- What products does Central sell?
Central is a market leader in the pet and garden industries. We are a highly diversified, leading innovator, producer, and distributor of branded and private label products for the lawn & garden and pet supplies markets in the United States. Driven by a portfolio of more than 65 high-quality brands such as Amdro®, Aqueon®, Cadet®, C&S®, Farnam®, Ferry-Morse®, Four Paws®, Kaytee®, Nylabone®, and Pennington®, along with a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture, we are dedicated to helping lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier, and communities grow stronger.
Our pet supplies for dogs and cats include chews and treats, dog chew and play toys, dental chews and solutions, training pads, carriers, grooming supplies, and other accessories; products for birds, small animals, and specialty pets; including food, 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.
Our lawn and garden supplies 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; live plants; and packet seed.
Our domestic sales and distribution network exists to promote our proprietary brands and third-party partner brands. It provides value-added services to independent specialty retail stores, over 10,000 pet retailers, over 6,000 vet clinics, and approximately 4,400 garden customers. By selling many other manufacturers’ brands of pet & garden supplies and combining these products with our branded products into single shipments, we enable our independent customers to deal with us cost-effectively to meet their pet and garden supplies requirements. We also operate a pet sales and distribution facility in the United Kingdom.
- What year was Central incorporated and in what state?
Central was founded in 1980 as a distribution company and was incorporated in the State of Delaware in 1992.
- How many employees does Central have?
As of March 29, 2025, Central employed over 6,000 people, including approximately 350 temporary or part-time employees, primarily across North America.
- Where do I find available job openings for Central?
A link labeled Careers is located at the top of every page on our website and will direct you to the Careers page.
- What companies has Central acquired and when?
This section of our site lists some of our most prominent acquisitions.
- Who are Central’s primary competitors?
Garden – Scotts Miracle Gro, Spectrum Brands and S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
Pet – Mars, Inc., Spectrum Brands and the J.M. Smucker Co.
General Information
Financial
- What are Central’s stock symbols and CUSIP?
Central has two listings on the Nasdaq OMX:
CENT - Voting shares (1 vote per share) - CUSIP 153527106
CENTA - Non-voting shares - CUSIP 153527205
- Which indices contain Central’s stock as a component?
Nasdaq Composite (IXIC)
Nasdaq Industrial (IXID)
S&P 600 Small Cap (SPCY)
S&P Small Cap 600 Value (CVK)
S&P 600 Consumer Staples (SPSMCS)
S&P Composite 1500 Consumer Staples (SPCOMS)
STOXX Global Pet Care (STXPCV)
- How many Central shares are issued and outstanding?
As of July 30, 2025, the total number of shares outstanding of our Common Stock (CENT) was 9,650,221, and 51,618,478 of our Class A Common Stock (CENTA). In addition, we had 1,602,374 shares of our Class B stock outstanding, which are convertible into Common Stock on a one-for-one basis.
- What are the CUSIPs on Central’s senior notes?
5.125% senior notes due on 2/1/2028 - CUSIP 153527AM8
4.125% senior notes due on 10/15/2030 - CUSIP 153527AN6
4.125% senior notes due on 4/30/2031 - CUSIP 153527AP1
- When did Central go public?
July 14, 1993
- Where can I find historical stock price information?
On Central's Investor Relations website.
- When has Central had stock splits?
In February 2007, Central spun-off the non-voting CENTA shares. Each holder of CENT received two shares of CENTA for each share of CENT held.
In February 2024, Central paid a dividend of one share of Central Class A common stock (“Class A Stock”) for each four shares of Central common stock (“Common Stock”), Class A Stock and Central Class B stock (“Class B Stock”) outstanding. Please find related documents here.- Does Central pay a dividend or offer a dividend reinvestment program (DRIP)?
Currently, Central does not issue dividends, nor does Central have a DRIP plan.
- Does Central have a direct share purchase plan in place?
