---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001157523-21-001000"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "CENT"
cik: "0000887733"
company_name: "CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO"
filed_at: "2021-08-04T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-29T22:57:23.873968+00:00"
event_type: "earnings"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.7
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Central Garden & Pet Q3 net sales +24% to $1,037M; raises FY21 EPS guidance to $2.45+

## Summary
- Q3 diluted EPS grew 8% to $1.37; GAAP net income $76M, up 11%.
- Garden segment net sales +42% to $529M on acquisitions and organic growth; Pet segment +10% to $508M.
- FY21 GAAP EPS guidance raised to $2.45 or better from prior $2.25; non-GAAP EPS guidance raised to $2.62 or better.
- Adjusted EBITDA +14% to $134M; total debt $1,184M, leverage ratio 2.9x.
- Cash from operations $299M vs $182M a year ago; cash balance $517M.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001157523-21-001000
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: CENT
- cik: 0000887733
- company_name: CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO
- filed_at: 2021-08-04T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: earnings
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.7
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 2.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/887733/000115752321001000/0001157523-21-001000-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/887733/000115752321001000/a52471756.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001157523-21-001000
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001157523-21-001000.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001157523-21-001000.txt

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