Central Garden & Pet Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Results

Fiscal 2024 net sales of $3.2 billion vs. $3.3 billion in the prior year

Fiscal 2024 GAAP EPS of $1.62 vs. $1.88 a year ago, non-GAAP EPS of $2.13 vs. $2.07 a year ago

Expects fiscal 2025 non-GAAP EPS to be $2.20 or better

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA) ("Central"), a market leader in the pet and garden industries, today announced results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended September 28, 2024.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241125974807/en/

"We have a lot to be proud of this year. We increased non-GAAP EPS, continued margin expansion, made significant progress on our Cost and Simplicity program, and achieved strong profits in our Pet segment and record cash flow for the company. We accomplished this despite continued soft demand across our Pet segment, in particular in durable pet products, and a difficult garden season," said Niko Lahanas, Central Garden & Pet's new CEO. "While we expect the external environment to remain challenging, I am confident we have the right strategy and people in place to deliver profitable growth in fiscal 2025 and for the long term."

Fiscal 2024 Results

Net sales were $3.2 billion compared to $3.3 billion in the prior year, a decrease of 3%. Fiscal 2023 benefited from an additional week in the fourth quarter. Organic net sales decreased 4% excluding the impact of the acquisition of TDBBS in fiscal 2024 and the sale of the independent garden channel distribution business in fiscal 2023.

Net sales for the Pet segment were $1.83 billion compared to $1.88 billion a year ago, a decrease of 2%. Pet organic net sales decreased 6%. Net sales for the Garden segment were $1.37 billion compared to $1.43 billion in the prior year, a decrease of 5%. Garden organic net sales decreased 1%.

Gross margin expanded by 90 basis points to 29.5% from 28.6% in the prior year. On a non-GAAP basis, gross margin expanded by 110 basis points to 30.0% from 28.9% a year ago driven by productivity efforts and moderating inflation.

Operating income was $185 million compared to $211 million in the prior year, a decrease of 12%. On a non-GAAP basis, operating income was $223 million compared to $227 million a year ago. Operating margin was 5.8% compared to 6.4% in the prior year. On a non-GAAP basis, operating margin expanded to 7.0% from 6.9% a year ago due to improved gross margin and continued cost discipline in selling, general and administrative expense.

Net interest expense was $38 million compared to $50 million in the prior year driven by higher interest income.

Other expense was $5.1 million compared to other income of $1.5 million a year ago due to the impairment of two underperforming equity investments in the fourth quarter.

Net income was $108 million compared to $126 million in the prior year. On a non-GAAP basis, net income increased to $142 million from $138 million a year ago. Earnings per share were $1.62 compared to $1.88 in the prior year. On a non-GAAP basis, earnings per share increased to $2.13 from $2.07 a year ago.

Adjusted EBITDA was $334 million compared to $343 million in the prior year.

The effective tax rate for the fiscal year was 23.2% compared to 22.4% a year ago primarily due to an increase in the blended state income tax rate in the current year compared to the prior year.

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2024 Results

Net sales were $669 million compared to $750 million a year ago, a decrease of 11%. The prior year quarter benefited from an extra week. Organic net sales decreased 13% excluding the impact of the acquisition of TDBBS and the sale of the independent garden channel distribution business.

Gross margin contracted by 110 basis points to 25.2% compared to 26.3% a year ago primarily driven by the impairment of grass seed inventory more than offsetting moderating inflation and productivity efforts. On a non-GAAP basis, gross margin contracted by 60 basis points to 26.0% from 26.6% in the prior year.

Operating loss was $32 million compared to operating income of $9 million a year ago. On a non-GAAP basis, operating loss was $11 million compared to operating income of $12 million reflecting lower volumes, the inventory impairment, and the timing of expenses related to productivity and commercial initiatives. Operating margin was (4.8)% compared to 1.2% in the prior year. On a non-GAAP basis, operating margin contracted to (1.7)% from 1.6% a year ago.

Other expense was $6 million compared to $2 million in the prior year.

Net interest expense was $6 million compared to $8 million a year ago.

Net loss was $34 million compared to net income of $3 million in the prior year. On a non-GAAP basis, net loss was $12 million compared to net income $5 million a year ago. Loss per share was $0.51 compared to earnings per share of $0.04 in the prior year. On a non-GAAP basis, loss per share was $0.18 compared to earnings per share of $0.08 a year ago.

Adjusted EBITDA was $17 million compared to $42 million in the prior year.

Pet Segment Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2024 Results

Net sales for the Pet segment were $435 million compared to $483 million in the prior year, a decrease of 10%. The decrease was primarily due to an extra week in the prior year quarter. Organic net sales decreased 14% excluding the impact of the acquisition of TDBBS.

