Central Garden & Pet (CENTA) vs Freshpet (FRPT)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Freshpet (FRPT) has outperformed Central Garden & Pet (CENTA) over the past year, gaining 31.7% versus a gain of 27.1%. Over five years, CENTA leads with a -2.7% price change compared with -56.1% for FRPT. Freshpet is the larger company by market cap ($3.13 billion vs $2.19 billion), about 1.4 times the size.
On valuation, Central Garden & Pet trades at a lower forward P/E (11.5x vs 33.2x for Freshpet). Freshpet converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 12.6% versus 5.2%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | CENTA | FRPT |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $35.02 | $65.18 |
| Market cap | $2.19B | $3.13B |
| 1-day change | +0.81% | +3.05% |
| YTD return | +19.97% | +6.98% |
| 1-year return | +27.11% | +31.65% |
| 5-year return | -2.68% | -56.11% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 12.97 | 16.67 |
| Forward P/E | 11.46 | 33.21 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.70 | $3.91 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $3.13B | $1.10B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -2.23% | +13.01% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $162.84M | $139.14M |
| Gross margin | 31.87% | 40.80% |
| Operating margin | 7.99% | 6.87% |
| Net margin | 5.20% | 12.63% |
| 52-week high | $40.80 | $86.00 |
| 52-week low | $25.97 | $46.45 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -14.17% | -24.21% |
| Analyst consensus | none | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +32.07% | +28.78% |
| Average volume | 300.02K | 1.20M |
| Shares outstanding | 51.34M | 48.06M |
| Employees | 6,000 | 1,288 |
| Sector | Consumer Defensive | Consumer Staples |
| Industry | Packaged Foods | Packaged Foods |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Freshpet trades at a higher earnings multiple (16.7x vs 13.0x trailing P/E).
- Freshpet is more profitable, keeping 12.6 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 5.2 cents for Central Garden & Pet.
- Freshpet grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+13.01% vs -2.23%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Central Garden & Pet in Consumer Defensive and Freshpet in Consumer Staples.
About Central Garden & Pet
CENTA stock →Central Garden & Pet Company produces and distributes various products for the lawn and garden, and pet supplies markets in the United States. It operates through two segments: Pet and Garden.
Consumer Defensive · Packaged Foods · 6,000 employees
About Freshpet
FRPT stock →Freshpet, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, distributes, and markets natural fresh meals and treats for dogs and cats in the United States, Canada, and Europe. It offers dog food, cat food, and dog treats under the Freshpet brand name; and fresh treats under the Dognation and Dog Joy brand names.
Consumer Staples · Packaged Foods · 1,288 employees
CENTA vs FRPT FAQ
Which is bigger, Central Garden & Pet or Freshpet?
Freshpet (FRPT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.13B compared with $2.19B for Central Garden & Pet (CENTA).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CENTA or FRPT?
FRPT returned +31.65% over the past 12 months, compared with +27.11% for CENTA (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CENTA or FRPT?
CENTA has the lower trailing P/E at 13.0, versus 16.7 for FRPT. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Are Central Garden & Pet and Freshpet in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Packaged Foods industry within the Consumer Defensive sector.