Central Garden & Pet (CENT) CEO receives stock and option awards

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Central Garden & Pet Chief Executive Officer and director Nicholas Lahanas reported equity compensation changes. On February 10, 2026, he delivered 7,825 shares of Class A common stock at $33.81 per share to cover withholding taxes on vested restricted stock, leaving 79,080 shares directly held.

On February 11, 2026, he received a grant of 43,750 shares of restricted Class A common stock at $0 per share, increasing his direct holdings to 122,830 shares. The restricted stock is scheduled to vest 25% on February 11, 2028 and February 11, 2029, and 50% on February 11, 2030.

He was also granted a stock option for 67,115 shares of Class A common stock with a $33.49 exercise price. These options vest 25% on February 11, 2028 and February 11, 2029, and 50% on February 11, 2030. In addition, he indirectly held 3,318.686 units in the company’s 401(k) stock fund.

SEC Form 4

FORM 4

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940

OMB APPROVAL

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Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).

Check this box to indicate that a transaction was made pursuant to a contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of equity securities of the issuer that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c). See Instruction 10.

1. Name and Address of Reporting Person^*

LAHANAS NICHOLAS

(Last) (First) (Middle)

C/O CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

1340 TREAT BLVD, SUITE 600

(Street)

WALNUT CREEK CA 94597

(City) (State) (Zip)

2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO [ CENT ]

5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer
(Check all applicable)

X	Director		10% Owner
X	Officer (give title below)		Other (specify below)
	Chief Executive Officer

3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
02/10/2026

4. If Amendment, Date of Original Filed (Month/Day/Year)

6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)

X	Form filed by One Reporting Person
	Form filed by More than One Reporting Person

Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
1. Title of Security (Instr. 3)	2. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed Of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)			5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4)	6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
			Code	V	Amount	(A) or (D)	Price
Class A Common Stock	02/10/2026		F(1)		7,825	D	$33.81	79,080	D
Class A Common Stock	02/11/2026		A(2)		43,750	A	$0	122,830	D
Units								3,318.686	I	By 401(k) Units(3)

Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned (e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)
1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3)	2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security	3. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)	3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)	4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8)		5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5)		6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (Month/Day/Year)		7. Title and Amount of Securities Underlying Derivative Security (Instr. 3 and 4)		8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5)	9. Number of derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4)	10. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4)	11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
				Code	V	(A)	(D)	Date Exercisable	Expiration Date	Title	Amount or Number of Shares
Stock Option (Right to Buy)	$33.49	02/11/2026		A		67,115		(4)	02/11/2032	Class A Common Stock	67,115	$0	67,115	D

Explanation of Responses:

1. Shares delivered by Reporting Person in payment of the withholding tax liability upon vesting of restricted stock. The amount of shares withheld is based on the average of the high and low of the sales prices of CENTA on February 10, 2026.

2. On February 11, 2026, the Issuer granted restricted Class A Common Stock to the Reporting Person which will vest at the rates of 25% on February 11, 2028 and February 11, 2029, and 50% on February 11, 2030.

3. The units represent interests in the CENTA Stock Fund in the Issuer's 401(k) Plan, which consist of shares of CENTA stock and cash.

4. The options shall vest in increments of 25% on February 11, 2028 and February 11, 2029, and 50% on February 11, 2030.

Remarks:

Exhibit 24.1; Power of Attorney

	/s/Filomena Eickstaedt as Attorney-in-Fact for Nicholas Lahanas	02/12/2026
	** Signature of Reporting Person	Date
Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.
* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4 (b)(v).
** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).
Note: File three copies of this Form, one of which must be manually signed. If space is insufficient, see Instruction 6 for procedure.
Persons who respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB Number.

FAQ

What insider transactions did CENT CEO Nicholas Lahanas report on this Form 4?

Nicholas Lahanas reported tax-withholding delivery of 7,825 Class A shares and received grants of 43,750 restricted Class A shares and 67,115 stock options. These transactions reflect equity compensation adjustments rather than open-market purchases or sales.

How many Central Garden & Pet (CENT) shares does the CEO hold after these transactions?

After the reported transactions, Nicholas Lahanas directly holds 122,830 shares of Class A common stock. He also has 67,115 stock options outstanding and 3,318.686 units in the company’s 401(k) stock fund, which is an indirect interest tied to CENTA stock and cash.

What were the terms of the restricted stock granted to CENT CEO Nicholas Lahanas?

The CEO received 43,750 restricted Class A shares at no cash cost on February 11, 2026. These shares are scheduled to vest 25% on February 11, 2028 and 2029, and 50% on February 11, 2030, aligning compensation with longer-term service and performance.

What are the key details of the stock options granted to the CENT CEO?

Nicholas Lahanas was granted stock options for 67,115 shares of Class A common stock at a $33.49 exercise price. The options vest 25% on February 11, 2028 and 2029, and 50% on February 11, 2030, creating a multi-year incentive structure.

Why did the CENT CEO dispose of 7,825 shares on February 10, 2026?

The 7,825 shares were delivered to cover withholding tax liability upon vesting of restricted stock. The withholding share amount was calculated using the average of the high and low sales prices of CENTA on February 10, 2026, rather than an open-market sale decision.

How is the CEO’s 401(k) exposure to CENT structured?

The Form 4 shows 3,318.686 units held indirectly through the CENTA Stock Fund in the company’s 401(k) plan. These units represent interests in a fund composed of CENTA shares and cash, providing retirement-plan exposure rather than directly held common stock.