The Pet segment’s operating income was $14 million compared to $43 million a year ago. On a non-GAAP basis, operating income was $35 million compared to $48 million in the prior year due to lower volume and the timing of expenses related to productivity and commercial initiatives. Operating margin was 3.3% compared to 9.0% in the prior year. On a non-GAAP basis, operating margin was 8.0% compared to 9.9% a year ago.

Pet segment adjusted EBITDA was $45 million compared to $58 million in the prior year quarter.

Garden Segment Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2024 Results

Net sales for the Garden segment were $234 million compared to $267 million a year ago, a decrease of 12%. The decrease was primarily due to an extra week in the prior year quarter. Organic net sales decreased 11% excluding the impact of the sale of the independent garden channel distribution business.

The Garden segment’s operating loss was $29 million compared to a loss of $3 million in the prior year. On a non-GAAP basis, operating loss was $25 million compared to a loss of $5 million a year ago due to lower volume as well as the impairment of grass seed inventory. Operating margin was (12.3)% compared to (1.3)% in the prior year. On a non-GAAP basis, operating margin was (10.6)% compared to (2.0)% a year ago.

Garden segment adjusted EBITDA was $(14) million compared to $6 million in the prior year.

Liquidity and Debt

At September 28, 2024, cash and cash equivalents was $754 million, compared to $489 million a year ago. The increase in cash and cash equivalents was driven by converting inventory to cash over the last 12 months and lower capital expenditures.

Cash provided by operations for fiscal 2024 was $395 million, compared to $382 million in the prior year. The increase in cash provided by operations was primarily due to changes in working capital driven by the reduction in inventory.

Total debt at September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023 was $1.2 billion. The gross leverage ratio, calculated using the definitions for Indebtedness and EBITDA in Central's credit agreement, at the end of the quarter was 3.1x, in line with the prior year. Central repurchased 270,032 shares or $9 million of its stock during the quarter. Subsequent to the fiscal year end, Central purchased an additional 1,663,479 shares or $52 million of its stock through November 21, 2024.

Non-GAAP Adjustments

Fiscal 2024

Central recognized $45 million in non-GAAP charges in fiscal 2024, $28 million of which related to Cost & Simplicity initiatives.

Within the Garden segment, this included closure and consolidation of one manufacturing facility, six distribution facilities and one research facility as well as beginning the wind-down of Central's pottery business. Within the Pet segment, this included the announced closure and consolidation of two manufacturing facilities related to a durable pet supply business as well as impairment of intangible assets related to this business due to changing market conditions and increased international competition.

In addition to Cost & Simplicity related charges, Central recognized $4 million in charges related to the impairment of equity investments in two underperforming private businesses, partially offset by a gain on the settlement of a litigation.

The $45 million overall charge was mostly noncash, with $16 million included in cost of goods sold, $21 million in selling, general and administrative expense, and $8 million in other expense.

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2024

Non-GAAP charges for the fourth quarter were $29 million, $12 million of which related to Cost & Simplicity initiatives, $13 million related to intangible impairments, and $4 million related to the equity investment write downs and partially offsetting a gain on the settlement of a litigation.

The $29 million overall charge was mostly noncash, with $5 million included in cost of goods sold, $16 million in selling, general and administrative expense, and $8 million in other expense.

Outlook for Fiscal 2025

Central currently expects fiscal 2025 non-GAAP EPS to be $2.20 or better. This outlook takes into consideration deflationary pressure in certain commodity businesses, evolving consumer behavior in an environment of macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty, and the challenging brick-and-mortar retail environment. Central expects fiscal 2025 capital spending to be in the range of $60-70 million. This outlook excludes the impact of any acquisitions, divestitures or restructuring activities that may occur during fiscal 2025, including projects under the Cost and Simplicity program.

Conference Call

Central will hold a conference call today at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time (1:30 p.m. Pacific Time), hosted by Niko Lahanas, CEO, and Brad Smith, CFO, to discuss these results and to provide a general business update. The conference call and related materials can be accessed at http://ir.central.com.

Alternatively, to listen to the call by telephone, dial [phone] (domestic and international) using confirmation #13748436.

About Central Garden & Pet

Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA) understands home is central to life and has proudly nurtured happy and healthy homes for over 40 years. With fiscal 2024 net sales of $3.2 billion, Central is on a mission to lead the future of the pet and garden industries. The Company’s innovative and trusted products are dedicated to helping lawns grow greener, gardens bloom bigger, pets live healthier, and communities grow stronger. Central is home to a leading portfolio of more than 65 high-quality brands including Amdro®, Aqueon®, Cadet®, C&S®, Farnam®, Ferry-Morse®, Four Paws®, Kaytee®, Nylabone® and Pennington®, strong manufacturing and distribution capabilities, and a passionate, entrepreneurial growth culture. Central is based in Walnut Creek, California, with 6,450 employees primarily across North America. Visit www.central.com to learn more.

