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CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO

For the period ended Sep 27, 2025. Filed Nov 26, 2025.

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About this filing

A company's yearly report to the SEC, with audited financial statements. It is the fullest account a company gives of its business, its finances and the risks it sees.

FY2025 · Filed Nov 26, 2025

CENT$47.78-0.3%Stored close · as of Nov 6, 2026
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Contents

Note

  1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

Organization – Central Garden & Pet Company (“Central”), a Delaware corporation, and subsidiaries (the “Company”), is a leading marketer and producer of quality branded products and distributor of third-party products in the pet and lawn and garden supplies markets.

Basis of Consolidation and Presentation – The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and include the accounts of Central and all majority-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The fiscal years ended September 27, 2025 and September 28, 2024 each included 52 weeks and the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 included 53 weeks.

Noncontrolling Interest – Noncontrolling interest in the Company’s consolidated financial statements represents the 20% interest not owned by the Company in a consolidated subsidiary. Since the Company controls this subsidiary, its financial statements are consolidated with those of the Company, and the noncontrolling owner’s 20% share of the subsidiary’s net assets and results of operations is deducted and reported as noncontrolling interest on the consolidated balance sheets and as net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in the consolidated statements of operations.

Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires that management make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period including realization of accounts receivable and inventory and valuation of goodwill and intangibles. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition and Nature of Products and Services

The Company manufactures, markets and distributes a wide variety of branded, private label and third-party pet and garden products to wholesalers, distributors and retailers, primarily in the United States. The majority of the Company’s revenue is generated from the sale of finished pet and garden products. The Company also recognizes a minor amount of non-product revenue (approximatelyone percent of consolidated net sales) comprising third-party logistics services, merchandising services and royalty income from sales-based licensing arrangements. Product and non-product revenue is recognized when performance obligations under the terms of the contracts with customers are satisfied. The Company recognizes product revenue when control over the finished goods transfers to its customers, which generally occurs upon shipment to, or receipt at, customers’ locations, as determined by the specific terms of the contract, and when control over the finished goods transfers to retail consumers in consignment arrangements. These revenue arrangements generally have single performance obligations. Non-product revenue is recognized as the services are provided to the customer in the case of third-party logistics services and merchandising services, or as third-party licensee sales occur for royalty income. Revenue, which includes shipping and handling charges billed to the customer, is reported net of variable consideration and consideration payable to our customers, including applicable discounts, returns, allowances, trade promotion, unsaleable product, consumer coupon redemption and rebates. The amount billed to customers for shipping and handling costs included in net sales for the fiscal years ended September 27, 2025, September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023 was $12.8 million, $12.8 million and $13.6 million, respectively. Shipping and handling costs that occur before the customer obtains control of the goods are deemed to be fulfillment activities and are accounted for as fulfillment costs.

Key sales terms are established on a frequent basis such that most customer arrangements and related incentives have a one year or shorter duration. As such, the Company does not capitalize contract inception costs. The Company generally does not have unbilled receivables at the end of a period. Deferred revenues are not material and primarily include advance payments for services that have yet to be rendered. The Company does not receive noncash consideration for the sale of goods. Amounts billed and due from our customers are classified as receivables and require payment on a short-term basis; therefore, the Company does not have any significant financing components.

Sales Incentives and Other Promotional Programs

The Company routinely offers sales incentives and discounts through various regional and national programs to its customers and consumers. These programs include product discounts or allowances, product rebates, product returns, one-time or ongoing trade-promotion programs with customers and consumer coupon programs that require the Company to estimate and accrue the expected costs of such programs. The costs associated with these activities are accounted for as reductions to the transaction price of the Company’s products and are, therefore, recorded as reductions to gross sales at the time of sale. The Company bases its estimates of incentive costs on historical trend experience with similar programs, actual incentive terms per customer contractual obligations and expected levels of performance of trade promotions, utilizing customer and sales organization inputs. The Company maintains liabilities at the end of each period for the estimated incentive costs incurred but unpaid for these programs. Differences between estimated and actual incentive costs have not been material and are recognized in earnings in the period such differences are determined. Reserves for product returns, accrued rebates and promotional accruals are included in the consolidated balance sheets as part of accrued expenses, and the value of inventory associated with reserves for sales returns is included within prepaid and other current assets on the consolidated balance sheets.

