EXHIBIT 12 SODEXHO MARRIOTT SERVICES, INC. COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES ($ in millions) FISCAL YEAR FISCAL YEAR 34 WEEKS FISCAL YEAR ENDED ------------------------------- 2000 1999 AUGUST 28, 1998 1997 1996 1995 -------------- -------------- ------------------ ---------- ---------- --------- Income Before Extraordinary Item $ 63 $ 51 $ 58 $335 $306 $247 Add / (Deduct): Tax and Extraordinary Item 49 41 42 219 196 165 Fixed Charges 85 88 65 179 142 107 Interest Capitalized as Property and Equipment -- -- -- (16) (9) (8) (Income) / Loss Related to certain 50%-or-Less- Owned-Affiliates -- -- -- -- 1 -- -------------- -------------- ------------------ ---------- ---------- --------- Earnings Available For Fixed Charges $197 $180 $165 $717 $636 $511 -------------- -------------- ------------------ ---------- ---------- --------- Fixed Charges: Interest Including Amounts Capitalized as Property and Equipment $ 85 $ 88 $ 65 $126 $94 $61 Portion of Rental Expense Representative of Interest -- -- -- 53 48 45 Share of Interest Expense of certain 50%-or-Less- Owned-Affiliates -- -- -- -- -- 1 -------------- -------------- ------------------ ---------- ---------- --------- Total Fixed Charges $ 85 $ 88 $ 65 $179 $142 $107 -------------- -------------- ------------------ ---------- ---------- --------- Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges 2.3 2.0 2.5 4.0 4.5 4.8 -------------- -------------- ------------------ ---------- ---------- --------- <FN> For the purpose of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges as prescribed by the rules and regulations of the Commission, earnings represent income before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle and extraordinary item, plus, when applicable, (a) taxes on such income, (b) fixed charges, and (c) the Company's equity interest in losses of certain 50%-or-less-owned-affiliates; less (x) undistributed earnings of 50%-or-less-owned-affiliates, and (y) interest capitalized. Fixed charges represent interest (including amounts capitalized), representative of interest, and when applicable, the Company's share of the interest expense of certain 50%-or-less-owned-affiliates. </FN>