.6		—		(26.0)		44.6
Total	90.3		(16.3)		(26.0)		48.0
Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable	138.4		(53.3)		(2.5)		82.6
Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable	26.0		(16.4)		—		9.6
Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable	7.1		—		(1.2)		5.9
Total	33.1		(16.4)		(1.2)		15.5
Total other intangible assets	$	261.8	$	(86.0)	$	(29.7)	$	146.1

16

Other acquired intangible assets include contract-based and technology-based intangible assets.

As part of its acquisition of C&S Products in the third quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company acquired approximately $0.9 million of amortizable marketing-related intangible assets and approximately $1.9 million of customer-related intangible assets.

The Company evaluates long-lived assets, including amortizable and indefinite-lived intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company evaluates indefinite-lived intangible assets on an annual basis. Factors indicating the carrying value of the Company’s amortizable intangible assets may not be recoverable were not present in the three or nine months ended June 27, 2020, and accordingly, no impairment testing was performed on these assets. As a result of one of our retail customers exiting the live fish business, factors indicating the carrying value of certain amortizable intangible assets may not be recoverable were present during the quarter ended March 30, 2019. The Company performed impairment testing on these assets, found the carrying value was not recoverable and accordingly, recorded an impairment charge in its Pet segment of approximately $2.5 million as part of selling, general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the nine-month period ended June 29, 2019.

The Company amortizes its acquired intangible assets with definite lives over periods ranging from 3 years to 25 years; over weighted average remaining lives of 4 years for marketing-related intangibles, 9 years for customer-related intangibles and 10 years for other acquired intangibles. Amortization expense for intangibles subject to amortization was approximately $3.4 million and $3.4 million for the three months ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019, respectively, and $10.6 million and $10.3 million for the nine months ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019, respectively, and is classified within selling, general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Estimated annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets in each of the succeeding five years is estimated to be approximately $12 million per year from fiscal 2020 through fiscal 2024 and thereafter.

.

7. Leases

The Company has operating and finance leases for manufacturing and distribution facilities, vehicles, equipment and office space. The Company's leases have remaining lease terms of one to 10 years, inclusive of renewal or termination options that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise. The Company does not include significant restrictions or covenants in its lease agreements, and residual value guarantees are not included within its operating leases. Some of the Company's leasing arrangements require variable payments that are dependent on usage or output or may vary for other reasons, such as product costs, insurance and tax payments. These variable payments are not included in the Company's recorded lease assets and liabilities and are expensed as incurred. Certain leases are tied to a variable index or rate and are included in lease assets and liabilities based on the indices or rates as of lease commencement. See Note 1. Basis of Presentation, Leases, for more information about the Company's lease accounting policies.

Supplemental balance sheet information related to the Company's leases was as follows:

	Balance Sheet Classification	As of June 27, 2020 (in millions)
Operating leases
Right-of-use assets	Operating lease right-of-use assets	$	99.1
Current lease liabilities	Current operating lease liabilities	$	31.6
Non-current lease liabilities	Long-term operating lease liabilities	71.5
Total operating lease liabilities		$	103.1
Finance leases
Right-of-use assets	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	0.3
Current lease liabilities	Current portion of long-term debt	$	0.1
Non-current lease liabilities	Long-term debt	0.1
Total finance lease liabilities		$	0.2

17

Components of lease cost were as follows:

	Three months ended June 27, 2020 (in millions)		Nine Months Ended June 27, 2020 (in millions)
Operating lease cost	$	9.7	$	29.0
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	$	—	$	0.1
Interest on lease liabilities	—		—
Total finance lease cost	$	—	$	0.1
Short-term lease cost	$	1.0	$	2.7
Variable lease cost	$	1.6	$	5.1
Total lease cost	$	12.3	$	36.9

Supplemental cash flow information and non-cash activity related to the Company's leases was as follows:

	Nine Months Ended June 27, 2020 (in millions)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	26.8
Operating cash flows from finance leases	$	—
Financing cash flows from finance leases	$	0.1
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases	$	13.7
Finance leases	$	—

Weighted-average remaining lease term and discount rate for the Company's leases were as follows:

	As of June 27, 2020
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years):
Operating leases	4.8
Finance leases	2.2
Weighted-average discount rate:
Operating leases	3.84	%
Finance leases	4.84	%

18

Future non-cancelable lease payments under prior lease accounting rules (ASC 840) and under the new lease accounting rules (ASC 842) that went into effect September 29, 2019 were as follows (in millions):

	As of June 27, 2020				As of September 28, 2019
	ASC 842				ASC 840
	Operating Leases		Finance Leases		Operating Leases
Fiscal Year
2020 (excluding the nine months ended June 27, 2020)	$	9.6	$	—
2020					$	38.0
2021	32.4		0.1		29.3
2022	25.1		0.1		21.8
2023	14.7		—		11.3
2024	10.0		—		7.9
Thereafter	21.9		—		20.7
Total future undiscounted lease payments	$	113.7	$	0.2	$	129.0
Less imputed interest	(10.6)		—
Total reported lease liability	$	103.1	$	0.2

8. Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following:

	June 27, 2020		June 29, 2019		September 28, 2019
	(in thousands)
Senior notes, interest at 6.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due November 2023	$	400,000	$	400,000	$	400,000
Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028	300,000		300,000		300,000
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(6,207)		(7,475)		(7,158)
Net carrying value	693,793		692,525		692,842
Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.00% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.0% to 0.50%, final maturity September 2024.	—		—		—
Other notes payable	220		539		308
Total	694,013		693,064		693,150
Less current portion	(98)		(116)		(113)
Long-term portion	$	693,915	$	692,948	$	693,037

Senior Notes

$300 million 5.125% Senior Notes

On December 14, 2017, the Company issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 5.125% senior notes due February 2028 (the "2028 Notes"). The Company will use the net proceeds from the offering to finance future acquisitions and for general corporate purposes.

The Company incurred approximately $4.8 million of debt issuance costs in conjunction with this transaction, which included underwriter fees and legal, accounting and rating agency expenses. The debt issuance costs are being amortized over the term of the 2028 Notes.

19

The 2028 Notes require semiannual interest payments on February 1 and August 1. The 2028 Notes are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis by the Company's existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries who are borrowers under or guarantors of Central's senior secured revolving credit facility, or who guarantee the 2023 Notes.

The Company may redeem some or all of the 2028 Notes at any time, at its option, prior to January 1, 2023 at the principal amount plus a “make whole” premium. At any time prior to January 1, 2021, the Company may also redeem, at its option, up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of the notes with the proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price of 105.125% of the principal amount of the notes. The Company may redeem some or all of the 2028 Notes, at its option, at any time on or after January 1, 2023 for 102.563%, on or after January 1, 2024 for 101.708%, on or after January 1, 2025 for 100.854%, and on or after January 1, 2026 for 100.0%, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

The holders of the 2028 Notes have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of the 2028 Notes at a purchase price equal to 101.0% of the principal amount of the notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest upon the occurrence of a change of control.

The 2028 Notes contain customary high yield covenants, including covenants limiting debt incurrence and restricted payments, subject to certain baskets and exceptions. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants as of June 27, 2020.

$400 million 6.125% Senior Notes

On November 9, 2015, the Company issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% senior notes due November 2023 (the "2023 Notes"). In December 2015, the Company used the net proceeds from the offering, together with available cash, to redeem its $400 million aggregate principal amount of 8.25% senior subordinated notes due March 1, 2018 ("2018 Notes") at a price of 102.063% of the principal amount and to pay fees and expenses related to the offering. The 2023 Notes are unsecured senior obligations and are subordinated to all of the Company’s existing and future secured debt, including the Company’s Credit Facility, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness.

The Company incurred approximately $6.3 million of debt issuance costs in conjunction with these transactions, which included underwriter fees and legal, accounting and rating agency expenses. The debt issuance costs are being amortized over the term of the 2023 Notes.

The 2023 Notes require semiannual interest payments on May 15 and November 15. The 2023 Notes are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis by each of the Company’s existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries which are borrowers under or guarantors of Central’s senior secured revolving credit facility. The 2023 Notes are unsecured senior obligations and are subordinated to all of the Company’s existing and future secured debt, including the Company’s Credit Facility, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness.

The Company may redeem some or all of the 2023 Notes at any time, at its option, at any time on or after November 15, 2019 for 103.063%, on or after November 15, 2020 for 101.531% and on or after November 15, 2021 for 100%, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

The holders of the 2023 Notes have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of the 2023 Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest upon the occurrence of a change of control.

The 2023 Notes contain customary high yield covenants, including covenants limiting debt incurrence and restricted payments, subject to certain baskets and exceptions. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants as of June 27, 2020.

Asset-Based Loan Facility Amendment

On September 27, 2019, the Company entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (“Amended Credit Agreement”). The Amended Credit Agreement amended and restated the previous credit agreement dated April 22, 2016 and continues to provide up to a $400.0 million principal amount senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility, with up to an additional $200.0 million principal amount available with the consent of the Lenders, as defined, if the Company exercises the accordion feature set forth therein (collectively, the “Amended Credit Facility”). The Amended Credit Facility matures on September 27, 2024. The Company may borrow, repay and reborrow amounts under the Amended Credit Facility until its maturity date, at which time all amounts outstanding under the Amended Credit Facility must be repaid in full.

20

The Amended Credit Facility is subject to a borrowing base, reduced capacity due to reserves and certain other restrictions. The borrowing base is calculated using a formula initially based upon eligible receivables and inventory minus certain reserves, and was $400.0 million as of June 27, 2020. The Amended Credit Facility also allows the Company to add real property to the borrowing base so long as the real property is subject to a first priority lien in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders. The Company did not draw down any commitments under the Amended Credit Facility upon closing. Proceeds of the Amended Credit Facility will be used for general corporate purposes. The Amended Credit Facility includes a $50 million sublimit for the issuance of standby letters of credit and an increased $40 million sublimit for short-notice borrowings. As of June 27, 2020, there were no borrowings outstanding and no letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Facility. There were other letters of credit of $3.2 million outstanding as of June 27, 2020.

Borrowings under the Amended Credit Facility will bear interest at an index based on LIBOR or, at the option of the Company, the Base Rate (defined as the highest of (a) the SunTrust prime rate, (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, (c) one-month LIBOR plus 1.00%), plus, in either case, an applicable margin based on the Company’s consolidated senior leverage ratio and (d) 0.00%. Such applicable margin for LIBOR-based borrowings fluctuates between 1.00%-1.50%, and was 1.00% as of June 27, 2020, and such applicable margin for Base Rate borrowings fluctuates between 0.00%-0.50%, and was 0% as of June 27, 2020. An unused line fee shall be payable monthly in respect of the total amount of the unutilized Lenders’ commitments and short-notice borrowings under the Amended Credit Facility. Letter of credit fees at the applicable margin on the average undrawn and unreimbursed amount of letters of credit shall be payable monthly and a facing fee of 0.125% shall be paid on demand for the stated amount of each letter of credit. The Company is also required to pay certain fees to the administrative agent under the Amended Credit Facility. As of June 27, 2020, the applicable interest rate related to Base Rate borrowings was 3.3%, and the applicable interest rate related to LIBOR-based borrowings was 1.2%.

The Company incurred approximately $1.6 million of debt issuance costs in conjunction with this transaction, which included underwriter fees and legal expenses. The debt issuance costs are being amortized over the term of the Amended Credit Facility.

The Amended Credit Facility continues to contain customary covenants, including financial covenants which require the Company to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.00:1.00 upon triggered quarterly testing (e.g. when availability falls below certain thresholds established in the agreement), reporting requirements and events of default. The Amended Credit Facility is secured by substantially all assets of the borrowing parties, including (i) pledges of 100% of the stock or other equity interest of each domestic subsidiary that is directly owned by such entity and (ii) 65% of the stock or other equity interest of each foreign subsidiary that is directly owned by such entity. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants under the Amended Credit Facility during the period ended June 27, 2020.

21

9. Supplemental Equity Information

The following table provides a summary of the changes in the carrying amounts of equity attributable to controlling interest and noncontrolling interest through the nine months ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019.

	Controlling Interest
(in thousands)	Common Stock		Class A Common Stock		Class B Stock		Additional Paid In Capital		Retained Earnings		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		Total		Noncontrolling Interest		Total
Balance September 28, 2019	$	115	$	430	$	16	$	575,380	$	421,742	$	(1,676)	$	996,007	$	170	$	996,177
Comprehensive income	—		—		—		—		(4,417)		436		(3,981)		(122)		(4,103)
Amortization of share-based awards	—		—		—		2,804		—		—		2,804		—		2,804
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement	—		—		—		(318)		—		—		(318)		—		(318)
Repurchase of stock	—		(8)		—		(8,488)		(13,632)		—		(22,128)		—		(22,128)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options	—		1		—		739		—		—		740		—		740
Balance December 28, 2019	$	115	$	423	$	16	$	570,117	$	403,693	$	(1,240)	$	973,124	$	48	$	973,172
Comprehensive income	—		—		—		—		42,704		(405)		42,299		438		42,737
Amortization of share-based awards	—		—		—		2,923		—		—		2,923		—		2,923
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement	—		3		—		(807)		—		—		(804)		—		(804)
Repurchase of stock	(2)		(8)		—		(10,121)		(14,911)		—		(25,042)		—		(25,042)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options	—		—		—		513		—		—		513		—		513
Distribution to Noncontrolling interest	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		(57)		(57)
Balance March 28, 2020	$	113	$	418	$	16	$	562,625	$	431,486	$	(1,645)	$	993,013	$	429	$	993,442
Comprehensive income	—		—		—		—		68,800		(39)		68,761		537		69,298
Amortization of share-based awards	—		—		—		3,754		—		—		3,754		—		3,754
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement	—		—		—		(1,425)		—		—		(1,425)		—		(1,425)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options	—		1		—		405		—		—		406		—		406
Repurchase of common stock	—		(2)		—		(1,988)		(3,094)		—		(5,084)		—		(5,084)
Distribution to Noncontrolling interest	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		(39)		(39)
Other	—		—		—		—		—		—		—				—
Balance June 27, 2020	$	113	$	417	$	16	$	563,371	$	497,192	$	(1,684)	$	1,059,425	$	927	$	1,060,352

22

	Controlling Interest
(in thousands)	Common Stock		Class A Common Stock		Class B Stock		Additional Paid In Capital		Retained Earnings		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		Total		Noncontrolling Interest		Total
Balance September 29, 2018	$	121	$	439	$	16	$	590,168	$	362,923	$	(1,218)	$	952,449	$	385	$	952,834
Comprehensive income	—		—		—		—		1,803		(274)		1,529		(164)		1,365
Amortization of share-based awards	—		—		—		2,261		—		—		2,261		—		2,261
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement	—		1		—		(386)		—		—		(385)		—		(385)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options	—		1		—		408		—		—		409		—		409
Balance December 29, 2018	$	121	$	441	$	16	$	592,451	$	364,726	$	(1,492)	$	956,263	$	221	$	956,484
Comprehensive income	—		—		—		—		42,391		212		42,603		331		42,934
Amortization of share-based awards	—		—		—		2,473		—		—		2,473		—		2,473
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement	—		2		—		(1,773)		—		—		(1,771)		—		(1,771)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options	—		1		—		(820)		—		—		(819)		—		(819)
Other	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		1		1
Balance March 28, 2020	$	121	$	444	$	16	$	592,331	$	407,117	$	(1,280)	$	998,749	$	553	$	999,302
Comprehensive income	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	46,152	$	(146)	$	46,006	$	189	$	46,195
Amortization of share-based awards	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	2,965	$	—	$	—	$	2,965	$	—	$	2,965
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement	$	—	$	1	$	—	$	(641)	$	—	$	—	$	(640)	$	—	$	(640)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options	$	—	$	1	$	—	$	870	$	—	$	—	$	871	$	—	$	871
Repurchase of common stock			$	(6)			$	(5,676)	$	(8,624)			$	(14,306)			$	(14,306)
Distribution to Noncontrolling interest	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	(64)	$	(64)
Balance June 29, 2019	$	121	$	440	$	16	$	589,849	$	444,645	$	(1,426)	$	1,033,645	$	678	$	1,034,323

10. Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognized share-based compensation expense of $14.0 million and $10.4 million for the nine months ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019, respectively, as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses. The tax benefit associated with share-based compensation expense for the nine months ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019 was $3.4 million and $2.5 million, respectively.

23

11. Earnings Per Share

The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted per share computations for income from continuing operations (in thousands except share and per share amounts).

	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2020					June 27, 2020
	Income		Shares	Per Share		Income		Shares	Per Share
Basic EPS:
Net income available to common shareholders	$	68,800	53,441	$	1.29	$	107,087	54,261	$	1.97
Effect of dilutive securities (1):
Options to purchase common stock	—		278	(0.01)		—		339	(0.01)
Restricted shares	—		449	(0.01)		—		384	(0.01)
Diluted EPS:
Net income available to common shareholders	$	68,800	54,168	$	1.27	$	107,087	54,984	$	1.95

(1) The potential effects of stock awards were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation for the three months ended December 28, 2019, because their inclusion in a net loss period would be anti-dilutive to the earnings per share calculation.

	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	June 29, 2019					June 29, 2019
	Income		Shares	Per Share		Income		Shares	Per Share
Basic EPS:
Net income available to common shareholders	$	46,152	57,319	$	0.81	$	90,346	57,021	$	1.58
Effect of dilutive securities:
Options to purchase common stock	—		412	(0.01)		—		559	(0.01)
Restricted shares	—		254	—		—		357	(0.01)
Diluted EPS:
Net income available to common shareholders	$	46,152	57,985	$	0.80	$	90,346	57,937	$	1.56

Options to purchase 3.1 million shares of common stock at prices ranging from $10.63 to $38.10 per share were outstanding at June 27, 2020, and options to purchase 2.6 million shares of common stock at prices ranging from $8.56 to $38.10 per share were outstanding at June 29, 2019.

For the three months ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019, 0.5 million and 1.8 million options outstanding were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the option exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares and therefore, the effect of including these options would be antidilutive.

For the nine months ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019, 1.0 million and 1.1 million options outstanding were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the option exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares and therefore, the effect of including these options would be antidilutive.

24

12. Segment Information

Management has determined that the Company has two operating segments, which are also reportable segments based on the level at which the Chief Operating Decision Maker reviews the results of operations to make decisions regarding performance assessment and resource allocation. These operating segments are Pet segment and Garden segment and are presented in the table below (in thousands).

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2020		June 29, 2019		June 27, 2020		June 29, 2019
Net sales:
Pet segment	$	413,260	$	350,155	$	1,128,073	$	1,028,754
Garden segment	420,223		356,420		891,467		813,512
Total net sales	$	833,483	$	706,575	$	2,019,540	$	1,842,266
Operating Income (loss)
Pet segment	50,760		35,066		114,599		91,805
Garden segment	77,787		53,103		122,439		101,821
Corporate	(23,907)		(19,298)		(64,228)		(52,421)
Total operating income	104,640		68,871		172,810		141,205
Interest expense - net	(11,471)		(8,498)		(29,444)		(24,960)
Other income (expense)	(3,541)		180		(4,215)		488
Income tax expense	20,291		14,212		31,211		26,031
Income including noncontrolling interest	69,337		46,341		107,940		90,702
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	537		189		853		356
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$	68,800	$	46,152	$	107,087	$	90,346
Depreciation and amortization:
Pet segment	$	8,374	$	8,083	$	25,305	$	24,178
Garden segment	3,538		3,497		10,157		8,635
Corporate	1,371		1,502		4,136		4,498
Total depreciation and amortization	$	13,283	$	13,082	$	39,598	$	37,311

	June 27, 2020		June 29, 2019		September 28, 2019
Assets:
Pet segment	$	810,524	$	742,938	$	734,380
Garden segment	635,671		558,260		463,889
Corporate	817,774		763,720		826,751
Total assets	$	2,263,969	$	2,064,918	$	2,025,020
Goodwill (included in corporate assets above):
Pet segment	$	272,066	$	268,289	$	268,289
Garden segment	17,788		12,888		17,788
Total goodwill	$	289,854	$	281,177	$	286,077

25

The tables below presents the Company's disaggregated revenues by segment (in millions):

	Three Months Ended June 27, 2020						Nine Months Ended June 27, 2020
	Pet Segment		Garden Segment		Total		Pet Segment		Garden Segment		Total
Other pet products	$	206.3	$	—	$	206.3	$	508.3	$	—	$	508.3
Dog and cat products	117.0		—		117.0		358.8		—		358.8
Other manufacturers' products	90.0		90.1		180.1		261.0		182.2		443.2
Garden controls and fertilizer products	—		100.3		100.3		—		234.2		234.2
Other garden supplies	—		229.8		229.8		—		475.0		475.0
Total	$	413.3	$	420.2	$	833.5	$	1,128.1	$	891.5	$	2,019.5

	Three Months Ended June 29, 2019						Nine Months Ended June 29, 2019
	Pet Segment		Garden Segment		Total		Pet Segment		Garden Segment		Total
Other pet products	$	171.1	$	—	$	171.1	$	457.0	$	—	$	457.0
Dog and cat products	99.9		—		99.9		336.2		—		336.2
Other manufacturers' products	79.2		61.8		141.0		235.6		143.3		378.9
Garden controls and fertilizer products	—		80.9		80.9		—		219.0		219.0
Other garden supplies	—		213.7		213.7		—		451.2		451.2
Total	$	350.2	$	356.4	$	706.6	$	1,028.8	$	813.5	$	1,842.3

13. Contingencies

The Company may from time to time become involved in legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. Currently, the Company is not a party to any legal proceedings that management believes are likely to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations with the potential exception of the proceeding below.

In 2012, Nite Glow Industries, Inc and its owner, Marni Markell, (“Nite Glow”) filed suit in the United States District Court for New Jersey against the Company alleging that the applicator developed and used by the Company for certain of its branded topical flea and tick products infringes a patent held by Nite Glow and asserted related claims for breach of contract and misappropriation of confidential information based on the terms of a Non-Disclosure Agreement.  On June 27, 2018, a jury returned a verdict in favor of Nite Glow on each of the three claims and awarded damages of approximately $12.6 million.  The court ruled on post-trial motions in early June 2020, reducing the judgment amount to $12.4 million and denying the plaintiff's request for attorneys' fees. The Company has filed its notice of appeal and the plaintiffs have cross-appealed. The Company intends to vigorously pursue its rights on appeal and believes that it will prevail on the merits. While the Company believes that the ultimate resolution of this matter will not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements, the outcome of litigation is inherently uncertain and the final resolution of this matter may result in expense to the Company in excess of management's expectations.

During fiscal 2013, the Company received notices from several states stating that they have appointed an agent to conduct an examination of the books and records of the Company to determine whether it has complied with state unclaimed property laws. In addition to seeking unclaimed property subject to escheat laws, the states may seek interest, penalties and other relief. The examinations are at an early stage and, as such, management is unable to determine the impact, if any, on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In November 2019, the DMC business unit in the Company's Pet Segment experienced a fire in one of its leased properties located in Athens, Texas, which resulted in inventory, property-related and business interruption losses in the estimated range of $35 - $40 million. In April 2020, DMC experienced an additional fire in the same leased property in Athens, Texas, which resulted in inventory and property-related losses estimated to be approximately $11 million.

As of June 27, 2020, the Company had approximately $18 million of cost in excess of insurance proceeds related to these losses recorded on its balance sheet. Subsequent to June 27, 2020, the Company received insurance proceeds of approximately $9 million related

26

to these losses. The Company currently believes its insurance coverage is sufficient to cover the remaining asset-related losses as well as the business interruption loss associated with this event.

