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Central Garden & Pet Company reported fiscal 2026 third-quarter results with net sales of $882 million versus $961 million a year ago, an 8% decline driven by the exit of the pet distribution business. Organic net sales, excluding acquisitions and divestitures, rose 2% to $862 million. Gross margin expanded to 35.9%, and operating income was $126 million versus $135 million. GAAP diluted EPS was $1.45 compared with $1.52, while non-GAAP diluted EPS was $1.54 versus $1.56. Adjusted EBITDA was $162 million with margin improving to 18.3%.
Pet segment net sales were $400 million, down 19% but with 2% organic growth and stronger margins, while Garden segment net sales increased 3% to $482 million and operating income grew 9%. Liquidity remained strong with $997 million of cash and cash equivalents, total debt of about $1.2 billion, gross leverage of 2.8x and net leverage of 0.5x, and $128 million still available for share repurchases.
Following quarter-end, Central agreed to acquire an 80% interest in TRIXIE for €340 million in cash at closing plus up to €60 million in earn-out payments, for total consideration of up to €400 million, with closing expected in the first half of fiscal 2027. Management now expects fiscal 2026 non-GAAP diluted EPS of $2.85 or better, raised from $2.70 or better, and projects about $50 million of capital expenditures for the year.
Central Garden & Pet Company agreed to acquire approximately 80% of TRIXIE Heimtierbedarf GmbH & Co. KG, a leading European pet supplies and snacks provider, under a Sale and Purchase Agreement. Total consideration is up to €400 million, including approximately €340 million in cash at closing and an earn-out of up to €60.0 million based on 2026 performance, each subject to adjustments.
Certain TRIXIE shareholders will retain roughly 20%, with put and call rights over at least three years. Completion is subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions and is expected in the first half of Central’s fiscal year ending September 25, 2027. TRIXIE serves over 30,000 retail stores with more than 6,000 products and employs close to 600 people in a European pet supplies and snacks market of approximately €10 billion in annual sales. Central reported fiscal 2025 net sales of $3.1 billion and states that TRIXIE will operate within its Pet segment, with existing TRIXIE leadership remaining in place to support its European growth strategy.
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 reported higher results for the quarter ended March 28, 2026, with net sales rising to $906.1 million from $833.5 million. Net income attributable to the company increased to $79.4 million, or $1.28 per diluted share, compared with $0.98 a year earlier.
Growth was broad-based, as Pet segment net sales grew 5% to $476.8 million and Garden segment net sales rose 13% to $429.3 million. Gross profit improved to $299.6 million, with gross margin edging up to 33.1%, helped by stronger branded sales and prior-year facility closure costs dropping out.
For the first six months, net sales reached $1.52 billion and net income was $86.3 million, or $1.39 per diluted share. The company closed a $57 million U.S. asset acquisition of Champion USA LLC and later contributed its pet distribution business into a new Phillips-branded venture, receiving cash and a 20% ownership stake while retaining a more focused portfolio.
Central Garden & Pet Company reported record fiscal 2026 second quarter results, with net sales of $906.2 million, up from $833.5 million a year earlier. Gross margin improved to 33.1% and operating income rose to $113.9 million from $93.3 million.
Net income attributable to the company increased to $79.4 million, with diluted EPS of $1.28 versus $0.98. Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $1.29. Adjusted EBITDA reached $139.5 million, compared with $123.3 million. The company reaffirmed its fiscal 2026 non-GAAP diluted EPS outlook of $2.70 or better.
Pet segment net sales grew to $477 million and Garden segment sales to $429 million, both showing higher operating income. Cash and cash equivalents were $653.2 million, total debt was $1.2 billion, and gross leverage was 2.8x, below the 3.0–3.5x target range.
Central Garden & Pet Co reports that Vanguard Capital Management beneficially owned 617,534 shares of common stock, representing 6.39% of the class as shown with an ownership reference date of 03/31/2026. The filing lists 143,998 shares as sole voting power and states these holdings are held on behalf of Vanguard funds and managed accounts.
Central Garden & Pet Co beneficial ownership filing: Vanguard Portfolio Management reports beneficial ownership of 3,502,876 shares of Common Stock, representing 6.87% of the class. The filing shows sole dispositive power over 3,502,876 shares and sole voting power for 78,198 shares.