Safe Harbor Statement

“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The statements contained in this release which are not historical facts, including statements concerning evolving consumer demand and unfavorable retailer dynamics, productivity initiatives and estimated capital spending, and earnings guidance for fiscal 2025, are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in or implied by forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based upon Central's current expectations and various assumptions. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this release including, but not limited to, the following factors:

• economic uncertainty, and other adverse macro-economic conditions;
• impacts of tariffs or a trade war;
• risks associated with international sourcing, including from China;
• fluctuations in energy prices, fuel and related petrochemical costs;
• declines in consumer spending and the associated increased inventory risk;
• seasonality and fluctuations in our operating results and cash flow;
• adverse weather conditions;
• the success of our Central to Home strategy and our Cost and Simplicity program;
• fluctuations in market prices for seeds and grains and other raw materials, including the impact of the recent significant decline in grass seed market prices on our inventory valuation;
• risks associated with new product introductions, including the risk that our new products will not produce sufficient sales to recoup our investment;
• dependence on a small number of customers for a significant portion of our business;
• consolidation trends in the retail industry;
• supply shortages in pet birds, small animals and fish;
• reductions in demand for our product categories;
• competition in our industries;
• continuing implementation of an enterprise resource planning information technology system;
• regulatory issues;
• potential environmental liabilities;
• access to and cost of additional capital;
• the impact of product recalls;
• risks associated with our acquisition strategy, including our ability to successfully integrate acquisitions and the impact of purchase accounting on our financial results;
• potential goodwill or intangible asset impairment;
• the potential for significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting, particularly of acquired companies;
• our dependence upon our key executives;
• our ability to recruit and retain members of our management team and employees to support our businesses;
• potential costs and risks associated with actual or potential cyberattacks;
• our ability to protect our trademarks and other proprietary rights;
• litigation and product liability claims;
• the impact of new accounting regulations and the possibility our effective tax rate will increase as a result of future changes in the corporate tax rate or other tax law changes;
• potential dilution from issuance of authorized shares; and
• the voting power associated with our Class B stock.

These risks and others are described in Central’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Central undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise.

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

ASSETS

 

September 28, 2024

 

September 30, 2023

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

753,550

 

 

$

488,730

 

Restricted cash

 

 

14,853

 

 

 

14,143

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

326,220

 

 

 

332,890

 

Inventories, net

 

 

757,943

 

 

 

838,188

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

 

34,240

 

 

 

33,172

 

Total current assets

 

 

1,886,806

 

 

 

1,707,123

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plant, property and equipment, net

 

 

379,166

 

 

 

391,768

 

Goodwill

 

 

551,361

 

 

 

546,436

 

Other intangible assets, net

 

 

473,280

 

 

 

497,228

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

205,137

 

 

 

173,540

 

Other assets

 

 

57,689

 

 

 

62,553

 

Total

 

$

3,553,439

 

 

$

3,378,648

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

212,606

 

 

$

190,902

 

Accrued expenses

 

 

245,226

 

 

 

216,241

 

Current lease liabilities

 

 

57,313

 

 

 

50,597

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

239

 

 

 

247

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

515,384

 

 

 

457,987

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

 

1,189,809

 

 

 

1,187,956

 

Long-term lease liabilities

 

 

173,086

 

 

 

135,621

 

Deferred income taxes and other long-term obligations

 

 

117,615

 

 

 

144,271

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity:

 

 

 

 

Common stock ($.01 par value; 80 million shares authorized; 11,074,620 and 11,077,612 issued, respectively)

 

 

111

 

 

 

111

 

Class A common stock ($.01 par value; 100 million shares authorized; 54,446,194 and 54,472,902 issued, respectively)

 

 

544

 

 

 

544

 

Class B stock ($.01 par value; 3 million shares authorized; 1,602,374 and 1,602,374 issued, respectively)

 

 

16

 

 

 

16

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

598,098

 

 

 

594,282

 

Retained earnings

 

 

959,511

 

 

 

859,370

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(2,626

)

 

 

(2,970

)

Total Central Garden & Pet shareholders’ equity

 

 

1,555,654

 

 

 

1,451,353

 

Noncontrolling interest

 

 

1,891

 

 

 

1,460

 

Total equity

 

 

1,557,545

 

 

 

1,452,813

 

Total

 

$

3,553,439

 

 

$

3,378,648

 

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

Three Months Ended

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

September 28, 2024

 

September 30, 2023

 

September 28, 2024

 

September 30, 2023

Net sales

$

669,489

 

 

$

750,147

 

 

$

3,200,460

 

 

$

3,310,083

 

