UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

___________

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant To Section 13 of 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)	February 5, 2025

Central Garden & Pet Company
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)		Delaware	001-33268	68-0275553
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(State or other jurisdiction<br><br>of incorporation)	(Commission File<br><br>Number)	(IRS Employer<br><br>Identification No.)		1340 Treat Boulevard, Suite 600, Walnut Creek, California	94597
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(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)		Registrant's telephone number, including area code	(925) 948-4000
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(Former name or former address if changed since last report)
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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant

under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock	CENT	The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
Class A Common Stock	CENTA	The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of

1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for

complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

☐

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On February 5, 2025, Central Garden & Pet Company issued a press release announcing its financial

results for the first quarter fiscal year 2025 ended December 28, 2024. A copy of the press release is attached as

Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

Exhibit Number	Description
Exhibit 99.1	Press release dated February 5, 2025.
Exhibit 104	Cover Page Interactive Data File – the cover page iXBRL tags are embedded within the<br><br>Inline XBRL document

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be

signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

By: /s/ BRADLEY G. SMITH
Bradley G. Smith
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Dated:February 5, 2025

Q1 2025 Press Release Exhibit 99.1

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET ANNOUNCES Q1 FISCAL 2025 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Fiscal 2025 Q1 net sales of $656 million vs. $635 million in the prior year

Fiscal 2025 Q1 EPS of $0.21 vs. $0.01 a year ago

Maintains outlook for fiscal 2025 non-GAAP EPS of $2.20 or better

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. – Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ:

CENTA) (“Central”), a market leader in the pet and garden industries, today announced results for its

fiscal 2025 first quarter ended December 28, 2024.

“The fiscal year is off to a strong start, driven by increased first quarter shipments, productivity

gains and easing inflation, all contributing to growth in both our top and bottom line,” said Niko

Lahanas, CEO of Central Garden & Pet. “We are encouraged by our first quarter performance, but

recognize this period is typically our smallest quarter and benefited from the favorable timing of

shipments and promotional activities. We remain confident in our fiscal year outlook and committed to

executing our Central to Home strategy with excellence.”

Fiscal 2025 First Quarter Financial Results

Net sales increased 3% to $656 million from $635 million a year ago.

Gross profit was $196 million compared to $179 million in the prior year quarter. Gross margin

improved by 160 basis points to 29.8% driven by productivity gains and moderating inflation.

SG&A expense was $168 million compared to $170 million in the prior year. SG&A as a

percentage of net sales decreased by 140 basis points to 25.5% reflecting cost discipline across the

organization.

Operating income grew to $28 million from $8 million a year ago. Operating margin expanded

by 300 basis points to 4.3%.

Net interest expense was $8 million compared to $10 million a year ago driven by higher

interest income.

Net income was $14 million compared $0.4 million in the prior year. Earnings per share were

$0.21 compared to $0.01.

Adjusted EBITDA rose to $55 million from $37 million a year ago.

The effective tax rate was 23.5%.

Exhibit 99.1

Pet Segment Fiscal 2025 First Quarter Results

Net sales for the Pet segment increased 4% to $427 million from $409 million in the prior year

quarter driven primarily by customers shifting orders into the first quarter and the timing of

promotional activities.

Pet segment operating income grew to $51 million from $43 million a year ago. Operating

margin expanded by 140 basis points to 12.0% from 10.6% in the prior year quarter driven by

productivity efforts and moderating inflation.

Pet segment adjusted EBITDA rose to $61 million from $54 million a year ago.

Garden Segment Fiscal 2025 First Quarter Results

Net sales for the Garden segment increased 2% to $229 million from $225 million a year ago

driven primarily by customers shifting orders into the first quarter, supported by favorable weather.

Garden segment operating income was $2 million compared to an operating loss of $9 million

in the prior year quarter. Operating margin improved by 500 basis points to 1.1% from negative 3.9% a

year ago, driven by moderating inflation, productivity gains and exiting the low-margin pottery

business.

Garden segment adjusted EBITDA was $14 million compared to $2 million in the prior year

quarter.

