CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO - Quarter Report: 2019 December (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)


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

For the quarterly period ended December 28, 2019


☐			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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 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.

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

Smaller reporting company

☐

Emerging growth company

☐

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock

CENT

The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Class A Common Stock

CENTA

The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

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 January 30, 2020			11,484,297
			Class A Common Stock Outstanding as of January 30, 2020			42,301,462
			Class B Stock Outstanding as of January 30, 2020			1,647,922

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

Financial Statements (Unaudited):

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 28, 2019, December 29, 2018 and September 28, 2019

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Three Months Ended December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Three Months Ended December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Three Months Ended December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

Item 5.

Other Information

Item 6.

Exhibits

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 28, 2019, 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 our 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;

•impacts of tariffs or a trade war;

•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 new accounting regulations and the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on the Company's tax rate;

•our ability to recover asset and business interruption losses caused by the November 2019 fire at our DMC facility in Texas;

•the impact of the coronavirus on our ability to source or manufacture products in China and any related impact on our inventory available for sale in the event of a prolonged outbreak;

•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 28, 2019		December 29, 2018		September 28, 2019
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	445,813	$	478,737	$	497,749
Restricted cash	12,990		10,921		12,952
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $21,257, $18,030 and $21,127)	268,229		250,223		300,135
Inventories, net	556,479		493,745		466,197
Prepaid expenses and other	37,569		38,398		30,160
Total current assets	1,321,080		1,272,024		1,307,193
Plant, property and equipment, net	241,795		211,560		245,405
Goodwill	289,854		281,177		286,077
Other intangible assets, net	145,153		148,782		146,137
Operating lease right-of-use assets	105,277		—		—
Other assets	31,998		37,303		40,208
Total	$	2,135,157	$	1,950,846	$	2,025,020
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	184,659	$	141,186	$	149,246
Accrued expenses	124,774		108,245		129,166
Current lease liabilities	34,320		—		—
Current portion of long-term debt	107		117		113
Total current liabilities	343,860		249,548		278,525
Long-term debt	693,329		692,332		693,037
Long-term lease liabilities	75,283		—		—
Deferred income taxes and other long-term obligations	49,513		52,482		57,281
Equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value: 11,484,297, 12,145,135 and 11,543,969 shares outstanding at December 28, 2019, December 29, 2018 and September 28, 2019	115		121		115
Class A common stock, $0.01 par value: 42,289,882, 44,059,803 and 42,968,493 shares outstanding at December 28, 2019, December 29, 2018 and September 28, 2019	423		441		430
Class B stock, $0.01 par value: 1,647,922, 1,652,262 and 1,652,262 shares outstanding at December 28, 2019, December 29, 2018 and September 28, 2019	16		16		16
Additional paid-in capital	570,117		592,451		575,380
Retained earnings	403,693		364,726		421,742
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(1,240)		(1,492)		(1,676)
Total Central Garden & Pet Company shareholders’ equity	973,124		956,263		996,007
Noncontrolling interest	48		221		170
Total equity	973,172		956,484		996,177
Total	$	2,135,157	$	1,950,846	$	2,025,020

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 28, 2019		December 29, 2018
Net sales	$	482,828	$	461,990
Cost of goods sold and occupancy	351,562		331,808
Gross profit	131,266		130,182
Selling, general and administrative expenses	129,201		120,001
Operating income	2,065		10,181
Interest expense	(10,641)		(10,614)
Interest income	2,004		2,537
Other income (expense)	305		(192)
Income (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interest	(6,267)		1,912
Income tax expense (benefit)	(1,728)		273
Income (loss) including noncontrolling interest	(4,539)		1,639
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(122)		(164)
Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$	(4,417)	$	1,803
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company:
Basic	$	(0.08)	$	0.03
Diluted	$	(0.08)	$	0.03
Weighted average shares used in the computation of net income (loss) per share:
Basic	54,755		56,903
Diluted	54,755		58,001

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended
	December 28, 2019		December 29, 2018
Income (loss) including noncontrolling interest	$	(4,539)	$	1,639
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation	436		(274)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(4,103)		1,365
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(122)		(164)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$	(3,981)	$	1,529

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 28, 2019		December 29, 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$	(4,539)	$	1,639
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	13,140		12,352
Amortization of deferred financing costs	446		458
Non-cash lease expense	8,513		—
Stock-based compensation	4,152		2,832
Deferred income taxes	1,890		3,330
(Gain) loss on sale of property and equipment	(8)		42
Other	474		(492)
Change in assets and liabilities (excluding businesses acquired):
Accounts receivable	32,173		25,578
Inventories	(89,327)		(66,136)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(8,065)		(11,705)
Accounts payable	35,700		32,855
Accrued expenses	(4,422)		5,667
Other long-term obligations	115		380
Operating lease liabilities	(8,264)		—
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	(18,022)		6,800
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to plant, property and equipment	(9,877)		(7,838)

Investments	(424)		(1,499)
Other investing activities	(75)		(50)
Net cash used in investing activities	(10,376)		(9,387)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(31)		(34)



Repurchase of common stock, including shares surrendered for tax withholding	(23,054)		(547)
Payment of contingent consideration liability	(77)		(54)

Payment of financing costs	(869)		—
Net cash used by financing activities	(24,031)		(635)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	531		(125)
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(51,898)		(3,347)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	510,701		493,005
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$	458,803	$	489,658
Supplemental information:
Cash paid for interest	$	12,944	$	12,917

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Three Months Ended December 28, 2019

(Unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated balance sheets of Central Garden & Pet Company and subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Central”) as of December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018, the condensed consolidated statements of operations and the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018 and the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018 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.

Due to the seasonal nature of the Company’s garden business, the results of operations for the three months ended December 28, 2019 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 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has previously been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The September 28, 2019 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 9, Supplemental Equity Information, for additional information.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

The Company considers cash and all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at date of purchase to be cash and cash equivalents. 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 following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the condensed consolidated balance sheets to the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows as of December 28, 2019, December 29, 2018 and September 28, 2019, respectively (in thousands).


	December 28, 2019		December 29, 2018		September 28, 2019
Cash and cash equivalents	$	445,813	$	478,737	$	497,749
Restricted cash	12,990		10,921		12,952
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	458,803	$	489,658	$	510,701

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition and Nature of Products and Services

The Company manufactures, markets and distributes a wide variety of branded, private label and third-party pet and garden products to wholesalers, distributors and retailers, primarily in the United States. The majority of the Company’s revenue is generated from the sale of finished pet and garden products. The Company also recognizes a minor amount of non-product revenue (less than one percent of consolidated net sales) comprising third-party logistics services, merchandising services and royalty income from sales-based licensing arrangements. Product and non-product revenue is recognized when performance obligations under the terms of the contracts with customers are satisfied. The Company recognizes product revenue when control over the finished goods transfers to its customers, which generally occurs upon shipment to, or receipt at, customers’ locations, as determined by the specific terms of the contract. These revenue arrangements generally have single performance obligations. Non-product revenue is recognized as the services are provided to the customer in the case of third-party logistics services and merchandising services, or as third-party licensee sales occur for royalty income.

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Revenue, which includes shipping and handling charges billed to the customer, is reported net of variable consideration and consideration payable to our customers, including applicable discounts, returns, allowances, trade promotion, unsaleable product, consumer coupon redemption and rebates. Shipping and handling costs that occur before the customer obtains control of the goods are deemed to be fulfillment activities and are accounted for as fulfillment costs.

Key sales terms are established on a frequent basis such that most customer arrangements and related incentives have a one year or shorter duration. As such, the Company does not capitalize contract inception costs. Product fulfillment costs are capitalized as a part of inventoriable costs in accordance with our inventory policies. The Company generally does not have unbilled receivables at the end of a period. Deferred revenues are not material and primarily include advance payments for services that have yet to be rendered. The Company does not receive noncash consideration for the sale of goods. Amounts billed and due from our customers are classified as receivables and require payment on a short-term basis; therefore, the Company does not have any significant financing components.

