EXHIBIT 12.1
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table shows the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the 27 days
ending December 31, 2003, the period from January 1, 2003 to December 4, 2003,
the years ending December 31, 2002, 2001, and 2000, the period from August 8,
1999 to December 31, 1999, and the period from February 7, 1999 to August 7,
1999. We have computed these ratios by dividing earnings available for fixed
charges (income before income taxes and fixed charges) by fixed charges
(interest cost, amortization of debt expense, and the portion of rental expenses
deemed to be representative of the interest factor in those rentals).
COMPUTATION OF GNC CORPORATION RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(Dollars in millions, except ratios)
PREDECESSOR
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------------
PERIOD FROM PERIOD FROM PERIOD FROM
FEBRUARY 7, AUGUST 8, JANUARY 1,
1999 TO 1999 TO 2003 TO
AUGUST 7, DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 4,
1999 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------
Earnings (deficit)
available for fixed
charges:
Income (deficit) before
income taxes ............ $(12.8) $(20.8) $(175.4) $(70.0) $(70.2) $(759.4)
Interest Expense .......... 24.8 56.8 143.2 141.8 138.0 122.5
Estimated interest
component of net
rental expense .......... 15.3 11.0 36.3 37.5 38.9 35.2
Amortization of
debt expense ............ -- -- 50.0 50.0 -- 91.8
Preferred dividend
requirements ............ -- -- -- -- -- --
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Earnings available
for fixed charges .... $ 27.3 $ 47.0 $ 54.1 $159.3 $106.7 $(509.9)
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ======
Fixed Charges:
Interest Expense .......... $ 24.8 $ 56.8 $143.2 $141.8 $138.0 $122.5
Amortization
of debt expense ......... -- -- 50.0 50.0 -- 91.8
Estimated interest
component of net
rental expense .......... 15.3 11.0 36.3 37.5 38.9 35.2
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total fixed charges .... $ 40.1 $ 67.8 $229.5 $229.3 $176.9 $249.5
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ======
Consolidated Ratio
of Earnings to Fixed Charges 0.7 0.7 0.2 0.7 0.6 (2.0)
Deficit (1) .................. $ 12.8 $ 20.8 $175.4 $ 70.0 $ 70.2 $759.4
SUCCESSOR PREDECESSOR SUCCESSOR PRO FORMA
----------- ----------- ----------- -------------------------
PERIOD FROM SIX SIX SIX SIX
DECEMBER 5, MONTHS MONTHS MONTHS MONTHS
2003 TO ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
DECEMBER 31, JUNE 30, JUNE 30, JUNE 30, JUNE 30,
2003 2003 2004 2003 2004
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Earnings (deficit)
available for fixed
charges:
Income (deficit) before
income taxes ............ $ 0.6 $(23.1) $ 48.2 $ 39.2 $(635.6)
Interest Expense .......... 2.8 64.8 17.2 15.6 31.9
Estimated interest
component of net
rental expense .......... 2.7 19.2 18.3 19.2 37.9
Amortization of
debt expense ............ -- 75.0 2.9 75.0 91.8
Preferred dividend
requirements ............ -- -- 6.2 -- --
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Earnings available
for fixed charges .... $ 6.1 $135.9 $ 92.9 $149.0 $(474.0)
====== ====== ====== ====== =======
Fixed Charges:
Interest Expense .......... $ 2.8 $ 64.8 $ 17.2 $ 15.6 $ 31.9
Amortization
of debt expense ......... -- 75.0 2.9 75.0 91.8
Estimated interest
component of net
rental expense .......... 2.7 19.2 18.3 19.2 37.9
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total fixed charges .... $ 5.5 $159.0 $ 38.5 $109.8 $ 161.6
====== ====== ====== ====== +======
Consolidated Ratio
of Earnings to Fixed Charges 1.1 0.9 2.41 1.36 (2.93)
Deficit (1) .................. $ -- $ 23.1 $ -- $ -- $ 635.6
(1) Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges in the period from
February 7, 1999 to August 7, 1999, the period from August 8, 1999 to December
31, 1999, the years ended December 31, 2000, 2001, and 2002, and the period from
January 1, 2003 to December 4, 2003.