Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 26, 2015	Sep. 26, 2015	Dec. 27, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 9,006	$ 47,584	$ 79,588
Restricted cash	11,939	13,157	19,690
Short term investments	0	0	9,992
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $21,213, $24,184 and $19,296)	195,357	207,402	142,877
Inventories	416,458	335,946	399,936
Prepaid expenses and other	59,873	49,731	64,280
Total current assets	692,633	653,820	716,363
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment-net	163,948	162,809	163,546
Goodwill	209,089	209,089	208,233
Other intangible assets-net	74,552	75,460	87,061
Other assets	70,987	30,419	9,104
Total	1,211,209	1,131,597	1,184,307
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	129,091	88,889	128,485
Accrued expenses	89,047	87,724	93,208
Current portion of long-term debt	292	291	50,289
Total current liabilities	218,430	176,904	271,982
Long-term debt	435,893	396,691	395,257
Other long-term obligations	58,005	51,622	42,212
Equity:
Additional paid-in capital	390,583	388,636	393,494
Accumulated earnings	107,385	115,987	80,136
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(69)	164	670
Total Central Garden & Pet Company shareholders' equity	498,400	505,286	474,802
Noncontrolling interest	481	1,094	54
Total equity	498,881	506,380	474,856
Total	1,211,209	1,131,597	1,184,307
Common Stock [Member]
Equity:
Common stock	119	119	122
Total equity	119	119	122
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Equity:
Common stock	366	364	364
Total equity	366	364	364
Class B Stock [Member]
Equity:
Common stock	16	16	16
Total equity	$ 16	$ 16	$ 16