EXHIBIT 12

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

(dollars in thousands)

 

     Fiscal Year Ended  
     September 24,
2011
     September 25,
2010
     September 26,
2009
     September 27,
2008
    September 29,
2007
 

Income (loss) before income taxes, and income (loss) of equity method investees

   $ 47,850       $ 76,192       $ 103,893       $ (360,454   $ 54,700   

Fixed charges (1)

     38,918         34,672         23,820         40,394        52,093   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings

     86,768         110,864         127,713         (320,060     106,793   

Fixed charges (1)

   $ 38,918       $ 34,672       $ 23,820       $ 40,394      $ 52,093   

Earnings to fixed charges excess (deficiency)

   $ 47,850       $ 76,192       $ 103,893       $ (360,454   $ 54,700   

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (2)

     2.23         3.20         5.36         N/A        2.05   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(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.
(2) For the year ended September 27, 2008, earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by approximately $360.5 million, and the ratio is not meaningful.