<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-12.1
<SEQUENCE>6
<FILENAME>a75980ex12-1.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 12.1
<TEXT>
<PAGE>   1

                                  EXHIBIT 12.1
                     CKE RESTAURANTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
                             (Dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           Twenty-Eight Weeks Ended
                                                     -------------------------------------
                                                     August 13, 2001       August 14, 2000
                                                     ---------------       ---------------
<S>                                                  <C>                   <C>
Earnings before fixed charges:
    Loss before income taxes
                                                         $(72,048)            $(26,718)
Fixed charges                                              48,752               54,116
                                                         --------             --------
                                                         $(23,296)            $ 27,398
                                                         ========             ========

Fixed charges:
    Interest expense                                     $ 35,031             $ 37,245
    Interest component of rent expense (1)                 13,721               16,871
                                                         --------             --------

                                                         $ 48,752             $ 54,116
                                                         ========             ========

Deficiency of earnings to cover fixed charges            $ 72,048             $ 26,718
                                                         ========             ========
</TABLE>

----------
(1) Calculated as one-third of total rent expense


</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>