Exhibit 12 DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC. COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF CONSOLIDATED EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (Dollar amounts in thousands) (Unaudited) Quarter Ended - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- August 28, 2005 August 29, 2004 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Consolidated earnings from operations before income taxes..................................... $ 127,998 $ 108,086 Plus fixed charges: Gross interest expense.................................. 12,602 11,954 40% of restaurant and equipment minimum rent expense.......................................... 6,534 5,989 ------------ ------------ Total fixed charges................................. 19,136 17,943 Less capitalized interest.................................. (735) (903) ------------ ------------ Consolidated earnings from operations before income taxes available to cover fixed charges.......................................... $ 146,399 $ 125,126 ============ ============ Ratio of consolidated earnings to fixed charges................................................. 7.65 6.97 ============ ============ - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------