Sales Incentives and Other Promotional Programs

The Company routinely offers sales incentives and discounts through various regional and national programs to our customers and consumers. These programs include product discounts or allowances, product rebates, product returns, one-time or ongoing trade-promotion programs with customers and consumer coupon programs that require the Company to estimate and accrue the expected costs of such programs. The costs associated with these activities are accounted for as reductions to the transaction price of the Company’s products and are, therefore, recorded as reductions to gross sales at the time of sale. The Company bases its estimates of incentive costs on historical trend experience with similar programs, actual incentive terms per customer contractual obligations and expected levels of performance of trade promotions, utilizing customer and sales organization inputs. The Company maintains liabilities at the end of each period for the estimated incentive costs incurred but unpaid for these programs. Differences between estimated and actual incentive costs are generally not material and are recognized in earnings in the period such differences are determined. Reserves for product returns, accrued rebates and promotional accruals are included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as part of accrued expenses, and the value of inventory associated with reserves for sales returns is included within prepaid expenses and other current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Leases

Effective September 29, 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification 842, Leases ("ASC 842"). Under this guidance, the Company determines whether an arrangement contains a lease at inception by determining if the contract conveys the right to control the use of identified property, plant or equipment for a period of time in exchange for consideration and other facts and circumstances. On September 29, 2019, the Company began to record operating leases on its condensed consolidated balance sheet. As of December 28, 2019, long-term operating lease right-of-use ("ROU") assets and current and long-term operating lease liabilities were presented separately in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Finance lease ROU assets continue to be presented in property, plant and equipment, net, and the related finance liabilities have been presented with current and long-term debt in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Lease ROU assets represent the Company's right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent the Company's obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets are calculated based on the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments paid to the lessor at or before the commencement date and excludes any lease incentives received from the lessor. Lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term. The lease term may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. As the Company's leases typically do not contain a readily determinable implicit rate, the Company determines the present value of the lease liability using its incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date based on the lease term on a collateralized basis. Variable lease payments are expensed as incurred and include certain non-lease components, such as maintenance and other services provided by the lessor, and other charges included in the lease, as applicable. Non-lease components and the lease components to which they relate are accounted for as a single lease component, as the Company has elected to combine lease and non-lease components for all classes of underlying assets.

Amortization of ROU lease assets is calculated on a straight-line basis over the lease term with the expense recorded in cost of sales or selling, general and administrative expenses, depending on the nature of the leased item. Interest expense is recorded over the lease term and is recorded in interest expense (based on a front-loaded interest expense pattern) for finance leases and is recorded in cost of sales or selling, general and administrative expenses (on a straight-line basis) for operating leases. All operating lease cash payments and interest on finance leases are recorded within cash flows from operating activities and all finance lease principal payments are recorded within cash flows from financing activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 (ASU 2016-02), Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2016-02 requires companies to recognize on the balance sheet operating and financing lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use assets and disclose key information about leasing information. Topic 842 was subsequently amended by ASU 2018-01, Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842; ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases; and ASU 2018-11, Targeted Improvements. The new standard establishes a right-of-use model (ROU) that requires a lessee to recognize a ROU asset and lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with a term longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern and classification of expense recognition in the statement of operations.

The Company adopted the new standard in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, on a modified retrospective basis using the optional transition method, and accordingly, has not restated comparative periods. Fiscal year 2019 balances and related disclosures supporting those comparative period balances continue to be presented under ASC 840, "Leases." The new standard provides a number of optional practical expedients in transition. The Company elected the 'package of practical expedients,' which permit it to not reassess under the new standard its prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. The Company elected not to recognize ROU assets and lease liabilities for short-term operating leases with terms of 12 months or less. The Company did not elect the use-of-hindsight or the practical expedient pertaining to land easements, the latter not being applicable. Upon adoption, the Company recorded operating lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities of approximately $111 million and $115 million, respectively, in the condensed consolidated balance sheet, which included the reclassifications of amounts presented in comparative periods as deferred rent as a reduction of the ROU assets. The Company did not record an adjustment to beginning retained earnings associated with the adoption of this standard. See Note 7. Leases for more information.

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

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 July 1, 2018, 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 condensed 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.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40), Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract. This ASU aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). ASU 2018-15 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted, and is effective for the Company in fiscal 2021. The amendments in this ASU should be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2018-15 will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

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Fair Value Disclosures

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. This ASU modifies the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by removing, modifying or adding certain disclosures. ASU 2018-13 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted and is effective for the Company in fiscal 2021. The amendments on changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty should be applied prospectively for only the most recent interim or annual period presented in the initial fiscal year of adoption. All other amendments should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented upon their effective date. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2018-13 will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

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 28, 2019 (in thousands):


	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Liabilities:
Liability for contingent consideration (a)	$	—	$	—	$	1,323	$	1,323
Total liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	1,323	$	1,323


	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Liabilities:
Liability for contingent consideration (a)	$	—	$	—	$	7,616	$	7,616
Total liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	7,616	$	7,616

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 28, 2019:


	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Liabilities:
Liability for contingent consideration (a)	$	—	$	—	$	7,369	$	7,369
Total liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	7,369	$	7,369

(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 payments for Segrest, Inc., acquired in October 2016. In December 2019, performance-based criteria associated with the $6 million contingent consideration liability related to Segrest, Inc. were met and accordingly, the entire amount was released out of an independent escrow account to the former owners as of December 28, 2019. 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 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018 (in thousands):


	Amount
Balance September 28, 2019	$	7,369
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	31
Performance-based payments	(6,077)
Balance December 28, 2019	$	1,323

	Amount
Balance September 29, 2018	$	8,224
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	(554)
Performance-based payments	(54)
Balance December 29, 2018	$	7,616

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 periods ended December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018, 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 28, 2019, December 29, 2018 and September 28, 2019 was $312.2 million, $273.6 million and $307.1 million, respectively, compared to a carrying value of $296.2 million, $295.7 million and $296.1 million, respectively.

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 28, 2019, December 29, 2018 and September 28, 2019 was $413.8 million, $402.0 million and $414.6 million, respectively, compared to a carrying value of $397.0 million, $396.2 million and $396.7 million, respectively.

3. Acquisitions

C&S Products

In May 2019, the Company purchased C&S Products, a manufacturer of suet and other wild bird feed products, to complement our existing wild bird feed business for approximately $30.0 million. Subsequent to the acquisition, approximately $4.7 million of cash was used to eliminate the acquired long-term debt. The financial results of C&S Products have been included in the results of operations within the Pet segment since the date of acquisition. The following table summarizes the purchase price and recording of fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date and subsequent adjustments.


In thousands	Amounts Previously Recognized as of Acquisition Date (1)		Measurement Period Adjustments		Amounts Recognized as of Acquisition Date (as Adjusted)
Current assets, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired	$	9,794	$	441	$	10,235
Fixed assets	23,743		(3,786)		19,957
Goodwill	—		3,777		3,777
Other assets	5,081		(3,242)		1,839
Other intangible assets, net	—		2,810		2,810
Current liabilities	(2,137)		—		(2,137)
Long-term obligations	(6,457)		$	—	(6,457)
Net assets acquired, less cash and cash equivalents	$	30,024	$	—	$	30,024

(1) As previously reported in the Company's Form 10-K for the period ended September 28, 2019.

The impact to the consolidated statement of operations associated with the finalization of purchase accounting and true-up of intangible assets for C&S Products was immaterial.

4. Inventories, net

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


	December 28, 2019		December 29, 2018		September 28, 2019
Raw materials	$	156,464	$	134,955	$	145,331
Work in progress	68,489		34,553		51,154
Finished goods	314,213		306,181		255,870
Supplies	17,313		18,056		13,842
Total inventories, net	$	556,479	$	493,745	$	466,197

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. No impairment of goodwill was recorded for the three months ended December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018. The Company recorded approximately $3.8 million of goodwill in its Pet segment during the three months ended December 28, 2019 as part of its finalization of the purchase price allocation of C&S Products.

