Organization And Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Sep. 24, 2011
Organization And Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Organization And Significant Accounting Policies	1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies Organization – Central Garden & Pet Company ("Central"), a Delaware corporation, and subsidiaries (the "Company"), is a leading marketer and producer of quality branded products for the pet and lawn and garden supplies markets. Basis of Consolidation and Presentation – The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Central and all majority-owned subsidiaries. Noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities are recognized for the share of assets, liabilities and operating results not owned by Central. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Noncontrolling Interest – Noncontrolling interest in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements represents the 20% interest not owned by the Company in a consolidated subsidiary. Since the Company controls this subsidiary, its financial statements are fully consolidated with those of the Company, and the noncontrolling owner's 20% share of the subsidiary's net assets and results of operations is deducted and reported as noncontrolling interest on the consolidated balance sheets and as net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest in the consolidated statements of operations. Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires that management make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period including realization of accounts receivable and inventory and valuation of goodwill. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Revenue Recognition – Sales are recognized when merchandise is shipped, risk of loss and title passes to the customer and the Company has no further obligations to provide services related to such merchandise. Discounts, volume-based rebate incentives and most cooperative advertising amounts are recorded as a reduction of sales. The Company's current practice on product returns is to accept and credit the return of unopened cases of products from customers where the quantity is small, where the product has been mis-shipped or the product is defective. Provisions are made for estimated sales returns which are deducted from net sales at the time of shipment. Sales also include shipping and handling costs billed directly to customers. The amount billed to customers for shipping and handling costs included in net sales for the fiscal years ended September 24, 2011, September 25, 2010, and September 26, 2009 was $2.7 million, $1.2 million and $1.1 million, respectively. Cost of goods sold and occupancy consists of cost of product, inbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, certain indirect purchasing, merchandise handling and storage costs, internal transfer costs as well as allocations of overhead costs, including depreciation, related to the Company's facilities. Cost of goods sold excludes substantially all shipping and handling and out-bound freight costs to customers, which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses as delivery expenses. The cost of shipping and handling, including internal costs and payments to third parties, included in delivery expenses within selling, general and administrative expenses for the fiscal years ended September 24, 2011, September 25, 2010 and September 26, 2009 was $49.7 million, $48.6 million and $51.7 million, respectively. Advertising Costs – The Company expenses the costs of advertising as incurred. Advertising expenses were $39.6 million, $35.9 million and $31.4 million in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. 401(k) Plans – The Company sponsors several 401(k) plans which cover substantially all employees. The Company's matching contributions expensed under these plans were $2.1 million, $1.9 million and $2.0 million for fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. In fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company's matching contributions made in the Company's Class A common stock resulted in the issuance of approximately 190,000, 198,000 and 300,000 shares, respectively. Other income consists principally of earnings from equity method investments and foreign exchange gains and losses. Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred income taxes result primarily from bad debt allowances, inventory and goodwill write-downs, amortization and nondeductible reserves. The Company establishes a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets when management believes it is more likely than not a deferred tax asset will not be realized. As of fiscal 2011 and 2010, the Company had valuation allowances related to various state and foreign net deferred tax assets of $7.5 million and $7.0 million, respectively. The Company has no undistributed foreign earnings. Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid debt instruments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase. Short term investments include investments with original maturities greater than three months and remaining maturities of one year or less. Accounts receivable are carried at their estimated collectible amounts. Trade credit is generally extended on a short-term basis; thus, trade receivables do not bear interest, although a finance charge may be applied to such receivables that are past due. Allowance for doubtful accounts – Trade accounts receivable are periodically evaluated for collectibility based on past credit history with customers and their current financial condition. Inventories, which primarily consist of garden products and pet supplies finished goods, are stated at the lower of FIFO cost or market. Cost includes certain indirect purchasing, merchandise handling and storage costs incurred to acquire or manufacture inventory, costs to unload, process and put away shipments received in order to prepare them to be picked for orders, and certain other overhead costs. The amount of such costs capitalized to inventory is computed based on an estimate of costs related to the procurement and processing of inventory to prepare it for sale compared to total product purchases. Long-Lived Assets – The Company reviews its long-lived assets, including amortizable and indefinite-lived intangible assets and property, plant and equipment, for potential impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable, and annually for indefinite-lived intangible assets. An impairment loss would be recognized for amortizable intangible assets and property, plant and equipment when estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset are less than its carrying amount. An impairment loss would be recognized for an intangible asset with an indefinite useful life if its carrying value exceeds its fair value. Impairment, if any, is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds its fair value. The Company has recorded asset impairment charges when the carrying value of an asset was in excess of its fair value. In fiscal 2010, the Company recognized a non-cash $12.0 million impairment charge to its indefinite-lived intangible assets as a result of the continuing challenging economic environment. Should market conditions or the assumptions used by the Company in determining the fair value of assets change, or management changes plans regarding the future use of certain assets, additional charges to operations may be required in the period in which such conditions occur. See Note 8 – Other Intangible Assets. Land, buildings, improvements and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method over thirty years for buildings. Improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the useful life of the asset or the terms of the related leases. Depreciation on equipment and capitalized software is computed by the straight-line and accelerated methods over the estimated useful lives of 3 to 10 years. In December 2007, the Company sold a facility for approximately $5.1 million and entered into a leaseback of the property from the purchaser for a period of approximately eight months. The Company accounted for the leaseback as an operating lease. The Company received cash of $1.3 million and a $3.8 million interest bearing recourse note. The Company recognized a gain of approximately $4.6 million from this sale in the Garden Products segment in fiscal 2008. The note was due in full in January 2009. In January 2009, the Company extended the terms of the note payable on a month-to-month basis and continued to lease the property on a month-to-month basis. Although the Company retained its rights under the terms of the recourse note, during fiscal 2009, the Company concluded that the ultimate repayment may be dependent on the buyer's sale of the facility. Accordingly, in fiscal 2009, the Company revised its accounting to reverse the previously recognized sale and associated gain for accounting purposes. Goodwill represents the excess of cost of an acquired business over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Identifiable intangible assets acquired in business combinations are recorded based on their fair values at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is not subject to amortization but must be evaluated for impairment annually. The Company tests for goodwill impairment annually or whenever events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. See Note 7 – Goodwill. Investments – The Company owns membership interests (from 33% to 49%) in two unconsolidated companies. The Company accounts for its interest in these entities using the equity method. Equity income of $0.9 million in fiscal 2011, $0.6 million in fiscal 2010 and $0.1 million in fiscal 2009 is included in other income in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company's investment in these entities was $0.9 million at September 24, 2011 and $6.3 million at September 25, 2010. On a combined basis, the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of these entities are not significant. Accruals For Insurance – The Company maintains insurance for certain risks, including workers' compensation, general liability and vehicle liability, and is self-insured for employee related health care benefits. The Company's workers' compensation, general liability and vehicle liability insurance policies include deductibles of $250,000 to $350,000 per occurrence. The Company maintains excess loss insurance that covers any health care claims in excess of $700,000 per person per year. The Company establishes reserves for losses based on its claims experience and actuarial estimates of the ultimate loss amount inherent in the claims, including claims incurred but not yet reported. Costs are recognized in the period the claim is incurred, and the financial statement accruals include an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported. Fair Value of Financial Instruments – At September 24, 2011 and September 25, 2010, the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, short term investments, accounts receivable and payable, short term borrowings and accrued liabilities approximates fair value because of the short term nature of these instruments. The estimated fair value of the Company's senior subordinated notes is based on quoted market prices for these instruments. See Note 3 for further information regarding the fair value of the Company's financial instruments. Derivative Financial Instruments – The Company reports all derivative financial instruments on the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in fair value are recognized in earnings, or are deferred, depending on the nature of the underlying exposure being hedged and how effective the derivative is at offsetting a change in the underlying exposure. The Company principally uses a combination of purchase orders and various short and long-term supply arrangements in connection with the purchase of raw materials, including certain commodities. The Company also enters into commodity futures and options contracts to reduce the volatility of price fluctuations of corn, which impacts the cost of raw materials. The Company's primary objective when entering into these derivative contracts is to achieve greater certainty with regard to the future price of commodities purchased for use in its supply chain. These derivative contracts are entered into for periods consistent with the related underlying exposures and do not constitute positions independent of those exposures. The Company does not enter into derivative contracts for speculative purposes and does not use leveraged instruments. The Company does not perform the assessments required to achieve hedge accounting for commodity derivative positions. Accordingly, the changes in the values of these derivatives are recorded currently in its consolidated statements of operations. As of September 24, 2011 and September 25, 2010, the notional