The Company has experienced, and may in the future experience, issues with products that may lead to product liability, recalls, withdrawals, replacements of products, or regulatory actions by governmental authorities. The Company has not experienced recent issues with products, the resolution of which management believes would have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Our Company

Central Garden & Pet Company (“Central”) is a leading innovator, producer and distributor of branded and private label products for the lawn & garden and pet supplies markets in the United States. The total annual retail sales of the pet food, treats & chews, supplies and live animal industry in 2018 was estimated by Packaged Facts and the pet industry to have been approximately $51.9 billion. We estimate the annual retail sales of the pet supplies, live animal, and treats & chews and natural pet food markets in the categories in which we participate to be approximately $27.4 billion. The total lawn and garden consumables, decorative products, live plant and outdoor cushions and pillows industry in the United States is estimated by Packaged Facts, The Freedonia Group and TechNavio to have been approximately $23.3 billion in annual retail sales in 2018, including fertilizer, pesticides, growing media, seeds, mulch, other consumables, decorative products, live plants and outdoor cushions and pillows. We estimate the annual retail sales of the lawn and garden consumables, decorative products and live plant markets in the categories in which we participate to be approximately $16.3 billion.

Our pet supplies products include products for dogs and cats, including edible bones, premium healthy edible and non-edible chews, natural dog and cat food and treats, toys, pet carriers, grooming supplies and other accessories; products for birds, small animals and specialty pets, including food, cages and habitats, toys, chews and related accessories; animal and household health and insect control products; live fish and products for fish, reptiles and other aquarium-based pets, including aquariums, furniture and lighting fixtures, pumps, filters, water conditioners, food and supplements, and information and knowledge resources; and products for horses and livestock. These products are sold under the brands including Adams™, Aqueon®, Avoderm®, C&S Products®, Cadet®, Farnam®, Four Paws®, Kaytee®, K&H Pet Products®, Nylabone®, Pinnacle®, TFH™, Zilla® as well as a number of other brands including Altosid®, Comfort Zone®, Coralife®, Interpet®, Pet Select® and Zodiac®.

Our lawn and garden supplies products include proprietary and non-proprietary grass seed; wild bird feed, bird feeders, bird houses and other birding accessories; weed, grass, and other herbicides, insecticide and pesticide products; fertilizers; and decorative outdoor lifestyle products including pottery, as well as live plants and outdoor cushions and pillows. These products are sold under the brands AMDRO®, Arden Companies™, Ironite®, Pennington®, and Sevin®, as well as a number of other brand names including Lilly Miller®, Over-N-Out®, Smart Seed® and The Rebels®.

In fiscal 2019, our consolidated net sales were $2,383 million, of which our Pet segment, or Pet, accounted for approximately $1,385 million and our Garden segment, or Garden, accounted for approximately $998 million. In fiscal 2019, our operating income was $152 million consisting of income from our Pet segment of $123 million, income from our Garden segment of $102 million and corporate expenses of $73 million.

We were incorporated in Delaware in May 1992 as the successor to a California corporation that was formed in 1955. Our executive offices are located at 1340 Treat Boulevard, Suite 600, Walnut Creek, California 94597, and our telephone number is (925) 948-4000. Our website is www.central.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference in this quarterly report.

Recent Developments

Fiscal 2020 Third Quarter Financial Performance:

•Net sales increased $126.9 million, or 18.0%, from the prior year quarter to $833.5 million due primarily to an increase in organic sales. Pet segment sales increased $63.1 million, and Garden segment sales increased $63.8 million.

•Organic net sales increased 16.5%. Organic net sales increased 15.0% in our Pet segment and 17.9% in our Garden segment.

•Gross profit increased $42.8 million from the prior year quarter, and gross margin increased 40 basis points to 31.4%.

•Selling, general & administrative expense increased $7.0 million from the prior year quarter to $157.4 million, but declined as a percentage of net sales 240 basis points to 18.9%.

27

•Operating income increased $35.8 million from the prior year quarter, to $104.6 million.

•Net income in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 was $68.8 million, or $1.27 per diluted share, compared to net income of $46.2 million, or $0.80 per diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal 2019.

DMC Business Unit

In November 2019, the DMC business unit in our Pet Segment experienced a fire in one of its leased properties located in Athens, Texas, which resulted in inventory, property-related and business interruption losses in the estimated range of $35 - $40 million. In April 2020, DMC experienced an additional fire in the same leased property in Athens, Texas, which resulted in inventory and property-related losses estimated to be approximately $11 million.

As of June 27, 2020, we had approximately $18 million of cost in excess of insurance proceeds related to these losses recorded on our balance sheet. Subsequent to June 27, 2020, we received insurance proceeds of approximately $9 million related to these losses. We currently believe our insurance coverage is sufficient to cover the remaining asset-related losses as well as the business interruption loss associated with this event.

COVID-19 Impact

We have seen the effects COVID-19 is having globally on human health, the economy and society at large. The impact of COVID-19 and measures to prevent its spread are affecting our business in a number of ways. Central is considered an essential business in most jurisdictions and almost all of our employees continue to work to meet essential needs. We have been actively addressing the COVID-19 situation and its impact on our employees and business.

From the beginning, our priority has been the safety of our employees, customers and consumers. We are proud of all that our employees have done to prioritize the health and safety of fellow team members while collaborating across the business to ensure we operate as safely and seamlessly as possible in order to provide a steady supply of product to our customers. To that end, we mobilized a cross-functional task force focused on understanding and communicating the critical issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic to mitigate the potential impacts to our people and business. Thankfully, the Central team has had a relatively small number of COVID-19 cases, and our facility maintenance of health and safety standards remains paramount.

Our teams have worked hard to do the following:

•Ensure constant communication and regularly share pertinent information around health, safety and benefits;

•Take extra precautions in our manufacturing facilities, distribution centers and offices with guidance from health authorities including social distancing, staggering shifts, procuring necessary personal protection equipment, partitions, sanitation supplies and investing in regular deep cleanings of our facilities;

•Implement travel restrictions and work-from-home policies for employees who have the ability to work from home in accordance with shelter-in-place orders; and

•Adhere to all local, state and federal requirements.

Central is experiencing varying impacts to our Garden and Pet businesses due to COVID-19. In March and April, we experienced increased demand in pet consumables due to consumers stocking up on products as the COVID-19 shelter-in-place mandates were implemented. We also saw reduced consumption on other items, such as live fish and live plants, due to in-store curtailments of foot traffic and limited access to outdoor garden departments. In May, many state and county governments began phased reopenings of their local economies. Access to outdoor garden departments resulted in increased demand for our products in May and June. Additionally, during shelter-in-place requirement periods, pet ownership significantly increased and sales continued to increase in May and June across our Pet segment portfolio. We also continue to see a rapid increase in demand in the e-commerce channel.

Our facilities have largely been exempt or partially exempt from government closure orders. We have experienced temporary closures of certain facilities, though there has not been a material impact from a plant closure to date. At some of our facilities, we have experienced reduced productivity and increased employee absences, which we expect to continue during the current pandemic. All of our manufacturing facilities and distribution centers are currently open and fully operational. We have incurred and will continue to incur additional costs including personal protective equipment and sanitation costs. The pandemic and near-term increase in demand have created operational challenges for our distribution network and impacted our ability to meet our normal fill rate standards. Our supply chain has been impacted by the rapid increase in demand and it is possible we will experience increased operational and logistics costs, although these did not have a material impact on our third fiscal quarter results. We may also experience additional disruptions in our supply chain as the pandemic continues, although we cannot reasonably estimate the potential impact or timing of those events, and we may not be able to mitigate such impact.

28

We believe we are financially strong and expect to be able to maintain adequate liquidity as we manage through the current economic and health environment. As of June 27, 2020, we had approximately $500 million in cash. We also have a revolving credit facility that provides up to a $400 million principal amount with an additional $200 million available with the consent of the lenders. In April 2020, we borrowed $200 million under our revolving credit facility to increase financial flexibility during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. In June 2020, we repaid the $200 million. As of June 27, 2020, there were no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility.

We anticipate many small customers may permanently close, and we may experience collection delinquencies as customers seek to preserve liquidity. Additionally, we have small company equity method investments, intangible assets and other long-lived assets whose value is dependent on cashflows. These investments and other assets could be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and, therefore, may be more susceptible to impairment. Management's assessment of possible asset impairment involves numerous assumptions that involve significant judgment. As a result of the uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the shelter-in-place orders and the post-COVID-19 economic recovery, these factors will be even more difficult to estimate. We recorded an impairment charge of $3.6 million in our third fiscal quarter and may be required to write off certain assets that could be material in future periods.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its current impact on society and the global economic environment, our work on developing our Vision 2025 strategy has been slowed, and we now expect to communicate that strategy in late 2020.

While the unfavorable impact of COVID-19 began to adversely affect the performance in certain portions of our portfolio in March and April, in May and June we saw a large increase in demand in most areas of our portfolio which resulted in a 16.5% increase in organic net sales in our third fiscal quarter. A few of our businesses continue to experience demand or profitability headwinds. These businesses include our live animal, live plant, pet bedding and aquatics businesses. The volatility in demand, changing consumer consumption patterns and uncertainty regarding the duration of shelter-in-place requirements make it difficult to predict when more normal order patterns may return. Forecasting and planning remain challenging in the current environment. In the current uncertain environment, our employees, customers and consumers will continue to be our priority as we manage our business to deliver long-term growth.

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended June 27, 2020

Compared with Three Months Ended June 29, 2019

Net Sales

Net sales for the three months ended June 27, 2020 increased $126.9 million, or 18.0%, to $833.5 million from $706.6 million for the three months ended June 29, 2019. Organic net sales, which excludes the impact of acquisitions and divestitures in the last 12 months, increased $116.5 million, or 16.5%, as compared to the fiscal 2019 quarter. Our branded product sales increased $87.8 million, and sales of other manufacturers’ products increased $39.1 million.

Pet net sales increased $63.1 million, or 18.0%, to $413.3 million for the three months ended June 27, 2020 from $350.2 million for the three months ended June 29, 2019. The increase in net sales was due to an organic sales increase of $52.7 million and an inorganic sales increase of $10.4 million from our May 2019 acquisition of C&S Products. The increase was broad-based across our pet portfolio with the exception of our live fish business, which was impacted by the initial implementation of shelter-in-place restrictions on retail outlets and a large retailer's decision in 2019 to exit the life fish business. Increased sales in our Pet segment were aided by COVID-19 shelter-in-place restrictions which has led to increased pet ownership in dog, cat, small animals and reptiles. Also noteworthy was the acceleration of sales in the e-commerce channel. Organic sales gains were primarily in our dog and cat business, third-party products, our animal health business and in wild bird feed. Pet branded product sales increased $52.3 million, and sales of other manufacturers' products increased $10.8 million.

Garden net sales increased $63.8 million, or 17.9%, to $420.2 million for the three months ended June 27, 2020 from $356.4 million for the three months ended June 29, 2019. The increase in net sales, which was all organic, in the Garden segment was driven by increased consumer home gardening related to COVID-19 shelter-in-place restrictions, listing gains and favorable garden season weather. Net sales increased in the e-commerce channel for garden products as consumers migrated from traditional brick and mortar outlets. The increase in net sales was broad-based across our portfolio including volume-based sales increases in third-party products, controls and fertilizers, wild bird feed and grass seed. Garden branded sales increased $35.5 million, and sales of other manufacturers' products increased $28.3 million.

29

Gross Profit

Gross profit for the three months ended June 27, 2020 increased $42.8 million, or 19.5%, to $262.1 million from $219.3 million for the three months ended June 29, 2019. Gross margin increased 40 basis points to 31.4% for the three months ended June 27, 2020 from 31.0% for the three months ended June 29, 2019. Both segments contributed to the gross profit increase and gross margin improvement.

In the Pet segment, both gross profit and gross margin improved. Gross profit increased due to increased sales and margin improvement. Gross margin improved due primarily to volume-related efficiencies and a favorable sales mix with increased sales in both our dog and cat business and in our animal health business.

In the Garden segment, both gross profit and gross margin increased. Gross profit improved due to the increased sales and gross margin gains. The Garden gross margin improved due primarily to increased sales and the improved margin from our controls and fertilizer business partially offset by an unfavorable business unit sales mix and a lower margin in grass seed hindered by an unfavorable customer mix and lower pricing.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $7.0 million, or 4.7%, to $157.4 million for the three months ended June 27, 2020 from $150.4 million for the three months ended June 29, 2019. Selling, general and administrative expense increased in both the Pet segment and in corporate, partially offset by a decrease in the Garden segment. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to 18.9% for the three months ended June 27, 2020, compared to 21.3% in the comparable prior year quarter impacted by improved operating leverage and reduced travel and entertainment expense.

Selling and delivery expense declined to $77.4 million for the three months ended June 27, 2020 as compared to $78.4 million in the prior year quarter. The decrease was due primarily to improved overhead absorption, reduced travel and entertainment expense and reduced labor related to COVID-19 prohibitions reducing our merchandising in-store presence.

Warehouse and administrative expense increased $8.0 million, or 11.1%, to $80.0 million for the three months ended June 27, 2020 from $72.0 million for the three months ended June 29, 2019. In our operating segments, the increase was due primarily to increased labor expense in our warehouses and to a thank you bonus to our front-line workers across manufacturing, logistics and merchandising. Corporate expenses increased $4.6 million due primarily to increased variable compensation expense resulting from improved results, increased third-party expense and personal protection (PPE) costs. Corporate expenses are included within administrative expense and relate to the costs of unallocated executive, administrative, finance, legal, human resources, and information technology functions.

Operating Income

Operating income increased $35.8 million to $104.6 million for the three months ended June 27, 2020. The increase in operating income was attributable to increased sales and an improved gross margin partially offset by increased selling, general and administrative expense. Our operating margin increased from 9.7% in the prior year quarter to 12.6% in the current year quarter due to a 40 basis point improvement in gross margin, improved overhead leverage, a 240 basis point decline in selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of net sales, as well as COVID-19 pandemic-related reductions in promotional activity.

Pet operating income increased $15.7 million, or 44.8%, to $50.8 million for the three months ended June 27, 2020 from $35.1 million for the three months ended June 29, 2019. Pet operating income increased due to increased sales, principally organic, and increased gross profit partially offset by higher selling, general and administrative costs. Pet operating margin improved 230 basis points due to increased sales, an improved gross margin and lower selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of net sales.

Garden operating income increased $24.7 million, or 46.5%, to $77.8 million for the three months ended June 27, 2020 from $53.1 million for the three months ended June 29, 2019. Garden operating income increased due to increased sales and gross profit and lower selling, general and administrative expense. Garden operating margin improved 360 basis points to 18.5% due to increased sales, an improved gross margin and lower selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of sales..

Corporate operating expense increased $4.6 million, or 23.9%, to $23.9 million for the three months ended June 27, 2020 from $19.3 million for the three months ended June 29, 2019. Corporate expense increased due primarily to increased variable compensation accruals due to improved results and higher third-party expense.

Net Interest Expense

Net interest expense for the three months ended June 27, 2020 increased $3.0 million, or 35.0%, to $11.5 million from $8.5 million for the three months ended June 29, 2019. The increase in net interest expense was due to reduced interest income resulting from a lower rate of interest earned on our cash balance during the quarter and interest expense from a temporary draw on our revolver during the quarter.

30

Debt outstanding on June 27, 2020 was $694.0 million compared to $693.1 million at June 29, 2019.

Other Income (Expense)

Other income (expense) is comprised of income or losses from investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting and foreign currency exchange gains and losses. Other expense was $3.5 million for the quarter ended June 27, 2020 compared to income of $0.2 million for the quarter ended June 29, 2019, due primarily to the impairment of two investments in private companies impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic during the quarter ended June 27, 2020.

Income Taxes

Our effective income tax rate was 22.6% for the quarter ended June 27, 2020 compared to 23.5% for the quarter ended June 29, 2019. The lower effective income tax rate in the current year quarter was due primarily to a higher stock compensation benefit in the current year quarter compared to the prior year quarter.

Net Income and Earnings Per Share

Our net income in the third quarter of fiscal 2020 was $68.8 million, or $1.27 per diluted share, compared to net income of $46.2 million, or $0.80 per diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal 2019.

Nine Months Ended June 27, 2020

Compared with Nine Months Ended June 29, 2019

Net Sales

Net sales for the nine months ended June 27, 2020 increased $177.2 million, or 9.6%, to $2,019.5 million from $1,842.3 million for the nine months ended June 29, 2019. Organic net sales increased $118.8 million, or 6.4%, as compared to the prior year nine month period. Our branded product sales increased $110.0 million, and sales of other manufacturers’ products increased $67.2 million.

Pet net sales increased $99.3 million, or 9.7%, to $1,128.1 million for the nine months ended June 27, 2020 from $1,028.8 million for the nine months ended June 29, 2019. The increase in net sales was due to both organic growth and sales from C&S Products, which we acquired in May 2019. Organic net sales increased $69.7 million, or 6.8%. The increase was relatively broad-based across our Pet segment portfolio led by increased sales in our dog and cat and animal health businesses and sales of third-party products. These increases were partially offset by lower pet bed sales, negatively impacted in the prior quarter by a fire in one of our pet bedding facilities, and lower sales of live fish, due to a major retailer's decision in 2019 to exit the live fish business and the negative retail impact of reduced foot traffic associated with COVID-19. Pet branded sales increased $73.9 million, and sales of other manufacturer's products increased $25.4 million.

Garden net sales increased $77.9 million, or 9.6%, to $891.4 million for the nine months ended June 27, 2020 from $813.5 million for the nine months ended June 29, 2019. The increase in net sales was due to both organic growth and sales from Arden, which became 100% owned due to our acquisition of the remaining equity interest in February 2019. Organic sales increased $49.1 million, or 6.0%, due primarily to a 17.9% sales increase in the current fiscal quarter. The organic sales increase was relatively broad-based across our Garden segment portfolio, driven by increased sales of third-party products and of our control and fertilizer products. Both benefited from new listings and increased home gardening due to COVID-19 restrictions and favorable garden weather. The increase in sales was partially offset by lower grass seed sales, negatively impacted by competitive pressures and reduced promotions in our first two fiscal quarters, and our exit of the fashion decor pottery product line in mid-2019. Garden branded sales increased $36.1 million, and sales of other manufacturers’ products increased $41.8 million.

Gross Profit

Gross profit for the nine months ended June 27, 2020 increased $44.9 million, or 8.1%, to $600.4 million from $555.5 million for the nine months ended June 29, 2019. Gross margin decreased 50 basis points to 29.7% for the nine months ended June 27, 2020 from 30.2% for the nine months ended June 29, 2019. Both operating segments contributed to the gross profit increase and gross margin decline.

In the Pet segment, gross profit increased due primarily to the acquisition of C&S Products and increased sales in dog treats and chews, partially offset by the impact of the lower sales volume in our live fish business. The decline in gross margin was due primarily to the impact of the lower sales volume in our live fish business, an unfavorable product mix in sales of dog treats and chews and increased sales of third-party products partially offset by the contribution from our acquisition of C&S Products.

In the Garden segment, both gross profit and gross margin were negatively impacted by reduced grass seed sales and our exit from the fashion décor pottery product line, which was partially offset by the positive impact of the Arden acquisition. Additionally, gross margin was negatively impacted by increased third-party sales.

31

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $13.3 million, or 3.2%, to $427.6 million for the nine months ended June 27, 2020 from $414.3 million for the nine months ended June 29, 2019 due primarily to increased corporate expense. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to 21.2% for the nine months ended June 27, 2020, from 22.5% for the comparable prior year nine month period; both operating segments contributed to the improvement.

Selling and delivery expense increased $0.8 million, or 0.4%, to $211.8 million for the nine months ended June 27, 2020 from $211.0 million for the nine months ended June 29, 2019. The increase was due primarily to increased payroll related costs and delivery expense partially offset by cost saving initiatives enacted in response to a retailer's exit from the live fish business and our exit from the fashion decor pottery product line in 2019.

Warehouse and administrative expense increased $12.5 million, or 6.1%, to $215.8 million for the nine months ended June 27, 2020 from $203.3 million for the nine months ended June 29, 2019. Increased expense from our two recent acquisitions, a bonus to our front-line workers and at corporate was partially offset by cost reduction initiatives enacted in response to a retailer’s exit from the live fish business and our exit from the fashion décor pottery product line in 2019. Corporate expense increased due primarily to increased third-party expenses, which includes costs related to the development of our Vision 2025 plan, increased variable compensation expense due to improved results, and equity compensation expense. Corporate expenses are included within administrative expense and relate to the costs of unallocated executive, administrative, finance, legal, human resource, and information technology functions.

Operating Income

Operating income increased $31.6 million to $172.8 million for the nine months ended June 27, 2020 from $141.2 million for the nine months ended June 29, 2019. Our operating margin increased to 8.6% for the nine months ended June 27, 2020 from 7.7% for the nine months ended June 29, 2019. Increased sales of $177.2 million and a 130 basis point improvement in selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of net sales were partially offset by a 50 basis point decline in gross margin.

Pet operating income increased $22.8 million, or 24.8%, to $114.6 million for the nine months ended June 27, 2020 from $91.8 million for the nine months ended June 29, 2019. Adjusting for the $2.5 million intangible asset impairment in fiscal 2019, operating income increased $20.3 million. The increase in operating income was due to increased net sales of $99.3 million partially offset by a decline in gross margin and an increase in selling, general and administrative expense.

Garden operating income increased $20.6 million, or 20.2%, to $122.4 million for the nine months ended June 27, 2020 from $101.8 million in the nine months ended June 29, 2019. Adjusting for the non-cash gain from the fair value remeasurement of our previously held investment interest upon our acquisition of the remaining 55% interest of Arden in the prior six month period, garden operating income increased $23.8 million. The increase in operating income was due to increased net sales of $77.9 million and lower selling, general and administrative expense partially offset by a lower gross margin.

Corporate operating expense increased $11.8 million to $64.2 million in the current nine-month period from $52.4 million in the comparable fiscal 2019 period due primarily to increased third-party expenses, increased variable compensation expense and equity compensation expense.

Net Interest Expense

Net interest expense for the nine months ended June 27, 2020 increased $4.4 million, or 18.0%, to $29.4 million from $25.0 million for the nine months ended June 29, 2019. The increase in net interest expense was due to lower interest income from earnings on cash due to the lower rates available on our cash balance during the current year nine-month period.

Debt outstanding on June 27, 2020 was $694.0 million compared to $693.1 million as of June 29, 2019. Our average borrowing rate for the current nine-month period was 5.5% compared to the prior nine-month period of 5.8%.

32

Other Income

Other income (expense) was an expense of $4.2 million for the nine-month period ended June 27, 2020 compared to income of $0.5 million for the nine-month period ended June 29, 2019, due primarily to a $3.6 million impairment of two investments in private companies impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic during the quarter ended June 27, 2020.

Income Taxes

Our effective income tax rate was 22.4% for the nine month period ended June 27, 2020 compared to 22.3% for the nine-month period ended June 29, 2019.

Net Income and Earnings Per Share

Our net income for the nine months ended June 27, 2020 was $107.1 million, or $1.95 per diluted share, compared to $90.3 million, or $1.56 per diluted share, for the nine months ended June 29, 2019.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We report our financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). However, to supplement the financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP, we use non-GAAP financial measures including EBITDA and organic sales. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures that exclude the impact of specific items (described below) may be useful to investors in their assessment of our ongoing operating performance and provide additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior operating periods.

EBITDA is defined by us as income before income tax, net other expense, net interest expense and depreciation and amortization (or operating income plus depreciation and amortization expense). We present EBITDA because we believe that EBITDA is a useful supplemental measure in evaluating the cash flows and performance of our business and provides greater transparency into our results of operations. EBITDA is used by our management to perform such evaluation. EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for cash flow from operations, income from operations or other income statement measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. We believe that EBITDA is frequently used by investors, securities analysts and other interested parties in their evaluation of companies, many of which present EBITDA when reporting their results. Other companies may calculate EBITDA differently and it may not be comparable.

