Central Garden & Pet (CENT) 10-K 2015 FY Annual report

EXHIBIT 12

CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY

COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

(dollars in thousands)

	Fiscal Year Ended
	September 26, 2015		September 27, 2014		September 28, 2013			September 29, 2012		September 24, 2011
Income (loss) before income taxes, and income (loss) of equity method investees	$	51,675	$	14,019	$	(3,185	)	$	34,764	$	47,850
Fixed charges (1)		40,847		43,608		44,038			41,162		38,918
Earnings		92,522		57,627		40,853			75,926		86,768
Fixed charges (1)	$	40,847	$	43,608	$	44,038		$	41,162	$	38,918
Earnings to fixed charges excess (deficiency)	$	51,675	$	14,019	$	(3,185	)	$	34,764	$	47,850
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (2)		2.27		1.32		N/M			1.84		2.23

(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 fiscal year ended September 28, 2013, earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by approximately $3.2 million, and the ratio is not meaningful.