Central Garden & Pet acquires Burpee

Central Garden & Pet Company, a California-based consumer goods company in the pet and garden industries, announced that it has acquired the W. Atlee Burpee Company, a national brand in the packet seed and young plant categories founded in 1876.

The transaction closed Sept. 30, 2026. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

“Burpee is an iconic American brand with a remarkable 150-year legacy of innovation, quality and consumer trust,” said Central Garden & Pet CEO Niko Lahanas. “Its high brand awareness, deep consumer relationships and established digital capabilities make it a compelling addition to our Garden portfolio. Equally important, Burpee shares our values, entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to delivering exceptional products to consumers. We are pleased that Burpee’s experienced leadership team will continue to lead the business, preserving the culture and expertise that have made it successful. We see significant opportunities to build on Burpee’s strong foundation, leverage Central’s scale and capabilities and drive long-term growth in an attractive and resilient garden market.”

Burpee's comprehensive portfolio of seeds, plants and garden supplies is sold across a diversified set of channels including mass merchandise, grocery and club, e-commerce and catalog, home improvement, and farm and fleet retailers.

“Burpee is an unmatched, beloved brand in home gardening, and my goal in this transaction was to find it a home that would be a strong steward of that legacy,” said George Ball, former owner and executive chair of Burpee. “Central Garden & Pet appreciates what makes Burpee special as a brand and a company and brings the resources to help accelerate our growth and create new opportunities for our employees. I’m confident Burpee will continue to flourish as a standalone business under its current leadership team, bringing new and innovative varieties to gardeners for years to come.”

Burpee will operate as a separate entity and will continue to be headquartered in Pennsylvania. Burpee CEO Jamie Mattikow will continue to lead the business following the transaction.

Central's diversified portfolio of brands includes Amdro, Aqueon, Best Bully Sticks, Cadet, C&S, Farnam, Ferry-Morse, Kaytee, Nylabone, Pennington, Sevin and Zoëcon. With fiscal 2025 net sales of $3.1 billion, Central employs over 6,000 people, primarily across North America.

Central was represented by Baker Botts as its legal adviser. Burpee was represented by William Blair as its financial adviser and Stradley Ronon as its legal adviser.

Central will provide additional details on the acquisition during its fiscal fourth quarter and year-end earnings call.