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EXHIBIT 12
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DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF CONSOLIDATED EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(Dollar Amounts in Thousands)
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Fiscal Year Ended
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May 28, May 30, May 31, May 25, May 26,
2000 1999 1998 1997 1996
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<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Consolidated Earnings from Operations
before Restructuring and Asset
Impairment Expense or (Credit), Net, and
Income Taxes ............................. $ 267,976 $ 207,414 $ 153,672 $ 75,401 $ 188,718
Plus Fixed Charges .......................... 43,833 39,929 38,569 39,582 40,822
Less Capitalized Interest ................... (1,910) (593) (1,018) (739) (2,007)
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Consolidated Earnings from Operations
before Restructuring and Asset Impairment
Expense or (Credit), Net, and Income Taxes
Available to Cover Fixed Charges ......... $ 309,899 $ 246,750 $ 191,223 $ 114,244 $ 227,533
========= ========= ========= ========= =========
Ratio of Consolidated Earnings to Fixed
Charges .................................. 7.07 6.18 4.96 2.89 5.57
========= ========= ========= ========= =========
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