We have also provided organic net sales, a non-GAAP measure that excludes the impact of businesses purchased or exited in the prior 12 months, because we believe it permits investors to better understand the performance of our historical business without the impact of recent acquisitions or dispositions.

The reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP are shown in the tables below. We believe that the non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors and other users of our financial statements by allowing for greater transparency in the review of our financial and operating performance. Management also uses these non-GAAP financial measures in making financial, operating and planning decisions and in evaluating our performance, and we believe these measures similarly may be useful to investors in evaluating our financial and operating performance and the trends in our business from management's point of view. While our management believes that non-GAAP measurements are useful supplemental information, such adjusted results are not intended to replace our GAAP financial results and should be read in conjunction with those GAAP results.

Non-GAAP financial measures reflect adjustments based on the following items:

•Gains from the fair value remeasurement of previously held investment interests: we have excluded the impact of the fair value remeasurement of a previously held investment interest as it represents an infrequent transaction that occurs in limited circumstances that impacts the comparability between operating periods. We believe the adjustment of these gains supplements the GAAP information with a measure that may be used to assess the sustainability of our operating performance.

•Asset impairment charges: we have excluded the impact of asset impairments on intangible assets as such non-cash amounts are inconsistent in amount and frequency. We believe that the adjustment of these charges supplements the GAAP information with a measure that can be used to assess the sustainability of our operating performance.

From time to time in the future, there may be other items that we may exclude if we believe that doing so is consistent with the goal of providing useful information to investors and management.

The non-GAAP adjustments reflect the following:

(1)During the second quarter of fiscal 2019, we recorded a preliminary, pending the finalization of the related purchase accounting, non-cash $3.2 million gain in our Garden segment from the fair value remeasurement of our previously held 45% interest in Arden

33

upon our acquisition of the remaining 55% interest. The gain was recorded as part of selling, general and administrative costs in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

(2)During the second quarter of fiscal 2019, we recognized a non-cash impairment charge in our Pet segment of $2.5 million related to the impairment of intangible assets caused by a retail customer exiting the live fish business. The adjustment was recorded as part of selling, general and administrative costs.

(3)During the third quarter of fiscal 2020, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge for two private company investments. The impairment was recorded as part of other income (expense).

Operating Income Reconciliation		GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation (in thousands) For the Nine Months Ended
		Consolidated
		June 27, 2020		June 29, 2019
GAAP operating income		$	172,810	$	141,205
Previously held investment interest fair value remeasurement	(1)	—		(3,215)
Intangible asset impairment	(2)	—		2,540
Non-GAAP operating income		$	172,810	$	140,530

Pet Segment Operating Income Reconciliation		GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation (in thousands) For the Nine Months Ended
		Pet
		June 27, 2020		June 29, 2019
GAAP operating income		$	114,599	$	91,805
Intangible asset impairment	(2)	—		2,540
Non-GAAP operating income		$	114,599	$	94,345

Garden Segment Operating Income Reconciliation		GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation (in thousands) For the Nine Months Ended
		Garden
		June 27, 2020		June 29, 2019
GAAP operating income		$	122,439	$	101,821
Previously held investment interest fair value remeasurement	(1)	—		(3,215)
Non-GAAP operating income		$	122,439	$	98,606

34

		GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation (in thousands, except per share amounts) For the Three Months Ended					GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation (in thousands, except per share amounts) For the Nine Months Ended
Net Income and Diluted Net Income Per Share Reconciliation		June 27, 2020		June 29, 2019			June 27, 2020		June 29, 2019
GAAP net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet		$	68,800	$	46,152		$	107,087	$	90,346
Previously held investment interest fair value remeasurement	(1)	—		—		(1)	—		(3,215)
Intangible asset impairment	(2)	—		—		(2)	—		2,540
Investment impairments	(3)	3,566		—		(3)	3,566		—
Tax effect of remeasurement and impairment		(807)		—			(800)		151
Non-GAAP net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet		$	71,559	$	46,152		$	109,853	$	89,822
GAAP diluted net income per share		$	1.27	$	0.80		$	1.95	$	1.56
Non-GAAP diluted net income per share		$	1.32	$	0.80		$	2.00	$	1.55
Shares used in GAAP and non-GAAP diluted net earnings per share calculation		54,168		57,985			54,984		57,937

Organic Net Sales Reconciliation

We have provided organic net sales, a non-GAAP measure that excludes the impact of recent acquisitions and dispositions, because we believe it permits investors to better understand the performance of our historical business. We define organic net sales as net sales from our historical business derived by excluding the net sales from businesses acquired or exited in the preceding 12 months. After an acquired business has been part of our consolidated results for 12 months, the change in net sales thereafter is considered part of the increase or decrease in organic net sales.

	GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation (in millions) For the Three Months Ended June 27, 2020
	Consolidated				Pet Segment				Garden Segment
			Percent change				Percent change				Percent change
Reported net sales - Q3 FY20 (GAAP)	$	833.5			$	413.3			$	420.2
Reported net sales - Q3 FY19 (GAAP)	706.6				350.2				356.4
Increase in net sales	126.9		18.0	%	63.1		18.0	%	63.8		17.9	%
Effect of acquisition and divestitures on increase in net sales	10.4				10.4				—
Increase in organic net sales - Q3 FY20	$	116.5	16.5	%	$	52.7	15.0	%	$	63.8	17.9	%

	GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation (in millions) For the Nine Months Ended June 27, 2020
	Consolidated				Pet Segment				Garden Segment
			Percent change				Percent change				Percent change
Reported net sales - Q3 FY20 YTD (GAAP)	$	2,019.5			$	1,128.1			$	891.4
Reported net sales - Q3 FY19 YTD (GAAP)	1,842.3				1,028.8				813.5
Increase in net sales	177.2		9.6	%	99.3		9.7	%	77.9		9.6	%
Effect of acquisition and divestitures on increase in net sales	58.4				29.6				28.8
Increase in organic net sales - Q3 FY20 YTD	$	118.8	6.4	%	$	69.7	6.8	%	$	49.1	6.0	%

35

EBITDA Reconciliation	GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation (in thousands, except per share amounts) For the Three Months Ended June 27, 2020
	Garden		Pet		Corp		Total
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet	—		—		—		$	68,800
Interest expense, net	—		—		—		11,471
Other expense	—		—		—		3,541
Income tax expense	—		—		—		20,291
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—		—		—		537
Sum of items below operating income	—		—		—		35,840
Income (loss) from operations	$	77,787	$	50,760	$	(23,907)	$	104,640
Depreciation & amortization	3,538		8,374		1,371		13,283
EBITDA	$	81,325	$	59,134	$	(22,536)	$	117,923

EBITDA Reconciliation	GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation (in thousands, except per share amounts) For the Three Months Ended June 29, 2019
	Garden		Pet		Corp		Total
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet	—		—		—		$	46,152
Interest expense, net	—		—		—		8,498
Other income	—		—		—		(180)
Income tax expense	—		—		—		14,212
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—		—		—		189
Sum of items below operating income	—		—		—		22,719
Income (loss) from operations	$	53,103	$	35,066	$	(19,298)	$	68,871
Depreciation & amortization	3,497		8,083		1,502		13,082
EBITDA	$	56,600	$	43,149	$	(17,796)	$	81,953

EBITDA Reconciliation	GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation (in thousands, except per share amounts) For the Nine Months Ended June 27, 2020
	Garden		Pet		Corp		Total
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet	—		—		—		$	107,087
Interest expense, net	—		—		—		29,444
Other expense	—		—		—		4,215
Income tax expense	—		—		—		31,211
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—		—		—		853
Sum of items below operating income	—		—		—		65,723
Income (loss) from operations	$	122,439	$	114,599	$	(64,228)	$	172,810
Depreciation & amortization	10,157		25,305		4,136		39,598
EBITDA	$	132,596	$	139,904	$	(60,092)	$	212,408

36

EBITDA Reconciliation	GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation (in thousands, except per share amounts) For the Nine Months Ended June 29, 2019
	Garden		Pet		Corp		Total
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet	—		—		—		$	90,346
Interest expense, net	—		—		—		24,960
Other income	—		—		—		(488)
Income tax expense	—		—		—		26,031
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—		—		—		356
Sum of items below operating income	—		—		—		50,859
Income (loss) from operations	$	101,821	$	91,805	$	(52,421)	$	141,205
Depreciation & amortization	8,635		24,178		4,498		37,311
EBITDA	$	110,456	$	115,983	$	(47,923)	$	178,516

Inflation

Our revenues and margins are dependent on various economic factors, including rates of inflation, energy costs, consumer attitudes toward discretionary spending, currency fluctuations, and other macro-economic factors which may impact levels of consumer spending. In certain fiscal periods, we have been adversely impacted by rising input costs related to domestic inflation, particularly relating to grain and seed prices, fuel prices and the ingredients used in our garden controls and fertilizer. Rising costs in those periods have made it difficult for us to increase prices to our retail customers at a pace sufficient to enable us to maintain margins.

Weather and Seasonality

Our sales of lawn and garden products are influenced by weather and climate conditions in the different markets we serve. Our Garden segment’s business is highly seasonal. In fiscal 2019, approximately 69% of our Garden segment’s net sales and 58% of our total net sales occurred during our second and third fiscal quarters. Substantially all of the Garden segment’s operating income is typically generated in this period, which has historically offset the operating loss incurred during the first fiscal quarter of the year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We have financed our growth through a combination of internally generated funds, bank borrowings, supplier credit, and sales of equity and debt securities to the public.

Our business is seasonal and our working capital requirements and capital resources track closely to this seasonal pattern. Generally, during the first fiscal quarter, accounts receivable reach their lowest level while inventory, accounts payable and short-term borrowings begin to increase. During the second fiscal quarter, receivables, accounts payable and short-term borrowings increase, reflecting the build-up of inventory and related payables in anticipation of the peak lawn and garden selling season. During the third fiscal quarter, inventory levels remain relatively constant while accounts receivable peak and short-term borrowings start to decline as cash collections are received during the peak selling season. During the fourth fiscal quarter, inventory levels are at their lowest, and accounts receivable and payables are substantially reduced through conversion of receivables to cash.

We service two broad markets: pet supplies and lawn and garden supplies. Our pet supplies businesses involve products that have a year round selling cycle with a slight degree of seasonality. As a result, it is not necessary to maintain large quantities of inventory to meet peak demands. Our lawn and garden businesses are highly seasonal with approximately 69% of our Garden segment’s net sales occurring during the second and third fiscal quarters. This seasonality requires the shipment of large quantities of product well ahead of the peak consumer buying periods. To encourage retailers and distributors to stock large quantities of inventory, industry practice has been for manufacturers to give extended credit terms and/or promotional discounts.

37

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $3.9 million, from $92.8 million for the nine months ended June 29, 2019, to $88.9 million for the nine months ended June 27, 2020. The decrease in cash provided was due primarily to changes in our working capital accounts for the period ended June 27, 2020, as compared to the prior year period, primarily an increase in accounts receivable, due to the large increase in sales in the latter half of the third quarter, compared to the prior year.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities decreased $33.2 million, from $65.0 million for the nine months ended June 29, 2019 to $31.8 million during the nine months ended June 27, 2020. The decrease in cash used in investing activities was due primarily to acquisition activity in the prior year, partially offset by increased capital expenditures in the current year compared to the prior year. During the second quarter of fiscal 2019, we acquired the remaining 55% interest in Arden Companies for approximately $11.0 million, and during the third quarter of fiscal 2019 we acquired C&S Products for approximately $30.0 million.

Financing Activities

Net cash used by financing activities decreased $5.1 million, from $64.1 million for the nine months ended June 29, 2019, to $59.0 million for the nine months ended June 27, 2020. The decrease in cash used by financing activities during the current year was due primarily to our repayment of approximately $36 million of acquired long-term debt subsequent to our acquisition of Arden Companies in the prior year period, partially offset by increased open market purchases of our common stock during the current year period. During the nine months ended June 27, 2020, we repurchased approximately 0.2 million shares of our voting common stock (CENT) at an aggregate cost of approximately $6.6 million, or approximately $26.63 per share, and 1.8 million shares of our non-voting Class A common stock (CENTA) at an aggregate cost of approximately $45.7 million, or approximately $25.90 per share.

We expect that our principal sources of funds will be cash generated from our operations and, if necessary, borrowings under our $400 million asset backed revolving credit facility. Based on our anticipated cash needs, availability under our asset backed revolving credit facility and the scheduled maturity of our debt, we believe that our sources of liquidity should be adequate to meet our working capital, capital spending and other cash needs for at least the next 12 months. However, we cannot assure you that these sources will continue to provide us with sufficient liquidity and, should we require it, that we will be able to obtain financing on terms satisfactory to us, or at all.

We believe that cash flows from operating activities, funds available under our asset backed loan facility, and arrangements with suppliers will be adequate to fund our presently anticipated working capital and capital expenditure requirements for the foreseeable future. We previously estimated our capital expenditures, which are related primarily to replacements and expansion of and upgrades to plant and equipment and also investment in our continued implementation of a scalable enterprise-wide information technology platform, would be $40 million to $45 million in fiscal 2020, of which we have invested approximately $27 million year to date. As a result of the uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, we are reevaluating the appropriate amount of our fiscal 2020 capital expenditures.

As part of our growth strategy, we have acquired a number of companies in the past, and we anticipate that we will continue to evaluate potential acquisition candidates in the future. If one or more potential acquisition opportunities, including those that would be material, become available in the near future, we may require additional external capital. In addition, such acquisitions would subject us to the general risks associated with acquiring companies, particularly if the acquisitions are relatively large.

Total Debt

At June 27, 2020, our total debt outstanding was $694.0 million, as compared with $693.1 million at June 29, 2019.

Senior Notes

$300 Million 5.125% Senior Notes

On December 14, 2017, we issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 5.125% senior notes due February 2028 (the "2028 Notes"). We expect to use the net proceeds from the offering to finance future acquisitions and for general corporate purposes.

We incurred approximately $4.8 million of debt issuance costs in conjunction with this transaction, which included underwriter fees and legal, accounting and rating agency expenses. The debt issuance costs are being amortized over the term of the 2028 Notes.

The 2028 Notes require semiannual interest payments on February 1 and August 1. The 2028 Notes are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis by our existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries who are borrowers under or guarantors of our senior secured revolving credit facility or who guarantee the 2023 Notes.

We may redeem some or all of the 2028 Notes at any time, at our option, prior to January 1, 2023 at the principal amount plus a “make whole” premium. At any time prior to January 1, 2021, we may also redeem, at our option, up to 35% of the original aggregate principal

38

amount of the notes with the proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price of 105.125% of the principal amount of the notes. We may redeem some or all of the 2028 Notes, at our option, at any time on or after January 1, 2023 for 102.563%, on or after January 1, 2024 for 101.708%, on or after January 1, 2025 for 100.854% and on or after January 1, 2026 for 100.0%, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

The holders of the 2028 Notes have the right to require us to repurchase all or a portion of the 2028 Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest upon the occurrence of a change of control.

The 2028 Notes contain customary high yield covenants, including covenants limiting debt incurrence and restricted payments, subject to certain baskets and exceptions. We were in compliance with all financial covenants as of June 27, 2020.

$400 Million 6.125% Senior Notes

In November 2015, we issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% senior notes due November 2023 (the "2023 Notes"). In December 2015, we used the net proceeds from the offering, together with available cash, to redeem our $400 million aggregate principal amount of 8.25% senior subordinated notes due March 1, 2018 (the "2018 Notes") at a price of 102.063% of the principal amount and to pay fees and expenses related to the offering.

We incurred approximately $6.3 million of debt issuance costs in conjunction with these transactions, which included underwriter fees and legal, accounting and rating agency expenses. The debt issuance costs are being amortized over the term of the 2028 Notes.

The 2023 Notes require semiannual interest payments on May 15 and November 15. The 2023 Notes are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis by each of our existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries which are borrowers under or guarantors of our senior secured revolving credit facility. The 2023 Notes are unsecured senior obligations and are subordinated to all of our existing and future secured debt, including our Credit Facility, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness.

We may redeem some or all of the 2023 Notes at any time, at our option, on or after November 15, 2019 for 103.063%, on or after November 15, 2020 for 101.531% and on or after November 15, 2021 for 100%, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

The holders of the 2023 Notes have the right to require us to repurchase all or a portion of the 2023 Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest upon the occurrence of a change of control.

The 2023 Notes contain customary high yield covenants, including covenants limiting debt incurrence and restricted payments, subject to certain baskets and exceptions. We were in compliance with all financial covenants as of June 27, 2020.

Asset-Based Loan Facility Amendment

On September 27, 2019, we entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (“Amended Credit Agreement”). The Amended Credit Agreement amended and restated the previous credit agreement dated April 22, 2016 and continues to provide up to a $400.0 million principal amount senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility, with up to an additional $200 million principal amount available with the consent of the Lenders, as defined, if we exercise the accordion feature set forth therein (collectively, the “Amended Credit Facility”). The Amended Credit Facility now matures on September 27, 2024. We may borrow, repay and reborrow amounts under the Amended Credit Facility until its maturity date, at which time all amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility must be repaid in full.

The Amended Credit Facility is subject to a borrowing base, reduced capacity due to reserves and certain other restrictions. The borrowing base is calculated using a formula initially based upon eligible receivables and inventory minus certain reserves, and was $400 million as of June 27, 2020. The Amended Credit Facility also allows us to add real property to the borrowing base so long as the real property is subject to a first priority lien in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders. Proceeds of the Amended Credit Facility will be used for general corporate purposes. The Amended Credit Facility includes a $50 million sublimit for the issuance of standby letters of credit and an increased $40 million sublimit for short-notice borrowings. We incurred approximately $1.6 million of debt issuance costs in conjunction with this transaction, which included underwriter fees and legal expenses. The debt issuance costs are being amortized over the term of the Amended Credit Facility. As of June 27, 2020, there were no borrowings outstanding and no letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Facility. There were other letters of credit of $3.2 million outstanding as of June 27, 2020. Subsequent to our quarter ended March 28, 2020, we borrowed $200 million under our revolving credit facility to increase financial flexibility while we navigate an uncertain COVID-19 economic environment. We repaid $200 million under our revolving credit facility prior to our quarter ended June 27, 2020.

Borrowings under the Amended Credit Facility bear interest at an index based on LIBOR or, at our option, the Base Rate (defined as the highest of (a) the SunTrust prime rate, (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, (c) one-month LIBOR plus 1.00%), plus, in either case, an applicable margin based on our consolidated senior leverage ratio and (d) 0.00%. Such applicable margin for LIBOR-based borrowings fluctuates between 1.00%-1.50% (previously between 1.25% and 1.50%) and was 1.00% as of June 27, 2020, and such applicable margin for Base Rate borrowings fluctuates between 0.00%-0.50% (previously 0.25%-0.50%), and was 0.00% as of June 27, 2020. An unused line fee shall be payable monthly in respect of the total amount of the unutilized Lenders’ commitments and short-notice borrowings under the Amended Credit Facility. Letter of credit fees at the applicable margin on the average undrawn and unreimbursed amount of letters of credit shall be payable monthly and a facing fee of 0.125% shall be paid on demand for the stated amount of each letter of credit. We are also

39

required to pay certain fees to the administrative agent under the Amended Credit Facility. As of June 27, 2020, the applicable interest rate related to Base Rate borrowings was 3.3%, and the applicable interest rate related to LIBOR-based borrowings was 1.2%. Banks currently reporting information used to set LIBOR will stop doing so after 2021. Various parties, including government agencies, are seeking to identify an alternative rate to replace LIBOR. We are monitoring their efforts, and we will likely amend contracts to accommodate any replacement rate where it is not already provided.

The administering regulatory authority announced it intends to phase out London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) by the end of 2021. We have both LIBOR-denominated and Euro Interbank Offer Rate (EURIBOR)-denominated indebtedness. Once LIBOR is phased out it will be replaced by an alternative method equivalent to LIBOR. Any legal or regulatory changes made in response to LIBOR’s future discontinuance may result in, among other things, a sudden or prolonged increase or decrease in LIBOR, a delay in the publication of LIBOR, or changes in the rules or methodologies in LIBOR. In addition, alternative methods to LIBOR may be impossible or impracticable to determine. The transition to alternatives to LIBOR could be modestly disruptive to the credit markets, and while we do not expect that the transition from LIBOR and risks related thereto will have a material adverse effect on our financing costs, it is still uncertain at this time.

The Amended Credit Facility continues to contain customary covenants, including financial covenants which require us to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.00:1.00 upon triggered quarterly testing (e.g. when availability falls below certain thresholds established in the agreement), reporting requirements and events of default. The Amended Credit Facility is secured by substantially all assets of the borrowing parties, including (i) pledges of 100% of the stock or other equity interest of each domestic subsidiary that is directly owned by such entity and (ii) 65% of the stock or other equity interest of each foreign subsidiary that is directly owned by such entity. We were in compliance with all financial covenants under the Credit Facility during the period ended June 27, 2020.

Summarized Financial Information for Guarantors and the Issuer of Guaranteed Securities

In November 2015, Central (the "Parent/Issuer") issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% senior notes due November 2023 (the "2023 Notes") and on December 14, 2017, Central issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 5.125% senior notes due February 2028 (the "2028 Notes"). The 2023 Notes and 2028 Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several senior basis by each of our existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries (the "Guarantors") which are borrowers under or guarantors of our senior secured revolving credit facility ("Credit Facility"). The 2023 Notes and 2028 Notes are unsecured senior obligations and are subordinated to all of our existing and future secured debt, including our Credit Facility, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness. There are no significant restrictions on the ability of the Guarantors to make distributions to the Parent/Issuer. Certain subsidiaries and operating divisions of the Company do not guarantee the 2023 or 2028 Notes and are referred to as the Non-Guarantors.

The Guarantors jointly and severally, and fully and unconditionally, guarantee the payment of the principal and premium, if any, and interest on the 2023 and 2028 Notes when due, whether at stated maturity of the 2023 and 2028 Notes, by acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, and all other obligations of the Company to the holders of the 2023 and 2028 Notes and to the trustee under the indenture governing the 2023 and 2028 Notes (the "Guarantee"). The Guarantees are senior unsecured obligations of each Guarantor and are of equal rank with all other existing and future senior indebtedness of the Guarantors.

The obligations of each Guarantor under its Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor and to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such Guarantor under the guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under Federal or state law.

The Guarantee of a Guarantor will be released:

(1) upon any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of that Guarantor (including by way of merger or consolidation), in accordance with the governing indentures, to any person other than the Company;

(2) if such Guarantor merges with and into the Company, with the Company surviving such merger;

(3) if the Guarantor is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary; or

(4) if the Company exercises its legal defeasance option or covenant defeasance option or the discharge of the Company's obligations under the indentures in accordance with the terms of the indentures.

The following tables present summarized financial information of the Parent/Issuer subsidiaries and the Guarantor subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions between subsidiaries under Parent/Issuer and subsidiaries under the Guarantor have been eliminated. The information presented below excludes eliminations necessary to arrive at the information on a consolidated basis. In presenting the summarized financial statements, the equity method of accounting has been applied to the Parent/Issuer's interests in the Guarantor Subsidiaries. The summarized information excludes financial information of the Non-Guarantors, including earnings from and investments in these entities.

