TravelCenters of America (TA) 10-K 6 Jun 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 04, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Document and Entity Information	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'TRAVELCENTERS OF AMERICA LLC	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001378453	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'No	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$264.30
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	37,625,366	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$85,657	$35,189
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,304 and $1,516 as of December 31, 2013, and December 31, 2012, respectively)	105,932	106,273
Inventories	199,201	191,006
Other current assets	79,604	72,458
Total current assets	470,394	404,926
Property and equipment, net	704,866	576,512
Goodwill and intangible assets, net	48,772	20,041
Other noncurrent assets	33,250	28,240
Total assets	1,257,282	1,029,719
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	149,645	143,605
Current HPT Leases liabilities	29,935	28,354
Other current liabilities	124,033	111,168
Total current liabilities	303,613	283,127
Noncurrent HPT Leases liabilities	343,926	351,135
Senior Notes due 2028	110,000	'
Other noncurrent liabilities	45,866	42,023
Total liabilities	803,405	676,285
Commitments and contingencies (Note 18)	'	'
Shareholders' equity:	'	'
Common shares, no par value, 39,158,666 and 31,683,666 shares authorized at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and 37,625,366 and 29,536,466 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively	674,391	605,106
Accumulated other comprehensive income	834	1,299
Accumulated deficit	-221,348	-252,971
Total shareholders' equity	453,877	353,434
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$1,257,282	$1,029,719

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Consolidated Balance Sheets	'	'
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts (in dollars)	$1,304	$1,516
Common shares, par value (in dollars per share)	'	'
Common shares, shares authorized	39,158,666	31,683,666
Common shares, shares issued	37,625,366	29,536,466
Common shares, shares outstanding	37,625,366	29,536,466

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues:	'	'	'
Fuel	$6,481,252	$6,636,297	$6,603,329
Nonfuel	1,450,792	1,344,755	1,271,085
Rent and royalties from franchisees	12,687	14,672	14,443
Total revenues	7,944,731	7,995,724	7,888,857
Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation):	'	'	'
Fuel	6,139,080	6,310,250	6,301,947
Nonfuel	652,824	599,474	548,092
Total cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation)	6,791,904	6,909,724	6,850,039
Operating expenses:	'	'	'
Site level operating	755,942	698,522	677,958
Selling, general & administrative	107,447	95,547	89,196
Real estate rent	209,320	198,927	191,798
Depreciation and amortization	58,928	51,534	47,466
Total operating expenses	1,131,637	1,044,530	1,006,418
Income from operations	21,190	41,470	32,400
Acquisition costs	-2,523	-785	-446
Interest income	1,314	1,485	835
Interest expense	-17,650	-10,358	-9,005
Income before income taxes and income from equity investees	2,331	31,812	23,784
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	26,618	-1,491	-1,379
Income from equity investees	2,674	1,877	1,169
Net income	31,623	32,198	23,574
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of $(133), $55 and $(55), respectively	-415	143	-136
Equity interest in investee's unrealized gain (loss) on investments	-50	22	77
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-465	165	-59
Comprehensive income	$31,158	$32,363	$23,515
Net income per common share:	'	'	'
Basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$1.06	$1.12	$0.98

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc1

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment, taxes	($133)	$55	($55)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'	'
Net income	$31,623	$32,198	$23,574
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Noncash rent expense	-8,828	-9,628	-4,946
Share based compensation expense	4,183	2,470	2,435
Depreciation and amortization expense	58,928	51,534	47,466
Income from equity investees	-2,674	-1,877	-1,169
Distribution from equity investee	'	4,800	'
Amortization of deferred financing costs	667	352	403
Deferred income tax (benefit) provision	-29,386	641	429
Provision for (recovery of) doubtful accounts	-274	349	99
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of business acquisitions:	'	'	'
Accounts receivable	2,138	24,200	-48,444
Inventories	-2,411	-17,045	-27,048
Other assets	8,309	6,529	-6,916
Accounts payable and other liabilities	9,543	-13,131	43,847
Other, net	-305	1,680	411
Net cash provided by operating activities	71,513	83,072	30,141
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'	'
Proceeds from sales of improvements to HPT	77,593	68,156	69,122
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	-109,978	-52,070	-31,216
Capital expenditures	-164,242	-188,694	-124,851
Proceeds from asset sales	588	134	147
Net cash used in investing activities	-196,039	-172,474	-86,798
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of common shares, net of offering costs	65,102	'	53,135
Proceeds from Senior Notes issuance	110,000	'	'
Proceeds from borrowings under credit facility	'	'	1,000
Repayment of borrowings under credit facility	'	'	-1,000
Payment of deferred financing fees	-4,750	-187	-1,542
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions with HPT	6,319	8,598	'
Sale-leaseback financing obligation payments	-1,644	-2,089	-2,046
Net cash provided by financing activities	175,027	6,322	49,547
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-33	14	-31
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	50,468	-83,066	-7,141
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year	35,189	118,255	125,396
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year	85,657	35,189	118,255
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:	'	'	'
Interest paid (including rent classified as interest and net of capitalized interest)	15,226	10,227	10,462
Income taxes paid (net of refunds)	$750	$1,127	$658

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sha

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Shares	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated Deficit
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$239,516	$547,066	$1,193	($308,743)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010	'	18,016,196	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity	'	'	'	'
Grants under share award plan and share based compensation, net of forfeitures	2,435	2,435	'	'
Grants under share award plan and share based compensation, net of forfeitures (in shares)	'	759,475	'	'
Shares issued in public offering, net of offering costs	53,135	53,135	'	'
Shares issued in public offering, net of offering costs (in shares)	'	10,000,000	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-59	'	-59	'
Net income	23,574	'	'	23,574
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	318,601	602,636	1,134	-285,169
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	'	28,775,671	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity	'	'	'	'
Grants under share award plan and share based compensation, net of forfeitures	2,470	2,470	'	'
Grants under share award plan and share based compensation, net of forfeitures (in shares)	'	760,795	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	165	'	165	'
Net income	32,198	'	'	32,198
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	353,434	605,106	1,299	-252,971
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	29,536,466	29,536,466	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity	'	'	'	'
Grants under share award plan and share based compensation, net of forfeitures	4,183	4,183	'	'
Grants under share award plan and share based compensation, net of forfeitures (in shares)	'	613,900	'	'
Shares issued in public offering, net of offering costs	65,102	65,102	'	'
Shares issued in public offering, net of offering costs (in shares)	'	7,475,000	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-465	'	-465	'
Net income	31,623	'	'	31,623
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$453,877	$674,391	$834	($221,348)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	37,625,366	37,625,366	'	'

Basis_of_Presentation_Business

Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Organization	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Organization	'
Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Organization	'
	1. Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Organization
	TravelCenters of America LLC, which we refer to as the Company or we, us and our, operates and franchises travel centers under the "TravelCenters of America," "TA" or related brand names, or the TA brand, and the "Petro Stopping Centers" and "Petro" brand names, or the Petro brand, primarily along the U.S. interstate highway system. Our travel center customers include long haul trucking fleets and their drivers, independent truck drivers and motorists. We also operate convenience stores with retail gasoline stations, primarily under the Minit Mart brand name, that generally serve motorists.
	At December 31, 2013, our geographically diverse business included 247 travel centers in 42 U.S. states and in Canada, including 172 travel centers operating under the TA or related brands, and 75 travel centers operating under the Petro brand. As of December 31, 2013, we operated 217 of these travel centers, which we refer to as company operated sites, and our franchisees operated 30 of these travel centers. Of our 247 travel centers at December 31, 2013, we owned 33, we leased or managed 189 from or for others, including 184 that we leased from Hospitality Properties Trust, or HPT, and franchisees owned or leased from others 25. We sublease to franchisees five of the travel centers we lease from HPT.
	Our travel centers typically include over 25 acres of land and offer customers diesel fuel and gasoline as well as nonfuel products and services such as truck repair and maintenance services, full service restaurants, quick service restaurants, travel stores and other driver amenities. We also collect rents, royalties and other fees from our franchisees.
	As of December 31, 2013, we operated 34 convenience stores in four states, primarily Kentucky. Our typical convenience store includes ten fueling positions and approximately 5,000 square feet of interior space offering merchandise and QSRs. Of our 34 convenience stores at December 31, 2013, we owned 27, we leased five, including one that we leased from HPT, and we operated two for a joint venture in which we own a minority interest.
	We were formed as a Delaware limited liability company on October 10, 2006, by HPT. We were a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of HPT, and we conducted no business activities until January 31, 2007. On January 31, 2007, HPT acquired TravelCenters of America, Inc., our predecessor, through a merger of one of its subsidiaries with TravelCenters of America, Inc. HPT then restructured the business of our predecessor and distributed our then outstanding shares to its shareholders in a spin off transaction. The principal effects of the restructuring were that (i) our predecessor became our 100% owned subsidiary, (ii) subsidiaries of HPT became owners of the real estate at substantially all of the travel centers and certain other assets previously owned by our predecessor as of January 31, 2007, (iii) we entered a lease for that real estate and those other assets, which we refer to as the TA Lease, and (iv) all of the outstanding indebtedness of our predecessor was repaid in full. Herein we refer to this series of transactions as the HPT Transaction. We retained the balance of the assets previously owned by our predecessor and continue their operation.
	On May 30, 2007, we acquired Petro Stopping Centers, L.P., or Petro, from Petro Stopping Centers Holdings, L.P., or Petro Holdings. Also on May 30, 2007, HPT acquired Petro Holdings, which owned the real estate of 40 Petro travel centers. Simultaneously with HPT's acquisition of this real estate, we leased these 40 travel centers from HPT. We refer to this lease as the Petro Lease and we refer to the TA Lease and the Petro Lease collectively as the HPT Leases. Herein we refer to our acquisition of Petro as the Petro Acquisition.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Principles of Consolidation.    Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of TravelCenters of America LLC and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, we, us or the Company). All intercompany transactions and balances with or among our consolidated subsidiaries have been eliminated. We use the equity method of accounting for investments in entities when we have the ability to significantly influence, but not control, the investee's operating and financial policies, typically when we own 20% to 50% of the investee's voting stock. See Note 16 for more information about our equity investments.
	Use of Estimates.    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Segment Reporting.    We manage our business on the basis of one operating segment and, therefore, have one reportable segment. Our locations sell similar products and services, use similar processes to sell those products and services, and sell their products and services to similar groups of customers. We make specific disclosures concerning fuel and nonfuel products and services because it facilitates our discussion of trends and operational initiatives within our business and industry. We have a single travel center located in a foreign country, Canada, and, accordingly, the revenues and assets related to our operations in Canada are considered to be not material.
	Revenue Recognition.    We recognize sales revenues and related costs at the time of final sale to consumers at our company operated locations for retail fuel and nonfuel sales and at the time of delivery of motor fuel to customers at either the terminal or the customer's facility for wholesale fuel sales. We record the estimated cost to us of the redemption by customers of our loyalty program points as a discount against gross sales in determining net sales presented in our consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income.
	For those travel centers that we sublease to a franchisee, we recognize rent revenue based on the amount of rent payment due for each period. These leases specify rent increases each year based on inflation rates for the respective periods or capital improvements we make at the travel center. Because the rent increases related to these factors are contingent upon future events, we recognize the related rent revenue after such events have occurred.
	We collect and recognize franchise royalty revenues monthly as earned. We determine royalty revenues as a percentage of the franchisees' revenues. We recognize initial franchise fee revenues when the franchisee opens for business under our brand name, which is when we have fulfilled all of our initial obligations under the related agreements.
	Motor Fuel and Sales Taxes.    We collect the cost of certain motor fuel and sales taxes from consumers and remit those amounts to the supplier or the appropriate governmental agency. We present these collections and remittances net in the accompanying consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.
	Earnings Per Share.    We calculate basic earnings per common share by dividing net income or loss available to common shareholders (and, if applicable, income from continuing operations, cumulative effect of a change in accounting, extraordinary items and discontinued operations) for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The net income or loss attributable to participating securities is deducted from our total net income or loss to determine the net income or loss attributable to common shareholders. We calculate diluted earnings per common share by adjusting weighted average outstanding shares, assuming conversion of all potentially dilutive share securities, using the treasury stock method; but we had no dilutive share securities outstanding as of December 31, 2013, nor at any time during the three year period then ended. Unvested shares issued under our share award plan are deemed participating securities because they participate equally in earnings or losses with all of our other common shares.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents.    We consider all liquid investments with an initial maturity of three months or less at date of purchase to be cash equivalents. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents is equal to its fair value.
	Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts.    We record trade accounts receivable at the invoiced amount and those amounts do not bear interest. The recorded allowance for doubtful accounts is our best estimate of the amount of probable losses in our existing accounts receivable. We base the allowance on customer risk assessment and historical write off experience. We individually review for collectability past due balances over specific amounts. We review all other balances for collectability on a pooled basis by the type of receivable. We charge off account balances against the allowance when we believe it is probable the receivable will not be recovered.
	Inventories.    We state our inventories at the lower of cost or market value. We determine cost principally on the weighted average cost method.
	Other current assets.    Other current assets primarily consisted of prepaid expenses, the current portion of expected future recoveries of environmental expenditures, and supplier deposits. The most significant item included in other current assets is supplier deposits, which amounted to $29,443 and $39,487 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Property and Equipment.    We recorded property and equipment that we acquired as a result of the HPT Transaction, Petro Acquisition or any subsequent business combination based on their fair market values as of the date of the respective transaction. We charge to expense the costs we incur in evaluating and effecting a business combination, including legal fees, due diligence costs and closing costs, in the period that the costs are incurred. We record all other property and equipment at cost. We depreciate our property and equipment on a straight line basis generally over the following estimated useful lives of the assets:
	Buildings and site improvements	15 to 40 years
	Machinery and equipment	3 to 15 years
	Furniture and fixtures	5 to 10 years
	We depreciate leasehold improvements over the shorter of the lives shown above or the remaining term of the underlying lease. Although the assets related to the qualifying tenant improvements funded by HPT under the tenant improvements allowance that we had fully utilized as of September 30, 2010, are legally owned by HPT, they remained on our balance sheet after the funding by HPT and are amortized over the estimated useful lives of the assets or the remaining term of the lease, whichever is shorter, as depreciation and amortization expense. We account for these leasehold improvements funded through a rental allowance as lease incentives. Amortization expense related to assets recorded in connection with the sale-leaseback financing obligation pertaining to certain travel centers we lease under the TA Lease is included in depreciation and amortization expense over the estimated useful lives of the assets.
	We charge repair and maintenance costs to expense as incurred, while we capitalize renewals and betterments. We remove from the accounts the cost and related accumulated depreciation of property and equipment sold, replaced or otherwise disposed. We recognize any resulting gains or losses in depreciation and amortization in the accompanying consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.
	Capitalized Interest.    We capitalize the portion of our interest expense that is attributable under GAAP to our more significant construction projects over the duration of the respective construction periods. Capitalized interest is amortized to depreciation and amortization expense over the estimated useful life of the corresponding asset.
	Goodwill and Intangible Assets.    We initially recognize our acquired intangible assets, other than goodwill, based on their fair values in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB's, guidance regarding business combinations. This guidance requires an allocation of purchase price to all assets and liabilities acquired, including those intangible assets that arise from contractual or other legal rights or are otherwise capable of being separated or divided from the acquired entity (but excluding goodwill), based on the fair values of the acquired assets and liabilities. Any excess of acquisition cost over the fair value of the acquired net assets is recognized as goodwill. We expense as incurred the costs of internally developing, maintaining, or restoring intangible assets that are not specifically identifiable, that have indeterminate lives or that are inherent in a continuing business and related to the entity as a whole. We amortize the recorded cost of intangible assets with finite lives on a straight line basis over their estimated lives, principally the terms of the related contractual agreements giving rise to them. We do not amortize goodwill or intangible assets with indefinite lives but instead we review these assets for impairment each year (or more frequently if impairment indicators arise). See Note 8 for more information about our intangible assets.
	Internal Use Software Costs.    During the application development stage of an internal use computer software project, we capitalize (i) the external direct costs of materials and services consumed in developing or obtaining the internal use computer software, (ii) to the extent of time spent directly on the project, payroll costs of employees directly associated with, and who devote time to, the project, and (iii) related interest costs incurred. Internal and external costs incurred in the preliminary project stage and post-implementation stage, such as for exploring alternative technologies, vendor selection and maintenance, are expensed as incurred, as are all training costs. We account for the costs of significant upgrades and enhancements that result in additional functionality in the same manner as similar costs for new software projects. We expense as incurred the costs of all other upgrades and enhancements. The amounts capitalized in accordance with this policy are included in the property and equipment balances in our consolidated balance sheets.
	Impairment.    We review definite lived assets for indicators of impairment during each reporting period. We recognize impairment charges when (a) the carrying value of a long lived or indefinite lived asset group to be held and used in the business is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value and (b) when the carrying value of a long lived asset to be disposed of exceeds the estimated fair value of the asset less the estimated cost to sell the asset. Our estimates of fair value are based on our estimates of likely market participant assumptions, including projected operating results, rental payments and the discount rate used to measure the present value of projected future cash flows. If the business climate deteriorates actual results may not be consistent with these assumptions and estimates. We recognize impairment charges in the period during which the circumstances surrounding an asset to be held and used have changed such that the carrying value is no longer recoverable, or during which a commitment to a plan to dispose of the asset is made. The lowest level of asset groupings for which the cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities is the individual location and, accordingly, it is at the individual location level that we perform our impairment analysis for substantially all of our property and equipment.
	We evaluate definite lived intangible assets for impairment when indicators exist and we evaluate goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually. GAAP permits that we first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether a quantitative assessment is required. We subject goodwill and intangible assets to further evaluation and recognize impairment charges when events and circumstances indicate the carrying value of the goodwill or intangible asset exceeds the fair market value of the asset. With respect to goodwill, if we conclude that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, we perform a two-step goodwill impairment test to identify potential goodwill impairment and measure the amount of impairment to be recognized, if any. In the first step of the review process, we compare the estimated fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying value. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, we recognize an impairment loss for the excess, if any, of the carrying value over the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill amount. We determine the estimated fair value of a reporting unit using a combination of market and income approaches. We include impairment charges, when required, in depreciation and amortization expense in our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.
	Deferred Financing Costs.    We capitalize costs incurred to borrow and we amortize those costs as interest expense over the term of the related borrowing using the effective interest method. Deferred financing costs were $5,594 and $1,511 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, net of accumulated amortization of $1,083 and $416, respectively, and are included in other noncurrent assets in our consolidated balance sheets. We recognized $107 of expense to write off deferred financing fees when we entered into an amended and restated loan and security agreement, or the credit facility, in October 2011 and we capitalized $1,542 of costs related to entering the credit facility in 2011. In 2012 we capitalized $165 of costs related to the issuance of our 8.25% Senior Notes due on January 15, 2028, or the Senior Notes, and in 2013 capitalized an additional $4,750 of costs related to the Senior Notes offering. We estimate we will recognize future amortization of deferred financing fees of approximately $680 in 2014 and 2015, $616 in 2016 and $328 in 2017 and 2018. We recognized interest expense from the amortization of deferred financing fees, of $667, $352 and $403 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Classification of Costs and Expenses.    Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation) represents the costs of fuels and other products sold, including freight. Site level operating expenses principally represent costs incurred in operating our locations, consisting primarily of labor (including labor that is sold as service in our truck service facilities), maintenance, supplies, utilities, property taxes, inventory losses, environmental costs, and credit card transaction fees.
	Share Based Employee Compensation.    We recognize compensation cost related to share based payment transactions in the financial statements based on the fair value at the grant date. The awards made under our share award plan to date have consisted of share grants and not share options. Shares issued to directors vest immediately. Shares issued to others vest in five to ten equal annual installments beginning on the date of grant. The compensation expense related to share grants is determined based on the market value of our shares on either the date of grant for employees or the vesting date for nonemployees, as appropriate, with the aggregate value of the granted shares amortized to expense over the related vesting period. We include share based compensation expense in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.
	Environmental Remediation.    We record the expense of remediation costs and penalties when the obligation to remediate is probable and the amount of associated costs is reasonably determinable. We include remediation expenses within site level operating expenses in our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. Generally, the timing of remediation accruals coincides with completion of a feasibility study or the commitment to a formal plan of action. Accrued liabilities related to environmental matters are recorded on an undiscounted basis because of the uncertainty associated with the timing of the related future payments. We record a receivable if recoveries of remediation costs from third parties are probable. In our consolidated balance sheets, the accrual for environmental matters is included in other noncurrent liabilities, with the amount estimated to be expended within the subsequent twelve months included in other current liabilities and the related receivable for probable expected recoveries is included in other noncurrent assets.
	Self Insurance Accruals.    For insurance programs for which we pay deductibles and for which we are partially self insured up to certain stop loss amounts, we establish accruals for both estimated losses on known claims and claims incurred but not reported, based on claims histories and using actuarial methods. In our consolidated balance sheets, the accrual for self insurance costs is included in other noncurrent liabilities, with the amount estimated to be expended within the subsequent twelve months included in other current liabilities.
	Asset Retirement Obligations.    We recognize the future costs for our obligations related to the removal of our underground storage tanks and certain improvements we own at leased properties over the estimated useful lives of each asset requiring removal. We record a liability for the fair value of an asset retirement obligation with a corresponding increase to the carrying value of the related long lived asset at the time such an asset is installed. We amortize the amount recorded as property and equipment and recognize accretion expense in depreciation and amortization in our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income in connection with the discounted liability over the remaining life of the respective asset. We base the estimated liability on our historical experiences in removing these assets, their estimated useful lives, external estimates as to the cost to remove the assets in the future and regulatory or contractual requirements. The liability is a discounted liability using a credit adjusted risk free rate. Revisions to the liability could occur due to changes in removal costs, asset useful lives or if new regulations regarding the removal of underground storage tanks are enacted and/or amendments to the lease contracts are negotiated. See Note 7 for more information about our asset retirement obligations.
	Leasing Transactions.    Leasing transactions are a material part of our business. The following discussion summarizes various aspects of our accounting for leasing transactions and the related balances.
	•
	Operating Lease Expense.  We charge rent under operating leases without scheduled rent increases to expense over the lease term as it becomes payable. Certain operating leases specify scheduled rent increases over the lease term or other lease payments that are not scheduled evenly throughout the lease term. We recognize the effects of those scheduled rent increases in rent expense over the lease term on an average, or straight line, basis. The rent payments resulting from our sales to HPT of improvements to the properties we lease from HPT are contingent rent. Other than at the travel centers discussed below under "Sale-leaseback Financing Obligation," we recognize the expense related to this contingent rent evenly throughout the remaining lease term beginning on the dates of the related sales to HPT.
	•
	Sale-leaseback Financing Obligation.  GAAP governing the transactions related to our entering the TA Lease required us to recognize in our consolidated balance sheets the leased assets at 13 of the travel centers previously owned by our predecessor that we now lease from HPT because we subleased more than a minor portion of those travel centers to third parties, and at one travel center that did not qualify for operating lease treatment for other reasons. Accordingly, we recorded the leased assets at these travel centers at an amount equal to HPT's recorded initial carrying amounts, which were equal to their fair values, and recognized an equal amount of liability that is presented as sale-leaseback financing obligation in our consolidated balance sheets. We recognize a portion of the total rent payments to HPT related to these assets as a reduction of the sale-leaseback financing obligation and a portion as interest expense in our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. We determine the allocation of these rent payments to the liability and to interest expense using the effective interest method. The assets and liabilities resulting from this accounting for the affected sites are derecognized when the subleases end and we defer any resulting gain or loss, as further discussed below under "Deferred Gain on Sale-Leaseback Transactions". At sites for which we have recorded a sale-leaseback financing obligation, we follow this same accounting when we sell to HPT improvements at those sites; the assets remain on our balance sheet and we recognize an increase in the sale-leaseback financing obligation for the amount of proceeds received.
	•
	Deferred Gain on Sale-Leaseback Transactions.  Under GAAP, the gain or loss from the sale portion of a sale-leaseback transaction is deferred and amortized into rent expense on a straight line basis over the term of the lease.
	•
	Deferred Tenant Improvements Allowance.  HPT committed to fund up to $125,000 of capital projects at the sites we lease under the TA Lease without an increase in rent payable by us, which amount HPT had fully funded by September 30, 2010, net of discounting to reflect our accelerated receipt of those funds. In connection with this commitment, we recognized a liability for the rent deemed to be related to this improvement allowance. This improvement allowance was initially recorded at an amount equal to the leasehold improvements receivable we recognized for the discounted value of the then expected future amounts to be received from HPT, based upon our then expected timing of receipt of those tenant improvements funding payments. We amortize the deferred tenant improvements allowance on a straight line basis over the term of the TA Lease as a reduction of rent expense.
	•
	Deferred Rent Obligation.  Pursuant to a rent deferral agreement with HPT, through December 31, 2010, we deferred a total of $150,000 of rent payable to HPT. The deferred rent obligation is payable in two installments, $107,085 in December 2022 and $42,915 in June 2024. This obligation does not bear interest, unless certain events of default or other events occur, including a change of control of us.
	Income Taxes.    We establish deferred income tax assets and liabilities to reflect the future tax consequences of differences between the tax bases and financial statement bases of assets and liabilities. We reduce the measurement of deferred tax assets, if necessary, by a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not the deferred tax asset will not be realized.
	We recognize the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more likely than not threshold, the amount we recognize in the financial statements is the largest benefit that we estimate has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority. We classify interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions, if any, in our financial statements as a component of interest expense and selling, general and administrative expenses, respectively.
	Concentration of Credit Risk.    We grant credit to some of our trucking company customers and are therefore exposed to a concentration of our accounts receivable from that one industry. We may require letters of credit or other collateral from customers based on our evaluation of their credit worthiness.
	Certain Significant Risks and Uncertainties.    We are exposed to risks arising from the changes in the demand for and the price of fuel. Because petroleum products are traded in commodity markets, material changes in demand for and the price of fuel worldwide and financial speculation in these commodities markets may have a material effect upon the prices we have to pay for fuel and may also impact our customers' demand for fuel and other products.
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments.    The fair values of financial instruments classified as current assets or current liabilities approximate the carrying values due to the short term maturity of the instruments. We estimate the fair value of our Senior Notes based on their closing trading price as of the balance sheet date.
	Revisions to prior year financial statements and disclosures.    During the fourth quarter of 2013, we determined that our historical approach to assessing the accounting impact of ownership changes on our net operating loss carryforwards did not consider all of the provisions of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, or the Code. We also identified errors in the recognition and reporting of other deferred tax assets and liabilities disclosed in prior years. For all prior years, we recorded a full valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets. Therefore these errors in the recorded amounts of our tax carryforwards and other deferred tax assets and liabilities were offset by errors in the related valuation allowance and liability for uncertain tax positions and had no effect on the income tax provision recognized in any period. However, these errors did result in misstatements in the presentation of income tax related amounts on our balance sheets as well as disclosures related to income taxes. We have assessed the misstatements in our historical financial statements and determined them to be immaterial.
	We have revised the presentation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012, to correct these errors, resulting in an increase to other current assets and an increase to other noncurrent liabilities of $11,438 in comparison to the amounts originally presented.
	We have also revised our disclosure of the significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2012, to reflect the correction of these errors. These revisions resulted in a decrease in our net deferred tax assets of $66,100, a decrease in our valuation allowance of $71,500, and an increase in our recognized liability for uncertain tax positions of $5,400, in comparison to the amounts originally presented. We have also reclassified certain components of our disclosure of our deferred tax assets and liabilities to conform to current year presentation.
	We failed to properly consider the application of FASB Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, 740 to uncertain tax positions related to our historical approach to evaluating Section 382 of the Code. As a result, we failed to identify and disclose that we had approximately $60,138 of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2012, and overstated our unrestricted federal net operating loss carryforwards as of December 31, 2012, by approximately $108,250. That is, as of December 31, 2012, we disclosed that we had tax carryforwards resulting in deferred tax assets that were offset by a valuation allowance but, upon further analysis, we determined that under GAAP we should have instead disclosed that we had unrecognized tax benefits for the uncertain tax positions we had taken in our tax returns. Our tax footnote disclosure for 2013 includes disclosures for uncertain tax positions.
	These errors do not affect our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income or consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.
	Reclassifications.    Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to be consistent with the current year presentation.
	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	In January 2013, we adopted FASB Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. This update requires companies to report, in one place, information about reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. Companies are also required to present details of reclassifications in the disclosure of changes in accumulated other comprehensive income balances. The update is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The implementation of this update as of January 1, 2013, caused no changes to our consolidated financial statements.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists, which sets forth explicit guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward exists. This guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted. We elected to adopt early the guidance in ASU 2013-11 in our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013, and have applied this guidance retroactively to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012. Accordingly, our unrecognized tax benefits have been presented as a reduction of our net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which establishes a comprehensive revenue recognition standard for virtually all industries in U.S. GAAP. The new standard will apply for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods therein. Early adoption is prohibited. We have not yet determined the effects, if any, adoption of this update may have on our consolidated financial statements.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	3. Earnings Per Share
	Unvested shares issued under our share award plan are deemed participating securities because they participate equally in earnings with all of our other common shares. The following table presents a reconciliation from net income to the net income available to common shareholders and the related earnings per share.
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Net income, as reported	$	31,623	$	32,198	$	23,574
	Less: net income attributable to participating securities		1,957		1,851		1,384
	Net income available to common shareholders	$	29,666	$	30,347	$	22,190
	Weighted average common shares(1)		28,081,790		27,193,889		22,689,063
	Basic and diluted net income per share	$	1.06	$	1.12	$	0.98
	-1
	Excludes the unvested shares granted under our share award plan, which shares are considered participating securities because they participate equally in earnings and losses with all of our other common shareholders. The weighted average number of unvested shares outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, was 1,852,548, 1,658,718 and 1,415,892, respectively.