Cost of goods sold consists of cost of product, inbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, certain indirect purchasing, merchandise handling and storage costs, internal transfer costs as well as allocations of overhead costs, including depreciation, related to the Company’s facilities. Cost of goods sold excludes substantially all shipping and handling and outbound freight costs to customers, which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses as delivery expenses. The cost of shipping and handling, including internal costs and payments to third parties, included in delivery expenses within selling, general and administrative expenses for the fiscal years ended September 27, 2025, September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023 was $84.9 million, $87.1 million and $97.1 million, respectively.

Advertising Costs – The Company expenses the costs of advertising as incurred. Advertising expenses were $65.9 million, $56.2 million and $43.6 million in fiscal 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

401(k) Plans – The Company sponsors several 401(k) plans which cover substantially all employees. The Company’s matching contributions expensed under these plans were $7.7 million for fiscal 2025, $6.8 million for fiscal 2024 and $7.9 million for fiscal 2023. In fiscal 2025, 2024 and 2023, the Company’s matching contributions made in the Company’s Class A common stock resulted in the issuance of approximately 240,328,198,697 and 216,000 shares, respectively.

Other income (expense) consists principally of earnings (losses) from equity method investments and foreign exchange gains and losses.

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred income taxes reflect the impact of “temporary differences” between asset and liability amounts for financial reporting purposes and such amounts as determined based on existing tax laws. Deferred income taxes result primarily from bad debt allowances, inventory and goodwill write-downs, amortization and depreciation. The Company establishes a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets when management believes it is more likely than not a deferred tax asset will not be realized. As of fiscal year-end 2025 and 2024, the Company had valuation allowances related to various state and foreign net deferred tax assets of $13.3 million and $9.9 million, respectively.

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash – The Company considers cash and all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash and cash equivalents. Restricted cash includes cash and highly liquid instruments that are used as collateral for stand-alone letter of credit agreements related to normal business transactions. These agreements require the Company to maintain specified amounts of cash as collateral in segregated accounts to support the letters of credit issued thereunder, which will affect the amount of cash the Company has available for other uses. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheets to the consolidated statements of cash flows as of September 27, 2025, September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively (in thousands).

September 27, 2025September 28, 2024September 30, 2023
(in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents$882,488$753,550$488,730
Restricted cash15,94514,85314,143
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash$898,433$768,403$502,873

Accounts receivable are carried at their estimated net realizable value. Trade credit is generally extended on a short-term basis; thus trade receivables do not bear interest, although a finance charge may be applied to such receivables that are past due.

Allowance for Credit Losses and Customer Allowances – The Company’s trade accounts receivable are recorded at net realizable value, which includes an allowance for estimated credit losses, as well as allowances for contractual customer deductions accounted for as variable consideration.

The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses related to its trade accounts receivable for future expected credit losses for the inability of its customers to make required payments. The Company estimates the allowance based upon historical bad debts, current customer receivable balances and the customer’s financial condition. The allowance is adjusted to reflect changes in current and forecasted macroeconomic conditions. The Company’s estimate of credit losses includes expected current and future economic and market conditions. See Note 5 – Allowance for Credit Losses and Customer Allowances.

Inventories which primarily consist of garden products and pet supplies finished goods, are stated at net realizable value. Cost includes certain indirect purchasing, merchandise handling and storage costs incurred to acquire or manufacture inventory, costs to unload, process and put away shipments received in order to prepare them to be picked for orders, and certain other overhead costs. The amount of such costs capitalized to inventory is computed based on an estimate of costs related to the procurement and processing of inventory to prepare it for sale compared to total product purchases. See Note 6 – Inventories, net.

Land, buildings, improvements and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method over 30 years for buildings. Improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the useful life of the asset or the terms of the related leases. Depreciation on equipment and capitalized software is computed by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives ofthree to 10 years. See Note 7 – Property and Equipment, Net.

