Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Consolidating Condensed Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries - Condensed Statement of Operations Based on Company's Understanding of SEC's Interpretation (Detail)

v2.4.0.8
Consolidating Condensed Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries - Condensed Statement of Operations Based on Company's Understanding of SEC's Interpretation (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Sep. 28, 2013
Jun. 29, 2013
Mar. 30, 2013
Dec. 29, 2012
Sep. 29, 2012
Jun. 23, 2012
Mar. 24, 2012
Dec. 24, 2011
Sep. 28, 2013
Sep. 29, 2012
Sep. 24, 2011
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]                      
Net sales $ 368,837 $ 494,130 $ 498,169 $ 292,497 $ 397,236 $ 533,808 $ 466,903 $ 302,066 $ 1,653,633 $ 1,700,013 $ 1,628,652
Cost of goods sold and occupancy                 1,189,731 1,185,855 1,134,733
Gross profit 81,307 152,466 153,170 76,959 105,072 180,652 147,696 80,738 463,902 514,158 493,919
Selling, general and administrative expenses                 416,038 439,737 408,744
Goodwill impairment 7,709               7,709 0 0
Income from operations                 40,155 74,421 85,175
Interest - net                 (42,970) (40,170) (37,748)
Other income (expense)                 (677) 678 550
Income (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interest                 (3,492) 34,929 47,977
Income tax expense (benefit)                 (2,592) 12,816 19,595
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest                 (900) 22,113 28,382
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest                 1,029 940 59
Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company before equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries (22,581) 13,725 22,196 (15,269) (10,059) 22,699 21,623 (13,090) (1,929) 21,173 28,323
Equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries                 0 0 0
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company                 (1,929) 21,173 28,323
Parent [Member]
                      
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]                      
Net sales                 502,311 527,901 500,668
Cost of goods sold and occupancy                 402,801 383,990 374,215
Gross profit                 99,510 143,911 126,453
Selling, general and administrative expenses                 141,447 144,171 132,974
Goodwill impairment                 0    
Income from operations                 (41,937) (260) (6,521)
Interest - net                 (43,047) (40,324) (37,984)
Other income (expense)                 (3,791) (3,764) (236)
Income (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interest                 (88,775) (44,348) (44,741)
Income tax expense (benefit)                 (47,803) (15,698) (17,299)
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest                 (40,972) (28,650) (27,442)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest                 1,029 940 59
Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company before equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries                 (42,001) (29,590) (27,501)
Equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries                 40,072 50,763 55,824
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company                 (1,929) 21,173 28,323
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
                      
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]                      
Net sales                 1,198,672 1,244,430 1,244,207
Cost of goods sold and occupancy                 834,280 874,183 876,741
Gross profit                 364,392 370,247 367,466
Selling, general and administrative expenses                 274,591 295,566 275,770
Goodwill impairment                 7,709    
Income from operations                 82,092 74,681 91,696
Interest - net                 77 154 236
Other income (expense)                 3,114 4,442 786
Income (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interest                 85,283 79,277 92,718
Income tax expense (benefit)                 45,211 28,514 36,894
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest                 40,072 50,763 55,824
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest                 0 0 0
Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company before equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries                 40,072 50,763 55,824
Equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries                 0 0 0
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company                 40,072 50,763 55,824
Eliminations [Member]
                      
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]                      
Net sales                 (47,350) (72,318) (116,223)
Cost of goods sold and occupancy                 (47,350) (72,318) (116,223)
Gross profit                 0 0 0
Selling, general and administrative expenses                 0 0 0
Goodwill impairment                 0    
Income from operations                 0 0 0
Interest - net                 0 0 0
Other income (expense)                 0 0 0
Income (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interest                 0 0 0
Income tax expense (benefit)                 0 0 0
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest                 0 0 0
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest                 0 0 0
Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company before equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries                 0 0 0
Equity in undistributed income of guarantor subsidiaries                 (40,072) (50,763) (55,824)
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company                 $ (40,072) $ (50,763) $ (55,824)