amount of these contracts was not significant. In February 2009, the Company's $75 million pay-floating interest rate swap was terminated prior to its maturity by the counterparty in accordance with the terms of the interest rate swap agreement. As a result of this swap termination, the Company received cash proceeds and realized a settlement gain of $2.3 million that was recorded as an adjustment to the carrying amount of the related debt. The settlement gain was being amortized as an offset to interest expense over the remaining term of the debt. In conjunction with the tender offer and purchase of the Company's 2013 Notes in March 2010, the remaining unamortized gain on the pay-floating interest rate swap was recognized and included as part of the loss on extinguishment of debt included in interest expense on the consolidated statements of operations. Stock-Based Compensation – Stock-based compensation cost is estimated at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is expensed ratably over the service period of the award. Total compensation costs recognized under all share-based arrangements in fiscal 2011 was $7.4 million ($4.4 million after tax), fiscal 2010 was $5.6 million ($3.5 million after tax) and in fiscal 2009 was $10.6 million ($6.9 million after tax). See Note 12 for further information. Total Comprehensive Income – Total comprehensive income consists of two components: net income and other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income refers to revenue, expenses, gains and losses that under generally accepted accounting principles are recorded directly as an element of shareholders' equity, but are excluded from net income. Other comprehensive income is comprised of currency translation adjustments relating to the Company's foreign subsidiary whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. The Company does not have any undistributed foreign earnings. Recent Accounting Pronouncements – On September 26, 2010, the Company adopted provisions of ASU No. 2009-17, "Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities (VIEs)." This ASU amends the guidance for consolidation of VIEs primarily related to the determination of the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-6, "Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements." This ASU requires new disclosures regarding transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements, as well as requiring presentation on gross basis information about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in Level 3 fair value measurements. The ASU also clarifies existing disclosures regarding level of disaggregation, inputs and valuation techniques. The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009 and became effective for the Company on December 27, 2009. Disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010 and were effective for the Company on September 25, 2011. The Company does not anticipate the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-28, "Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) – When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts" ("ASU 2010-28"). The amendments in this update modify Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. For those reporting units, an entity is required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. In determining whether it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists, an entity should consider whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating that an impairment may exist. ASU 2010-28 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2010 and was effective for the Company on September 25, 2011. The Company does not anticipate the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-29, "Business Combinations (Topic 805) – Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations" ("ASU 2010-29"). The amendments in this update specify that if a public entity presents comparative financial statements, the entity should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination(s) that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only. The update also expands the supplemental pro forma disclosures to include a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings. ASU 2010-29 is effective prospectively for material (either on an individual or aggregate basis) business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2010, with early adoption permitted. ASU 2010-29 is effective for the Company for acquisitions made during the quarter beginning December 26, 2010. The adoption of ASU 2010-29 during the quarter ended March 26, 2011 did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements; however, the Company may have additional disclosure requirements if a material acquisition occurs. In June 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2011-05, "Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income." ASU No. 2011-05 requires that all nonowner changes in stockholders' equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements, eliminating the option to present other comprehensive income in the statement of changes in equity. Under either choice, items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income are required to be presented on the face of the financial statements where the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income are presented. ASU 2011-05 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011 and will be effective for the Company on September 30, 2012. The guidance will be applied retrospectively. This amendment will change the manner in which the Company presents comprehensive income. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact on its consolidated financial statements. In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, "Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment, which amended the guidance on the annual testing of goodwill for impairment. The amended guidance will allow companies to assess qualitative factors to determine if it is more-likely-than-not that goodwill might be impaired and whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test required under current accounting standards. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, and is effective for the Company on September 30, 2012. The Company has determined that this new guidance will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Organization And Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Sep. 24, 2011

