QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

Exhibit 12.1

Ratio of Earning to Fixed Charges

	2000			Three Months End Dec. 31, 2000			2001			2002		2003		2004
Fixed Charges:
Interest expensed & capitalized	$	7,735		$	4,285		$	16,922		$	14,354	$	13,372	$	12,528
Amortized premiums, discounts, & capitalized expenses related to indebtedness		—			—			—			—		—		—
Estimate of interest within rental expense		2,749			1,296			5,707			5,845		5,780		6,229
Preference security dividend requirements		—			—			—			—		—		—
Total Fixed Charges	$	10,484		$	5,581		$	22,629		$	20,135	$	19,152	$	18,757
Earnings:
Pretax Income		(2,246	)		(3,203	)		(13,822	)		2,257		3,315		4,546
Fixed Charges		10,484			5,581			22,629			20,135		19,152		18,757
Amortization of capitalized interest		—			—			—			—		—		—
Distributed income of equity investees		—			—			—			—		—		—
Co. share of pre-tax losses of equity investees for which charges arriving from guarantees are included in fixed charges		—			—			—			—		—		—
Subtotal		8,238			2,378			8,807			22,392		22,467		23,303
Interest capitalized		—			—			—			—		—		—
Preference security dividend requirements of consolidated subsidiaries		—			—			—			—		—		—
Minority interest in pre-tax income of minority subsidiaries that have not incurred fixed charges		—			—			—			—		—		—
Total	$	8,238		$	2,378		$	8,807		$	22,392	$	22,467	$	23,303
Ratio:		0.8			0.4			0.4			1.1		1.2		1.2

QuickLinks

Exhibit 12.1

Ratio of Earning to Fixed Charges