Exhibit 12.1
Whole Foods Market, Inc.
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
Sep 30 Sep 24 Sep 26 Sep 27 Sep 28
2001 2000 1999 1998 1997
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Earnings:
Income (loss) from continuing operations before
income taxes and accounting change 95,455 77,585 65,616 63,148 35,487
Rent Expense 57,326 47,149 38,417 34,786 28,953
x1/3 x1/3 x1/3 x1/3 x1/3
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One-third of rent expense 19,109 15,716 12,806 11,595 9,651
Interest expense 17,891 15,093 8,248 7,677 6,033
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Fixed charges to add to earnings 37,000 30,809 21,054 19,272 15,684
Total available earnings 132,455 108,394 86,670 82,420 51,171
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Fixed charges:
Interest expense 17,891 15,093 8,248 7,677 6,033
Capitalized interest 2,112 2,274 1,759 735 769
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Total interest 20,003 17,367 10,007 8,412 6,802
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One-third of rent expense 19,109 15,716 12,806 11,595 9,651
Total fixed charges 39,112 33,083 22,813 20,007 16,453
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Ratio of earnings to fixed charges 3.39x 3.28x 3.80x 4.12x 3.11x
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