Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 24, 2016	Sep. 26, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 92,982	$ 47,584
Restricted cash	10,910	13,157
Accounts receivable, net	201,151	207,402
Inventories	362,004	335,946
Prepaid expenses, deferred income taxes and other	47,759	49,731
Total current assets	714,806	653,820
Plant, property and equipment, net	158,224	162,809
Goodwill	231,385	209,089
Other intangible assets, net	95,865	75,460
Other assets	11,913	30,419
Total	1,212,193	1,131,597
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	102,413	88,889
Accrued expenses	99,343	87,724
Current portion of long-term debt	463	291
Total current liabilities	202,219	176,904
Long-term debt	394,806	396,691
Deferred income taxes and other long-term obligations	60,581	51,622
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
Equity:
Additional paid-in capital	393,297	388,636
Retained earnings	160,501	115,987
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,294)	164
Total Central Garden & Pet shareholders’ equity	553,014	505,286
Noncontrolling interest	1,573	1,094
Total equity	554,587	506,380
Total	1,212,193	1,131,597
Common Stock [Member]
Equity:
Common stock	120	119
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Equity:
Common stock	374	364
Class B Stock [Member]
Equity:
Common stock	16	16
Total equity	$ 16	$ 16