---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000887733-26-000011"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "CENT"
cik: "0000887733"
company_name: "CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO"
filed_at: "2026-05-06T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-14T23:05:15.938974+00:00"
event_type: "earnings"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Central Garden & Pet Q2 FY2026: record sales $906M, EPS $1.28, pet distribution partnership

## Summary
- Net sales $906M (+8.6% YoY); GAAP diluted EPS $1.28 vs $0.98; adjusted EBITDA $139M vs $123M.
- Pet segment sales $477M (+5.1%), operating margin 16.3% vs 13.4%; Garden sales $429M (+12.9%).
- Strategic pet distribution partnership with Phillips; Central retains 20% stake; minimal EPS impact expected.
- Reaffirmed FY2026 non-GAAP diluted EPS outlook of $2.70 or better; capex $50-$60M.
- Gross leverage 2.8x (target 3.0-3.5x); no credit facility borrowings; $653M cash.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000887733-26-000011
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: CENT
- cik: 0000887733
- company_name: CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO
- filed_at: 2026-05-06T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: earnings
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.75
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 2.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/887733/000088773326000011/0000887733-26-000011-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/887733/000088773326000011/cent-20260506.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000887733-26-000011
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000887733-26-000011.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000887733-26-000011.txt

## Source-grounded claims
- claim_id: 90132a9fce7d06394370f191380a6e9b8a9b5169
  claim: CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO reported fiscal 2026 second quarter ended March 28, 2026 results: revenue $906 million, net income $79 million, EPS $1.28. Guidance reaffirmed.
  evidence_excerpt: release is attached as Exhibit 99.1. --- EX-99.1 (EX-99.1) --- CENTRAL GARDEN & PET ANNOUNCES RECORD Q2 FISCAL 2026 FINANCIAL RESULTS Reports fiscal 2026 Q2 net sales of $906 million, compared with $834 million a year ago Delivers fiscal 2026 Q2 GAAP diluted EPS of $1.28, compared with $0.98 in the prior year Reaffirms fiscal 2026 outlook for non-GAAP diluted
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/887733/000088773326000011/0000887733-26-000011-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.