Exhibit 12 DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC. COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF CONSOLIDATED EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (Dollar amounts in thousands) (Unaudited) Quarter Ended --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- August 29, 2004 August 24, 2003 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Consolidated earnings from operations before income taxes..................................... $ 109,889 $ 103,984 Plus fixed charges: Gross interest expense.................................. 11,954 11,904 40% of restaurant and equipment minimum rent expense.......................................... 5,989 5,288 ---------- --------- Total fixed charges................................. 17,943 17,192 Less capitalized interest.................................. (903) (1,066) ---------- --------- Consolidated earnings from operations before income taxes available to cover fixed charges........................................... $ 126,929 $ 120,110 ========== ========= Ratio of consolidated earnings to fixed charges................................................. 7.07 6.99 ========== ========= ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------