EX-12.1 6 a2184919zex-12_1.htm EXHIBIT 12.1
QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document


Exhibit 12.1

 
   Three Months
Ended 		  Fiscal Year Ended  
 
   March 1,
2009 		  November 30,
2008 		  December 2,
2007 		  November 26,
2006 		  November 27,
2005 		  November 28,
2004 		 
 
   (in thousands)
  

Pre-tax income from operations

   $ 7,773   $ 19,064   $ 114,431   $ 111,830   $ 123,052   $ (49,637 )

Fixed charges:

                                      
 

Interest expense and amortization of debt discount and financing costs

     17,548     60,464     63,976     71,961     79,565     72,731  
 

Rental(1)

     1,697     6,658     6,244     6,047     5,022     5,076  

Total fixed charges

     19,245     67,122     70,220     78,008     84,587     77,807  

Earnings before income taxes and fixed charges

     27,018     86,186     184,651     189,838     207,639     28,170  

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(3)

     1.4 x   1.3 x   2.6 x   2.4 x   2.5 x   — (2)
(1)
The percent of rent included in the calculation of 33% is a reasonable approximation of the interest factor in our operating leases.

(2)
For the year ended November 28, 2004, earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $49.6 million.

(3)
Since there was no preferred stock outstanding during the periods presented, the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends does not differ from the ratio of earnings to fixed charges presented above.



QuickLinks