EXHIBIT 12.1 COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES FISCAL YEAR FISCAL YEAR FISCAL YEAR NINE MONTH FISCAL YEAR THREE MONTHS ENDED ENDED ENDED PERIOD ENDED ENDED ENDED DECEMBER 27, DECEMBER 26, DECEMBER 25, SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 28, DECEMBER 28, 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1996 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------- ------------- ------------ Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest...... 3,938 6,605 2,341 1,983 14,465 (3,116) Fixed charges(1)........ 4,286 4,029 6,037 6,414 4,826 1,156 ----- ------ ----- ----- ------ ------ Total earnings and fixed charges........ 8,224 10,634 8,378 8,397 19,291 (1,960) Fixed charges(1)........ 4,286 4,029 6,037 6,414 4,826 1,156 Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(2)....... 1.92 2.64 1.39 1.31 4.00 -- ===== ====== ===== ===== ====== ====== - -------- (1) Fixed charges consist of interest expense incurred and the portion of rental expense under operating leases deemed by the Company to be representative of the interest factor. (2) Earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges by $0.8 million in the three months ended December 28, 1996.