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 28, 2019
Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable	$	20.6	$	(16.8)	$	—	$	3.8
Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable	70.6		—		(26.0)		44.6
Total	91.2		(16.8)		(26.0)		48.4
Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable	140.3		(56.0)		(2.5)		81.8
Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable	26.0		(16.9)		—		9.1
Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable	7.1		—		(1.2)		5.9
Total	33.1		(16.9)		(1.2)		15.0
Total other intangible assets	$	264.6	$	(89.7)	$	(29.7)	$	145.2
	Gross		Accumulated Amortization		Accumulated Impairment		Net Carrying Value
	(in millions)
December 29, 2018
Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable	$	18.6	$	(14.6)	$	—	$	4.0
Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable	70.6		—		(26.0)		44.6
Total	89.2		(14.6)		(26.0)		48.6
Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable	128.3		(45.1)		—		83.2
Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable	25.4		(15.0)		—		10.4
Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable	7.8		—		(1.2)		6.6
Total	33.2		(15.0)		(1.2)		17.0
Total other intangible assets	$	250.7	$	(74.7)	$	(27.2)	$	148.8
	Gross		Accumulated Amortization		Accumulated Impairment		Net Carrying Value
	(in millions)
September 28, 2019
Marketing-related intangible assets – amortizable	$	19.7	$	(16.3)	$	—	$	3.4
Marketing-related intangible assets – nonamortizable	70.6		—		(26.0)		44.6
Total	90.3		(16.3)		(26.0)		48.0
Customer-related intangible assets – amortizable	138.4		(53.3)		(2.5)		82.6
Other acquired intangible assets – amortizable	26.0		(16.4)		—		9.6
Other acquired intangible assets – nonamortizable	7.1		—		(1.2)		5.9
Total	33.1		(16.4)		(1.2)		15.5
Total other intangible assets	$	261.8	$	(86.0)	$	(29.7)	$	146.1

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

As part of its acquisition of C&S Products in the third quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company acquired approximately $0.9 million of amortizable marketing-related intangible assets and approximately $1.9 million of customer-related 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. Factors indicating the carrying value of the Company’s amortizable intangible assets may not be recoverable were not present in the first quarter of fiscal 2020, 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 years to 25 years; over weighted average remaining lives of 4 years for marketing-related intangibles, 9 years for customer-related intangibles and 10 years for other acquired intangibles. Amortization expense for intangibles subject to amortization was approximately $3.8 million and $3.5 million for the three months ended December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018, respectively, and is classified within selling, general and administrative 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 $12 million per year from fiscal 2020 through fiscal 2024 and thereafter.

7. Leases

The Company has operating and finance leases for manufacturing and distribution facilities, vehicles, equipment and office space. The Company's leases have remaining lease terms of one to 10 years, inclusive of renewal or termination options that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise. The Company does not include significant restrictions or covenants in its lease agreements, and residual value guarantees are not included within its operating leases. Some of the Company's leasing arrangements require variable payments that are dependent on usage or output or may vary for other reasons, such as product costs, insurance and tax payments. These variable payments are not included in the Company's recorded lease assets and liabilities and are expensed as incurred. Certain leases are tied to a variable index or rate and are included in lease assets and liabilities based on the indices or rates as of lease commencement. See Note 1. Basis of Presentation, Leases, for more information about the Company's lease accounting practices.

Supplemental balance sheet information related to the Company's leases was as follows:


	Balance Sheet Classification	As of December 28, 2019 (in millions)
Operating leases
Right-of-use assets	Operating lease right-of-use assets	$	105.3
Current lease liabilities	Current operating lease liabilities	$	34.3
Non-current lease liabilities	Long term operating lease liabilities	75.3
Total operating lease liabilities		$	109.6

Finance leases
Right-of-use assets	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	0.4
Current lease liabilities	Current portion of long-term debt	$	0.1
Non-current lease liabilities	Long-term debt	0.2
Total finance lease liabilities		$	0.3

Components of lease cost were as follows:


	Three months ended December 28, 2019 (in millions)
Operating lease cost	$	9.6
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	$	—
Interest on lease liabilities	—
Total finance lease cost	$	—

Short-term lease cost	$	0.7
Variable lease cost	$	0.9

Total lease cost	$	11.2

Supplemental cash flow information and non-cash activity related to the Company's leases was as follows:


	Three months ended December 28, 2019 (in millions)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$	8.6
Operating cash flows from finance leases	$	—
Financing cash flows from finance leases	$	—

Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases	$	2.5
Finance leases	$	—

Weighted-average remaining lease term and discount rate for the Company's leases were as follows:


	As of December 28, 2019
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years):
Operating leases	4.9
Finance leases	2.6

Weighted-average discount rate:
Operating leases	3.88	%
Finance leases	4.86	%

Future non-cancelable lease payments under prior lease accounting rules (ASC 840) and under the new lease accounting rules (ASC 842) that went into effect September 29, 2019 were as follows (in millions):


	As of December 28, 2019						As of September 28, 2019
	ASC 842						ASC 840
	Operating Leases		Finance Leases		Operating Leases
Fiscal Year
2020 (excluding the three months ended December 28, 2019)	$	28.6	$	0.1
2020					$	38.0
2021	30.0		0.1		29.3
2022	22.1		0.1		21.8
2023	11.6		—		11.3
2024	8.0		—		7.9
Thereafter	21.0		—		20.7
Total future undiscounted lease payments	$	121.3	$	0.3	$	129.0
Less imputed interest	(11.7)		—
Total reported lease liability	$	109.6	$	0.3

8. Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following:


	December 28, 2019		December 29, 2018		September 28, 2019
	(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		300,000		300,000
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(6,841)		(8,108)		(7,158)
Net carrying value	693,159		691,892		692,842
Asset-based revolving credit facility, interest at LIBOR plus a margin of 1.00% to 1.50% or Base Rate plus a margin of 0.0% to 0.50%, final maturity September 2024.	—		—		—

Other notes payable	277		557		308
Total	693,436		692,449		693,150
Less current portion	(107)		(117)		(113)
Long-term portion	$	693,329	$	692,332	$	693,037

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 $4.8 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 the Company to repurchase all or a portion of the 2028 Notes at a purchase price equal to 101.0% 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 financial covenants as of December 28, 2019.

$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, at any time 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 financial covenants as of December 28, 2019.

Asset-Based Loan Facility Amendment

On September 27, 2019, the Company entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (“Amended Credit Agreement”). The Amended Credit Agreement amended and restated the previous credit agreement dated April 22, 2016 and continues to provide up to a $400.0 million principal amount senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility, with up to an additional $200.0 million principal amount available with the consent of the Lenders, as defined, if the Company exercises the accordion feature set forth therein (collectively, the “Amended Credit Facility”). The Amended Credit Facility matures on September 27, 2024. The Company may borrow, repay and reborrow amounts under the Amended Credit Facility until its maturity date, at which time all amounts outstanding under the Amended Credit Facility must be repaid in full.

million as of December 28, 2019. The Amended Credit Facility also allows the Company to add real property to the borrowing base so long as the real property is subject to a first priority lien in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders. The Company did not draw down any commitments under the Amended Credit Facility upon closing. Proceeds of the Amended Credit Facility will be used for general corporate purposes. The Amended Credit Facility includes a $50 million sublimit for the issuance of standby letters of credit and an increased $40 million sublimit for short-notice borrowings. As of December 28, 2019, there were no borrowings outstanding and no letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Facility. There were other letters of credit of $3.2 million outstanding as of December 28, 2019.

Borrowings under the Amended Credit Facility will 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 0.50%, (c) one-month LIBOR plus 1.00%), plus, in either case, an applicable margin based on the Company’s consolidated senior leverage ratio and (d) 0.00%. Such applicable margin for LIBOR-based borrowings fluctuates between 1.00%-1.50%, and was 1.00% as of December 28, 2019, and such applicable margin for Base Rate borrowings fluctuates between 0.00%-0.50%, and was 0% as of December 28, 2019. An unused line fee shall be payable monthly in respect of the total amount of the unutilized Lenders’ commitments and short-notice borrowings under the Amended Credit Facility. Letter of credit fees at the applicable margin on the average undrawn and unreimbursed amount of letters of credit shall be payable monthly and a facing fee of 0.125% shall be paid on demand for the stated amount of each letter of credit. The Company is also required to pay certain fees to the administrative agent under the Amended Credit Facility. As of December 28, 2019, 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 $1.6 million of debt issuance costs in conjunction with this transaction, which included underwriter fees and legal expenses. The debt issuance costs are being amortized over the term of the Amended Credit Facility.

