CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO - Quarter Report: 2017 December (Form 10-Q)

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company

Emerging growth company

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

_______________________________________________________________________

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)



ý	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended December 30, 2017



¨	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT OF SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission File Number: 001-33268



Delaware		68-0275553
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1340 Treat Blvd., Suite 600, Walnut Creek, California 94597

(Address of principal executive offices)

(925) 948-4000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

_________ ______________________________________________________________

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. ý Yes ¨ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). ý Yes ¨ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). ¨ Yes ý No

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.



	Common Stock Outstanding as of February 1, 2018	12,160,023
	Class A Common Stock Outstanding as of February 1, 2018	38,070,180
	Class B Stock Outstanding as of February 1, 2018	1,652,262

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	PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.	Financial Statements (Unaudited):
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 30, 2017, December 24, 2016 and September 30, 2017	4
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Three Months Ended December 30, 2017 and December 24, 2016	5
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Three Months Ended December 30, 2017 and December 24, 2016	6
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Three Months Ended December 30, 2017 and December 24, 2016	7
	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	8
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	27
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	35
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	35

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	35
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	36
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	36
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	36
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	36
Item 5.	Other Information	36
Item 6.	Exhibits	37

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This Form 10-Q includes “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements include statements concerning our plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, future revenues or performance, capital expenditures, plans or intentions relating to acquisitions, our competitive strengths and weaknesses, our business strategy and the trends we anticipate in the industries in which we operate and other information that is not historical information. When used in this Form 10-Q, the words “estimates,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “plans,” “intends,” “believes” and variations of such words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, our future earnings expectations, are based upon our current expectations and various assumptions. Our expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith, and we believe there is a reasonable basis for them, but we cannot assure you that our expectations, beliefs and projections will be realized.

There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-Q. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make in this Form 10-Q are set forth in the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, including the factors described in the section entitled “Item 1A – Risk Factors.” If any of these risks or uncertainties materializes, or if any of our underlying assumptions are incorrect, our actual results may differ significantly from the results that we express in, or imply by, any of our forward-looking statements. We do not undertake any obligation to revise these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances, except as required by law. Presently known risk factors include, but are not limited to, the following factors:


•	seasonality and fluctuations in our operating results and cash flow;

•fluctuations in market prices for seeds and grains and other raw materials;

•our inability to pass through cost increases in a timely manner;


•	our dependence upon key executives;

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•	risks associated with new product introductions, including the risk that our new products will not produce sufficient sales to recoup our investment;


•	fluctuations in energy prices, fuel and related petrochemical costs;

•declines in consumer spending during economic downturns;

•inflation, deflation and other adverse macro-economic conditions;

•supply shortages in pet birds, small animals and fish;

•adverse weather conditions;

•risks associated with our acquisition strategy;

•access to and cost of additional capital;

•dependence on a small number of customers for a significant portion of our business;

•consolidation trends in the retail industry;

•competition in our industries;

•potential goodwill or intangible asset impairment;

•continuing implementation of an enterprise resource planning information technology system;

•our inability to protect our trademarks and other proprietary rights;

•potential environmental liabilities;

•risk associated with international sourcing;

•litigation and product liability claims;

•regulatory issues;

•the impact of product recalls;

•potential costs and risks associated with actual or potential cyber attacks;

•the impact of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act;

•the voting power associated with our Class B stock; and

•potential dilution from issuance of authorized shares.

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION


Item 1.	Financial Statements

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)



	December 30, 2017			December 24, 2016			September 30, 2017
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	283,466		$	6,581		$	32,397
Restricted cash	12,419			10,981			12,645
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $20,481, $22,157 and $21,436)	235,075			192,224			237,868
Inventories	440,421			430,171			382,101
Prepaid expenses and other	22,519			22,399			18,045
Total current assets	993,900			662,356			683,056
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment—net	179,230			169,836			180,913
Goodwill	256,275			230,385			256,275
Other intangible assets—net	113,726			92,851			116,067
Other assets	74,221			61,326			70,595
Total	$	1,617,352		$	1,216,754		$	1,306,906
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	124,583		$	135,237		$	103,283
Accrued expenses	100,004			94,494			116,549
Current portion of long-term debt	372			397			375
Total current liabilities	224,959			230,128			220,207
Long-term debt	690,964			395,011			395,278
Deferred taxes and other long-term obligations	39,478			31,659			54,279
Equity:
Common stock, 12,160,023, 11,998,472, and 12,160,023 shares outstanding at December 30, 2017, December 24, 2016 and September 30, 2017	122			120			122
Class A common stock, $0.01 par value: 38,029,367, 37,558,042 and 38,019,736 shares outstanding at December 30, 2017, December 24, 2016 and September 30, 2017	380			375			380
Class B stock, $0.01 par value: 1,652,262 shares outstanding	16			16			16
Additional paid-in capital	396,702			392,402			396,790
Accumulated earnings	265,576			168,138			239,329
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(907		)	(1,802		)	(951		)
Total Central Garden & Pet Company shareholders’ equity	661,889			559,249			635,686
Noncontrolling interest	62			707			1,456
Total equity	661,951			559,956			637,142
Total	$	1,617,352		$	1,216,754		$	1,306,906

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)



	Three Months Ended
	December 30, 2017			December 24, 2016
Net sales	$	442,011		$	419,498
Cost of goods sold and occupancy	310,174			298,820
Gross profit	131,837			120,678
Selling, general and administrative expenses	109,316			100,740
Operating income	22,521			19,938
Interest expense	(7,405		)	(6,873		)
Interest income	187			38
Other expense	(3,089		)	(967		)
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	12,214			12,136
Income tax (benefit) expense	(14,236		)	4,347
Income including noncontrolling interest	26,450			7,789
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	203			152
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$	26,247		$	7,637
Net income per share attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company:
Basic	$	0.52		$	0.15
Diluted	$	0.50		$	0.15
Weighted average shares used in the computation of net income per share:
Basic	50,730			49,665
Diluted	52,695			51,810

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)



	Three Months Ended
	December 30, 2017		December 24, 2016
Income including noncontrolling interest	$	26,450	$	7,789
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	44		(508		)
Total comprehensive income	26,494		7,281
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	203		152
Comprehensive income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$	26,291	$	7,129

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands, unaudited)



	Three Months Ended
	December 30, 2017			December 24, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	26,450		$	7,789
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	11,163			10,009
Amortization of deferred financing costs	377			341
Stock-based compensation	2,680			2,687
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards	—			(4,356		)
Deferred income taxes	(15,765		)	3,527
Gain on sale of property and equipment	(18		)	(95		)
Gain on sale of facility	—			(2,050		)
Other	820			798
Change in assets and liabilities (excluding businesses acquired):
Accounts receivable	2,822			11,590
Inventories	(58,252		)	(67,678		)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(2,252		)	(1,238		)
Accounts payable	23,059			31,863
Accrued expenses	(16,546		)	(6,420		)
Other long-term obligations	1,249			(80		)
Net cash used by operating activities	(24,213		)	(13,313		)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property and equipment	(8,186		)	(12,968		)
Payments to acquire companies, net of cash acquired	—			(60,042		)
Proceeds from the sale of business, facility and other assets	—			7,960
Change in restricted cash	226			(71		)
Investments	(6,555		)	(2,000		)
Other investing activities	(1,200		)	(265		)
Net cash used in investing activities	(15,715		)	(67,386		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(7		)	(74		)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	300,000			—
Borrowings under revolving line of credit	23,000			1,000
Repayments under revolving line of credit	(23,000		)	(1,000		)
Repurchase of common stock, including shares surrendered for tax withholding	(2,768		)	(7,913		)
Payment of contingent consideration liability	(93		)	(860		)
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	(1,597		)	(1,018		)
Payment of financing costs	(4,558		)	—
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards	—			4,356
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	290,977			(5,509		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	20			(193		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	251,069			(86,401		)
Cash and equivalents at beginning of period	32,397			92,982
Cash and equivalents at end of period	$	283,466		$	6,581
Supplemental information:
Cash paid for interest	$	12,757		$	13,034

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Three Months Ended December 30, 2017

(Unaudited)


1.	Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated balance sheets of Central Garden & Pet Company and subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Central”) as of December 30, 2017 and December 24, 2016, the condensed consolidated statements of operations, the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows and the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three months ended December 30, 2017 and December 24, 2016, have been prepared by the Company, without audit. In the opinion of management, the interim financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented.

For the Company’s foreign business in the UK, the local currency is the functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated using the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Income and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate for the period. Deferred taxes are not provided on translation gains and losses because the Company expects earnings of its foreign subsidiary to be permanently reinvested. Transaction gains and losses are included in results of operations. See Note 8, Supplemental Equity Information, for further detail.

Due to the seasonal nature of the Company’s garden business, the results of operations for the three months ended December 30, 2017 are not indicative of the operating results that may be expected for the entire fiscal year. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual audited financial statements, accounting policies and financial notes thereto, included in the Company’s 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has previously been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The September 30, 2017 balance sheet presented herein was derived from the audited financial statements.