Accounts_Receivable

Accounts Receivable	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts Receivable	'
Accounts Receivable	'
	4. Accounts Receivable
	Changes in, and balances of, the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable were as follows:
		Balance at		Amounts			Amounts			Balance at
		Beginning		Charged/			Charged Off,			End of
		of Period		(Credited)			Net of			Period
				To Expense			Recoveries
	Year Ended December 31, 2013
	Deducted from accounts receivable for doubtful accounts	$	1,516	$	(274	)	$	62		$	1,304
	Year Ended December 31, 2012
	Deducted from accounts receivable for doubtful accounts	$	1,679	$	349		$	(512	)	$	1,516
	Year Ended December 31, 2011
	Deducted from accounts receivable for doubtful accounts	$	2,023	$	99		$	(443	)	$	1,679

Inventories

Inventories	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Inventories	'
Inventories	'
	5. Inventories
	Inventories at December 31, 2013 and 2012, consisted of the following:
		2013		2012
	Nonfuel products	$	150,600	$	144,025
	Fuel products		48,601		46,981
	Total inventories	$	199,201	$	191,006

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Acquisitions	'
Acquisitions	'
	6. Acquisitions
	During the year ended December 31, 2013, we acquired, for an aggregate amount of $46,245, nine travel centers and the business of one of our franchisees at a travel center that this franchisee previously subleased from us, and we accounted for these transactions as business combinations, except that one of the acquired travel centers was closed at the time we acquired it and was accounted for as an asset acquisition, as required by GAAP. See Note 17 below for further information regarding the acquisition of a former franchisee business and certain lease accounting effects resulting from that transaction.
	On December 16, 2013, we acquired all of the issued and outstanding membership units of Girkin Development, LLC, a Kentucky limited liability company that owns a total of 31 convenience stores in Kentucky and Tennessee, operating under the proprietary Minit Mart brand, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $67,922. We intend to continue to use the Minit Mart brand name, which we own. Four of the Minit Mart sites are leased by us from third parties.
	During the year ended December 31, 2012, we acquired, for an aggregate amount of $52,310, ten travel centers in six business combination transactions and the businesses of our franchisees at four travel centers that these franchisees previously subleased from us in two business combination transactions. Each of these transactions was the purchase of assets for cash and was accounted for as a business combination. See Note 17 below for further information regarding the acquisitions of former franchisee businesses and certain lease accounting effects resulting from those transactions.
	The following table summarizes the amounts assigned, based on their fair values, to the assets we acquired and liabilities we assumed in the business combinations described above.
		Year Ended
		December 31, 2013
	Cash	$	2,651
	Accounts receivable		1,701
	Inventories		5,831
	Other current assets		164
	Property and equipment		96,167
	Leasehold interests		173
	Agreements with franchisors		2,836
	Trademarks		3,800
	Goodwill		23,250
	Other noncurrent assets		295
	Accounts payable and other current liabilities		(7,272	)
	Deferred tax liabilities		(15,780	)
	Other noncurrent liabilities		(1,187	)
	Total purchase price	$	112,629
	During 2013, 2012 and 2011, we incurred $2,523, $785 and $446, respectively, of acquisition costs related to the business combinations described above, which amounts are included in our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. We have included the results of these sites in our consolidated financial statements from their respective dates of acquisition. The pro forma impact of including the results of operations of these acquisitions from the beginning of the period is not material to our consolidated financial statements.
	As of December 31, 2013, we had entered an agreement to acquire a travel center property for approximately $3,000. We completed this acquisition in January 2014.

Property_and_Equipment

Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property and Equipment	'
Property and Equipment	'
	7. Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment, at cost, as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, consisted of the following:
		2013			2012
	Land and improvements	$	214,483		$	176,313
	Buildings and improvements		203,416			120,529
	Machinery, equipment and furniture		252,951			205,195
	Leasehold improvements		200,972			182,955
	Construction in progress		88,361			95,744
			960,183			780,736
	Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization		255,317			204,224
	Property and equipment, net	$	704,866		$	576,512
	Total depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, was $57,456, $46,888 and $42,344, respectively, including impairment charges of $659, $351 and $302 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	The following table shows the amounts of property and equipment owned by HPT but recognized in our consolidated balance sheets and included within the balances of property and equipment shown in the table above, as a result of the required accounting for the assets funded by HPT under the tenant improvements allowance and for the assets that we lease from HPT that did not qualify for sale-leaseback accounting. During 2012, we acquired the businesses of the former franchisees at four travel centers that we subleased to the franchisees and that did not previously qualify for sale-leaseback accounting. Those acquisitions eliminated the sublease such that these sites then qualified for sale-leaseback accounting. Accordingly, we derecognized the undepreciated and unamortized balances of the assets and liabilities related to those sites as of the dates of the respective acquisitions. We reduced our property and equipment balance by $22,229 and our sale-leaseback financing obligation balance by $24,646, resulting in a gain of $2,417 that was deferred and will be amortized as a reduction of rent expense over the remaining term of the TA Lease. In October 2013, the sublease at another one of these travel centers was terminated and we began to operate that travel center. As a result, we reduced our property and equipment balance by $2,030 and our sale-leaseback financing obligation balance by $2,463, resulting in a gain of $433 that was deferred and will be amortized as a reduction of rent expense over the remaining term of the TA Lease.
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Land and improvements	$	60,908		$	62,818
	Buildings and improvements		27,498			21,999
	Machinery, equipment and furniture		5,972			5,925
	Leasehold improvements		115,735			115,820
			210,113			206,562
	Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization		64,144			53,527
	Property and equipment, net	$	145,969		$	153,035
	At December 31, 2013, our property and equipment balance included $5,096 of completed improvement projects and an additional $23,636 in ongoing improvement projects that we expect to request that HPT purchase for an increase in rent in the future; however, HPT is not obligated to purchase those assets.
	The following table shows a reconciliation of our asset retirement obligation liability for the sites we operate that we do not lease from HPT. This liability is included within other noncurrent liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets.
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013			2012		2011
	Balance at beginning of period	$	1,430		$	829	$	485
	Liabilities acquired		693			505		361
	Liabilities settled		(114	)		—		(74	)
	Accretion expense		147			96		57
	Balance at end of period	$	2,156		$	1,430	$	829

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	'
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	'
	8. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	Goodwill and intangible assets, net, as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, consisted of the following:
		Year Ended December 31, 2013
		Cost		Accumulated			Net
				Amortization
	Amortizable intangible assets:
	Agreements with franchisees	$	16,189	$	(7,044	)	$	9,145
	Leasehold interests		2,267		(2,097	)		170
	Agreements with franchisors		2,836		(25	)		2,811
	Other		3,200		(3,200	)		—
	Total amortizable intangible assets		24,492		(12,366	)		12,126
	Carrying value of trademarks (indefinite lived)		11,706		—			11,706
	Total intangible assets		36,198		(12,366	)		23,832
	Goodwill		24,940		—			24,940
	Total goodwill and intangible assets	$	61,138	$	(12,366	)	$	48,772
		Year Ended December 31, 2012
		Cost		Accumulated			Net
				Amortization
	Amortizable intangible assets:
	Agreements with franchisees	$	18,258	$	(7,813	)	$	10,445
	Leasehold interests		2,094		(2,094	)		—
	Other		3,200		(3,200	)		—
	Total amortizable intangible assets		23,552		(13,107	)		10,445
	Carrying value of trademarks (indefinite lived)		7,906		—			7,906
	Total intangible assets		31,458		(13,107	)		18,351
	Goodwill		1,690		—			1,690
	Total goodwill and intangible assets	$	33,148	$	(13,107	)	$	20,041
	Total amortization expense for amortizable intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $1,325, $3,606 and $3,892, respectively, including $282, $215 and $1,034, respectively, related to write offs related to early terminations of franchise and lease agreements for various reasons.
	We amortize our amortizable intangible assets over a weighted average period of 9 years. During 2013, we acquired leasehold interests and agreements with franchisors with weighted average remaining lives of 10 and 6 years, respectively. We estimate the aggregate amortization expense for our amortizable intangible assets to be as follows for each of the next five years:
	Year ending December 31,
	2014	$	1,626
	2015	$	1,538
	2016	$	1,481
	2017	$	1,395
	2018	$	1,272
	Goodwill.    Goodwill results from our business combinations and represents the excess of amounts paid to the sellers over the fair values of the identifiable assets acquired. During 2013 and 2012, we recognized $23,250 and $1,690, respectively, of goodwill in connection with our business combinations. We had not recognized any goodwill as of December 31, 2011. Our goodwill balance includes $9,068 that is deductible for tax purposes. The table below shows the changes in our goodwill during the periods presented.
		Goodwill
	Balance as of December 31, 2011	$	—
	Add: Goodwill from business combinations		1,690
	Balance as of December 31, 2012		1,690
	Add: Goodwill from business combinations		23,250
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	24,940
	The estimate of the value of our goodwill acquired during 2013 was based upon our estimates and assumptions about the fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities assumed we acquired are subject to change if we obtain additional information during the respective measurement period (up to one year from the acquisition date), which may impact the value of our goodwill.

Other_Current_Liabilities

Other Current Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Current Liabilities	'
Other Current Liabilities	'
	9. Other Current Liabilities
	Other current liabilities, as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, consisted of the following:
		2013		2012
	Taxes payable, other than income taxes	$	34,096	$	35,127
	Accrued wages and benefits		14,529		13,494
	Self insurance program accruals, current portion		15,534		14,797
	Loyalty programs accruals		16,700		11,967
	Accrued capital expenditures		10,261		15,327
	Litigation and claims reserve		11,321		1,961
	Environmental reserve, current portion		5,639		7,988
	Other		15,953		10,507
	Total other current liabilities	$	124,033	$	111,168

Other_Noncurrent_Liabilities

Other Noncurrent Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Noncurrent Liabilities	'
Other Noncurrent Liabilities	'
	10. Other Noncurrent Liabilities
	Other noncurrent liabilities, as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, consisted of the following:
		2013		2012
	Self insurance program accruals, noncurrent portion	$	17,858	$	16,573
	Asset retirement obligations		2,156		1,430
	Environmental reserve, noncurrent portion		1,848		2,367
	Deferred tax liabilities, noncurrent portion		18,510		18,367
	Other noncurrent liabilities		5,494		3,286
	Total other noncurrent liabilities	$	45,866	$	42,023

Revolving_Credit_Facility

Revolving Credit Facility	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Revolving Credit Facility	'
Revolving Credit Facility	'
	11. Revolving Credit Facility
	In October 2011, we entered into the credit facility with a group of commercial banks that amended and restated our preexisting credit facility. Under this credit facility, a maximum of $200,000 may be drawn, repaid and redrawn until maturity in October 2016. The availability of this maximum amount is subject to limits based on qualified collateral. Subject to available collateral and lender participation, the maximum amount may be increased to $300,000. The credit facility may be used for general business purposes and provides for the issuance of letters of credit. Generally, no principal payments are due until maturity. Borrowings under the credit facility bear interest at a rate based on, at our option, LIBOR or a base rate, plus a premium (which premium is subject to adjustment based upon facility availability, utilization and other matters). The annual interest rate for our credit facility was 4.5% as of December 31, 2013. Pursuant to the credit facility, we pay a monthly unused line fee which is subject to adjustment according to the average daily principal amount of unused commitment under the credit facility.
	The credit facility requires us to maintain certain levels of collateral, limits our ability to incur debt and liens, restricts us from making certain investments and paying dividends and other distributions, requires us to maintain a minimum fixed charge ratio under certain circumstances and contains other customary covenants and conditions. The credit facility provides for the acceleration of principal and interest payments upon an event of default including, but not limited to, failure to pay interest or other amounts due, a change in control of us, as defined in the credit facility, and our default under certain contracts, including the HPT Leases and our business management and shared services agreement with Reit Management & Research LLC, or RMR. We received a waiver, until June 30, 2014, from lenders under our credit facility of the requirement under our credit facility to furnish audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013, within 90 days of the end of such year. We also received a waiver, until July 31, 2014, of the requirement under our credit facility to furnish unaudited consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2014, within 45 days of such quarter end.
	Our credit facility is secured by substantially all of our cash, accounts receivable, inventory, equipment and intangible assets and the amount available to us is determined by reference to a borrowing base calculation based on eligible collateral. At December 31, 2013, a total of $130,783 was available to us for loans and letters of credit under the credit facility. At December 31, 2013, there were no loans outstanding under the credit facility but we had outstanding $44,866 of letters of credit issued under that facility, securing certain purchases, insurance, fuel tax and other trade obligations. These letters of credit reduce the amount available for borrowing under the credit facility.

Senior_Notes

Senior Notes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Senior Notes	'
Senior Notes	'
	12. Senior Notes
	On January 15, 2013, we issued at par $110,000 aggregate principal amount of our 8.25% Senior Notes, or the Senior Notes, in an underwritten public offering. The Senior Notes are our senior unsecured obligations. The Senior Notes bear interest at 8.25% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year, beginning on April 15, 2013. The Senior Notes mature on January 15, 2028 and no principal payments are required prior to that date. We may, at our option, at any time on or after January 15, 2016, redeem some or all of the Senior Notes by paying 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes to be redeemed plus accrued but unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date. The indenture governing our Senior Notes does not limit the amount of indebtedness we may incur. We may issue additional debt from time to time. The indenture also requires that we file our Exchange Act reports with the indenture trustee within a prescribed time period. We did not maintain compliance with this covenant for the year ended December 31, 2013, but the filing of this Annual Report cures this breach. Our failure to timely file our First Quarter 10-Q, if not cured within a specified time period, could lead to an event of default under the indenture.
	Total costs of the offering of $4,915 were capitalized as deferred financing costs, which are included in other noncurrent assets in our consolidated balance sheet and which are being amortized over the term of the Senior Notes as interest expense.
	We estimate that the fair value of our Senior Notes was $115,192 based on the closing trading price (a Level 1 input) of our Senior Notes on December 31, 2013. The fair value of the Senior Notes exceeds the book value because the Senior Notes were trading at a premium to their par value.