Cost of goods sold

 

500,537

 

 

 

552,694

 

 

 

2,256,725

 

 

 

2,363,241

 

Gross profit

 

168,952

 

 

 

197,453

 

 

 

943,735

 

 

 

946,842

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

201,360

 

 

 

188,084

 

 

 

758,348

 

 

 

736,196

 

Operating (loss) income

 

(32,408

)

 

 

9,369

 

 

 

185,387

 

 

 

210,646

 

Interest expense

 

(14,115

)

 

 

(13,138

)

 

 

(57,527

)

 

 

(57,025

)

Interest income

 

7,639

 

 

 

5,075

 

 

 

19,655

 

 

 

7,362

 

Other income (expense), net

 

(6,137

)

 

 

(1,685

)

 

 

(5,090

)

 

 

1,462

 

Income (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interest

 

(45,021

)

 

 

(379

)

 

 

142,425

 

 

 

162,445

 

Income tax (benefit) expense

 

(10,621

)

 

 

(3,098

)

 

 

33,112

 

 

 

36,348

 

Net income (loss) including noncontrolling interest

 

(34,400

)

 

 

2,719

 

 

 

109,313

 

 

 

126,097

 

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

(242

)

 

 

(116

)

 

 

1,330

 

 

 

454

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company

$

(34,158

)

 

$

2,835

 

 

$

107,983

 

 

$

125,643

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per share attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

(0.52

)

 

$

0.04

 

 

$

1.64

 

 

$

1.92

 

Diluted

$

(0.51

)

 

$

0.04

 

 

$

1.62

 

 

$

1.88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average shares used in the computation of net income per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

65,939

 

 

 

65,265

 

 

 

65,711

 

 

 

65,493

 

Diluted

 

66,917

 

 

 

66,671

 

 

 

66,860

 

 

 

66,783

 

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

September 28, 2024

 

September 30, 2023

 

September 24, 2022

 

(in thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

$

109,313

 

 

$

126,097

 

 

$

152,672

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

90,807

 

 

 

87,700

 

 

 

80,948

 

Amortization of deferred financing costs

 

2,687

 

 

 

2,698

 

 

 

2,657

 

Non-cash lease expense

 

56,180

 

 

 

51,868

 

 

 

48,656

 

Stock-based compensation

 

20,583

 

 

 

27,990

 

 

 

25,817

 

Debt extinguishment costs

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

169

 

Gain on sale of business

 

—

 

 

 

(5,845

)

 

 

—

 

Deferred income taxes

 

(14,482

)

 

 

(12,253

)

 

 

28,128

 

Facility closures and business exit costs

 

27,842

 

 

 

15,674

 

 

 

—

 

Impairment of intangibles

 

12,790

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

Other asset impairments

 

7,462

 

 

 

750

 

 

 

—

 

Other

 

906

 

 

 

(525

)

 

 

(648

)

Changes in assets and liabilities (excluding businesses acquired):

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables

 

11,857

 

 

 

43,980

 

 

 

7,004

 

Inventories

 

84,306

 

 

 

86,980

 

 

 

(256,443

)

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

11,944

 

 

 

8,813

 

 

 

(6,031

)

Accounts payable

 

18,373

 

 

 

(19,962

)

 

 

(31,209

)

Accrued expenses

 

17,152

 

 

 

6,766

 

 

 

(33,495

)

Other long-term obligations

 

(12,631

)

 

 

9,595

 

 

 

(7,728

)

Operating lease liabilities

 

(50,197

)

 

 

(48,692

)

 

 

(44,527

)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

394,892

 

 

 

381,634

 

 

 

(34,030

)

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment

 

(43,135

)

 

 

(53,966

)

 

 

(115,205

)

Business acquired, net of cash acquired

 

(60,226

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

Proceeds from sale of business

 

—

 

 

 

20,000

 

 

 

—

 

Payments for investments

 

(1,650

)

 

 

(500

)

 

 

(27,818

)

Other investing activities

 

(175

)

 

 

(115

)

 

 

40

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(105,186

)

 

 

(34,581

)

 

 

(142,983

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Repayments on revolving line of credit

 

—

 

 

 

(48,000

)

 

 

—

 

Borrowings on revolving line of credit

 

—

 

 

 

48,000

 

 

 

—

 

Repayments of long-term debt

 

(370

)

 

 

(338

)

 

 

(1,096

)

Repurchase of common stock, including shares surrendered for tax withholding

 

(24,075

)

 

 

(37,161

)

 

 

(62,287

)

Payments of contingent consideration

 

(95

)

 

 

(54

)

 

 

(216

)

Distribution to noncontrolling interest

 

(899

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(806

)

Payment of financing costs

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(2,410

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(25,438

)

 

 

(37,553

)

