EXHIBIT 12
CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY
COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Nine Month
Ended Ended Ended Period Ended
December 27, December 26, December 25, September 30,
1992 1993 1994 1995
------------ ------------ ------------ -------------
Income before income taxes and minority
interest 3,938 6,605 2,341 1,983
Fixed charges (1) 4,286 4,029 6,037 6,414
------------ ------------ ------------ -------------
Total earnings and fixed charges 8,224 10,634 8,378 8,397
Fixed charges (1) 4,286 4,029 6,037 6,414
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 1.92 2.64 1.39 1.31
============ ============ ============ =============
Fiscal Year Nine Month Nine Month
Ended Period Ended Period Ended
September 28, June 29, June 28,
1996 1996 1997
------------ ------------- ------------
Income before income taxes and minority 14,465 12,230 25,933
interest
Fixed charges (1) 4,826 3,978 5,752
------------ ------------- ------------
19,291 16,208 31,685
Fixed charges (1) 4,826 3,978 5,752
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 4.00 4.07 5.51
============ ============= ============
(1) Fixed charges consist of interest expense incurred and the portion of
rental expense under operating leases deemed by the Company to be
representative of the interest factor.