Leasing_Transactions

Leasing Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Leasing Transactions	'
Leasing Transactions	'
	13. Leasing Transactions
	As a lessee.    We have entered into lease agreements covering a majority of our retail locations, our warehouse space, and various equipment and vehicles, with the most significant leases being the two we have entered with HPT as further described below. Certain leases include renewal options, and certain leases include escalation clauses and purchase options. Future minimum lease payments required under leases that had remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year, as of December 31, 2013, were as follows (included herein are the full payments due under the HPT Leases including the amount attributed to those sites that are accounted for as a financing in our consolidated balance sheet as reflected in the sale-leaseback financing obligation):
	Year ending December 31,	Total
	2014	$	233,224
	2015		230,581
	2016		228,273
	2017		226,724
	2018		224,952
	Thereafter		1,157,006
	Total	$	2,300,760
	The expenses related to our operating leases are included in the site level operating expense; selling, general and administrative expense; and real estate rent lines of the operating expenses section of our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. Rent expense under our operating leases consisted of the following:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Minimum rent	$	205,413	$	195,964	$	189,984
	Sublease rent		8,697		8,736		8,625
	Contingent rent		2,540		1,710		790
	Total rent expense	$	216,650	$	206,410	$	199,399
	Pursuant to two leases with HPT, the TA Lease and the Petro Lease, which we refer to collectively as the HPT Leases, we lease 185 properties from HPT. Our TA Lease is for 145 properties that we operate primarily under the TA brand. The TA Lease became effective on January 31, 2007. Our Petro Lease is for 40 properties that we operate under the Petro brand name. Our Petro Lease became effective on May 30, 2007. The TA Lease expires on December 31, 2022. The Petro Lease expires on June 30, 2024, and may be extended by us for up to two additional periods of 15 years each. We have the right to use the "TA", "TravelCenters of America" and other trademarks, which are owned by HPT, during the term of the TA Lease.
	The HPT Leases are "triple net" leases that require us to pay all costs incurred in the operation of the leased properties, including personnel, utilities, acquiring inventories, providing services to customers, insurance, paying real estate and personal property taxes, environmental related expenses, underground storage tank removal costs and ground lease payments at those properties at which HPT leases the property from the owner and subleases it to us. We also are required generally to indemnify HPT for certain environmental matters and for liabilities which arise during the terms of the leases from ownership or operation of the leased properties. The HPT Leases also include arbitration provisions for the resolution of certain disputes, claims and controversies. See Note 17 for a further description of the HPT Leases and related transactions and relationships.
	As a lessor.    As of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, five, six and ten, respectively, of the travel centers we lease from HPT were subleased to franchisees under operating lease agreements. Prior to the HPT Transaction, our predecessor owned these sites and leased them to these franchisees. During 2013 and 2012, we acquired the operations at one and four, respectively, of the travel centers that previously had been subleased from us to former franchisees. The current terms of the five remaining sublease agreements expire between June and September 2017. Four of the five subleases have one remaining renewal option for an additional five year period; the fifth sublease has no further renewal option. These leases include rent escalations that are contingent on future events, namely inflation or our investing in capital improvements at these travel centers. Rent revenue from these operating leases totaled $4,869, $5,724 and $5,152 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Future minimum lease payments due to us for the five subleased sites under these operating leases as of December 31, 2013, were as follows:
	Year ending December 31,	Total
	2014	$	4,292
	2015		4,292
	2016		4,292
	2017		2,412
	Total	$	15,288

Shareholders_Equity

Shareholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Shareholders' Equity	'
Shareholders' Equity	'
	14. Shareholders' Equity
	In December 2013 and May 2011, we issued 7,475,000 and 10,000,000, respectively, common shares in public offerings, raising proceeds of approximately $65,102 and $53,135, respectively, after underwriters' discounts and commissions and other costs of the offering.
	Share Award Plan.    An aggregate of 6,000,000 of our common shares were authorized for issuance under the terms of our Amended and Restated 2007 Equity Compensation Plan, or the Plan. We awarded a total of 619,075, 767,925 and 760,875 common shares under the Plan during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, with aggregate market values of $6,626, $3,377 and $3,363, respectively, based on the closing prices of our common shares on the exchange on which they were traded on the dates of the awards. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, we recognized total share based compensation expense of $4,183, $2,470 and $2,435, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the vesting date fair value of common shares that vested was $6,454, $2,554 and $2,301, respectively.
	The weighted average grant date fair value of common shares issued in 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $10.70, $4.40 and $4.42, per share, respectively. Shares issued to directors vest immediately and the related compensation expense is recognized on the grant date. Shares issued to others vest in five to ten equal annual installments beginning on the date of grant. The related compensation expense is determined based on the market value of our shares on either the date of grant for employees or the vesting date for nonemployees, as appropriate, with the aggregate value of the granted shares expensed over the related vesting period. As of December 31, 2013, 1,533,300 shares remained available for issuance under the Plan. As of December 31, 2013, there was a total of $10,930 of share based compensation related to unvested shares that will be expensed over a weighted average remaining service period of 5.3 years. The following table sets forth the number and weighted average grant date fair value of unvested common shares and common shares issued under the Plan for the year ended December 31, 2013.
		Number			Weighted Average
		of			Grant Date
		Shares			Fair Value
					Per Share
	Unvested shares balance as of December 31, 2012		1,838,165		$	4.45
	Granted during 2013		619,075		$	10.7
	Vested during 2013		(609,640	)	$	5.89
	Forfeited/canceled during 2013		(5,175	)	$	4.67
	Unvested shares balance as of December 31, 2013		1,842,425		$	6.08
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.    Accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, consisted of the following:
		Foreign			Equity interest in			Accumulated
		currency			investee's			other
		translation			unrealized gain			comprehensive
		adjustment			(loss) on			income
					investments
	Balance at December 31, 2010	$	1,193		$	—		$	1,193
	2011 foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $(55)		(136	)		—			(136	)
	2011 equity interest in investee's unrealized gain on investments		—			77			77
	Balance at December 31, 2011	$	1,057		$	77		$	1,134
	2012 foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $55		143			—			143
	2012 equity interest in investee's unrealized gain on investments		—			22			22
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	1,200		$	99		$	1,299
	2013 foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $(133)		(415	)		—			(415	)
	2013 equity interest in investee's unrealized loss on investments		—			(50	)		(50	)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	785		$	49		$	834

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Taxes	'
Income Taxes	'
	15. Income Taxes
	Our tax provision (benefit) amounts for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, were $(26,618), $1,491, and $1,379, respectively. The amount for 2013 includes a $29,853 benefit from changes in the valuation allowance that primarily resulted from the reversal of the valuation allowance we historically had maintained with respect to certain of our deferred tax assets. Included in tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, were $822, $850 and $950, respectively, for certain state taxes on operating income that are payable without regard to our tax loss carryforwards. During 2012 and 2011, tax expense also included $641 and $429, respectively, related to a noncash deferred liability that arose from the amortization of indefinite lived intangible assets for tax purposes but not for GAAP purposes and foreign currency translation adjustments that were unavailable to offset our deferred tax assets while we maintained a valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets. Our income tax provision differed from the amounts of provision expected to be calculated at statutory rates primarily due to the impact of the valuation allowance. The following tables present the components of our income tax provision (benefit) and the principal reasons for the difference between our income tax provision (benefit) and the income tax provision (benefit) at the U.S. Federal statutory income tax rate of 35%.
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Current tax provision:
	Federal	$	1,836		$	—		$	—
	State		822			850			950
	Foreign		110			—			—
	Total current tax provision		2,768			850			950
	Deferred tax provision (benefit):
	Federal		(22,312	)		587			383
	State		(7,074	)		54			46
	Total deferred tax provision (benefit)		(29,386	)		641			429
	Total tax provision (benefit)	$	(26,618	)	$	1,491		$	1,379
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	U.S. federal statutory rate applied to income before taxes	$	1,752		$	11,791		$	8,734
	State income taxes		938			1,817			1,544
	Nondeductible expenses		1,643			1,564			846
	Benefit of tax credits		(1,101	)		(6,010	)		(1,316	)
	Taxes on foreign income at different than U.S. rate		19			125			(377	)
	Change in valuation allowance		(29,853	)		(8,341	)		(9,381	)
	Other—net		(16	)		545			1,329
	Total tax provision (benefit)	$	(26,618	)	$	1,491		$	1,379
	In measuring our deferred tax assets, we considered all available evidence, both positive and negative, to determine whether, based on the weight of that evidence, a valuation allowance is needed for all or a portion of the deferred tax assets. Judgment is required in considering the relative impact of negative and positive evidence. The weight given to the potential effect of negative and positive evidence is commensurate with the extent to which it can be objectively verified. The more negative evidence that exists, the more positive evidence is necessary and the more difficult it is to support a conclusion that a valuation allowance is unnecessary. In order to assess the likelihood of realizing the benefit of these deferred tax assets, we are required to rely on our projections of future income. Because we historically did not have sufficient history of generating taxable income, prior to the fourth quarter of 2013 we did not recognize in our income tax provision the future benefit of all of our deferred tax assets. During the fourth quarter of 2013, based on our continued recent history of generating income, including for the year ended December 31, 2013, and our expectation that we will continue to generate income in future periods, we concluded that it is more likely than not that we will realize most of our deferred tax assets. Accordingly, we reversed the valuation allowance we historically had recognized with respect to our deferred tax assets, other than $957 of valuation allowance related to certain of our deferred tax assets in certain jurisdictions for which we continue to believe it is more likely than not that we will not realize those assets due to the specific circumstances in those jurisdictions.
	In 2012 and 2011, we used $20,191 and $49,338, respectively, of our federal net operating loss carryforward generated in 2009 and 2010 to reduce the amount of tax that would otherwise have been payable. As of December 31, 2013, we had net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards of approximately $144,761 and $9,094, respectively, for tax purposes, which will be available to offset future taxable income. If not used, these carryforwards will expire between 2022 and 2033. Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2013 and 2012, were as follows:
		2013			2012
	Current deferred tax assets:
	Reserves	$	21,498		$	17,881
	Deferred tenant improvements allowance		2,614			2,633
	Straight line rent accrual		920			681
	Tax credits		524			—
	Tax loss carryforwards		2,403			—
	Other		2,796			1,558
	Total current deferred tax asset before valuation allowance		30,755			22,753
	Valuation allowance		(39	)		(5,914	)
	Total current deferred tax assets		30,716			16,839
	Noncurrent deferred tax assets:
	Straight line rent accrual		21,549			22,591
	Reserves		7,092			6,310
	Sale-leaseback financing obligation		33,538			33,060
	Asset retirement obligation		673			556
	Tax credits		—			457
	Tax loss carryforwards		5,801			7,175
	Deferred tenant improvements allowance		20,911			23,696
	Other		844			24
	Total noncurrent deferred tax asset before valuation allowance		90,408			93,869
	Valuation allowance		(918	)		(24,921	)
	Total noncurrent deferred tax assets		89,490			68,948
	Total deferred tax assets		120,206			85,787
	Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities:
	Depreciable assets		(102,008	)		(83,993	)
	Intangible assets		(4,730	)		(2,232	)
	Other		(1,262	)		(1,090	)
	Total		(108,000	)		(87,315	)
	Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	$	12,206		$	(1,528	)
	The following table presents the location in our consolidated balance sheets of the deferred tax assets and liabilities presented in the table above.
		December 31,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Deferred tax amounts are included in:
	Other current assets	$	30,716		$	16,839
	Other noncurrent liabilities	$	18,510		$	18,367
	Changes in, and balances of, our valuation allowance for deferred tax assets were as follows:
	Balance at			Additions/			Other			Balance at
	Beginning			(Reversals)			Changes			End of Year
	of Year			Recorded in the
				Provision for
				Income Taxes
Year Ended December 31, 2013	$	30,835		$	(29,853	)	$	(25	)	$	957
Year Ended December 31, 2012	$	39,176		$	(8,341	)	$	—		$	30,835
Year Ended December 31, 2011	$	48,557		$	(9,381	)	$	—		$	39,176
Section 382 of the Code, as amended, provides an annual limitation on the utilization of net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards when a corporation has undergone an ownership change as defined by U.S. federal tax law. The annual utilization limitation is an amount equal to the value of the corporation immediately before the ownership change multiplied by the long-term tax-exempt rate as published by the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, in the month of the ownership change. If it is determined that a company has a "net unrecognized built-in loss" at the time of the ownership change, then certain deductions claimed for the first five years after the ownership change are also subject to the annual limitation. A "net unrecognized built-in loss" is defined as the amount by which the fair market value of the assets immediately before the change in ownership is less than the aggregate adjusted tax basis of the assets at the time of such ownership change. Similar rules apply in most of the states in which we operate.
As a result of an ownership change for federal income tax purposes that we experienced as a result of certain trading in our common shares during 2007, we have not recognized for financial reporting purposes all of our 2007 federal net operating loss carryforward of $49,230 and other tax credit carryforwards of $887 due to the application of ASC 740 to uncertain tax positions, as further described below; $11,753 is available to us for the purpose of offsetting future taxable income through 2032, subject to an annual limitation. In addition, we determined in 2013 that at the time of the ownership change in 2007 it was more likely than not that there was a net unrecognized built-in loss. As a result, an additional $117,440 of our post-2007 net operating losses have not been recognized in our consolidated financial statements due to the application of ASC 740 to uncertain tax positions. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the total federal and state income tax benefits not recognized in our deferred tax assets and liabilities in the table above as a result of the ownership change are $58,487 and $58,566, respectively.
At December 31, 2013, we had approximately $16,153 of net operating loss carryforwards subject to an annual limitation and will expire in future years through 2032. At December 31, 2013, we also had $524 of tax credits available to reduce future income taxes payable in jurisdictions within the United States, of which $186 have no expiration and the remainder expire through 2033.
As of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, we had unrecognized tax benefits of $59,557, $60,138 and $57,448, respectively. These unrecognized tax benefits relate to uncertainties concerning our value as of the date of the 2007 ownership change, whether certain capital contributions made in the year of the ownership change should be included in the computation of the annual limitation, and uncertainties as to the measurement of the net unrecognized built-in loss and allocation of the net unrecognized built-in loss, if any, to our various assets as of the date of the ownership change. These uncertainties impact the amount of the loss carryforwards that are subject to the annual limitation as well as the annual limitation itself.
The following table summarizes the activity related to our unrecognized tax benefits:
	Years Ended December 31,
	2013			2012			2011
Balance at beginning of period	$	60,138		$	57,448		$	52,291
Reductions to current year tax positions		(502	)		(471	)		(233	)
Additions (reductions) to prior year tax positions		(79	)		3,161			5,390
Settlements		—			—			—
Lapse of statute of limitations		—			—			—
Balance at end of period	$	59,557		$	60,138		$	57,448
The amount of the uncertain tax benefits if settled favorably that would have an impact on the effective tax rate is $57,228, $57,280 and $54,119 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. However, with respect to the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, the impact would have been fully offset by an increase in the valuation allowance. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, $57,721 and $60,138, respectively, of the uncertain tax benefits were classified as a reduction to our deferred tax assets and $1,836 and $0 were classified as a noncurrent liability at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. We have not accrued interest or penalties due the existence of net operating loss and credit carryforwards to offset any additional income tax liability. We do not anticipate the amount of the existing unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.
We file income tax returns in the United States, various states, and Canada. Our federal income tax returns are subject to tax examinations for the tax years ended December 31, 2010 through December 31, 2013. Our state and Canadian income tax returns are generally subject to examination for the tax years ended December 31, 2009 through December 31, 2013. To the extent we have tax attribute carryforwards, the tax years in which the attribute was generated may still be adjusted to the extent the carryforwards are claimed in a future year by the IRS and state tax authorities. We have been notified by the IRS that it will examine the Company's federal income tax return for the year ended December, 31, 2012, including the net operating loss carryforwards. We believe we have made adequate provision for income taxes and interest and penalties on unpaid income taxes that may become payable.