The Amended Credit Facility continues to contain customary covenants, including financial covenants which require the Company to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.00:1.00 upon triggered quarterly testing (e.g. when availability falls below certain thresholds established in the agreement), reporting requirements and events of default. The Amended Credit Facility is secured by substantially all assets of the borrowing parties, including (i) pledges of 100% of the stock or other equity interest of each domestic subsidiary that is directly owned by such entity and (ii) 65% of the stock or other equity interest of each foreign subsidiary that is directly owned by such entity. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants under the Amended Credit Facility during the period ended December 28, 2019.

9. 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 through the three months ended December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018.


	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 28, 2019	$	115	$	430	$	16	$	575,380	$	421,742	$	(1,676)	$	996,007	$	170	$	996,177
Comprehensive income	—		—		—		—		(4,417)		436		(3,981)		(122)		(4,103)
Amortization of share-based awards	—		—		—		2,804		—		—		2,804		—		2,804
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement	—		—		—		(318)		—		—		(318)		—		(318)
Repurchase of stock	—		(8)		—		(8,488)		(13,632)		—		(22,128)		—		(22,128)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options	—		1		—		739		—		—		740		—		740
Balance December 28, 2019	$	115	$	423	$	16	$	570,117	$	403,693	$	(1,240)	$	973,124	$	48	$	973,172


	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 29, 2018	$	121	$	439	$	16	$	590,168	$	362,923	$	(1,218)	$	952,449	$	385	$	952,834
Comprehensive income	—		—		—		—		1,803		(274)		1,529		(164)		1,365
Amortization of share-based awards	—		—		—		2,261		—		—		2,261		—		2,261
Restricted share activity, including net share settlement	—		1		—		(386)		—		—		(385)		—		(385)
Issuance of common stock, including net share settlement of stock options	—		1		—		408		—		—		409		—		409

Balance December 29, 2018	$	121	$	441	$	16	$	592,451	$	364,726	$	(1,492)	$	956,263	$	221	$	956,484

10. Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognized share-based compensation expense of $4.2 million and $2.8 million for the three months ended December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018, 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 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018 was $1.0 million and $0.7 million, respectively.

11. 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 (in thousands except share and per share amounts).


	Three Months Ended
	December 28, 2019
	Income		Shares	Per Share
Basic EPS:
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	$	(4,417)	54,755	$	(0.08)
Effect of dilutive securities (1):
Options to purchase common stock	—		—	—
Restricted shares	—		—	—
Diluted EPS:
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	$	(4,417)	54,755	$	(0.08)

(1) The potential effects of stock awards were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation for the three months ended December 28, 2019, because their inclusion in a net loss period would be anti-dilutive to the earnings per share calculation.


	Three Months Ended
	December 29, 2018
	Income		Shares	Per Share
Basic EPS:
Net income available to common shareholders	$	1,803	56,903	$	0.03
Effect of dilutive securities:
Options to purchase common stock	—		667	—
Restricted shares	—		431	—
Diluted EPS:
Net income available to common shareholders	$	1,803	58,001	$	0.03

Options to purchase 2.6 million shares of common stock at prices ranging from $8.56 to $38.10 per share were outstanding at December 28, 2019, and options to purchase 2.3 million shares of common stock at prices ranging from $6.43 to $38.10 per share were outstanding at December 29, 2018.

For the three months ended December 28, 2019 and December 29, 2018, 1.0 million and 1.1 million options outstanding were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the option exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares and therefore, the effect of including these options would be antidilutive.

For the three months ended December 28, 2019, 0.4 million options outstanding and 0.3 million restricted shares were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation for the three months ended December 28, 2019, because their inclusion in a net loss period would be anti-dilutive to the earnings per share calculation.

12. 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 28, 2019		December 29, 2018
Net sales:
Pet segment	$	354,021	$	340,416
Garden segment	128,807		121,574
Total net sales	$	482,828	$	461,990
Operating Income (loss)
Pet segment	30,222		29,755
Garden segment	(8,368)		(4,637)
Corporate	(19,789)		(14,937)
Total operating income	2,065		10,181
Interest expense - net	(8,637)		(8,077)
Other income (expense)	305		(192)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(1,728)		273
Income (loss) including noncontrolling interest	(4,539)		1,639
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(122)		(164)
Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$	(4,417)	$	1,803
Depreciation and amortization:
Pet segment	$	8,490	$	8,056
Garden segment	3,295		2,826
Corporate	1,355		1,470
Total depreciation and amortization	$	13,140	$	12,352


	December 28, 2019		December 29, 2018		September 28, 2019
Assets:
Pet segment	$	804,619	$	677,647	$	734,380
Garden segment	550,358		453,331		463,889
Corporate	780,180		819,868		826,751
Total assets	$	2,135,157	$	1,950,846	$	2,025,020
Goodwill (included in corporate assets above):
Pet segment	$	272,068	$	268,289	$	268,289
Garden segment	17,786		12,888		17,788
Total goodwill	$	289,854	$	281,177	$	286,077

The tables below presents the Company's disaggregated revenues by segment (in thousands):


	Three Months Ended December 28, 2019
	Pet Segment		Garden Segment		Total

Other pet products	$	138.3	$	—	$	138.3
Dog and cat products	129.9		—		129.9
Other manufacturers' products	85.8		29.8		115.6
Garden controls and fertilizer products	—		23.1		23.1
Other garden supplies	—		75.9		75.9
Total	$	354.0	$	128.8	$	482.8


	Three Months Ended December 29, 2018
	Pet Segment		Garden Segment		Total

Other pet products	$	130.9	$	—	$	130.9
Dog and cat products	131.1		—		131.1
Other manufacturers' products	78.4		29.1		107.5
Garden controls and fertilizer products	—		24.3		24.3
Other garden supplies	—		68.2		68.2
Total	$	340.4	$	121.6	$	462.0

13. 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:

Arden Companies, LLC

C&S Products Co., Inc.

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 28, 2019
	(in thousands)
	Parent		Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries		Guarantor Subsidiaries		Eliminations		Consolidated
Net sales	$	170,328	$	23,837	$	301,041	$	(12,378)	$	482,828
Cost of goods sold and occupancy	132,273		23,712		206,984		(11,407)		351,562
Gross profit	38,055		125		94,057		(971)		131,266
Selling, general and administrative expenses	43,237		7,819		79,116		(971)		129,201
Operating income (loss)	(5,182)		(7,694)		14,941		—		2,065
Interest expense	(10,578)		(60)		(3)		—		(10,641)
Interest income	1,997		7		—		—		2,004
Other income (expense)	(75)		737		(357)		—		305
Income (loss) before taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates	(13,838)		(7,010)		14,581		—		(6,267)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(3,898)		(365)		2,535		—		(1,728)
Equity in earnings (loss) of affiliates	5,523		—		(680)		(4,843)		—
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest	(4,417)		(6,645)		11,366		(4,843)		(4,539)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	—		(122)		—		—		(122)
Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$	(4,417)	$	(6,523)	$	11,366	$	(4,843)	$	(4,417)


	CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
	Three Months Ended December 29, 2018
	(in thousands)
	Parent		Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries		Guarantor Subsidiaries		Eliminations		Consolidated
Net sales	$	173,406	$	23,629	$	279,834	$	(14,879)	$	461,990
Cost of goods sold and occupancy	136,013		22,003		187,683		(13,891)		331,808
Gross profit	37,393		1,626		92,151		(988)		130,182
Selling, general and administrative expenses	43,665		7,351		69,973		(988)		120,001
Operating income (loss)	(6,272)		(5,725)		22,178		—		10,181
Interest expense	(10,497)		(114)		(3)		—		(10,614)
Interest income	2,533		4		—		—		2,537
Other income (expense)	37		(216)		(13)		—		(192)
Income (loss) before taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates	(14,199)		(6,051)		22,162		—		1,912
Income tax expense (benefit)	(2,088)		(256)		2,617				273
Equity in earnings of affiliates	13,914		—		(1,112)		(12,802)		—
Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest	1,803		(5,795)		18,433		(12,802)		1,639
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	—		(164)		—		—		(164)
Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$	1,803	$	(5,631)	$	18,433	$	(12,802)	$	1,803


	CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	Three Months Ended December 28, 2019
	(in thousands)
	Parent		Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries		Guarantor Subsidiaries		Eliminations		Consolidated
Net income (loss)	$	(4,417)	$	(6,645)	$	11,366	$	(4,843)	$	(4,539)
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation	436		297		21		(318)		436
Total comprehensive income (loss)	(3,981)		(6,348)		11,387		(5,161)		(4,103)
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	—		(122)		—		—		(122)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$	(3,981)	$	(6,226)	$	11,387	$	(5,161)	$	(3,981)


	CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
	Three Months Ended December 29, 2018
	(in thousands)
	Parent		Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries		Guarantor Subsidiaries		Eliminations		Consolidated
Net income (loss)	$	1,803	$	(5,795)	$	18,433	$	(12,802)	$	1,639
Other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation	(274)		(129)		(95)		224		(274)
Total comprehensive income (loss)	1,529		(5,924)		18,338		(12,578)		1,365
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	—		(164)		—		—		(164)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company	$	1,529	$	(5,760)	$	18,338	$	(12,578)	$	1,529


	CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
	December 28, 2019
	(in thousands)
	Parent		Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries		Guarantor Subsidiaries		Eliminations		Consolidated
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	435,169	$	9,467	$	1,177	$	—	$	445,813
Restricted cash	12,990		—		—		—		12,990
Short term investments	—		—		—		—		—
Accounts receivable, net	99,521		9,261		159,447		—		268,229
Inventories, net	141,336		37,999		377,144		—		556,479
Prepaid expenses and other	12,338		1,337		23,894		—		37,569
Total current assets	701,354		58,064		561,662		—		1,321,080
Property, plant and equipment, net	27,857		35,118		178,820		—		241,795
Goodwill	20,578		7,414		261,862		—		289,854
Operating lease right-of-use assets	51,232		6,680		47,365		—		105,277
Other long-term assets	47,882		5,099		136,249		(12,079)		177,151
Intercompany receivable	40,813		—		861,972		(902,785)		—
Investment in subsidiaries	1,790,591		—		—		(1,790,591)		—
Total	$	2,680,307	$	112,375	$	2,047,930	$	(2,705,455)	$	2,135,157
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	$	61,493	$	17,065	$	106,101	$	—	$	184,659
Accrued expenses	56,374		4,049		64,351		—		124,774
Current operating lease liability	20,251		3,398		10,671		—		34,320
Current portion of long-term debt	107		—		—		—		107
Total current liabilities	138,225		24,512		181,123		—		343,860
Long-term debt	693,329		—		—		—		693,329
Operating lease long term liabilities	33,212		3,264		38,807				75,283
Intercompany payable	841,709		61,077		—		(902,786)		—
Losses in excess of investment in subsidiaries	—		—		26,246		(26,246)		—
Other long-term obligations	708		—		60,884		(12,079)		49,513
Total Central Garden & Pet shareholders’ equity (deficit)	973,124		23,474		1,740,870		(1,764,344)		973,124
Noncontrolling interest	—		48		—				48
Total equity	973,124		23,522		1,740,870		(1,764,344)		973,172
Total	$	2,680,307	$	112,375	$	2,047,930	$	(2,705,455)	$	2,135,157


	CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
	December 29, 2018
	(in thousands)
	Parent		Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries		Guarantor Subsidiaries		Eliminations		Consolidated
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	470,049	$	6,500	$	2,188	$	—	$	478,737
Restricted cash	10,921		—		—		—		10,921
Accounts receivable, net	95,399		9,736		145,088		—		250,223
Inventories, net	137,158		36,698		319,889		—		493,745
Prepaid expenses and other	16,268		1,635		20,495		—		38,398
Total current assets	729,795		54,569		487,660		—		1,272,024
Property, plant and equipment, net	31,311		33,483		146,766		—		211,560
Goodwill	20,578		7,414		253,185		—		281,177
Other long-term assets	54,972		6,663		132,846		(8,396)		186,085
Intercompany receivable	100,968		—		775,169		(876,137)		—
Investment in subsidiaries	1,632,068		—		—		(1,632,068)		—
Total	$	2,569,692	$	102,129	$	1,795,626	$	(2,516,601)	$	1,950,846
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	$	47,350	$	12,359	$	81,477	$	—	$	141,186
Accrued expenses	48,038		4,159		56,048		—		108,245
Current portion of long-term debt	117		—		—		—		117
Total current liabilities	95,505		16,518		137,525		—		249,548
Long-term debt	692,157		—		175		—		692,332
Intercompany payable	817,165		58,972		—		(876,137)		—
Losses in excess of investment in subsidiaries	—		—		26,148		(26,148)		—
Other long-term obligations	8,602		—		52,276		(8,396)		52,482
Total Central Garden & Pet shareholders’ equity (deficit)	956,263		26,418		1,579,502		(1,605,920)		956,263
Noncontrolling interest	—		221		—		—		221
Total equity	956,263		26,639		1,579,502		(1,605,920)		956,484
Total	$	2,569,692	$	102,129	$	1,795,626	$	(2,516,601)	$	1,950,846


	CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
	September 28, 2019
	(in thousands)
	Parent		Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries		Guarantor Subsidiaries		Eliminations		Consolidated
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	489,590	$	7,308	$	851	$	—	$	497,749
Restricted cash	12,952		—		—		—		12,952
Accounts receivable, net	99,372		11,551		189,212		—		300,135
Inventories, net	121,344		30,826		314,027		—		466,197
Prepaid expenses and other assets	9,339		1,241		19,580		—		30,160
Total current assets	732,597		50,926		523,670		—		1,307,193
Property, plant and equipment, net	27,395		35,854		182,156		—		245,405
Goodwill	20,578		7,414		258,085		—		286,077
Other long-term assets	55,690		5,487		139,138		(13,970)		186,345
Intercompany receivable	37,544		—		879,231		(916,775)		—
Investment in subsidiaries	1,784,750		—		—		(1,784,750)		—
Total	$	2,658,554	$	99,681	$	1,982,280	$	(2,715,495)	$	2,025,020
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	$	47,506	$	6,895	$	94,845	$	—	$	149,246
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	54,623		4,814		69,729		—		129,166
Current portion of long term debt	113		—		—		—		113
Total current liabilities	102,242		11,709		164,574		—		278,525
Long-term debt	693,037		—		—		—		693,037
Intercompany payable	858,673		58,102		—		(916,775)		—
Losses in excess of investment in subsidiaries	—		—		25,567		(25,567)		—
Other long-term obligations	8,595		—		62,656		(13,970)		57,281
Total Central Garden & Pet shareholders’ equity (deficit)	996,007		29,700		1,729,483		(1,759,183)		996,007
Noncontrolling interest	—		170		—		—		170
Total equity	996,007		29,870		1,729,483		(1,759,183)		996,177
Total	$	2,658,554	$	99,681	$	1,982,280	$	(2,715,495)	$	2,025,020


	CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	Three Months Ended December 28, 2019
	(in thousands)
	Parent		Non- Guarantor Subsidiaries		Guarantor Subsidiaries		Eliminations		Consolidated
Net cash used by operating activities	$	(8,297)	$	(1,238)	$	(8,487)	$	—	$	(18,022)
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(1,817)		188		(8,248)		—		(9,877)



Investments	(424)		—		—		—		(424)
Other investing activities	(75)		—		—		—		(75)
Intercompany investing activities	(3,270)		—		17,258		(13,988)		—
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities	(5,586)		188		9,010		(13,988)		(10,376)



Repayments of long-term debt	(31)		—		—		—		(31)
Payment of financing costs	(869)								(869)
Repurchase of common stock	(23,054)		—		—		—		(23,054)


