Central Garden and Pet Co Form 4 Filings

Central Garden & Pet Co (CENT) insider William E. Brown, Chairman and a more-than-10% owner, reported the sale of 3,900 shares of Class A Common Stock on 2026-08-13 at $39.00 per share. The sold shares were held indirectly through various family Irrevocable Trusts, over which Brown and his spouse serve as co-trustees with shared investment control. After this transaction, those Irrevocable Trusts held 350,259 shares indirectly attributable to Brown, while a separate holding entry shows 949,258 shares held directly. Brown and his spouse disclaim beneficial ownership of the trust-held shares except to the extent of their pecuniary interest.

Central Garden & Pet Co chairman and 10% owner William E. Brown exercised stock options for 127,942 shares of Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of $31.176 per share. A substantial portion of the resulting shares (116,232) was delivered or withheld to cover the option exercise price and withholding tax liability at $38.28 per share. Brown also has indirect exposure to 354,159 Class A shares held by family irrevocable trusts, for which he and his spouse share investment control but disclaim beneficial ownership except for their pecuniary interest.

Central Garden & Pet Co (CENT) officer John D. Walker III, President, Garden Consumer Pro, reported two open-market sales of Class A Common Stock. He sold 5,000 shares on August 11, 2026 at $38.50 per share and 5,000 shares on August 12, 2026 at $39.00 per share, for total reported sales of 10,000 shares. He also reports an indirect holding of 2,675 units in the issuer’s 401(k) plan, where each unit represents an interest in a CENTA stock fund consisting of CENTA shares and cash.

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO chairman and 10% owner William E. Brown reported indirect dispositions of Class A Common Stock tied to changes in family trust control. On August 18, 2025, 8,531 shares were reclassified when he and his spouse ceased serving as co-trustees of one irrevocable trust. On June 3, 2026, a further 11,586 shares were similarly affected for another family irrevocable trust, leaving him without investment control or voting power over those shares. The filing also lists 937,548 Class A shares held directly as of August 18, 2025. The trust-held shares are owned by various family irrevocable trusts, with Brown and his spouse disclaiming beneficial ownership except to the extent of their pecuniary interest.

Central Garden & Pet Co’s Chief Accounting Officer, Howard Machek, delivered 3,924 shares of Class A Common Stock (CENTA) on July 13, 2026 to satisfy withholding tax due upon vesting of restricted stock. The shares were valued at $37.59, based on the average of that day’s high and low prices.

After this tax-withholding disposition, Machek holds 47,944 Class A Common shares directly, 1,000 Common shares directly, and 7,371 units representing interests in the CENTA Stock Fund in the company’s 401(k) Plan, which consists of CENTA stock and cash.

Central Garden & Pet Co President, Pet Consumer Products John Edward Hanson reported routine equity compensation activity involving stock options and related tax withholding. A stock option for 8,518 shares of Class A Common Stock was exercised at an exercise price of $35.216 per share, with the resulting shares held indirectly through the Hanson Family Trust.

To cover the aggregate option exercise price and tax obligations, 8,051 shares of Class A Common Stock were withheld by the issuer, described as a tax-withholding disposition rather than an open-market sale. After these transactions, the Hanson Family Trust held 7,622 shares of Class A Common Stock, while Hanson also held 49,092 Class A Common shares directly and 3,054.09 units in the issuer’s 401(k) CENTA Stock Fund.

Central Garden & Pet executive John D. Walker III exercised stock options and covered related costs using company-held shares. On June 15, 2026, he exercised options for 8,518 shares of Class A Common Stock at $35.216 per share, and 8,200 shares were withheld by the issuer to pay the option exercise price and tax obligations. After these transactions, he directly owned 69,679 Class A shares and held 2,675 units indirectly through the company 401(k) plan.

Central Garden & Pet Co CEO Nicholas Lahanas reported routine share activity related to compensation and retirement holdings. On a Form 4, he delivered 480 shares of Class A Common Stock at $34.19 per share to cover withholding tax due upon vesting of restricted stock, a non-market, tax-withholding disposition. After this transaction, he directly holds 122,350 Class A shares. He also indirectly holds 3,318.686 units in the issuer’s 401(k) plan, representing interests in a CENTA stock fund made up of company stock and cash.

Central Garden & Pet Company director and chairman William E. Brown reported a bona fide gift of 2,040 shares of Class A Common Stock. The gift was recorded at a price of $0.00 per share and is classified as a disposition for reporting purposes.

After the gift, Brown holds 937,548 Class A shares directly. An additional 374,258 Class A shares are held indirectly by various family Irrevocable Trusts, where Brown and his spouse serve as co‑trustees with shared investment control and disclaim beneficial ownership except to the extent of their pecuniary interest.