Equity_Investments

Equity Investments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity Investments	'
Equity Investments	'
	16. Equity Investments
	Affiliates Insurance Company
	At December 31, 2013, we owned 12.5% of Affiliates Insurance Company, or AIC. Although we own less than 20% of AIC, we use the equity method to account for this investment because we believe that we have significant influence over AIC because a majority of our Directors are also directors of AIC. This investment had a carrying value of $5,913 and $5,629 as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and is presented in our consolidated balance sheets in other noncurrent assets. During 2013, 2012 and 2011, we recognized income of $334, $316 and $140, respectively, related to this investment. In May 2014, we acquired additional shares of AIC from a former shareholder of AIC, such that our ownership percentage increased to approximately 14.3%. See Note 17 for a further description of our transactions with AIC and our purchase of additional shares of AIC.
	Petro Travel Plaza Holdings LLC
	We own a 40% interest in Petro Travel Plaza Holdings LLC, or PTP, and operate two travel centers and two convenience stores that PTP owns for which we receive management and accounting fees. This investment is accounted for under the equity method. The carrying value of this investment as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, was $17,672 and $15,332, respectively and was included in other noncurrent assets in our consolidated balance sheets. The carrying value of our investment in PTP exceeded the amount of underlying equity in net assets of PTP by $3,246 as of the date we acquired Petro. This difference arose through the valuation process that was applied to the assets acquired in the Petro Acquisition and is being amortized over a period of 15 years, the estimated useful life of the assets whose values resulted in this difference. The equity income recorded from this investment for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, was $2,340, $1,561 and $1,029, respectively. See Note 17 for a further description of our transactions with PTP.
	The following tables set forth summarized financial information of PTP and do not represent the amounts we have included in our consolidated financial statements in connection with our investment in PTP.
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Total current assets	$	14,832		$	9,578
	Total noncurrent assets	$	44,158		$	44,442
	Total current liabilities	$	2,383		$	2,823
	Total noncurrent liabilities	$	16,755		$	17,499
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Total revenues	$	125,804		$	133,962		$	128,344
	Total cost of sales (excluding depreciation)	$	102,766		$	111,894		$	108,278
	Operating income	$	6,707		$	6,047		$	3,908
	Interest expense, net	$	(553	)	$	(803	)	$	(1,219	)
	Net income	$	6,154		$	5,244		$	2,689
	The locations owned by PTP are encumbered by debt with a balance due of approximately $17,358 as of December 31, 2013. Since we account for our investment in PTP under the equity method of accounting, we have not recorded a liability for this debt. We are not directly liable for this loan, but the carrying value of our investment in this joint venture could be adversely affected if the joint venture defaulted on this debt and the joint venture's property, which is collateral for this loan, was sold. In connection with the loan agreement entered by PTP in 2009, we and our joint venture partner each agreed to indemnify the lender against liability from environmental matters related to PTP's sites.
	Fair Value
	It is not practicable to estimate the fair value of TA's investment in the equity of AIC or PTP because of the lack of quoted market prices and the inability to estimate current fair value without incurring excessive costs. However, management believes that the carrying amounts of AIC and PTP at December 31, 2013, were not impaired given these companies' overall financial conditions and earnings trends.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Related Party Transactions	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	17. Related Party Transactions
	Governance Guidelines
	We have adopted written Governance Guidelines that describe the consideration and approval of any related person transactions. Under these Governance Guidelines, we may not enter into any transaction in which any Director or executive officer, any member of the immediate family of any Director or executive officer or any other related person, has or will have a direct or indirect material interest unless that transaction has been disclosed or made known to our Board of Directors and our Board of Directors reviews and approves or ratifies the transaction by the affirmative vote of a majority of the disinterested Directors, even if the disinterested Directors constitute less than a quorum. If there are no disinterested Directors, the transaction must be reviewed and approved or ratified by both (1) the affirmative vote of a majority of our Board of Directors and (2) the affirmative vote of a majority of our Independent Directors. In determining whether to approve or ratify a transaction, our Board of Directors, or disinterested Directors or Independent Directors, as the case may be, shall act in accordance with any applicable provisions of our limited liability company agreement, consider all of the relevant facts and circumstances and approve only those transactions that are fair and reasonable to us and our shareholders. All related person transactions described below were reviewed and approved or ratified by a majority of the disinterested Directors or otherwise in accordance with our policies and limited liability company agreement, each as described above. In the case of any transaction with us in which any other employee of ours who is subject to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and who has a direct or indirect material interest in the transaction, the employee must seek approval from an executive officer who has no interest in the matter for which approval is being requested. Copies of our Governance Guidelines and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics are available on our website, www.tatravelcenters.com.
	Relationship with HPT
	HPT was our parent company until 2007 and is our principal landlord and our largest shareholder. We were created as a separate public company in 2007 as a result of a spin off from HPT. As of December 31, 2013, HPT owned 3,420,000 of our common shares (which included the 880,000 shares of our common shares that HPT purchased from the underwriters in our public offering that we completed in December 2013), representing approximately 9.1% of our outstanding common shares. One of our Managing Directors, Mr. Barry Portnoy, is a managing trustee of HPT. Mr. Barry Portnoy's son, Mr. Adam Portnoy, is also a managing trustee of HPT, and Mr. Barry Portnoy's son-in-law, Mr. Ethan Bornstein, is an executive officer of HPT. Our other Managing Director, Mr. Thomas O'Brien, who is also our President and Chief Executive Officer, was a former executive officer of HPT. One of our Independent Directors, Mr. Arthur Koumantzelis, was an independent trustee of HPT prior to our spin-off from HPT.
	We have two leases with HPT, the TA Lease and the Petro Lease, pursuant to which we lease 185 properties from HPT. Our TA Lease is for 145 properties that we operate primarily under the TA brand. Our Petro Lease is for 40 properties that we operate under the Petro brand. The TA Lease expires on December 31, 2022. The Petro Lease expires on June 30, 2024, and may be extended by us for up to two additional periods of 15 years each. We have the right to use the "TA", "TravelCenters of America" and other trademarks, which are owned by HPT, during the term of the TA Lease.
	The HPT Leases are "triple net" leases that require us to pay all costs incurred in the operation of the leased properties, including personnel, utilities, acquiring inventories, providing services to customers, insurance, paying real estate and personal property taxes, environmental related expenses, underground storage tank removal costs and ground lease payments at those properties at which HPT leases the property from the owner and subleases it to us. We also are required generally to indemnify HPT for certain environmental matters and for liabilities which arise during the terms of the leases from ownership or operation of the leased properties. In addition, we are obligated to pay HPT at lease expiration an amount equal to an estimate of the cost of removing underground storage tanks on the leased properties.
	As amended by the Amendment Agreement that we entered into with HPT in January 2011, or the Amendment Agreement, which is further described below, the TA Lease required us to pay minimum rent to HPT of $135,139 per year for the period from January 1, 2011 through January 31, 2012, and $140,139 per year for the period from February 1, 2012 through December 31, 2022. These amounts are exclusive of any increase in minimum rent as a result of subsequent amendments and, as described below, as a result of HPT's purchasing improvements to the leased TA properties. During 2013, 2012 and 2011 our minimum annual rent under the TA Lease increased by $4,730, $4,656 and $4,184, respectively, due to such purchases. As amended by the Amendment Agreement, the Petro Lease required us to pay minimum rent to HPT of $54,160 per year through June 30, 2024. This amount is exclusive of any increase in minimum rent to HPT as a result of subsequent amendments and, as described below, as a result of HPT's purchasing improvements to the leased Petro properties. During 2013, 2012 and 2011 our minimum annual rent under the Petro Lease increased by $2,403, $1,868 and $1,691, respectively, due to such purchases. Taking into account the increases in minimum rents due to both HPT's purchasing improvements at the leased properties and the lease amendments during 2013 described below, as of December 31, 2013, our annual minimum lease payments due to HPT under the TA Lease and the Petro Lease were $159,333 and $60,227, respectively.
	Effective January 2012 and 2013, we began to incur percentage rent payable to HPT under the TA Lease and the Petro Lease, respectively. In each case, the percentage rent equals 3% of increases in nonfuel gross revenues and 0.3% of increases in gross fuel revenues at the leased properties over base amounts. The increases in percentage rents attributable to fuel revenues are subject to a maximum each year calculated by reference to changes in the consumer price index. Also, as discussed below, HPT has agreed to waive payment of the first $2,500 of percentage rent that may become due under our Petro Lease; HPT waived $366 of percentage rent under our Petro Lease for the year ended December 31, 2013, pursuant to that waiver. The total amount of percentage rent (which is net of the waived amount) that we incurred during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, was $2,050 and $1,465, respectively.
	Under the HPT Leases, we may request that HPT purchase approved amounts for renovations, improvements and equipment at the leased properties in return for increases in our minimum annual rent according to the following formula: the minimum rent per year will be increased by an amount equal to the amount paid by HPT multiplied by the greater of (i) 8.5% or (ii) a benchmark U.S. Treasury interest rate plus 3.5%. During 2013, 2012 and 2011, pursuant to the terms of the HPT Leases, we sold to HPT $83,912, $76,754 and $69,122 of improvements we previously made to properties leased from HPT, and, as a result, our minimum annual rent payable to HPT increased by approximately $7,133, $6,524 and $5,875, respectively. At December 31, 2013, our property and equipment balance included $28,732 of improvements that we expect to request that HPT purchase for an increase in rent in the future; however, HPT is not obligated to purchase these improvements. In March 2014, we sold to HPT $6,063 of improvements for an increase in minimum annual rent payable to HPT of $515.
	The following table sets forth the amounts of minimum lease payments required under the HPT Leases as of December 31, 2013, in each of the years shown.
	Year ending December 31,	Minimum			Rent for Ground			Total Minimum			Rent for Ground
		Rent(1)			Leases Acquired			Lease Payments			Leases Subleased
					by HPT(1)			Due to HPT(1)			from HPT(1)
	2014	$	214,473		$	5,087		$	219,560		$	8,770
	2015		214,473			4,932			219,405			8,257
	2016		214,473			4,983			219,456			6,375
	2017		214,473			5,047			219,520			5,528
	2018		214,473			4,915			219,388			4,899
	2019		214,473			4,508			218,981			3,087
	2020		214,473			2,518			216,991			2,435
	2021		214,473			1,563			216,036			2,197
	2022(2)		346,079			—			346,079			1,483
	2023		60,227			—			60,227			846
	2024(3)		82,424			—			82,424			618
	-1
	The timing of minimum rent payments does not match the recognition of expense under GAAP, which requires that the minimum rent payments are recognized in expense evenly over the term of the lease regardless of the payment schedule.
	-2
	Includes previously deferred rent payments of $107,085 and estimated cost of removing underground storage tanks on the leased properties of $24,520 due on December 31, 2022.
	-3
	Includes previously deferred rent payments of $42,915 and estimated cost of removing underground storage tanks on the leased properties of $9,395 due on June 30, 2024.
	In 2008, we entered into a rent deferral agreement with HPT, pursuant to which we were permitted to defer up to $150,000 of rent payable to HPT. We were not permitted to defer any additional amounts of rent after December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2010, we had deferred $150,000 of rent, which remained outstanding as of December 31, 2013. The deferral agreement also included a prohibition on share repurchases and dividends by us while any deferred rent remains unpaid and provided that all deferred rent and interest thereon, at 1% per month, would become immediately due and payable by us to HPT if certain events described in that agreement occurred, including a change of control of us (as defined in the agreement) while any deferred rent remains unpaid. Also, in connection with the deferral agreement, we entered into a registration rights agreement with HPT, which provides HPT with certain rights to require us to conduct a registered public offering with respect to our common shares issued to HPT pursuant to the deferral agreement, which rights continue through the date that is twelve months following the latest of the expiration of the terms of the TA Lease and the Petro Lease.
	In January 2011, we and HPT entered the Amendment Agreement that amended the TA Lease, the Petro Lease and our 2008 rent deferral agreement with HPT. This Amendment Agreement provided for the following:
	•
	The minimum annual rent payable to HPT under the TA Lease was reduced effective January 1, 2011, by $29,983, to $135,139 per year until February 1, 2012, when it increased to $140,139 per year through the end of the lease term in December 2022.
	•
	The $5,000 increase in annual minimum rent payable to HPT under the TA Lease that was scheduled to begin on February 1, 2011, was eliminated.
	•
	The minimum annual rent payable to HPT under the Petro Lease was reduced effective January 1, 2011, by $12,017, to $54,160 through the end of the lease term in June 2024.
	•
	The due date for the $150,000 of rent we had deferred as of December 31, 2010, pursuant to our 2008 rent deferral agreement with HPT was extended from July 1, 2011, so that $107,085 will be due and payable on December 31, 2022, and the remaining $42,915 will be due and payable on June 30, 2024, and interest ceased to accrue on our deferred rent obligation beginning on January 1, 2011; provided, however, that the deferred rent obligation shall be accelerated and interest shall begin to accrue thereon if certain events provided in the Amendment Agreement occur, including a change of control of us.
	•
	HPT will waive payment of the first $2,500 of percentage rent that may become due under the Petro Lease beginning in 2013, which percentage rent obligation is described above.
	RMR provides management services to both us and HPT and, as noted above, there are other current and historical relationships between us and HPT. Accordingly, the terms of the Amendment Agreement were negotiated and approved by special committees of our Independent Directors and HPT's independent trustees, none of whom are directors or trustees of the other company, and each special committee was represented by separate counsel.
	The following table summarizes the various amounts related to the HPT Leases and other lessors that are reflected in real estate rent expense in our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Cash payments for rent under the HPT Leases and interest on the deferred rent obligation	$	216,659		$	207,653		$	196,364
	Change in accrued estimated percentage rent		327			(11	)		—
	Adjustments to recognize expense on a straight line basis		(1,734	)		(2,664	)		3,021
	Less sale-leaseback financing obligation amortization		(1,644	)		(2,089	)		(2,046	)
	Less portion of rent payments recognized as interest expense		(7,400	)		(7,330	)		(7,390	)
	Less interest paid on deferred rent		—			—			(1,450	)
	Less deferred tenant improvements allowance amortization		(6,769	)		(6,769	)		(6,769	)
	Amortization of deferred gain on sale-leaseback transactions		(354	)		(103	)		—
	Rent expense related to HPT Leases		199,085			188,687			181,730
	Rent paid to others(1)		10,206			9,915			9,764
	Adjustments to recognize expense on a straight line basis for other leases		29			325			304
	Total real estate rent expense	$	209,320		$	198,927		$	191,798
	-1
	Includes rent paid directly to HPT's landlords under leases for properties we sublease from HPT as well as rent related to properties we lease from landlords other than HPT.
	The following table summarizes the various amounts related to the HPT Leases that are included in our consolidated balance sheets.
		December 31,			December 31,
2013		2012
Current HPT Leases liabilities:
Accrued rent	$	18,041		$	17,092
Current portion of sale-leaseback financing obligation(1)		2,358			2,038
Current portion of straight line rent accrual(2)		2,382			2,149
Current portion of deferred gain on sale-leaseback transactions(3)		385			306
Current portion of deferred tenant improvements allowance(4)		6,769			6,769
Total Current HPT Leases liabilities	$	29,935		$	28,354
Noncurrent HPT Leases liabilities:
Deferred rent obligation(5)	$	150,000		$	150,000
Sale-leaseback financing obligation(1)		83,762			82,195
Straight line rent accrual(2)		52,901			55,233
Deferred gain on sale-leaseback transactions(3)		3,117			2,792
Deferred tenant improvements allowance(4)		54,146			60,915
Total Noncurrent HPT Leases liabilities	$	343,926		$	351,135
-1
Sale-leaseback Financing Obligation. GAAP governing the transactions related to our entering the TA Lease required us to recognize in our consolidated balance sheets the leased assets at thirteen of the properties previously owned by our predecessor that we now lease from HPT because we subleased more than a minor portion of those properties to third parties, and one property that did not qualify for operating lease treatment for other reasons. Accordingly, we recorded the leased assets at these properties at an amount equal to HPT's recorded initial carrying amounts, which were equal to their fair values, and recognized an equal amount of liability that is presented as sale-leaseback financing obligation in our consolidated balance sheets. In addition, sales to HPT of improvements at these properties are accounted for as sale-leaseback financing transactions and these liabilities are increased by the amount of proceeds we receive from HPT. We recognize a portion of the total rent payments to HPT related to these assets as a reduction of the sale-leaseback financing obligation and a portion as interest expense in our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. We determined the allocation of these rent payments to the liability and to interest expense using the effective interest method. The amounts allocated to interest expense during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, were $7,400, $7,330 and $7,390, respectively.
During 2012, the subleases at four of these properties were terminated and we began operating these properties, qualifying the related properties for sale-leaseback accounting. Accordingly, we reduced our property and equipment balance by $22,229 and our sale-leaseback financing obligation balance by $24,646, resulting in a deferred gain of $2,417. In October 2013, the sublease at another one of these properties was terminated and we began to operate that property, qualifying it for sale-leaseback accounting. Accordingly, we reduced our property and equipment balance by $2,030 and our sale-leaseback financing obligation balance by $2,463, resulting in a deferred gain of $433. See footnote (3) below for further discussion regarding the deferred gains.
-2
Straight Line Rent Accrual. The TA Lease included scheduled rent increases over the first six years of the lease term, as do certain of the leases for properties we sublease from HPT, the rent for which we pay directly to HPT's landlords. Also, under our leases with HPT, we are obligated to pay to HPT at lease expiration an amount equal to an estimate of the cost of removing underground storage tanks we would have if we owned the underlying assets. We recognize the effects of scheduled rent increases and the future payment to HPT for the estimated cost of removing underground storage tanks in real estate rent expense over the lease terms on a straight line basis, with offsetting entries to this accrual balance.
-3
Deferred Gain on Sale-Leaseback Transactions. This gain arose from the terminations during 2012 and 2013 of subleases for five properties we lease from HPT, as further described in note (1) above, and from the sales of certain assets to HPT. Under GAAP, the gain or loss from the sale portion of a sale-leaseback transaction is deferred and amortized into our real estate rent expense on a straight line basis over the then remaining term of the lease.
-4
Deferred Tenant Improvements Allowance. HPT committed to fund up to $125,000 of capital projects at the properties we lease under the TA Lease without an increase in rent payable by us, which amount HPT had fully funded by September 30, 2010, net of discounting to reflect our accelerated receipt of those funds. In connection with this commitment, we recognized a liability for the rent deemed to be related to this tenant improvements allowance. This deferred tenant improvements allowance was initially recorded at an amount equal to the leasehold improvements receivable we recognized for the discounted value of the then expected future amounts to be received from HPT, based upon our then expected timing of receipt of those payments. We amortize the deferred tenant improvements allowance on a straight line basis over the term of the TA Lease as a reduction of real estate rent expense.
-5
Deferred Rent Obligation. Pursuant to a rent deferral agreement with HPT, through December 31, 2010, we deferred a total of $150,000 of rent payable to HPT. The deferred rent obligation is payable in two installments, $107,085 in December 2022 and $42,915 in June 2024. This obligation does not bear interest, unless certain events of default or other events occur, including a change of control of us.
On April 15, 2013, we entered an agreement with Equilon Enterprises LLC doing business as Shell Oil Products US, or Shell, pursuant to which Shell has agreed to construct a network of natural gas fueling lanes at up to 100 of our travel centers located along the U.S. interstate highway system, including travel centers we lease from HPT. In connection with that agreement, on April 15, 2013, we and HPT amended the HPT Leases to revise the calculation of percentage rent payable by us under the HPT Leases, with the intended effect that the amount of percentage rent would be unaffected by the type of fuel sold, whether diesel fuel or natural gas. That amendment also made certain administrative changes to the terms of the HPT Leases. Also on that date, in order to facilitate our agreement with Shell, HPT entered into a subordination, non-disturbance and attornment agreement with Shell, whereby HPT agreed to recognize Shell's license and other rights with respect to the natural gas fueling lanes at our HPT leased travel centers on certain conditions and in certain circumstances.
On July 1, 2013, HPT purchased land that was previously leased by HPT from a third party and subleased to us under the TA Lease. Effective as of that date, rents due to that third party and our paying of those rents of approximately $545 annually on behalf of HPT under the terms of the TA Lease ceased. Also on that date, we and HPT amended the TA Lease to reflect our direct lease from HPT of that land and certain minor properties adjacent to other existing properties included in the TA Lease that also had been purchased by HPT, and to increase annual rent due under the TA Lease by $537, which was 8.5% of HPT's investment.
On December 23, 2013, HPT purchased property adjacent to a property we lease from HPT under the Petro Lease. Effective as of that date, we and HPT amended the Petro Lease to add that property to that lease and to increase annual rent due under the Petro Lease by $105, which was 8.5% of HPT's investment.
On August 13, 2013, the travel center located in Roanoke, VA that we leased from HPT under the TA Lease was taken by eminent domain proceedings brought by the Virginia Department of Transportation, or VDOT, in connection with planned highway construction. The TA Lease provides that the annual rent payable by us is reduced by 8.5% of the amount of the proceeds HPT receives from the taking or, at HPT's option, the fair market value rent of the property on the commencement date of the TA Lease. In January 2014, HPT received proceeds from VDOT of $6,178, which is a portion of VDOT's estimate of the value of the property, and as a result our annual rent under the TA Lease was reduced by $525 effective January 6, 2014. We and HPT intend to challenge VDOT's estimate of the property's value. HPT has entered a lease agreement with VDOT to lease this property through August 2014 for $40 per month. We entered into a sublease for this property with HPT and we plan to continue operating it as a travel center through August 2014, and under the terms of the TA Lease we will be responsible to pay this ground lease rent.
Relationship with RMR
RMR provides business management and shared services to us pursuant to a business management and shared services agreement, or our business management agreement. One of our Managing Directors, Mr. Barry Portnoy, is Chairman, majority owner and an employee of RMR. Mr. Barry Portnoy's son, Mr. Adam Portnoy, is an owner of RMR and serves as President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of RMR. Our other Managing Director, Mr. Thomas O'Brien, who is also our President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Andrew Rebholz, our Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, and Mr. Mark Young, our Executive Vice President and General Counsel, are officers of RMR. RMR provides management services to HPT and HPT's executive officers are officers of RMR. Two of our Independent Directors also serve as independent directors or independent trustees of other public companies to which RMR or its affiliates provide management services. Mr. Barry Portnoy serves as a managing director or managing trustee of a majority of those companies and Mr. Adam Portnoy serves as a managing trustee of a majority of those companies. In addition, officers of RMR serve as officers of those companies.
Because at least 80% of Messrs. O'Brien's, Rebholz's and Young's business time is devoted to services to us, 80% of Messrs. O'Brien's, Rebholz's and Young's total cash compensation (that is, the combined base salary and cash bonus paid by us and RMR) was paid by us and the remainder was paid by RMR (for Mr. Young, this arrangement was not in place prior to October 2011). Messrs. O'Brien, Rebholz and Young are also eligible to participate in certain RMR benefit plans. We believe the compensation we paid to these officers reasonably reflected their division of business time; however, periodically, these individuals may divide their business time differently than they do currently and their compensation from us may become disproportionate to this division.
Our Board of Directors has given our Compensation Committee, which is comprised exclusively of our Independent Directors, authority to act on our behalf with respect to our business management agreement with RMR. The charter of our Compensation Committee requires the committee to annually review the terms of the business management agreement, evaluate RMR's performance under this agreement and determine whether to renew, amend or terminate the business management agreement.
Pursuant to the business management agreement, RMR assists us with various aspects of our business, which may include, but are not limited to, compliance with various laws and rules applicable to our status as a publicly owned company, advice and supervision with respect to our travel centers, site selection for properties on which new travel centers may be developed, identification of, and purchase negotiation for, travel centers and travel center companies, accounting and financial reporting, capital markets and financing activities, investor relations and general oversight of our daily business activities, including legal and tax matters, human resources, insurance programs, management information systems and the like. Under our business management agreement, we pay RMR an annual business management fee equal to 0.6% of the sum of our gross fuel margin (which is our fuel sales revenues less our cost of fuel sales) plus our total nonfuel revenues. The fee is payable monthly based on the prior month's margins and revenues. This fee totaled $10,758, $10,025 and $9,435 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. These amounts are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.
RMR also provides internal audit services to us in return for our share of the total internal audit costs incurred by RMR for us and other companies managed by RMR and its affiliates, which amounts are subject to approval by our Compensation Committee. Our Audit Committee appoints our Director of Internal Audit. Our share of RMR's costs of providing this internal audit function was approximately $208, $193 and $240 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. These allocated costs are in addition to the business management fees paid to RMR.
The current term of our business management agreement with RMR ends on December 31, 2014, and automatically renews for successive one year terms unless we or RMR give notice of non-renewal before the end of an applicable term. We or RMR may terminate the business management agreement upon 60 days prior written notice. RMR may also terminate the business management agreement upon five business days' notice if we undergo a change of control, as defined in the business management agreement.
Under our business management agreement with RMR, we acknowledge that RMR also provides management services to other companies, including HPT. The fact that RMR has responsibilities to other entities, including our largest landlord, HPT, could create conflicts; and in the event of such conflicts, our business management agreement allows RMR to act on its own behalf and on behalf of HPT or such other entity rather than on our behalf.
We are also generally responsible for all of our expenses and certain expenses incurred by RMR on our behalf. Pursuant to our business management agreement, RMR may from time to time negotiate on our behalf with certain third party vendors and suppliers for the procurement of services to us. As part of this arrangement, we may enter agreements with RMR and other companies to which RMR provides management services for the purpose of obtaining more favorable terms from such vendors and suppliers.
In July 2011, we entered a property management agreement with RMR under which RMR provides building management services to us for our headquarters building. The charter of our Compensation Committee requires that annually the committee review the property management agreement, evaluate RMR's performance under this agreement and renew, amend or terminate this agreement. We paid RMR $143, $132 and $58 for property management services at our headquarters building for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. These amounts are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.
Under the Plan, we grant restricted shares to certain employees of RMR who are not also Directors, officers or employees of ours. We granted a total of 48,950, 59,725 and 61,350 shares with an aggregate value of $523, $260 and $260 to such persons in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, based upon the closing price of our common shares on the NYSE (for grants made in 2013) or NYSE MKT (for grants made in 2012 and 2011) on the dates of the grants. One fifth of those shares vested on the grant dates and one fifth vests on each of the next four anniversaries of the grant dates. These share grants to RMR employees are in addition to both the fees we pay to RMR and our share grants to our Directors, officers and employees. On occasion, we have entered into arrangements with former employees of ours or RMR in connection with the termination of their employment with us or RMR, providing for the acceleration of vesting of shares previously granted to them under the Plan. Additionally, each of our President and Chief Executive Officer, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, and Executive Vice President and General Counsel received grants of restricted shares of other companies to which RMR provides management services, including HPT, in their capacities as officers of RMR.
Other Relationships with HPT and RMR
In connection with our spin off from HPT in 2007, we entered a transaction agreement with HPT and RMR, pursuant to which we granted HPT a right of first refusal to purchase, lease, mortgage or otherwise finance any interest we own in a travel center before we sell, lease, mortgage or otherwise finance that travel center to or with another party, and we granted HPT and any other company managed by RMR a right of first refusal to acquire or finance any real estate of the types in which they invest before we do. We also agreed that for so long as we are a tenant of HPT we will not permit: the acquisition by any person or group of beneficial ownership of 9.8% or more of the voting shares or the power to direct the management and policies of us or any of our subsidiary tenants or guarantors under our leases with HPT; the sale of a material part of our assets or of any such tenant or guarantor; or the cessation of our continuing Directors to constitute a majority of our Board of Directors or any such tenant or guarantor. Also, we agreed not to take any action that might reasonably be expected to have a material adverse impact on HPT's ability to qualify as a REIT and to indemnify HPT for any liabilities it may incur relating to our assets and business.
In connection with a shareholder derivative litigation on behalf of us against members of our Board of Directors, HPT and RMR that we settled in 2011, we paid $119 to HPT and $51 to RMR pursuant to our indemnity obligations under our limited liability company agreement and our agreements with HPT and RMR.
Relationship with AIC
We, RMR and six other companies to which RMR provides management services each owned 12.5% of AIC, an Indiana insurance company, as of December 31, 2013. A majority of our Directors and most of the trustees and directors of the other AIC shareholders currently serve on the board of directors of AIC. RMR provides management and administrative services to AIC pursuant to a management and administrative services agreement with AIC. Our Governance Guidelines provide that any material transaction between us and AIC shall be reviewed, authorized and approved or ratified by the affirmative votes of both a majority of our Board of Directors and a majority of our Independent Directors.
As of December 31, 2013, we have invested $5,229 in AIC since its formation in 2008. Although we own less than 20% of AIC, we use the equity method to account for this investment because we believe that we have significant influence over AIC as a majority of our Directors are also directors of AIC. Our investment in AIC had a carrying value of $5,913 and $5,629 as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, which amounts are included in other noncurrent assets on our consolidated balance sheets. We recognized income of $334, $316 and $140, related to our investment in AIC for 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. In June 2013, we and the other shareholders of AIC purchased a one-year property insurance policy providing $500,000 of coverage pursuant to an insurance program arranged by AIC and with respect to which AIC is a reinsurer of certain coverage amounts. We paid AIC a premium, including taxes and fees, of $2,743 in connection with that policy, which amount may be adjusted from time to time as we acquire or dispose of properties that are included in the policy. Our annual premiums for this property insurance in 2012 and 2011 were $3,183 and $1,664, respectively, before adjustments made for acquisitions or dispositions we made during these periods. We may determine to renew our participation in this program in June 2014 We periodically consider the possibilities for expanding our insurance relationships with AIC to include other types of insurance and may in the future participate in additional insurance offerings AIC may provide or arrange. We may invest additional amounts in AIC in the future if the expansion of this insurance business requires additional capital, but we are not obligated to do so. By participating in this insurance business with RMR and the other companies to which RMR provides management services, we expect that we may benefit financially by reducing our insurance expenses and by realizing our pro rata share of any profits of this insurance business. See Note 16 for a further description of our investment in AIC.
On March 25, 2014, as a result of the removal, without cause, of all of the trustees of CommonWealth REIT, or CWH, CWH underwent a change in control, as defined in the shareholders agreement among us, the other shareholders of AIC and AIC. As a result of that change in control and in accordance with the terms of the shareholders agreement, we and the other non-CWH shareholders exercised our rights to purchase shares of AIC that CWH then owned. Pursuant to that exercise, on May 9, 2014, we and those other shareholders purchased pro rata the AIC shares CWH owned. In accordance with that exercise, we purchased 2,857 AIC shares from CWH for $825. Following these purchases, we and the other remaining six shareholders each owned approximately 14.3% of AIC.
Relationship with PTP
PTP is a joint venture between us and Tejon Development Corporation, which owned the land on which PTP has built two travel centers and two convenience stores in California. We own a 40% interest in PTP and operate the two travel centers and two convenience stores PTP owns for which we receive management and accounting fees. The carrying value of our investment in PTP as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, was $17,672 and $15,332, respectively. During each of the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, we recognized management and accounting fee income of $800. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, we had a net payable to PTP of $1,147 and $575, respectively. We recognized income of $2,340, $1,561 and $1,029 during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, related to this investment. During 2012, we received distributions from PTP totaling $4,800. These distributions represented a return on our investment and, accordingly, are included as operating activities in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows. See Note 16 for a further description of our investment in PTP.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	18. Commitments and Contingencies
	Purchase Commitments
	As of December 31, 2013, we had entered an agreement to acquire an additional travel center property for $3,000. We completed this acquisition in January 2014.
	Guarantees
	In the normal course of our business we periodically enter into agreements that contain guarantees or indemnification provisions. While we cannot estimate the maximum amount to which we may be exposed under these agreements, we do not believe that any potential guaranty or indemnification is likely to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
	We offer a warranty of our workmanship in our truck maintenance and repair facilities, but we believe the annual warranty expense and corresponding liability are not material to us.
	Environmental Matters
	Extensive environmental laws regulate our operations and properties. These laws may require us to investigate and clean up hazardous substances, including petroleum or natural gas products, released at our owned and leased properties. Governmental entities or third parties may hold us liable for property damage and personal injuries, and for investigation, remediation and monitoring costs incurred in connection with any contamination and regulatory compliance. We use both underground storage tanks and above ground storage tanks to store petroleum products, natural gas and waste at our locations. We must comply with environmental laws regarding tank construction, integrity testing, leak detection and monitoring, overfill and spill control, release reporting and financial assurance for corrective action in the event of a release. At some locations we must also comply with environmental laws relative to vapor recovery or discharges to water. Under the terms of our leases, we generally have agreed to indemnify HPT for any environmental liabilities related to properties that we lease from HPT and we are required to pay all environmental related expenses incurred in the operation of the properties. Under our agreement with Shell, we have agreed to indemnify Shell and its affiliates from certain environmental liabilities incurred with respect to our travel centers where natural gas fueling lanes are installed.
	From time to time we have received, and in the future likely will receive, notices of alleged violations of environmental laws or otherwise have become or will become aware of the need to undertake corrective actions to comply with environmental laws at our locations. Investigatory and remedial actions were, and regularly are, undertaken with respect to releases of hazardous substances at our locations. In some cases we received, and may receive, contributions to partially offset our environmental costs from insurers, from state funds established for environmental clean up associated with the sale of petroleum products or from indemnitors who agreed to fund certain environmental related costs at locations purchased from those indemnitors. To the extent we incur material amounts for environmental matters for which we do not receive insurance or other third party reimbursement or for which we have not previously recorded a reserve, our operating results may be materially adversely affected. In addition, to the extent we fail to comply with environmental laws and regulations, or we become subject to costs and requirements not similarly experienced by our competitors, our competitive position may be harmed.
	At December 31, 2013, we had a gross accrued liability of $7,487 for environmental matters as well as a receivable for expected recoveries of certain of these estimated future expenditures of $1,611, resulting in an estimated net amount of $5,876 that we expect to need to fund in the future. We do not have a reserve for unknown current or potential future environmental matters. Accrued liabilities related to environmental matters are recorded on an undiscounted basis because of the uncertainty associated with the timing of the related future payments. We cannot precisely know the ultimate costs we will incur in connection with currently known or future potential environmental related violations, corrective actions, investigation and remediation; however, based on our current knowledge we do not expect that our net costs for such matters to be incurred at our locations, individually or in the aggregate, would be material to our financial condition or results of operations.
	We have insurance of up to $10,000 per incident and up to $40,000 in the aggregate for certain environmental liabilities not known by us at the time the policies were issued, subject, in each case, to certain limitations and deductibles. However, we can provide no assurance that we will be able to maintain similar environmental insurance coverage in the future on acceptable terms.
	The following table sets forth the various amounts regarding environmental matters, as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, recorded in our consolidated balance sheets as either current or noncurrent assets or liabilities.
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Gross liability for environmental matters:
	Included in other current liabilities	$	5,639		$	7,988
	Included in other noncurrent liabilities		1,848			2,367
	Total recorded liabilities		7,487			10,355
	Less-expected recoveries of future expenditures, included in other noncurrent assets		(1,611	)		(2,718	)
	Net estimated environmental costs to be funded by future operating cash flows	$	5,876		$	7,637
	While the costs of our environmental compliance in the past have not had a material adverse impact on us, it is impossible to predict the ultimate effect changing circumstances and changing environmental laws may have on us in the future or the ultimate outcome of matters currently pending. We cannot be certain that contamination presently unknown to us does not exist at our sites, or that material liability will not be imposed on us in the future. If we discover additional environmental issues, or if government agencies impose additional environmental requirements, increased environmental compliance or remediation expenditures may be required, which could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, legislation and regulation regarding climate change, including greenhouse gas emissions, and other environmental matters and market reaction to any such legislation or regulation or to climate change concerns, may decrease the demand for our major product, diesel fuel, and may require us to expend significant amounts. For instance, federal and state governmental requirements addressing emissions from trucks and other motor vehicles, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's gasoline and diesel sulfur control requirements that limit the concentration of sulfur in motor vehicle gasoline and diesel fuel, as well as President Obama's recent order that his administration develop and implement new fuel efficiency standards for medium and heavy duty commercial trucks by March 2016, could negatively impact our business and has caused us to add certain services and provide certain products to our customers. Further, legislation and regulations that limit carbon emissions also may cause our energy costs at our locations to increase.
	As of December 31, 2013, the estimated gross amounts of the cash outlays by year related to the matters for which we have accrued an environmental liability are $5,639, $836, $348, $348 and $316 for the years 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, respectively. These cash expenditure amounts do not reflect any amounts for the expected recoveries as we cannot accurately predict the timing of those cash receipts. These estimated future gross cash disbursements are subject to change based on, among other things, changes in the underlying remediation activities and changes in the regulatory environment.
	Legal Proceedings
	In May 2010, the California Attorney General commenced litigation on behalf of the California State Water Resources Control Board, or the State Water Board, against various defendants, including us, HPT TA Properties Trust (which is a subsidiary of HPT), PTP and Tejon in the Superior Court of California for Alameda County seeking unspecified civil penalties and injunctive relief for alleged violations of underground storage tank laws and regulations at various facilities in Kern and Merced Counties, which alleged violations do not include release of contamination into the environment. On July 26, 2010, the California Attorney General voluntarily dismissed this litigation against us and the other named defendants, and on September 2, 2010, refiled its complaint against the same defendants in the Superior Court of California for Merced County, or the Superior Court, seeking unspecified civil penalties and injunctive relief. We have denied the material allegations in the complaint and asserted various affirmative defenses. Under the TA Lease and our expired lease agreement with Tejon for a travel center that was closed in 2009, we are liable to indemnify HPT TA Properties Trust and Tejon for any liabilities, costs and expenses they incur in connection with this litigation. In February 2014, the parties reached an agreement to settle these claims for a cash payment of $1,800, suspended penalties of $1,000 that may become payable by us in the future if, prior to March 2019, we fail to comply with specified underground storage tank laws and regulations; and our agreement to invest, prior to March 2018, up to $2,000 of verified costs that are directly related to the development and implementation of a comprehensive California Enhanced Environmental Compliance Program for the underground storage tank systems at all of our California facilities that is above and beyond minimum requirements of California law and regulations related to underground storage tank systems. During 2013, we incurred $206 of such verified compliance costs that qualify towards the $2,000 requirement. To the extent that we do not incur the full $2,000 of eligible environmental compliance costs by March 2018, the difference between the amount we incur and $2,000 will be payable to the State Water Board. The parties submitted to the Superior Court for approval a form of Proposed Final Consent Judgment and Permanent Injunction, which also included injunctive relief provisions requiring that we comply with certain California environmental laws and regulations applicable to underground storage tank systems and the Superior Court approved the related Proposed Final Consent Judgment and Permanent Injunction on February 20, 2014. As of December 31, 2013, we have a liability of $3,594 recorded with respect to this matter. The expense related to this matter was recognized in prior years. We believe that the probability of triggering any portion of the $1,000 of suspended penalties is remote and have not recognized a loss or a liability for that amount, but it is possible that such events will occur and some portion or all of the $1,000 may become payable and would be charged to expense at the time of that future event.
	Beginning in December 2006, a series of class action lawsuits was filed against numerous companies in the petroleum industry, including our predecessor and our subsidiaries, in U.S. district courts in over 20 states. Major petroleum refiners and retailers were named as defendants in one or more of these lawsuits. The plaintiffs in the lawsuits generally alleged that they are retail purchasers who purchased motor fuel at temperatures greater than 60 degrees Fahrenheit at the time of sale. One theory alleged that the plaintiffs purchased smaller amounts of motor fuel than the amount for which defendants charged them because the defendants measured the amount of motor fuel they delivered by volumes which, at higher temperatures, contain less energy. A second theory alleged that fuel taxes are calculated in temperature adjusted 60 degree gallons and are collected by governmental agencies from suppliers and wholesalers, who are reimbursed in the amount of the tax by the defendant retailers before the fuel is sold to consumers. These "tax" cases allege that, when the fuel is subsequently sold to consumers at temperatures above 60 degrees, the retailers sell a greater volume of fuel than the amount on which they paid tax, and therefore reap unjust benefit because the customers pay more tax than the retailer pays. A third theory alleged that all purchasers of fuel at any temperature are harmed because the defendants do not use equipment that adjusts for temperature or disclose the temperature of fuel being sold, and thereby deprive customers of information they allegedly require to make an informed purchasing decision. All of these cases were consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas pursuant to multi-district litigation procedures. On May 28, 2010, that Court ruled that, with respect to two cases originally filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas, it would grant plaintiffs' motion to certify a class of plaintiffs seeking injunctive relief (implementation of fuel temperature equipment and/or posting of notices regarding the effect of temperature on fuel). On January 19, 2012, the Court amended its prior ruling, and certified a class with respect to plaintiffs' claims for damages as well. A TA entity was named in one of those two Kansas cases, but the Court ruled that the named plaintiffs were not sufficient to represent a class as to TA. TA was thereafter dismissed from the Kansas case. Several defendants in the Kansas cases, including major petroleum refiners, have entered into multi-state settlements. Following a September 2012 trial against the remaining defendants in the Kansas cases, the jury returned a unanimous verdict in favor of those Kansas defendants, and the judge likewise ruled in the Kansas defendants' favor on the sole non-jury claim. In early 2013, the Court announced its intention to remand three cases originally filed in federal district courts in California back to their original courts. On April 9, 2013, the Court granted plaintiffs' motion for class certification in connection with the California claims in the California cases. On August 14, 2013, the Court granted summary judgment for the defendants with respect to all California claims in the California cases, and in February 2014, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California entered judgment in favor of the defendants with respect to those claims. The plaintiffs in the California cases all dismissed their non-California claims against TA, except for one individual plaintiff, who continues to assert claims based on purchases of fuel in states other than California. In January 2014, TA was dismissed with prejudice in all the non-California cases in all states in which it remained a defendant at that time. Therefore, the only case in which TA remains a defendant is the case in which one remaining plaintiff is pursuing non-California claims. We believe there are substantial factual and legal defenses to the allegations made in this remaining case. While we do not expect that we will incur a material loss in this case, we cannot estimate our ultimate exposure to loss or liability, if any, related to the lawsuit.
	On April 6, 2009, five independent truck stop owners, who are plaintiffs in a purported class action suit against Comdata Network, Inc., or Comdata, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, filed a motion to amend their complaint to add us as a defendant, which was allowed on March 25, 2010. The amended complaint also added as defendants Ceridian Corporation, Pilot Travel Centers LLC and Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores, Inc. Comdata markets fuel cards which are used for payments by trucking companies at truck stops. The amended complaint alleged antitrust violations arising out of Comdata's contractual relationships with truck stops in connection with its fuel cards. The plaintiffs have sought unspecified damages and injunctive relief. On March 24, 2011, the Court dismissed the claims against TA in the amended complaint, but granted plaintiffs leave to file a new amended complaint. Four independent truck stop owners, as plaintiffs, filed a new amended complaint against us on April 21, 2011, repleading their claims. On May 6, 2011, we renewed our motion to dismiss the complaint with prejudice while discovery otherwise proceeded. The Court denied our renewed motion to dismiss on March 29, 2012, and we filed an answer to the complaint on April 30, 2012. During December 2013, we entered into settlement discussions among the co-defendants and the plaintiffs that continued into 2014. On February 28, 2014, we entered into a Definitive Master Class Settlement Agreement with the plaintiffs, or the settlement agreement. The settlement agreement provides for the Company and the co-defendants to pay an aggregate of $130,000 to a settlement fund for class members, including $10,000 from us, in exchange for the dismissal with prejudice of the litigation and the unconditional release of all claims that class members brought or could have brought against us and the co-defendants with respect to the litigation and related actions. The settlement agreement is subject to the approval of the Court. On March 17, 2014, the Court preliminarily approved the settlement agreement, authorized notice to the class and scheduled a hearing for July 14, 2014, to consider the final approval of the settlement. We recognized a $10,000 loss in connection with this matter in December 2013 and made the cash payment in March 2014.
	In addition to the legal proceedings referenced above, we are routinely involved in various other legal and administrative proceedings, including tax audits, incidental to the ordinary course of our business, none of which we expect, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Other_Information

