Central Garden & Pet (CENT) president logs stock award and tax withholding moves

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Central Garden & Pet President John D. Walker III reported equity-related transactions in Class A Common Stock. On January 30, 2026, he acquired 2,814 shares at $0.00 per share, reflecting the settlement of performance share units.

On the same date, 976 shares were withheld at $30.22 per share to cover tax liabilities from that settlement, leaving him with 69,166 directly held Class A shares. He also has 2,200 units held indirectly through the issuer’s 401(k) plan, invested in the CENTA 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

OMB Number:			3235-0287
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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)
01/30/2026

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	01/30/2026		A		2,814	A	$0.00	70,142	D
Class A Common Stock	01/30/2026		F(1)		976	D	$30.22	69,166	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. Shares delivered by Reporting Person in payment of the withholding tax liability upon settlement of performance share units.

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 D. Walker III	02/02/2026
	** 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 CENTRAL GARDEN & PET (CENT) report for John D. Walker III?

The filing shows John D. Walker III acquired 2,814 Class A shares at $0.00 per share and had 976 shares withheld at $30.22 per share for taxes, all dated January 30, 2026, tied to performance share unit settlement.

How many CENTRAL GARDEN & PET (CENT) shares does John D. Walker III own after this Form 4?

After these transactions, John D. Walker III beneficially owns 69,166 Class A shares directly. In addition, he holds 2,200 units indirectly through the issuer’s 401(k) plan, which are interests in the CENTA Stock Fund made up of CENTA stock and cash.

Why were 976 CENTRAL GARDEN & PET (CENT) shares withheld from John D. Walker III?

According to the footnote, 976 shares were delivered by John D. Walker III to cover withholding tax liability upon settlement of performance share units. This type of tax withholding is a common mechanism used when equity awards vest and create a taxable event.

What are the 2,200 CENTA units held indirectly by John D. Walker III?

The 2,200 units represent interests in the CENTA Stock Fund within the company’s 401(k) plan. That fund consists of shares of CENTA stock and cash, so these units reflect retirement plan holdings rather than directly held, freely tradable Class A shares.