40

Summarized Statements of Operations
(in thousands)	Nine Months Ended				Fiscal Year Ended
	June 27, 2020				September 28, 2019
	Parent/Issuer		Guarantors		Parent/Issuer		Guarantors
Net sales	$	622,610	$	1,288,951	$	764,991	$	1,496,962
Gross profit	$	144,963	$	419,114	$	172,075	$	495,968
Income (loss) from operations	$	7,836	$	155,629	$	(9,819)	$	162,725
Equity in earnings of Guarantor subsidiaries	$	120,159	$	—	$	127,439	$	—
Net income (loss)	$	(20,152)	$	120,159	$	(32,775)	$	127,439

Summarized Balance Sheet Information
(in thousands)	As of				As of
	June 27, 2020				September 28, 2019
	Parent/Issuer		Guarantors		Parent/Issuer		Guarantors
Current assets	$	761,853	$	632,834	$	732,597	$	523,670
Intercompany receivable from Non-guarantor subsidiaries	31,666		61,346		37,544		61,333
Other assets	1,990,988		1,488,968		$	1,833,445	$	1,397,277
Total assets	$	2,784,507	$	2,183,148	$	2,603,586	$	1,982,280
Current liabilities	$	142,785	$	209,882	$	102,242	$	164,574
Long-term debt	693,915		—		693,037		—
Other liabilities	947,697		97,715		867,268		62,656
Total liabilities	$	1,784,397	$	307,597	$	1,662,547	$	227,230

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

There have been no material changes to the information provided in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2019 regarding off-balance sheet arrangements.

Contractual Obligations

There have been no material changes outside the ordinary course of business in our contractual obligations set forth in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2019, except as set forth below.

In December 2019, performance-based criteria associated with the $6 million contingent consideration liability related to our fiscal 2017 acquisition of Segrest, Inc. were met and accordingly, the entire amount was released out of an independent escrow account to the former owners as of December 28, 2019.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Refer to Footnote 1 in the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements for new accounting pronouncements.

41

Critical Accounting Policies, Estimates and Judgments

There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies, estimates and assumptions or the judgments affecting the application of those accounting policies since our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2019.

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There has been no material change in our exposure to market risk from that discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2019.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Our Chief Executive Officer and principal financial officer have reviewed, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) that ensure that information relating to the Company required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported in a timely and proper manner and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based upon this review, such officers concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 27, 2020.

(b) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our principal financial officer have evaluated whether any change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the third quarter of fiscal 2020. We implemented controls and a new lease accounting system related to the adoption of ASC 842 and the related financial statement reporting. There were no other changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the third quarter of fiscal 2020 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

In 2012, Nite Glow Industries, Inc and its owner, Marni Markell, (“Nite Glow”) filed suit in the United States District Court for New Jersey against the Company alleging that the applicator developed and used by the Company for certain of its branded topical flea and tick products infringes a patent held by Nite Glow and asserted related claims for breach of contract and misappropriation of confidential information based on the terms of a Non-Disclosure Agreement.  On June 27, 2018, a jury returned a verdict in favor of Nite Glow on each of the three claims and awarded damages of approximately $12.6 million.  The court ruled on post-trial motions in early June 2020, reducing the judgment amount to $12.4 million and denying the plaintiff's request for attorneys' fees. The Company has filed its notice of appeal and the plaintiffs have cross-appealed. The Company intends to vigorously pursue its rights on appeal and believes that it will prevail on the merits. While the Company believes that the ultimate resolution of this matter will not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements, the outcome of litigation is inherently uncertain and the final resolution of this matter may result in expense to the Company in excess of management's expectations.

From time to time, we are involved in certain legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. Except as discussed above, we are not currently a party to any other legal proceedings that management believes would have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Except as set forth below, there have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in Item 1A to Part I of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2019.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted how we are operating our business, and the duration and extent to which this will impact our future results of operations and overall financial performance remains uncertain.

42

The outbreak of the COVID-19 virus in Wuhan, China in late 2019 and subsequent spread of the virus throughout the world has impacted our day-to-day operations and the operations of the vast majority of our customers, suppliers, and consumers. The World Health Organization’s March 2020 declaration of the COVID-19 outbreak as a global pandemic has resulted in authorities implementing numerous measures to contain the virus, including travel bans and restrictions, border closures, quarantines, shelter-in-place orders, and business limitations and shutdowns. COVID-19 has adversely affected and may continue to adversely affect how we and our customers are operating our businesses and overall demand for our products.

We have experienced varying impacts to our Garden and Pet businesses due to COVID-19. In March and April, we experienced increased demand in pet consumables due to consumers stocking up on products as the COVID-19 shelter-in-place mandates were implemented. We also saw reduced consumption on other items, such as live fish and live plants, due to in-store curtailments of foot traffic and limited access to outdoor garden departments. In May, state and county governments began phased reopenings of their local economies. Access to outdoor garden departments resulted in increased demand for our products in May and June. Additionally, as a result of shelter-in-place requirement periods, pet ownership significantly increased and we saw increased sales continue in May and June across our Pet segment portfolio. We also continued to see rapid increase in demand in the e-commerce channel.

Although our facilities have largely been exempt or partially exempt from government closure orders as essential businesses, to support the health and well-being of our employees, customers and communities, we are requiring a significant portion of our workforce to work remotely, and local and state governments in the United States and in the United Kingdom have imposed shelter-in-place requirements and certain travel restrictions, all of which have changed how we operate our business. For our employees who are not working remotely, we have taken several actions to ensure their safety, including instituting workplace safety measures and ensuring the availability of personal protective equipment. While we believe that such actions will help to ensure the safety of our employees, there is no guarantee that such actions will ultimately be successful.

We have experienced temporary closures of certain production facilities and distribution centers, though there has not been a material impact from a plant closure to date. At some of our facilities, we have experienced reduced productivity and increased employee absences, which we expect to continue during the current pandemic. The pandemic and near-term increase in demand for pet consumables have created operational challenges for our distribution network and impacted our ability to meet our normal fill rate standards. Our supply chain has been impacted by the rapid increase in demand and it is possible we will experience increased operational and logistics costs. We may experience additional disruptions in our supply chain as the pandemic continues, though we cannot reasonably estimate the potential impact or timing of those events, and we may not be able to mitigate such impact.

We anticipate many small customers may permanently close, and we may experience collection delinquencies as customers seek to preserve liquidity. Additionally, we have small company equity method investments, intangible assets and other long-lived assets whose value is dependent on cashflows. These investments and other assets could be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and, therefore, may be more susceptible to impairment. Our assessment of possible asset impairment involves numerous assumptions that involve significant judgment. As a result of the uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the shelter-in-place orders and the post COVID-19 economic recovery, these factors will be even more difficult to estimate. We recorded an impairment charge of $3.6 million in our third fiscal quarter and may be required to write off certain assets that could be material in future periods.

The duration and extent of the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic depends on future developments that cannot be accurately predicted at this time, such as the severity and transmission rate of the virus, the extent and effectiveness of containment actions and the impact of these and other factors on our employees, independent contractors and customers and consumers. If we are not able to respond to and manage the impact of such events effectively, our business will be harmed.

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The following table sets forth the repurchases of any equity securities during the fiscal quarter ended June 27, 2020 and the dollar amount of authorized share repurchases remaining under our stock repurchase program.

43

Period	Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased		Average Price Paid per Share (or Units)		Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs	Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (1)(2)
March 29, 2020 - May 2, 2020	194,160	(2) (3)	$	26.21	194,021	$	100,000,000
May 3, 2020 - May 30, 2020	20,851	(3)	$	32.63	—	$	100,000,000
May 31, 2020 - June 27, 2020	22,693	(3)	$	32.64	—	$	100,000,000
Total	237,704		$	27.38	194,021	$	100,000,000	(4)

(1)During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, our Board of Directors authorized a $100 million share repurchase program, (the "2019 Repurchase Authorization"). The 2019 Repurchase Authorization has no fixed expiration date and expires when the amount authorized has been used or the Board withdraws its authorization. The repurchase of shares may be limited by certain financial covenants in our credit facility that restrict our ability to repurchase our stock. As of June 27, 2020, we had $100 million of authorization remaining under our 2019 Repurchase Authorization.

(2)In February 2019, our Board of Directors authorized us to make supplemental stock purchases to minimize dilution resulting from issuances under our equity compensation plans (the "Equity Dilution Authorization"). In addition to our regular share repurchase program, we are permitted to purchase annually a number of shares equal to the number of shares of restricted stock and stock options granted in the prior fiscal year, to the extent not already repurchased, and the current fiscal year. The Equity Dilution Authorization has no fixed expiration date and expires when the Board withdraws its authorization.

(3)Shares purchased during the period indicated represent withholding of a portion of shares to cover taxes in connection with the vesting of restricted stock and do not reduce the dollar value of shares that may be purchased under our stock repurchase plan.

(4)Excludes 0.6 million shares remaining under our Equity Dilution Authorization as of June 27, 2020.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable

Item 5. Other Information

Not applicable

44

Item 6.	Exhibits
22	List of Guarantor Subsidiaries
31.1	Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2	Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1	Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
32.2	Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

45

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunder duly authorized.

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

Registrant

Dated: August 6, 2020

/s/ TIMOTHY P. COFER

Timothy P. Cofer

Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ NICHOLAS LAHANAS

Nicholas Lahanas

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

46

EX-22

Exhibit 22

LIST OF GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES

The following subsidiaries of Central Garden & Pet Company (the "Company") were, as of June 27, 2020, guarantors of the Company's $400 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% senior notes due November 2023, and the Company’s $300 million aggregate principal amount of 5.125% senior notes due February 2028.

NAME OF GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARY	JURISDICTION OF FORMATION
All-Glass Aquarium Co., Inc.	Wisconsin
B2E Biotech, LLC	Delaware
B2E Corporation	New York
Farnam Companies, Inc.	Arizona
Four Paws Products, Ltd.	New York
Gro Tec, Inc.	Georgia
Gulfstream Home & Garden, Inc.	Florida
Kaytee Products, Incorporated	Wisconsin
Matson, LLC	Washington
New England Pottery, LLC	Delaware
Pennington Seed, Inc.	Delaware
Pets International, Ltd.	Illinois
T.F.H. Publications, Inc.	Delaware
Wellmark International	California
IMS Southern, LLC	Utah
IMS Trading, LLC	Utah
Hydro-Organics Wholesale	California
Segrest, Inc.	Delaware
Blue Springs Hatchery, Inc.	Delaware
Segrest Farms, Inc.	Delaware
Florida Tropical Distributors International, Inc.	Delaware
Sun Pet, Ltd.	Delaware
Aquatica Tropicals, Inc.	Delaware
K&H Manufacturing, LLC	Delaware
Quality Pets, LLC	Utah
Midwest Tropicals LLC	Utah
Nexgen Turf Research, LLC	Oregon
B2E Microbials, LLC	Delaware
B2E Manufacturing, LLC	Delaware
Fourstar Microbial Products LLC	Delaware
Arden Companies, LLC	Michigan
C&S Products Co., Inc.	Iowa

EX-31.1

EXHIBIT 31.1

I, Timothy P. Cofer, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 27, 2020 of Central Garden & Pet Company;

2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a)designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d)disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. 

Date: August 6, 2020

/s/ TIMOTHY P. COFER

Timothy P. Cofer

Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

EX-31.2

EXHIBIT 31.2

I, Nicholas Lahanas, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 27, 2020 of Central Garden & Pet Company;

2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a)designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d)disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: August 6, 2020

/s/ Nicholas Lahanas

Nicholas Lahanas

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

EX-32.1

EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

In connection with the accompanying quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Central Garden & Pet Company for the quarter ended June 27, 2020 (the “Report”), I, Timothy P. Cofer, Chief Executive Officer of Central Garden & Pet Company, hereby certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1)such Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)the information contained in such Report presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Central Garden & Pet Company.

August 6, 2020

/s/ TIMOTHY P. COFER

Timothy P. Cofer

Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

EX-32.2

EXHIBIT 32.2

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

In connection with the accompanying quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Central Garden & Pet Company for the quarter ended June 27, 2020 (the “Report”), I, Nicholas Lahanas, Principal Financial Officer of Central Garden & Pet Company, hereby certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1)such Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)the information contained in such Report presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Central Garden & Pet Company.

August 6, 2020

/s/ NICHOLAS LAHANAS

Nicholas Lahanas

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

XML

Cover Page - shares	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2020	Jul. 31, 2020
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jun. 27, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-33268
Entity Registrant Name	CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	68-0275553
Entity Address, Address Line One	1340 Treat Blvd.
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 600
Entity Address, City or Town	Walnut Creek
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	94597
City Area Code	925
Local Phone Number	948-4000
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity Central Index Key	0000887733
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-26
Common Class
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock
Trading Symbol	CENT
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		11,300,810
Class A Common Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	Class A Common Stock
Trading Symbol	CENTA
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		41,748,750
Class B Stock
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,647,922

XML

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 27, 2020	Sep. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 495,339	$ 497,749	$ 445,632
Restricted cash	13,536	12,952	10,924
Short term investments	0	0	119
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $24,034, $15,875 and $21,128)	503,288	300,135	395,581
Inventories, net	425,919	466,197	464,917
Prepaid expenses and other	29,211	30,160	32,453
Total current assets	1,467,293	1,307,193	1,349,626
Plant, property and equipment, net	239,240	245,405	238,948
Goodwill	289,854	286,077	281,177
Other intangible assets, net	138,305	146,137	139,406
Operating lease right-of-use assets	99,111
Other assets	30,166	40,208	55,761
Total	2,263,969	2,025,020	2,064,918
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	178,728	149,246	137,668
Accrued expenses	174,776	129,166	141,029
Current lease liabilities	31,648
Current portion of long-term debt	98	113	116
Total current liabilities	385,250	278,525	278,813
Long-term debt	693,915	693,037	692,948
Long-term lease liabilities	71,458
Deferred income taxes and other long-term obligations	52,994	57,281	58,834
Equity:
Additional paid-in capital	563,371	575,380	589,849
Retained earnings	497,192	421,742	444,645
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(1,684)	(1,676)	(1,426)
Total Central Garden & Pet Company shareholders’ equity	1,059,425	996,007	1,033,645
Noncontrolling interest	927	170	678
Total equity	1,060,352	996,177	1,034,323
Total	2,263,969	2,025,020	2,064,918
Common Class
Equity:
Common stock	113	115	121
Total equity	113	115	121
Class A Common Stock
Equity:
Common stock	417	430	440
Total equity	417	430	440
Class B Stock
Equity:
Common stock	16	16	16
Total equity	$ 16	$ 16	$ 16

XML

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 27, 2020	Sep. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019
Accounts receivable allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 24,034	$ 21,128	$ 15,875
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01
Common Class
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)		$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	11,300,810	11,543,969	12,145,135
Class A Common Stock
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	41,747,928	42,968,493	44,081,467
Class B Stock
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	1,647,922	1,652,262	1,652,262

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2020	Jun. 29, 2019	Jun. 27, 2020	Jun. 29, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 833,483	$ 706,575	$ 2,019,540	$ 1,842,266
Cost of goods sold and occupancy	571,423	487,291	1,419,097	1,286,749
Gross profit	262,060	219,284	600,443	555,517
Selling, general and administrative expenses	157,420	150,413	427,633	414,312
Operating income	104,640	68,871	172,810	141,205
Interest expense	(11,829)	(10,676)	(33,223)	(31,930)
Interest income	358	2,178	3,779	6,970
Other income (expense)	(3,541)	180	(4,215)	488
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	89,628	60,553	139,151	116,733
Income tax expense	20,291	14,212	31,211	26,031
Income including noncontrolling interest	69,337	46,341	107,940	90,702
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	537	189	853	356
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$ 68,800	$ 46,152	$ 107,087	$ 90,346
Net income per share attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.29	$ 0.81	$ 1.97	$ 1.58
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.27	$ 0.80	$ 1.95	$ 1.56
Weighted average shares used in the computation of net income per share:
Basic (in shares)	53,441	57,319	54,261	57,021
Diluted (in shares)	54,168	57,985	54,984	57,937

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2020	Jun. 29, 2019	Jun. 27, 2020	Jun. 29, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Income including noncontrolling interest	$ 69,337	$ 46,341	$ 107,940	$ 90,702
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation	(39)	(146)	(8)	(208)
Total comprehensive income	69,298	46,195	107,932	90,494
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	537	189	853	356
Comprehensive income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$ 68,761	$ 46,006	$ 107,079	$ 90,138

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2020	Jun. 29, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 107,940	$ 90,702
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	39,598	37,311
Amortization of deferred financing costs	1,397	1,374
Non-cash lease expense	25,893
Stock-based compensation	14,042	10,444
Deferred income taxes	5,447	9,875
(Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment	(5)	58
Write-downs of investments	3,566	0
Other	3,666	(281)
Change in assets and liabilities (excluding businesses acquired):
Accounts receivable	(203,140)	(93,775)
Inventories	40,750	(3,850)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	1,007	(239)
Accounts payable	29,879	19,728
Accrued expenses	45,572	23,268
Other long-term obligations	117	(1,811)
Operating lease liabilities	(26,809)
Net cash provided by operating activities	88,920	92,804
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to plant, property and equipment	(26,796)	(20,888)
Payments to acquire companies, net of cash acquired	0	(41,158)
Investments	(4,439)	(1,758)
Other investing activities	(562)	(1,203)
Net cash used in investing activities	(31,797)	(65,007)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(88)	(46,162)
Borrowings under revolving line of credit	200,000	0
Repayments under revolving line of credit	(200,000)	0
Repurchase of common stock, including shares surrendered for tax withholding	(57,703)	(17,796)
Payment of contingent consideration liability	(154)	(104)
Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Noncontrolling Interest	(96)	(64)
Payment of financing costs	(948)	0
Net cash used by financing activities	(58,989)	(64,126)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	40	(120)
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(1,826)	(36,449)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	510,701	493,005
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	508,875	456,556
Supplemental information:
Cash paid for interest	35,330	34,277
Cash paid for income taxes	$ 15,714	$ 12,277

XML

Basis of Presentation

9 Months Ended

Jun. 27, 2020

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated balance sheets of Central Garden & Pet Company and subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Central”) as of June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019, the condensed consolidated statements of operations and the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019 have been prepared by the Company, without audit. In the opinion of management, the interim financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented.

For the Company’s foreign business in the UK, the local currency is the functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated using the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Income and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate for the period. Deferred taxes are not provided on translation gains and losses because the Company expects earnings of its foreign subsidiary to be permanently reinvested. Transaction gains and losses are included in results of operations.

Due to the seasonal nature of the Company’s garden business, the results of operations for the three and nine months ended June 27, 2020 are not indicative of the operating results that may be expected for the entire fiscal year. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual audited financial statements, accounting policies and financial notes thereto, included in the Company’s 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has previously been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The September 28, 2019 balance sheet presented herein was derived from the audited financial statements.

Noncontrolling Interest

Noncontrolling interest in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements represents the 20% interest not owned by Central in a consolidated subsidiary. Since the Company controls this subsidiary, its financial statements are consolidated with those of the Company, and the noncontrolling owner’s 20% share of the subsidiary’s net assets and results of operations is deducted and reported as noncontrolling interest on the consolidated balance sheets and as net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest in the consolidated statements of operations. See Note 9, Supplemental Equity Information, for additional information.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

The Company considers cash and all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at date of purchase to be cash and cash equivalents. Restricted cash includes cash and highly liquid instruments that are used as collateral for stand-alone letter of credit agreements related to normal business transactions. These agreements require the Company to maintain specified amounts of cash as collateral in segregated accounts to support the letters of credit issued thereunder, which will affect the amount of cash the Company has available for other uses. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the condensed consolidated balance sheets to the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows as of June 27, 2020, June 29, 2019 and September 28, 2019, respectively (in thousands).

	June 27, 2020		June 29, 2019		September 28, 2019
Cash and cash equivalents	$	495,339	$	445,632	$	497,749
Restricted cash	13,536		10,924		12,952
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	508,875	$	456,556	$	510,701

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Trade accounts receivable are regularly evaluated for collectability based on past credit history with customers, their current financial condition and their expected deductions.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition and Nature of Products and Services

The Company manufactures, markets and distributes a wide variety of branded, private label and third-party pet and garden products to wholesalers, distributors and retailers, primarily in the United States. The majority of the Company’s revenue is generated from the sale of finished pet and garden products. The Company also recognizes a minor amount of non-product revenue (less than one percent of consolidated net sales) comprising third-party logistics services, merchandising services and royalty income from sales-based licensing

arrangements. Product and non-product revenue is recognized when performance obligations under the terms of the contracts with customers are satisfied. The Company recognizes product revenue when control over the finished goods transfers to its customers, which generally occurs upon shipment to, or receipt at, customers’ locations, as determined by the specific terms of the contract. These revenue arrangements generally have single performance obligations. Non-product revenue is recognized as the services are provided to the customer in the case of third-party logistics services and merchandising services, or as third-party licensee sales occur for royalty income. Revenue, which includes shipping and handling charges billed to the customer, is reported net of variable consideration and consideration payable to our customers, including applicable discounts, returns, allowances, trade promotion, unsaleable product, consumer coupon redemption and rebates. Shipping and handling costs that occur before the customer obtains control of the goods are deemed to be fulfillment activities and are accounted for as fulfillment costs.

Key sales terms are established on a frequent basis such that most customer arrangements and related incentives have a one year or shorter duration. As such, the Company does not capitalize contract inception costs. Product fulfillment costs are capitalized as a part of inventoriable costs in accordance with our inventory policies. The Company generally does not have unbilled receivables at the end of a period. Deferred revenues are not material and primarily include advance payments for services that have yet to be rendered. The Company does not receive noncash consideration for the sale of goods. Amounts billed and due from our customers are classified as receivables and require payment on a short-term basis; therefore, the Company does not have any significant financing components.

Sales Incentives and Other Promotional Programs

The Company routinely offers sales incentives and discounts through various regional and national programs to our customers and consumers. These programs include product discounts or allowances, product rebates, product returns, one-time or ongoing trade-promotion programs with customers and consumer coupon programs that require the Company to estimate and accrue the expected costs of such programs. The costs associated with these activities are accounted for as reductions to the transaction price of the Company’s products and are, therefore, recorded as reductions to gross sales at the time of sale. The Company bases its estimates of incentive costs on historical trend experience with similar programs, actual incentive terms per customer contractual obligations and expected levels of performance of trade promotions, utilizing customer and sales organization inputs. The Company maintains liabilities at the end of each period for the estimated incentive costs incurred but unpaid for these programs. Differences between estimated and actual incentive costs are generally not material and are recognized in earnings in the period such differences are determined. Reserves for product returns, accrued rebates and promotional accruals are included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as part of accrued expenses, and the value of inventory associated with reserves for sales returns is included within prepaid expenses and other current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Leases

Effective September 29, 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification 842, Leases ("ASC 842"). Under this guidance, the Company determines whether an arrangement contains a lease at inception by determining if the contract conveys the right to control the use of identified property, plant or equipment for a period of time in exchange for consideration and other facts and circumstances. On September 29, 2019, the Company began to record operating leases on its condensed consolidated balance sheet. As of December 28, 2019, long-term operating lease right-of-use ("ROU") assets and current and long-term operating lease liabilities were presented separately in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Finance lease ROU assets continue to be presented in property, plant and equipment, net, and the related finance liabilities have been presented with current and long-term debt in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Lease ROU assets represent the Company's right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent the Company's obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets are calculated based on the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments paid to the lessor at or before the commencement date and excludes any lease incentives received from the lessor. Lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term. The lease term may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. As the Company's leases typically do not contain a readily determinable implicit rate, the Company determines the present value of the lease liability using its incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date based on the lease term on a collateralized basis. Variable lease payments are expensed as incurred and include certain non-lease components, such as maintenance and other services provided by the lessor, and other charges included in the lease, as applicable. Non-lease components and the lease components to which they relate are accounted for as a single lease component, as the Company has elected to combine lease and non-lease components for all classes of underlying assets.