Other Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Information	'
Other Information	'
	19. Other Information
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013			2012		2011
	Operating expenses included the following:
	Repairs and maintenance expenses	$	40,946		$	38,893	$	35,871
	Advertising expenses	$	22,748		$	20,563	$	18,768
	Taxes other than payroll and income taxes	$	17,463		$	15,818	$	16,252
	Interest expense consisted of the following:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013			2012		2011
	Interest related to our Senior Notes and Credit Facility	$	10,537		$	2,096	$	1,036
	HPT rent classified as interest		7,400			7,330		7,390
	Amortization of deferred financing costs		667			352		403
	Capitalized interest		(1,033	)		—		—
	Other		79			580		176
	Interest expense	$	17,650		$	10,358	$	9,005
	We capitalize the portion of our interest expense that is attributable under GAAP to our more significant construction projects over the duration of the respective construction periods. Capitalized interest is amortized to depreciation and amortization expense over the estimated useful life of the corresponding asset.

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_D

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)	'
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)	'
	20. Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)
	The following is a summary of our unaudited quarterly results of operations for 2013 and 2012:
		Year Ended December 31, 2013
		First			Second		Third		Fourth
		Quarter			Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
	Total revenues	$	1,957,351		$	2,018,754	$	2,062,096	$	1,906,530
	Gross profit (excluding depreciation)		263,807			301,228		307,141		280,651
	Income (loss) from operations		(8,460	)		19,971		20,938		(11,259	)
	Net income (loss)	$	(12,139	)	$	15,984	$	15,803	$	11,975
	Net income (loss) per share:
	Basic and diluted	$	(0.41	)	$	0.54	$	0.53	$	0.39
		Year Ended December 31, 2012
		First			Second		Third		Fourth
		Quarter			Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
	Total revenues	$	1,994,869		$	2,041,507	$	2,034,153	$	1,925,195
	Gross profit (excluding depreciation)		243,352			294,223		288,306		260,119
	Income (loss) from operations		(11,309	)		32,017		20,933		(171	)
	Net income (loss)	$	(14,185	)	$	29,852	$	18,990	$	(2,459	)
	Net income (loss) per share:
	Basic and diluted	$	(0.49	)	$	1.04	$	0.66	$	(0.08	)
	During the fourth quarter of 2013 we recognized a $10,000 charge related to a litigation settlement; an asset impairment charge of $659; an increase of $1,500 to our inventory reserves for excess and obsolete parts; a $1,097 charge for a claim against us related to invalid biodiesel renewable identification numbers; and $29,853 related to the reversal of a portion of the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. Additionally, during the fourth quarter of 2013 we recognized a charge of $2,435 to correct for certain misstatements in our historical financial statements that we determined to be immaterial.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
Principles of Consolidation	'
	Principles of Consolidation.    Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of TravelCenters of America LLC and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, we, us or the Company). All intercompany transactions and balances with or among our consolidated subsidiaries have been eliminated. We use the equity method of accounting for investments in entities when we have the ability to significantly influence, but not control, the investee's operating and financial policies, typically when we own 20% to 50% of the investee's voting stock. See Note 16 for more information about our equity investments.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates.    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Segment Reporting	'
	Segment Reporting.    We manage our business on the basis of one operating segment and, therefore, have one reportable segment. Our locations sell similar products and services, use similar processes to sell those products and services, and sell their products and services to similar groups of customers. We make specific disclosures concerning fuel and nonfuel products and services because it facilitates our discussion of trends and operational initiatives within our business and industry. We have a single travel center located in a foreign country, Canada, and, accordingly, the revenues and assets related to our operations in Canada are considered to be not material.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition.    We recognize sales revenues and related costs at the time of final sale to consumers at our company operated locations for retail fuel and nonfuel sales and at the time of delivery of motor fuel to customers at either the terminal or the customer's facility for wholesale fuel sales. We record the estimated cost to us of the redemption by customers of our loyalty program points as a discount against gross sales in determining net sales presented in our consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income.
	For those travel centers that we sublease to a franchisee, we recognize rent revenue based on the amount of rent payment due for each period. These leases specify rent increases each year based on inflation rates for the respective periods or capital improvements we make at the travel center. Because the rent increases related to these factors are contingent upon future events, we recognize the related rent revenue after such events have occurred.
	We collect and recognize franchise royalty revenues monthly as earned. We determine royalty revenues as a percentage of the franchisees' revenues. We recognize initial franchise fee revenues when the franchisee opens for business under our brand name, which is when we have fulfilled all of our initial obligations under the related agreements.
Motor Fuel and Sales Taxes	'
	Motor Fuel and Sales Taxes.    We collect the cost of certain motor fuel and sales taxes from consumers and remit those amounts to the supplier or the appropriate governmental agency. We present these collections and remittances net in the accompanying consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.
Earnings Per Share	'
	Earnings Per Share.    We calculate basic earnings per common share by dividing net income or loss available to common shareholders (and, if applicable, income from continuing operations, cumulative effect of a change in accounting, extraordinary items and discontinued operations) for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The net income or loss attributable to participating securities is deducted from our total net income or loss to determine the net income or loss attributable to common shareholders. We calculate diluted earnings per common share by adjusting weighted average outstanding shares, assuming conversion of all potentially dilutive share securities, using the treasury stock method; but we had no dilutive share securities outstanding as of December 31, 2013, nor at any time during the three year period then ended. Unvested shares issued under our share award plan are deemed participating securities because they participate equally in earnings or losses with all of our other common shares.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents.    We consider all liquid investments with an initial maturity of three months or less at date of purchase to be cash equivalents. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents is equal to its fair value.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	'
	Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts.    We record trade accounts receivable at the invoiced amount and those amounts do not bear interest. The recorded allowance for doubtful accounts is our best estimate of the amount of probable losses in our existing accounts receivable. We base the allowance on customer risk assessment and historical write off experience. We individually review for collectability past due balances over specific amounts. We review all other balances for collectability on a pooled basis by the type of receivable. We charge off account balances against the allowance when we believe it is probable the receivable will not be recovered.
Inventories	'
	Inventories.    We state our inventories at the lower of cost or market value. We determine cost principally on the weighted average cost method.
Other current assets	'
	Other current assets.    Other current assets primarily consisted of prepaid expenses, the current portion of expected future recoveries of environmental expenditures, and supplier deposits. The most significant item included in other current assets is supplier deposits, which amounted to $29,443 and $39,487 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Property and Equipment	'
	Property and Equipment.    We recorded property and equipment that we acquired as a result of the HPT Transaction, Petro Acquisition or any subsequent business combination based on their fair market values as of the date of the respective transaction. We charge to expense the costs we incur in evaluating and effecting a business combination, including legal fees, due diligence costs and closing costs, in the period that the costs are incurred. We record all other property and equipment at cost. We depreciate our property and equipment on a straight line basis generally over the following estimated useful lives of the assets:
	Buildings and site improvements	15 to 40 years
	Machinery and equipment	3 to 15 years
	Furniture and fixtures	5 to 10 years
	We depreciate leasehold improvements over the shorter of the lives shown above or the remaining term of the underlying lease. Although the assets related to the qualifying tenant improvements funded by HPT under the tenant improvements allowance that we had fully utilized as of September 30, 2010, are legally owned by HPT, they remained on our balance sheet after the funding by HPT and are amortized over the estimated useful lives of the assets or the remaining term of the lease, whichever is shorter, as depreciation and amortization expense. We account for these leasehold improvements funded through a rental allowance as lease incentives. Amortization expense related to assets recorded in connection with the sale-leaseback financing obligation pertaining to certain travel centers we lease under the TA Lease is included in depreciation and amortization expense over the estimated useful lives of the assets.
	We charge repair and maintenance costs to expense as incurred, while we capitalize renewals and betterments. We remove from the accounts the cost and related accumulated depreciation of property and equipment sold, replaced or otherwise disposed. We recognize any resulting gains or losses in depreciation and amortization in the accompanying consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.
Capitalized Interest	'
	Capitalized Interest.    We capitalize the portion of our interest expense that is attributable under GAAP to our more significant construction projects over the duration of the respective construction periods. Capitalized interest is amortized to depreciation and amortization expense over the estimated useful life of the corresponding asset.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Intangible Assets.    We initially recognize our acquired intangible assets, other than goodwill, based on their fair values in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB's, guidance regarding business combinations. This guidance requires an allocation of purchase price to all assets and liabilities acquired, including those intangible assets that arise from contractual or other legal rights or are otherwise capable of being separated or divided from the acquired entity (but excluding goodwill), based on the fair values of the acquired assets and liabilities. Any excess of acquisition cost over the fair value of the acquired net assets is recognized as goodwill. We expense as incurred the costs of internally developing, maintaining, or restoring intangible assets that are not specifically identifiable, that have indeterminate lives or that are inherent in a continuing business and related to the entity as a whole. We amortize the recorded cost of intangible assets with finite lives on a straight line basis over their estimated lives, principally the terms of the related contractual agreements giving rise to them. We do not amortize goodwill or intangible assets with indefinite lives but instead we review these assets for impairment each year (or more frequently if impairment indicators arise). See Note 8 for more information about our intangible assets.
Internal Use Software Costs	'
	Internal Use Software Costs.    During the application development stage of an internal use computer software project, we capitalize (i) the external direct costs of materials and services consumed in developing or obtaining the internal use computer software, (ii) to the extent of time spent directly on the project, payroll costs of employees directly associated with, and who devote time to, the project, and (iii) related interest costs incurred. Internal and external costs incurred in the preliminary project stage and post-implementation stage, such as for exploring alternative technologies, vendor selection and maintenance, are expensed as incurred, as are all training costs. We account for the costs of significant upgrades and enhancements that result in additional functionality in the same manner as similar costs for new software projects. We expense as incurred the costs of all other upgrades and enhancements. The amounts capitalized in accordance with this policy are included in the property and equipment balances in our consolidated balance sheets.
Impairment	'
	Impairment.    We review definite lived assets for indicators of impairment during each reporting period. We recognize impairment charges when (a) the carrying value of a long lived or indefinite lived asset group to be held and used in the business is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value and (b) when the carrying value of a long lived asset to be disposed of exceeds the estimated fair value of the asset less the estimated cost to sell the asset. Our estimates of fair value are based on our estimates of likely market participant assumptions, including projected operating results, rental payments and the discount rate used to measure the present value of projected future cash flows. If the business climate deteriorates actual results may not be consistent with these assumptions and estimates. We recognize impairment charges in the period during which the circumstances surrounding an asset to be held and used have changed such that the carrying value is no longer recoverable, or during which a commitment to a plan to dispose of the asset is made. The lowest level of asset groupings for which the cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities is the individual location and, accordingly, it is at the individual location level that we perform our impairment analysis for substantially all of our property and equipment.
	We evaluate definite lived intangible assets for impairment when indicators exist and we evaluate goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually. GAAP permits that we first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether a quantitative assessment is required. We subject goodwill and intangible assets to further evaluation and recognize impairment charges when events and circumstances indicate the carrying value of the goodwill or intangible asset exceeds the fair market value of the asset. With respect to goodwill, if we conclude that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, we perform a two-step goodwill impairment test to identify potential goodwill impairment and measure the amount of impairment to be recognized, if any. In the first step of the review process, we compare the estimated fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying value. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, we recognize an impairment loss for the excess, if any, of the carrying value over the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill amount. We determine the estimated fair value of a reporting unit using a combination of market and income approaches. We include impairment charges, when required, in depreciation and amortization expense in our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.
Deferred Financing Costs	'
	Deferred Financing Costs.    We capitalize costs incurred to borrow and we amortize those costs as interest expense over the term of the related borrowing using the effective interest method. Deferred financing costs were $5,594 and $1,511 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, net of accumulated amortization of $1,083 and $416, respectively, and are included in other noncurrent assets in our consolidated balance sheets. We recognized $107 of expense to write off deferred financing fees when we entered into an amended and restated loan and security agreement, or the credit facility, in October 2011 and we capitalized $1,542 of costs related to entering the credit facility in 2011. In 2012 we capitalized $165 of costs related to the issuance of our 8.25% Senior Notes due on January 15, 2028, or the Senior Notes, and in 2013 capitalized an additional $4,750 of costs related to the Senior Notes offering. We estimate we will recognize future amortization of deferred financing fees of approximately $680 in 2014 and 2015, $616 in 2016 and $328 in 2017 and 2018. We recognized interest expense from the amortization of deferred financing fees, of $667, $352 and $403 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Classification of Costs and Expenses	'
	Classification of Costs and Expenses.    Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation) represents the costs of fuels and other products sold, including freight. Site level operating expenses principally represent costs incurred in operating our locations, consisting primarily of labor (including labor that is sold as service in our truck service facilities), maintenance, supplies, utilities, property taxes, inventory losses, environmental costs, and credit card transaction fees.
Share Based Employee Compensation	'
	Share Based Employee Compensation.    We recognize compensation cost related to share based payment transactions in the financial statements based on the fair value at the grant date. The awards made under our share award plan to date have consisted of share grants and not share options. Shares issued to directors vest immediately. Shares issued to others vest in five to ten equal annual installments beginning on the date of grant. The compensation expense related to share grants is determined based on the market value of our shares on either the date of grant for employees or the vesting date for nonemployees, as appropriate, with the aggregate value of the granted shares amortized to expense over the related vesting period. We include share based compensation expense in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.
Environmental Remediation	'
	Environmental Remediation.    We record the expense of remediation costs and penalties when the obligation to remediate is probable and the amount of associated costs is reasonably determinable. We include remediation expenses within site level operating expenses in our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. Generally, the timing of remediation accruals coincides with completion of a feasibility study or the commitment to a formal plan of action. Accrued liabilities related to environmental matters are recorded on an undiscounted basis because of the uncertainty associated with the timing of the related future payments. We record a receivable if recoveries of remediation costs from third parties are probable. In our consolidated balance sheets, the accrual for environmental matters is included in other noncurrent liabilities, with the amount estimated to be expended within the subsequent twelve months included in other current liabilities and the related receivable for probable expected recoveries is included in other noncurrent assets.
Self Insurance Accruals	'
	Self Insurance Accruals.    For insurance programs for which we pay deductibles and for which we are partially self insured up to certain stop loss amounts, we establish accruals for both estimated losses on known claims and claims incurred but not reported, based on claims histories and using actuarial methods. In our consolidated balance sheets, the accrual for self insurance costs is included in other noncurrent liabilities, with the amount estimated to be expended within the subsequent twelve months included in other current liabilities.
Asset Retirement Obligations	'
	Asset Retirement Obligations.    We recognize the future costs for our obligations related to the removal of our underground storage tanks and certain improvements we own at leased properties over the estimated useful lives of each asset requiring removal. We record a liability for the fair value of an asset retirement obligation with a corresponding increase to the carrying value of the related long lived asset at the time such an asset is installed. We amortize the amount recorded as property and equipment and recognize accretion expense in depreciation and amortization in our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income in connection with the discounted liability over the remaining life of the respective asset. We base the estimated liability on our historical experiences in removing these assets, their estimated useful lives, external estimates as to the cost to remove the assets in the future and regulatory or contractual requirements. The liability is a discounted liability using a credit adjusted risk free rate. Revisions to the liability could occur due to changes in removal costs, asset useful lives or if new regulations regarding the removal of underground storage tanks are enacted and/or amendments to the lease contracts are negotiated. See Note 7 for more information about our asset retirement obligations.
Leasing Transactions	'
	Leasing Transactions.    Leasing transactions are a material part of our business. The following discussion summarizes various aspects of our accounting for leasing transactions and the related balances.
	•
	Operating Lease Expense.  We charge rent under operating leases without scheduled rent increases to expense over the lease term as it becomes payable. Certain operating leases specify scheduled rent increases over the lease term or other lease payments that are not scheduled evenly throughout the lease term. We recognize the effects of those scheduled rent increases in rent expense over the lease term on an average, or straight line, basis. The rent payments resulting from our sales to HPT of improvements to the properties we lease from HPT are contingent rent. Other than at the travel centers discussed below under "Sale-leaseback Financing Obligation," we recognize the expense related to this contingent rent evenly throughout the remaining lease term beginning on the dates of the related sales to HPT.
	•
	Sale-leaseback Financing Obligation.  GAAP governing the transactions related to our entering the TA Lease required us to recognize in our consolidated balance sheets the leased assets at 13 of the travel centers previously owned by our predecessor that we now lease from HPT because we subleased more than a minor portion of those travel centers to third parties, and at one travel center that did not qualify for operating lease treatment for other reasons. Accordingly, we recorded the leased assets at these travel centers at an amount equal to HPT's recorded initial carrying amounts, which were equal to their fair values, and recognized an equal amount of liability that is presented as sale-leaseback financing obligation in our consolidated balance sheets. We recognize a portion of the total rent payments to HPT related to these assets as a reduction of the sale-leaseback financing obligation and a portion as interest expense in our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. We determine the allocation of these rent payments to the liability and to interest expense using the effective interest method. The assets and liabilities resulting from this accounting for the affected sites are derecognized when the subleases end and we defer any resulting gain or loss, as further discussed below under "Deferred Gain on Sale-Leaseback Transactions". At sites for which we have recorded a sale-leaseback financing obligation, we follow this same accounting when we sell to HPT improvements at those sites; the assets remain on our balance sheet and we recognize an increase in the sale-leaseback financing obligation for the amount of proceeds received.
	•
	Deferred Gain on Sale-Leaseback Transactions.  Under GAAP, the gain or loss from the sale portion of a sale-leaseback transaction is deferred and amortized into rent expense on a straight line basis over the term of the lease.
	•
	Deferred Tenant Improvements Allowance.  HPT committed to fund up to $125,000 of capital projects at the sites we lease under the TA Lease without an increase in rent payable by us, which amount HPT had fully funded by September 30, 2010, net of discounting to reflect our accelerated receipt of those funds. In connection with this commitment, we recognized a liability for the rent deemed to be related to this improvement allowance. This improvement allowance was initially recorded at an amount equal to the leasehold improvements receivable we recognized for the discounted value of the then expected future amounts to be received from HPT, based upon our then expected timing of receipt of those tenant improvements funding payments. We amortize the deferred tenant improvements allowance on a straight line basis over the term of the TA Lease as a reduction of rent expense.
	•
	Deferred Rent Obligation.  Pursuant to a rent deferral agreement with HPT, through December 31, 2010, we deferred a total of $150,000 of rent payable to HPT. The deferred rent obligation is payable in two installments, $107,085 in December 2022 and $42,915 in June 2024. This obligation does not bear interest, unless certain events of default or other events occur, including a change of control of us.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes.    We establish deferred income tax assets and liabilities to reflect the future tax consequences of differences between the tax bases and financial statement bases of assets and liabilities. We reduce the measurement of deferred tax assets, if necessary, by a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not the deferred tax asset will not be realized.
	We recognize the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more likely than not threshold, the amount we recognize in the financial statements is the largest benefit that we estimate has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority. We classify interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions, if any, in our financial statements as a component of interest expense and selling, general and administrative expenses, respectively.
Concentration of Credit Risk	'
	Concentration of Credit Risk.    We grant credit to some of our trucking company customers and are therefore exposed to a concentration of our accounts receivable from that one industry. We may require letters of credit or other collateral from customers based on our evaluation of their credit worthiness.
Certain Significant Risks and Uncertainties	'
	Certain Significant Risks and Uncertainties.    We are exposed to risks arising from the changes in the demand for and the price of fuel. Because petroleum products are traded in commodity markets, material changes in demand for and the price of fuel worldwide and financial speculation in these commodities markets may have a material effect upon the prices we have to pay for fuel and may also impact our customers' demand for fuel and other products.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments.    The fair values of financial instruments classified as current assets or current liabilities approximate the carrying values due to the short term maturity of the instruments. We estimate the fair value of our Senior Notes based on their closing trading price as of the balance sheet date.
Revisions to prior year financial statements and disclosures	'
	Revisions to prior year financial statements and disclosures. During the fourth quarter of 2013, we determined that our historical approach to assessing the accounting impact of ownership changes on our net operating loss carryforwards did not consider all of the provisions of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, or the Code. We also identified errors in the recognition and reporting of other deferred tax assets and liabilities disclosed in prior years. For all prior years, we recorded a full valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets. Therefore these errors in the recorded amounts of our tax carryforwards and other deferred tax assets and liabilities were offset by errors in the related valuation allowance and liability for uncertain tax positions and had no effect on the income tax provision recognized in any period. However, these errors did result in misstatements in the presentation of income tax related amounts on our balance sheets as well as disclosures related to income taxes. We have assessed the misstatements in our historical financial statements and determined them to be immaterial.
	We have revised the presentation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012, to correct these errors, resulting in an increase to other current assets and an increase to other noncurrent liabilities of $11,438 in comparison to the amounts originally presented.
	We have also revised our disclosure of the significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2012, to reflect the correction of these errors. These revisions resulted in a decrease in our net deferred tax assets of $66,100, a decrease in our valuation allowance of $71,500, and an increase in our recognized liability for uncertain tax positions of $5,400, in comparison to the amounts originally presented. We have also reclassified certain components of our disclosure of our deferred tax assets and liabilities to conform to current year presentation.
	We failed to properly consider the application of FASB Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, 740 to uncertain tax positions related to our historical approach to evaluating Section 382 of the Code. As a result, we failed to identify and disclose that we had approximately $60,138 of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2012, and overstated our unrestricted federal net operating loss carryforwards as of December 31, 2012, by approximately $108,250. That is, as of December 31, 2012, we disclosed that we had tax carryforwards resulting in deferred tax assets that were offset by a valuation allowance but, upon further analysis, we determined that under GAAP we should have instead disclosed that we had unrecognized tax benefits for the uncertain tax positions we had taken in our tax returns. Our tax footnote disclosure for 2013 includes disclosures for uncertain tax positions.
	These errors do not affect our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income or consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.
Reclassifications	'
	Reclassifications.    Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to be consistent with the current year presentation.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	In January 2013, we adopted ASU 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. This update requires companies to report, in one place, information about reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. Companies are also required to present details of reclassifications in the disclosure of changes in accumulated other comprehensive income balances. The update is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The implementation of this update as of January 1, 2013, caused no changes to our consolidated financial statements.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists, which sets forth explicit guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward exists. This guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted. We elected to adopt early the guidance in ASU 2013-11 in our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013, and have applied this guidance retroactively to our consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012. Accordingly, our unrecognized tax benefits have been presented as a reduction of our net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which establishes a comprehensive revenue recognition standard for virtually all industries in U.S. GAAP. The new standard will apply for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods therein. Early adoption is prohibited. We have not yet determined the effects, if any, adoption of this update may have on our consolidated financial statements.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
Schedule of estimated useful lives of property and equipment	'
	Buildings and site improvements	15 to 40 years
	Machinery and equipment	3 to 15 years
	Furniture and fixtures	5 to 10 years