 

 

(66,815

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents

 

1,261

 

 

 

1,189

 

 

 

(3,510

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

265,530

 

 

 

310,689

 

 

 

(247,338

)

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year

 

502,873

 

 

 

192,184

 

 

 

439,522

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year

$

768,403

 

 

$

502,873

 

 

$

192,184

 

Supplemental information:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

$

57,531

 

 

$

57,143

 

 

$

57,928

 

Cash paid for income taxes – net of refunds

 

53,582

 

 

 

17,910

 

 

 

34,964

 

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures incurred but not paid

 

1,936

 

 

 

2,243

 

 

 

8,016

 

Liability for contingent performance based payments

 

(20

)

 

 

(374

)

 

 

(847

)

Shares of common stock repurchased but not settled

 

536

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

911

 

Lease liabilities arising from obtaining right-of-use assets

 

95,391

 

 

 

42,777

 

 

 

70,794

 

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We report our financial results in accordance with GAAP. However, to supplement the financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP, we use non-GAAP financial measures including non-GAAP net income and diluted net income per share, non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP gross profit and gross margin, non-GAAP selling, general and administrative expense, adjusted EBITDA and organic net sales. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures that exclude the impact of specific items (described below) in making financial, operating and planning decisions and in evaluating our performance.

Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures 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. While Management believes that non-GAAP measures 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.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined by us as income before income tax, net other expense, net interest expense and depreciation and amortization and stock-based compensation expense (or operating income plus depreciation and amortization expense and stock-based compensation expense). Adjusted EBITDA further excludes one-time charges related to facility closures exits of business, intangible and investment impairments and gains from a litigation settlement. We present adjusted EBITDA because we believe that adjusted 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. Adjusted EBITDA is used by our management to perform such evaluations. Adjusted 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 adjusted EBITDA is frequently used by investors, securities analysts and other interested parties in their evaluation of companies, many of which present adjusted EBITDA when reporting their results. Other companies may calculate adjusted EBITDA differently and it may not be comparable.

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 have not provided a reconciliation of non-GAAP guidance measures to the corresponding GAAP measures on a forward-looking basis as we cannot do so without unreasonable efforts due to the potential variability and limited visibility of excluded items. For the same reasons, we are unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information.

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

• Facility closures and business exit: we have excluded charges related to the closure of distribution and manufacturing facilities and our decision to exit the pottery business as they represent infrequent transactions that impact the comparability between operating periods. We believe these exclusions supplement the GAAP information with a measure that may be useful to investors in assessing the sustainability of our operating performance.
• Asset impairment charges: we exclude the impact of asset impairments on intangible assets and investments as such non-cash amounts are inconsistent in amount and frequency. We believe that the adjustment of these charges supplements the GAAP information with a measure that can be used to assess the performance of our ongoing operations.
• Gain from litigation settlement: we exclude the gain from a litigation settlement as it is a one-time occurrence. We believe that the exclusion of this gain supplements the GAAP information with a measure that can be used to assess the performance of our ongoing operations.
• Gain on sale of a business or service line: we exclude the impact of the gain on the sale of a business as it represents an infrequent transaction that occurs in limited circumstances that impacts the comparability between operating periods. We believe the adjustment of this gain supplements the GAAP information with a measure that may be used to assess the performance of our ongoing operations.
• Tax impact: adjustment represents the impact of the tax effect of the pre-tax non-GAAP adjustments excluded from non-GAAP net income. The tax impact of the non-GAAP adjustments is calculated based on the consolidated effective tax rate on a GAAP basis, applied to the non-GAAP adjustments, unless the underlying item has a materially different tax treatment.

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

The non-GAAP adjustments made reflect the following:

Facility closures and business exits

(1) During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024, we recognized incremental expense of $7.5 million in our Pet segment in the consolidated statement of operations, from the closure of manufacturing facilities in California and Arizona. Additionally, we recognized incremental expense in our Garden segment of $3.9 million related to facility closures and business exits announced in fiscal 2023 and earlier in fiscal 2024.

(2) During the third quarter of fiscal 2024, we recognized incremental expense of $11.1 million in the consolidated statement of operations, from the decision to exit the pottery business, the closure of a live goods distribution facility in Delaware and the relocation of our grass seed research facility.

(3) During the second quarter of fiscal 2024, we recognized incremental expense of $5.3 million in the consolidated statement of operations from the closure of a manufacturing facility in California and the consolidation of our Southeast distribution network.

(4) During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, we recognized a gain of $5.8 million from the sale of our independent garden center distribution business, which includes the impact of associated facility closure costs. The gain is included in selling, general and administrative expense in the consolidated statement of operations.