Long-Lived Assets – The Company reviews its long-lived assets, including amortizable and indefinite-lived intangible assets, property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets, for potential impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable, and at least annually for indefinite-lived intangible assets. The Company’s fixed assets and intangible assets subject to amortization are required to be tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may not be recoverable. If an evaluation of recoverability is required, the estimated undiscounted future cash flows associated with the asset group would be compared to the asset group's carrying amount to determine if a write-down is required. If the undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recorded. Impairment, if any, is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds its fair value. The Company recognized impairment losses on certain intangible assets of $1.0 million, $12.8 million and $11.5 million in fiscal years 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Should market conditions or the assumptions used by the Company in determining the fair value of assets change, or management changes plans regarding the future use of certain assets, additional charges to operations may be required in the period in which such conditions occur. See Note 9 – Other Intangible Assets.

Goodwill represents the excess of cost of an acquired business over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Identifiable intangible assets acquired in business combinations are recorded based on their fair values at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is not subject to amortization but must be evaluated for impairment annually. The Company tests for goodwill impairment annually or whenever events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. See Note 8 – Goodwill.

Investments – The Company owns interests ranging from 1% to 50% infourteen unconsolidated companies. The Company accounts for its interest in these entities in accordance with ASC 321 –Investments – Equity Securitiesor ASC 323 - Investments Equity Method and Joint Ventures. Equity method losses of $0.1 million in fiscal year 2025, $6.7 million (which includes an investment impairment of $7.5 million) in fiscal year 2024, and $0.2 million in fiscal 2023, are included in other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company’s investment in these entities was $30.5 million at September 27, 2025 and $31.5 million at September 28, 2024 and is included in Other assets in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. On an individual and combined basis, the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of these entities are not significant. See Note 3 – Acquisitions, Divestitures and Investments.

Leases -The Company determines whether an arrangement contains a lease at inception by determining if the contract conveys the right to control the use of identified property, plant or equipment for a period of time in exchange for consideration and other facts and circumstances. Long-term operating lease right-of-use ("ROU") assets and current and long-term operating lease liabilities are presented separately in the consolidated balance sheets. Finance lease ROU assets are presented in property, plant and equipment, net, and the related finance liabilities are presented with current and long-term debt in the consolidated balance sheets.

Lease ROU assets represent the Company's right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent the Company's obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets are calculated based on the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments paid to the lessor at or before the commencement date and excludes any lease incentives received from the lessor. Lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term. The lease term may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. As the Company's leases typically do not contain a readily determinable implicit rate, the Company determines the present value of the lease liability using its incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date based on the lease term on a collateralized basis. Variable lease payments are expensed as incurred and include certain non-lease components, such as maintenance and other services provided by the lessor, and other charges included in the lease, as applicable. Non-lease components and the lease components to which they relate are accounted for as a single lease component, as the Company has elected to combine lease and non-lease components for all classes of underlying assets.

Amortization of ROU lease assets is calculated on a straight-line basis over the lease term with the expense recorded in cost of sales or selling, general and administrative expenses, depending on the nature of the leased item. Operating lease cost is recorded on a straight-line basis over the lease term with expense recorded in cost of sales or selling, general and administrative expenses, depending on the nature of the leased item. All operating lease cash payments and lease costs on finance leases are recorded within cash flows from operating activities and all finance lease principal payments are recorded within cash flows from financing activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows. See Note 10 - Leases.

Insurance – The Company maintains insurance for certain risks, including workers’ compensation, general liability and automobile liability, and is self-insured for employee related health care benefits. The Company’s workers’ compensation, general liability and automobile liability insurance policies include deductibles of $250,000 to $500,000 per occurrence. The Company maintains excess loss insurance that covers any health care claims in excess of $1,000,000 per person per year. The Company establishes reserves for losses based on its claims experience and actuarial estimates of the ultimate loss amount inherent in the claims, including claims incurred but not yet reported. Costs are recognized in the period the claim is incurred, and the financial statement accruals include an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments – At September 27, 2025 and September 28, 2024, the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and payable and accrued liabilities approximates fair value because of the short term nature of these instruments. See Note 2 – Fair Value Measurements for further information regarding the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments.

Stock-Based Compensation – Stock-based compensation cost is estimated at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is expensed ratably over the service period of the award. Total compensation costs recognized under all share-based arrangements in fiscal 2025 was $21.1 million ($16.0 million after tax), fiscal 2024 was $20.6 million ($15.7 million after tax), and fiscal 2023 was $28.0 million ($21.3 million after tax). See Note 14 – Stock-Based Compensation for further information.

Total Comprehensive Income – Total comprehensive income consists of two components: net income and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) refers to gains and losses that under generally accepted accounting principles are recorded directly as an element of shareholders’ equity, but are excluded from net income, and is comprised of currency translation adjustments relating to the Company’s foreign subsidiaries in the U.K and Canada whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

Segment Reporting

In November 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280) Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. ASU 2023-07 will improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses on an interim and annual basis. This ASU requires entities to provide significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), other segment expenses included in each reported measure of segment profitability, and disclosure of the title and position of the CODM. During 2025, we adopted the annual disclosure requirements on a retrospective basis. The additional disclosures required are presented in Note 18 - Business Segment Data. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

Income Taxes

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. This ASU primarily requires enhanced disclosures and disaggregation of income tax information by jurisdiction in the annual income tax reconciliation and quantitative and qualitative disclosures regarding income taxes paid. ASU No. 2023-09 is to be applied prospectively, with the option to apply the standard retrospectively, effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this guidance will have on the Company’s disclosures.

  1. Fair Value Measurements

Generally accepted accounting principles require financial assets and liabilities to be categorized based on the inputs used to calculate their fair values as follows:

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (including assumptions about risk).

The Company’s financial instruments include cash and equivalents, restricted cash and equivalents, accounts receivable and payable and accrued liabilities. The carrying amount of these instruments approximates fair value because of their short-term nature.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The fair values of the Company's contingent consideration liabilities from previous business acquisitions are considered "Level 3" measurements because the Company uses various estimates in the valuation models to project timing and amount of future contingent payments. The liability for contingent consideration relates to future performance-based contingent payments. The performance period extends through fiscal 2028. The fair value of the estimated contingent consideration arrangement is determined based on the Company’s evaluation as to the probability and amount of any earn-out that will be achieved based on expected future performance by the acquired entity. The balance, if there is an amount, is presented as part of long-term liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

The following table provides a summary of changes in fair value of the Company's Level 3 financial instruments for the years ended September 27, 2025 and September 28, 2024:

Amount
(in thousands)
Balance September 30, 2023$115
Changes in the fair value of contingent performance-based payments(20)
Performance-based payments made(95)
Balance September 28, 2024—
Estimated contingent performance-based consideration established at the time of acquisition2,000
Changes in the fair value of contingent performance-based payments—
Performance-based payments made—
Balance September 27, 2025$2,000

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis

The Company measures certain non-financial assets and liabilities, including long-lived assets, goodwill, intangible assets and right-of-use assets at fair value on a non-recurring basis. Fair value measurements of non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities are used primarily in the impairment analyses of long-lived assets, goodwill and other intangible assets. In fiscal year ended September 27, 2025, impairment charges of approximately $1.0 million in the Company's Pet segment was recorded as part of selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. In fiscal year ended September 28, 2024, impairment charges of approximately $12.8 million in the Company's Pet segment was recorded as part of selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. In fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, impairment charges of approximately $7.5 million and $3.9 million in the Company's Pet and Garden segments, respectively, were recorded as part of selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments

In April 2021, the Company issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of 4.125% senior notes due April 2031 (the "2031 Notes"). The estimated fair value of the Company's 2031 Notes as of September 27, 2025 and September 28, 2024 was $374.4 million and $367.2 million compared to a carrying value of $396.7 million and $396.0 million, respectively.

In October 2020, the Company issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 4.125% senior notes due October 2030 (the "2030 Notes"). The estimated fair value of the Company's 2030 Notes as of September 27, 2025 and September 28, 2024 was $473.5 million and $465.2 million compared to a carrying value of $496.0 million and $495.2 million, respectively.

In December 2017, the Company issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 5.125% senior notes due February 2028 (the "2028 Notes"). The estimated fair value of the Company's 2028 Notes as of September 27, 2025 and September 28, 2024 was $299.4 million and $299.2 million, respectively, compared to a carrying value of $298.9 million and $298.4 million, respectively.

The estimated fair value is based on quoted market prices for these notes, which are Level 2 inputs within the fair value hierarchy.

  1. Acquisitions, Divestitures and Investments

Fiscal 2025

The Company did not make any material acquisitions in fiscal 2025.

Fiscal 2024

On November 3, 2023, the Company acquired TDBBS, LLC (“TDBBS”), a provider of premium natural dog chews and treats for approximately $60 million. The addition of TDBBS expands Central’s portfolio with bully and collagen sticks, bones and jerky, adds scale to its dog and cat business and enhances Central’s eCommerce and direct-to-consumer capabilities. The purchase price exceeded the estimated fair value of the net tangible assets acquired by approximately $45 million, of which $23 million was allocated to identified intangible assets and approximately $5 million was included in goodwill. Financial results of TDBBS have been included in the results of operations within the Pet segment since the date of acquisition. The following table summarizes the purchase price and recording of fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date and subsequent adjustments.

Amounts Previously Recognized as of Acquisition Date (1)Measurement Period AdjustmentsAmounts Recognized as of Acquisition Date (as Adjusted)
(in thousands)
Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired$21,831$1,137$22,968
Fixed assets2,369—2,369
Goodwill—4,9254,925
Other assets44,891(44,891)—
Operating lease right-of-use assets3,956—3,956
Deferred tax assets—15,85915,859
Other intangible assets, net—22,97022,970
Current liabilities(9,094)—(9,094)
Long-term lease liabilities(3,727)—(3,727)
Net assets acquired, less cash and cash equivalents$60,226$—$60,226

(1) As previously reported in the Company's Form 10-Q for the period ended June 29, 2024. The impact to the consolidated statement of operations associated with the finalization of purchase accounting and true-up of intangible assets for TDBBS was immaterial. Proforma financial information has not been presented as the TDBBS acquisition was not considered material to the Company's overall consolidated financial statements during the periods presented.

Fiscal 2023

The Company did not make any acquisitions in fiscal 2023.

Divestiture

Sale of Garden Segment Independent Distribution Business

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, the Company sold its independent garden center distribution business for approximately $20 million for inventory and the related customer data. Associated with the sale, the Company closedone facility and part of another facility due to excess space previously dedicated to serving the independent garden channel. As a result of these closures, the Company recorded a gain of $5.8 million which is net of the inventory sold, inventory transport costs and the associated facility closure costs, including severance. The gain was recorded as part of selling, general and administrative expenses.

Investments

During fiscal year 2025, the Company did not record any new investments or impairments. During fiscal 2024, the Company recorded an investment impairment totaling $7.5 million for two related private company investments. During fiscal 2023, the Company converted a SAFE note totaling $0.9 million into shares, acquiring a 6% interest, which is accounted for in accordance with ASC 321.

  1. Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Customers and Suppliers

Customer Concentration – Approximately 54% of the Company’s net sales for fiscal 2025,54% for fiscal 2024 and 52% for fiscal 2023 were derived from sales to the Company’s top five customers. The Company’s largest customer (which has sales in both Garden and Pet in fiscal 2025), accounted for approximately 17% of the Company’s net sales in fiscal years 2025 and 2024, and 16% in 2023. The Company’s second largest customer (which has sales in Garden in 2025), accounted for approximately 16% of the Company’s net sales in fiscal years 2025, 2024 and 2023. The Company’s third largest customer (which has sales in Pet in 2025), accounted for approximately 9% of the Company’s net sales in fiscal 2025, and 8% in fiscal years 2024 and 2023. The loss of, or significant adverse change in, the relationship between the Company and any of these three customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and financial results. The loss of or reduction in orders from any significant customer, losses arising from customer disputes regarding shipments, fees, merchandise condition or related matters, or the Company’s inability to collect accounts receivable from any major customer could also have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business and financial results. As of September 27, 2025 and September 28, 2024, accounts receivable from the Company’s top five customers comprised approximately 56% and 53%, respectively, of the Company’s total accounts receivable, including 19% and 14%, respectively, from the Company’s largest customer.