Liquidity and Debt

The cash balance at the end of the quarter was $618 million compared to $341 million a year

ago. Cash used by operations during the quarter was $69 million compared to $70 million a year ago.

Total debt as of December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023 was $1.2 billion. The gross

leverage ratio, calculated using the definitions for Indebtedness and EBITDA in Central's credit

agreement, at the end of the first quarter was 2.9x compared to 3.0x at the end of the prior year quarter.

Central repurchased 1.68 million shares or $52 million of its stock during the quarter. As of the

end of the fiscal first quarter, $131 million remains available for future stock repurchases.

Cost and Simplicity Program

Central continues to make significant progress in its multi-year Cost and Simplicity program,

which encompasses a comprehensive pipeline of initiatives across procurement, manufacturing,

Exhibit 99.1

logistics, portfolio management, and administrative costs. These efforts aim to streamline operations,

enhance efficiency, and simplify the business across the organization.

Fiscal 2025 Guidance

Central continues to expect fiscal 2025 non-GAAP EPS to be $2.20 or better.

This outlook reflects the expected impact of the recently announced tariffs, deflationary

pressure in certain commodity businesses, shifting consumer behavior amid macroeconomic and

geopolitical uncertainty, and challenges within the brick-and-mortar retail landscape. This outlook

excludes the potential impact of acquisitions, divestitures, or restructuring activities that may occur

during fiscal 2025, including initiatives associated with the Cost and Simplicity program. Central

anticipates fiscal 2025 capital expenditures to range between $60 million and $70 million.

Conference Call

Central's senior management will host a conference call today at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time

(1:30 p.m. Pacific Time) to review the fiscal 2025 first quarter results and provide a general business

update. The call, along with related materials, can be accessed at http://ir.central.com.

Alternatively, to listen to the call by telephone, dial (201) 689-8345 (domestic and international)

entering confirmation #13750497.

About Central Garden & Pet

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA) understands home is

central to life and has proudly nurtured happy and healthy homes for over 45 years. With fiscal 2024

net sales of $3.2 billion, Central is on a mission to lead the future of the pet and garden industries. The

Company’s innovative and trusted products are dedicated to helping lawns grow greener, gardens

bloom bigger, pets live healthier, and communities grow stronger. Central is home to a leading

portfolio of more than 65 high-quality brands including Amdro®, Aqueon®, Cadet®, C&S®, Farnam®,

Ferry-Morse®, Four Paws®, Kaytee®, Nylabone®  and Pennington®, strong manufacturing and

distribution capabilities, and a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture. Central is based in Walnut

Creek, California, with 6,450 employees primarily across North America. Visit www.central.com to

learn more.

“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

The statements contained in this release which are not historical facts, including statements

concerning productivity initiatives and earnings guidance for fiscal 2025, are forward-looking

statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially

from those set forth in or implied by forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are

based upon Central's current expectations and various assumptions. There are a number of risks and

Exhibit 99.1

uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements

contained in this release including, but not limited to, the following factors:

•economic uncertainty and other adverse macroeconomic conditions;

•impacts of tariffs or a trade war;

•risks associated with international sourcing, including from China;

•fluctuations in energy prices, fuel and related petrochemical costs;

•declines in consumer spending and the associated increased inventory risk;

•seasonality and fluctuations in our operating results and cash flow;

•adverse weather conditions and climate change;

•the success of our Central to Home strategy and our Cost and Simplicity program;

•fluctuations in market prices for seeds and grains and other raw materials, including the

impact of significant declines in grass seed market prices on our inventory valuation;

•risks associated with new product introductions, including the risk that our new products

will not produce sufficient sales to recoup our investment;

•dependence on a small number of customers for a significant portion of our business;

•consolidation trends in the retail industry;

•supply shortages in pet birds, small animals and fish;

•reductions in demand for our product categories;

•competition in our industries;

•continuing implementation of an enterprise resource planning information technology

system;

•regulatory issues;

•potential environmental liabilities;

•access to and cost of additional capital;