Amortization of ROU lease assets is calculated on a straight-line basis over the lease term with the expense recorded in cost of sales or selling, general and administrative expenses, depending on the nature of the leased item. Interest expense is recorded over the lease term and is recorded in interest expense (based on a front-loaded interest expense pattern) for finance leases and is recorded in cost of sales or selling, general and administrative expenses (on a straight-line basis) for operating leases. All operating lease cash payments and interest on finance leases are recorded within cash flows from operating activities and all finance lease principal payments are recorded within cash flows from financing activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 (ASU 2016-02), Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2016-02 requires companies to recognize on the balance sheet operating and financing lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use assets and disclose key information about leasing information. Topic 842 was subsequently amended by ASU 2018-01, Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842; ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases; and ASU 2018-11, Targeted Improvements. The new standard establishes a right-of-use model (ROU) that requires a lessee to recognize a ROU asset and lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with a term longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern and classification of expense recognition in the statement of operations.

The Company adopted the new standard in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, on a modified retrospective basis using the optional transition method, and accordingly, has not restated comparative periods. Fiscal year 2019 balances and related disclosures supporting those comparative period balances continue to be presented under ASC 840, "Leases." The new standard provides a number of optional practical expedients in transition. The Company elected the 'package of practical expedients,' which permit it to not reassess under the new standard its prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. The Company elected not to recognize ROU assets and lease liabilities for short-term operating leases with terms of 12 months or less. The Company did not elect the use-of-hindsight or the practical expedient pertaining to land easements, the latter not being applicable. Upon adoption, the Company recorded operating lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities of approximately $111 million and $115 million, respectively, in the condensed consolidated balance sheet, which included the reclassifications of amounts presented in comparative periods as deferred rent as a reduction of the ROU assets. The Company did not record an adjustment to beginning retained earnings associated with the adoption of this standard. See Note 7. Leases for more information.

Guarantor Financial Information

In March 2020, the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) amended Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X regarding financial disclosure requirements for registered debt offerings involving subsidiaries as either issuers or guarantors and affiliates whose securities are pledged as collateral. This new guidance narrows the circumstances that require separate financial statements of subsidiary issuers and guarantors and streamlines the alternative disclosures required in lieu of those statements. The guidance is effective for filings on or after January 4, 2021, with early adoption permitted. The Company early adopted these amendments for the quarter ended June 27, 2020, which included replacing guarantor condensed consolidating financial information with summarized financial information for the Parent Issuer subsidiaries and Guarantor subsidiaries, as well as no longer requiring guarantor cash flow information, financial information for non-guarantor subsidiaries, and a reconciliation to the consolidated results. Accordingly, summarized financial information has been presented for the Parent/Issuer subsidiaries and Guarantors on our senior notes for the most recent fiscal year and the year-to-date interim period, and the location of the required disclosures has been removed from the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and moved to Part 1. Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

Credit Losses

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), which changes the impairment model for most financial assets to require measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held. The guidance is effective for annual periods or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, or the Company's first quarter of fiscal 2021. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2016-13 will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The new guidance simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by removing the second step of the two-step impairment test. The amendment requires an entity to perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. The new guidance is effective for annual periods or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, or the Company's first quarter of fiscal 2021. The amendment should be applied on a prospective basis. Based on the Company's most recent annual goodwill impairment test performed as of July 1, 2019, there were no reporting units for which the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeded its fair value; therefore, this ASU would not currently have an impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. However, if upon adoption the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company would be impacted by the amount of impairment recognized.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40), Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract. This ASU aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). ASU 2018-15 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted, and is effective for the Company in fiscal 2021. The amendments in this ASU should be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2018-15 will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Fair Value Disclosures

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. This ASU modifies the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by removing, modifying or adding certain disclosures. ASU 2018-13 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted and is effective for the Company in fiscal 2021. The amendments on changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty should be applied prospectively for only the most recent interim or annual period presented in the initial fiscal year of adoption. All other amendments should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented upon their effective date. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2018-13 will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Accounting for Income Taxes

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740), Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which eliminates certain exceptions related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating taxes during the quarters and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. This guidance also simplifies aspects of the accounting for franchise taxes, enacts changes in tax laws or rates and clarifies the accounting for transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill. ASU 2019-12 is effective for the Company in its first quarter of fiscal 2022 and would require the Company to recognize a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings, if applicable. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that ASU 2019-12 may have on its consolidated financial statements.

XML

Fair Value Measurements

9 Months Ended

Jun. 27, 2020

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

ASC 820 establishes a single authoritative definition of fair value, a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure of fair value measurements. ASC 820 requires financial assets and liabilities to be categorized based on the inputs used to calculate their fair values as follows:

Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (including assumptions about risk).

The Company’s financial instruments include cash and equivalents, short term investments consisting of bank certificates of deposit, accounts receivable and payable, derivative instruments, short-term borrowings, and accrued liabilities. The carrying amount of these instruments approximates fair value because of their short-term nature.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following table presents the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis based upon the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall, as of June 27, 2020 (in thousands): 

	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Liabilities:
Liability for contingent consideration (a)	$	—	$	—	$	1,246	$	1,246
Total liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	1,246	$	1,246

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 June 29, 2019 (in thousands): 

	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Short term investments (b)	$	119	$	—	$	—	$	119
Total assets	$	119	$	—	$	—	$	119
Liabilities:
Liability for contingent consideration (a)	$	—	$	—	$	7,824	$	7,824
Total liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	7,824	$	7,824

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 28, 2019 (in thousands): 

	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Liabilities:
Liability for contingent consideration (a)	$	—	$	—	$	7,369	$	7,369
Total liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	7,369	$	7,369

(a)The liability for contingent consideration relates to an earn-out for B2E, acquired in December 2012, future performance-based contingent payments for Hydro-Organics Wholesale, Inc., acquired in October 2015 and future performance-based contingent payments for Segrest, Inc., acquired in October 2016. In December 2019, performance-based criteria associated with the $6 million contingent consideration liability related to Segrest, Inc. were met and accordingly, the entire amount was released out of an independent escrow account to the former owners as of December 28, 2019. The fair value of the estimated contingent consideration arrangement is determined based on the Company’s evaluation as to the probability and amount of any earn-out that will be achieved based on expected future performance by the acquired entity. This is presented as part of long-term liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

(b) The fair value of short-term investments are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.

The following table provides a summary of the changes in fair value of the Company's Level 3 financial instruments for the periods ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019 (in thousands):

	Amount
Balance September 28, 2019	$	7,369
Estimated contingent performance-based consideration established at the time of acquisition	—
Changes in the fair value of contingent performance-based payments established at the time of acquisition	31
Performance-based payments	(6,154)
Balance June 27, 2020	$	1,246
	Amount
Balance September 29, 2018	$	8,224
Estimated contingent performance-based consideration established at the time of acquisition	—
Changes in the fair value of contingent performance-based payments established at the time of acquisition	(296)
Performance-based payments	(104)
Balance June 29, 2019	$	7,824

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis

The Company measures certain non-financial assets and liabilities, including long-lived assets, goodwill and intangible assets, at fair value on a non-recurring basis. Fair value measurements of non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities are used primarily in the impairment analyses of long-lived assets, goodwill and other intangible assets. During the periods ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019, the Company was not required to measure any significant non-financial assets and liabilities at fair value.

Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments

In December 2017, the Company issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 5.125% senior notes due February 2028 (the "2028 Notes"). The estimated fair value of the Company's 2028 Notes as of June 27, 2020, June 29, 2019 and September 28, 2019 was $310.9 million, $295.0 million and $307.1 million, respectively, compared to a carrying value of $296.5 million, $296 million and $296.1 million, respectively.

In November 2015, the Company issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% senior notes due November 2023 (the “2023 Notes”). The estimated fair value of the Company’s 2023 Notes as of June 27, 2020, June 29, 2019 and September 28, 2019 was $409.5 million, $415.8 million and $414.6 million, respectively, compared to a carrying value of $397.3 million, $396.5 million and $396.7 million, respectively.

XML

Acquisitions

9 Months Ended

Jun. 27, 2020

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Acquisitions

Acquisitions

C&S Products

In May 2019, the Company purchased C&S Products, a manufacturer of suet and other wild bird feed products, to complement our existing wild bird feed business for approximately $30.0 million. Subsequent to the acquisition, approximately $4.7 million of cash was used to eliminate the acquired long-term debt. The financial results of C&S Products have been included in the results of operations within the Pet segment since the date of acquisition. The following table summarizes the purchase price and recording of fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date and subsequent adjustments.

In thousands	Amounts Previously Recognized as of Acquisition Date (1)		Measurement Period Adjustments		Amounts Recognized as of Acquisition Date (as Adjusted)
Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	$	9,794	$	441	$	10,235
Fixed assets	23,743		(3,786)		19,957
Goodwill	—		3,777		3,777
Other assets	5,081		(3,242)		1,839
Other intangible assets, net	—		2,810		2,810
Current liabilities	(2,137)		—		(2,137)
Long-term obligations	(6,457)		$	—	(6,457)
Net assets acquired, less cash and cash equivalents	$	30,024	$	—	$	30,024

(1) As previously reported in the Company's Form 10-K for the period ended September 28, 2019.

The impact to the consolidated statement of operations associated with the finalization of purchase accounting and true-up of intangible assets for C&S Products during the quarter ended December 28, 2019 was immaterial.

XML

Inventories, net

9 Months Ended

Jun. 27, 2020

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Inventories, net

Inventories, net

Inventories, net of allowance for obsolescence, consist of the following (in thousands):

	June 27, 2020		June 29, 2019		September 28, 2019
Raw materials	$	151,412	$	138,073	$	145,331
Work in progress	42,185		36,355		51,154
Finished goods	218,542		275,286		255,870
Supplies	13,780		15,203		13,842
Total inventories, net	$	425,919	$	464,917	$	466,197

XML

Goodwill	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	GoodwillThe Company tests goodwill for impairment annually (as of the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter), or whenever events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount, by first assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If it is determined that it is more likely than not the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, it is unnecessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the two-step test is performed to identify potential goodwill impairment. Based on certain circumstances, the Company may elect to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to performing the first step of the two-step goodwill impairment test, which compares the fair value of the Company’s reporting units to their related carrying values, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the Company performs an additional step to determine the implied fair value of goodwill associated with that reporting unit. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by first allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities and then computing the excess of the reporting unit’s fair value over the amounts assigned to the assets and liabilities. If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill, such excess represents the amount of goodwill impairment, and accordingly, the Company recognizes such impairment. The Company’s goodwill impairment analysis also includes a comparison of the aggregate estimated fair value of its two reporting units to the Company’s total market capitalization. No impairment of goodwill was recorded for the three and nine months ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019. The Company recorded approximately $3.8 million of goodwill in its Pet segment during the three months ended December 28, 2019 as part of its finalization of the purchase price allocation of C&S Products.

XML

Other Intangible Assets

9 Months Ended

Jun. 27, 2020

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Other Intangible Assets

Other Intangible Assets

The following table summarizes the components of gross and net acquired intangible assets:

	Gross		Accumulated Amortization		Accumulated Impairment		Net Carrying Value
	(in millions)
June 27, 2020
Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable	$	20.6	$	(17.3)	$	—	$	3.3
Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable	70.6		—		(26.0)		44.6
Total	91.2		(17.3)		(26.0)		47.9
Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable	140.3		(61.4)		(2.5)		76.3
Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable	26.0		(17.8)		—		8.2
Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable	7.1		—		(1.2)		5.9
Total	33.0		(17.8)		(1.2)		14.1
Total other intangible assets	$	264.6	$	(96.5)	$	(29.7)	$	138.3
	Gross		Accumulated Amortization		Accumulated Impairment		Net Carrying Value
	(in millions)
June 29, 2019
Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable	$	18.6	$	(15.7)	$	—	$	2.9
Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable	70.6		—		(26.0)		44.6
Total	89.2		(15.7)		(26.0)		47.5
Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable	128.3		(50.0)		(2.5)		75.8
Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable	26.0		(15.9)		—		10.1
Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable	7.2		—		(1.2)		6.0
Total	33.2		(15.9)		(1.2)		16.1
Total other intangible assets	$	250.7	$	(81.6)	$	(29.7)	$	139.4
	Gross		Accumulated Amortization		Accumulated Impairment		Net Carrying Value
	(in millions)
September 28, 2019
Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable	$	19.7	$	(16.3)	$	—	$	3.4
Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable	70.6		—		(26.0)		44.6
Total	90.3		(16.3)		(26.0)		48.0
Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable	138.4		(53.3)		(2.5)		82.6
Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable	26.0		(16.4)		—		9.6
Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable	7.1		—		(1.2)		5.9
Total	33.1		(16.4)		(1.2)		15.5
Total other intangible assets	$	261.8	$	(86.0)	$	(29.7)	$	146.1

Other acquired intangible assets include contract-based and technology-based intangible assets.

As part of its acquisition of C&S Products in the third quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company acquired approximately $0.9 million of amortizable marketing-related intangible assets and approximately $1.9 million of customer-related intangible assets.

The Company evaluates long-lived assets, including amortizable and indefinite-lived intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company evaluates indefinite-lived intangible assets on an annual basis. Factors indicating the carrying value of the Company’s amortizable intangible assets may not be recoverable were not present in the three or nine months ended June 27, 2020, and accordingly, no impairment testing was performed on these assets. As a result of one of our retail customers exiting the live fish business, factors indicating the carrying value of certain amortizable intangible assets may not be recoverable were present during the quarter ended March 30, 2019. The Company performed impairment testing on these assets, found the carrying value was not recoverable and accordingly, recorded an impairment charge in its Pet segment of approximately $2.5 million as part of selling, general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the nine-month period ended June 29, 2019.

The Company amortizes its acquired intangible assets with definite lives over periods ranging from 3 years to 25 years; over weighted average remaining lives of 4 years for marketing-related intangibles, 9 years for customer-related intangibles and 10 years for other acquired intangibles. Amortization expense for intangibles subject to amortization was approximately $3.4 million and $3.4 million for the three months ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019, respectively, and $10.6 million and $10.3 million for the nine months ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019, respectively, and is classified within selling, general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Estimated annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets in each of the succeeding five years is estimated to be approximately $12 million per year from fiscal 2020 through fiscal 2024 and thereafter.

.

XML

Leases

9 Months Ended

Jun. 27, 2020

Leases [Abstract]

Leases

Leases

The Company has operating and finance leases for manufacturing and distribution facilities, vehicles, equipment and office space. The Company's leases have remaining lease terms of one to 10 years, inclusive of renewal or termination options that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise. The Company does not include significant restrictions or covenants in its lease agreements, and residual value guarantees are not included within its operating leases. Some of the Company's leasing arrangements require variable payments that are dependent on usage or output or may vary for other reasons, such as product costs, insurance and tax payments. These variable payments are not included in the Company's recorded lease assets and liabilities and are expensed as incurred. Certain leases are tied to a variable index or rate and are included in lease assets and liabilities based on the indices or rates as of lease commencement. See Note 1. Basis of Presentation, Leases, for more information about the Company's lease accounting policies.

Supplemental balance sheet information related to the Company's leases was as follows:

	Balance Sheet Classification	As of June 27, 2020 (in millions)
Operating leases
Right-of-use assets	Operating lease right-of-use assets	$	99.1
Current lease liabilities	Current operating lease liabilities	$	31.6
Non-current lease liabilities	Long-term operating lease liabilities	71.5
Total operating lease liabilities		$	103.1
Finance leases
Right-of-use assets	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	0.3
Current lease liabilities	Current portion of long-term debt	$	0.1
Non-current lease liabilities	Long-term debt	0.1
Total finance lease liabilities		$	0.2

Components of lease cost were as follows:

	Three months ended June 27, 2020 (in millions)		Nine Months Ended June 27, 2020 (in millions)
Operating lease cost	$	9.7	$	29.0
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	$	—	$	0.1
Interest on lease liabilities	—		—
Total finance lease cost	$	—	$	0.1
Short-term lease cost	$	1.0	$	2.7
Variable lease cost	$	1.6	$	5.1
Total lease cost	$	12.3	$	36.9

Supplemental cash flow information and non-cash activity related to the Company's leases was as follows:

	Nine Months Ended June 27, 2020 (in millions)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	26.8
Operating cash flows from finance leases	$	—
Financing cash flows from finance leases	$	0.1
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases	$	13.7
Finance leases	$	—

Weighted-average remaining lease term and discount rate for the Company's leases were as follows:

	As of June 27, 2020
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years):
Operating leases	4.8
Finance leases	2.2
Weighted-average discount rate:
Operating leases	3.84	%
Finance leases	4.84	%

Future non-cancelable lease payments under prior lease accounting rules (ASC 840) and under the new lease accounting rules (ASC 842) that went into effect September 29, 2019 were as follows (in millions):

	As of June 27, 2020				As of September 28, 2019
	ASC 842				ASC 840
	Operating Leases		Finance Leases		Operating Leases
Fiscal Year
2020 (excluding the nine months ended June 27, 2020)	$	9.6	$	—
2020					$	38.0
2021	32.4		0.1		29.3
2022	25.1		0.1		21.8
2023	14.7		—		11.3
2024	10.0		—		7.9
Thereafter	21.9		—		20.7
Total future undiscounted lease payments	$	113.7	$	0.2	$	129.0
Less imputed interest	(10.6)		—
Total reported lease liability	$	103.1	$	0.2

Leases

Leases

The Company has operating and finance leases for manufacturing and distribution facilities, vehicles, equipment and office space. The Company's leases have remaining lease terms of one to 10 years, inclusive of renewal or termination options that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise. The Company does not include significant restrictions or covenants in its lease agreements, and residual value guarantees are not included within its operating leases. Some of the Company's leasing arrangements require variable payments that are dependent on usage or output or may vary for other reasons, such as product costs, insurance and tax payments. These variable payments are not included in the Company's recorded lease assets and liabilities and are expensed as incurred. Certain leases are tied to a variable index or rate and are included in lease assets and liabilities based on the indices or rates as of lease commencement. See Note 1. Basis of Presentation, Leases, for more information about the Company's lease accounting policies.

Supplemental balance sheet information related to the Company's leases was as follows:

	Balance Sheet Classification	As of June 27, 2020 (in millions)
Operating leases
Right-of-use assets	Operating lease right-of-use assets	$	99.1
Current lease liabilities	Current operating lease liabilities	$	31.6
Non-current lease liabilities	Long-term operating lease liabilities	71.5
Total operating lease liabilities		$	103.1
Finance leases
Right-of-use assets	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	0.3
Current lease liabilities	Current portion of long-term debt	$	0.1
Non-current lease liabilities	Long-term debt	0.1
Total finance lease liabilities		$	0.2

Components of lease cost were as follows:

	Three months ended June 27, 2020 (in millions)		Nine Months Ended June 27, 2020 (in millions)
Operating lease cost	$	9.7	$	29.0
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	$	—	$	0.1
Interest on lease liabilities	—		—
Total finance lease cost	$	—	$	0.1
Short-term lease cost	$	1.0	$	2.7
Variable lease cost	$	1.6	$	5.1
Total lease cost	$	12.3	$	36.9

Supplemental cash flow information and non-cash activity related to the Company's leases was as follows:

	Nine Months Ended June 27, 2020 (in millions)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	26.8
Operating cash flows from finance leases	$	—
Financing cash flows from finance leases	$	0.1
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases	$	13.7
Finance leases	$	—

Weighted-average remaining lease term and discount rate for the Company's leases were as follows:

	As of June 27, 2020
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years):
Operating leases	4.8
Finance leases	2.2
Weighted-average discount rate:
Operating leases	3.84	%
Finance leases	4.84	%

Future non-cancelable lease payments under prior lease accounting rules (ASC 840) and under the new lease accounting rules (ASC 842) that went into effect September 29, 2019 were as follows (in millions):

	As of June 27, 2020				As of September 28, 2019
	ASC 842				ASC 840
	Operating Leases		Finance Leases		Operating Leases
Fiscal Year
2020 (excluding the nine months ended June 27, 2020)	$	9.6	$	—
2020					$	38.0
2021	32.4		0.1		29.3
2022	25.1		0.1		21.8
2023	14.7		—		11.3
2024	10.0		—		7.9
Thereafter	21.9		—		20.7
Total future undiscounted lease payments	$	113.7	$	0.2	$	129.0
Less imputed interest	(10.6)		—
Total reported lease liability	$	103.1	$	0.2

XML

Long-Term Debt

9 Months Ended

Jun. 27, 2020

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following:

	June 27, 2020		June 29, 2019		September 28, 2019
	(in thousands)
Senior notes, interest at 6.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due November 2023	$	400,000	$	400,000	$	400,000
Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028	300,000		300,000		300,000
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(6,207)		(7,475)		(7,158)
Net carrying value	693,793		692,525		692,842
Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.00% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.0% to 0.50%, final maturity September 2024.	—		—		—
Other notes payable	220		539		308
Total	694,013		693,064		693,150
Less current portion	(98)		(116)		(113)
Long-term portion	$	693,915	$	692,948	$	693,037

Senior Notes

$300 million 5.125% Senior Notes

On December 14, 2017, the Company issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 5.125% senior notes due February 2028 (the "2028 Notes"). The Company will use the net proceeds from the offering to finance future acquisitions and for general corporate purposes.

The Company incurred approximately $4.8 million of debt issuance costs in conjunction with this transaction, which included underwriter fees and legal, accounting and rating agency expenses. The debt issuance costs are being amortized over the term of the 2028 Notes.

The 2028 Notes require semiannual interest payments on February 1 and August 1. The 2028 Notes are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis by the Company's existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries who are borrowers under or guarantors of Central's senior secured revolving credit facility, or who guarantee the 2023 Notes.

The Company may redeem some or all of the 2028 Notes at any time, at its option, prior to January 1, 2023 at the principal amount plus a “make whole” premium. At any time prior to January 1, 2021, the Company may also redeem, at its option, up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of the notes with the proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price of 105.125% of the principal amount of the notes. The Company may redeem some or all of the 2028 Notes, at its option, at any time on or after January 1, 2023 for 102.563%, on or after January 1, 2024 for 101.708%, on or after January 1, 2025 for 100.854%, and on or after January 1, 2026 for 100.0%, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

The holders of the 2028 Notes have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of the 2028 Notes at a purchase price equal to 101.0% of the principal amount of the notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest upon the occurrence of a change of control.

The 2028 Notes contain customary high yield covenants, including covenants limiting debt incurrence and restricted payments, subject to certain baskets and exceptions. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants as of June 27, 2020.

$400 million 6.125% Senior Notes

On November 9, 2015, the Company issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% senior notes due November 2023 (the "2023 Notes"). In December 2015, the Company used the net proceeds from the offering, together with available cash, to redeem its $400 million aggregate principal amount of 8.25% senior subordinated notes due March 1, 2018 ("2018 Notes") at a price of 102.063% of the principal amount and to pay fees and expenses related to the offering. The 2023 Notes are unsecured senior obligations and are subordinated to all of the Company’s existing and future secured debt, including the Company’s Credit Facility, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness.

The Company incurred approximately $6.3 million of debt issuance costs in conjunction with these transactions, which included underwriter fees and legal, accounting and rating agency expenses. The debt issuance costs are being amortized over the term of the 2023 Notes.

The 2023 Notes require semiannual interest payments on May 15 and November 15. The 2023 Notes are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis by each of the Company’s existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries which are borrowers under or guarantors of Central’s senior secured revolving credit facility. The 2023 Notes are unsecured senior obligations and are subordinated to all of the Company’s existing and future secured debt, including the Company’s Credit Facility, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness.