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share	'
Schedule of reconciliation from net income to the net income available to common shareholders and the related earnings per share	'
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Net income, as reported	$	31,623	$	32,198	$	23,574
	Less: net income attributable to participating securities		1,957		1,851		1,384
	Net income available to common shareholders	$	29,666	$	30,347	$	22,190
	Weighted average common shares(1)		28,081,790		27,193,889		22,689,063
	Basic and diluted net income per share	$	1.06	$	1.12	$	0.98
	-1
	Excludes the unvested shares granted under our share award plan, which shares are considered participating securities because they participate equally in earnings and losses with all of our other common shareholders. The weighted average number of unvested shares outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, was 1,852,548, 1,658,718 and 1,415,892, respectively.

Accounts_Receivable_Tables

Accounts Receivable (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts Receivable	'
Schedule of changes in, and balances of the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable	'
		Balance at		Amounts			Amounts			Balance at
		Beginning		Charged/			Charged Off,			End of
		of Period		(Credited)			Net of			Period
				To Expense			Recoveries
	Year Ended December 31, 2013
	Deducted from accounts receivable for doubtful accounts	$	1,516	$	(274	)	$	62		$	1,304
	Year Ended December 31, 2012
	Deducted from accounts receivable for doubtful accounts	$	1,679	$	349		$	(512	)	$	1,516
	Year Ended December 31, 2011
	Deducted from accounts receivable for doubtful accounts	$	2,023	$	99		$	(443	)	$	1,679

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Inventories	'
Schedule of inventories	'
		2013		2012
	Nonfuel products	$	150,600	$	144,025
	Fuel products		48,601		46,981
	Total inventories	$	199,201	$	191,006

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Acquisitions	'
Summary of the amounts assigned, based on their fair values, to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the business combinations	'
		Year Ended
		December 31, 2013
	Cash	$	2,651
	Accounts receivable		1,701
	Inventories		5,831
	Other current assets		164
	Property and equipment		96,167
	Leasehold interests		173
	Agreements with franchisors		2,836
	Trademarks		3,800
	Goodwill		23,250
	Other noncurrent assets		295
	Accounts payable and other current liabilities		(7,272	)
	Deferred tax liabilities		(15,780	)
	Other noncurrent liabilities		(1,187	)
	Total purchase price	$	112,629

Property_and_Equipment_Tables

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property and Equipment	'
Schedule of components of property and equipment, at cost	'
		2013			2012
	Land and improvements	$	214,483		$	176,313
	Buildings and improvements		203,416			120,529
	Machinery, equipment and furniture		252,951			205,195
	Leasehold improvements		200,972			182,955
	Construction in progress		88,361			95,744
			960,183			780,736
	Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization		255,317			204,224
	Property and equipment, net	$	704,866		$	576,512
Schedule of reconciliation of the entity's asset retirement obligation liability	'
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013			2012		2011
	Balance at beginning of period	$	1,430		$	829	$	485
	Liabilities acquired		693			505		361
	Liabilities settled		(114	)		—		(74	)
	Accretion expense		147			96		57
	Balance at end of period	$	2,156		$	1,430	$	829
HPT	'
Property and Equipment	'
Schedule of components of property and equipment, at cost	'
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Land and improvements	$	60,908		$	62,818
	Buildings and improvements		27,498			21,999
	Machinery, equipment and furniture		5,972			5,925
	Leasehold improvements		115,735			115,820
			210,113			206,562
	Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization		64,144			53,527
	Property and equipment, net	$	145,969		$	153,035

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	'
Schedule of components of goodwill and intangible assets, net	'
		Year Ended December 31, 2013
		Cost		Accumulated			Net
				Amortization
	Amortizable intangible assets:
	Agreements with franchisees	$	16,189	$	(7,044	)	$	9,145
	Leasehold interests		2,267		(2,097	)		170
	Agreements with franchisors		2,836		(25	)		2,811
	Other		3,200		(3,200	)		—
	Total amortizable intangible assets		24,492		(12,366	)		12,126
	Carrying value of trademarks (indefinite lived)		11,706		—			11,706
	Total intangible assets		36,198		(12,366	)		23,832
	Goodwill		24,940		—			24,940
	Total goodwill and intangible assets	$	61,138	$	(12,366	)	$	48,772
		Year Ended December 31, 2012
		Cost		Accumulated			Net
				Amortization
	Amortizable intangible assets:
	Agreements with franchisees	$	18,258	$	(7,813	)	$	10,445
	Leasehold interests		2,094		(2,094	)		—
	Other		3,200		(3,200	)		—
	Total amortizable intangible assets		23,552		(13,107	)		10,445
	Carrying value of trademarks (indefinite lived)		7,906		—			7,906
	Total intangible assets		31,458		(13,107	)		18,351
	Goodwill		1,690		—			1,690
	Total goodwill and intangible assets	$	33,148	$	(13,107	)	$	20,041
Schedule of estimate the aggregate amortization expense for amortizable intangible assets to be as follows for each of the next five years	'
	Year ending December 31,
	2014	$	1,626
	2015	$	1,538
	2016	$	1,481
	2017	$	1,395
	2018	$	1,272
Schedule of changes in goodwill	'
		Goodwill
	Balance as of December 31, 2011	$	—
	Add: Goodwill from business combinations		1,690
	Balance as of December 31, 2012		1,690
	Add: Goodwill from business combinations		23,250
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	24,940

Other_Current_Liabilities_Tabl

Other Current Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Current Liabilities	'
Schedule of components of other current liabilities	'
		2013		2012
	Taxes payable, other than income taxes	$	34,096	$	35,127
	Accrued wages and benefits		14,529		13,494
	Self insurance program accruals, current portion		15,534		14,797
	Loyalty programs accruals		16,700		11,967
	Accrued capital expenditures		10,261		15,327
	Litigation and claims reserve		11,321		1,961
	Environmental reserve, current portion		5,639		7,988
	Other		15,953		10,507
	Total other current liabilities	$	124,033	$	111,168

Other_Noncurrent_Liabilities_T

Other Noncurrent Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Noncurrent Liabilities	'
Schedule of other noncurrent liabilities	'
		2013		2012
	Self insurance program accruals, noncurrent portion	$	17,858	$	16,573
	Asset retirement obligations		2,156		1,430
	Environmental reserve, noncurrent portion		1,848		2,367
	Deferred tax liabilities, noncurrent portion		18,510		18,367
	Other noncurrent liabilities		5,494		3,286
	Total other noncurrent liabilities	$	45,866	$	42,023

Leasing_Transactions_Tables

Leasing Transactions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Leasing Transactions	'
Schedule of future minimum lease payments required under leases that had remaining noncancelable lease terms	'
	Year ending December 31,	Total
	2014	$	233,224
	2015		230,581
	2016		228,273
	2017		226,724
	2018		224,952
	Thereafter		1,157,006
	Total	$	2,300,760
Schedule of rent expense under the entity's operating leases	'
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Minimum rent	$	205,413	$	195,964	$	189,984
	Sublease rent		8,697		8,736		8,625
	Contingent rent		2,540		1,710		790
	Total rent expense	$	216,650	$	206,410	$	199,399
Schedule of future minimum lease payments due to us for subleased sites	'
	Future minimum lease payments due to us for the five subleased sites under these operating leases as of December 31, 2013, were as follows:
	Year ending December 31,	Total
	2014	$	4,292
	2015		4,292
	2016		4,292
	2017		2,412
	Total	$	15,288

Shareholders_Equity_Tables

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Shareholders' Equity	'
Schedule of number and weighted average grant date fair value of unvested common shares and common shares issued under the Plan	'
		Number			Weighted Average
		of			Grant Date
		Shares			Fair Value
					Per Share
	Unvested shares balance as of December 31, 2012		1,838,165		$	4.45
	Granted during 2013		619,075		$	10.7
	Vested during 2013		(609,640	)	$	5.89
	Forfeited/canceled during 2013		(5,175	)	$	4.67
	Unvested shares balance as of December 31, 2013		1,842,425		$	6.08
Schedule of accumulated other comprehensive income	'
		Foreign			Equity interest in			Accumulated
		currency			investee's			other
		translation			unrealized gain			comprehensive
		adjustment			(loss) on			income
					investments
	Balance at December 31, 2010	$	1,193		$	—		$	1,193
	2011 foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $(55)		(136	)		—			(136	)
	2011 equity interest in investee's unrealized gain on investments		—			77			77
	Balance at December 31, 2011	$	1,057		$	77		$	1,134
	2012 foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $55		143			—			143
	2012 equity interest in investee's unrealized gain on investments		—			22			22
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	1,200		$	99		$	1,299
	2013 foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $(133)		(415	)		—			(415	)
	2013 equity interest in investee's unrealized loss on investments		—			(50	)		(50	)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	785		$	49		$	834

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Taxes	'
Schedule of provision (benefit) for income taxes	'
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Current tax provision:
	Federal	$	1,836		$	—		$	—
	State		822			850			950
	Foreign		110			—			—
	Total current tax provision		2,768			850			950
	Deferred tax provision (benefit):
	Federal		(22,312	)		587			383
	State		(7,074	)		54			46
	Total deferred tax provision (benefit)		(29,386	)		641			429
	Total tax provision (benefit)	$	(26,618	)	$	1,491		$	1,379
Schedule of principal reasons for the difference between income tax provision and the income tax provision (benefit) at the U.S. Federal statutory income tax rate	'
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	U.S. federal statutory rate applied to income before taxes	$	1,752		$	11,791		$	8,734
	State income taxes		938			1,817			1,544
	Nondeductible expenses		1,643			1,564			846
	Benefit of tax credits		(1,101	)		(6,010	)		(1,316	)
	Taxes on foreign income at different than U.S. rate		19			125			(377	)
	Change in valuation allowance		(29,853	)		(8,341	)		(9,381	)
	Other—net		(16	)		545			1,329
	Total tax provision (benefit)	$	(26,618	)	$	1,491		$	1,379
Schedule of significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities	'
		2013			2012
	Current deferred tax assets:
	Reserves	$	21,498		$	17,881
	Deferred tenant improvements allowance		2,614			2,633
	Straight line rent accrual		920			681
	Tax credits		524			—
	Tax loss carryforwards		2,403			—
	Other		2,796			1,558
	Total current deferred tax asset before valuation allowance		30,755			22,753
	Valuation allowance		(39	)		(5,914	)
	Total current deferred tax assets		30,716			16,839
	Noncurrent deferred tax assets:
	Straight line rent accrual		21,549			22,591
	Reserves		7,092			6,310
	Sale-leaseback financing obligation		33,538			33,060
	Asset retirement obligation		673			556
	Tax credits		—			457
	Tax loss carryforwards		5,801			7,175
	Deferred tenant improvements allowance		20,911			23,696
	Other		844			24
	Total noncurrent deferred tax asset before valuation allowance		90,408			93,869
	Valuation allowance		(918	)		(24,921	)
	Total noncurrent deferred tax assets		89,490			68,948
	Total deferred tax assets		120,206			85,787
	Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities:
	Depreciable assets		(102,008	)		(83,993	)
	Intangible assets		(4,730	)		(2,232	)
	Other		(1,262	)		(1,090	)
	Total		(108,000	)		(87,315	)
	Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	$	12,206		$	(1,528	)
Schedule of location in our consolidated balance sheets of the deferred tax assets and liabilities	'
		December 31,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Deferred tax amounts are included in:
	Other current assets	$	30,716		$	16,839
	Other noncurrent liabilities	$	18,510		$	18,367
Schedule of changes in, and balances of valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	'
		Balance at			Additions/			Other			Balance at
		Beginning			(Reversals)			Changes			End of Year
		of Year			Recorded in the
					Provision for
					Income Taxes
	Year Ended December 31, 2013	$	30,835		$	(29,853	)	$	(25	)	$	957
	Year Ended December 31, 2012	$	39,176		$	(8,341	)	$	—		$	30,835
	Year Ended December 31, 2011	$	48,557		$	(9,381	)	$	—		$	39,176
Summary of activity related to unrecognized tax benefits	'
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Balance at beginning of period	$	60,138		$	57,448		$	52,291
	Reductions to current year tax positions		(502	)		(471	)		(233	)
	Additions (reductions) to prior year tax positions		(79	)		3,161			5,390
	Settlements		—			—			—
	Lapse of statute of limitations		—			—			—
	Balance at end of period	$	59,557		$	60,138		$	57,448

Equity_Investments_Tables

Equity Investments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity Investments	'
Summary of financial information	'
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Total current assets	$	14,832		$	9,578
	Total noncurrent assets	$	44,158		$	44,442
	Total current liabilities	$	2,383		$	2,823
	Total noncurrent liabilities	$	16,755		$	17,499
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Total revenues	$	125,804		$	133,962		$	128,344
	Total cost of sales (excluding depreciation)	$	102,766		$	111,894		$	108,278
	Operating income	$	6,707		$	6,047		$	3,908
	Interest expense, net	$	(553	)	$	(803	)	$	(1,219	)
	Net income	$	6,154		$	5,244		$	2,689