Supplier Concentration – While the Company purchases products from many different manufacturers and suppliers, approximately 6%,7% and 5% of the Company’s cost of goods sold in fiscal years 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively, were derived from products purchased from the Company’s five largest suppliers.

  1. Allowance for Credit Losses and Customer Allowances

The Company’s trade accounts receivable are recorded at net realizable value, which includes an allowance for estimated credit losses, as well as an allowance for contractual customer deductions accounted for as variable consideration as described in Note 1 - Organization and Significant Accounting Policies.

The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses related to its trade accounts receivable for future expected credit losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. The Company estimates the allowance based upon historical bad debts, current customer receivable balances and the customer’s financial condition. The allowance is adjusted to reflect differences in current conditions as well as changes in forecasted macroeconomic conditions. The Company’s estimate of credit losses includes expected current and future economic and market conditions.

The following provides a reconciliation of the activity in the Allowance for Credit Losses and Customer Allowances:

Balances atBeginningof PeriodCharged/(Credited) toCosts andExpensesAssetWrite-Offs,LessRecoveriesIncrease/(Decrease) to Contractual Customer DeductionsBalances atEnd ofPeriod
(in thousands)
Allowance for estimated credit losses$10,671$703$(2,888)$—$8,486
Allowance for contractual customer deductions15,575——1,73617,311
Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2023$26,246$703$(2,888)$1,736$25,797
Allowance for estimated credit losses8,486884(3,003)—6,367
Allowance for contractual customer deductions17,311——(2,643)14,668
Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2024$25,797$884$(3,003)$(2,643)$21,035
Allowance for estimated credit losses6,3672,154(510)—8,011
Allowance for contractual customer deductions14,668——(1,221)13,447
Fiscal Year Ended September 27, 2025$21,035$2,154$(510)$(1,221)$21,458
  1. Inventories, net

Inventories, net of allowance for obsolescence, consist of the following:

September 27, 2025September 28, 2024
(in thousands)
Raw materials$219,890$256,419
Work in progress134,084146,041
Finished goods347,209338,762
Supplies20,92316,721
Total inventories, net$722,106$757,943
  1. Property and Equipment, net

Property and equipment, net consists of the following:

September 27, 2025September 28, 2024
(in thousands)
Land$30,628$29,672
Buildings and improvements297,246290,599
Transportation equipment16,05815,833
Machine and warehouse equipment417,549409,049
Capitalized software113,424117,666
Office furniture and equipment30,62531,432
Assets under construction23,59119,295
929,121913,546
Accumulated depreciation and amortization(565,933)(534,380)
Total property and equipment, net$363,188$379,166

Depreciation and amortization expense, including the amortization of intangible assets, charged to operations was $84.9 million, $90.8 million and $87.7 million for fiscal 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

  1. Goodwill

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the fiscal years ended September 27, 2025, September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023:

Garden ProductsSegmentPet ProductsSegmentTotal
(in thousands)
Goodwill$482,952$473,045$955,997
Accumulated impairment losses(213,583)(195,978)(409,561)
269,369277,067546,436
Additions in fiscal 2023———
Goodwill482,952473,045955,997
Accumulated impairment losses(213,583)(195,978)(409,561)
269,369277,067546,436
Additions in fiscal 2024—4,9254,925
Goodwill482,952477,970960,922
Accumulated impairment losses(213,583)(195,978)(409,561)
269,369281,992551,361
Additions in fiscal 2025—3,3313,331
Goodwill482,952481,301964,253
Accumulated impairment losses(213,583)(195,978)(409,561)
$269,369$285,323$554,692

Additions or reductions to goodwill include acquisitions, sale of businesses, purchase price adjustments and adjustments of amounts upon finalization of purchase accounting.