The Company may redeem some or all of the 2023 Notes at any time, at its option, at any time on or after November 15, 2019 for 103.063%, on or after November 15, 2020 for 101.531% and on or after November 15, 2021 for 100%, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

The holders of the 2023 Notes have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of the 2023 Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest upon the occurrence of a change of control.

The 2023 Notes contain customary high yield covenants, including covenants limiting debt incurrence and restricted payments, subject to certain baskets and exceptions. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants as of June 27, 2020.

Asset-Based Loan Facility Amendment

On September 27, 2019, the Company entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (“Amended Credit Agreement”). The Amended Credit Agreement amended and restated the previous credit agreement dated April 22, 2016 and continues to provide up to a $400.0 million principal amount senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility, with up to an additional $200.0 million principal amount available with the consent of the Lenders, as defined, if the Company exercises the accordion feature set forth therein (collectively, the “Amended Credit Facility”). The Amended Credit Facility matures on September 27, 2024. The Company may borrow, repay and reborrow amounts under the Amended Credit Facility until its maturity date, at which time all amounts outstanding under the Amended Credit Facility must be repaid in full.

The Amended Credit Facility is subject to a borrowing base, reduced capacity due to reserves and certain other restrictions. The borrowing base is calculated using a formula initially based upon eligible receivables and inventory minus certain reserves, and was $400.0 million as of June 27, 2020. The Amended Credit Facility also allows the Company to add real property to the borrowing base so long as the real property is subject to a first priority lien in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders. The Company did not draw down any commitments under the Amended Credit Facility upon closing. Proceeds of the Amended Credit Facility will be used for general corporate purposes. The Amended Credit Facility includes a $50 million sublimit for the issuance of standby letters of credit and an increased $40 million sublimit for short-notice borrowings. As of June 27, 2020, there were no borrowings outstanding and no letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Facility. There were other letters of credit of $3.2 million outstanding as of June 27, 2020.

Borrowings under the Amended Credit Facility will bear interest at an index based on LIBOR or, at the option of the Company, the Base Rate (defined as the highest of (a) the SunTrust prime rate, (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, (c) one-month LIBOR plus 1.00%), plus, in either case, an applicable margin based on the Company’s consolidated senior leverage ratio and (d) 0.00%. Such applicable margin for LIBOR-based borrowings fluctuates between 1.00%-1.50%, and was 1.00% as of June 27, 2020, and such applicable margin for Base Rate borrowings fluctuates between 0.00%-0.50%, and was 0% as of June 27, 2020. An unused line fee shall be payable monthly in respect of the total amount of the unutilized Lenders’ commitments and short-notice borrowings under the Amended Credit Facility. Letter of credit fees at the applicable margin on the average undrawn and unreimbursed amount of letters of credit shall be payable monthly and a facing fee of 0.125% shall be paid on demand for the stated amount of each letter of credit. The Company is also required to pay certain fees to the administrative agent under the Amended Credit Facility. As of June 27, 2020, the applicable interest rate related to Base Rate borrowings was 3.3%, and the applicable interest rate related to LIBOR-based borrowings was 1.2%.

The Company incurred approximately $1.6 million of debt issuance costs in conjunction with this transaction, which included underwriter fees and legal expenses. The debt issuance costs are being amortized over the term of the Amended Credit Facility.

The Amended Credit Facility continues to contain customary covenants, including financial covenants which require the Company to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.00:1.00 upon triggered quarterly testing (e.g. when availability falls below certain thresholds established in the agreement), reporting requirements and events of default. The Amended Credit Facility is secured by substantially all assets of the borrowing parties, including (i) pledges of 100% of the stock or other equity interest of each domestic subsidiary that is directly owned by such entity and (ii) 65% of the stock or other equity interest of each foreign subsidiary that is directly owned by such entity. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants under the Amended Credit Facility during the period ended June 27, 2020.

XML

Supplemental Equity Information

9 Months Ended

Jun. 27, 2020

Equity [Abstract]

Supplemental Equity Information

Supplemental Equity Information

The following table provides a summary of the changes in the carrying amounts of equity attributable to controlling interest and noncontrolling interest through the nine months ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019.

	Controlling Interest
(in thousands)	Common Stock		Class A Common Stock		Class B Stock		Additional Paid In Capital		Retained Earnings		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		Total		Noncontrolling Interest		Total
Balance September 28, 2019	$	115	$	430	$	16	$	575,380	$	421,742	$	(1,676)	$	996,007	$	170	$	996,177
Comprehensive income	—		—		—		—		(4,417)		436		(3,981)		(122)		(4,103)
Amortization of share-based awards	—		—		—		2,804		—		—		2,804		—		2,804
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement	—		—		—		(318)		—		—		(318)		—		(318)
Repurchase of stock	—		(8)		—		(8,488)		(13,632)		—		(22,128)		—		(22,128)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options	—		1		—		739		—		—		740		—		740
Balance December 28, 2019	$	115	$	423	$	16	$	570,117	$	403,693	$	(1,240)	$	973,124	$	48	$	973,172
Comprehensive income	—		—		—		—		42,704		(405)		42,299		438		42,737
Amortization of share-based awards	—		—		—		2,923		—		—		2,923		—		2,923
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement	—		3		—		(807)		—		—		(804)		—		(804)
Repurchase of stock	(2)		(8)		—		(10,121)		(14,911)		—		(25,042)		—		(25,042)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options	—		—		—		513		—		—		513		—		513
Distribution to Noncontrolling interest	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		(57)		(57)
Balance March 28, 2020	$	113	$	418	$	16	$	562,625	$	431,486	$	(1,645)	$	993,013	$	429	$	993,442
Comprehensive income	—		—		—		—		68,800		(39)		68,761		537		69,298
Amortization of share-based awards	—		—		—		3,754		—		—		3,754		—		3,754
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement	—		—		—		(1,425)		—		—		(1,425)		—		(1,425)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options	—		1		—		405		—		—		406		—		406
Repurchase of common stock	—		(2)		—		(1,988)		(3,094)		—		(5,084)		—		(5,084)
Distribution to Noncontrolling interest	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		(39)		(39)
Other	—		—		—		—		—		—		—				—
Balance June 27, 2020	$	113	$	417	$	16	$	563,371	$	497,192	$	(1,684)	$	1,059,425	$	927	$	1,060,352

	Controlling Interest
(in thousands)	Common Stock		Class A Common Stock		Class B Stock		Additional Paid In Capital		Retained Earnings		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		Total		Noncontrolling Interest		Total
Balance September 29, 2018	$	121	$	439	$	16	$	590,168	$	362,923	$	(1,218)	$	952,449	$	385	$	952,834
Comprehensive income	—		—		—		—		1,803		(274)		1,529		(164)		1,365
Amortization of share-based awards	—		—		—		2,261		—		—		2,261		—		2,261
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement	—		1		—		(386)		—		—		(385)		—		(385)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options	—		1		—		408		—		—		409		—		409
Balance December 29, 2018	$	121	$	441	$	16	$	592,451	$	364,726	$	(1,492)	$	956,263	$	221	$	956,484
Comprehensive income	—		—		—		—		42,391		212		42,603		331		42,934
Amortization of share-based awards	—		—		—		2,473		—		—		2,473		—		2,473
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement	—		2		—		(1,773)		—		—		(1,771)		—		(1,771)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options	—		1		—		(820)		—		—		(819)		—		(819)
Other	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		1		1
Balance March 28, 2020	$	121	$	444	$	16	$	592,331	$	407,117	$	(1,280)	$	998,749	$	553	$	999,302
Comprehensive income	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	46,152	$	(146)	$	46,006	$	189	$	46,195
Amortization of share-based awards	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	2,965	$	—	$	—	$	2,965	$	—	$	2,965
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement	$	—	$	1	$	—	$	(641)	$	—	$	—	$	(640)	$	—	$	(640)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options	$	—	$	1	$	—	$	870	$	—	$	—	$	871	$	—	$	871
Repurchase of common stock			$	(6)			$	(5,676)	$	(8,624)			$	(14,306)			$	(14,306)
Distribution to Noncontrolling interest	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	(64)	$	(64)
Balance June 29, 2019	$	121	$	440	$	16	$	589,849	$	444,645	$	(1,426)	$	1,033,645	$	678	$	1,034,323

XML

Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2020
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based CompensationThe Company recognized share-based compensation expense of $14.0 million and $10.4 million for the nine months ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019, respectively, as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses. The tax benefit associated with share-based compensation expense for the nine months ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019 was $3.4 million and $2.5 million, respectively.

XML

Earnings Per Share

9 Months Ended

Jun. 27, 2020

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share

The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted per share computations for income from continuing operations (in thousands except share and per share amounts).

	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2020					June 27, 2020
	Income		Shares	Per Share		Income		Shares	Per Share
Basic EPS:
Net income available to common shareholders	$	68,800	53,441	$	1.29	$	107,087	54,261	$	1.97
Effect of dilutive securities (1):
Options to purchase common stock	—		278	(0.01)		—		339	(0.01)
Restricted shares	—		449	(0.01)		—		384	(0.01)
Diluted EPS:
Net income available to common shareholders	$	68,800	54,168	$	1.27	$	107,087	54,984	$	1.95

(1) The potential effects of stock awards were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation for the three months ended December 28, 2019, because their inclusion in a net loss period would be anti-dilutive to the earnings per share calculation.

	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	June 29, 2019					June 29, 2019
	Income		Shares	Per Share		Income		Shares	Per Share
Basic EPS:
Net income available to common shareholders	$	46,152	57,319	$	0.81	$	90,346	57,021	$	1.58
Effect of dilutive securities:
Options to purchase common stock	—		412	(0.01)		—		559	(0.01)
Restricted shares	—		254	—		—		357	(0.01)
Diluted EPS:
Net income available to common shareholders	$	46,152	57,985	$	0.80	$	90,346	57,937	$	1.56

Options to purchase 3.1 million shares of common stock at prices ranging from $10.63 to $38.10 per share were outstanding at June 27, 2020, and options to purchase 2.6 million shares of common stock at prices ranging from $8.56 to $38.10 per share were outstanding at June 29, 2019.

For the three months ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019, 0.5 million and 1.8 million options outstanding were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the option exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares and therefore, the effect of including these options would be antidilutive.

For the nine months ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019, 1.0 million and 1.1 million options outstanding were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the option exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares and therefore, the effect of including these options would be antidilutive.

XML

Segment Information

9 Months Ended

Jun. 27, 2020

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information

Segment Information

Management has determined that the Company has two operating segments, which are also reportable segments based on the level at which the Chief Operating Decision Maker reviews the results of operations to make decisions regarding performance assessment and resource allocation. These operating segments are Pet segment and Garden segment and are presented in the table below (in thousands).

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2020		June 29, 2019		June 27, 2020		June 29, 2019
Net sales:
Pet segment	$	413,260	$	350,155	$	1,128,073	$	1,028,754
Garden segment	420,223		356,420		891,467		813,512
Total net sales	$	833,483	$	706,575	$	2,019,540	$	1,842,266
Operating Income (loss)
Pet segment	50,760		35,066		114,599		91,805
Garden segment	77,787		53,103		122,439		101,821
Corporate	(23,907)		(19,298)		(64,228)		(52,421)
Total operating income	104,640		68,871		172,810		141,205
Interest expense - net	(11,471)		(8,498)		(29,444)		(24,960)
Other income (expense)	(3,541)		180		(4,215)		488
Income tax expense	20,291		14,212		31,211		26,031
Income including noncontrolling interest	69,337		46,341		107,940		90,702
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	537		189		853		356
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$	68,800	$	46,152	$	107,087	$	90,346
Depreciation and amortization:
Pet segment	$	8,374	$	8,083	$	25,305	$	24,178
Garden segment	3,538		3,497		10,157		8,635
Corporate	1,371		1,502		4,136		4,498
Total depreciation and amortization	$	13,283	$	13,082	$	39,598	$	37,311

	June 27, 2020		June 29, 2019		September 28, 2019
Assets:
Pet segment	$	810,524	$	742,938	$	734,380
Garden segment	635,671		558,260		463,889
Corporate	817,774		763,720		826,751
Total assets	$	2,263,969	$	2,064,918	$	2,025,020
Goodwill (included in corporate assets above):
Pet segment	$	272,066	$	268,289	$	268,289
Garden segment	17,788		12,888		17,788
Total goodwill	$	289,854	$	281,177	$	286,077

The tables below presents the Company's disaggregated revenues by segment (in millions):

	Three Months Ended June 27, 2020						Nine Months Ended June 27, 2020
	Pet Segment		Garden Segment		Total		Pet Segment		Garden Segment		Total
Other pet products	$	206.3	$	—	$	206.3	$	508.3	$	—	$	508.3
Dog and cat products	117.0		—		117.0		358.8		—		358.8
Other manufacturers' products	90.0		90.1		180.1		261.0		182.2		443.2
Garden controls and fertilizer products	—		100.3		100.3		—		234.2		234.2
Other garden supplies	—		229.8		229.8		—		475.0		475.0
Total	$	413.3	$	420.2	$	833.5	$	1,128.1	$	891.5	$	2,019.5

	Three Months Ended June 29, 2019						Nine Months Ended June 29, 2019
	Pet Segment		Garden Segment		Total		Pet Segment		Garden Segment		Total
Other pet products	$	171.1	$	—	$	171.1	$	457.0	$	—	$	457.0
Dog and cat products	99.9		—		99.9		336.2		—		336.2
Other manufacturers' products	79.2		61.8		141.0		235.6		143.3		378.9
Garden controls and fertilizer products	—		80.9		80.9		—		219.0		219.0
Other garden supplies	—		213.7		213.7		—		451.2		451.2
Total	$	350.2	$	356.4	$	706.6	$	1,028.8	$	813.5	$	1,842.3

XML

Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Jun. 27, 2020

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Contingencies

Contingencies

The Company may from time to time become involved in legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. Currently, the Company is not a party to any legal proceedings that management believes are likely to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations with the potential exception of the proceeding below.

In 2012, Nite Glow Industries, Inc and its owner, Marni Markell, (“Nite Glow”) filed suit in the United States District Court for New Jersey against the Company alleging that the applicator developed and used by the Company for certain of its branded topical flea and tick products infringes a patent held by Nite Glow and asserted related claims for breach of contract and misappropriation of confidential information based on the terms of a Non-Disclosure Agreement.  On June 27, 2018, a jury returned a verdict in favor of Nite Glow on each of the three claims and awarded damages of approximately $12.6 million.  The court ruled on post-trial motions in early June 2020, reducing the judgment amount to $12.4 million and denying the plaintiff's request for attorneys' fees. The Company has filed its notice of appeal and the plaintiffs have cross-appealed. The Company intends to vigorously pursue its rights on appeal and believes that it will prevail on the merits. While the Company believes that the ultimate resolution of this matter will not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements, the outcome of litigation is inherently uncertain and the final resolution of this matter may result in expense to the Company in excess of management's expectations.

During fiscal 2013, the Company received notices from several states stating that they have appointed an agent to conduct an examination of the books and records of the Company to determine whether it has complied with state unclaimed property laws. In addition to seeking unclaimed property subject to escheat laws, the states may seek interest, penalties and other relief. The examinations are at an early stage and, as such, management is unable to determine the impact, if any, on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In November 2019, the DMC business unit in the Company's Pet Segment experienced a fire in one of its leased properties located in Athens, Texas, which resulted in inventory, property-related and business interruption losses in the estimated range of $35 - $40 million. In April 2020, DMC experienced an additional fire in the same leased property in Athens, Texas, which resulted in inventory and property-related losses estimated to be approximately $11 million.

As of June 27, 2020, the Company had approximately $18 million of cost in excess of insurance proceeds related to these losses recorded on its balance sheet. Subsequent to June 27, 2020, the Company received insurance proceeds of approximately $9 million related

to these losses. The Company currently believes its insurance coverage is sufficient to cover the remaining asset-related losses as well as the business interruption loss associated with this event.The Company has experienced, and may in the future experience, issues with products that may lead to product liability, recalls, withdrawals, replacements of products, or regulatory actions by governmental authorities. The Company has not experienced recent issues with products, the resolution of which management believes would have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

XML

Basis of Presentation (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 27, 2020

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Noncontrolling Interest

Noncontrolling Interest

Noncontrolling interest in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements represents the 20% interest not owned by Central in a consolidated subsidiary. Since the Company controls this subsidiary, its financial statements are consolidated with those of the Company, and the noncontrolling owner’s 20% share of the subsidiary’s net assets and results of operations is deducted and reported as noncontrolling interest on the consolidated balance sheets and as net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest in the consolidated statements of operations. See Note 9, Supplemental Equity Information, for additional information.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash The Company considers cash and all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at date of purchase to be cash and cash equivalents. Restricted cash includes cash and highly liquid instruments that are used as collateral for stand-alone letter of credit agreements related to normal business transactions. These agreements require the Company to maintain specified amounts of cash as collateral in segregated accounts to support the letters of credit issued thereunder, which will affect the amount of cash the Company has available for other uses.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Trade accounts receivable are regularly evaluated for collectability based on past credit history with customers, their current financial condition and their expected deductions.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition and Nature of Products and Services

The Company manufactures, markets and distributes a wide variety of branded, private label and third-party pet and garden products to wholesalers, distributors and retailers, primarily in the United States. The majority of the Company’s revenue is generated from the sale of finished pet and garden products. The Company also recognizes a minor amount of non-product revenue (less than one percent of consolidated net sales) comprising third-party logistics services, merchandising services and royalty income from sales-based licensing

arrangements. Product and non-product revenue is recognized when performance obligations under the terms of the contracts with customers are satisfied. The Company recognizes product revenue when control over the finished goods transfers to its customers, which generally occurs upon shipment to, or receipt at, customers’ locations, as determined by the specific terms of the contract. These revenue arrangements generally have single performance obligations. Non-product revenue is recognized as the services are provided to the customer in the case of third-party logistics services and merchandising services, or as third-party licensee sales occur for royalty income. Revenue, which includes shipping and handling charges billed to the customer, is reported net of variable consideration and consideration payable to our customers, including applicable discounts, returns, allowances, trade promotion, unsaleable product, consumer coupon redemption and rebates. Shipping and handling costs that occur before the customer obtains control of the goods are deemed to be fulfillment activities and are accounted for as fulfillment costs.

Key sales terms are established on a frequent basis such that most customer arrangements and related incentives have a one year or shorter duration. As such, the Company does not capitalize contract inception costs. Product fulfillment costs are capitalized as a part of inventoriable costs in accordance with our inventory policies. The Company generally does not have unbilled receivables at the end of a period. Deferred revenues are not material and primarily include advance payments for services that have yet to be rendered. The Company does not receive noncash consideration for the sale of goods. Amounts billed and due from our customers are classified as receivables and require payment on a short-term basis; therefore, the Company does not have any significant financing components.

Sales Incentives and Other Promotional Programs

The Company routinely offers sales incentives and discounts through various regional and national programs to our customers and consumers. These programs include product discounts or allowances, product rebates, product returns, one-time or ongoing trade-promotion programs with customers and consumer coupon programs that require the Company to estimate and accrue the expected costs of such programs. The costs associated with these activities are accounted for as reductions to the transaction price of the Company’s products and are, therefore, recorded as reductions to gross sales at the time of sale. The Company bases its estimates of incentive costs on historical trend experience with similar programs, actual incentive terms per customer contractual obligations and expected levels of performance of trade promotions, utilizing customer and sales organization inputs. The Company maintains liabilities at the end of each period for the estimated incentive costs incurred but unpaid for these programs. Differences between estimated and actual incentive costs are generally not material and are recognized in earnings in the period such differences are determined. Reserves for product returns, accrued rebates and promotional accruals are included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as part of accrued expenses, and the value of inventory associated with reserves for sales returns is included within prepaid expenses and other current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Leases

Effective September 29, 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification 842, Leases ("ASC 842"). Under this guidance, the Company determines whether an arrangement contains a lease at inception by determining if the contract conveys the right to control the use of identified property, plant or equipment for a period of time in exchange for consideration and other facts and circumstances. On September 29, 2019, the Company began to record operating leases on its condensed consolidated balance sheet. As of December 28, 2019, long-term operating lease right-of-use ("ROU") assets and current and long-term operating lease liabilities were presented separately in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Finance lease ROU assets continue to be presented in property, plant and equipment, net, and the related finance liabilities have been presented with current and long-term debt in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Lease ROU assets represent the Company's right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent the Company's obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets are calculated based on the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments paid to the lessor at or before the commencement date and excludes any lease incentives received from the lessor. Lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term. The lease term may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. As the Company's leases typically do not contain a readily determinable implicit rate, the Company determines the present value of the lease liability using its incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date based on the lease term on a collateralized basis. Variable lease payments are expensed as incurred and include certain non-lease components, such as maintenance and other services provided by the lessor, and other charges included in the lease, as applicable. Non-lease components and the lease components to which they relate are accounted for as a single lease component, as the Company has elected to combine lease and non-lease components for all classes of underlying assets.

Amortization of ROU lease assets is calculated on a straight-line basis over the lease term with the expense recorded in cost of sales or selling, general and administrative expenses, depending on the nature of the leased item. Interest expense is recorded over the lease term and is recorded in interest expense (based on a front-loaded interest expense pattern) for finance leases and is recorded in cost of sales or selling, general and administrative expenses (on a straight-line basis) for operating leases. All operating lease cash payments and interest on finance leases are recorded within cash flows from operating activities and all finance lease principal payments are recorded within cash flows from financing activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 (ASU 2016-02), Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2016-02 requires companies to recognize on the balance sheet operating and financing lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use assets and disclose key information about leasing information. Topic 842 was subsequently amended by ASU 2018-01, Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842; ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases; and ASU 2018-11, Targeted Improvements. The new standard establishes a right-of-use model (ROU) that requires a lessee to recognize a ROU asset and lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with a term longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern and classification of expense recognition in the statement of operations.

The Company adopted the new standard in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, on a modified retrospective basis using the optional transition method, and accordingly, has not restated comparative periods. Fiscal year 2019 balances and related disclosures supporting those comparative period balances continue to be presented under ASC 840, "Leases." The new standard provides a number of optional practical expedients in transition. The Company elected the 'package of practical expedients,' which permit it to not reassess under the new standard its prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. The Company elected not to recognize ROU assets and lease liabilities for short-term operating leases with terms of 12 months or less. The Company did not elect the use-of-hindsight or the practical expedient pertaining to land easements, the latter not being applicable. Upon adoption, the Company recorded operating lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities of approximately $111 million and $115 million, respectively, in the condensed consolidated balance sheet, which included the reclassifications of amounts presented in comparative periods as deferred rent as a reduction of the ROU assets. The Company did not record an adjustment to beginning retained earnings associated with the adoption of this standard. See Note 7. Leases for more information.

