EX-12 3 ex-12.htm EXHIBIT 12
EXHIBIT 12
CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY
COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(dollars in thousands)

|  | Fiscal Year Ended
|  | September 24, 2016 |  | September 26, 2015 |  | September 27, 2014 |  | September 28, 2013 |  | September 29, 2012
Income (loss) before income taxes, and income (loss) of equity method investees |  | $ | 70,375 |  |  | $ | 51,675 |  |  | $ | 14,019 |  |  | $ | (3,185 | ) |  | $ | 34,764 |
Fixed charges (1) |  | 43,807 |  |  | 40,847 |  |  | 43,608 |  |  | 44,038 |  |  | 41,162 |
Earnings |  | 114,182 |  |  | 92,522 |  |  | 57,627 |  |  | 40,853 |  |  | 75,926 |
Fixed charges (1) |  | $ | 43,807 |  |  | $ | 40,847 |  |  | $ | 43,608 |  |  | $ | 44,038 |  |  | $ | 41,162 |
Earnings to fixed charges excess (deficiency) |  | $ | 70,375 |  |  | $ | 51,675 |  |  | $ | 14,019 |  |  | $ | (3,185 | ) |  | $ | 34,764 |
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (2) |  | 2.6 |  |  | 2.3 |  |  | 1.3 |  |  | N/M |  |  | 1.8 |

(1) | Fixed charges consist of interest expense, the portion of rental expense under operating leases deemed by management to be representative of the interest factor and amortization of deferred financing costs.

(2) | For the fiscal year ended September 28, 2013, earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by approximately $3.2 million, and the ratio is not meaningful.