The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually (as of the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter), or whenever events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount, by first assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The qualitative assessment evaluates factors including macro-economic conditions, industry-specific and company-specific considerations, legal and regulatory environments and historical performance. If it is determined that it is more likely than not the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, it is unnecessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the quantitative test is performed to identify potential goodwill impairment. Based on certain circumstances, the Company may elect to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to performing the quantitative goodwill impairment test, which compares the estimated fair value of our reporting units to their related carrying values, including goodwill. Impairment is indicated if the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, and an impairment charge is recognized for the differential. The Company’s goodwill impairment analysis also includes a comparison of the aggregate estimated fair value of itstwo reporting units to the Company’s total market capitalization.

Determining the fair value of a reporting unit involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. The estimate of fair value of each of the Company’s reporting units is based on the Company’s projection of revenues, gross margin, operating costs and cash flows considering historical and estimated future results, general economic and market conditions as well as the impact of planned business and operational strategies. The Company bases its fair value estimates on assumptions the Company believes to be reasonable at the time, but such assumptions are subject to inherent uncertainty. Assumptions critical to the Company’s fair value estimates were: (i) discount rates used in determining the fair value of the reporting units; (ii) estimated future cash flows; and (iii) projected revenue and operating profit growth rates used in the reporting unit models. Actual results may differ from those estimates. The valuations employ present value techniques to measure fair value and consider market factors.

In connection with the Company's annual goodwill impairment testing performed during fiscal 2025, the Company made a qualitative evaluation about the likelihood of goodwill impairment to determine whether it was necessary to calculate the fair values of its reporting units under the goodwill impairment test. The Company completed its qualitative assessment of potential goodwill impairment and determined that it was more likely than not the fair values of the Company's reporting units were greater than their carrying amount in fiscal 2025, and accordingly, no further testing of goodwill was required in fiscal 2025.

In connection with the Company’s annual goodwill impairment testing performed during fiscal 2024, the Company made a qualitative evaluation about the likelihood of goodwill impairment to determine whether it was necessary to calculate the fair values of its reporting segments under the goodwill impairment test. The Company completed our qualitative assessment of potential goodwill impairment and determined that it was more likely than not the fair values of the Company’s reporting segments were greater than their carrying amount in fiscal 2024, and accordingly, no further testing of goodwill was required in fiscal 2024.

In connection with the Company’s annual goodwill impairment testing performed during fiscal 2023, the Company elected to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceeded directly to performing the quantitative goodwill impairment test. The Company completed its quantitative assessment of potential goodwill and determined that it was more likely than not the fair values of the Company's reporting units were greater than their carrying amounts.

  1. Other Intangible Assets

The following table summarizes the components of gross and net acquired intangible assets:

GrossAccumulatedAmortizationAccumulatedImpairmentNetCarryingValue
(in millions)
Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable$26.0$(23.3)$—$2.7
Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable266.3—(35.0)231.4
Total292.3(23.3)(35.0)234.1
Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable421.7(201.3)(17.5)202.9
Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable41.9(35.8)(1.3)4.8
Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable7.1—(1.2)5.9
Total49.1(35.8)(2.5)10.7
Total other intangible assets$763.0$(260.4)$(55.0)$447.6
Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable$26.0$(22.8)$—$3.1
Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable266.3—(35.0)231.4
Total292.3(22.8)(35.0)234.5
Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable421.7(176.4)(17.5)227.8
Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable39.7(34.3)(0.3)5.1
Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable7.1—(1.2)5.9
Total46.8(34.3)(1.5)11.0
Total other intangible assets$760.8$(233.5)$(54.0)$473.3
Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable$22.1$(21.5)$—$0.6
Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable252.5—(29.4)223.1
Total274.6(21.5)(29.4)223.7
Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable416.4(147.4)(10.3)258.8
Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable39.7(30.5)(0.3)8.9
Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable7.1—(1.2)5.9
Total46.8(30.5)(1.5)14.8
Total other intangible assets$737.8$(199.4)$(41.2)$497.2

Other acquired intangible assets include contract-based and technology-based intangible assets.

As part of its acquisition of TDBBS in fiscal 2024, the Company acquired approximately $17.7 million of marketing-related intangible assets and $5.3 million of customer-related intangible assets. See Note 3 – Acquisitions.