Noncontrolling Interest

Noncontrolling interest in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements represents the 20% interest not owned by Central in a consolidated subsidiary. Since the Company controls this subsidiary, its financial statements are consolidated with those of the Company, and the noncontrolling owner’s 20% share of the subsidiary’s net assets and results of operations is deducted and reported as noncontrolling interest on the consolidated balance sheets and as net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest in the consolidated statements of operations. See Note 8, Supplemental Equity Information, for additional information.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash includes cash and highly liquid instruments that are used as collateral for stand-alone letter of credit agreements related to normal business transactions. These agreements require the Company to maintain specified amounts of cash as collateral in segregated accounts to support the letters of credit issued thereunder, which will affect the amount of cash the Company has available for other uses. The amount of cash collateral in these segregated accounts was approximately $12.4 million, $11.0 million and $12.6 million as of December 30, 2017, December 24, 2016 and September 30, 2017, respectively, and is reflected in Restricted cash on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements and U.S. Tax Reform

Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted

Stock Based Compensation

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-09, Stock Compensation, which is intended to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions. ASU 2016-09 (i) requires all income tax effects of awards to be recognized in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled, (ii) requires classification of excess tax benefits as an operating activity in the statement of cash flows rather than a financing activity, (iii) eliminates the requirement to defer recognition of an excess tax benefit until the benefit is realized through a reduction to taxes payable, (iv) modifies statutory withholding tax requirements and (v) provides for a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 on October 1, 2017. As a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-09, the Company now records excess tax benefits currently in its provision for income taxes. Upon adoption, the Company determined it had no previously unrecognized excess tax benefits. Additionally, the Company elected to account for forfeitures as they occur using a modified retrospective transition method, which requires the Company to record a cumulative-effect adjustment to accumulated earnings, and the Company determined that the cumulative impact was immaterial. The Company presents its excess tax benefits as a component of operating cash flows rather than financing cash flows on a prospective basis.

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Inventory Measurement

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11 (ASU 2015-11), Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. Under ASU 2015-11, inventory will be measured at the “lower of cost and net realizable value” and options that currently exist for “market value” will be eliminated. The standard defines net realizable value as the “estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation.” No other changes were made to the current guidance on inventory measurement. The Company adopted ASU 2015-11 on October 1, 2017. The adoption of ASU 2015-11 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 (ASU 2014-09), Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This update was issued as Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606. The core principle of this amendment is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. On July 9, 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 for one year. ASU 2014-09 is now effective for the Company in the first quarter of its fiscal year ending September 28, 2019.

Early adoption is permitted. The guidance permits two implementation approaches, one requiring retrospective application of the new standard with restatement of prior years and one requiring prospective application of the new standard with disclosure of results under old standards. The Company is still in the early stages of assessing the adoption method and analyzing the impact of the adoption of this update on its consolidated financial statements. As part of its assessment work to-date, the Company has formed an implementation work team and conducted training sessions on the new ASU’s revenue recognition model and begun the process of scoping of revenue streams under the new ASU. Additionally, the Company is also analyzing the impact of the new standard on its current accounting policies and internal controls. Upon completion of these and other assessments, the Company will evaluate the impact of adopting the new standard on its consolidated financial statements.

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 (ASU 2016-02), Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2016-02 requires companies to generally recognize on the balance sheet operating and financing lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use assets. ASU 2016-02 is effective for the Company in its first quarter of fiscal 2020 on a modified retrospective basis and earlier adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of its pending adoption of ASU 2016-02 on its consolidated financial statements, and it currently expects that most of its operating lease commitments will be subject to the new standard and the Company will record material operating lease liabilities and right-of-use assets upon the adoption of ASU 2016-02.

Statement of Cash Flows

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (ASU 2016-15) . The ASU provides additional clarification guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2016-15 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force) (ASU 2016-18). This ASU clarifies the presentation of restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. Amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning and ending cash balances on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, or the Company's first quarter of fiscal 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company held restricted cash balances of $12.4 million, $11.0 million and $12.6 million as of December 30, 2017, December 24, 2016 and September 30, 2017, respectively. The Company does not anticipate the adoption of ASU 2016-18 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Business Combinations

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Clarifying the Definition of a Business (ASU 2017-01), which requires an evaluation of whether substantially all of the fair value of assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar

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identifiable assets. If so, the transaction does not qualify as a business. The guidance also requires an acquired business to include at least one substantive process and narrows the definition of outputs. The Company is required to apply this guidance to annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those periods, or the Company's first quarter of fiscal 2019. The adoption of this ASC may have an impact on accounting for any future acquisitions the Company may have.

Goodwill

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The new guidance simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by removing the second step of the two-step impairment test. The amendment requires an entity to perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. The new guidance is effective for annual periods or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, or the Company's first quarter of fiscal 2021. The amendment should be applied on a prospective basis. Based on the Company's most recent annual goodwill impairment test performed as of June 25, 2017, there were no reporting units for which the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeded its fair value; therefore, this ASU would not currently have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. However, if upon adoption the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company would be impacted by the amount of impairment recognized.

Income Taxes

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Reform Act”) was signed into law by the U.S. government. The Tax Reform Act significantly revised the U.S. corporate income tax code by, among other things, lowering the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018. U.S. GAAP requires that the impact of tax legislation be recognized in the period in which the law was enacted.

The Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) on December 22, 2017. This guidance allows registrants a “measurement period,” not to exceed one year from the date of enactment, to complete their accounting for the tax effects of the Act. SAB 118 further directs that during the measurement period, registrants who are able to make reasonable estimates of the tax effects of the Act should include those amounts in their financial statements as “provisional” amounts. Registrants should reflect adjustments over subsequent periods as they are able to refine their estimates and complete their accounting for the tax effects of the Act. We have made reasonable estimates and recorded provisional amounts within the meaning of SAB 118. Any adjustments recorded to the provisional amounts through the first quarter of fiscal 2019 will be included as an adjustment to tax expense. The provisional amounts incorporate assumptions made based upon the Company’s current interpretation of the Tax Reform Act and may change as the Company receives additional clarification and implementation guidance.

As a result of the Tax Reform Act, the Company recorded a provisional tax benefit of $16.3 million due to the remeasurement of its deferred tax assets and liabilities in the three months ended December 30, 2017. This tax benefit represents provisional amounts and the Company’s current best estimates.


2.	Fair Value Measurements

ASC 820 establishes a single authoritative definition of fair value, a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure of fair value measurements. ASC 820 requires financial assets and liabilities to be categorized based on the inputs used to calculate their fair values as follows:

Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (including assumptions about risk).

The Company’s financial instruments include cash and equivalents, short term investments consisting of bank certificates of deposit, accounts receivable and payable, derivative instruments, short-term borrowings, and accrued liabilities. The carrying amount of these instruments approximates fair value because of their short-term nature.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following table presents the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis based upon the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall, as of December 30, 2017 (in thousands):



	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Liabilities:
Liability for contingent consideration (a)	$	—	$	—	$	9,058	$	9,058
Total liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	9,058	$	9,058



	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Liabilities:
Liability for contingent consideration (a)	$	—	$	—	$	4,253	$	4,253
Total liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	4,253	$	4,253

The following table presents our financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis based upon the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall, as of September 30, 2017:



	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Liabilities:
Liability for contingent consideration (a)	$	—	$	—	$	9,343	$	9,343
Total liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	9,343	$	9,343

(a)

The liability for contingent consideration relates to an earn-out for B2E, acquired in December 2012, future performance-based contingent payments for Hydro-Organics Wholesale, Inc., acquired in October 2015, and future performance-based contingent payment for Segrest, Inc., acquired in October 2016. The fair value of the estimated contingent consideration arrangement is determined based on the Company’s evaluation as to the probability and amount of any earn-out that will be achieved based on expected future performance by the acquired entity. This is presented as part of long-term liabilities in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

The following table provides a summary of the changes in fair value of the Company's Level 3 financial instruments for the periods ended December 30, 2017 and December 24, 2016 (in thousands):



	Amount
Balance September 30, 2017	$	9,343
Estimated contingent performance-based consideration established at the time of acquisition	—
Changes in the fair value of contingent performance-based payments established at the time of acquisition	(192		)
Performance-based payments	(93		)
Balance December 30, 2017	$	9,058

	Amount
Balance September 24, 2016	$	5,113
Estimated contingent performance-based consideration established at the time of acquisition	(860		)
Changes in the fair value of contingent performance-based payments established at the time of acquisition	—
Balance December 24, 2016	$	4,253

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis

The Company measures certain non-financial assets and liabilities, including long-lived assets, goodwill and intangible assets, at fair value on a non-recurring basis. Fair value measurements of non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities are used primarily in the impairment analyses of long-lived assets, goodwill and other intangible assets. During the three-month periods ended December 30, 2017 and December 24, 2016, the Company was not required to measure any significant non-financial assets and liabilities at fair value.

Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments

In December 2017, the Company issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 5.125% senior notes due February 2028 (the "2028 Notes"). The estimated fair value of the Company's 2028 Notes as of December 30, 2017 was $300.8 million compared to a carrying value of $295.5 million.

In November 2015, the Company issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% senior notes due November 2023 (the “2023 Notes”). The estimated fair value of the Company’s 2023 Notes as of December 30, 2017, December 24, 2016 and September 24, 2016 was $424.2 million, $421.4 million and $427.9 million, respectively, compared to a carrying value of $395.4 million, $394.6 million and $395.2 million, respectively.


3.	Acquisitions

K&H Manufacturing

On April 28, 2017, the Company purchased K&H Manufacturing, a producer of premium pet supplies and the largest marketer of heated pet products in the country, for a purchase price of approximately $48.0 million. The purchase price exceeded the estimated fair value of the net tangible assets acquired by approximately $41.8 million, which is included in other assets in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 30, 2017. The Company has not yet finalized the allocation of the purchase price to the fair value of the intangible assets acquired. K&H sells branded pet products under the K&H and K&H Pet brands. The acquisition is expected to complement the Company's existing dog and cat business.


4.	Inventories, net

Inventories, net of allowance for obsolescence, consist of the following (in thousands):



	December 30, 2017		December 24, 2016		September 30, 2017
Raw materials	$	120,710	$	125,324	$	116,591
Work in progress	13,778		21,024		16,394
Finished goods	291,812		273,730		241,420
Supplies	14,121		10,093		7,696
Total inventories, net	$	440,421	$	430,171	$	382,101


5.	Goodwill

The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually (as of the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter), or whenever events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount, by first assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If it is determined that it is more likely than not the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, it is unnecessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the two-step test is performed to identify potential goodwill impairment. Based on certain circumstances, the Company may elect to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to performing the first step of the two-step goodwill impairment test, which compares the fair value of the Company’s reporting units to their related carrying values, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the Company performs an additional step to determine the implied fair value of goodwill associated with that reporting unit. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by first allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities and then computing the excess of the reporting unit’s fair value over the amounts assigned to the assets and liabilities. If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill, such excess represents the amount of goodwill impairment, and, accordingly, the Company recognizes such impairment. The Company’s goodwill impairment analysis also includes a comparison of the aggregate estimated fair value of its two reporting units to the Company’s total market capitalization.