Guarantor Financial Information

In March 2020, the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) amended Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X regarding financial disclosure requirements for registered debt offerings involving subsidiaries as either issuers or guarantors and affiliates whose securities are pledged as collateral. This new guidance narrows the circumstances that require separate financial statements of subsidiary issuers and guarantors and streamlines the alternative disclosures required in lieu of those statements. The guidance is effective for filings on or after January 4, 2021, with early adoption permitted. The Company early adopted these amendments for the quarter ended June 27, 2020, which included replacing guarantor condensed consolidating financial information with summarized financial information for the Parent Issuer subsidiaries and Guarantor subsidiaries, as well as no longer requiring guarantor cash flow information, financial information for non-guarantor subsidiaries, and a reconciliation to the consolidated results. Accordingly, summarized financial information has been presented for the Parent/Issuer subsidiaries and Guarantors on our senior notes for the most recent fiscal year and the year-to-date interim period, and the location of the required disclosures has been removed from the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and moved to Part 1. Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

Credit Losses

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), which changes the impairment model for most financial assets to require measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held. The guidance is effective for annual periods or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, or the Company's first quarter of fiscal 2021. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2016-13 will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The new guidance simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by removing the second step of the two-step impairment test. The amendment requires an entity to perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. The new guidance is effective for annual periods or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, or the Company's first quarter of fiscal 2021. The amendment should be applied on a prospective basis. Based on the Company's most recent annual goodwill impairment test performed as of July 1, 2019, there were no reporting units for which the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeded its fair value; therefore, this ASU would not currently have an impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. However, if upon adoption the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company would be impacted by the amount of impairment recognized.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40), Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract. This ASU aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). ASU 2018-15 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted, and is effective for the Company in fiscal 2021. The amendments in this ASU should be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2018-15 will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Fair Value Disclosures

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. This ASU modifies the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by removing, modifying or adding certain disclosures. ASU 2018-13 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted and is effective for the Company in fiscal 2021. The amendments on changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty should be applied prospectively for only the most recent interim or annual period presented in the initial fiscal year of adoption. All other amendments should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented upon their effective date. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2018-13 will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Accounting for Income Taxes

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740), Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which eliminates certain exceptions related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating taxes during the quarters and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. This guidance also simplifies aspects of the accounting for franchise taxes, enacts changes in tax laws or rates and clarifies the accounting for transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill. ASU 2019-12 is effective for the Company in its first quarter of fiscal 2022 and would require the Company to recognize a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings, if applicable. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that ASU 2019-12 may have on its consolidated financial statements.

Fair Value Measurement

Fair Value Measurements

ASC 820 establishes a single authoritative definition of fair value, a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure of fair value measurements. ASC 820 requires financial assets and liabilities to be categorized based on the inputs used to calculate their fair values as follows:

Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (including assumptions about risk).

The Company’s financial instruments include cash and equivalents, short term investments consisting of bank certificates of deposit, accounts receivable and payable, derivative instruments, short-term borrowings, and accrued liabilities. The carrying amount of these instruments approximates fair value because of their short-term nature.

Goodwill

GoodwillThe Company tests goodwill for impairment annually (as of the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter), or whenever events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount, by first assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If it is determined that it is more likely than not the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, it is unnecessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the two-step test is performed to identify potential goodwill impairment. Based on certain circumstances, the Company may elect to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to performing the first step of the two-step goodwill impairment test, which compares the fair value of the Company’s reporting units to their related carrying values, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the Company performs an additional step to determine the implied fair value of goodwill associated with that reporting unit. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by first allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities and then computing the excess of the reporting unit’s fair value over the amounts assigned to the assets and liabilities. If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill, such excess represents the amount of goodwill impairment, and accordingly, the Company recognizes such impairment. The Company’s goodwill impairment analysis also includes a comparison of the aggregate estimated fair value of its two reporting units to the Company’s total market capitalization.

XML

Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 27, 2020

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Reconciliation of Cash and Cash Equivalents

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the condensed consolidated balance sheets to the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows as of June 27, 2020, June 29, 2019 and September 28, 2019, respectively (in thousands).

	June 27, 2020		June 29, 2019		September 28, 2019
Cash and cash equivalents	$	495,339	$	445,632	$	497,749
Restricted cash	13,536		10,924		12,952
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	508,875	$	456,556	$	510,701

Reconciliation of Restricted Cash

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the condensed consolidated balance sheets to the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows as of June 27, 2020, June 29, 2019 and September 28, 2019, respectively (in thousands).

	June 27, 2020		June 29, 2019		September 28, 2019
Cash and cash equivalents	$	495,339	$	445,632	$	497,749
Restricted cash	13,536		10,924		12,952
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	508,875	$	456,556	$	510,701

XML

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 27, 2020

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Summary of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis

The following table presents the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis based upon the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall, as of June 27, 2020 (in thousands): 

	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Liabilities:
Liability for contingent consideration (a)	$	—	$	—	$	1,246	$	1,246
Total liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	1,246	$	1,246

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 June 29, 2019 (in thousands): 

	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Assets:
Short term investments (b)	$	119	$	—	$	—	$	119
Total assets	$	119	$	—	$	—	$	119
Liabilities:
Liability for contingent consideration (a)	$	—	$	—	$	7,824	$	7,824
Total liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	7,824	$	7,824

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 28, 2019 (in thousands): 

	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Liabilities:
Liability for contingent consideration (a)	$	—	$	—	$	7,369	$	7,369
Total liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	7,369	$	7,369

(a)The liability for contingent consideration relates to an earn-out for B2E, acquired in December 2012, future performance-based contingent payments for Hydro-Organics Wholesale, Inc., acquired in October 2015 and future performance-based contingent payments for Segrest, Inc., acquired in October 2016. In December 2019, performance-based criteria associated with the $6 million contingent consideration liability related to Segrest, Inc. were met and accordingly, the entire amount was released out of an independent escrow account to the former owners as of December 28, 2019. The fair value of the estimated contingent consideration arrangement is determined based on the Company’s evaluation as to the probability and amount of any earn-out that will be achieved based on expected future performance by the acquired entity. This is presented as part of long-term liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

(b) The fair value of short-term investments are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.

Summary of Changes in Fair Value of Level 3 Financial Instruments

The following table provides a summary of the changes in fair value of the Company's Level 3 financial instruments for the periods ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019 (in thousands):

	Amount
Balance September 28, 2019	$	7,369
Estimated contingent performance-based consideration established at the time of acquisition	—
Changes in the fair value of contingent performance-based payments established at the time of acquisition	31
Performance-based payments	(6,154)
Balance June 27, 2020	$	1,246
	Amount
Balance September 29, 2018	$	8,224
Estimated contingent performance-based consideration established at the time of acquisition	—
Changes in the fair value of contingent performance-based payments established at the time of acquisition	(296)
Performance-based payments	(104)
Balance June 29, 2019	$	7,824

XML

Acquisitions (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 27, 2020

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed

The financial results of C&S Products have been included in the results of operations within the Pet segment since the date of acquisition. The following table summarizes the purchase price and recording of fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date and subsequent adjustments.

In thousands	Amounts Previously Recognized as of Acquisition Date (1)		Measurement Period Adjustments		Amounts Recognized as of Acquisition Date (as Adjusted)
Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	$	9,794	$	441	$	10,235
Fixed assets	23,743		(3,786)		19,957
Goodwill	—		3,777		3,777
Other assets	5,081		(3,242)		1,839
Other intangible assets, net	—		2,810		2,810
Current liabilities	(2,137)		—		(2,137)
Long-term obligations	(6,457)		$	—	(6,457)
Net assets acquired, less cash and cash equivalents	$	30,024	$	—	$	30,024

(1) As previously reported in the Company's Form 10-K for the period ended September 28, 2019.

XML

Inventories, net (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 27, 2020

Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of Inventories, Net of Allowance for Obsolescence

Inventories, net of allowance for obsolescence, consist of the following (in thousands):

	June 27, 2020		June 29, 2019		September 28, 2019
Raw materials	$	151,412	$	138,073	$	145,331
Work in progress	42,185		36,355		51,154
Finished goods	218,542		275,286		255,870
Supplies	13,780		15,203		13,842
Total inventories, net	$	425,919	$	464,917	$	466,197

XML

Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 27, 2020

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Components of Gross and Net Acquired Intangible Assets

The following table summarizes the components of gross and net acquired intangible assets:

	Gross		Accumulated Amortization		Accumulated Impairment		Net Carrying Value
	(in millions)
June 27, 2020
Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable	$	20.6	$	(17.3)	$	—	$	3.3
Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable	70.6		—		(26.0)		44.6
Total	91.2		(17.3)		(26.0)		47.9
Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable	140.3		(61.4)		(2.5)		76.3
Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable	26.0		(17.8)		—		8.2
Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable	7.1		—		(1.2)		5.9
Total	33.0		(17.8)		(1.2)		14.1
Total other intangible assets	$	264.6	$	(96.5)	$	(29.7)	$	138.3
	Gross		Accumulated Amortization		Accumulated Impairment		Net Carrying Value
	(in millions)
June 29, 2019
Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable	$	18.6	$	(15.7)	$	—	$	2.9
Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable	70.6		—		(26.0)		44.6
Total	89.2		(15.7)		(26.0)		47.5
Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable	128.3		(50.0)		(2.5)		75.8
Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable	26.0		(15.9)		—		10.1
Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable	7.2		—		(1.2)		6.0
Total	33.2		(15.9)		(1.2)		16.1
Total other intangible assets	$	250.7	$	(81.6)	$	(29.7)	$	139.4
	Gross		Accumulated Amortization		Accumulated Impairment		Net Carrying Value
	(in millions)
September 28, 2019
Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable	$	19.7	$	(16.3)	$	—	$	3.4
Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable	70.6		—		(26.0)		44.6
Total	90.3		(16.3)		(26.0)		48.0
Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable	138.4		(53.3)		(2.5)		82.6
Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable	26.0		(16.4)		—		9.6
Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable	7.1		—		(1.2)		5.9
Total	33.1		(16.4)		(1.2)		15.5
Total other intangible assets	$	261.8	$	(86.0)	$	(29.7)	$	146.1

XML

Leases (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 27, 2020

Leases [Abstract]

Supplemental Balance Sheet Information

Supplemental balance sheet information related to the Company's leases was as follows:

	Balance Sheet Classification	As of June 27, 2020 (in millions)
Operating leases
Right-of-use assets	Operating lease right-of-use assets	$	99.1
Current lease liabilities	Current operating lease liabilities	$	31.6
Non-current lease liabilities	Long-term operating lease liabilities	71.5
Total operating lease liabilities		$	103.1
Finance leases
Right-of-use assets	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	0.3
Current lease liabilities	Current portion of long-term debt	$	0.1
Non-current lease liabilities	Long-term debt	0.1
Total finance lease liabilities		$	0.2

Weighted-average remaining lease term and discount rate for the Company's leases were as follows:

	As of June 27, 2020
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years):
Operating leases	4.8
Finance leases	2.2
Weighted-average discount rate:
Operating leases	3.84	%
Finance leases	4.84	%

Schedule of Supplemental Cash Flow and Other Information Related to Leases

Components of lease cost were as follows:

	Three months ended June 27, 2020 (in millions)		Nine Months Ended June 27, 2020 (in millions)
Operating lease cost	$	9.7	$	29.0
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	$	—	$	0.1
Interest on lease liabilities	—		—
Total finance lease cost	$	—	$	0.1
Short-term lease cost	$	1.0	$	2.7
Variable lease cost	$	1.6	$	5.1
Total lease cost	$	12.3	$	36.9

Supplemental cash flow information and non-cash activity related to the Company's leases was as follows:

	Nine Months Ended June 27, 2020 (in millions)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	26.8
Operating cash flows from finance leases	$	—
Financing cash flows from finance leases	$	0.1
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases	$	13.7
Finance leases	$	—

Operating Lease Maturity

Future non-cancelable lease payments under prior lease accounting rules (ASC 840) and under the new lease accounting rules (ASC 842) that went into effect September 29, 2019 were as follows (in millions):

	As of June 27, 2020				As of September 28, 2019
	ASC 842				ASC 840
	Operating Leases		Finance Leases		Operating Leases
Fiscal Year
2020 (excluding the nine months ended June 27, 2020)	$	9.6	$	—
2020					$	38.0
2021	32.4		0.1		29.3
2022	25.1		0.1		21.8
2023	14.7		—		11.3
2024	10.0		—		7.9
Thereafter	21.9		—		20.7
Total future undiscounted lease payments	$	113.7	$	0.2	$	129.0
Less imputed interest	(10.6)		—
Total reported lease liability	$	103.1	$	0.2

Finance Leases Maturity

Future non-cancelable lease payments under prior lease accounting rules (ASC 840) and under the new lease accounting rules (ASC 842) that went into effect September 29, 2019 were as follows (in millions):

	As of June 27, 2020				As of September 28, 2019
	ASC 842				ASC 840
	Operating Leases		Finance Leases		Operating Leases
Fiscal Year
2020 (excluding the nine months ended June 27, 2020)	$	9.6	$	—
2020					$	38.0
2021	32.4		0.1		29.3
2022	25.1		0.1		21.8
2023	14.7		—		11.3
2024	10.0		—		7.9
Thereafter	21.9		—		20.7
Total future undiscounted lease payments	$	113.7	$	0.2	$	129.0
Less imputed interest	(10.6)		—
Total reported lease liability	$	103.1	$	0.2

XML

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 27, 2020

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Components of Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following:

	June 27, 2020		June 29, 2019		September 28, 2019
	(in thousands)
Senior notes, interest at 6.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due November 2023	$	400,000	$	400,000	$	400,000
Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028	300,000		300,000		300,000
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(6,207)		(7,475)		(7,158)
Net carrying value	693,793		692,525		692,842
Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.00% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.0% to 0.50%, final maturity September 2024.	—		—		—
Other notes payable	220		539		308
Total	694,013		693,064		693,150
Less current portion	(98)		(116)		(113)
Long-term portion	$	693,915	$	692,948	$	693,037

XML

Supplemental Equity Information (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 27, 2020

Equity [Abstract]

Summary of Changes in Carrying Amounts of Equity Attributable to Controlling Interest and Noncontrolling Interest

The following table provides a summary of the changes in the carrying amounts of equity attributable to controlling interest and noncontrolling interest through the nine months ended June 27, 2020 and June 29, 2019.

	Controlling Interest
(in thousands)	Common Stock		Class A Common Stock		Class B Stock		Additional Paid In Capital		Retained Earnings		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		Total		Noncontrolling Interest		Total
Balance September 28, 2019	$	115	$	430	$	16	$	575,380	$	421,742	$	(1,676)	$	996,007	$	170	$	996,177
Comprehensive income	—		—		—		—		(4,417)		436		(3,981)		(122)		(4,103)
Amortization of share-based awards	—		—		—		2,804		—		—		2,804		—		2,804
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement	—		—		—		(318)		—		—		(318)		—		(318)
Repurchase of stock	—		(8)		—		(8,488)		(13,632)		—		(22,128)		—		(22,128)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options	—		1		—		739		—		—		740		—		740
Balance December 28, 2019	$	115	$	423	$	16	$	570,117	$	403,693	$	(1,240)	$	973,124	$	48	$	973,172
Comprehensive income	—		—		—		—		42,704		(405)		42,299		438		42,737
Amortization of share-based awards	—		—		—		2,923		—		—		2,923		—		2,923
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement	—		3		—		(807)		—		—		(804)		—		(804)
Repurchase of stock	(2)		(8)		—		(10,121)		(14,911)		—		(25,042)		—		(25,042)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options	—		—		—		513		—		—		513		—		513
Distribution to Noncontrolling interest	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		(57)		(57)
Balance March 28, 2020	$	113	$	418	$	16	$	562,625	$	431,486	$	(1,645)	$	993,013	$	429	$	993,442
Comprehensive income	—		—		—		—		68,800		(39)		68,761		537		69,298
Amortization of share-based awards	—		—		—		3,754		—		—		3,754		—		3,754
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement	—		—		—		(1,425)		—		—		(1,425)		—		(1,425)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options	—		1		—		405		—		—		406		—		406
Repurchase of common stock	—		(2)		—		(1,988)		(3,094)		—		(5,084)		—		(5,084)
Distribution to Noncontrolling interest	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		(39)		(39)
Other	—		—		—		—		—		—		—				—
Balance June 27, 2020	$	113	$	417	$	16	$	563,371	$	497,192	$	(1,684)	$	1,059,425	$	927	$	1,060,352

	Controlling Interest
(in thousands)	Common Stock		Class A Common Stock		Class B Stock		Additional Paid In Capital		Retained Earnings		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		Total		Noncontrolling Interest		Total
Balance September 29, 2018	$	121	$	439	$	16	$	590,168	$	362,923	$	(1,218)	$	952,449	$	385	$	952,834
Comprehensive income	—		—		—		—		1,803		(274)		1,529		(164)		1,365
Amortization of share-based awards	—		—		—		2,261		—		—		2,261		—		2,261
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement	—		1		—		(386)		—		—		(385)		—		(385)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options	—		1		—		408		—		—		409		—		409
Balance December 29, 2018	$	121	$	441	$	16	$	592,451	$	364,726	$	(1,492)	$	956,263	$	221	$	956,484
Comprehensive income	—		—		—		—		42,391		212		42,603		331		42,934
Amortization of share-based awards	—		—		—		2,473		—		—		2,473		—		2,473
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement	—		2		—		(1,773)		—		—		(1,771)		—		(1,771)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options	—		1		—		(820)		—		—		(819)		—		(819)
Other	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		1		1
Balance March 28, 2020	$	121	$	444	$	16	$	592,331	$	407,117	$	(1,280)	$	998,749	$	553	$	999,302
Comprehensive income	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	46,152	$	(146)	$	46,006	$	189	$	46,195
Amortization of share-based awards	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	2,965	$	—	$	—	$	2,965	$	—	$	2,965
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement	$	—	$	1	$	—	$	(641)	$	—	$	—	$	(640)	$	—	$	(640)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options	$	—	$	1	$	—	$	870	$	—	$	—	$	871	$	—	$	871
Repurchase of common stock			$	(6)			$	(5,676)	$	(8,624)			$	(14,306)			$	(14,306)
Distribution to Noncontrolling interest	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	(64)	$	(64)
Balance June 29, 2019	$	121	$	440	$	16	$	589,849	$	444,645	$	(1,426)	$	1,033,645	$	678	$	1,034,323

XML

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 27, 2020

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted

The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted per share computations for income from continuing operations (in thousands except share and per share amounts).

	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2020					June 27, 2020
	Income		Shares	Per Share		Income		Shares	Per Share
Basic EPS:
Net income available to common shareholders	$	68,800	53,441	$	1.29	$	107,087	54,261	$	1.97
Effect of dilutive securities (1):
Options to purchase common stock	—		278	(0.01)		—		339	(0.01)
Restricted shares	—		449	(0.01)		—		384	(0.01)
Diluted EPS:
Net income available to common shareholders	$	68,800	54,168	$	1.27	$	107,087	54,984	$	1.95

(1) The potential effects of stock awards were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation for the three months ended December 28, 2019, because their inclusion in a net loss period would be anti-dilutive to the earnings per share calculation.

	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	June 29, 2019					June 29, 2019
	Income		Shares	Per Share		Income		Shares	Per Share
Basic EPS:
Net income available to common shareholders	$	46,152	57,319	$	0.81	$	90,346	57,021	$	1.58
Effect of dilutive securities:
Options to purchase common stock	—		412	(0.01)		—		559	(0.01)
Restricted shares	—		254	—		—		357	(0.01)
Diluted EPS:
Net income available to common shareholders	$	46,152	57,985	$	0.80	$	90,346	57,937	$	1.56

XML

Segment Information (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 27, 2020

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Financial Information Relating to Company's Business Segments

These operating segments are Pet segment and Garden segment and are presented in the table below (in thousands).

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	June 27, 2020		June 29, 2019		June 27, 2020		June 29, 2019
Net sales:
Pet segment	$	413,260	$	350,155	$	1,128,073	$	1,028,754
Garden segment	420,223		356,420		891,467		813,512
Total net sales	$	833,483	$	706,575	$	2,019,540	$	1,842,266
Operating Income (loss)
Pet segment	50,760		35,066		114,599		91,805
Garden segment	77,787		53,103		122,439		101,821
Corporate	(23,907)		(19,298)		(64,228)		(52,421)
Total operating income	104,640		68,871		172,810		141,205
Interest expense - net	(11,471)		(8,498)		(29,444)		(24,960)
Other income (expense)	(3,541)		180		(4,215)		488
Income tax expense	20,291		14,212		31,211		26,031
Income including noncontrolling interest	69,337		46,341		107,940		90,702
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	537		189		853		356
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$	68,800	$	46,152	$	107,087	$	90,346
Depreciation and amortization:
Pet segment	$	8,374	$	8,083	$	25,305	$	24,178
Garden segment	3,538		3,497		10,157		8,635
Corporate	1,371		1,502		4,136		4,498
Total depreciation and amortization	$	13,283	$	13,082	$	39,598	$	37,311

	June 27, 2020		June 29, 2019		September 28, 2019
Assets:
Pet segment	$	810,524	$	742,938	$	734,380
Garden segment	635,671		558,260		463,889
Corporate	817,774		763,720		826,751
Total assets	$	2,263,969	$	2,064,918	$	2,025,020
Goodwill (included in corporate assets above):
Pet segment	$	272,066	$	268,289	$	268,289
Garden segment	17,788		12,888		17,788
Total goodwill	$	289,854	$	281,177	$	286,077

The tables below presents the Company's disaggregated revenues by segment (in millions):

	Three Months Ended June 27, 2020						Nine Months Ended June 27, 2020
	Pet Segment		Garden Segment		Total		Pet Segment		Garden Segment		Total
Other pet products	$	206.3	$	—	$	206.3	$	508.3	$	—	$	508.3
Dog and cat products	117.0		—		117.0		358.8		—		358.8
Other manufacturers' products	90.0		90.1		180.1		261.0		182.2		443.2
Garden controls and fertilizer products	—		100.3		100.3		—		234.2		234.2
Other garden supplies	—		229.8		229.8		—		475.0		475.0
Total	$	413.3	$	420.2	$	833.5	$	1,128.1	$	891.5	$	2,019.5

	Three Months Ended June 29, 2019						Nine Months Ended June 29, 2019
	Pet Segment		Garden Segment		Total		Pet Segment		Garden Segment		Total
Other pet products	$	171.1	$	—	$	171.1	$	457.0	$	—	$	457.0
Dog and cat products	99.9		—		99.9		336.2		—		336.2
Other manufacturers' products	79.2		61.8		141.0		235.6		143.3		378.9
Garden controls and fertilizer products	—		80.9		80.9		—		219.0		219.0
Other garden supplies	—		213.7		213.7		—		451.2		451.2
Total	$	350.2	$	356.4	$	706.6	$	1,028.8	$	813.5	$	1,842.3

XML

Basis of Presentation - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2020	Sep. 29, 2019
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating lease right-of-use assets	$ 99,111
Total reported lease liability	$ 103,100
Accounting Standards Update [Extensible List]	us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201602Member
Revision of Prior Period, Accounting Standards Update, Adjustment
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Operating lease right-of-use assets		$ 111,000
Total reported lease liability		$ 115,000
Subsidiary
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest owned by the subsidiary	20.00%

XML

Basis of Presentation - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 27, 2020	Sep. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 495,339	$ 497,749	$ 445,632
Restricted Cash	13,536	12,952	10,924
Total Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$ 508,875	$ 510,701	$ 456,556	$ 493,005

XML

Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Details) - Recurring - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 27, 2020	Sep. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Liability for contingent consideration (a)	$ 1,246	$ 7,369	$ 7,824
Total liabilities	1,246	7,369	7,824
Short term investments (b)			119
Total assets			119
Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Liability for contingent consideration (a)	0	0	0
Total liabilities	0	0	0
Short term investments (b)			119
Total assets			119
Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Liability for contingent consideration (a)	0	0	0
Total liabilities	0	0	0
Short term investments (b)			0
Total assets			0
Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Liability for contingent consideration (a)	1,246	7,369	7,824
Total liabilities	1,246	$ 7,369	7,824
Short term investments (b)			0
Total assets			$ 0
Segrest, Inc.
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Liability for contingent consideration (a)	$ 6,000

XML

Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Changes in Fair Value of Level 3 Financial Instruments (Details) - Level 3 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2020	Jun. 29, 2019
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 7,369	$ 8,224
Estimated contingent performance-based consideration established at the time of acquisition	0	0
Changes in the fair value of contingent performance-based payments established at the time of acquisition	31	(296)
Performance-based payments	(6,154)	(104)
Ending balance	$ 1,246	$ 7,824