•the impact of product recalls;

•risks associated with our acquisition strategy, including our ability to successfully integrate

acquisitions and the impact of purchase accounting on our financial results;

•potential goodwill or intangible asset impairment;

•the potential for significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in internal control over

financial reporting, particularly of acquired companies;

•our dependence upon our key executives;

•our ability to recruit and retain members of our management team and employees to support

our businesses;

•potential costs and risks associated with actual or potential cyberattacks;

•our ability to protect our trademarks and other proprietary rights;

•litigation and product liability claims;

•the impact of new accounting regulations and the possibility our effective tax rate will

increase as a result of future changes in the corporate tax rate or other tax law changes;

•potential dilution from issuance of authorized shares; and

•the voting power associated with our Class B stock.

Exhibit 99.1

These risks and others are described in more detail in Central’s Annual Report on Form 10-K

for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2024, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on

November 27, 2024. Central undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking

statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise.

Investor Relations Contact

Friederike Edelmann

VP, Investor Relations & Corporate Sustainability

fedelmann@central.com | (925) 412-6726

#

(Tables Follow)

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts, unaudited)

ASSETS	December 28, 2024	December 30, 2023	September 28, 2024
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$618,020	$341,419	$753,550
Restricted cash	14,649	14,200	14,853
Accounts receivable (less allowances of $22,264, $24,973 and $21,035)	399,443	370,996	326,220
Inventories, net	815,782	948,398	757,943
Prepaid expenses and other	39,919	39,047	34,240
Total current assets	1,887,813	1,714,060	1,886,806
Plant, property and equipment, net	370,673	389,440	379,166
Goodwill	551,361	546,436	551,361
Other intangible assets, net	465,914	489,058	473,280
Operating lease right-of-use assets	195,775	177,499	205,137
Other assets	64,319	105,841	57,689
Total	$3,535,855	$3,422,334	$3,553,439
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$221,903	$212,193	$212,606
Accrued expenses	262,952	230,477	245,226
Current lease liabilities	58,623	51,035	57,313
Current portion of long-term debt	173	466	239
Total current liabilities	543,651	494,171	515,384
Long-term debt	1,190,271	1,189,093	1,189,809
Long-term lease liabilities	163,271	136,708	173,086
Deferred income taxes and other long-term obligations	118,831	149,776	117,615
Equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value: 10,718,231, 11,077,612 and 11,074,620 shares<br><br>outstanding at December 28, 2024, December 30, 2023 and September 28, 2024	107	111	111
Class A common stock, $0.01 par value: 53,128,604, 54,515,853 and 54,446,194<br><br>shares outstanding at December 28, 2024, December 30, 2023 and<br><br>September 28, 2024	531	545	544
Class B stock, $0.01 par value: 1,602,374 shares outstanding at December 28,<br><br>2024, December 30, 2023 and September 28, 2024	16	16	16
Additional paid-in capital	586,777	594,512	598,098
Retained earnings	936,344	858,817	959,511
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(4,661)	(2,112)	(2,626)
Total Central Garden & Pet Company shareholders’ equity	1,519,114	1,451,889	1,555,654
Noncontrolling interest	717	697	1,891
Total equity	1,519,831	1,452,586	1,557,545
Total	$3,535,855	$3,422,334	$3,553,439

Exhibit 99.1

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share amounts, unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	December 28, 2024	December 30, 2023
Net sales	$656,436	$634,533
Cost of goods sold	460,737	455,688
Gross profit	195,699	178,845
Selling, general and administrative expenses	167,707	170,433
Operating income	27,992	8,412
Interest expense	(14,470)	(14,316)
Interest income	6,740	4,609
Other income (expense)	(1,717)	993
Income (Loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	18,545	(302)
Income tax expense (benefit)	4,364	(869)
Income including noncontrolling interest	14,181	567
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	172	137
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$14,009	$430
Net income per share attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company:
Basic	$0.22	$0.01
Diluted	$0.21	$0.01
Weighted average shares used in the computation of net income per share:
Basic	64,552	65,415
Diluted	65,449	66,785

