Exhibit 12
DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF CONSOLIDATED EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(Dollar amounts in millions)
(Unaudited)
Quarter Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
February 28, 2010 | February 22, 2009 | February 28, 2010 | February 22, 2009 | |||||||||||||
Consolidated earnings from continuing operations before income taxes | $ | 175.4 | $ | 148.5 | $ | 386.4 | $ | 345.4 | ||||||||
Plus fixed charges: | ||||||||||||||||
Gross interest expense(1) | 22.5 | 28.5 | 73.8 | 87.7 | ||||||||||||
40% of restaurant and equipment minimum rent expense | 11.3 | 10.8 | 33.2 | 31.8 | ||||||||||||
Total fixed charges | 33.8 | 39.3 | 107.0 | 119.5 | ||||||||||||
Less capitalized interest | (1.2 | ) | (2.6 | ) | (3.8 | ) | (6.5 | ) | ||||||||
Consolidated earnings from continuing operations before income taxes available to cover fixed charges | $ | 208.0 | $ | 185.2 | $ | 489.6 | $ | 458.4 | ||||||||
Ratio of consolidated earnings from continuing operations to fixed charges | 6.2 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 3.8 | ||||||||||||
(1) | Gross interest expense includes interest recognized in connection with our unrecognized income tax benefits. |