6.	Other Intangible Assets

The following table summarizes the components of gross and net acquired intangible assets:



	Gross		Accumulated Amortization			Accumulated Impairment			Net Carrying Value
						(in millions)
December 30, 2017
Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable	$	16.9	$	(13.1	)	$	—		$	3.8
Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable	62.7		—			(26.0		)	36.7
Total	79.6		(13.1		)	(26.0		)	40.5
Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable	91.6		(33.9		)	—			57.7
Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable	22.1		(13.2		)	—			8.9
Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable	7.8		—			(1.2		)	6.6
Total	29.9		(13.2		)	(1.2		)	15.5
Total other intangible assets	$	201.1	$	(60.1	)	$	(27.2	)	$	113.7
	Gross		Accumulated Amortization			Accumulated Impairment			Net Carrying Value
						(in millions)
December 24, 2016
Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable	$	14.9	$	(11.5	)	$	—		$	3.4
Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable	62.8		—			(26.0		)	36.8
Total	77.7		(11.5		)	(26.0		)	40.2
Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable	64.3		(27.0		)	—			37.3
Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable	20.8		(11.9		)	—			8.9
Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable	7.7		—			(1.2		)	6.5
Total	28.5		(11.9		)	(1.2		)	15.4
Total other intangible assets	$	170.5	$	(50.4	)	$	(27.2	)	$	92.9
	Gross		Accumulated Amortization			Accumulated Impairment			Net Carrying Value
						(in millions)
September 30, 2017
Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable	$	16.9	$	(12.7	)	$	—		$	4.2
Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable	62.7		—			(26.0		)	36.7
Total	79.6		(12.7		)	(26.0		)	40.9
Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable	91.6		(32.2		)	—			59.4
Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable	22.1		(12.9		)	—			9.2
Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable	7.8		—			(1.2		)	6.6
Total	29.9		(12.9		)	(1.2		)	15.8
Total other intangible assets	$	201.1	$	(57.8	)	$	(27.2	)	$	116.1

Other acquired intangible assets include contract-based and technology-based intangible assets.

The Company evaluates long-lived assets, including amortizable and indefinite-lived intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company evaluates indefinite-lived intangible assets on an annual basis. Other factors indicating the carrying value of the Company’s amortizable intangible assets may not be recoverable were not present in fiscal 2017 or during the three months ended December 30, 2017, and accordingly, no impairment testing was performed on these assets.

The Company amortizes its acquired intangible assets with definite lives over periods ranging from 3 to 25 years; over weighted average remaining lives of 4 years for marketing-related intangibles, 10 years for customer-related intangibles and 11 years for other acquired intangibles. Amortization expense for intangibles subject to amortization was approximately $2.3 million and $1.4 million for the three months ended December 30, 2017 and December 24, 2016, respectively, and is classified within operating expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Estimated annual amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets in each of the succeeding five years is estimated to be approximately $8 million per year from fiscal 2018 through fiscal 2022


7.	Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following:



	December 30, 2017			December 24, 2016			September 30, 2017
	(in thousands)
Senior notes, interest at 6.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due November 2023	$	400,000		$	400,000		$	400,000
Senior notes, interest at 5.125%, payable semi-annually, principal due February 2028	300,000			—			—
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(9,161		)	(5,436		)	(4,840		)
Net carrying value	690,839			394,564			395,160
Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.25% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.25% to 0.50%, final maturity April 2021	—			—			—
Other notes payable	497			844			493
Total	691,336			395,408			395,653
Less current portion	(372		)	(397		)	(375		)
Long-term portion	$	690,964		$	395,011		$	395,278

Senior Notes

$300 Million 5.125% Senior Notes

On December 14, 2017, the Company issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 5.125% senior notes due February 2028 (the "2028 Notes"). The Company will use the net proceeds from the offering to finance future acquisitions and for general corporate purposes.

The Company incurred approximately $4.6 million of debt issuance costs in conjunction with this transaction, which included underwriter fees and legal, accounting and rating agency expenses. The debt issuance costs are being amortized over the term of the 2028 Notes.

The 2028 Notes require semiannual interest payments on February 1 and August 1, commencing August 1, 2018. The 2028 Notes are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis by the Company's existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries who are borrowers under or guarantors of Central's senior secured revolving credit facility or who guarantee the 2023 Notes.

The Company may redeem some or all of the 2028 Notes at any time, at its option, prior to January 1, 2023 at the principal amount plus a “make whole” premium. At any time prior to January 1, 2021, the Company may also redeem, at its option, up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of the notes with the proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price of 105.125% of the principal amount of the notes. The Company may redeem some or all of the 2028 Notes, at its option, at any time on or after January 1, 2023 for 102.563%, on or after January 1, 2024 for 101.708%, on or after January 1, 2025 for 100.854%, and on or after January 1, 2026 for 100.0%, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

The holders of the 2028 Notes have the right to require us to repurchase all or a portion of the 2028 Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest upon the occurrence of a change of control.

The 2028 Notes contain customary high yield covenants, including covenants limiting debt incurrence and restricted payments, subject to certain baskets and exceptions. The Company was in compliance with all covenants as of December 30, 2017.

$400 Million 6.125% Senior Notes

On November 9, 2015, the Company issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% senior notes due November 2023 (the "2023 Notes"). In December 2015, the Company used the net proceeds from the offering, together with available cash, to redeem its $400 million aggregate principal amount of 8.25% senior subordinated notes due March 1, 2018 ("2018 Notes") at a price of 102.063% of the principal amount and to pay fees and expenses related to the offering. The 2023 Notes are unsecured senior obligations and are subordinated to all of the Company’s existing and future secured debt, including the Company’s Credit Facility, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness.

The Company incurred approximately $6.3 million of debt issuance costs in conjunction with these transactions, which included underwriter fees and legal, accounting and rating agency expenses. The debt issuance costs are being amortized over the term of the 2023 Notes.

The 2023 Notes require semiannual interest payments on May 15 and November 15. The 2023 Notes are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis by each of the Company’s existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries which are borrowers under or guarantors of Central’s senior secured revolving credit facility. The 2023 Notes are unsecured senior obligations and are subordinated to all of the Company’s existing and future secured debt, including the Company’s Credit Facility, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness.

The Company may redeem some or all of the 2023 Notes at any time, at its option, prior to November 15, 2018 at the principal amount plus a “make whole” premium. At any time prior to November 15, 2018, the Company may also redeem, at its option, up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of the notes with the proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price of 106.125% of the principal amount of the notes. The Company may redeem some or all of the 2023 Notes, at its option, at any time on or after November 15, 2018 for 104.594%, on or after November 15, 2019 for 103.063%, on or after November 15, 2020 for 101.531% and on or after November 15, 2021 for 100%, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

The holders of the 2023 Notes have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of the 2023 Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest upon the occurrence of a change of control.

The 2023 Notes contain customary high yield covenants, including covenants limiting debt incurrence and restricted payments, subject to certain baskets and exceptions. The Company was in compliance with all covenants as of December 30, 2017.

Asset-Based Loan Facility Amendment

On April 22, 2016, the Company entered into an amended and restated credit agreement which provides up to a $400 million principal amount senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility, with up to an additional $200 million principal amount available with the consent of the Lenders if the Company exercises the accordion feature set forth therein (collectively, the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility matures on April 22, 2021. The Company may borrow, repay and reborrow amounts under the Credit Facility until its maturity date, at which time all amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility must be repaid in full. As of December 30, 2017, there were no borrowings outstanding and no letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Facility. There were other letters of credit of $1.8 million outstanding as of December 30, 2017.

The Credit Facility is subject to a borrowing base, calculated using a formula based upon eligible receivables and inventory, minus certain reserves and subject to restrictions. As of December 30, 2017, the borrowing base and remaining borrowing availability was $330.2 million. Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at an index based on LIBOR or, at the option of the Company, the Base Rate (defined as the highest of (a) the SunTrust prime rate, (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5% and (c) one-month LIBOR plus 1.00%), plus, in either case, an applicable margin based on the Company’s consolidated senior leverage ratio. Such applicable margin for LIBOR-based borrowings fluctuates between 1.25% - 1.50%, and was 1.25% as of December 30, 2017, and such applicable margin for Base Rate borrowings fluctuates between 0.25%-0.5%, and was 0.25% as of December 30, 2017. As of December 30, 2017, the applicable interest rate related to Base Rate borrowings was 4.8%, and the applicable interest rate related to LIBOR-based borrowings was 2.8%.

The Company incurred approximately $1.2 million of debt issuance costs in conjunction with this transaction, which included underwriter fees, legal and accounting expenses. The debt issuance costs are being amortized over the term of the Credit Facility.

The Credit Facility contains customary covenants, including financial covenants which require the Company to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.00:1.00 upon reaching certain borrowing levels. The Credit Facility is secured by substantially all assets of the Company. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants under the Credit Facility during the quarter ended December 30, 2017.


8.	Supplemental Equity Information

The following table provides a summary of the changes in the carrying amounts of equity attributable to controlling interest and noncontrolling interest for the three months ended December 30, 2017 and December 24, 2016.