Central does not offer a direct stock purchase plan at this time.
- Who are the financial analysts that follow Central?
A current list of analysts following us can be found on our website. Click on this link to be directed to the page.
- When is the annual report available?
The annual report on Form 10-K is available within 60 days following the end of our fiscal year on either www.sec.gov or on our website.
The annual report, which includes the Letter to Shareholders, is published approximately 45 days prior to our annual meeting and can be found on our Investor Relations website. Click on this link to be directed to the page.
- When is your next earnings release scheduled?
We announce the date of our earnings release by press release at least 3 days prior to the release. You can find the press release on this page of the Investor Relations website or sign-up for notice of all our press releases by clicking on “Investor Alerts” on the bottom of every page on the Investor Relations website.
- When do Central’s fiscal quarters and fiscal years end?
Our fiscal year ends in September, but the exact date varies based on the number of weeks in the month.
Q1 FY 2025 9/29/24 – 12/28/24 Q2 FY 2025 12/29/24 – 3/29/25 Q3 FY 2025 3/30/25 – 6/28/25 Q4 FY 2025 6/29/25 – 9/27/25 Q1 FY 2026 9/28/25 – 12/27/25 Q2 FY 2026 12/28/25 – 3/28/26 Q3 FY 2026 3/29/26 – 6/27/26 Q4 FY 2026 6/28/26 – 9/26/26
Special Stock Dividend
- Where can I find Form 8937 and tax information for recipients of Central Class A Common Stock distribution?
Form 8937 and tax information are provided on the Investor Relations Website.
Governance
- Who is Central’s auditor?
Deloitte & Touche LLP
- Who is Central’s outside legal counsel?
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
- Where can I find out more about Central’s business practices and social responsibility?
We have posted on our website information about the way we do business.
- Who are the members of Central’s Board of Directors? Who are Central’s Executive Officers?
On our Investor Relations website, you will find a list of our Board of Directors as well as our Leadership.
- What are the board committees and their members?
A chart listing the members of each Board committee is available in the Corporate Governance section of our Investor Relations website.
- How do I contact members of the Board?
Please send communications to: c/o Central Garden & Pet Company, 1340 Treat Blvd., Suite 600, Walnut Creek, CA 94597. Any correspondence addressed to the Board or any director, in care of Central’s offices, will be forwarded by Central to the intended recipient.
- What are the latest Annual Meeting voting results?
Within four business days following the Annual Meeting, Central files a Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You can access this document through the SEC page of our Investor Relations website.
- How do you select individuals to serve on your Board of Directors?
As needed, Central may engage independent search firms and consultants to assist the Board in identifying a diverse pool of qualified candidates and, at the direction of the Chairman of the Board, in evaluation and pursuing individual nominees.
- What are Central’s independence standards? How many of Central’s directors are independent?
Central applies the independence criteria set forth in NASDAQ Rule 5605. Under these standards, seven of our directors–Messrs. Dougher, Lewis, Metz, Ranelli, and Mses. Chun, Coleman, and Springer–are considered independent.
- Will you allow stockholders to submit nominations for the Board of Directors via the Company’s proxy statement?
The Board will consider any director candidate recommended by stockholders, provided that the candidate meets the minimum qualifications for directors as established from time to time. Stockholder recommendations must be submitted in writing to Central’s Corporate Secretary no later than 120 days prior to the date of the Annual Meeting. To date, the Board has not received any nominations from non-management stockholders or groups of stockholders that beneficially own five percent or more of Central’s voting stock.
- How can I submit a stockholder proposal to the Board of Directors?
Stockholder proposals should be addressed to: Central Garden & Pet Company, 1340 Treat Blvd., Suite 600, Walnut Creek, CA 94597, Attention: Corporate Secretary. To be considered, proposals must be received no later than the applicable deadline in September. For further details, please refer to the most current proxy statement under the section titled "Stockholder Proposals."