Organization And Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Organization And Significant Accounting Policies

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Organization – Central Garden & Pet Company ("Central"), a Delaware corporation, and subsidiaries (the "Company"), is a leading marketer and producer of quality branded products for the pet and lawn and garden supplies markets.

Basis of Consolidation and Presentation – The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Central and all majority-owned subsidiaries. Noncontrolling interests in consolidated entities are recognized for the share of assets, liabilities and operating results not owned by Central. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Noncontrolling Interest – Noncontrolling interest in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements represents the 20% interest not owned by the Company in a consolidated subsidiary. Since the Company controls this subsidiary, its financial statements are fully consolidated with those of the Company, and the noncontrolling owner's 20% share of the subsidiary's net assets and results of operations is deducted and reported as noncontrolling interest on the consolidated balance sheets and as net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest in the consolidated statements of operations.

Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires that management make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period including realization of accounts receivable and inventory and valuation of goodwill. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition – Sales are recognized when merchandise is shipped, risk of loss and title passes to the customer and the Company has no further obligations to provide services related to such merchandise. Discounts, volume-based rebate incentives and most cooperative advertising amounts are recorded as a reduction of sales. The Company's current practice on product returns is to accept and credit the return of unopened cases of products from customers where the quantity is small, where the product has been mis-shipped or the product is defective. Provisions are made for estimated sales returns which are deducted from net sales at the time of shipment. Sales also include shipping and handling costs billed directly to customers. The amount billed to customers for shipping and handling costs included in net sales for the fiscal years ended September 24, 2011, September 25, 2010, and September 26, 2009 was $2.7 million, $1.2 million and $1.1 million, respectively.

Cost of goods sold and occupancy consists of cost of product, inbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, certain indirect purchasing, merchandise handling and storage costs, internal transfer costs as well as allocations of overhead costs, including depreciation, related to the Company's facilities. Cost of goods sold excludes substantially all shipping and handling and out-bound freight costs to customers, which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses as delivery expenses. The cost of shipping and handling, including internal costs and payments to third parties, included in delivery expenses within selling, general and administrative expenses for the fiscal years ended September 24, 2011, September 25, 2010 and September 26, 2009 was $49.7 million, $48.6 million and $51.7 million, respectively.

Advertising Costs – The Company expenses the costs of advertising as incurred. Advertising expenses were $39.6 million, $35.9 million and $31.4 million in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

401(k) Plans – The Company sponsors several 401(k) plans which cover substantially all employees. The Company's matching contributions expensed under these plans were $2.1 million, $1.9 million and $2.0 million for fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. In fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, the Company's matching contributions made in the Company's Class A common stock resulted in the issuance of approximately 190,000, 198,000 and 300,000 shares, respectively.

Other income consists principally of earnings from equity method investments and foreign exchange gains and losses.

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred income taxes result primarily from bad debt allowances, inventory and goodwill write-downs, amortization and nondeductible reserves. The Company establishes a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets when management believes it is more likely than not a deferred tax asset will not be realized. As of fiscal 2011 and 2010, the Company had valuation allowances related to various state and foreign net deferred tax assets of $7.5 million and $7.0 million, respectively. The Company has no undistributed foreign earnings.

Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid debt instruments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase.

Short term investments include investments with original maturities greater than three months and remaining maturities of one year or less.

Accounts receivable are carried at their estimated collectible amounts. Trade credit is generally extended on a short-term basis; thus, trade receivables do not bear interest, although a finance charge may be applied to such receivables that are past due.

Allowance for doubtful accounts – Trade accounts receivable are periodically evaluated for collectibility based on past credit history with customers and their current financial condition.

Inventories, which primarily consist of garden products and pet supplies finished goods, are stated at the lower of FIFO cost or market. Cost includes certain indirect purchasing, merchandise handling and storage costs incurred to acquire or manufacture inventory, costs to unload, process and put away shipments received in order to prepare them to be picked for orders, and certain other overhead costs. The amount of such costs capitalized to inventory is computed based on an estimate of costs related to the procurement and processing of inventory to prepare it for sale compared to total product purchases.