	Controlling Interest
(in thousands)	Common Stock		Class A Common Stock		Class B Stock		Additional Paid In Capital			Retained Earnings		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			Total			Noncontrolling Interest			Total
Balance September 30, 2017	$	122	$	380	$	16	$	396,790		$	239,329	$	(951	)	$	635,686		$	1,456		$	637,142
Comprehensive income										26,247		44			26,291			203			26,494
Amortization of share-based awards							2,143								2,143						2,143
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement							(2,397		)						(2,397		)				(2,397		)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options							166								166						166
Distribution to Noncontrolling interest																		(1,597		)	(1,597		)
Balance December 30, 2017	$	122	$	380	$	16	$	396,702		$	265,576	$	(907	)	$	661,889		$	62		$	661,951



	Controlling Interest
(in thousands)	Common Stock		Class A Common Stock			Class B Stock		Additional Paid In Capital			Retained Earnings		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)			Total			Noncontrolling Interest			Total
Balance September 24, 2016	$	120	$	374		$	16	$	393,297		$	160,501	$	(1,294	)	$	553,014		$	1,573		$	554,587
Comprehensive income											7,637		(508		)	7,129			152			7,281
Amortization of share-based awards								2,118								2,118						2,118
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement			(1		)			(3,312		)						(3,313		)				(3,313		)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options			2					(4,033		)						(4,031		)				(4,031		)
Tax benefit on stock option exercise, net of tax deficiency								4,332								4,332						4,332
Distribution to Noncontrolling interest																			(1,018		)	(1,018		)
Balance December 24, 2016	$	120	$	375		$	16	$	392,402		$	168,138	$	(1,802	)	$	559,249		$	707		$	559,956


9.	Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognized share-based compensation expense of $2.7 million and $2.7 million for the three months ended December 30, 2017 and December 24, 2016, respectively, as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses. The tax benefit associated with share-based compensation expense for the three months ended December 30, 2017 and December 24, 2016 was $0.7 million and $1.0 million, respectively.


10.	Earnings Per Share

The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted per share computations for income from continuing operations.



	Three Months Ended
	December 30, 2017
	Income		Shares	Per Share
Basic EPS:
Net income available to common shareholders	$	26,247	50,730	$	0.52
Effect of dilutive securities:
Options to purchase common stock			1,147	(0.01		)
Restricted shares			818	(0.01		)
Diluted EPS:
Net income available to common shareholders	$	26,247	52,695	$	0.50



	Three Months Ended
	December 24, 2016
	Income		Shares	Per Share
Basic EPS:
Net income available to common shareholders	$	7,637	49,665	$	0.15
Effect of dilutive securities:
Options to purchase common stock			1,356	—
Restricted shares			789	—
Diluted EPS:
Net income available to common shareholders	$	7,637	51,810	$	0.15

Options to purchase 2.4 million shares of common stock at prices ranging from $6.43 to $33.15 per share were outstanding at December 30, 2017, and options to purchase 2.9 million shares of common stock at prices ranging from $6.43 to $15.56 per share were outstanding at December 24, 2016.

For the three months ended December 30, 2017 and December 24, 2016, all options outstanding were included in the computation of diluted earnings per share.


11.	Segment Information

Management has determined that the Company has two operating segments, which are also reportable segments based on the level at which the Chief Operating Decision Maker reviews the results of operations to make decisions regarding performance assessment and resource allocation. These operating segments are Pet segment and Garden segment and are presented in the table below (in thousands).



	Three Months Ended
	December 30, 2017			December 24, 2016
Net sales:
Pet segment	$	325,084		$	304,046
Garden segment	116,927			115,452
Total net sales	$	442,011		$	419,498

Pet segment	36,176			33,406
Garden segment	2,300			2,676
Corporate	(15,955		)	(16,144		)
Total operating income	22,521			19,938
Interest expense - net	(7,218		)	(6,835		)
Other expense	(3,089		)	(967		)
Income tax (benefit) expense	(14,236		)	4,347
Income including noncontrolling interest	26,450			7,789
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	203			152
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$	26,247		$	7,637
Depreciation and amortization:
Pet segment	$	7,145		5,830
Garden segment	1,569			1,507
Corporate	2,449			2,672
Total depreciation and amortization	$	11,163		$	10,009



	December 30, 2017		December 24, 2016		September 30, 2017
Assets:
Pet segment	$	620,681	$	575,192	$	612,337
Garden segment	356,821		354,674		311,026
Corporate	639,850		286,888		383,543
Total assets	$	1,617,352	$	1,216,754	$	1,306,906
Goodwill (included in corporate assets above):
Pet segment	$	250,802	$	224,912	$	250,802
Garden segment	5,473		5,473		5,473
Total goodwill	$	256,275	$	230,385	$	256,275


12.	Consolidating Condensed Financial Information of Guarantor Subsidiaries

Certain 100% wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company (as listed below, collectively the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”) have guaranteed fully and unconditionally, on a joint and several basis, the obligation to pay principal and interest on the Company’s 2023 Notes and 2028 Notes. Certain subsidiaries and operating divisions are not guarantors of the 2023 Notes and 2028 Notes. Those subsidiaries that are guarantors and co-obligors of the 2023 Notes and 2028 Notes are as follows:

Farnam Companies, Inc.

Four Paws Products Ltd.

Gulfstream Home & Garden, Inc.

Hydro-Organics Wholesale, Inc.

IMS Trading, LLC

IMS Southern, LLC

K&H Manufacturing, LLC

Kaytee Products, Inc.

Matson, LLC

New England Pottery, LLC

Pennington Seed, Inc. (including Gro Tec, Inc., NEXGEN Turf Research, LLC and All-Glass Aquarium Co., Inc.)

Pets International, Ltd.

Segrest, Inc. (including Blue Springs Hatchery, Inc., Segrest Farms, Inc., Florida Tropical Distributors International, Inc., Sun Pet, Ltd, Aquatica Tropicals, Inc., Quality Pets, LLC and Midwest Tropicals, LLC)

T.F.H. Publications, Inc.

Wellmark International (including B2E Corporation, B2E Microbials, LLC, B2E Manufacturing, LLC, Four Star Microbial Products, LLC and B2E Biotech LLC)

In lieu of providing separate audited financial statements for the Guarantor Subsidiaries, the Company has included the accompanying consolidating condensed financial statements based on the Company’s understanding of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s interpretation and application of Rule 3-10 of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Regulation S-X.



	CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
	Three Months Ended December 30, 2017
	(in thousands)
	Parent			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net sales	$	159,061		$	13,743		$	286,424		$	(17,217	)	$	442,011
Cost of goods sold and occupancy	125,479			11,816			189,051			(16,172		)	310,174
Gross profit	33,582			1,927			97,373			(1,045		)	131,837
Selling, general and administrative expenses	36,639			3,905			69,817			(1,045		)	109,316
Operating income (loss)	(3,057		)	(1,978		)	27,556			—			22,521
Interest expense	(7,385		)	(16		)	(4		)	—			(7,405		)
Interest income	186			1			—			—			187
Other (expense) income	(2,918		)	54			(225		)	—			(3,089		)
Income (loss) before taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates	(13,174		)	(1,939		)	27,327			—			12,214
Income tax expense (benefit)	14,425			1,282			(29,943		)	—			(14,236		)
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates	53,846			—			(2,900		)	(50,946		)	—
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest	26,247			(3,221		)	54,370			(50,946		)	26,450
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			203			—			—			203
Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$	26,247		$	(3,424	)	$	54,370		$	(50,946	)	$	26,247



	CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
	Three Months Ended December 24, 2016
	(in thousands)
	Parent			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net sales	$	155,518		$	14,024		$	266,438		$	(16,482	)	$	419,498
Cost of goods sold and occupancy	121,136			11,678			181,440			(15,434		)	298,820
Gross profit	34,382			2,346			84,998			(1,048		)	120,678
Selling, general and administrative expenses	35,965			3,664			62,159			(1,048		)	100,740
Operating income (loss)	(1,583		)	(1,318		)	22,839			—			19,938
Interest expense	(6,851		)	(17		)	(5		)	—			(6,873		)
Interest income	38			—			—			—			38
Other expense	(603		)	(193		)	(171		)	—			(967		)
Income (loss) before taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates	(8,999		)	(1,528		)	22,663			—			12,136
Income tax expense (benefit)	(3,192		)	(411		)	7,950			—			4,347
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates	13,444			—			(811		)	(12,633		)	—
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest	7,637			(1,117		)	13,902			(12,633		)	7,789
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			152			—			—			152
Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$	7,637		$	(1,269	)	$	13,902		$	(12,633	)	$	7,637



	CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	Three Months Ended December 30, 2017
	(in thousands)
	Parent		Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net income (loss)	$	26,247	$	(3,221	)	$	54,370		$	(50,946	)	$	26,450
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	44		43			(16		)	(27		)	44
Total comprehensive income (loss)	26,291		(3,178		)	54,354			(50,973		)	26,494
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—		203			—			—			203
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$	26,291	$	(3,381	)	$	54,354		$	(50,973	)	$	26,291



	CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	Three Months Ended December 24, 2016
	(in thousands)
	Parent			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net income (loss)	$	7,637		$	(1,117	)	$	13,902		$	(12,633	)	$	7,789
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation	(508		)	(355		)	(50		)	405			(508		)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	7,129			(1,472		)	13,852			(12,228		)	7,281
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			152			—			—			152
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$	7,129		$	(1,624	)	$	13,852		$	(12,228	)	$	7,129



	CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
	December 30, 2017
	(in thousands)
	Parent		Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Guarantor Subsidiaries		Eliminations			Consolidated
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	277,608	$	5,858		$	—	$	—		$	283,466
Restricted cash	12,419		—			—		—			12,419
Accounts receivable, net	89,039		5,617			140,419		—			235,075
Inventories	141,788		12,723			285,910		—			440,421
Prepaid expenses and other	6,645		1,059			14,815		—			22,519
Total current assets	527,499		25,257			441,144		—			993,900
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net	35,972		4,180			139,078		—			179,230
Goodwill	15,058		—			241,217		—			256,275
Other long-term assets	55,752		2,032			143,741		(13,578		)	187,947
Intercompany receivable	38,956		—			677,979		(716,935		)	—
Investment in subsidiaries	1,437,506		—			—		(1,437,506		)	—
Total	$	2,110,743	$	31,469		$	1,643,159	$	(2,168,019	)	$	1,617,352
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	$	40,775	$	9,241		$	74,567	$	—		$	124,583
Accrued expenses	45,973		2,313			51,718		—			100,004
Current portion of long-term debt	—		—			372		—			372
Total current liabilities	86,748		11,554			126,657		—			224,959
Long-term debt	690,839		—			125		—			690,964
Intercompany payable	663,241		53,694			—		(716,935		)	—
Losses in excess of investment in subsidiaries	—		—			29,069		(29,069		)	—
Other long-term obligations	8,026		—			45,030		(13,578		)	39,478
Total Central Garden & Pet shareholders’ equity (deficit)	661,889		(33,841		)	1,442,278		(1,408,437		)	661,889
Noncontrolling interest	—		62			—		—			62
Total equity (deficit)	661,889		(33,779		)	1,442,278		(1,408,437		)	661,951
Total	$	2,110,743	$	31,469		$	1,643,159	$	(2,168,019	)	$	1,617,352



	CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
	December 24, 2016
	(in thousands)
	Parent		Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Guarantor Subsidiaries		Eliminations			Consolidated
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,772	$	3,997		$	812	$	—		$	6,581
Restricted cash	10,981		—			—		—			10,981
Accounts receivable, net	72,850		6,919			112,455		—			192,224
Inventories	137,615		15,435			277,121		—			430,171
Prepaid expenses and other	7,972		897			13,530		—			22,399
Total current assets	231,190		27,248			403,918		—			662,356
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net	39,384		3,858			126,594		—			169,836
Goodwill	15,058		—			215,327		—			230,385
Other long-term assets	44,012		3,542			129,849		(23,226		)	154,177
Intercompany receivable	38,559		—			586,588		(625,147		)	—
Investment in subsidiaries	1,251,408		—			—		(1,251,408		)	—
Total	$	1,619,611	$	34,648		$	1,462,276	$	(1,899,781	)	$	1,216,754
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	$	46,208	$	7,146		$	81,883	$	—		$	135,237
Accrued expenses	42,223		1,362			50,909		—			94,494
Current portion of long-term debt	22		—			375		—			397
Total current liabilities	88,453		8,508			133,167		—			230,128
Long-term debt	394,564		—			447		—			395,011
Intercompany payable	575,187		49,960			—		(625,147		)	—
Losses in excess of investment in subsidiaries	—		—			21,014		(21,014		)	—
Other long-term obligations	2,158		—			52,727		(23,226		)	31,659
Total Central Garden & Pet shareholders’ equity (deficit)	559,249		(24,527		)	1,254,921		(1,230,394		)	559,249
Noncontrolling interest	—		707			—		—			707
Total equity (deficit)	559,249		(23,820		)	1,254,921		(1,230,394		)	559,956
Total	$	1,619,611	$	34,648		$	1,462,276	$	(1,899,781	)	$	1,216,754



	CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
	September 30, 2017
	(in thousands)
	Parent		Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Guarantor Subsidiaries		Eliminations			Consolidated
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	19,238	$	11,693		$	1,466	$	—		$	32,397
Restricted cash	12,645		—			—		—			12,645
Accounts receivable, net	78,692		5,586			153,590		—			237,868
Inventories	125,797		9,493			246,811		—			382,101
Prepaid expenses and other assets	6,059		811			11,175		—			18,045
Total current assets	242,431		27,583			413,042		—			683,056
Land, buildings, improvements and equipment, net	38,170		4,225			138,518		—			180,913
Goodwill	15,058		—			241,217		—			256,275
Other long-term assets	61,715		2,376			146,372		(23,801		)	186,662
Intercompany receivable	36,606		—			662,137		(698,743		)	—
Investment in subsidiaries	1,383,633		—			—		(1,383,633		)	—
Total	$	1,777,613	$	34,184		$	1,601,286	$	(2,106,177	)	$	1,306,906
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	$	36,760	$	3,076		$	63,447	$	—		$	103,283
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	54,909		2,391			59,249		—			116,549
Current portion of long term debt	—		—			375		—			375
Total current liabilities	91,669		5,467			123,071		—			220,207
Long-term debt	395,160		—			118		—			395,278
Intercompany payable	647,409		51,334			—		(698,743		)	—
Losses in excess of investment in subsidiaries	—		—			19,782		(19,782		)	—
Other long-term obligations	7,689		—			70,391		(23,801		)	54,279
Total Central Garden & Pet shareholders’ equity (deficit)	635,686		(24,073		)	1,387,924		(1,363,851		)	635,686
Noncontrolling interest	—		1,456			—		—			1,456
Total equity (deficit)	635,686		(22,617		)	1,387,924		(1,363,851		)	637,142
Total	$	1,777,613	$	34,184		$	1,601,286	$	(2,106,177	)	$	1,306,906



	CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	Three Months Ended December 30, 2017
	(in thousands)
	Parent			Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	$	(38,709	)	$	(105	)	$	20,988		$	(6,387	)	$	(24,213	)
Additions to property and equipment	(1,608		)	(83		)	(6,495		)				(8,186		)
Change in restricted cash and cash equivalents	226			—						—			226
Investments	(6,555		)	—						—			(6,555		)
Other investing activities	(1,200		)	—			—			—			(1,200		)
Intercompany investing activities	(2,351		)	—			(15,842		)	18,193			—
Net cash used by investing activities	(11,488		)	(83		)	(22,337		)	18,193			(15,715		)
Repayments on revolving line of credit	(23,000		)	—			—			—			(23,000		)
Borrowings under revolving line of credit	23,000			—			—			—			23,000
Issuance of long-term debt	300,000			—			—			—			300,000
Repayments under long-term debt	—			—			(7		)	—			(7		)
Payment of financing costs	(4,558		)	—			—			—			(4,558		)
Repurchase of common stock	(2,768		)	—			—			—			(2,768		)
Distribution to parent				(6,387		)	—			6,387			—
Distribution to noncontrolling interest				(1,597		)	—			—			(1,597		)
Payment of contingent consideration liability				—			(93		)	—			(93		)
Intercompany financing activities	15,833			2,360						(18,193		)	—
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	308,507			(5,624		)	(100		)	(11,806		)	290,977
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	60			(23		)	(17		)	—			20
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	258,370			(5,835		)	(1,466		)	—			251,069
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	19,238			11,693			1,466			—			32,397
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	277,608		$	5,858		$	—		$	—		$	283,466



	CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	Three Months Ended December 24, 2016
	(in thousands)
	Parent			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	$	(27,540	)	$	(4,428	)	$	22,731		$	(4,076	)	$	(13,313	)
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(1,831		)	(110		)	(11,027		)	—			(12,968		)
Payments to acquire companies, net of cash acquired	(60,042		)	—						—			(60,042		)
Change in restricted cash and cash equivalents	(71		)	—			—			—			(71		)
Proceeds from sale of plant assets	2						7,958						7,960
Investments	(2,000		)										(2,000		)
Other investing activities	(265		)										(265		)
Intercompany investing activities	(5,781		)	—			(19,214		)	24,995			—
Net cash used by investing activities	(69,988		)	(110		)	(22,283		)	24,995			(67,386		)
Repayments under revolving line of credit	(1,000		)	—						—			(1,000		)
Borrowings under revolving line of credit	1,000			—			—			—			1,000
Issuance of long-term debt	(66		)	—			(8		)	—			(74		)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards	4,356			—			—			—			4,356
Repurchase of common stock	(7,913		)				—						(7,913		)
Distribution to parent	—			(4,076		)	—			4,076			—
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	—			(1,018		)	—			—			(1,018		)
Payment of contingent consideration	—			—			(860		)	—			(860		)
Intercompany financing activities	21,223			3,772			—			(24,995		)	—
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	17,600			(1,322		)	(868		)	(20,919		)	(5,509		)
Effect of exchange rates on cash	(458		)	162			103			—			(193		)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(80,386		)	(5,698		)	(317		)	—			(86,401		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	82,158			9,695			1,129			—			92,982
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	1,772		$	3,997		$	812		$	—		$	6,581


13.	Contingencies

The Company may from time to time become involved in legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. Currently, the Company is not a party to any legal proceedings that management believes would have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.


Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Our Company

Central Garden & Pet Company (“Central”) is a leading innovator, producer and distributor of branded and private label products for the lawn & garden and pet supplies markets in the United States. The total pet food, treats and supplies industry in 2016 was estimated by Packaged Facts and the pet industry to have been approximately $55.9 billion in annual retail sales. We estimate the annual retail sales of the pet supplies, live animal, and consumables and natural pet food markets in the categories in which we participate to be approximately $28.0 billion. The total lawn and garden consumables and decorative products industry in the United States is estimated to be approximately $27.6 billion in annual retail sales, including fertilizer, pesticides, growing media, seeds, mulch, other consumables and decorative products. We estimate the annual retail sales of the lawn and garden consumables and decorative products markets in the categories in which we participate to be approximately $18.9 billion.

Our pet supplies products include products for dogs and cats, including edible bones, premium healthy edible and non-edible chews, super premium dog and cat food and treats, toys, pet carriers, grooming supplies and other accessories; products for birds, small animals and specialty pets, including food, cages and habitats, toys, chews and related accessories; animal and household health and insect control products; live fish and products for fish, reptiles and other aquarium-based pets, including aquariums, furniture and lighting fixtures, pumps, filters, water conditioners, food and supplements, and information and knowledge resources; and products for horses and livestock. These products are sold under the brands including Adams^™, Aqueon^®, Avoderm^®, Bio Spot Active Care^™, Cadet^®, Farnam^®, Four Paws^®, Kaytee^®, K&H Pet Products^®, Nylabone^®, Pinnacle^®, TFH^™, Zilla^® as well as a number of other brands including Altosid^®, Comfort Zone^®, Coralife^®, Interpet^®, Kent Marine^®, Pet Select^®, Super Pet^®, and Zodiac^®.

