EXHIBIT 12 CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (Dollars in thousands)
Nine-Month Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Period Ended Ended Ended Ended Ended September 30, September 28, September 27, September 26, September 25, 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Income before income taxes $1,983 $14,465 $30,368 $58,095 $43,733 Fixed charges (1) 6,414 4,826 7,609 8,807 13,755 -------- ------- ------- ------- -------- Total earnings and fixed charges 8,397 19,291 37,977 66,902 57,488 Fixed charges (1) $6,414 $ 4,826 $ 7,609 $ 8,807 $13,755 Ratio of earnings to fix charges 1.31 4.00 4.99 7.60 4.18 ======== ======= ======= ======= =======
(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.