Long-Lived Assets – The Company reviews its long-lived assets, including amortizable and indefinite-lived intangible assets and property, plant and equipment, for potential impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable, and annually for indefinite-lived intangible assets. An impairment loss would be recognized for amortizable intangible assets and property, plant and equipment when estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset are less than its carrying amount. An impairment loss would be recognized for an intangible asset with an indefinite useful life if its carrying value exceeds its fair value. Impairment, if any, is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds its fair value. The Company has recorded asset impairment charges when the carrying value of an asset was in excess of its fair value. In fiscal 2010, the Company recognized a non-cash $12.0 million impairment charge to its indefinite-lived intangible assets as a result of the continuing challenging economic environment. Should market conditions or the assumptions used by the Company in determining the fair value of assets change, or management changes plans regarding the future use of certain assets, additional charges to operations may be required in the period in which such conditions occur. See Note 8 – Other Intangible Assets.

Land, buildings, improvements and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method over thirty years for buildings. Improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the useful life of the asset or the terms of the related leases. Depreciation on equipment and capitalized software is computed by the straight-line and accelerated methods over the estimated useful lives of 3 to 10 years.

In December 2007, the Company sold a facility for approximately $5.1 million and entered into a leaseback of the property from the purchaser for a period of approximately eight months. The Company accounted for the leaseback as an operating lease. The Company received cash of $1.3 million and a $3.8 million interest bearing recourse note. The Company recognized a gain of approximately $4.6 million from this sale in the Garden Products segment in fiscal 2008. The note was due in full in January 2009. In January 2009, the Company extended the terms of the note payable on a month-to-month basis and continued to lease the property on a month-to-month basis. Although the Company retained its rights under the terms of the recourse note, during fiscal 2009, the Company concluded that the ultimate repayment may be dependent on the buyer's sale of the facility. Accordingly, in fiscal 2009, the Company revised its accounting to reverse the previously recognized sale and associated gain for accounting purposes.

Goodwill represents the excess of cost of an acquired business over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Identifiable intangible assets acquired in business combinations are recorded based on their fair values at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is not subject to amortization but must be evaluated for impairment annually. The Company tests for goodwill impairment annually or whenever events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. See Note 7 – Goodwill.

Investments – The Company owns membership interests (from 33% to 49%) in two unconsolidated companies. The Company accounts for its interest in these entities using the equity method. Equity income of $0.9 million in fiscal 2011, $0.6 million in fiscal 2010 and $0.1 million in fiscal 2009 is included in other income in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company's investment in these entities was $0.9 million at September 24, 2011 and $6.3 million at September 25, 2010. On a combined basis, the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of these entities are not significant.

Accruals For Insurance – The Company maintains insurance for certain risks, including workers' compensation, general liability and vehicle liability, and is self-insured for employee related health care benefits. The Company's workers' compensation, general liability and vehicle liability insurance policies include deductibles of $250,000 to $350,000 per occurrence. The Company maintains excess loss insurance that covers any health care claims in excess of $700,000 per person per year. The Company establishes reserves for losses based on its claims experience and actuarial estimates of the ultimate loss amount inherent in the claims, including claims incurred but not yet reported. Costs are recognized in the period the claim is incurred, and the financial statement accruals include an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments – At September 24, 2011 and September 25, 2010, the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, short term investments, accounts receivable and payable, short term borrowings and accrued liabilities approximates fair value because of the short term nature of these instruments. The estimated fair value of the Company's senior subordinated notes is based on quoted market prices for these instruments. See Note 3 for further information regarding the fair value of the Company's financial instruments.

Derivative Financial Instruments – The Company reports all derivative financial instruments on the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in fair value are recognized in earnings, or are deferred, depending on the nature of the underlying exposure being hedged and how effective the derivative is at offsetting a change in the underlying exposure.

The Company principally uses a combination of purchase orders and various short and long-term supply arrangements in connection with the purchase of raw materials, including certain commodities. The Company also enters into commodity futures and options contracts to reduce the volatility of price fluctuations of corn, which impacts the cost of raw materials. The Company's primary objective when entering into these derivative contracts is to achieve greater certainty with regard to the future price of commodities purchased for use in its supply chain. These derivative contracts are entered into for periods consistent with the related underlying exposures and do not constitute positions independent of those exposures. The Company does not enter into derivative contracts for speculative purposes and does not use leveraged instruments.

The Company does not perform the assessments required to achieve hedge accounting for commodity derivative positions. Accordingly, the changes in the values of these derivatives are recorded currently in its consolidated statements of operations. As of September 24, 2011 and September 25, 2010, the notional amount of these contracts was not significant.