Payment of contingent consideration liability	—		—		(77)		—		(77)
Intercompany financing activities	(16,962)		2,974		—		13,988		—
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	(40,916)		2,974		(77)		13,988		(24,031)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	416		235		(120)		—		531
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(54,383)		2,159		326		—		(51,898)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	502,542		7,308		851		—		510,701
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$	448,159	$	9,467	$	1,177	$	—	$	458,803


	CONSOLIDATING CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	Three Months Ended December 29, 2018
	(in thousands)
	Parent		Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries		Guarantor Subsidiaries		Eliminations		Consolidated
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	$	(3,592)	$	(1,459)	$	11,851	$	—	$	6,800
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(873)		(704)		(6,261)		—		(7,838)


Investments	(1,499)		—		—		—		(1,499)
Other investing activities	(50)		—		—		—		(50)
Intercompany investing activities	(60,604)		—		(5,283)		65,887		—
Net cash used by investing activities	(63,026)		(704)		(11,544)		65,887		(9,387)


Repayments of long-term debt	(28)		—		(6)		—		(34)



Repurchase of common stock	(547)		—		—		—		(547)


Payment of contingent consideration	—		—		(54)		—		(54)
Intercompany financing activities	63,233		2,654		—		(65,887)		—
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	62,658		2,654		(60)		(65,887)		(635)
Effect of exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(179)		4		50		—		(125)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(4,139)		495		297		—		(3,347)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	485,109		6,005		1,891		—		493,005
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$	480,970	$	6,500	$	2,188	$	—	$	489,658

14. 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 with the exception of the proceeding below.

In 2012, Nite Glow Industries, Inc and its owner, Marni Markell, (“Nite Glow”) filed suit in the United States District Court for New Jersey against the Company alleging that the applicator developed and used by the Company for certain of its branded topical flea and tick products infringes a patent held by Nite Glow and asserted related claims for breach of contract and misappropriation of confidential information based on the terms of a Non-Disclosure Agreement. On June 27, 2018, a jury returned a verdict in favor of Nite Glow on each of the three claims and awarded damages of approximately $12.6 million. The case is currently in the post-trial motion phase of proceedings and is expected to proceed to appeal once all such motions have been resolved. Unless the verdicts are over-turned in the post-trial proceedings, the Company intends to vigorously pursue its rights on appeal and believes that it will prevail on the merits. While the Company believes that the ultimate resolution of this matter will not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements, the outcome of litigation is inherently uncertain and the final resolution of this matter may result in expense to the Company in excess of management's expectations.

During fiscal 2013, the Company received notices from several states stating that they have appointed an agent to conduct an examination of the books and records of the Company to determine whether it has complied with state unclaimed property laws. In addition to seeking unclaimed property subject to escheat laws, the states may seek interest, penalties and other relief. The examinations are at an early stage and, as such, management is unable to determine the impact, if any, on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In November 2019, the Company's DMC business unit in its Pet Segment experienced a fire in one of its leased properties located in Athens, Texas, which resulted in inventory, property-related and business interruption losses in the estimated range of $35 million to $40 million.

As of December 28, 2019, the Company had incurred losses of approximately $19 million and received approximately $8 million in insurance proceeds. As such, the Company had approximately $11 million of cost in excess of insurance proceeds recorded on its balance sheet at quarter end. The Company’s insurance carrier has approved the next payment of $11 million. The Company believes its insurance coverage is sufficient to cover the asset losses as well as the business interruption loss associated with this event.

The Company has experienced, and may in the future experience, issues with products that may lead to product liability, recalls, withdrawals, replacements of products, or regulatory actions by governmental authorities. The Company has not experienced recent issues with products, the resolution of which 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 annual retail sales of the pet food, treats & chews, supplies and live animal industry in 2018 was estimated by Packaged Facts and the pet industry to have been approximately $51.9 billion. We estimate the annual retail sales of the pet supplies, live animal, and treats & chews and natural pet food markets in the categories in which we participate to be approximately $27.4 billion. The total lawn and garden consumables, decorative products, live plant and outdoor cushions and pillows industry in the United States is estimated by Packaged Facts, The Freedonia Group and TechNavio to have been approximately $23.3 billion in annual retail sales in 2018, including fertilizer, pesticides, growing media, seeds, mulch, other consumables, decorative products, live plants and outdoor cushions and pillows. We estimate the annual retail sales of the lawn and garden consumables, decorative products and live plant markets in the categories in which we participate to be approximately $16.3 billion.

Our pet supplies products include products for dogs and cats, including edible bones, premium healthy edible and non-edible chews, natural 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®, C&S Products®, 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®, Pet Select® 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, as well as live plants and outdoor cushions and pillows. These products are sold under the brands AMDRO®, Arden Companies™, 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 2019, our consolidated net sales were $2,383 million, of which our Pet segment, or Pet, accounted for approximately $1,385 million and our Garden segment, or Garden, accounted for approximately $998 million. In fiscal 2019, our operating income was $152 million consisting of income from our Pet segment of $123 million, income from our Garden segment of $102 million and corporate expenses of $73 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 2020 First Quarter Financial Performance:

•Net sales increased $20.8 million, or 4.5%, from the prior year quarter to $482.8 million due primarily to the inclusion of two acquisitions that were not part of the first quarter fiscal 2019 results. Pet segment sales increased $13.6 million, and Garden segment sales increased $7.2 million.

•Organic net sales declined 0.2%. Organic net sales increased 1.3% in our Pet segment and decreased 4.4% in our Garden segment.

•Gross profit increased $1.1 million, and gross margin declined 100 basis points to 27.2%.

•Selling, general & administrative expense increased $9.2 million to $129.2 million and increased as a percentage of net sales to 26.8%.

•Operating income declined $8.1 million from the prior year quarter, to $2.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2020.

•Our net loss in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 was $4.4 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, compared to net income of $1.8 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, in the first quarter of fiscal 2019.

DMC Business Unit

In November 2019, our DMC business unit in our Pet Segment experienced a fire in one of its leased properties located in Athens, Texas, which resulted in inventory, property-related and business interruption losses in the estimated range of $35 - $40 million. This event temporarily impacted our ability to fulfill orders to certain of our customers, although we have since resumed normal order fulfillment. We currently believe our insurance coverage is sufficient to cover the asset losses as well as the business interruption loss associated with this event.

Adoption of New Lease Accounting Standard

As further described in Note 1, Basis of Presentation, we adopted the new lease accounting standard on September 29, 2019. The new standard requires companies to recognize operating and financing lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use assets on the balance sheet. The impact of adopting the standard included the initial recognition as of September 29, 2019, of $111 million of lease-related assets and $115 million of lease-related liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheet, the difference between the two being existing deferred and prepaid rent balances. We did not record an adjustment to beginning retained earnings associated with the adoption of this standard.

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended December 28, 2019

Compared with Three Months Ended December 29, 2018

Net Sales

Net sales for the three months ended December 28, 2019 increased $20.8 million, or 4.5%, to $482.8 million from $462.0 million for the three months ended December 29, 2018. Organic net sales, which excludes the impact of acquisitions and divestitures in the last 12 months, decreased $0.9 million, or 0.2%, as compared to the fiscal 2019 quarter. Our branded product sales increased $12.7 million, and sales of other manufacturers’ products increased $8.1 million.

Pet net sales increased $13.6 million, or 4.0%, to $354.0 million for the three months ended December 28, 2019 from $340.4 million for the three months ended December 29, 2018. The increase in net sales was due primarily to sales from C&S Products, which we acquired in May 2019, and increased third-party sales. These increases were partially offset by lower sales in our live fish business, due to a major retailer's decision in 2019 to exit the live fish business, and lower pet bed sales impacted by the November 2019 fire in one of our pet bedding facilities during the quarter. Pet branded product sales increased $6.2 million, and sales of other manufacturers' products increased $7.4 million.