The Company evaluates long-lived assets, including amortizable and indefinite-lived intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company evaluates indefinite-lived intangible assets on an annual basis. As a result of market changes and declining sales, factors indicating the carrying value of certain amortizable and indefinite-lived intangible assets may not be recoverable were present in fiscal 2025, 2024 and 2023. The Company performed impairment testing on these assets, found the carrying value was not recoverable, and accordingly, recorded impairment charges of approximately $1.0 million in its Pet segment as part of selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations for the fiscal year ended September 27, 2025, $12.8 million in its Pet segment as part of selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2024, and $7.5 million and $3.9 million in its Pet and Garden segments, respectively, as part of selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023.

The Company is currently amortizing its acquired intangible assets with definite lives over periods ranging from five years to 25 years; over weighted-average remaining lives ofeight years for marketing-related intangibles, ten years for customer-related intangibles andseven years for other acquired intangibles. Amortization expense for intangibles subject to amortization was approximately $27.0 million, $34.1 million and $34.5 million, for fiscal 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and is classified within selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. Annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets in each of the succeeding five years is estimated to be approximately $24 million per year from fiscal 2026 through fiscal 2028, and $22 million per year from fiscal 2029 through fiscal 2030.

  1. Leases

The Company has operating and finance leases for manufacturing and distribution facilities, vehicles, equipment and office space. The Company's leases have remaining lease terms ofone to 10 years, inclusive of renewal or termination options that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise. The Company does not include significant restrictions or covenants in its lease agreements, and residual value guarantees are not included within its operating leases. Some of the Company's leasing arrangements require variable payments that are dependent on usage or output or may vary for other reasons, such as product costs, insurance and tax payments. These variable payments are not included in the Company's recorded lease assets and liabilities and are expensed as incurred. Certain leases are tied to a variable index or rate and are included in lease assets and liabilities based on the indices or rates as of lease commencement. See Note 1 – Organization and Significant Accounting Policies, for more information about the Company's lease accounting policies.

Supplemental balance sheet information related to the Company's leases was as follows:

Balance Sheet ClassificationSeptember 27, 2025September 28, 2024
(in millions)
Operating leases
Right-of-use assetsOperating lease right-of-use assets$222.9$205.1
Current lease liabilitiesCurrent operating lease liabilities$56.9$57.3
Non-current lease liabilitiesLong-term operating lease liabilities191.7173.1
Total operating lease liabilities$248.6$230.4
Finance leases
Right-of-use assetsProperty, plant and equipment, net$0.2$0.3
Current lease liabilitiesCurrent portion of long-term debt$—$0.1
Non-current lease liabilitiesLong-term debt0.10.2
Total finance lease liabilities$0.1$0.3

Components of lease cost were as follows:

Fiscal Year Ended
September 27, 2025September 28, 2024
(in millions)
Operating lease cost$69.3$62.8
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets$0.3$0.2
Interest on lease liabilities——
Total finance lease cost$0.3$0.2
Short-term lease cost$12.9$13.6
Variable lease cost$14.9$10.6
Total lease cost$97.4$87.2

Supplemental cash flow information and non-cash activity related to the Company's leases was as follows:

Fiscal Year Ended
September 27, 2025September 28, 2024
(in millions)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases$58.6$50.7
Operating cash flows from finance leases——
Financing cash flows from finance leases0.10.1
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases$74.0$95.4
Finance leases——

Weighted-average remaining lease term and discount rate for the Company's leases were as follows:

September 27, 2025September 28, 2024
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years):
Operating leases5.45.3
Finance leases2.52.9
Weighted-average discount rate:
Operating leases6.01%5.64%
Finance leases6.87%6.80%

Lease liability maturities as of September 27, 2025 are as follows:

Operating Leases · Finance Leases
Fiscal Year · (in millions)
2026$67.2$—
202756.10.1
202844.3—
202937.9—
203032.5—
Thereafter56.7—
Total future undiscounted lease payments$294.7$0.1
Less imputed interest(46.1)—
Total reported lease liability$248.6$0.1
ContentsView on SEC.gov

The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.