In February 2009, the Company's $75 million pay-floating interest rate swap was terminated prior to its maturity by the counterparty in accordance with the terms of the interest rate swap agreement. As a result of this swap termination, the Company received cash proceeds and realized a settlement gain of $2.3 million that was recorded as an adjustment to the carrying amount of the related debt. The settlement gain was being amortized as an offset to interest expense over the remaining term of the debt. In conjunction with the tender offer and purchase of the Company's 2013 Notes in March 2010, the remaining unamortized gain on the pay-floating interest rate swap was recognized and included as part of the loss on extinguishment of debt included in interest expense on the consolidated statements of operations.

Stock-Based Compensation – Stock-based compensation cost is estimated at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is expensed ratably over the service period of the award. Total compensation costs recognized under all share-based arrangements in fiscal 2011 was $7.4 million ($4.4 million after tax), fiscal 2010 was $5.6 million ($3.5 million after tax) and in fiscal 2009 was $10.6 million ($6.9 million after tax). See Note 12 for further information.

Total Comprehensive Income – Total comprehensive income consists of two components: net income and other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income refers to revenue, expenses, gains and losses that under generally accepted accounting principles are recorded directly as an element of shareholders' equity, but are excluded from net income. Other comprehensive income is comprised of currency translation adjustments relating to the Company's foreign subsidiary whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. The Company does not have any undistributed foreign earnings.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements – On September 26, 2010, the Company adopted provisions of ASU No. 2009-17, "Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities (VIEs)." This ASU amends the guidance for consolidation of VIEs primarily related to the determination of the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-6, "Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements." This ASU requires new disclosures regarding transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements, as well as requiring presentation on gross basis information about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in Level 3 fair value measurements. The ASU also clarifies existing disclosures regarding level of disaggregation, inputs and valuation techniques. The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009 and became effective for the Company on December 27, 2009. Disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010 and were effective for the Company on September 25, 2011. The Company does not anticipate the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-28, "Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) – When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts" ("ASU 2010-28"). The amendments in this update modify Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. For those reporting units, an entity is required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. In determining whether it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists, an entity should consider whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating that an impairment may exist. ASU 2010-28 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2010 and was effective for the Company on September 25, 2011. The Company does not anticipate the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-29, "Business Combinations (Topic 805) – Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations" ("ASU 2010-29"). The amendments in this update specify that if a public entity presents comparative financial statements, the entity should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination(s) that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only. The update also expands the supplemental pro forma disclosures to include a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings. ASU 2010-29 is effective prospectively for material (either on an individual or aggregate basis) business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2010, with early adoption permitted. ASU 2010-29 is effective for the Company for acquisitions made during the quarter beginning December 26, 2010. The adoption of ASU 2010-29 during the quarter ended March 26, 2011 did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements; however, the Company may have additional disclosure requirements if a material acquisition occurs.

In June 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2011-05, "Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income." ASU No. 2011-05 requires that all nonowner changes in stockholders' equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements, eliminating the option to present other comprehensive income in the statement of changes in equity. Under either choice, items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income are required to be presented on the face of the financial statements where the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income are presented. ASU 2011-05 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011 and will be effective for the Company on September 30, 2012. The guidance will be applied retrospectively. This amendment will change the manner in which the Company presents comprehensive income. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, "Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment, which amended the guidance on the annual testing of goodwill for impairment. The amended guidance will allow companies to assess qualitative factors to determine if it is more-likely-than-not that goodwill might be impaired and whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test required under current accounting standards. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, and is effective for the Company on September 30, 2012. The Company has determined that this new guidance will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the organization, consolidation and basis of presentation of financial statements disclosure, and significant accounting policies of the reporting entity. May be provided in more than one note to the financial statements, as long as users are provided with an understanding of (1) the significant judgments and assumptions made by an enterprise in determining whether it must consolidate a VIE and/or disclose information about its involvement with a VIE, (2) the nature of restrictions on a consolidated VIE's assets reported by an enterprise in its statement of financial position, including the carrying amounts of such assets, (3) the nature of, and changes in, the risks associated with an enterprise's involvement with the VIE, and (4) how an enterprise's involvement with the VIE affects the enterprise's financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. Describes procedure if disclosures are provided in more than one note to the financial statements.

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