Shareholders' Equity

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2023

Equity [Abstract]

Shareholders' Equity

Shareholders’ Equity

At September 30, 2023 and September 24, 2022, there were 80,000,000 shares of common stock ($0.01 par value) authorized, of which 11,077,612 and 11,296,351, respectively, were outstanding, and 100,000,000 shares of non-voting Class A common stock ($0.01 par value) authorized, of which 41,042,325 and 41,336,223, respectively, were outstanding. The preferences and relative rights of the Class A common stock are identical to common stock in all respects, except that the Class A common stock generally has no voting rights unless otherwise required by Delaware law.

There are 3,000,000 shares of Class B stock ($0.01 par value) authorized, of which 1,602,374 and 1,612,374, respectively, were outstanding at September 30, 2023 and September 24, 2022. The voting powers, preferences and relative rights of the Class B stock are identical to common stock in all respects except that (i) the holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share and the holders of Class B stock are entitled to the lesser of ten votes per share or 49% of the total votes cast, (ii) stock dividends on common stock may be paid only in shares of common stock and stock dividends on Class B stock may be paid only in shares of Class B stock and (iii) shares of Class B stock have certain conversion rights and are subject to certain restrictions on ownership and transfer. Each share of Class B stock is convertible into one share of common stock, at the option of the holder. Additional shares of Class B stock may only be issued with majority approval of the holders of the common stock and Class B stock, voting as separate classes.

There are 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock ($0.01 par value) authorized, of which none were outstanding at September 30, 2023 and September 24, 2022.

In August 2019, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program to purchase up to $100 million of its common stock (the "2019 Repurchase Authorization"). The 2019 Repurchase Authorization has no fixed expiration date and expires when the amount authorized has been used or the Board withdraws its authorization. As of September 30, 2023, the Company had $83.2 million remaining under its 2019 Repurchase Authorization. During fiscal 2023, the Company repurchased approximately 0.6 million shares of its non-voting common stock (CENTA) on the open market at an aggregate cost of approximately $22.2 million, or $35.31 per share, and approximately 0.2 million shares of its voting common stock (CENT) on the open market at an aggregate cost of approximately $8.5 million, or $37.31 per share.

In February 2019, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to make supplemental purchases to minimize dilution resulting from issuances under its equity compensation plans (the "Equity Dilution Authorization"). In addition to the Company's regular share repurchase program, it is permitted to purchase annually a number of shares equal to the number of shares of restricted stock or stock options granted in the prior fiscal year, to the extent not already repurchased, and the current fiscal year. The Equity Dilution Authorization has no fixed expiration date and expires when the Board withdraws its authorization. As of September 30, 2023, the Company did not have any shares remaining from the fiscal 2023 equity plan activity to repurchase shares under its Equity Dilution Authorization.