Exhibit 99.1

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands, unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	December 28, 2024	December 30, 2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$14,181	$567
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	21,934	22,545
Amortization of deferred financing costs	673	666
Non-cash lease expense	15,131	12,772
Stock-based compensation	5,510	6,021
Deferred income taxes	1,276	1,498
Other operating activities	(600)	(727)
Change in assets and liabilities (excluding businesses acquired):
Accounts receivable	(73,439)	(32,952)
Inventories	(59,356)	(92,808)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(7,522)	(5,275)
Accounts payable	10,342	19,145
Accrued expenses	17,450	9,533
Other long-term obligations	(73)	3,310
Operating lease liabilities	(14,339)	(14,079)
Net cash used by operating activities	(68,832)	(69,784)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to plant, property and equipment	(6,100)	(10,127)
Payments to acquire companies, net of cash acquired	(3,318)	(59,498)
Investments	—	(850)
Net cash used in investing activities	(9,418)	(70,475)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(78)	(85)
Repurchase of common stock, including shares surrendered for tax withholding	(54,022)	(6,775)
Payment of contingent consideration liability	—	(25)
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	(1,346)	(900)
Net cash used by financing activities	(55,446)	(7,785)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(2,038)	790
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(135,734)	(147,254)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	768,403	502,873
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$632,669	$355,619
Supplemental information:
Cash paid for interest	$19,903	$19,756
Lease liabilities arising from obtaining right-of-use assets	$4,789	$13,170

Exhibit 99.1

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We report our financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). However, to supplement the

financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP, we use non-GAAP financial measures including adjusted EBITDA. Management uses

adjusted EBITDA in making financial, operating and planning decisions and in evaluating our performance. Management believes this non-

GAAP financial measure may be useful to investors in their assessment of our ongoing operating performance and provide additional

meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior operating periods. While Management believes that this non-GAAP

measure is useful supplemental information, such adjusted results are not intended to replace our GAAP financial results and should be read

in conjunction with those GAAP results.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined by us as income before income tax, net other expense, net interest expense and depreciation and

amortization and stock-based compensation expense (or operating income plus depreciation and amortization expense and stock-based

compensation expense). We present adjusted EBITDA because we believe that adjusted EBITDA is a useful supplemental measure in

evaluating the cash flows and performance of our business and provides greater transparency into our results of operations. Adjusted

EBITDA is used by our management to perform such evaluations. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute

for cash flow from operations, income from operations or other income statement measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. We believe

that adjusted EBITDA is frequently used by investors, securities analysts and other interested parties in their evaluation of companies, many

of which present adjusted EBITDA when reporting their results. Other companies may calculate adjusted EBITDA differently and it may not

be comparable.

The reconciliations of adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance

with GAAP are shown in the tables below.

Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation	GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation
	Three Months Ended December 28, 2024
	Pet	Garden	Corporate	Total
	(in thousands)
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$—	$—	$—	$14,009
Interest expense, net	—	—	—	7,730
Other expense	—	—	—	1,717
Income tax expense	—	—	—	4,364
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—	—	—	172
Income (loss) from operations	51,257	2,423	(25,688)	27,992
Depreciation & amortization	10,080	11,131	723	21,934
Noncash stock-based compensation	—	—	5,510	5,510
Adjusted EBITDA	$61,337	$13,554	$(19,455)	$55,436		Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation	GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation
---	---	---	---	---
	Three Months Ended December 30, 2023
	Pet	Garden	Corporate	Total
	(in thousands)
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$—	$—	$—	$430
Interest expense, net	—	—	—	9,707
Other income	—	—	—	(993)
Income tax benefit	—	—	—	(869)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—	—	—	137
Income (loss) from operations	43,388	(8,886)	(26,090)	8,412
Depreciation & amortization	10,798	11,006	741	22,545
Noncash stock-based compensation	—	—	6,021	6,021
Adjusted EBITDA	$54,186	$2,120	$(19,328)	$36,978