EXHIBIT 12 DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC. COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF CONSOLIDATED EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (Dollar Amounts in Thousands) Fiscal Year Ended - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ May 30, May 25, May 26, May 27, May 28, 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (as restated) (as restated) (as restated) (as restated) (as restated) Consolidated Earnings from Operations before Income Taxes .................... $332,776 $337,603 $355,435 $294,654 $267,658 Plus Fixed Charges: Gross Interest Expense.................. 47,710 47,566 41,493 35,196 24,999 40% of Restaurant and Equipment Minimum Rent Expense................ 22,608 21,536 20,600 19,352 18,834 ---------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ----------- Total Fixed Charges........... $ 70,318 $ 69,102 $ 62,093 $ 54,548 $ 43,833 Less Capitalized Interest.................. (3,500) (3,470) (3,653) (3,671) (1,910) ---------- ----------- ------------ ------------ ----------- Consolidated Earnings from Operations before Income Taxes Available to Cover Fixed Charges..................... $399,594 $403,235 $413,875 $345,531 $309,581 ========== =========== ============ ============ =========== Ratio of Consolidated Earnings to Fixed Charges ................................ 5.68 5.84 6.67 6.33 7.06 ========== =========== ============ ============ =========== - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------