CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO

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, projected cost savings, the expected impact of tariffs, capital

expenditures, financing needs, plans or intentions relating to acquisitions, our competitive strengths and weaknesses, our business strategy

and the trends we anticipate in the industries and markets 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

examination of historical operating trends, 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, 2024, 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:

•economic uncertainty and other adverse macroeconomic conditions, including a potential recession;

•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 and climate change;

•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 significant declines 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;

•potential credit risk associated with certain brick and mortar retailers in the pet specialty segment;

•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.

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION