Equity grant: Central Garden & Pet (CENT) awards 7,813 shares

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Central Garden & Pet officer John D. Walker III received a grant of 7,813 shares of restricted Class A common stock. The award was granted on February 11, 2026 at a price of $0 per share as part of his compensation.

The restricted shares vest 25% on February 11, 2028, 25% on February 11, 2029, and 50% on February 11, 2030. After this grant, he directly beneficially owns 69,361 Class A shares and has 2,200 units indirectly through the company’s 401(k) plan.

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^*

Walker John D. III

(Last) (First) (Middle)

1340 TREAT BLVD

SUITE 600

(Street)

WALNUT CREEK CA 94597-7578

(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)

	Director		10% Owner
X	Officer (give title below)		Other (specify below)
	President, Garden Consumer Pro

3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
02/11/2026

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	02/11/2026		A(1)		7,813	D	$0	69,361	D
Units								2,200	I	By 401(k) Plan(2)

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

Explanation of Responses:

1. 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.

2. 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.

	/s/Filomena Eickstaedt as Attorney-in-Fact for John Walker	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 did Central Garden & Pet (CENT) disclose in this Form 4 filing?

Central Garden & Pet reported an equity compensation grant to officer John D. Walker III. He received 7,813 shares of restricted Class A common stock that will vest over four years, and his updated direct and 401(k) holdings were disclosed.

How many Central Garden & Pet (CENT) shares were granted to John D. Walker III?

He was granted 7,813 shares of restricted Class A common stock. These shares were awarded at a price of $0 per share as compensation and are subject to a multi-year vesting schedule before becoming fully owned by him.

What is the vesting schedule for the new CENT restricted stock grant?

The 7,813 restricted Class A shares vest in three stages. Twenty-five percent vest on February 11, 2028, another 25% on February 11, 2029, and the remaining 50% on February 11, 2030, tying full ownership to long-term service.

What is John D. Walker III’s total Central Garden & Pet share ownership after this grant?

After the grant, he directly beneficially owns 69,361 Class A shares. In addition, he has 2,200 units indirectly through the company’s 401(k) plan, invested in the CENTA Stock Fund holding company stock and cash.

Who is the insider receiving the CENT restricted stock award?

The award went to John D. Walker III, an officer of Central Garden & Pet. He serves as President, Garden Consumer Pro, and this grant reflects part of his equity-based compensation with time-based vesting requirements.

What are the 2,200 units reported in John D. Walker III’s CENT holdings?

The 2,200 units are interests in the company’s 401(k) CENTA Stock Fund. That fund consists of Central Garden & Pet stock and cash, so these units represent indirect beneficial ownership rather than directly held common shares.