Related_Party_Transactions_Tab

Related Party Transactions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Related Party Transactions	'
Schedule of amounts of minimum lease payments required under the HPT Leases	'
	The following table sets forth the amounts of minimum lease payments required under the HPT Leases as of December 31, 2013, in each of the years shown.
	Year ending December 31,	Minimum			Rent for Ground			Total Minimum			Rent for Ground
		Rent(1)			Leases Acquired			Lease Payments			Leases Subleased
					by HPT(1)			Due to HPT(1)			from HPT(1)
	2014	$	214,473		$	5,087		$	219,560		$	8,770
	2015		214,473			4,932			219,405			8,257
	2016		214,473			4,983			219,456			6,375
	2017		214,473			5,047			219,520			5,528
	2018		214,473			4,915			219,388			4,899
	2019		214,473			4,508			218,981			3,087
	2020		214,473			2,518			216,991			2,435
	2021		214,473			1,563			216,036			2,197
	2022(2)		346,079			—			346,079			1,483
	2023		60,227			—			60,227			846
	2024(3)		82,424			—			82,424			618
	-1
	The timing of minimum rent payments does not match the recognition of expense under GAAP, which requires that the minimum rent payments are recognized in expense evenly over the term of the lease regardless of the payment schedule.
	-2
	Includes previously deferred rent payments of $107,085 and estimated cost of removing underground storage tanks on the leased properties of $24,520 due on December 31, 2022.
	-3
	Includes previously deferred rent payments of $42,915 and estimated cost of removing underground storage tanks on the leased properties of $9,395 due on June 30, 2024.
Schedule of various amounts related to the HPT Leases and other lessors which are reflected in real estate rent expense in consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income	'
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Cash payments for rent under the HPT Leases and interest on the deferred rent obligation	$	216,659		$	207,653		$	196,364
	Change in accrued estimated percentage rent		327			(11	)		—
	Adjustments to recognize expense on a straight line basis		(1,734	)		(2,664	)		3,021
	Less sale-leaseback financing obligation amortization		(1,644	)		(2,089	)		(2,046	)
	Less portion of rent payments recognized as interest expense		(7,400	)		(7,330	)		(7,390	)
	Less interest paid on deferred rent		—			—			(1,450	)
	Less deferred tenant improvements allowance amortization		(6,769	)		(6,769	)		(6,769	)
	Amortization of deferred gain on sale-leaseback transactions		(354	)		(103	)		—
	Rent expense related to HPT Leases		199,085			188,687			181,730
	Rent paid to others(1)		10,206			9,915			9,764
	Adjustments to recognize expense on a straight line basis for other leases		29			325			304
	Total real estate rent expense	$	209,320		$	198,927		$	191,798
	-1
	Includes rent paid directly to HPT's landlords under leases for properties we sublease from HPT as well as rent related to properties we lease from landlords other than HPT.
Schedule of various amounts related to the HPT Leases	'
		December 31,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Current HPT Leases liabilities:
	Accrued rent	$	18,041		$	17,092
	Current portion of sale-leaseback financing obligation(1)		2,358			2,038
	Current portion of straight line rent accrual(2)		2,382			2,149
	Current portion of deferred gain on sale-leaseback transactions(3)		385			306
	Current portion of deferred tenant improvements allowance(4)		6,769			6,769
	Total Current HPT Leases liabilities	$	29,935		$	28,354
	Noncurrent HPT Leases liabilities:
	Deferred rent obligation(5)	$	150,000		$	150,000
	Sale-leaseback financing obligation(1)		83,762			82,195
	Straight line rent accrual(2)		52,901			55,233
	Deferred gain on sale-leaseback transactions(3)		3,117			2,792
	Deferred tenant improvements allowance(4)		54,146			60,915
	Total Noncurrent HPT Leases liabilities	$	343,926		$	351,135
	-1
	Sale-leaseback Financing Obligation. GAAP governing the transactions related to our entering the TA Lease required us to recognize in our consolidated balance sheets the leased assets at thirteen of the properties previously owned by our predecessor that we now lease from HPT because we subleased more than a minor portion of those properties to third parties, and one property that did not qualify for operating lease treatment for other reasons. Accordingly, we recorded the leased assets at these properties at an amount equal to HPT's recorded initial carrying amounts, which were equal to their fair values, and recognized an equal amount of liability that is presented as sale-leaseback financing obligation in our consolidated balance sheets. In addition, sales to HPT of improvements at these properties are accounted for as sale-leaseback financing transactions and these liabilities are increased by the amount of proceeds we receive from HPT. We recognize a portion of the total rent payments to HPT related to these assets as a reduction of the sale-leaseback financing obligation and a portion as interest expense in our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. We determined the allocation of these rent payments to the liability and to interest expense using the effective interest method. The amounts allocated to interest expense during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, were $7,400, $7,330 and $7,390, respectively.
	During 2012, the subleases at four of these properties were terminated and we began operating these properties, qualifying the related properties for sale-leaseback accounting. Accordingly, we reduced our property and equipment balance by $22,229 and our sale-leaseback financing obligation balance by $24,646, resulting in a deferred gain of $2,417. In October 2013, the sublease at another one of these properties was terminated and we began to operate that property, qualifying it for sale-leaseback accounting. Accordingly, we reduced our property and equipment balance by $2,030 and our sale-leaseback financing obligation balance by $2,463, resulting in a deferred gain of $433. See footnote (3) below for further discussion regarding the deferred gains.
	-2
	Straight Line Rent Accrual. The TA Lease included scheduled rent increases over the first six years of the lease term, as do certain of the leases for properties we sublease from HPT, the rent for which we pay directly to HPT's landlords. Also, under our leases with HPT, we are obligated to pay to HPT at lease expiration an amount equal to an estimate of the cost of removing underground storage tanks we would have if we owned the underlying assets. We recognize the effects of scheduled rent increases and the future payment to HPT for the estimated cost of removing underground storage tanks in real estate rent expense over the lease terms on a straight line basis, with offsetting entries to this accrual balance.
	-3
	Deferred Gain on Sale-Leaseback Transactions. This gain arose from the terminations during 2012 and 2013 of subleases for five properties we lease from HPT, as further described in note (1) above, and from the sales of certain assets to HPT. Under GAAP, the gain or loss from the sale portion of a sale-leaseback transaction is deferred and amortized into our real estate rent expense on a straight line basis over the then remaining term of the lease.
	-4
	Deferred Tenant Improvements Allowance. HPT committed to fund up to $125,000 of capital projects at the properties we lease under the TA Lease without an increase in rent payable by us, which amount HPT had fully funded by September 30, 2010, net of discounting to reflect our accelerated receipt of those funds. In connection with this commitment, we recognized a liability for the rent deemed to be related to this tenant improvements allowance. This deferred tenant improvements allowance was initially recorded at an amount equal to the leasehold improvements receivable we recognized for the discounted value of the then expected future amounts to be received from HPT, based upon our then expected timing of receipt of those payments. We amortize the deferred tenant improvements allowance on a straight line basis over the term of the TA Lease as a reduction of real estate rent expense.
	-5
	Deferred Rent Obligation. Pursuant to a rent deferral agreement with HPT, through December 31, 2010, we deferred a total of $150,000 of rent payable to HPT. The deferred rent obligation is payable in two installments, $107,085 in December 2022 and $42,915 in June 2024. This obligation does not bear interest, unless certain events of default or other events occur, including a change of control of us.

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and contingencies	'
Schedule of amounts regarding environmental matters	'
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Gross liability for environmental matters:
	Included in other current liabilities	$	5,639		$	7,988
	Included in other noncurrent liabilities		1,848			2,367
	Total recorded liabilities		7,487			10,355
	Less-expected recoveries of future expenditures, included in other noncurrent assets		(1,611	)		(2,718	)
	Net estimated environmental costs to be funded by future operating cash flows	$	5,876		$	7,637

Other_Information_Tables

Other Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Information	'
Schedule of items included in operating expenses	'
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013			2012		2011
	Operating expenses included the following:
	Repairs and maintenance expenses	$	40,946		$	38,893	$	35,871
	Advertising expenses	$	22,748		$	20,563	$	18,768
	Taxes other than payroll and income taxes	$	17,463		$	15,818	$	16,252
Schedule of interest expense	'
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013			2012		2011
	Interest related to our Senior Notes and Credit Facility	$	10,537		$	2,096	$	1,036
	HPT rent classified as interest		7,400			7,330		7,390
	Amortization of deferred financing costs		667			352		403
	Capitalized interest		(1,033	)		—		—
	Other		79			580		176
	Interest expense	$	17,650		$	10,358	$	9,005

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_D1

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)	'
Summary of unaudited quarterly results of operations	'
		Year Ended December 31, 2013
		First			Second		Third		Fourth
		Quarter			Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
	Total revenues	$	1,957,351		$	2,018,754	$	2,062,096	$	1,906,530
	Gross profit (excluding depreciation)		263,807			301,228		307,141		280,651
	Income (loss) from operations		(8,460	)		19,971		20,938		(11,259	)
	Net income (loss)	$	(12,139	)	$	15,984	$	15,803	$	11,975
	Net income (loss) per share:
	Basic and diluted	$	(0.41	)	$	0.54	$	0.53	$	0.39
		Year Ended December 31, 2012
		First			Second		Third		Fourth
		Quarter			Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
	Total revenues	$	1,994,869		$	2,041,507	$	2,034,153	$	1,925,195
	Gross profit (excluding depreciation)		243,352			294,223		288,306		260,119
	Income (loss) from operations		(11,309	)		32,017		20,933		(171	)
	Net income (loss)	$	(14,185	)	$	29,852	$	18,990	$	(2,459	)
	Net income (loss) per share:
	Basic and diluted	$	(0.49	)	$	1.04	$	0.66	$	(0.08	)

Basis_of_Presentation_Business1

Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Organization (Details)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

30-May-07

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

HPT

Petro Stopping Center brand

Franchisee subleased sites

Franchisee subleased sites

Franchisee subleased sites

Travel centers

Travel centers

Travel centers

Travel centers

Travel centers

Travel centers

Travel centers

Travel centers

Travel centers

Convenience stores

Convenience stores

leasedsite

HPT

item

item

item

item

Minimum

HPT

Travel Centers of America brand

Petro Stopping Center brand

Company operated sites

Franchisee operated sites

Franchised sites

Franchisee subleased sites

state

HPT

leasedsite

leasedsite

acre

leasedsite

item

item

item

item

item

HPT

item

leasedsite

item

sqft

leasedsite

Basis of presentation, business description and organization

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of locations

'

'

5

6

10

247

'

'

172

75

217

30

'

5

34

'

Number of states in which the entity operates

'

'

'

'

'

42

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4

'

Number of locations owned

'

'

'

'

'

33

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

27

'

Number of sites under leases

185

40

'

'

'

189

'

184

'

'

'

'

'

'

5

1

Number of locations owned and operated

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25

'

'

'

Number of fueling stations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10

'

Area of property

'

'

'

'

'

'

25

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,000

'

Number of properties operated under joint venture

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

Ownership interest in subsidiary (as a percent)

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Oct. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2010

Dec. 31, 2013

Jan. 15, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

item

Accounts receivable

Minimum

Maximum

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

8.25% Senior Notes

8.25% Senior Notes

8.25% Senior Notes

Buildings and site improvements

Buildings and site improvements

Machinery and equipment

Machinery and equipment

Furniture and fixtures

Furniture and fixtures

Credit granted to some of the trucking company customers

installment

Deferred rent obligation payable in December 2022

Deferred rent obligation payable in June 2024

TA Lease

TA Lease

Minimum

Maximum

Minimum

Maximum

Minimum

Maximum

item

property

Segment Reporting

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of operating segments

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other current assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Supplier deposits

'

$29,443

$39,487

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property and Equipment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated useful lives

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'15 years

'40 years

'3 years

'15 years

'5 years

'10 years

Deferred Financing Costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization

'

5,594

1,511

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated amortization

'

1,083

416

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expense recognized to write off deferred financing fees

107

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capitalized costs related to entering the credit facility

'

'

'

1,542

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,750

'

165

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8.25%

8.25%

8.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Future amortization of deferred financing fees in 2014

'

680

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Future amortization of deferred financing fees in 2015

'

680

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Future amortization of deferred financing fees in 2016

'

616

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Future amortization of deferred financing fees in 2017

'

328

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Future amortization of deferred financing fees in 2018

'

328

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest expense from the amortization of deferred financing fees

'

667

352

403

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share Based Employee Compensation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Vesting period of shares issued to other than directors

'

'

'

'

'

'5 years

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Leasing Transactions

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of real estate properties at which leased assets are to be recognized in the consolidated balance sheet

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

13

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of real estate properties at which leased assets are to be recognized in the consolidated balance sheet

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred rent obligation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

150,000

150,000

150,000

107,085

42,915

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount funded for leasehold improvements

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$125,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of installments in which deferred rent is payable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Concentration of Credit Risk

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of industries from which the entity is exposed to concentration risk

'

'

'

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Earnings Per Share

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Dilutive securities outstanding

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Increase to current assets	$470,394	$404,926	'	'
Decrease in net deferred tax assets	120,206	85,787	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits	59,557	60,138	57,448	52,291
Increase to other noncurrent liabilities	45,866	42,023	'	'
Unrestricted available net operating loss carry forward	144,761	'	'	'
Net deferred tax (asset) liability	-12,206	1,528	'	'
Revision adjustments	'	'	'	'
Increase to current assets	'	11,438	'	'
Decrease in net deferred tax assets	'	66,100	'	'
Decrease in valuation allowance	'	71,500	'	'
Increase in recognized liability for uncertain tax positions	'	5,400	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits	'	60,138	'	'
Increase to other noncurrent liabilities	'	11,438	'	'
Other tax carryforwards	'	117,440	'	'
Previously reported	'	'	'	'
Unrestricted available net operating loss carry forward	'	$108,250	'	'

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income, as reported	$11,975	$15,803	$15,984	($12,139)	($2,459)	$18,990	$29,852	($14,185)	$31,623	$32,198	$23,574
Less: net income attributable to participating securities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,957	1,851	1,384
Net income available to common shareholders	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$29,666	$30,347	$22,190
Weighted average common shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	28,081,790	27,193,889	22,689,063
Basic and diluted net income per share	$0.39	$0.53	$0.54	($0.41)	($0.08)	$0.66	$1.04	($0.49)	$1.06	$1.12	$0.98
Number of unvested participating shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,852,548	1,658,718	1,415,892

Accounts_Receivable_Details

Accounts Receivable (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Changes in, and balances of the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable	'	'	'
Balance at Beginning of Period	$1,516	$1,679	$2,023
Amounts Charged/(Credited) To Expense	-274	349	99
Amounts Charged Off, Net of Recoveries	62	-512	-443
Balance at End of Period	$1,304	$1,516	$1,679

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventories	'	'
Nonfuel products	$150,600	$144,025
Fuel products	48,601	46,981
Total inventories	$199,201	$191,006

Acquisitions_Details

Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 16, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Trademarks

Leasehold interests

Agreements with franchisors

Minit Mart brand

Nine travel centers

Thirty one convenience stores

Ten travel centers

Travel centers

Four businesses acquired from franchisees

Travel centers agreed to be purchased

leasedsite

item

item

item

item

item

Acquisitions

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Purchase price paid

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$46,245

$67,922

$52,310

'

'

$3,000

Number of travel center properties acquired as per the agreement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9

'

10

'

4

'

Number of travel centers formerly operated by franchisees

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

'

Number of travel centers acquired which were closed at time of acquired accounted as asset acquisition

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

'

Number of convenience stores which the acquiree operates

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

31

'

'

'

'

Number of sites under leases

'

'

'

'

'

'

4

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of transactions in which travel centers acquired were accounted as business combinations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6

'

2

'

Summary of the amounts assigned, based on their fair values, to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the business combinations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash

2,651

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accounts Receivable

1,701

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Inventories

5,831

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other current assets

164

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property and equipment

96,167

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Intangible assets

'

'

'

3,800

173

2,836

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill

23,250

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other noncurrent assets

295

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accounts payable and other current liabilities

-7,272

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred tax liabilities

-15,780

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other noncurrent liabilities

-1,187

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total purchase price

112,629

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acquisition costs

$2,523

$785

$446

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property_and_Equipment_Details

Property and Equipment (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Oct. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

Land and improvements

Land and improvements

Land and improvements

Land and improvements

Buildings and improvements

Buildings and improvements

Buildings and improvements

Buildings and improvements

Machinery, equipment and furniture

Machinery, equipment and furniture

Machinery, equipment and furniture

Machinery, equipment and furniture

Leasehold improvements

Leasehold improvements

Leasehold improvements

Leasehold improvements

Construction in progress

Construction in progress

Completed improvement projects

Ongoing improvement projects

TA Lease

TA Lease

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

item

item

Property and Equipment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property and equipment, gross

$960,183

$960,183

$780,736

'

$210,113

$206,562

'

'

$214,483

$176,313

$60,908

$62,818

$203,416

$120,529

$27,498

$21,999

$252,951

$205,195

$5,972

$5,925

$200,972

$182,955

$115,735

$115,820

$88,361

$95,744

'

'

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

255,317

255,317

204,224

'

64,144

53,527

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property and equipment, net

704,866

704,866

576,512

'

145,969

153,035

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property and equipment, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,096

23,636

Depreciation expense

'

57,456

46,888

42,344

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Impairment charges

659

659

351

302

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Sites now qualifying for sale-leaseback accounting because they are no longer sub-leased to 3rd party

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Decrease in property and equipment on business acquisition

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,030

22,229

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Decrease in sale-leaseback financing obligation on business acquisition

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,463

24,646

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gain on business acquisition

'

'

'

'

'

'

433

2,417

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Changes in assets retirement obligation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balance at beginning of period

'

1,430

829

485

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liabilities acquired

'

693

505

361

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Liabilities settled

'

-114

'

-74

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accretion expense

'

147

96

57

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balance at end of period

$2,156

$2,156

$1,430

$829

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Goodwill and intangible assets	'	'	'
Total amortizable intangible assets, Cost	$24,492	$23,552	'
Total amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	-12,366	-13,107	'
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net	12,126	10,445	'
Carrying value of trademarks (indefinite lived)	11,706	7,906	'
Total intangible assets, Cost	36,198	31,458	'
Total intangible assets, Net	23,832	18,351	'
Goodwill	24,940	1,690	'
Total goodwill and intangible assets, Cost	61,138	33,148	'
Total goodwill and intangible assets, Net	48,772	20,041	'
Amortization expense	1,325	3,606	3,892
Amortization expense to write off intangible assets	282	215	1,034
Weighted average amortization period	'9 years	'	'
Goodwill deductible for tax purposes	9,068	'	'
Changes in goodwill	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	1,690	'	'
Add: Goodwill from business combinations	23,250	1,690	'
Balance at end of period	24,940	1,690	'
Estimated aggregate amortization expense	'	'	'
2014	1,626	'	'
2015	1,538	'	'
2016	1,481	'	'
2017	1,395	'	'
2018	1,272	'	'
Maximum Measurement Period from Acquisition on date which Impact Value of Goodwill	'1 year	'	'
Agreements with franchisees	'	'	'
Goodwill and intangible assets	'	'	'
Total amortizable intangible assets, Cost	16,189	18,258	'
Total amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	-7,044	-7,813	'
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net	9,145	10,445	'
Leasehold interests	'	'	'
Goodwill and intangible assets	'	'	'
Total amortizable intangible assets, Cost	2,267	2,094	'
Total amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	-2,097	-2,094	'
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net	170	'	'
Weighted average amortization period	'10 years	'	'
Agreements with franchisors	'	'	'
Goodwill and intangible assets	'	'	'
Total amortizable intangible assets, Cost	2,836	'	'
Total amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	-25	'	'
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net	2,811	'	'
Weighted average amortization period	'6 years	'	'
Other	'	'	'
Goodwill and intangible assets	'	'	'
Total amortizable intangible assets, Cost	3,200	3,200	'
Total amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	($3,200)	($3,200)	'

Other_Current_Liabilities_Deta

Other Current Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Current Liabilities	'	'
Taxes payable, other than income taxes	$34,096	$35,127
Accrued wages and benefits	14,529	13,494
Self insurance program accruals, current portion	15,534	14,797
Loyalty programs accruals	16,700	11,967
Accrued capital expenditures	10,261	15,327
Litigation and claims reserve	11,321	1,961
Environmental reserve, current portion	5,639	7,988
Other	15,953	10,507
Total other current liabilities	$124,033	$111,168

Other_Noncurrent_Liabilities_D

Other Noncurrent Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Noncurrent Liabilities	'	'	'	'
Self insurance program accruals, noncurrent portion	$17,858	$16,573	'	'
Asset retirement obligations	2,156	1,430	829	485
Environmental reserve, noncurrent portion	1,848	2,367	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities, noncurrent portion	18,510	18,367	'	'
Other noncurrent liabilities	5,494	3,286	'	'
Total other noncurrent liabilities	$45,866	$42,023	'	'

Revolving_Credit_Facility_Deta

Revolving Credit Facility (Details) (Credit facility, USD $)	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
			Subsequent event	LIBOR	Base rate
Revolving Credit Facility	'	'	'	'	'
Maximum borrowing capacity	'	$200,000	'	'	'
Increase in maximum borrowing capacity subject to available collateral and lender participation	'	300,000	'	'	'
Variable rate basis	'	'	'	'LIBOR	'base rate
Annual interest rate (as a percent)	4.50%	'	'	'	'
Waiver to furnish audited consolidated financial statements to bank within specified time	'90 days	'	'45 days	'	'
Amount available for loans and letters of credit	130,783	'	'	'	'
Outstanding amount of letters of credit	44,866	'	'	'	'
Principal payments due until maturity	0	'	'	'	'
Outstanding amount of loans	$0	'	'	'	'

Senior_Notes_Details

Senior Notes (Details) (Senior Notes, USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Jan. 15, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Senior Notes	'	'	'
Senior notes	'	'	'
Aggregate principal amount	'	$110,000,000	'
Interest rate (as a percent)	8.25%	8.25%	8.25%
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)	100.00%	'	'
Deferred financing costs, noncurrent	4,915,000	'	'
Fair value of debt instrument	115,192,000	'	'
Principal payments	$0	'	'

Leasing_Transactions_Details

Leasing Transactions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Future minimum lease payments	'	'	'
2014	$233,224	'	'
2015	230,581	'	'
2016	228,273	'	'
2017	226,724	'	'
2018	224,952	'	'
Thereafter	1,157,006	'	'
Total	2,300,760	'	'
Rent expense under operating leases	'	'	'
Minimum rent	205,413	195,964	189,984
Sublease rent	8,697	8,736	8,625
Contingent rent	2,540	1,710	790
Total rent expense	216,650	206,410	199,399
HPT	'	'	'
Leasing Transactions - As a lessee	'	'	'
Number of leases	2	'	'
Additional disclosures	'	'	'
Number of properties under lease	185	'	'
HPT | TA Lease	'	'	'
Additional disclosures	'	'	'
Number of properties under lease	145	'	'
HPT | Petro Lease	'	'	'
Rent expense under operating leases	'	'	'
Minimum rent	$54,160	'	'
Additional disclosures	'	'	'
Number of properties under lease	40	'	'
Term of renewal option	'15 years	'	'
HPT | Petro Lease | Maximum	'	'	'
Additional disclosures	'	'	'
Number of renewal options available	2	'	'

Leasing_Transactions_Details_2

Leasing Transactions (Details 2) (Franchise units subleased, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	item	item	item
	travelcenter
Franchise units subleased	'	'	'
Leasing Transactions - As a lessor	'	'	'
Number of travel centers	5	6	10
Number of travel centers that were previously subleased to franchisees	1	4	'
Number of subleases that have one remaining renewal option	4	'	'
Number of remaining renewal options available	1	'	'
Term of renewal options	'5 years	'	'
Rent revenue from operating leases	$4,869	$5,724	$5,152
Future minimum lease payments due to the entity for subleased sites under operating leases	'	'	'
2014	4,292	'	'
2015	4,292	'	'
2016	4,292	'	'
2017	2,412	'	'
Total	$15,288	'	'