Schwichtenberg Kay reported acquisition or exercise transactions in this Form 4 filing.

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO director Kay Schwichtenberg received 3,734 shares of Class A Common Stock as a restricted stock award. The shares were granted at no cash cost under the company’s Nonemployee Director Equity Incentive Plan. Following this grant, she directly holds 3,734 Class A shares.

The filing also reports 303 Class A shares held indirectly by the Kay Schwichtenberg Living Trust. She disclaims beneficial ownership of the trust’s common and Class A shares except to the extent of her pecuniary interest in that trust.

Central Garden & Pet (CENT) director‑related trust reports share sale. A trust associated with director John Ranelli, the John R. Ranelli Trust, sold 3,668 shares of Class A Common Stock in an open‑market transaction on February 19, 2026 at an average price of $34.4968 per share.

The footnotes state the sale prices ranged from $34.455 to $34.56. After this sale, the trust held 646 Class A shares, while Ranelli also had 3,584 Class A shares held directly and 7,039 shares of Common Stock held indirectly through the trust. He disclaims beneficial ownership of the trust’s shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest.

PENNINGTON BROOKS III reported disposition transactions in a Form 4 filing for CENT. The filing lists transactions totaling 2,050 shares. Following the reported transactions, holdings were 128,906 shares.

Central Garden & Pet executive reports indirect stock sale John Edward Hanson, President, Pet Consumer Products at Central Garden & Pet, reported an open-market sale of 5,000 shares of Class A Common Stock at an average price of $34.7521 per share. The transaction was carried out by the Hanson Family Trust, which now holds 7,155 shares, while Hanson also holds 49,092 Class A shares directly and 2,963.61 units in the CENTA Stock Fund within the company 401(k) plan. The filing notes the sale prices ranged from $34.75 to $34.80 and that Hanson disclaims beneficial ownership of the trust’s shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest.

Ranelli John reported acquisition or exercise transactions in this Form 4 filing.

Central Garden & Pet Company director John Ranelli received an equity grant of 3,584 shares of Class A Common Stock on February 11, 2026. The shares were awarded as restricted stock under the company’s Nonemployee Director Equity Incentive Plan at a price of $0 per share and are held directly.

In addition to this grant, a separate trust associated with Ranelli holds 4,314 shares of Class A Common Stock and 7,039 shares of Common Stock. He disclaims beneficial ownership of the trust-held shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest.

Central Garden & Pet director Brooks Pennington III reported acquiring 3,584 shares of Class A Common Stock on February 11, 2026 through a restricted stock award granted under the company’s Nonemployee Director Equity Incentive Plan at $0 per share. After this award, he directly holds 40,630 Class A shares. The filing also lists additional indirect interests, including Class A and Common Stock held by his spouse, Pennington Management Company II, LLC, BPCB Timber Company, LLC, and units in the company’s 401(k) stock fund, with Pennington disclaiming beneficial ownership of certain indirectly held shares except for his pecuniary interest.

Patel Apur Rohit reported acquisition or exercise transactions in a Form 4 filing for CENT. The filing lists transactions totaling 7,813 shares. Following the reported transactions, holdings were 24,861 shares.

Smith Bradley G. reported acquisition or exercise transactions in a Form 4 filing for CENT. The filing lists transactions totaling 10,610 shares. Following the reported transactions, holdings were 2,797 shares.

METZ CHRISTOPHER T reported acquisition or exercise transactions in a Form 4 filing for CENT. The filing lists transactions totaling 3,584 shares. Following the reported transactions, holdings were 15,305 shares.

Central Garden & Pet Company chairman, director, and 10% owner William E. Brown reported an equity award of Class A Common Stock. On February 11, 2026 he acquired 14,063 shares as a restricted stock grant at a price of $0 per share.

Following this award, Brown directly beneficially owned 939,588 Class A shares. An additional 374,258 Class A shares are held by various family irrevocable trusts, where he and his spouse act as co-trustees and share investment control, while disclaiming beneficial ownership except to the extent of their pecuniary interest.

Central Garden & Pet director receives equity award. On 02/11/2026, director Randal D. Lewis acquired 3,584 shares of Class A Common Stock through a restricted stock award granted under the Company's Nonemployee Director Equity Incentive Plan. Following this grant, he directly beneficially owns 7,839 Class A shares.

Central Garden & Pet director Mary Beth Springer reported several equity transactions in Class A Common Stock on February 11, 2026. She exercised a stock option covering 8,803 shares at an exercise price of $22.72 per share, converting a previously granted option into common shares.

