Central Garden & Pet Company
Company History
Central Garden & Pet History: Founding, Growth & Key Milestones
Founded 1955 in Walnut Creek, California
When was Central Garden & Pet founded?
Central Garden & Pet was founded in 1955 in Walnut Creek, California by William E. Brown, making it 71 years old.
- Founded
- 1955
- Founding place
- Walnut Creek, California
- Founders
- William E. Brown
- Headquarters today
- Walnut Creek, California
- Milestones documented
- 11 (1955–2026)
- Current CEO
- Nicholas Lahanas
- Acquisitions
- 6
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1955 | Central Garden Supply founded |
| 1980 | William E. Brown takes control |
| 1993 | Initial public offering |
| 1998 | Pennington Seed acquired |
| 2006 | Acquired Farnam Companies |
| 2018 | Bell Nursery Acquired |
| 2019 | Timothy Cofer becomes CEO |
| 2021 | Green Garden Products acquired |
| 2024 | Niko Lahanas becomes CEO |
| 2025 | $3.129 billion in net sales |
| 2026 | Pet distribution exit and TRIXIE deal |
- Where was Central Garden & Pet founded?
- Central Garden & Pet was founded in Walnut Creek, California in 1955.
- Who founded Central Garden & Pet?
- Central Garden & Pet was founded by William E. Brown.
- When did Central Garden & Pet start?
- Central Garden & Pet was founded in 1955.
- How old is Central Garden & Pet?
- Central Garden & Pet is 71 years old as of 2026.
Founding Story
Central's roots go back to 1955, when it began as Central Garden Supply, a lawn-and-garden distributor in Lafayette, California. William E. Brown took control in 1980 and built it into a national distributor serving garden centers and pet stores. The company went public in the early 1990s. As big-box retailers increasingly bought straight from manufacturers, Central began buying the brands it had been distributing, including Kaytee, Four Paws, Nylabone and Pennington Seed in the late 1990s, turning a middleman into a brand owner. Brown remains chairman.
Founders
William E. Brown
William E. 'Bill' Brown is the figure most associated with Central Garden & Pet, although the business itself dates to 1955 as Central Garden Supply in Lafayette, California. After taking control in 1980, Brown expanded it from a regional garden distributor into a national pet and garden distributor and took it public in the early 1990s. When big-box retailers began buying direct from manufacturers, he shifted the company toward owning brands, buying Kaytee, Four Paws, Nylabone and Pennington Seed in the late 1990s. He has remained chairman and holds significant voting power through Central's Class B shares.
Key Milestones
Central Garden Supply founded
The business starts as Central Garden Supply, a lawn-and-garden distributor in Lafayette, California.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgWilliam E. Brown takes control
William E. Brown acquires control and becomes chairman, beginning the company's national expansion.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgInitial public offering
Central goes public on Nasdaq to fund the expansion of its distribution network.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgPennington Seed acquired
After buying pet brands such as Kaytee, Four Paws and Nylabone, Central acquires Pennington Seed, anchoring its garden brands business.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgBell Nursery Acquired
Central Garden and Pet bought the plant grower Bell Nursery in 2018.
Source: ir.central.comTimothy Cofer becomes CEO
Timothy Cofer became CEO of Central Garden & Pet in 2019. CEO from October 14, 2019 until October 6, 2023, when he left for Keurig Dr Pepper.
Source: ir.central.comGreen Garden Products acquired
Central buys Green Garden Products, owner of Ferry-Morse packet seeds, for $532 million.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgNiko Lahanas becomes CEO
Former CFO Nicholas 'Niko' Lahanas becomes CEO on September 29, 2024, after Beth Springer's interim term.
Source: en.wikipedia.org$3.129 billion in net sales
Fiscal 2025 net sales are $3.129 billion with record GAAP EPS of $2.55; in December Central buys the U.S. assets of Champion USA (JustiFLY).
Source: businesswire.comPet distribution exit and TRIXIE deal
Central moves pet distribution into a joint venture with Phillips Pet Food & Supplies (April) and agrees to buy 80% of Germany's TRIXIE for up to $452 million (EUR 400 million) (July).
Source: ir.central.comMajor Acquisitions
Pennington Seed
1998Added a leading grass seed and wild bird feed brand to anchor the Garden business.
Farnam Companies
2006Entered equine and animal health products.
Green Garden Products
2021Added Ferry-Morse and other packet seed brands, making Central a leader in vegetable and flower seed packets.
TDBBS
2023Added premium natural dog chews and treats, bought from Bregal Partners.
Champion USA (U.S. assets)
2025Added the JustiFLY cattle fly-control line to Central's animal health business.
TRIXIE Heimtierbedarf (80% stake, pending)
2026Agreed July 2026 for ~$384 million (EUR 340 million) at closing plus up to $67.8 million (EUR 60 million) in earn-outs; gives Central a European pet supplies platform serving 30,000+ retailers. Closing expected in the first half of fiscal 2027.
Keep researching Central Garden & Pet
Central Garden & Pet Company History FAQ
When was Central Garden & Pet established and what was its original name?
The business dates to 1955, when it began as Central Garden Supply, a lawn-and-garden distributor in Lafayette, California. William E. Brown took control in 1980.
When did the company expand into pet supplies?
Central expanded from garden products into pet supplies distribution under William E. Brown, and the combined business became Central Garden & Pet.
When did Central go public?
Central Garden & Pet went public on Nasdaq in the early 1990s, using the capital to expand its distribution network and later to buy brands.
How did Central transition from a distributor to a brand owner?
In the late 1990s Central acquired manufacturers including Kaytee, Four Paws, Nylabone and Pennington Seed, shifting from distributing other companies' goods to owning brands.
When did Central acquire Farnam Companies?
Central acquired Farnam Companies in 2006, entering equine and animal health products.
When did Central launch its non-voting Class A shares (CENTA)?
In 2007, Central created Class A common stock (ticker: CENTA) to facilitate capital raising and stock-based acquisitions while preserving long-term corporate voting governance under founder William Brown.
When did Central acquire Green Garden Products?
Central acquired Green Garden Products, owner of Ferry-Morse packet seeds, for $532 million in 2021. It also owns live plant grower Bell Nursery.
What does Central Garden & Pet look like today?
Central reported $3.129 billion in fiscal 2025 net sales and over 6,800 employees. In 2026 it exited pet distribution and agreed to buy 80% of Germany's TRIXIE.
When was Central Garden & Pet founded?
It was founded in 1980 by William Brown in Walnut Creek, California. Brown initially bought a struggling wholesale distributor and transformed it into a massive roll-up of pet and garden brands.
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