Exhibit 12
DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF CONSOLIDATED EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(Dollar amounts in millions)
(Unaudited)
| Quarter Ended | Six Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
| November 28, 2010 | November 29, 2009 | November 28, 2010 | November 29, 2009 | |||||||||||||
Consolidated earnings from continuing operations before income taxes | $ | 103.2 | $ | 80.7 | $ | 262.3 | $ | 210.9 | ||||||||
Plus fixed charges: | ||||||||||||||||
Gross interest expense(1) | 24.4 | 24.8 | 50.1 | 51.3 | ||||||||||||
40% of restaurant and equipment minimum rent expense | 11.9 | 11.0 | 23.5 | 21.9 | ||||||||||||
Total fixed charges | 36.3 | 35.8 | 73.6 | 73.2 | ||||||||||||
Less capitalized interest | (0.7 | ) | (0.1 | ) | (1.4 | ) | (2.6 | ) | ||||||||
Consolidated earnings from continuing operations before income taxes available to cover fixed charges | $ | 138.8 | $ | 116.4 | $ | 334.5 | $ | 281.5 | ||||||||
Ratio of consolidated earnings from continuing operations to fixed charges | 3.8 | 3.3 | 4.5 | 3.8 | ||||||||||||
| (1) | Gross interest expense includes interest recognized in connection with our unrecognized income tax benefits. |