(5) In fiscal 2023, we recognized incremental expense of $13.9 million in our Pet segment in the consolidated statement of operations from the closure of a manufacturing and distribution facility in Texas. Additionally, we recognized incremental expense of $1.8 million in our Pet segment in the consolidated statement of operations, from the closure of a second manufacturing and distribution facility in Texas.

Intangible Impairments

(6) During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, we recognized a non-cash impairment charge in our Pet segment of $12.8 million related to the impairment of intangible assets due primarily to changing market conditions resulting from the decline in demand for durable products and increased international competition.

(7) In fiscal 2023, we recognized a non-cash impairment charge in our Pet segment of $2.8 million related to the impairment of intangible assets caused by the loss of a significant customer in our live fish business. Also, we recognized a non-cash impairment charge in our Garden segment of $3.9 million related to the impairment of intangible assets due to reduced demand for products we sold under an acquired trade name. The impairments were recorded as part of selling, general and administrative costs.

Gain from litigation and investment impairment

(8) Within corporate, the Company received $3.2 million during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 in settlement of litigation which gain is included in selling, general and administrative expense. Additionally, we recognized a $7.5 million non-cash impairment charge for two related private company investments that is included within Other income (expense) in the consolidated statement of operations.

Net Income and Diluted Net Income Per Share Reconciliation

 

GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

September 28, 2024

 

September 30, 2023

 

September 28, 2024

 

September 30, 2023

 

 

(in thousands, except per share amount)

GAAP net (loss) income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company

 

$

(34,158

)

 

$

2,835

 

 

$

107,983

 

 

$

125,643

 

Facility closures

(1)(2)(3)(5)

 

11,457

 

 

 

1,751

 

 

 

27,842

 

 

 

15,672

 

Intangible impairments

(6)(7)

 

12,790

 

 

 

6,731

 

 

 

12,790

 

 

 

6,731

 

Litigation settlement

(8)

 

(3,200

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(3,200

)

 

 

—

 

Independent channel distribution business sale

(4)

 

—

 

 

 

(5,844

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(5,844

)

Investment impairment

(8)

 

7,461

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

7,461

 

 

 

—

 

Tax effect of adjustments

 

 

(6,725

)

 

 

(332

)

 

 

(10,437

)

 

 

(3,705

)

Non-GAAP net (loss) income attributable to Central Garden & Pet Company

 

$

(12,375

)

 

$

5,141

 

 

$

142,439

 

 

$

138,497

 

GAAP diluted net income per share

 

$

(0.51

)

 

$

0.04

 

 

$

1.62

 

 

$

1.88

 

Non-GAAP diluted net income per share

 

$

(0.18

)

 

$

0.08

 

 

$

2.13

 

 

$

2.07

 

Shares used in GAAP and non-GAAP diluted net income per share calculation

 

 

66,917

 

 

 

66,671

 

 

 

66,860

 

 

 

66,783

 

Operating Income Reconciliation

 

GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation

 

 

Three Months Ended September 28, 2024

 

Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2024

 

 

GAAP

Adjustments(1)(6)(8)

Non-GAAP

 

GAAP

Adjustments(1)(2)(3)(6)(8)

Non-GAAP

 

 

(in thousands)

Net sales

 

$

669,489

 

$

—

 

$

669,489

 

 

$

3,200,460

 

$

—

 

$

3,200,460

 

Cost of goods sold and occupancy

 

 

500,537

 

 

5,209

 

 

495,328

 

 

 

2,256,725

 

 

16,349

 

 

2,240,376

 

Gross profit

 

 

168,952

 

 

(5,209

)

 

174,161

 

 

 

943,735

 

 

(16,349

)

 

960,084

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

201,360

 

 

15,838

 

 

185,522

 

 

 

758,348

 

 

21,083

 

 

737,265

 

(Loss) Income from operations

 

$

(32,408

)

$

(21,047

)

$

(11,361

)

 

$

185,387

 

$

(37,432

)

$

222,819

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross margin

 

 

25.2

%

 

 

26.0

%

 

 

29.5

%

 

 

30.0

%

Operating margin

 

 

(4.8

)%

 

 

(1.7

)%

 

 

5.8

%

 

 

7.0

%

Operating Income Reconciliation

 

GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2023

 

Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2023

 

 

GAAP

Adjustments(4)(5)(7)

Non-GAAP

 

GAAP

Adjustments(4)(5)(7)

Non-GAAP

 

 

(in thousands)

Net sales

 

$

750,147

 

$

—

 

$

750,147

 

 

$

3,310,083

 

$

—

 

$

3,310,083

 

Cost of goods sold and occupancy

 

 

552,694

 

 

1,751

 

 

550,943

 

 

 

2,363,241

 

 

9,761

 

 

2,353,480

 

Gross profit

 

 

197,453

 

 

