Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Segment Information - Financial Information Relating to Company's Business Segments (Detail)

v2.4.0.8
Segment Information - Financial Information Relating to Company's Business Segments (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Mar. 29, 2014
Mar. 30, 2013
Mar. 29, 2014
Mar. 30, 2013
Sep. 28, 2013
Net sales:          
Net sales $ 501,611 $ 498,169 $ 792,132 $ 790,666  
Income (loss) from operations:          
Income from operations 44,769 46,746 36,414 33,652  
Interest expense - net (10,389) (10,910) (22,593) (21,160)  
Other income (expense) 108 (48) (60) (1,029)  
Income taxes 12,999 12,828 5,084 3,850  
Income (loss) including noncontrolling interest 21,489 22,960 8,677 7,613  
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 594 764 490 686  
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company 20,895 22,196 8,187 6,927  
Depreciation and amortization:          
Total depreciation and amortization 9,192 8,331 17,512 16,347  
Assets:          
Total assets 1,294,347 1,346,581 1,294,347 1,346,581 1,161,160
Goodwill (included in corporate assets above):          
Total goodwill 205,756 210,223 205,756 210,223 205,756
Operating Segments [Member] | Pet Segment [Member]
          
Net sales:          
Net sales 216,744 234,750 401,349 429,930  
Income (loss) from operations:          
Income from operations 24,193 27,465 38,579 37,638  
Depreciation and amortization:          
Total depreciation and amortization 4,484 4,024 8,370 7,719  
Assets:          
Total assets 434,059 447,082 434,059 447,082 425,988
Goodwill (included in corporate assets above):          
Total goodwill 205,756 202,514 205,756 202,514 205,756
Operating Segments [Member] | Garden Segment [Member]
          
Net sales:          
Net sales 284,867 263,419 390,783 360,736  
Income (loss) from operations:          
Income from operations 36,799 33,958 30,568 25,422  
Depreciation and amortization:          
Total depreciation and amortization 1,832 1,622 3,405 3,278  
Assets:          
Total assets 521,663 542,764 521,663 542,764 388,581
Goodwill (included in corporate assets above):          
Total goodwill 0 7,709 0 7,709 0
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
          
Income (loss) from operations:          
Income from operations (16,223) (14,677) (32,733) (29,408)  
Depreciation and amortization:          
Total depreciation and amortization 2,876 2,685 5,737 5,350  
Assets:          
Total assets $ 338,625 $ 356,735 $ 338,625 $ 356,735 $ 346,591