EXHIBIT 12

 

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

 

COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

     Fiscal Year Ended
     September 25,
1999
    September 30,
2000
     September 29,
2001
     September 28,
2002
    September 27,
2003

Income (loss) before income taxes, cumulative effect of accounting change, and income (losses) associated with equity investees

    $ 42,135    $ (10,607 )   $ (9,021 )   $ 44,156    $ 53,139

Fixed charges (1)

      13,755      24,841       24,863       15,689      20,552
    
  
 
 
  

Earnings

      55,890      14,234       15,842       59,845      73,691

Fixed charges (1)

    $ 13,755    $ 24,841     $ 24,863     $ 15,689    $ 20,552

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

      4.06      0.57       0.64       3.81      3.59
    
  
 
 
  
(1) Fixed charges consist of interest expense, the portion of rental expense under operating leases deemed by management to be representative of the interest factor and amortization of deferred financing costs.