Exhibit 12 ---------- DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC. COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF CONSOLIDATED EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (Dollar Amounts in Thousands) Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- February 27, February 28, February 27, February 28, 2000 1999 2000 1999 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Consolidated Earnings from Operations Before Income Taxes..................... $ 72,715 $ 58,517 $ 183,907 $ 137,045 Plus Fixed Charges......................... 12,151 9,673 32,504 30,120 Less Capitalized Interest.................. (441) (117) (1,340) (637) ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Consolidated Earnings from Operations Before Income Taxes Available to Cover Fixed Charges..................... $ 84,425 $ 68,073 $ 215,071 $ 166,528 ========== ========== ========== ========== Ratio of Consolidated Earnings to Fixed Charges................................. 6.95 7.04 6.62 5.53 ========== ========== ========== ========== - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17