XML

Fair Value Measurements - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	Jun. 27, 2020	Sep. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 14, 2017	Nov. 30, 2015
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior subordinated notes	$ 694,013,000	$ 693,150,000	$ 693,064,000
Senior notes
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior subordinated notes	$ 693,793,000	692,842,000	692,525,000
Senior notes | Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt, aggregate principal amount				$ 300,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate stated, percentage	5.125%			5.125%	5.125%
Estimated fair value of senior notes	$ 310,900,000	307,100,000	295,000,000.0
Carrying value of senior subordinated notes	296,500,000	296,100,000	296,000,000
Senior notes | 6.125% senior notes due in November 2023
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt, aggregate principal amount						$ 400,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate stated, percentage						6.125%
Estimated fair value of senior notes	409,500,000	414,600,000	415,800,000
Carrying value of senior subordinated notes	$ 397,300,000	$ 396,700,000	$ 396,500,000

XML

Acquisitions - Narrative (Details) - C&S Products $ in Millions	1 Months Ended
	May 31, 2019 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments to acquire investments	$ 30.0
Payment for acquired debt extinguishment	$ 4.7

XML

Acquisitions - C&S Products (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2019	Jun. 27, 2020	Sep. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 289,854	$ 286,077	$ 281,177
C&S Products
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	$ 10,235
Fixed assets	19,957
Goodwill	3,777
Other assets	1,839
Other intangible assets, net	2,810
Current liabilities	(2,137)
Long-term obligations	(6,457)
Net assets acquired, less cash and cash equivalents	30,024
Measurement Period Adjustments
Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	441
Fixed assets	(3,786)
Goodwill	3,777
Other assets	(3,242)
Other intangible assets, net	2,810
Net assets acquired, less cash and cash equivalents	0
Amounts Previously Recognized as of Acquisition Date (1) | C&S Products
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	9,794
Fixed assets	23,743
Goodwill	0
Other assets	5,081
Other intangible assets, net	0
Current liabilities	(2,137)
Long-term obligations	(6,457)
Net assets acquired, less cash and cash equivalents	$ 30,024

XML

Inventories, net - Summary of Inventories, Net of Allowance for Obsolescence (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 27, 2020	Sep. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Raw materials	$ 151,412	$ 145,331	$ 138,073
Work in progress	42,185	51,154	36,355
Finished goods	218,542	255,870	275,286
Supplies	13,780	13,842	15,203
Total inventories, net	$ 425,919	$ 466,197	$ 464,917

XML

Goodwill - Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2020 USD ($)	Jun. 29, 2019 USD ($)	Jun. 27, 2020 USD ($) segment	Jun. 29, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 28, 2019 USD ($)	Sep. 28, 2019 USD ($)	May 31, 2019 USD ($)
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Number of reporting units | segment			2
Impairment of goodwill	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 289,854,000	$ 281,177,000	$ 289,854,000	$ 281,177,000		$ 286,077,000
C&S Products
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill							$ 3,777,000
Pet Segment | C&S Products
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill					$ 3,800,000

XML

Other Intangible Assets - Components of Gross and Net Acquired Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 27, 2020	Sep. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	$ 264,600	$ 261,800	$ 250,700
Accumulated Amortization	(96,500)	(86,000)	(81,600)
Accumulated Impairment	(29,700)	(29,700)	(29,700)
Net Carrying Value	138,305	146,137	139,406
Marketing-related intangible assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	91,200	90,300	89,200
Accumulated Amortization	(17,300)	(16,300)	(15,700)
Accumulated Impairment	(26,000)	(26,000)	(26,000)
Net Carrying Value	47,900	48,000	47,500
Other acquired intangible assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	33,000	33,100	33,200
Accumulated Amortization	(17,800)	(16,400)	(15,900)
Accumulated Impairment	(1,200)	(1,200)	(1,200)
Net Carrying Value	14,100	15,500	16,100
Amortizable | Marketing-related intangible assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	20,600	19,700	18,600
Accumulated Amortization	(17,300)	(16,300)	(15,700)
Accumulated Impairment	0	0	0
Net Carrying Value	3,300	3,400	2,900
Amortizable | Customer-related intangible assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	140,300	138,400	128,300
Accumulated Amortization	(61,400)	(53,300)	(50,000)
Accumulated Impairment	(2,500)	(2,500)	(2,500)
Net Carrying Value	76,300	82,600	75,800
Amortizable | Other acquired intangible assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	26,000	26,000	26,000
Accumulated Amortization	(17,800)	(16,400)	(15,900)
Accumulated Impairment	0	0	0
Net Carrying Value	8,200	9,600	10,100
Nonamortizable | Marketing-related intangible assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	70,600	70,600	70,600
Accumulated Amortization	0	0	0
Accumulated Impairment	(26,000)	(26,000)	(26,000)
Net Carrying Value	44,600	44,600	44,600
Nonamortizable | Other acquired intangible assets
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	7,100	7,100	7,200
Accumulated Amortization	0	0	0
Accumulated Impairment	(1,200)	(1,200)	(1,200)
Net Carrying Value	$ 5,900	$ 5,900	$ 6,000

XML

Other Intangible Assets - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2020	Jun. 29, 2019	Jun. 27, 2020	Jun. 29, 2019	Sep. 28, 2019
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets, net	$ 138,305	$ 139,406	$ 138,305	$ 139,406	$ 146,137
2020 estimated annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets	12,000		12,000
2021 estimated annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets	12,000		12,000
2022 estimated annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets	12,000		12,000
2023 estimated annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets	12,000		12,000
2024 estimated annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets	12,000		12,000
Estimated annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets after 2024	12,000		12,000
Marketing-related intangible assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets, net	47,900	47,500	$ 47,900	47,500	48,000
Weighted average remaining lives of acquired intangible assets			4 years
Marketing-related intangible assets | Amortizable
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets, net	3,300	2,900	$ 3,300	2,900	3,400
Customer-related intangible assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining lives of acquired intangible assets			9 years
Customer-related intangible assets | Amortizable
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets, net	76,300	75,800	$ 76,300	75,800	82,600
Other acquired intangible assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets, net	14,100	16,100	$ 14,100	16,100	15,500
Weighted average remaining lives of acquired intangible assets			10 years
Other acquired intangible assets | Amortizable
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets, net	8,200	10,100	$ 8,200	10,100	$ 9,600
Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining lives of acquired intangible assets			3 years
Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining lives of acquired intangible assets			25 years
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense for intangibles	$ 3,400	3,400	$ 10,600	10,300
Selling, general and administrative expenses | Pet Segment
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment of intangible assets				2,500
C&S Products | Marketing-related intangible assets | Amortizable
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets, net		900		900
C&S Products | Customer-related intangible assets | Amortizable
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets, net		$ 1,900		$ 1,900

XML

Leases - Narrative (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2020
Minimum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Remaining lease term	1 year
Maximum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Remaining lease term	10 years

XML

Leases - Supplemental Balance Sheet (Details) $ in Thousands	Jun. 27, 2020 USD ($)
Operating leases
Operating lease right-of-use assets	$ 99,111
Current lease liabilities	31,600
Non-current lease liabilities	71,500
Total operating lease liabilities	103,100
Finance leases
Finance lease right-of-use assets	$ 300
Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	us-gaap:PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet
Current lease liabilities	$ 100
Finance Lease, Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	us-gaap:LongTermDebtCurrent
Non-current lease liabilities	$ 100
Finance Lease, Liability, Noncurrent, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	us-gaap:LongTermDebtNoncurrent
Total finance lease liabilities	$ 200
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years):
Operating leases	4 years 9 months 18 days
Finance leases	2 years 2 months 12 days
Weighted-average discount rate:
Operating leases	3.84%
Finance leases	4.84%

XML

Leases - Schedule of Supplemental Cash Flow and Other Information Related to Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2020	Jun. 27, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Operating lease cost	$ 9.7	$ 29.0
Amortization of right-of-use assets	0.0	0.1
Interest on lease liabilities	0.0	0.0
Total finance lease cost	0.0	0.1
Short-term lease cost	1.0	2.7
Variable lease cost	1.6	5.1
Total lease cost	$ 12.3	36.9
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases		26.8
Operating cash flows from finance leases		0.0
Financing cash flows from finance leases		0.1
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases		13.7
Finance leases		$ 0.0

XML

Leases - Lease Maturity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 27, 2020	Sep. 28, 2019
Operating Leases, after Adoption of 842
2020 (excluding the nine months ended June 27, 2020)	$ 9.6
2021	32.4
2022	25.1
2023	14.7
2024	10.0
Thereafter	21.9
Total future undiscounted lease payments	113.7
Less imputed interest	(10.6)
Total reported lease liability	103.1
Finance Leases, After Adoption of 842
2020 (excluding the nine months ended June 27, 2020)	0.0
2021	0.1
2022	0.1
2023	0.0
2024	0.0
Thereafter	0.0
Total future undiscounted lease payments	0.2
Less imputed interest	0.0
Total reported lease liability	$ 0.2
Operating Leases, Before Adoption of 842
2020		$ 38.0
2021		29.3
2022		21.8
2023		11.3
2024		7.9
Thereafter		20.7
Total future undiscounted lease payments		$ 129.0

XML

Long-Term Debt - Components of Long-term Debt (Details) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2020	Sep. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 14, 2017	Nov. 09, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total	$ 694,013,000	$ 693,150,000	$ 693,064,000
Less current portion	(98,000)	(113,000)	(116,000)
Long-term portion	693,915,000	693,037,000	692,948,000
Senior notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(6,207,000)	(7,158,000)	(7,475,000)
Total	693,793,000	692,842,000	692,525,000
Senior notes | Senior notes, interest at 6.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due November 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes	$ 400,000,000	400,000,000	400,000,000			$ 400,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate stated, percentage	6.125%					6.125%
Senior notes | Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes	$ 300,000,000	300,000,000	300,000,000		$ 300,000,000
Total	$ 296,500,000	296,100,000	296,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate stated, percentage	5.125%			5.125%	5.125%
Secured debt | Base rate borrowings
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.00%
Secured debt | Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.00% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.0% to 0.50%, final maturity September 2024.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total	$ 0	0	0
Secured debt | Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.00% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.0% to 0.50%, final maturity September 2024. | Minimum | LIBOR-based borrowings
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.00%
Secured debt | Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.00% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.0% to 0.50%, final maturity September 2024. | Minimum | Base rate borrowings
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.00%
Secured debt | Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.00% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.0% to 0.50%, final maturity September 2024. | Maximum | LIBOR-based borrowings
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.50%
Secured debt | Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.00% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.0% to 0.50%, final maturity September 2024. | Maximum | Base rate borrowings
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.50%
Other notes payable
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total	$ 220,000	$ 308,000	$ 539,000

XML

Long-Term Debt - Narrative (Details)				1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 14, 2017 USD ($)	Nov. 09, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 27, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 28, 2019 USD ($)	Jun. 29, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017	Apr. 22, 2016
Components of long-term debt
Line of credit facility, commitment fee percentage	0.125%
Ownership percentage of equity	65.00%
Collateral Pledged
Components of long-term debt
Ownership percentage of equity	100.00%
Revolving credit facility | LIBOR-based borrowings
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	0.00%
Letter of credit
Components of long-term debt
Other letters of credit outstanding					$ 3,200,000
Standby Letters of Credit
Components of long-term debt
Letters of credit outstanding	$ 50,000,000
Short-term Debt
Components of long-term debt
Letters of credit outstanding	40,000,000
Secured debt | Base rate borrowings
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility					0.00%
Secured debt | Revolving credit facility
Components of long-term debt
Credit facility, maximum principal amount	400,000,000.0
Credit facility, additional borrowings available	$ 200,000,000.0
Credit facility, available capacity					$ 400,000,000.0
Line of credit outstanding borrowings					0
Other letters of credit outstanding					0
Debt issuance costs					$ 1,600,000
Debt instrument fixed charge coverage ratio									1.00
Secured debt | Revolving credit facility | Federal funds rate
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	0.50%
Secured debt | Revolving credit facility | One-month LIBOR
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	1.00%
Secured debt | Revolving credit facility | LIBOR-based borrowings
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility					1.00%
Applicable interest rate on the credit facility					1.20%
Secured debt | Revolving credit facility | Base rate borrowings
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest rate on the credit facility					3.30%
Secured debt | Revolving credit facility | Minimum | LIBOR-based borrowings
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	1.00%
Secured debt | Revolving credit facility | Minimum | Base rate borrowings
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	0.00%
Secured debt | Revolving credit facility | Maximum | LIBOR-based borrowings
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	1.50%
Secured debt | Revolving credit facility | Maximum | Base rate borrowings
Components of long-term debt
Applicable interest margin rate on the credit facility	0.50%
Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028 | Redemption period one
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage		105.125%
Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028 | Redemption period two
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage		102.563%
Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028 | Redemption period three
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage		101.708%
Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028 | Redemption period four
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage		100.854%
Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028 | Redemption period five
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage		100.00%
Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028 | Upon change of control
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage		101.00%
Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028 | Senior notes
Components of long-term debt
Aggregate principal amount of debt		$ 300,000,000			$ 300,000,000	$ 300,000,000	$ 300,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate stated, percentage		5.125%			5.125%			5.125%
Debt issuance cost		$ 4,800,000
Redemption percentage		35.00%
Senior notes, interest at 6.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due November 2023 | Redemption period three
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage			103.063%
Senior notes, interest at 6.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due November 2023 | Redemption period four
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage			101.531%
Senior notes, interest at 6.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due November 2023 | Redemption period five
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage			100.00%
Senior notes, interest at 6.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due November 2023 | Upon change of control
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage			101.00%
Senior notes, interest at 6.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due November 2023 | Senior notes
Components of long-term debt
Aggregate principal amount of debt			$ 400,000,000		$ 400,000,000	$ 400,000,000	$ 400,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate stated, percentage			6.125%		6.125%
Debt issuance cost			$ 6,300,000
Senior subordinated notes, interest at 8.25%, payable semi-annually, principal due march 2018 | Senior notes
Components of long-term debt
Aggregate principal amount of debt				$ 400,000,000
Debt instrument interest rate stated, percentage				8.25%
Senior subordinated notes, interest at 8.25%, payable semi-annually, principal due march 2018 | Senior subordinated notes
Components of long-term debt
Debt redemption price percentage				102.063%

XML

Supplemental Equity Information - Summary of Changes in Carrying Amounts of Equity Attributable to Controlling Interest and Noncontrolling Interest (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2020	Mar. 28, 2020	Dec. 28, 2019	Jun. 29, 2019	Mar. 30, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018	Jun. 27, 2020	Jun. 29, 2019
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 993,442	$ 973,172	$ 996,177	$ 999,302	$ 956,484	$ 952,834	$ 996,177	$ 952,834
Comprehensive income	69,298	42,737	(4,103)	46,195	42,934	1,365	107,932	90,494
Amortization of share-based awards	3,754	2,923	2,804	2,965	2,473	2,261
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement	(1,425)	(804)	(318)	(640)	(1,771)	(385)
Repurchase of stock	(5,084)	(25,042)	(22,128)	(14,306)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options	406	513	740	871	(819)	409
Distribution to Noncontrolling interest	(39)	(57)		(64)
Other	0				1
Ending balance	1,060,352	993,442	973,172	1,034,323	999,302	956,484	1,060,352	1,034,323
Total
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	993,013	973,124	996,007	998,749	956,263	952,449	996,007	952,449
Comprehensive income	68,761	42,299	(3,981)	46,006	42,603	1,529
Amortization of share-based awards	3,754	2,923	2,804	2,965	2,473	2,261
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement	(1,425)	(804)	(318)	(640)	(1,771)	(385)
Repurchase of stock	(5,084)	(25,042)	(22,128)	(14,306)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options	406	513	740	871	(819)	409
Ending balance	1,059,425	993,013	973,124	1,033,645	998,749	956,263	1,059,425	1,033,645
Additional Paid In Capital
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	562,625	570,117	575,380	592,331	592,451	590,168	575,380	590,168
Amortization of share-based awards	3,754	2,923	2,804	2,965	2,473	2,261
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement	(1,425)	(807)	(318)	(641)	(1,773)	(386)
Repurchase of stock	(1,988)	(10,121)	(8,488)	(5,676)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options	405	513	739	870	(820)	408
Ending balance	563,371	562,625	570,117	589,849	592,331	592,451	563,371	589,849
Retained Earnings
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	431,486	403,693	421,742	407,117	364,726	362,923	421,742	362,923
Comprehensive income	68,800	42,704	(4,417)	46,152	42,391	1,803
Repurchase of stock	(3,094)	(14,911)	(13,632)	(8,624)
Ending balance	497,192	431,486	403,693	444,645	407,117	364,726	497,192	444,645
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(1,645)	(1,240)	(1,676)	(1,280)	(1,492)	(1,218)	(1,676)	(1,218)
Comprehensive income	(39)	(405)	436	(146)	212	(274)
Ending balance	(1,684)	(1,645)	(1,240)	(1,426)	(1,280)	(1,492)	(1,684)	(1,426)
Noncontrolling Interest
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	429	48	170	553	221	385	170	385
Comprehensive income	537	438	(122)	189	331	(164)
Distribution to Noncontrolling interest	(39)	(57)		(64)
Other					1
Ending balance	927	429	48	678	553	221	927	678
Common Class
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	113	115	115	121	121	121	115	121
Repurchase of stock		(2)
Ending balance	113	113	115	121	121	121	113	121
Class A Common Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	418	423	430	444	441	439	430	439
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement		3		1	2	1
Repurchase of stock	(2)	(8)	(8)	(6)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options	1		1	1	1	1
Ending balance	417	418	423	440	444	441	417	440
Class B Stock
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	16	16	16	16	16	16	16	16
Ending balance	$ 16	$ 16	$ 16	$ 16	$ 16	$ 16	$ 16	$ 16

XML

Stock-Based Compensation - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2020	Jun. 29, 2019
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Share-based compensation expense	$ 14.0	$ 10.4
Tax benefit associated with share-based compensation expense	$ 3.4	$ 2.5

XML

Earnings Per Share - Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2020	Jun. 29, 2019	Jun. 27, 2020	Jun. 29, 2019
Basic EPS:
Net income available to common shareholders basic	$ 68,800	$ 46,152	$ 107,087	$ 90,346
Weighted average shares, basic (in shares)	53,441	57,319	54,261	57,021
Earnings per share, basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.29	$ 0.81	$ 1.97	$ 1.58
Effect of dilutive securities (1):
Options to purchase common stock (in shares)	278	412	339	559
Options to purchase common stock (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)
Restricted shares (in shares)	449	254	384	357
Restricted shares (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ 0	$ (0.01)	$ (0.01)
Diluted EPS:
Net income available to common shareholders diluted	$ 68,800	$ 46,152	$ 107,087	$ 90,346
Net income available to common shareholders, diluted (in shares)	54,168	57,985	54,984	57,937
Net income available to common shareholders, diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.27	$ 0.80	$ 1.95	$ 1.56

XML

Earnings Per Share - Narrative (Details) - $ / shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2020	Jun. 29, 2019	Jun. 27, 2020	Jun. 29, 2019
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Number of options to purchase common stock outstanding (in shares)	3.1	2.6	3.1	2.6
Equity Option
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount (in shares)	0.5	1.8	1.0	1.1
Minimum
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Options to purchase common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 10.63	$ 8.56	$ 10.63	$ 8.56
Maximum
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Options to purchase common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 38.10	$ 38.10	$ 38.10	$ 38.10

XML

Segment Information - Narrative (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2020 segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	2

XML

Segment Information - Financial Information Relating to Company's Business Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2020	Jun. 29, 2019	Jun. 27, 2020	Jun. 29, 2019	Sep. 28, 2019
Net sales:
Net sales	$ 833,483	$ 706,575	$ 2,019,540	$ 1,842,266
Operating Income (loss)
Total operating income	104,640	68,871	172,810	141,205
Interest expense - net	(11,471)	(8,498)	(29,444)	(24,960)
Other income (expense)	(3,541)	180	(4,215)	488
Income tax expense	20,291	14,212	31,211	26,031
Income including noncontrolling interest	69,337	46,341	107,940	90,702
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	537	189	853	356
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	68,800	46,152	107,087	90,346
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	13,283	13,082	39,598	37,311
Assets:
Assets	2,263,969	2,064,918	2,263,969	2,064,918	$ 2,025,020
Goodwill (included in corporate assets above):
Goodwill	289,854	281,177	289,854	281,177	286,077
Pet Segment
Net sales:
Net sales	413,260	350,155	1,128,073	1,028,754
Garden Segment
Net sales:
Net sales	420,223	356,420	891,467	813,512
Operating segments | Pet Segment
Operating Income (loss)
Total operating income	50,760	35,066	114,599	91,805
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	8,374	8,083	25,305	24,178
Assets:
Assets	810,524	742,938	810,524	742,938	734,380
Goodwill (included in corporate assets above):
Goodwill	272,066	268,289	272,066	268,289	268,289
Operating segments | Garden Segment
Operating Income (loss)
Total operating income	77,787	53,103	122,439	101,821
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	3,538	3,497	10,157	8,635
Assets:
Assets	635,671	558,260	635,671	558,260	463,889
Goodwill (included in corporate assets above):
Goodwill	17,788	12,888	17,788	12,888	17,788
Corporate
Operating Income (loss)
Total operating income	(23,907)	(19,298)	(64,228)	(52,421)
Depreciation and amortization:
Depreciation and amortization	1,371	1,502	4,136	4,498
Assets:
Assets	$ 817,774	$ 763,720	$ 817,774	$ 763,720	$ 826,751

XML

Segment Information - Disaggregated Revenues by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2020	Jun. 29, 2019	Jun. 27, 2020	Jun. 29, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 833,483	$ 706,575	$ 2,019,540	$ 1,842,266
Pet Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	413,260	350,155	1,128,073	1,028,754
Garden Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	420,223	356,420	891,467	813,512
Other pet products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	206,300	171,100	508,300	457,000
Other pet products | Pet Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	206,300	171,100	508,300	457,000
Other pet products | Garden Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0	0	0
Dog and cat products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	117,000	99,900	358,800	336,200
Dog and cat products | Pet Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	117,000	99,900	358,800	336,200
Dog and cat products | Garden Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0	0	0
Other manufacturers' products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	180,100	141,000	443,200	378,900
Other manufacturers' products | Pet Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	90,000	79,200	261,000	235,600
Other manufacturers' products | Garden Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	90,100	61,800	182,200	143,300
Garden controls and fertilizer products
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	100,300	80,900	234,200	219,000
Garden controls and fertilizer products | Pet Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0	0	0
Garden controls and fertilizer products | Garden Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	100,300	80,900	234,200	219,000
Other garden supplies
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	229,800	213,700	475,000	451,200
Other garden supplies | Pet Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0	0	0
Other garden supplies | Garden Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 229,800	$ 213,700	$ 475,000	$ 451,200

XML

Contingencies Contingencies (Details) $ in Millions		1 Months Ended		8 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2018 USD ($) claim	Aug. 06, 2020 USD ($)	Jun. 27, 2020 USD ($)	May 28, 2020 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Nov. 26, 2019 USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Number of claims | claim	3
Damages awarded	$ 12.6		$ 12.4
Pet Segment | Athens, Texas | Loss From Fire
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Inventory and property related losses					$ 11.0
Loss contingency, loss in period				$ 18.0
Minimum | Pet Segment | Athens, Texas | Loss From Fire
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Inventory and property related losses						$ 35.0
Maximum | Pet Segment | Athens, Texas | Loss From Fire
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Inventory and property related losses						$ 40.0
Subsequent Event | Pet Segment | Athens, Texas | Loss From Fire
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Insurance proceeds		$ 9.0