(1,751

)

 

199,204

 

 

 

946,842

 

 

(9,761

)

 

956,603

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

188,084

 

 

887

 

 

187,197

 

 

 

736,196

 

 

6,798

 

 

729,398

 

Income from operations

 

$

9,369

 

$

(2,638

)

$

12,007

 

 

$

210,646

 

$

(16,559

)

$

227,205

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross margin

 

 

26.3

%

 

 

26.6

%

 

 

28.6

%

 

 

28.9

%

Operating margin

 

 

1.2

%

 

 

1.6

%

 

 

6.4

%

 

 

6.9

%

Pet Segment Operating Income Reconciliation

 

GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

September 28, 2024

 

September 30, 2023

 

September 28, 2024

 

September 30, 2023

 

 

(in thousands)

GAAP operating income

 

$

14,310

 

 

$

43,225

 

 

$

203,425

 

 

$

198,004

 

Facility closures

(1)(5)

 

7,549

 

 

 

1,751

 

 

 

7,549

 

 

 

15,672

 

Intangible impairments

(6)(7)

 

12,790

 

 

 

2,785

 

 

 

12,790

 

 

 

2,785

 

Non-GAAP operating income

 

$

34,649

 

 

$

47,761

 

 

$

223,764

 

 

$

216,461

 

GAAP operating margin

 

 

3.3

%

 

 

9.0

%

 

 

11.1

%

 

 

10.5

%

Non-GAAP operating margin

 

 

8.0

%

 

 

9.9

%

 

 

12.2

%

 

 

11.5

%

Garden Segment Operating Income Reconciliation

 

GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

September 28, 2024

 

September 30, 2023

 

September 28, 2024

 

September 30, 2023

 

 

(in thousands)

GAAP operating income

 

$

(28,806

)

 

$

(3,432

)

 

$

81,893

 

 

$

123,455

 

Facility closures

(1)(2)(3)

 

3,908

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

20,293

 

 

 

—

 

Independent channel distribution business sale

(4)

 

—

 

 

 

(5,844

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

(5,844

)

Intangible impairments

(7)

 

—

 

 

 

3,946

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

3,946

 

Non-GAAP operating income (loss)

 

$

(24,898

)

 

$

(5,330

)

 

$

102,186

 

 

$

121,557

 

GAAP operating margin

 

 

(12.3

)%

 

 

(1.3

)%

 

 

6.0

%

 

 

8.6

%

Non-GAAP operating margin

 

 

(10.6

)%

 

 

(2.0

)%

 

 

7.5

%

 

 

8.5

%

Organic Net Sales Reconciliation

 

GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation

 

 

Three Months Ended September 28, 2024

 

Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2024

 

 

Net sales (GAAP)

 

Effect of acquisitions & divestiture on net sales

 

Net sales organic

 

Net sales (GAAP)

 

Effect of acquisitions & divestitures on net sales

 

Net sales organic

 

 

(in millions)

Reported net sales FY 2024

 

$

669.5

 

 

$

18.0

 

$

651.5

 

 

$

3,200.5

 

 

$

66.4

 

$

3,134.1

 

Reported net sales FY 2023

 

 

750.1

 

 

 

3.7

 

 

746.4

 

 

 

3,310.1

 

 

 

48.1

 

 

3,262.0

 

$ decrease

 

$

(80.6

)

 

$

14.3

 

$

(94.9

)

 

$

(109.6

)

 

$

18.3

 

$

(127.9

)

% decrease

 

 

(10.7

)%

 

 

 

 

(12.7

)%

 

 

(3.3

)%

 

 

 

 

(3.9

)%

Organic Pet Segment Net Sales Reconciliation

 

GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation

 

 

Three Months Ended September 28, 2024

 

Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2024

 

 

Net sales (GAAP)

 

Effect of acquisitions & divestitures on net sales

 

Net sales organic

 

Net sales (GAAP)

 

Effect of acquisitions & divestitures on net sales

 

Net sales organic

 

 

(in millions)

Reported net sales FY 2024

 

$

435.3

 

 

$

18.0

 

$

417.3

 

 

$

1,832.8

 

 

$

66.4

 

$

1,766.4

 

Reported net sales FY 2023

 

 

482.8

 

 

 

—

 

 

482.8

 

 

 

1,877.2

 

 

 

—

 

 

1,877.2

 

$ decrease

 

$

(47.5

)

 

$

18.0

 

$

(65.5

)

 

$

(44.4

)

 

$

66.4

 

$

(110.8

)

% decrease

 

 

(9.8

)%

 

 

 

 

(13.6

)%

 

 

(2.4

)%

 

 

 

 

(5.9

)%

Organic Garden Segment Net Sales Reconciliation

 

GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation

 

 