Our lawn and garden supplies products include proprietary and non-proprietary grass seed; wild bird feed, bird feeders, bird houses and other birding accessories; weed, grass, and other herbicides, insecticide and pesticide products; fertilizers; and decorative outdoor lifestyle products including pottery, trellises and other wood products. These products are sold under the brands AMDRO^®, Ironite^®, Pennington^®, and Sevin^®, as well as a number of other brand names including Lilly Miller^®, Over-N-Out^®, Smart Seed^® and The Rebels^®.

In fiscal 2017, our consolidated net sales were $2,054 million, of which our Pet segment, or Pet, accounted for approximately $1,246 million and our Garden segment, or Garden, accounted for approximately $808 million. In fiscal 2017, our operating income was $156 million consisting of income from our Pet segment of $132 million, income from our Garden segment of $87 million and corporate expenses of $63 million.

We were incorporated in Delaware in May 1992 as the successor to a California corporation that was formed in 1955. Our executive offices are located at 1340 Treat Boulevard, Suite 600, Walnut Creek, California 94597, and our telephone number is (925) 948-4000. Our website is www.central.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference in this annual report.

Recent Developments

Fiscal 2018 First Quarter Financial Performance:


•	Net sales increased $22.5 million, or 5.4%, from the prior year quarter to $442.0 million . Pet segment sales increased $21.1 million, and Garden segment sales increased $1.4 million.


•	Organic sales improved 1%.


•	Gross margin increased 100 basis points to 29.8%, and gross profit increased $11.2 million.


•	Selling, general & administrative expense increased $8.6 million to $109.3 million.


•	Operating income improved $2.6 million, or 13.0%, from the prior year quarter, to $22.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. Excluding the gain on the sale of a facility in the prior year quarter, operating income improved $4.6 million.


•	Our net income in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 was $26.2 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, compared to $7.6 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, in the first quarter of fiscal 2017.


•	Adjusting for the impact of the Tax Reform Act on our deferred tax accounts in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 and for the gain from the sale of a distribution facility in the first quarter of fiscal 2017, our net income in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 was $9.9 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, compared to $6.3 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, in the first quarter of fiscal 2017.

Issuance of 2028 Notes:

•In December 2017, we issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 5.125% senior notes due February 2028. We intend to use the net proceeds to finance acquisitions of suitable businesses and for general corporate purposes.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We report our financial results in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). However, to supplement the financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP, we use non-GAAP financial measures including non-GAAP operating income on a consolidated and segment basis and non-GAAP net income and diluted net income per share. Management believes these non-GAAP financial measures that exclude the impact of specific items (described below) may be useful to investors in their assessment of our ongoing operating performance and provide additional meaningful comparisons between current results and results in prior operating periods.

The reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP are shown in the tables below. We believe that the non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors and other users of our financial statements, by allowing for greater transparency in the review of our financial and operating performance. Management also uses these non-GAAP financial measures in making financial, operating and planning decisions and in evaluating our performance, and we believe these measures similarly may be useful to investors in evaluating our financial and operating performance and the trends in our business from management's point of view. While our management believes that non-GAAP measurements are useful supplemental information, such adjusted results are not intended to replace our GAAP financial results and should be read in conjunction with those GAAP results. We have not provided a reconciliation of non-GAAP guidance measures to the corresponding GAAP measures on a forward-looking basis, because such reconciliation cannot be done without unreasonable efforts due to the potential significant variability and limited visibility of the excluded items discussed below.

Non-GAAP financial measures reflect adjustments based on the following items:


•	The U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Job Act (the "Tax Reform Act") in December 2017. We have excluded the transitional impact of the Tax Reform Act as the remeasurement of our deferred tax assets and liabilities does not reflect the ongoing impact of the lower U.S. statutory rate on our current year earnings.

•

Gains or losses on disposals of significant plant assets: we have excluded the impact of gains or losses on the disposal of facilities as these represent infrequent transactions that impact comparability between operating periods. We believe the adjustment of these gains or losses supplements the GAAP information with a measure that may be used to help assess the sustainability of our continuing operating performance.


•	Tax impact: the adjustment represents the impact of the tax effect of the pre-tax non-GAAP adjustments excluded from non-GAAP net income. The tax impact of the non-GAAP adjustments is calculated based on the consolidated effective tax rate on a GAAP basis, applied to the non-GAAP adjustments, unless the underlying item has a materially different tax treatment.


•	We have also provided organic net sales, a non-GAAP measure that excludes the impact of businesses purchased or exited in the prior 12 months, because we believe it permits investors to better understand the performance of our historical business without the impact of recent acquisitions or dispositions.

From time to time in the future, there may be other items that we may exclude if we believe that doing so is consistent with the goal of providing useful information to investors and management.

The non-GAAP adjustments reflect the following:


(1)	Transitional impact of U.S. Tax Reform: As a result of the Tax Reform Act, the Company recorded a provisional tax benefit of $16.3 million due to the remeasurement of its deferred tax assets and liabilities. We have excluded only this transitional impact and have not included in the adjustment the ongoing impact of the lower U.S. statutory rate on our current year earnings.


(2)	During the first quarter of fiscal 2017, we recorded a $2.0 million gain in our Garden segment from the sale of a distribution facility resulting from rationalizing our facilities to reduce excess capacity. This adjustment was recorded as part of selling, general and administrative costs in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.



Operating Income Reconciliation		GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation (in thousands) For the Three Months Ended
		Consolidated						Garden
		December 30, 2017			December 24, 2016			December 30, 2017			December 24, 2016
GAAP operating income		$	22,521		$	19,938		$	2,300		$	2,676
Gain on sale of distribution facility	⁽²⁾	—			(2,050		)	—			(2,050		)
Non-GAAP operating income		$	22,521		$	17,888		$	2,300		$	626
GAAP operating margin		5.1		%	4.8		%	2.0		%	2.3		%
Non-GAAP operating margin		5.1		%	4.3		%	2.0		%	0.5		%



		GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation (in thousands, except per share amounts) For the Three Months Ended
Net Income and Diluted Net Income Per Share Reconciliation		December 30, 2017		December 24, 2016
GAAP net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet		$	26,247	$	7,637
Gain on sale of distribution facility	⁽²⁾	—		(2,050		)
Tax effect of sale of distribution facility adjustment		—		734
Tax effect of revaluation of deferred assets	⁽¹⁾	16,343		—
Total impact on net income from non-GAAP adjustments		16,343		(1,316		)
Non-GAAP net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet		$	9,904	$	6,321
GAAP diluted net income per share		$	0.50	$	0.15
Non-GAAP diluted net income per share		$	0.19	$	0.12
Shares used in GAAP and non-GAAP diluted net earnings per share calculation		52,695		51,810

Organic Net Sales Reconciliation

We have provided organic net sales, a non-GAAP measure that excludes the impact of recent acquisitions and dispositions, because we believe it permits investors to better understand the performance of our historical business. We define organic net sales as net sales from our historical business derived by excluding the net sales from businesses acquired or exited in the preceding 12 months. After an acquired business has been part of our consolidated results for 12 months, the change in net sales thereafter is considered part of the increase or decrease in organic net sales.



	GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation (in millions) For the Three Months Ended December 30, 2017
	Consolidated				Pet Segment
			Percentage change				Percentage change

Reported net sales - Q1 FY18 (GAAP)	$	442.0			$	325.1
Reported net sales - Q1 FY17 (GAAP)	419.5				304.0
Increase in net sales	22.5		5.4	%	21.1		6.9	%
Effect of acquisition and divestitures on increase in net sales	17.7		4.3	%	17.7		5.8	%
Increase in organic net sales - Q1 2018	$	4.8	1.1	%	$	3.4	1.1	%

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended December 30, 2017

Compared with Three Months Ended December 24, 2016

Net Sales

Net sales for the three months ended December 30, 2017 increased $22.5 million, or 5.4%, to $442.0 million from $419.5 million for the three months ended December 24, 2016. Our branded product sales increased $17.1 million, and sales of other manufacturers’ products increased $5.4 million. Organic net sales, which excludes the impact of acquisitions and divestitures in the last 12 months, increased $4.8 million, or 1.1%, as compared to the fiscal 2016 quarter.

Pet net sales increased $21.1 million, or 6.9%, to $325.1 million for the three months ended December 30, 2017 from $304.0 million for the three months ended December 24, 2016. The increase in net sales was due primarily to sales from our acquisitions in fiscal 2017. Pet organic net sales increased 1.1%. Organic net sales growth was due primarily to increased sales in the e-commerce channel. Pet branded product sales increased $16.6 million due primarily to the two recent acquisitions and, to a lesser extent, organic net sales growth.

Garden net sales increased $1.4 million, or 1.3%, to $116.9 million for the three months ended December 30, 2017 from $115.5 million for the three months ended December 24, 2016. The net sales increase was all organic. Garden branded product sales increased $0.5 million, due primarily to increased sales in our control & fertilizer business partially offset by a decline in wild bird feed. Sales of other manufacturers’ products increased $0.9 million.

Gross Profit

Gross profit for the three months ended December 30, 2017 increased $11.2 million, or 9.2%, to $131.8 million from $120.6 million for the three months ended December 24, 2016. Gross margin increased 100 basis points to 29.8% for the three months ended December 30, 2017 from 28.8% for the three months ended December 24, 2016. Both operating segments contributed to the increase in gross profit and improved gross margin. The increase in gross margin in our Garden segment was due primarily to improved gross margins in most of our Garden segment businesses, which benefited from our cost savings initiatives, only partially offset by a decline in our wild bird feed business. The increase in our gross margin in our Pet segment was favorably impacted by our two fiscal 2017 acquisitions as their gross margins were above the Pet segment's as a whole and by improved margins.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $8.6 million, or 8.5%, to $109.3 million for the three months ended December 30, 2017 from $100.7 million for the three months ended December 24, 2016. Increased expense in both operating segments in the quarter was partially offset by a minor decrease at Corporate. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses increased to 24.7% for the three months ended December 30, 2017, compared to 24.0% in the comparable prior year quarter.

Selling and delivery expense increased $3.4 million, or 6.9%, to $53.9 million for the three months ended December 30, 2017 from $50.5 million for the three months ended December 24, 2016. The increase in selling and delivery was primarily in our Pet segment due primarily to our two recent acquisitions. Secondarily, selling and delivery expenses increased in both Pet and Garden segments due primarily to increased investment in selling and marketing activities.

Warehouse and administrative expense increased $5.2 million, or 10.4%, to $55.4 million for the quarter ended December 30, 2017 from $50.2 million for the three months ended December 24, 2016. Increased expense in the Pet segment, due primarily to the two acquisitions made in fiscal 2017, and increased expense in the Garden segment, due primarily to a $2.0 million gain from the sale of a distribution facility in the prior year quarter, was offset by a slight decrease at Corporate. Corporate expenses are included within administrative expense and relate to the costs of unallocated executive, administrative, finance, legal, human resources, and information technology functions.

Operating Income

Operating income increased $2.6 million to $22.5 million for the three months ended December 30, 2017 from $19.9 million for the three months ended December 24, 2016. Increased sales of $22.5 million and an improved gross margin were partially offset by a $8.6 million increase in selling, general and administrative costs. Operating margin improved to 5.1% for the three months ended December 30, 2017 from 4.8% for the three months ended December 24, 2016 due to a 100 basis point improvement in gross margin partially offset by a 70 basis point increase in selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales. Adjusting for the gain from the sales of

a distribution facility in the prior year quarter, selling, general and administrative expenses increased 20 basis points for the quarter ended December 30, 2017 as compared to the prior year quarter.

Pet operating income increased $2.8 million, or 8.3%, to $36.2 million for the three months ended December 30, 2017 from $33.4 million for the three months ended December 24, 2016. The increase was due to increased sales of $21.1 million and an improved gross margin, partially offset by increased selling, general and administrative expenses. Pet operating margin increased to 11.1% for the three months ended December 30, 2017 from 11.0% for the three months ended December 24, 2016 due to an improved gross margin partially offset by increased selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales.

Garden operating income decreased $0.4 million to $2.3 million for the three months ended December 30, 2017 from $2.7 million for the three months ended December 24, 2016. Garden operating margin decreased to 2.0% for the three months ended December 30, 2017 from 2.3% for the three months ended December 24, 2016. Adjusting for the $2.0 million gain in the prior year quarter for the sale of a distribution facility, both Garden operating income and operating margin reflected improvement over the prior year quarter.

Corporate operating expense decreased $0.2 million to $16.0 million in the current year quarter from $16.2 million in the fiscal 2017 quarter due primarily to lower third party service provider expenses and legal accruals, partially offset by insurance related expenses.

Net Interest Expense

Net interest expense for the three months ended December 30, 2017 increased $0.4 million, or 5.6%, to $7.2 million from $6.8 million for the three months ended December 24, 2016. The increase in interest expense was due to higher average debt outstanding during the current year quarter. In December 2017, we issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 5.125% senior notes due February 2028.

Debt outstanding on December 30, 2017 was $691.3 million compared to $395.4 million as of December 24, 2016.

Other Expense

Other expense is comprised of income or losses from investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting and foreign currency exchange gains and losses. Other expense increased $2.1 million to $3.1 million for the quarter ended December 30, 2017, from $1.0 million for the quarter ended December 24, 2016 due to losses recorded from two investments made in fiscal 2017. One of these investments, our largest joint venture investment, is seasonal in nature. As such, we expect other expense (income) to be more favorable in our second and third fiscal quarters.

Income Taxes

For the quarter ended December 30, 2017, we had an income tax benefit of $14.2 million versus income tax expense of $4.3 million and an effective tax rate of 35.8% for the quarter ended December 24, 2016.

Three items impacted our income tax in the quarter ended December 30, 2017:

•The revaluation of net long-term deferred tax liabilities

•A lower expected corporate federal income tax rate for three of our four quarters of our 2018 fiscal year

•The adoption of ASU 2016-09, Stock Compensation

On December 22, 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”). This guidance allows registrants a “measurement period,” not to exceed one year from the date of enactment, to complete their accounting for the tax effects of the Act. Registrants should reflect adjustments over subsequent periods as they are able to refine their estimates and complete their accounting for the tax effects of the Act. We have made reasonable estimates and recorded provisional amounts within the meaning of SAB 118. In subsequent periods, but within the measurement period, we will analyze that guidance and other necessary information to refine our estimates and complete our accounting for the tax effects of the Act.

Additionally, we adopted ASU 2016-09 during the quarter ended December 30, 2017. As a result, we now record excess tax benefits resulting from stock compensation in the provision for income taxes. For the current year quarter, this resulted in a further reduction of approximately one million dollars of income tax expense.

Our federal corporate tax rate for fiscal 2018 has declined to approximately 24.5% from 35% in fiscal 2017. The effective tax rate for the quarter ended December 30, 2017 is a blended rate that reflects the estimated benefit of three quarters of federal tax rate reductions for fiscal 2018. We expect our effective tax rate to be approximately 27% in fiscal 2018, excluding the impact of discrete items which includes the revaluation of our deferred tax accounts and the adoption of ASU 2016-09, stock compensation.

Our first quarter of fiscal 2018 results include the impact of the December 2017 enactment of the Tax Reform Act which, among numerous provisions, included the reduction of the corporate federal income tax rate from 35% to 21%, effective January 1, 2018. As a result, we recorded a provisional tax benefit of $16.3 million due to the remeasurement of our net long-term deferred tax liabilities.

Net Income and Earnings Per Share

Our net income in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 was $26.2 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, compared to $7.6 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, in the first quarter of fiscal 2017.

Adjusting for the provisional impact of the Tax Reform Act on our deferred tax accounts in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 and for the gain from the sale of a distribution facility in the first quarter of fiscal 2017, our net income in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 was $9.9 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, compared to $6.3 million or $0.12 per share in the first quarter of fiscal 2017.

We have adjusted for the provisional transitional impact on our deferred tax accounts of the Tax Reform Act. The adjustment does not include the ongoing impacts of the lower U.S. statutory rate on current year earnings.

The final impact of the Tax Reform Act may differ due to, among other things, changes in interpretations, assumptions made by the Company, the issuance of additional guidance, and actions the Company may take as a result of the Tax Reform Act.

Inflation

Our revenues and margins are dependent on various economic factors, including rates of inflation, energy costs, consumer attitudes toward discretionary spending, currency fluctuations, and other macro-economic factors which may impact levels of consumer spending. In certain fiscal periods, we have been adversely impacted by rising input costs related to inflation, particularly relating to grain and seed prices, fuel prices and the ingredients used in our garden controls and fertilizer. Rising costs in those periods have made it difficult for us to increase prices to our retail customers at a pace sufficient to enable us to maintain margins.

During fiscal years 2015 through 2017, commodity costs generally declined, but in past years we have been impacted by volatility in a number of commodities, including grass seed and wild bird feed grains. We continue to monitor commodity prices in order to be in a position to take action to mitigate the impact of increasing raw material costs.

Weather and Seasonality

Our sales of lawn and garden products are influenced by weather and climate conditions in the different markets we serve. Additionally, our Garden segment’s business is highly seasonal. In fiscal 2017, approximately 66% of our Garden segment’s net sales and 56% of our total net sales occurred during our second and third fiscal quarters. Substantially all of the Garden segment’s operating income is typically generated in this period.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We have financed our growth through a combination of internally generated funds, bank borrowings, supplier credit, and sales of equity and debt securities to the public.

Our business is seasonal and our working capital requirements and capital resources track closely to this seasonal pattern. Generally, during the first fiscal quarter, accounts receivable reach their lowest level while inventory, accounts payable and short-term borrowings begin to increase. During the second fiscal quarter, receivables, accounts payable and short-term borrowings increase, reflecting the build-up of inventory and related payables in anticipation of the peak lawn and garden selling season. During the third fiscal quarter, inventory levels remain relatively constant while accounts receivable peak and short-term borrowings start to decline as cash collections are received during the peak selling season. During the fourth fiscal quarter, inventory levels are at their lowest, and accounts receivable and payables are substantially reduced through conversion of receivables to cash.

We service two broad markets: pet supplies and lawn and garden supplies. Our pet supplies businesses primarily involve products that have a year round selling cycle with a slight degree of seasonality. As a result, it is not necessary to maintain large quantities of inventory to meet peak demands. Our lawn and garden businesses are highly seasonal with approximately 66% of our Garden segment’s net sales occurring during the second and third fiscal quarters. This seasonality requires the shipment of large quantities of product well ahead of the peak consumer buying periods. To encourage retailers and distributors to stock large quantities of inventory, industry practice has been for manufacturers to give extended credit terms and/or promotional discounts.

Operating Activities

Net cash used by operating activities increased by $10.9 million, from $13.3 million for the three months ended December 24, 2016, to $24.2 million for the three months ended December 30, 2017. The increase in cash used was due primarily to changes in our working capital accounts for the period ended December 30, 2017, as compared to the prior year period, as the increase in net income for the three months ended December 30, 2017 was offset by the non-cash effects of the impact of the Tax Reform Act as described in Note 1.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities decreased $51.7 million, from $67.4 million for the three months ended December 24, 2016 to $15.7 million during the three months ended December 30, 2017. The decrease in cash used in investing activities was due primarily to decreased acquisition activity in the current year compared to the prior year and a decrease in capital expenditures during the current year. During the first fiscal quarter of 2017, we acquired Segrest Inc., a wholesaler of aquarium fish, for total aggregate consideration of $60 million. This acquisition activity was partially offset by an increase in proceeds from the sale of a small veterinary division and a distribution facility in our Garden segment during the first fiscal quarter of 2017. We also had a decrease in capital expenditures of approximately $4.8 million in the current year period compared to the prior year period.

Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities increased $296.5 million, from $5.5 million of cash used by financing activities for the three months ended December 24, 2016, to $291.0 million of cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended December 30, 2017. The increase in cash provided by financing activities was due primarily to our December 2017 issuance of $300 million aggregate principal amount 5.125% senior notes due February 2028, partially offset by deferred financing costs of approximately $4.6 million associated with this issuance.

We expect that our principal sources of funds will be cash generated from our operations and, if necessary, borrowings under our $400 million asset backed loan facility. Based on our anticipated cash needs, availability under our asset backed loan facility and the scheduled maturity of our debt, we believe that our sources of liquidity should be adequate to meet our working capital, capital spending and other cash needs for at least the next 12 months. However, we cannot assure you that these sources will continue to provide us with sufficient liquidity and, should we require it, that we will be able to obtain financing on terms satisfactory to us, or at all.

We believe that cash flows from operating activities, funds available under our asset backed loan facility, and arrangements with suppliers will be adequate to fund our presently anticipated working capital and capital expenditure requirements for the foreseeable future. We anticipate that our capital expenditures, which are related primarily to replacements and expansion of and upgrades to plant and equipment and also investment in our continued implementation of a scalable enterprise-wide information technology platform, will be approximately $40 million in fiscal 2018.

As part of our growth strategy, we have acquired a number of companies in the past, and we anticipate that we will continue to evaluate potential acquisition candidates in the future. If one or more potential acquisition opportunities, including those that would be material, become available in the near future, we may require additional external capital. In addition, such acquisitions would subject us to the general risks associated with acquiring companies, particularly if the acquisitions are relatively large.

At December 30, 2017, our total debt outstanding was $691.3 million, as compared with $395.4 million at December 24, 2016.

Senior Notes

$300 Million 5.125% Senior Notes

On December 14, 2017, we issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 5.125% senior notes due February 2028 . We will use the net proceeds from the offering to finance future acquisitions and for general corporate purposes.

We incurred approximately $4.6 million of debt issuance costs in conjunction with this transaction, which included underwriter fees and legal, accounting and rating agency expenses. The debt issuance costs are being amortized over the term of the 2028 Notes.

The 2028 Notes require semiannual interest payments on February 1 and August 1, commencing August 1, 2018. The 2028 Notes are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis by our existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries who are borrowers under or guarantors of our senior secured revolving credit facility or who guarantee the 2023 Notes.

We may redeem some or all of the 2028 Notes at any time, at our option, prior to January 1, 2023 at the principal amount plus a “make whole” premium. At any time prior to January 1, 2021, we may also redeem, at our option, up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of the notes with the proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price of 105.125% of the principal amount of the notes. We may redeem some or all of the 2028 Notes, at our option, at any time on or after January 1, 2023 for 102.563%, on or after January 1, 2024 for 101.708%, on or after January 1, 2025 for 100.854% and on or after January 1, 2026 for 100.0%, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

The 2028 Notes contain customary high yield covenants, including covenants limiting debt incurrence and restricted payments, subject to certain baskets and exceptions. We were in compliance with all covenants as of December 30, 2017.

$400 Million 6.125% Senior Notes

In November 2015, we issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% senior notes due November 2023 (the "2023 Notes"). In December 2015, we used the net proceeds from the offering, together with available cash, to redeem our $400 million aggregate principal amount of 8.25% senior subordinated notes due March 1, 2018 (the "2018 Notes") at a price of 102.063% of the principal amount and to pay fees and expenses related to the offering.

We incurred approximately $6.3 million of debt issuance costs in conjunction with these transactions, which included underwriter fees and legal, accounting and rating agency expenses. The debt issuance costs are being amortized over the term of the 2028 Notes.

The 2023 Notes require semiannual interest payments on May 15 and November 15. The 2023 Notes are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis by each of our existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries which are borrowers under or guarantors of our senior secured revolving credit facility. The 2023 Notes are unsecured senior obligations and are subordinated to all of our existing and future secured debt, including our Credit Facility, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness.

We may redeem some or all of the 2023 Notes at any time, at our option, prior to November 15, 2018 at the principal amount plus a “make whole” premium. At any time prior to November 15, 2018, we may also redeem, at our option, up to 35% of the original aggregate principal amount of the notes with the proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price of 106.125% of the principal amount of the notes. We may redeem some or all of the 2023 Notes, at our option, at any time on or after November 15, 2018 for 104.594%, on or after November 15, 2019 for 103.063%, on or after November 15, 2020 for 101.531% and on or after November 15, 2021 for 100%, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

The holders of the 2023 Notes have the right to require us to repurchase all or a portion of the 2023 Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest upon the occurrence of a change of control.

The 2023 Notes contain customary high yield covenants, including covenants limiting debt incurrence and restricted payments, subject to certain baskets and exceptions. We were in compliance with all covenants as of December 30, 2017.

Asset-Based Loan Facility Amendment

In April 2016, we entered into an amended and restated credit agreement which provides up to a $400 million principal amount senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility, with up to an additional $200 million principal amount available with the consent of the Lenders if we exercise the accordion feature set forth therein (collectively, the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility matures on April 22, 2021. We may borrow, repay and reborrow amounts under the Credit Facility until its maturity date, at which time all amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility must be repaid in full. As of December 30, 2017, there were no borrowings outstanding and no letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Facility. There were other letters of credit of $1.8 million outstanding as of December 30, 2017.

The Credit Facility is subject to a borrowing base, calculated using a formula based upon eligible receivables and inventory, minus certain reserves and subject to restrictions. As of December 30, 2017, the borrowing base and remaining borrowing availability was $330.2 million. Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at an index based on LIBOR or, at the option of the Company, the Base Rate (defined as the highest of (a) the SunTrust prime rate, (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5% and (c) one-month LIBOR plus 1.00%), plus, in either case, an applicable margin based on our consolidated senior leverage ratio. Such applicable margin for LIBOR-based borrowings fluctuates between 1.25% - 1.5%, and was 1.25% as of December 30, 2017, and such applicable margin for Base Rate borrowings fluctuates between 0.25% - 0.5%, and was 0.25% as of December 30, 2017. As of December 30, 2017, the applicable interest rate related to Base Rate borrowings was 4.8%, and the applicable interest rate related to LIBOR-based borrowings was 2.8%.

We incurred approximately $1.2 million of debt issuance costs in conjunction with this transaction, which included underwriter fees, legal and accounting expenses. The debt issuance costs will be amortized over the term of the Credit Facility.

The Credit Facility contains customary covenants, including financial covenants which require us to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.00:1.00 upon reaching certain borrowing levels. The Credit Facility is secured by substantially all of our assets. We were in compliance with all financial covenants under the Credit Facility during the period ended December 30, 2017.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

There have been no material changes to the information provided in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 regarding off-balance sheet arrangements.

Contractual Obligations

Except for the issuance of our 2028 Notes, there have been no material changes outside the ordinary course of business in our contractual obligations set forth in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Refer to Footnote 1 in the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements for new accounting pronouncements.

Critical Accounting Policies, Estimates and Judgments

There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies, estimates and assumptions or the judgments affecting the application of those accounting policies since our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.


Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There has been no material change in our exposure to market risk from that discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.


Item 4.	Controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Our Chief Executive Officer and principal financial officer have reviewed, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) that ensure that information relating to the Company required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported in a timely and proper manner and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based upon this review, such officers concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 30, 2017.

(b) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our principal financial officer have evaluated whether any change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the first quarter of fiscal 2018. Based on that evaluation, management concluded that there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the first quarter of fiscal 2018 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.	Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we are involved in certain legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. Currently, we are not a party to any legal proceedings that management believes would have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.


Item 1A.	Risk Factors

There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in Item 1A to Part I of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.


Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The following table sets forth the repurchases of any equity securities during the fiscal quarter ended December 30, 2017 and the dollar amount of authorized share repurchases remaining under our stock repurchase program.



Period	Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased		Average Price Paid per Share (or Units)		Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs	Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (1)
October 1, 2017 - November 4, 2017	—	⁽²⁾	$	—	—	$	34,968,000
November 5, 2017 - December 2, 2017	10,240	⁽²⁾	$	37.89	—	$	34,968,000
December 3, 2017 - December 30, 2017	52,252	⁽²⁾	$	38.46	—	$	34,968,000
Total	62,492		$	38.36	—	$	34,968,000

(1)

During the third quarter of fiscal 2011, our Board of Directors authorized a $100 million share repurchase program. The program has no expiration date and expires when the amount authorized has been used or the Board withdraws its authorization. The repurchase of shares may be limited by certain financial covenants in our credit facility and indenture that restrict our ability to repurchase our stock.


(2)	Shares purchased during the period indicated represent withholding of a portion of shares to cover taxes in connection with the vesting of restricted stock.


Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable


Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable


Item 5.	Other Information

Not applicable



Item 6.	Exhibits

4.1	Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 14, 2017, by and among the Company, certain guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank National Association, as trustee, relating to the 5.125% Senior Notes due 2028. (Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Form 8-K filed December 14, 2017)

4.2	Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 14, 2017, by and among the Company, certain guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, relating to the 6.125% Senior Notes due 2023. (Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Form 8-K filed December 14, 2017)

31.1	Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2	Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1	Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

32.2	Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

101.INS	XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunder duly authorized.



	CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY
	Registrant

	Dated: February 8, 2018

	/s/ GEORGE C. ROETH
	George C. Roeth
	President and Chief Executive Officer
	(Principal Executive Officer)

	/s/ NICHOLAS LAHANAS
	Nicholas Lahanas
	Chief Financial Officer
	(Principal Financial Officer)