<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 12
STATER BROS. HOLDINGS INC.
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Years Ended
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sept. 29, Sept. 28, Sept. 27, Sept. 26, Sept. 24,
1996(1) 1997(2) 1998(2) 1999(2) 2000(2)
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Earnings:
Income (loss) before income taxes ..... $ 27,131 $ 22,510 $ 2,496 $ 14,453 $(11,760)
Share of undistributed (income)
loss of less than 50%-owned
affiliates .......................... 1,624 -- -- -- --
Amortization of capitalized
interest ............................ 190 139 321 324 326
Interest .............................. 19,171 21,384 30,578 35,260 54,936
Less interest capitalized
during the period ................... (116) (1,263) (1,135) (64) (35)
Net amortization of debt
discount and premium
and issuance expense ................ 1,203 1,460 2,797 2,771 2,542
Interest portion of rental expense .... 13,918 15,305 15,683 16,031 20,333
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Earnings as adjusted ................ $ 63,121 $ 59,535 $ 50,740 $ 68,775 $ 66,342
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Fixed Charges:
Interest .............................. $ 19,171 $ 21,384 $ 30,578 $ 35,260 $ 54,936
Net amortization of debt
discount and premium
and issuance expense ................ 1,203 1,460 2,797 2,771 2,542
Interest portion of rental
expense ............................. 13,918 15,305 15,683 16,031 20,333
Preferred stock dividends ............. 6,967 10,451 -- -- --
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Fixed Charges ....................... $ 41,259 $ 48,600 $ 49,058 $ 54,062 $ 77,811
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Ratio of Earnings to
Fixed Charges ................. 1.53 1.23 1.03 1.27 0.85
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
(1) 53-Week Fiscal Year
(2) Includes the Company's 50% share of the fixed charges and earnings of an
unconsolidated affiliate.