To cover the option exercise price or related tax obligations, 5,948 shares of Class A Common Stock were withheld by the company at a reference price of $33.63 per share. She also received a restricted stock award of 3,584 shares at no cost under the company’s Nonemployee Director Equity Incentive Plan, ending with direct ownership of 26,631 Class A shares after these transactions.

Central Garden & Pet director Brendan Dougher received an equity grant of 3,584 shares of Class A Common Stock on February 11, 2026. The shares were awarded at a price of $0 under the company’s Nonemployee Director Equity Incentive Plan, as a restricted stock award.

Following this award, he directly holds 3,584 Class A shares. An additional 12,845 Class A shares are held indirectly by the Brigham-Dougher Family Trust, for which he disclaims beneficial ownership except for any pecuniary interest.

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.

Central Garden & Pet director Courtnee Chun received a grant of 3,584 shares of Class A common stock. The award was issued on 02/11/2026 at a price of $0 per share as a restricted stock award under the company’s Nonemployee Director Equity Incentive Plan. Following this grant, Chun directly owns 18,263 Class A common shares.

Central Garden & Pet executive equity grants. Central Garden & Pet officer John Edward Hanson, President of Pet Consumer Products, was granted 7,813 shares of restricted Class A Common Stock at $0 per share, increasing his directly held Class A Common Stock to 49,092 shares.

He was also granted a stock option for 2,797 shares of Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of $33.49 per share. Both the restricted stock and options vest 25% on February 11, 2028 and February 11, 2029, and 50% on February 11, 2030. In addition, he indirectly holds 2,693.61 units in the company’s 401(k) plan stock fund.

Central Garden & Pet director John Ranelli reported an option exercise and related share withholding through a trust. On 02/10/2026, a stock option for 8,803 shares of Class A Common Stock was exercised at $22.72 per share, converting into 8,803 Class A shares held indirectly by the John R. Ranelli Trust.

The issuer withheld 5,916 Class A shares at $33.81 per share to cover the aggregate option exercise price and related obligations, leaving the trust with 4,314 Class A shares and 7,039 shares of Common Stock. The filing notes that Mr. Ranelli disclaims beneficial ownership of shares held by the trust except to the extent of his pecuniary interest.

Central Garden & Pet’s Chief Accounting Officer, Howard Machek, reported an equity award from the company. On February 11, 2026, he received 6,250 shares of restricted Class A Common Stock at a price of $0 per share.

The restricted shares vest over time: 25% on February 11, 2028, 25% on February 11, 2029, and 50% on February 11, 2030. After this grant, he directly holds 51,868 Class A shares and 1,000 additional shares of common stock, plus 6,867 units in the company’s 401(k) stock fund.

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.

Central Garden & Pet director Brendan Dougher reported that the Brigham-Dougher Family Trust conducted an open-market sale of 3,250 shares of Class A Common Stock at $33.38 per share on February 10, 2026. Following this transaction, the trust holds 12,845 shares indirectly attributed to Dougher. The filing notes that 16,095 directly held shares had previously been transferred to this trust and that Mr. Dougher disclaims beneficial ownership of the trust’s Central Garden & Pet shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest.

Central Garden & Pet officer John D. Walker III reported a tax-withholding disposition of 6,437 shares of Class A Common Stock on February 10, 2026. The shares were delivered to cover withholding taxes due upon vesting of restricted stock at a price of $33.81 per share.

After this transaction, he directly beneficially owned 61,548 Class A Common shares and indirectly held 2,200 units in the CENTA Stock Fund through the company 401(k) plan, which consists of company stock and cash.

Central Garden & Pet Chief Accounting Officer Howard Machek reported a routine insider transaction involving Class A common stock. On February 6, 2026, he delivered 1,329 Class A shares at $33.60 per share to cover withholding taxes due upon the vesting of restricted stock, as described in the footnotes.

After this tax-withholding transaction, he held 45,618 Class A common shares and 1,000 shares of Common Stock directly, plus 6,867 units indirectly through the issuer’s 401(k) plan, where the units represent interests in a CENTA stock fund consisting of company stock and cash.

Central Garden & Pet Company (CENT) director, chairman, and 10% owner William E. Brown reported routine tax‑related share withholding tied to restricted stock vesting. On February 6, 2026, the issuer withheld 1,882 shares of Class A common stock at $33.60 per share to cover withholding taxes. On February 9, 2026, the issuer withheld another 2,958 shares at $33.92 per share for the same purpose. After these transactions, Brown directly owned 925,525 Class A shares. In addition, 374,258 Class A shares are held by various family irrevocable trusts for the benefit of his children and grandchildren; Brown and his spouse serve as co‑trustees with investment control but disclaim beneficial ownership of those trust‑held shares.

Central Garden & Pet executive John D. Walker III, President of Garden Consumer Products, reported a routine tax-related share withholding on restricted stock vesting. On February 6, 2026, 1,181 shares of Class A common stock were delivered at $33.6 per share to cover withholding taxes.

After this transaction, Walker beneficially owns 67,985 Class A common shares directly and an additional 2,200 units indirectly through the company’s 401(k) plan CENTA Stock Fund, which holds a mix of CENTA shares and cash.

Central Garden & Pet’s Chief Executive Officer and director Nicholas Lahanas reported a tax-related share withholding under the company’s equity plan. On February 6, 2026, he delivered 1,357 shares of Class A Common Stock at $33.60 per share to cover withholding taxes upon the vesting of restricted stock, rather than executing an open-market sale. Following this transaction, he beneficially owned 86,905 Class A shares directly and 3,318.686 units indirectly through the issuer’s 401(k) plan, where the units represent interests in a stock fund holding CENTA shares and cash.

Central Garden & Pet’s Chief Financial Officer Bradley G. Smith reported a routine tax-related share withholding. On February 6, 2026, 776 shares of Class A common stock were delivered at $33.60 per share to cover withholding taxes due upon vesting of restricted stock. After this transaction, Smith directly beneficially owned 9,731 Class A common shares.

Central Garden & Pet’s President of Pet Consumer Products, John Edward Hanson, reported two Class A common stock transactions on February 6, 2026. He delivered 1,636 shares at $33.60 per share to cover withholding taxes on vested restricted stock, and separately disposed of 2,165 directly held shares by transferring them to the Hanson Family Trust.

After these transactions, Hanson directly owned 41,279 Class A shares, held 2,693.61 units in the company’s 401(k) CENTA Stock Fund, and 12,155 Class A shares were held by the Hanson Family Trust, for which he disclaims beneficial ownership except for his pecuniary interest.

Central Garden & Pet Company Chief Executive Officer Nicholas Lahanas reported stock transactions in the company’s Class A common stock. On January 30, 2026, he acquired 2,814 shares at $0 per share, increasing his direct holdings to 89,406 shares.

On the same date, 1,144 shares were withheld and disposed of at $30.22 per share to cover withholding tax related to performance share units, leaving him with 88,262 Class A shares held directly. He also indirectly holds 3,318.686 units in the company’s 401(k) plan, representing interests in a fund invested in CENTA stock and cash.

Central Garden & Pet president John Edward Hanson reported changes in indirect holdings of Class A common stock through the Hanson Family Trust. On January 30, 2026, the trust received 2,814 Class A shares at $0, and 1,313 shares at $30.22 were delivered to cover withholding taxes tied to performance share unit settlement. Following these trust-related transactions, 9,990 Class A shares are shown as held indirectly by the trust, with Mr. Hanson disclaiming beneficial ownership except for his pecuniary interest. Separately, the filing reflects 45,080 Class A shares held directly and 2,693.61 units in a CENTA stock fund within the company 401(k) plan. The balance also incorporates a correction of a prior transpositional error.

Central Garden & Pet’s Chief Accounting Officer, Howard Machek, reported multiple equity transactions in Class A common stock on January 30, 2026. He exercised a stock option for 4,255 shares at $22.80 per share, converting the option into common stock.

The filing shows 2,253 Class A shares acquired at $0, linked to settlement of performance share units. It also reports share withholdings of 985 shares and 3,667 shares at $30.22 per share to cover tax liabilities on performance units and restricted stock. After these transactions, he directly held tens of thousands of Class A shares, plus 1,000 Common shares and 6,867 units in a 401(k) plan.

Central Garden & Pet’s Chief Financial Officer, Bradley G. Smith, reported two stock transactions in the company’s Class A Common Stock on January 30, 2026. He acquired 844 shares at a price of $0.00 per share, increasing his direct holdings at that point to 10,853 shares.

On the same day, 346 shares were delivered at a price of $30.22 per share to cover withholding tax upon settlement of performance share units, as described in the footnote. After these transactions, Smith directly owned 10,507 Class A Common shares.

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.

Central Garden & Pet Co. General Counsel George A. Yuhas reported exercising stock options and related share withholding on Class A common stock. On January 20, 2026, options for 20,833 shares of Class A common stock were exercised at an exercise price of $22.80 per share, converting a stock option award into the same number of common shares. The company then withheld 18,545 shares at a price of $29.01 per share to cover the aggregate option exercise price and associated tax obligations, leaving Yuhas with 8,183 Class A common shares held directly. He also has an indirect interest in 6,014.09 units of the CENTA Stock Fund in the company’s 401(k) plan, which consists of CENTA stock and cash. The options were originally granted on February 10, 2020 and were fully vested and have now been fully exercised.