Garden net sales increased $7.2 million, or 5.9%, to $128.8 million for the three months ended December 28, 2019 from $121.6 million for the three months ended December 29, 2018. The increase in net sales was due primarily to sales from Arden, which became 100% owned due to our acquisition of the remaining equity interest in February 2019, partially offset by lower organic sales, which decreased $5.4 million, or 4.4%. The decrease in Garden organic sales was due primarily to lower grass seed sales and our exit of the fashion decor pottery product line in mid-2019. Garden branded sales increased $6.5 million, due to acquisitions, and sales of other manufacturers' products increased $0.7 million.

Gross Profit

Gross profit for the three months ended December 28, 2019 increased $1.1 million, or 0.8%, to $131.3 million from $130.2 million for the three months ended December 29, 2018. Gross margin declined 100 basis points to 27.2% for the three months ended December 28, 2019 from 28.2% for the three months ended December 29, 2018. The gross profit increase was due to the Pet segment while the gross margin decline was due primarily to the Garden segment.

In the Pet segment, gross profit increased but the gross margin declined. The gross margin decline was due primarily to the impact of a major retailer exiting the live fish business in 2019 and an unfavorable sales mix.

In the Garden segment, both gross profit and gross margin declined. Both gross profit and gross margin were negatively impacted by our exit from fashion decor pottery product line. Additionally, gross margin was negatively impacted by the recently acquired Arden business, whose gross margin was dilutive to the overall business during the quarter, and an unfavorable sales mix.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $9.2 million, or 7.7%, to $129.2 million for the three months ended December 28, 2019 from $120.0 million for the three months ended December 29, 2018. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased at corporate and in both operating segments. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses increased to 26.8% for the three months ended December 28, 2019, compared to 26.0% in the comparable prior year quarter.

Selling and delivery expense increased $1.9 million, or 3.1%, to $62.6 million for the three months ended December 28, 2019 from $60.7 million for the three months ended December 29, 2018. Selling and delivery expense increased due primarily to our two recent acquisitions.

Warehouse and administrative expense increased $7.3 million, or 12.3%, to $66.6 million for the three months ended December 28, 2019 from $59.3 million for the three months ended December 29, 2018 primarily due to increased corporate expense and our two recent acquisitions. Corporate expense increased due to increased variable compensation expense, increased non-cash equity compensation and increased third-party expenses which included increased legal expenses and costs incurred related to our implementation of the new GAAP lease standard that we adopted at the beginning of fiscal 2020. Warehouse and administrative expense increased in both our operating segments due to our two recent acquisitions. 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 declined $8.1 million to $2.1 million for the three months ended December 28, 2019 from $10.2 million for the three months ended December 29, 2018. The decline in operating income was attributable to a lower gross margin and increased selling, general and administrative costs partially offset by increased sales. Our operating margin decreased from 2.2% in the prior year quarter to 0.4% in the current year quarter due to a 100 basis point decline in gross margin and a 80 basis point increase in selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of net sales.

Pet operating income increased $0.5 million, or 1.6%, to $30.2 million for the three months ended December 28, 2019 from $29.7 for the three months ended December 29, 2018. Pet operating income increased due to increased sales, due to an acquisition and increased organic sales, and increased gross profit partially offset by increased selling, general and administrative costs. Pet operating margin declined 20 basis points due to a lower gross margin partially offset by lower selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of sales.

Garden operating loss increased $3.7 million, or 80.5%, to $8.3 million for the three months ended December 28, 2019 from $4.6 million for the three months ended December 29, 2018. The Garden operating loss increased due to a lower gross profit and increased selling, general and administrative expense that were more than offset increased sales. Garden operating margin declined 270 basis points due to a lower gross margin and higher selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of sales.

Corporate operating expense increased $4.9 million, 32.5%, to $19.8 million for the three months ended December 28, 2019 from $14.9 million for the three months ended December 29, 2018. Corporate expense increased due to increased variable compensation expense, increased non-cash equity compensation and increased third-party expenses.

Net Interest Expense

Net interest expense for the three months ended December 28, 2019 increased $0.5 million, or 6.9%, to $8.6 million from $8.1 million for the three months ended December 29, 2018. The increase in net interest expense was due to lower interest income from earnings on excess cash due to the lower rates available on our excess cash balance during the quarter.

Debt outstanding on December 28, 2019 was $693.4 million compared to $692.4 million at December 29, 2018.

Other Income

Other income is comprised of income or losses from investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting and foreign currency exchange gains and losses. Other income increased $0.5 million to $0.3 million for the quarter ended December 28, 2019. The increase in other income was due primarily to foreign exchange gains in the quarter.

Income Taxes

Our effective income tax rate was 27.6% for the quarter ended December 28, 2019 compared to 14.3% for the quarter ended December 29, 2018. Both periods had a similar benefit from excess tax benefits from stock compensation (a discrete tax item). The quarter ended December 28, 2019 had a pre-tax loss and the discrete tax item increased the tax benefit rate in the quarter while the quarter ended December 29, 2018 had pre-tax income and the discrete tax item decreased the tax expense rate in the prior year quarter.

Net Income and Earnings Per Share

Our net loss in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 was $4.4 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, compared to net income of $1.8 million, or $0.03 per diluted share, in the first quarter of fiscal 2019.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We report our financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). However, to supplement the financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP, we use non-GAAP financial measures including EBITDA and organic sales. 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.

EBITDA is defined by us as income before income tax, net other expense, net interest expense and depreciation and amortization (or operating income plus depreciation and amortization expense). We present EBITDA because we believe that EBITDA is a useful supplemental measure in evaluating the cash flows and performance of our business and provides greater transparency into our results of operations. EBITDA is used by our management to perform such evaluation. EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for cash flow from operations, income from operations or other income statement measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. We believe that EBITDA is frequently used by investors, securities analysts and other interested parties in their evaluation of companies, many of which present EBITDA when reporting their results. Other companies may calculate EBITDA differently and it may not be comparable.

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.

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.

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 28, 2019
	Consolidated						Pet Segment						Garden Segment
			Percent change				Percent change				Percent change

Reported net sales - Q1 FY20 (GAAP)	$	482.8			$	354.0			$	128.8
Reported net sales - Q1 FY19 (GAAP)	462.0				340.4				121.6
Increase in net sales	20.8		4.5	%	13.6		4.0	%	7.2		5.9	%
Effect of acquisition and divestitures on increase in net sales	21.7				9.1				12.6
Increase in organic net sales - Q1 2020	$	(0.9)	(0.2)	%	$	4.5	1.3	%	$	(5.4)	(4.4)	%


EBITDA Reconciliation	GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation (in thousands, except per share amounts) For the Three Months Ended December 28, 2019
	Garden		Pet		Corp		Total
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet	—		—		—		$	(4,417)
Interest expense, net	—		—		—		8,637
Other income	—		—		—		(305)
Income tax expense	—		—		—		(1,728)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—		—		—		(122)
Sum of items below operating income	—		—		—		6,482
Income (loss) from operations	$	(8,368)	$	30,222	$	(19,789)	$	2,065
Depreciation & amortization	3,295		8,490		1,355		13,140
EBITDA	$	(5,073)	$	38,712	$	(18,434)	$	15,205


EBITDA Reconciliation	GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation (in thousands, except per share amounts) For the Three Months Ended December 29, 2018
	Garden		Pet		Corp		Total
Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet	—		—		—		$	1,803
Interest expense, net	—		—		—		8,077
Other income	—		—		—		192
Income tax expense	—		—		—		273
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—		—		—		(164)
Sum of items below operating income	—		—		—		8,378
Income (loss) from operations	$	(4,637)	$	29,755	$	(14,937)	$	10,181
Depreciation & amortization	2,826		8,056		1,470		12,352
EBITDA	$	(1,811)	$	37,811	$	(13,467)	$	22,533

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 domestic 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.

Weather and Seasonality

Our sales of lawn and garden products are influenced by weather and climate conditions in the different markets we serve. Our Garden segment’s business is highly seasonal. In fiscal 2019, approximately 69% of our Garden segment’s net sales and 58% 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, which has historically offset the operating loss incurred during the first fiscal quarter of the year.

