Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Segment Information (Details)

v2.4.0.6
Segment Information (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Mar. 30, 2013
Mar. 24, 2012
Mar. 30, 2013
Mar. 24, 2012
Sep. 29, 2012
Net sales:          
Total net sales $ 498,169 $ 466,903 $ 790,666 $ 768,969  
Income (loss) from operations:          
Total income (loss) from operations 46,746 45,222 33,652 33,942  
Interest - net (10,910) (10,440) (21,160) (19,959)  
Other income (expense) (48) (7) (1,029) (121)  
Income taxes 12,828 12,808 3,850 5,162  
Income (Loss) including noncontrolling interest 22,960 21,967 7,613 8,700  
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 764 344 686 167  
Net loss attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company 22,196 21,623 6,927 8,533  
Depreciation and amortization:          
Total depreciation and amortization 8,331 7,608 16,347 15,052  
Assets:          
Total assets 1,346,581 1,260,074 1,346,581 1,260,074 1,149,547
Goodwill (included in corporate assets above):          
Total goodwill 210,223 210,223 210,223 210,223 210,223
Pet segment [Member]
          
Net sales:          
Total net sales 234,750 222,487 429,930 421,769  
Income (loss) from operations:          
Total income (loss) from operations 27,465 21,010 37,638 30,699  
Depreciation and amortization:          
Total depreciation and amortization 4,024 3,616 7,719 7,202  
Assets:          
Total assets 447,082 422,035 447,082 422,035 411,059
Goodwill (included in corporate assets above):          
Total goodwill 202,514 202,514 202,514 202,514 202,514
Garden segment [Member]
          
Net sales:          
Total net sales 263,419 244,416 360,736 347,200  
Income (loss) from operations:          
Total income (loss) from operations 33,958 36,615 25,422 25,530  
Depreciation and amortization:          
Total depreciation and amortization 1,622 1,590 3,278 3,138  
Assets:          
Total assets 542,764 496,003 542,764 496,003 341,716
Goodwill (included in corporate assets above):          
Total goodwill 7,709 7,709 7,709 7,709 7,709
Corporate [Member]
          
Income (loss) from operations:          
Total income (loss) from operations (14,677) (12,403) (29,408) (22,287)  
Depreciation and amortization:          
Total depreciation and amortization 2,685 2,402 5,350 4,712  
Assets:          
Total assets $ 356,735 $ 342,036 $ 356,735 $ 342,036 $ 396,772