Three Months Ended September 28, 2024

 

Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2024

 

 

Net sales (GAAP)

 

Effect of acquisitions & divestitures on net sales

 

Net sales organic

 

Net sales (GAAP)

 

Effect of acquisitions & divestitures on net sales

 

Net sales organic

 

 

(in millions)

Reported net sales FY 2024

 

$

234.2

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

234.2

 

 

$

1,367.7

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

1,367.7

 

Reported net sales FY 2023

 

 

267.3

 

 

 

3.7

 

 

 

263.6

 

 

 

1,432.9

 

 

 

48.1

 

 

 

1,384.8

 

$ decrease

 

$

(33.1

)

 

$

(3.7

)

 

$

(29.4

)

 

$

(65.2

)

 

$

(48.1

)

 

$

(17.1

)

% decrease

 

 

(12.4

)%

 

 

 

 

(11.2

)%

 

 

(4.6

)%

 

 

 

 

(1.2

)%

Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation

 

GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended September 28, 2024

 

 

Pet

 

Garden

 

Corp

 

Total

 

 

(in thousands)

Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet

 

$

—

 

$

—

 

$

—

 

 

$

107,983

Interest expense, net

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

 

37,872

Other expense

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

 

5,090

Income tax expense

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

 

33,112

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

 

1,330

Sum of items below operating income

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

 

77,404

Income (loss) from operations

 

 

203,425

 

 

81,893

 

 

(99,931

)

 

 

185,387

Depreciation & amortization

 

 

43,642

 

 

44,403

 

 

2,762

 

 

 

90,807

Noncash stock-based compensation

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

20,583

 

 

 

20,583

Non-GAAP adjustments

(1)(2)(3)(6)(8)

 

20,339

 

 

20,293

 

 

(3,200

)

 

 

37,432

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

267,406

 

$

146,589

 

$

(79,786

)

 

$

334,209

Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation

 

GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2023

 

 

Pet

 

Garden

 

Corp

 

Total

 

 

(in thousands)

Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet

 

$

—

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

125,643

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

49,663

 

Other income

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(1,462

)

Income tax expense

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

36,348

 

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

454

 

Sum of items below operating income

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

85,003

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

 

198,004

 

 

123,455

 

 

 

(110,813

)

 

 

210,646

 

Depreciation & amortization

 

 

41,126

 

 

43,375

 

 

 

3,199

 

 

 

87,700

 

Noncash stock-based compensation

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

 

27,990

 

 

 

27,990

 

Non-GAAP adjustments

(4)(5)(7)

 

18,457

 

 

(1,898

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

16,559

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

257,587

 

$

164,932

 

 

$

(79,624

)

 

$

342,895

 

Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation

 

GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation

 

 

Three Months Ended September 28, 2024

 

 

Pet

 

Garden

 

Corp

 

Total

 

 

(in thousands)

Net loss attributable to Central Garden & Pet

 

$

—

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

(34,158

)

Interest expense, net

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

6,476

 

Other expense

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

6,137

 

Income tax benefit

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(10,621

)

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(242

)

Sum of items below operating income

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

1,750

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

 

14,310

 

 

(28,806

)

 

 

(17,912

)

 

 

(32,408

)

Depreciation & amortization

 

 

10,741

 

 

11,375

 

 

 

622

 

 

 

22,738

 

Noncash stock-based compensation

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

 

5,445

 

 

 

5,445

 

Non-GAAP adjustments

(1)(2)(3)(6)(8)

 

20,339

 

 

3,908

 

 

 

(3,200

)

 

 

21,047

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

45,390

 

$

(13,523

)

 

$

(15,045

)

 

$

16,822

 

Adjusted EBITDA Reconciliation

 

GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2023

 

 

Pet

 

Garden

 

Corp

 

Total

 

 

(in thousands)

Net income attributable to Central Garden & Pet

 

$

—

 

$

—

 

 

$

—

 

 

$

2,835

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

8,063

 

Other expense

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

1,685

 

Income tax benefit

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(3,098

)

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

(116

)

Sum of items below operating income

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

 

 

 

6,534

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

 

43,225

 

 

(3,432

)

 

 

(30,424

)

 

 

9,369

 

Depreciation & amortization

 

 

10,479

 

 

10,892

 

 

 

825

 

 

 

22,196

 

Noncash stock-based compensation

 

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

 

7,358

 

 

 

7,358

 

Non-GAAP adjustments

(4)(5)(7)

 

4,536

 

 

(1,898

)

 

 

—

 

 

 

2,638

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

58,240

 

$

5,562

 

 

$

(22,241

)

 

$

41,561

 

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241125974807/en/

Investor & Media Contact Friederike Edelmann VP of Investor Relations & Corporate Sustainability [phone] | [e-mail]