Central Garden & Pet Company (CENTA) vs Freshpet, Inc. (FRPT)
A side-by-side comparison of Central Garden & Pet Company and Freshpet, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of October 6, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CENTA
Central Garden & Pet Company
$34.51Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Oct 6, 2026, 1:05 PM EDT
FRPT
Freshpet, Inc.
$62.68Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Oct 6, 2026, 1:00 PM EDT
Total return — CENTA vs FRPT
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCENTA +76.3% (+5.8%/yr)FRPT +609.0% (+21.6%/yr)FRPT compounded faster over this window
CENTA FRPT
CENTA vs FRPT: by the numbers
- •FRPT is the larger company ($3.08B vs $2.48B market cap).
- •CENTA trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (12.88 vs 16.50 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •FRPT converts more revenue to profit (17.28% vs 5.39% net margin).
- •FRPT grew revenue faster over the past five years (26.00% vs -0.98% CAGR).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CENTA | FRPT |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 12.88 | 16.50 |
| Forward P/E | 11.06 | 32.42 |
| PEG ratio | 4.29 | N/A |
| P/S ratio | 0.80 | 2.62 |
| P/B ratio | 1.42 | 2.49 |
| EV / EBITDA | 7.70 | 16.30 |
| FCF yield | 13.96% | 0.66% |
Profitability
| Metric | CENTA | FRPT |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 32.54% | 39.29% |
| Operating margin | 8.11% | 8.83% |
| Net margin | 5.39% | 17.28% |
| ROE | 9.53% | 16.44% |
| ROIC | 5.88% | 6.02% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CENTA | FRPT |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | -0.98% | 26.00% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 2.96% | N/A |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.25% | N/A |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -0.15% | -15.77% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CENTA or FRPT?
- CENTA has the lower trailing P/E: CENTA trades at 12.88 and FRPT at 16.50. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CENTA or FRPT?
- Over the past five years, FRPT grew revenue faster — CENTA at a -0.98% CAGR versus FRPT at 26.00%.
- Is CENTA or FRPT more profitable?
- FRPT runs the higher net margin — CENTA at 5.39% versus FRPT at 17.28%.
- How have CENTA and FRPT total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CENTA delivered 5.33% and FRPT delivered 21.64% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Central Garden & Pet P/E ratioFreshpet P/E ratioCentral Garden & Pet ROEFreshpet ROECentral Garden & Pet operating marginFreshpet operating marginCentral Garden & Pet revenue growthFreshpet revenue growthCentral Garden & Pet free cash flowFreshpet free cash flow
Central Garden & Pet & Freshpet appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified October 6, 2026.