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 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 69% 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 $24.8 million, from $6.8 million of cash provided for the three months ended December 29, 2018, to $18.0 million of cash used for the three months ended December 28, 2019. The increase in cash used was due primarily to changes in our working capital accounts for the period ended December 28, 2019, as compared to the prior year period.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities increased $1.0 million, from $9.4 million for the three months ended December 29, 2018 to $10.4 million during the three months ended December 28, 2019. The increase in cash used in investing activities was due primarily to increased capital expenditures in the current year compared to the prior year.

Financing Activities

Net cash used by financing activities increased $23.4 million, from $0.6 million for the three months ended December 29, 2018, to $24.0 million for the three months ended December 28, 2019. The increase in cash used by financing activities during the current year was due primarily to purchases of our common stock. During the three months ended December 28, 2019, we repurchased approximately 0.1 million shares of our voting common stock (CENT) on the open market at an aggregate cost of approximately $1.7 million, or approximately $26.83 per share, and 0.8 million shares of our non-voting Class A common stock (CENTA) on the open market at an aggregate cost of approximately $20.4 million, or approximately $26.69 per share.

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 revolving credit facility. Based on our anticipated cash needs, availability under our asset backed revolving credit 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 $45 million to $50 million in fiscal 2020.

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.

Total Debt

At December 28, 2019, our total debt outstanding was $693.4 million, as compared with $692.4 million at December 29, 2018.

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 (the "2028 Notes"). We expect to use the net proceeds from the offering to finance future acquisitions and for general corporate purposes.

We incurred approximately $4.8 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 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. We were in compliance with all financial covenants as of December 28, 2019.

$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, 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 financial covenants as of December 28, 2019.

Asset-Based Loan Facility Amendment

On September 27, 2019, we entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (“Amended Credit Agreement”). The Amended Credit Agreement amended and restated the previous credit agreement dated April 22, 2016 and continues to provide up to a $400.0 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, as defined, if we exercise the accordion feature set forth therein (collectively, the “Amended Credit

Facility”). The Amended Credit Facility now matures on September 27, 2024. We may borrow, repay and reborrow amounts under the Amended Credit Facility until its maturity date, at which time all amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility must be repaid in full.

The Amended Credit Facility is subject to a borrowing base, reduced capacity due to reserves and certain other restrictions. The borrowing base is calculated using a formula initially based upon eligible receivables and inventory minus certain reserves, and was $357.8 million as of December 28, 2019. The Amended Credit Facility also allows us to add real property to the borrowing base so long as the real property is subject to a first priority lien in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders. Proceeds of the Amended Credit Facility will be used for general corporate purposes. The Amended Credit Facility includes a $50 million sublimit for the issuance of standby letters of credit and an increased $40 million sublimit for short-notice borrowings. We incurred approximately $1.6 million of debt issuance costs in conjunction with this transaction, which included underwriter fees and legal expenses. The debt issuance costs are being amortized over the term of the Amended Credit Facility. As of December 28, 2019, there were no borrowings outstanding and no letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Facility. There were other letters of credit of $3.2 million outstanding as of December 28, 2019.

Borrowings under the Amended Credit Facility will bear interest at an index based on LIBOR or, at our option, the Base Rate (defined as the highest of (a) the SunTrust prime rate, (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50%, (c) one-month LIBOR plus 1.00%), plus, in either case, an applicable margin based on our consolidated senior leverage ratio and (d) 0.00%. Such applicable margin for LIBOR-based borrowings fluctuates between 1.00%-1.50% (previously between 1.25% and 1.50%) and was 1.00% as of December 28, 2019, and such applicable margin for Base Rate borrowings fluctuates between 0.00%-0.50% (previously 0.25%-0.50%), and was 0.00% as of December 28, 2019. An unused line fee shall be payable monthly in respect of the total amount of the unutilized Lenders’ commitments and short-notice borrowings under the Amended Credit Facility. Letter of credit fees at the applicable margin on the average undrawn and unreimbursed amount of letters of credit shall be payable monthly and a facing fee of 0.125% shall be paid on demand for the stated amount of each letter of credit. We are also required to pay certain fees to the administrative agent under the Amended Credit Facility. As of December 28, 2019, 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%. Banks currently reporting information used to set LIBOR will stop doing so after 2021. Various parties, including government agencies, are seeking to identify an alternative rate to replace LIBOR. We are monitoring their efforts, and we will likely amend contracts to accommodate any replacement rate where it is not already provided.

The administering regulatory authority announced it intends to phase out London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) by the end of 2021. We have both LIBOR-denominated and Euro Interbank Offer Rate (EURIBOR)-denominated indebtedness. Once LIBOR is phased out it will be replaced by an alternative method equivalent to LIBOR. Any legal or regulatory changes made in response to LIBOR’s future discontinuance may result in, among other things, a sudden or prolonged increase or decrease in LIBOR, a delay in the publication of LIBOR, or changes in the rules or methodologies in LIBOR. In addition, alternative methods to LIBOR may be impossible or impracticable to determine. The transition to alternatives to LIBOR could be modestly disruptive to the credit markets, and while we do not expect that the transition from LIBOR and risks related thereto will have a material adverse effect on our financing costs, it is still uncertain at this time.

The Amended Credit Facility continues to contain customary covenants, including financial covenants which require us to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.00:1.00 upon triggered quarterly testing (e.g. when availability falls below certain thresholds established in the agreement), reporting requirements and events of default. The Amended Credit Facility is secured by substantially all assets of the borrowing parties, including (i) pledges of 100% of the stock or other equity interest of each domestic subsidiary that is directly owned by such entity and (ii) 65% of the stock or other equity interest of each foreign subsidiary that is directly owned by such entity. We were in compliance with all financial covenants under the Credit Facility during the period ended December 28, 2019.

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 28, 2019 regarding off-balance sheet arrangements.

Contractual Obligations

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 28, 2019, except as set forth below.

In December 2019, performance-based criteria associated with the $6 million contingent consideration liability related to our fiscal 2017 acquisition of Segrest, Inc. were met and accordingly, the entire amount was released out of an independent escrow account to the former owners as of December 28, 2019.

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 28, 2019.

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 28, 2019.

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 28, 2019.

(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 2020. We implemented controls and a new lease accounting system related to the adoption of ASC 842 and the related financial statement reporting. There were no other changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the first quarter of fiscal 2020 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. Except as discussed above, we are not currently a party to any other 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 28, 2019.

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 28, 2019 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)(2)
September 29, 2019 - November 2, 2019	292,583	⁽²⁾⁽³⁾	$	27.37	290,740	$	100,000,000
November 3, 2019 - November 30, 2019	116,126	⁽²⁾⁽³⁾	$	24.87	115,500	$	100,000,000
December 1, 2019 -December 28, 2019	432,167	⁽²⁾⁽³⁾	$	26.72	422,383	$	100,000,000
Total	840,876		$	26.69	828,623	$	100,000,000	(4)

(1)During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, our Board of Directors authorized a $100 million share repurchase program, (the "2019 Repurchase Authorization"). The 2019 Repurchase Authorization has no fixed 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 that restrict our ability to repurchase our stock. As of December 28, 2019, we had $100 million of authorization remaining under our 2019 Repurchase Authorization.

(2)In February 2019, our Board of Directors authorized us to make supplemental stock purchases to minimize dilution resulting from issuances under our equity compensation plans (the "Equity Dilution Authorization"). In addition to our regular share repurchase program, we are permitted to purchase annually a number of shares equal to the number of shares of restricted stock and stock options granted in the prior fiscal year, to the extent not already repurchased, and the current fiscal year. The Equity Dilution Authorization has no fixed expiration date and expires when the Board withdraws its authorization.

(3)Shares purchased during the period indicated represent withholding of a portion of shares to cover taxes in connection with the vesting of restricted stock and do not reduce the dollar value of shares that may be purchased under our stock repurchase plan.

(4)Excludes 0.6 million shares remaining under our Equity Dilution Authorization as of December 28, 2019.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable

Item 5. Other Information

Not applicable


Item 6.			Exhibits


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.

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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 6, 2020

			/s/ TIMOTHY P. COFER
			Timothy P. Cofer
			Chief Executive Officer
			(Principal Executive Officer)

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