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.

Compare

Total return — CENTA vs FRPT

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
CENTA +76.3% (+5.8%/yr)FRPT +609.0% (+21.6%/yr)FRPT compounded faster over this window
05001k2k2kStart $10020182020202220242026$176$709
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

MetricCENTAFRPT
P/E ratio12.8816.50
Forward P/E11.0632.42
PEG ratio4.29N/A
P/S ratio0.802.62
P/B ratio1.422.49
EV / EBITDA7.7016.30
FCF yield13.96%0.66%

Profitability

MetricCENTAFRPT
Gross margin32.54%39.29%
Operating margin8.11%8.83%
Net margin5.39%17.28%
ROE9.53%16.44%
ROIC5.88%6.02%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCENTAFRPT
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.

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.