For Central Garden & Pet Co. (CENT) common stock, BlackRock Portfolio Management LLC reported beneficial ownership of 496,391 shares, or 5.1% of the class, as of September 30, 2026. It reported sole voting power over 461,311 shares and sole dispositive power over 496,391 shares, with no shared voting or dispositive power. Various persons may receive dividends or sale proceeds, but no single person's interest exceeds 5% of the outstanding common shares.
Central Garden & Pet Co (CENT) reports direct and indirect holdings for Jason Barnes, whose listed role is President Garden. As of September 30, 2026, his reported holdings included 43,270 shares of Class A Common Stock directly and 10,902.04 units indirectly through the 401(k) Plan. The units represent interests in the CENTA Stock Fund, which consists of CENTA stock and cash. Barnes also held options covering 3,195 Class A shares, vested and exercisable at $35.2160 per share. The options were granted February 9, 2021, and expire February 9, 2027.
William E. Brown reported disposition transactions in this Form 4 filing. Central Garden & Pet Co. (CENT) reported that Chairman William E. Brown and his spouse, acting as co-trustees, caused a family Irrevocable Trust to distribute 1,000 shares of Class A Common Stock to a beneficiary on September 24, 2026. The reported post-transaction position held through the trusts was 349,259 shares; Brown’s direct position was 948,258 shares. Brown and his spouse share investment control over securities held in the trusts and disclaim beneficial ownership except to the extent of their pecuniary interest.
Central Garden & Pet Company (CENT) reports that John D. Walker will retire from his role as President, Garden Consumer Products. The company announced the planned retirement on September 21, 2026, and stated that it will be effective on September 26, 2026.
The notice reflects a leadership change within the Garden Consumer Products segment rather than a change in the company’s executive officers generally, and no additional management or compensation changes are described.
Director Brooks Pennington III of CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO (CENT) reported a bona fide gift of 5,800 shares of Common Stock on 2026-08-12, leaving him with 123,106 Common shares held directly. He also reports 40,630 Class A Common shares held directly.
In addition, indirect holdings include Class A Common shares by spouse (6,579), by LLC (20,911), and by BPCB Timber Company, LLC (43,750), plus Common Stock by spouse (6,938) and by LLC (7,604). He disclaims beneficial ownership of the spouse-held shares and of the LLC- and BPCB-held securities except to the extent of his pecuniary interest. He also holds 2,241.088 units in a 401(k) plan CENTA Stock Fund.
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.
American Century Investment Management, Inc., American Century Companies, Inc., and the Stowers Institute for Medical Research report beneficial ownership of Central Garden & Pet Company Class A Common Stock. The group holds 2,598,623 shares, representing 5.1% of the Class A shares as of June 30, 2026.
All three reporting entities have sole voting power and sole dispositive power over the same 2,598,623 shares, with no shared voting or dispositive power. The shares are held on behalf of various investment companies and institutional accounts advised by American Century Investment Management, none of which individually owns more than 5% of the class.
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.