Shareholders_Equity_Details

Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	31-May-11	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Shareholders' Equity	'	'	'	'	'
Common shares issued in a public offering	7,475,000	10,000,000	'	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of common shares, net of underwriters' discounts and commissions and other costs of the offering	$65,102	$53,135	$65,102	'	$53,135
Shareholders' Equity	'	'	'	'	'
Number of common shares authorized under the plan	6,000,000	'	6,000,000	'	'
Number of common shares awarded under the plan	'	'	619,075	767,925	760,875
Market value of common shares awarded (in dollars)	'	'	6,626	3,377	3,363
Total share based compensation expense recognized (in dollars)	'	'	4,183	2,470	2,435
Fair value (in dollars)	'	'	6,454	2,554	2,301
Weighted average grant date fair value of common shares (in dollars per share)	'	'	$10.70	$4.40	$4.42
Shares that remained available for issuance	1,533,300	'	1,533,300	'	'
Total share based compensation related to unvested shares (in dollars)	$10,930	'	$10,930	'	'
Weighted average remaining service period over which share based compensation related to unvested shares will be expensed	'	'	'5 years 3 months 18 days	'	'
Number Of Shares	'	'	'	'	'
Unvested shares balance at the beginning of the period	'	'	1,838,165	'	'
Granted (in shares)	'	'	619,075	767,925	760,875
Vested (in shares)	'	'	-609,640	'	'
Forfeited/canceled (in shares)	'	'	-5,175	'	'
Unvested shares balance at the end of the period	1,842,425	'	1,842,425	1,838,165	'
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share	'	'	'	'	'
Unvested shares balance at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	'	'	$4.45	'	'
Granted (in dollars per share)	'	'	$10.70	$4.40	$4.42
Vested (in dollars per share)	'	'	$5.89	'	'
Forfeited/canceled (in dollars per share)	'	'	$4.67	'	'
Unvested shares balance at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$6.08	'	$6.08	$4.45	'
Minimum	'	'	'	'	'
Shareholders' Equity	'	'	'	'	'
Vesting period	'	'	'5 years	'	'
Maximum	'	'	'	'	'
Shareholders' Equity	'	'	'	'	'
Vesting period	'	'	'10 years	'	'

Shareholders_Equity_Details_2

Shareholders' Equity (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	$1,299	$1,134	$1,193
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax	-415	143	-136
Equity interest in investee's unrealized gain (loss) on investments	-50	22	77
Balance at the end of the period	834	1,299	1,134
Foreign currency translation adjustment, taxes	-133	55	-55
Foreign currency translation adjustment	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	1,200	1,057	1,193
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax	-415	143	-136
Balance at the end of the period	785	1,200	1,057
Equity interest in investee's unrealized gain (loss) on investments	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	99	77	'
Equity interest in investee's unrealized gain (loss) on investments	-50	22	77
Balance at the end of the period	$49	$99	$77

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Provision for income taxes	'	'	'	'
Benefit from reversal of valuation allowance	($29,853)	($29,853)	($8,341)	($9,381)
State taxes based on operating income	'	822	850	950
Tax expense related to a noncash deferred liability arising from foreign currency translation adjustments	'	'	641	429
U.S. Federal statutory income tax rate (as a percent)	'	35.00%	'	'
Current tax provision:	'	'	'	'
Federal	'	1,836	'	'
State	'	822	850	950
Foreign	'	110	'	'
Total current tax provision	'	2,768	850	950
Deferred tax provision (benefit):	'	'	'	'
Federal	'	-22,312	587	383
State	'	-7,074	54	46
Total deferred tax provision (benefit)	'	-29,386	641	429
Total tax provision (benefit)	'	($26,618)	$1,491	$1,379

Income_Taxes_Details_2

Income Taxes (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2007
Difference between income tax provision and income tax provision (benefit) at the U.S. Federal statutory income tax rate	'	'	'	'	'
U.S. federal statutory rate applied to income before taxes	'	$1,752	$11,791	$8,734	'
State income taxes	'	938	1,817	1,544	'
Nondeductible expenses	'	1,643	1,564	846	'
Benefit of tax credits	'	-1,101	-6,010	-1,316	'
Taxes on foreign income at different than U.S. Rate	'	19	125	-377	'
Change in valuation allowance	-29,853	-29,853	-8,341	-9,381	'
Other-net	'	-16	545	1,329	'
Total tax provision (benefit)	'	-26,618	1,491	1,379	'
Amount of valuation allowances expected to not realize	957	'	'	'	'
Amount of federal net operating loss carryforward used to reduce tax payable	'	'	20,191	49,338	'
Net operating loss	144,761	144,761	'	'	'
Tax credit carry forward amount	9,094	9,094	'	'	'
Net operating loss carryforward limitation amount	16,153	16,153	'	'	49,230
Other tax credit carryforwards limitation amount	'	'	'	'	887
Current deferred tax assets:	'	'	'	'	'
Reserves	21,498	21,498	17,881	'	'
Deferred tenant improvements allowance	2,614	2,614	2,633	'	'
Straight line rent accrual	920	920	681	'	'
Tax credits	524	524	'	'	'
Tax loss carryforwards	2,403	2,403	'	'	'
Other	2,796	2,796	1,558	'	'
Total current deferred tax asset before valuation allowance	30,755	30,755	22,753	'	'
Valuation allowance	-39	-39	-5,914	'	'
Total current deferred tax assets	30,716	30,716	16,839	'	'
Noncurrent deferred tax assets:	'	'	'	'	'
Straight line rent accrual	21,549	21,549	22,591	'	'
Reserves	7,092	7,092	6,310	'	'
Sale-leaseback financing obligation	33,538	33,538	33,060	'	'
Asset retirement obligation	673	673	556	'	'
Tax credits	'	'	457	'	'
Tax loss carryforwards	5,801	5,801	7,175	'	'
Deferred tenant improvements allowance	20,911	20,911	23,696	'	'
Other	844	844	24	'	'
Total noncurrent deferred tax asset before valuation allowance	90,408	90,408	93,869	'	'
Valuation allowance	-918	-918	-24,921	'	'
Total noncurrent deferred tax assets	89,490	89,490	68,948	'	'
Total deferred tax assets	120,206	120,206	85,787	'	'
Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities:	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciable assets	-102,008	-102,008	-83,993	'	'
Intangible assets	-4,730	-4,730	-2,232	'	'
Other	-1,262	-1,262	-1,090	'	'
Total	-108,000	-108,000	-87,315	'	'
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	12,206	12,206	-1,528	'	'
Deferred tax amounts are included in:	'	'	'	'	'
Other current assets	30,716	30,716	16,839	'	'
Other noncurrent liabilities	$18,510	$18,510	$18,367	'	'

Income_Taxes_Details_3

Income Taxes (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Movement in valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	'	'	'
Balance at Beginning of Year	$30,835	$39,176	$48,557
Additions/ (Reversals) Recorded in the Provision for Income Taxes	-29,853	-8,341	-9,381
Other Changes	-25	'	'
Balance at End of Year	$957	$30,835	$39,176

Income_Taxes_Details_4

Income Taxes (Details 4) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2007
Income Taxes	'	'
Number of years over which loss carryforwards are subject to the annual limitation	'5 years	'
Net operating loss carryforward limitation amount	$16,153	$49,230
Other tax credit carryforwards limitation amount	'	887
Additional net operating loss carryforward limitation amount	117,440	'
Tax credits	524	'
Operating loss carryforward available to us for the purpose of offsetting future taxable income through 2032 subject to an annual limitation	11,753	'
Tax Credits with no Expiration date	$186	'

Income_Taxes_Details_5

Income Taxes (Details 5) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Activity related to unrecognized tax benefits	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	$60,138	$57,448	$52,291
Reductions to current year tax positions	-502	-471	-233
Additions (reductions) to prior year tax positions	-79	3,161	5,390
Balance at end of period	59,557	60,138	57,448
Uncertain tax benefits if settled, would favorably impact on the effective tax rate	57,228	57,280	54,119
Unrecongnized tax benefits classified as a reduction to our deferred tax assets	57,721	60,138	'
Unrecognized tax benefits classified as noncurrent liability	$1,836	$0	'

Equity_Investments_Details

Equity Investments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended							12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	31-May-14	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	30-May-07
				AIC	AIC	AIC	AIC	PTP	PTP	PTP	PTP
							Subsequent event	item
								travelcenter
Equity Investments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Ownership interest (as a percent)	'	'	'	12.50%	'	'	14.30%	40.00%	'	'	'
Carrying value of investment	'	'	'	$5,913	$5,629	'	'	$17,672	$15,332	'	'
Income recognized related to equity investments	2,674	1,877	1,169	334	316	140	'	2,340	1,561	1,029	'
Number of travel centers operated	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2	'	'	'
Number of convenience stores operated	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2	'	'	'
Excess of carrying value of investment over the amount of underlying equity in net assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,246
Amortization period of assets acquired	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'15 years	'	'	'
Summarized financial information	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total current assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	14,832	9,578	'	'
Total noncurrent assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	44,158	44,442	'	'
Total current liabilities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,383	2,823	'	'
Total noncurrent liabilities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	16,755	17,499	'	'
Total revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	125,804	133,962	128,344	'
Total cost of sales (excluding depreciation)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	102,766	111,894	108,278	'
Operating income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,707	6,047	3,908	'
Interest expense, net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-553	-803	-1,219	'
Net income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,154	5,244	2,689	'
Debt balance for which locations owned by equity investee are encumbered	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$17,358	'	'	'

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

24 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

13 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2008

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jul. 02, 2013

Feb. 01, 2011

Jan. 02, 2011

Oct. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Jan. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2010

Jan. 06, 2014

Jan. 31, 2014

Dec. 23, 2013

Jan. 02, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Apr. 15, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Mar. 25, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Maximum

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

HPT

Shell

RMR

RMR

RMR

RMR

RMR

RMR

RMR

RMR

RMR

AIC

AIC

AIC

AIC

AIC

PTP

PTP

PTP

installment

item

item

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Subsequent event

Deferred rent obligation payable in December 2022

Deferred rent obligation payable in June 2024

TA Lease

TA Lease

TA Lease

TA Lease

TA Lease

TA Lease

TA Lease

TA Lease

TA Lease

TA Lease

TA Lease

Petro Lease

Petro Lease

Petro Lease

Petro Lease

Petro Lease

Petro Lease

property

item

Messrs. O'Brien and Rebholz and Young

Messrs. O'Brien and Rebholz and Young

Messrs. O'Brien and Rebholz and Young

Restricted shares

Restricted shares

Restricted shares

item

Subsequent event

item

leasedsite

installment

installment

item

leasedsite

item

Subsequent event

Subsequent event

leasedsite

Maximum

item

lease

lease

leasedsite

leasedsite

property

property

option

lease

lease

Related Party

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of common shares owned

'

'

'

'

3,420,000

3,420,000

'

'

'

3,420,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common shares purchased in a public offering

'

'

'

'

880,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of outstanding common shares owned

'

'

'

'

9.10%

9.10%

'

'

'

9.10%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of leases

'

'

'

'

2

2

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of properties under lease

'

'

'

'

185

185

'

'

'

185

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

145

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

40

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of renewal options available

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Term of renewal option

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'15 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Increase (decrease) in annual lease rent payable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$5,000

($29,983)

'

$4,730

$4,656

$4,184

'

'

'

'

'

($12,017)

$2,403

$1,868

$1,691

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum rent

205,413

195,964

189,984

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

54,160

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum rent payment including improvements sold

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

159,333

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

60,227

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of non-fuel revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of fuel revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.30%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.30%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage rent to be waived

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage rent waived

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

366

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Annual percentage rent recognized as an expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,050

1,465

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Rate of increase in annual amount (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

8.50%

8.50%

'

'

'

8.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Rate of increase in annual amount, basis

'

'

'

'

'

'U.S. Treasury interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Rate of increase in annual amount, basis spread (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

3.50%

3.50%

'

'

'

3.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Improvements sold

'

'

'

'

'

83,912

76,754

69,122

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,063

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Increase to annual rent payable

'

'

'

'

'

7,133

6,524

5,875

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

515

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Improvements included in property and equipment

'

'

'

'

28,732

28,732

'

'

'

28,732

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amounts of minimum lease payments required under the HPT Leases

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum rent payment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

214,473

214,473

214,473

214,473

214,473

214,473

214,473

214,473

346,079

60,227

82,424

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

140,139

'

'

135,139

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Rent for Ground Leases Acquired by HPT

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,087

4,932

4,983

5,047

4,915

4,508

2,518

1,563

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total Minimum Lease Payments Due to HPT

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

219,560

219,405

219,456

219,520

219,388

218,981

216,991

216,036

346,079

60,227

82,424

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Rent for Ground Leases Subleased from HPT

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,770

8,257

6,375

5,528

4,899

3,087

2,435

2,197

1,483

846

618

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

40

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated cost of removing underground storage tanks due on December 31, 2022

'

'

'

'

24,520

24,520

'

'

'

24,520

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated cost of removing underground storage tanks due on June 30, 2024

'

'

'

'

9,395

9,395

'

'

'

9,395

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount by which monthly rent payment can be deferred

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

150,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate on deferred rent amount outstanding (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Period following the latest of the expiration of the lease terms during which the entity can be required to conduct registered public offering of common shares issued

'

'

'

'

'

'12 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of independent trustees, who are directors or trustees of the other company

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Summary of various amounts related to the HPT Leases and leases with other lessors that are reflected in real estate rent expense in consolidated statements of operations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash payments for rent under the HPT Leases and interest on the deferred rent obligation

'

'

'

'

'

216,659

207,653

196,364

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Change in accrued estimated percentage rent

'

'

'

'

'

327

-11

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Adjustments to recognize expense on a straight line basis

'

'

'

'

'

-1,734

-2,664

3,021

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Less sale-leaseback financing obligation amortization

-1,644

-2,089

-2,046

'

'

-1,644

-2,089

-2,046

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Less portion of rent payments recognized as interest expense

7,400

7,330

7,390

'

'

-7,400

-7,330

-7,390

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Less interest paid on deferred rent

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1,450

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Less deferred tenant improvements allowance amortization

'

'

'

'

'

-6,769

-6,769

-6,769

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization of deferred gain on sale-leaseback transactions

'

'

'

'

'

-354

-103

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Rent expense related to HPT Leases

'

'

'

'

'

199,085

188,687

181,730

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Rent paid to others

10,206

9,915

9,764

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Adjustments to recognize expense on a straight line basis for other leases

29

325

304

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total real estate rent expense

209,320

198,927

191,798

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current HPT Leases liabilities:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accrued rent

'

'

'

'

18,041

18,041

17,092

'

'

18,041

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current portion of sale-leaseback financing obligation

'

'

'

'

2,358

2,358

2,038

'

'

2,358

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current portion of straight line rent accrual

'

'

'

'

2,382

2,382

2,149

'

'

2,382

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current portion of deferred gain on sale-leaseback transactions

'

'

'

'

385

385

306

'

'

385

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current portion of deferred tenant improvements allowance

'

'

'

'

6,769

6,769

6,769

'

'

6,769

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total Current HPT Leases liabilities

29,935

28,354

'

'

29,935

29,935

28,354

'

'

29,935

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Noncurrent HPT Leases liabilities:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred rent obligation

'

'

'

'

150,000

150,000

150,000

'

'

150,000

150,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

107,085

42,915

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Sale-leaseback financing obligation

'

'

'

'

83,762

83,762

82,195

'

'

83,762

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Straight line rent accrual

'

'

'

'

52,901

52,901

55,233

'

'

52,901

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred gain on sale-leaseback transactions

'

'

'

'

3,117

3,117

2,792

'

'

3,117

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred tenant improvements allowance

'

'

'

'

54,146

54,146

60,915

'

'

54,146

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total Noncurrent HPT Lease liabilities

343,926

351,135

'

'

343,926

343,926

351,135

'

'

343,926

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other related party transactions

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of real estate properties leased to be recognized

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

13

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of real estate properties not qualifying for operating lease treatment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of former franchisee travel centers acquired

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Decrease in property and equipment on business acquisition

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,030

'

22,229

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Decrease in sale-leaseback financing obligation on business acquisition

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,463

'

24,646

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gain on business acquisition

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

433

'

2,417

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

The term of scheduled rent increase from the initial lease term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'6 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of real estate properties for which subleases were terminated

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount funded for leasehold improvements

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

125,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of installments in which deferred rent is payable

'

'

'

'

2

2

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of travel centers up to which a network of natural gas fueling lanes is agreed to be constructed by Shell

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Operating lease rent previously paid to a third party

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

545

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Increase to annual rent payable related to a lease amendment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

537

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

105

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Decrease to annual rent payable related to a lease agreement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-525

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reduction of annual rent payable as a percentage of amount received by lessor by eminent domain proceedings or fair market value rent of property

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from VDOT

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,178

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum percentage of business time devoted

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

80.00%

80.00%

80.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of total cash compensation paid

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

80.00%

80.00%

80.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business management fee as percentage of sum of gross fuel margin and total nonfuel revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.60%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business management fee

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,758

10,025

9,435

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Pro rata share in cost of providing internal audit function

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

208

193

240

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Period by which business management agreement get automatically renewed

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Period before which written notice is required to be given for termination of business management agreement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'60 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Period before which notice is required for termination of business management agreement upon change in control

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'5 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property management fees

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

143

132

58

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Awards granted (in shares)

619,075

767,925

760,875

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

48,950

59,725

61,350

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate value of awards granted during the period

6,626

3,377

3,363

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

523

260

260

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Portion of the awards granted that vested on grant date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Portion of the awards granted which will vest on each of the next four anniversaries of the grant date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of anniversaries of the grant date over which the awards vest

'

'

'

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'4 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum percentage of any class of equity shares that can be acquired

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

9.80%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount paid in connection with shareholder derivative litigation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

119

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

51

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of other companies which are shareholders of related party

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ownership interest (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

12.50%

'

'

14.30%

40.00%

'

'

Amount invested in equity investee

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,229

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity method investments, carrying value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,913

5,629

'

'

17,672

15,332

'

Income recognized related to equity investments

2,674

1,877

1,169

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

334

316

140

'

2,340

1,561

1,029

Period of property insurance program

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Coverage of property insurance

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Premiums paid under property insurance program

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,743

'

3,183

1,664

'

'

'

'

Common shares purchased

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,857

'

'

'

Purchase price of shares

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

825

'

'

'

Number of shareholders

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6

'

'

'

Number of travel centers built

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

Number of convenience stores built

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

Number of travel centers operated

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

Number of convenience stores operated

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

Management and accounting fee income recognized

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

800

800

800

Net payable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,147

575

'

Distributions from equity investee

'

$4,800

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$4,800

'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Feb. 28, 2014

31-May-10

Dec. 31, 2013

31-May-10

Dec. 31, 2013

Apr. 30, 2011

Apr. 30, 2009

Mar. 31, 2013

Feb. 28, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Additional travel centers

Litigation by California State Water Resources Control Board

Litigation by California State Water Resources Control Board

Numerous companies in the petroleum industry, including predecessor and subsidiaries against which litigations were filed

Numerous companies in the petroleum industry, including predecessor and subsidiaries against which litigations were filed

Numerous companies in the petroleum industry, including predecessor and subsidiaries against which litigations were filed

Numerous companies in the petroleum industry, including predecessor and subsidiaries against which litigations were filed

Purported class action suit against Comdata

Purported class action suit against Comdata

Purported class action suit against Comdata

Purported class action suit against Comdata

Minimum

Environmental Matters

Environmental Matters

Environmental Matters

Subsequent Event

case

lawsuit

TA entity

TA entity

plaintiffs

plaintiffs

Subsequent Event

Numerous companies in the petroleum industry, including predecessor and subsidiaries against which litigations were filed

Maximum

fahrenheit

case

item

state

case

Commitments and contingencies

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cost of acquisition

'

'

$3,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Insurance per incident for certain environmental liabilities not known at the time of issuance of policies

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,000

Insurance for certain environmental liabilities not known at the time of issuance of policies

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

40,000

Gross liability for environmental matters:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Included in other current liabilities

-5,639

-7,988

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,639

7,988

'

Included in other noncurrent liabilities

-1,848

-2,367

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,848

2,367

'

Total recorded liabilities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,487

10,355

'

Less-expected recoveries of future expenditures, included in other noncurrent assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1,611

-2,718

'

Net estimated environmental costs to be funded by future operating cash flows

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,876

7,637

'

Estimated gross amounts of the cash outlays by year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2014

5,639

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2015

836

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2016

348

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2017

348

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2018

316

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash paid for settlement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

130,000

'

'

'

'

Cash agreed upon for settlement

'

'

'

'

1,800

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Suspended penalties amount

'

'

'

'

1,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum verified costs, prior to March 2018

'

'

'

'

2,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Verified compliance costs incurred

'

'

'

206

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss contingency, liability

'

'

'

3,594

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of states

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20

'

'

'

Number of lawsuits in which major petroleum refineries and retailers have been named as defendants

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Temperature of motor fuel at the time of sale, at which it was allegedly purchased by retail purchasers (in Fahrenheit)

'

'

'

'

'

'

60

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of cases filed

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of cases remanded

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of plaintiffs pursuing non-California claims

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of independent truck stop owners, who are plaintiffs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4

5

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net expense recorded

10,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,000

'

'

'

'

'

Cash paid by the entity for settlement

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$10,000

'

'

'

'

Other_Information_Details

Other Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating expenses included the following:	'	'	'
Repairs and maintenance expenses	$40,946	$38,893	$35,871
Advertising expenses	22,748	20,563	18,768
Taxes other than payroll and income taxes	17,463	15,818	16,252
Interest expense	'	'	'
Interest related to our Senior Notes and Credit Facility	10,537	2,096	1,036
HPT rent classified as interest	7,400	7,330	7,390
Amortization of deferred financing costs	667	352	403
Capitalized interest	-1,033	'	'
Other	79	580	176
Interest expense	$17,650	$10,358	$9,005

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_D2

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	$1,906,530,000	$2,062,096,000	$2,018,754,000	$1,957,351,000	$1,925,195,000	$2,034,153,000	$2,041,507,000	$1,994,869,000	$7,944,731,000	$7,995,724,000	$7,888,857,000
Gross profit (excluding depreciation)	280,651,000	307,141,000	301,228,000	263,807,000	260,119,000	288,306,000	294,223,000	243,352,000	'	'	'
Income (loss) from operations	-11,259,000	20,938,000	19,971,000	-8,460,000	-171,000	20,933,000	32,017,000	-11,309,000	21,190,000	41,470,000	32,400,000
Net income	11,975,000	15,803,000	15,984,000	-12,139,000	-2,459,000	18,990,000	29,852,000	-14,185,000	31,623,000	32,198,000	23,574,000
Net income (loss) per share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.39	$0.53	$0.54	($0.41)	($0.08)	$0.66	$1.04	($0.49)	$1.06	$1.12	$0.98
Charge related to a litigation settlement	10,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Impairment charges	659,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	659,000	351,000	302,000
Increase inventory reserves for excess and obsolete parts	1,500,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Charges to the company for claim related to invalid biodiesel renewable identification numbers	1,097,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Reversal of valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	-29,853,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-29,853,000	-8,341,000	-9,381,000
Charge to correct for certain immaterial misstatements	$2,435,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'