TravelCenters of America (TA) 10-Q 4 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 01, 2013
Document and Entity Information	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'TRAVELCENTERS OF AMERICA LLC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001378453	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	29,569,781
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$126,862	$35,189
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,591 as of September 30, 2013, and $1,516 as of December 31, 2012)	153,955	106,273
Inventories	193,088	191,006
Other current assets	53,123	61,020
Total current assets	527,028	393,488
Property and equipment, net	623,255	576,512
Goodwill and intangible assets, net	24,297	20,041
Other noncurrent assets	34,574	28,240
Total assets	1,209,154	1,018,281
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	178,177	143,605
Current HPT Leases liabilities	31,765	28,354
Other current liabilities	138,420	111,168
Total current liabilities	348,362	283,127
Noncurrent HPT Leases liabilities	342,449	351,135
Senior Notes due 2028	110,000	'
Other noncurrent liabilities	33,298	30,585
Total liabilities	834,109	664,847
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Shareholders' equity:	'	'
Common shares, no par value, 31,683,666 shares authorized at September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, and 29,569,781 and 29,536,466 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, respectively	607,345	605,106
Accumulated other comprehensive income	1,023	1,299
Accumulated deficit	-233,323	-252,971
Total shareholders' equity	375,045	353,434
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$1,209,154	$1,018,281

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	'	'
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts (in dollars)	$1,591	$1,516
Common shares, par value (in dollar per share)	'	'
Common shares, shares authorized	31,683,666	31,683,666
Common shares, shares issued	29,569,781	29,536,466
Common shares, shares outstanding	29,569,781	29,536,466

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Fuel	$1,667,464	$1,666,810	$4,927,971	$5,039,010
Nonfuel	391,319	363,402	1,100,554	1,020,299
Rent and royalties	3,313	3,941	9,676	11,220
Total revenues	2,062,096	2,034,153	6,038,201	6,070,529
Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation):	'	'	'	'
Fuel	1,576,118	1,581,830	4,669,885	4,789,447
Nonfuel	178,837	164,017	496,140	455,201
Total cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation)	1,754,955	1,745,847	5,166,025	5,244,648
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Site level operating	195,428	179,737	570,007	525,962
Selling, general & administrative	23,705	25,577	71,414	73,110
Real estate rent	52,424	49,185	156,412	148,030
Depreciation and amortization	14,646	12,874	41,894	37,138
Total operating expenses	286,203	267,373	839,727	784,240
Income from operations	20,938	20,933	32,449	41,641
Income from equity investees	859	801	2,018	1,263
Acquisition costs	-1,026	-189	-1,346	-647
Interest income	620	512	1,162	1,094
Interest expense	-4,514	-2,638	-13,009	-7,632
Income before income taxes	16,877	19,419	21,274	35,719
Provision for income taxes	1,074	429	1,626	1,062
Net income	15,803	18,990	19,648	34,657
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of $50 and $89 for three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 and $(88) and $86 for nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively	116	222	-209	218
Equity interest in investee's unrealized loss on investments	14	35	-67	31
Other comprehensive income	130	257	-276	249
Comprehensive income	$15,933	$19,247	$19,372	$34,906
Net income per share:	'	'	'	'
Basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.53	$0.66	$0.66	$1.20

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment, taxes	$50	$89	($88)	$86

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$19,648	$34,657
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Noncash rent expense	-6,636	-7,660
Share based compensation expense	2,239	1,562
Depreciation and amortization expense	41,894	37,138
Income from equity investees	-2,018	-1,263
Distribution from equity investee	'	4,800
Amortization of deferred financing costs	496	263
Deferred income tax provision	515	425
Charge (credit) for doubtful accounts	-138	27
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of business acquisitions:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-47,649	-46,040
Inventories	-1,144	-14,840
Other current assets	9,669	5,917
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	59,558	73,830
Other, net	1,428	458
Net cash provided by operating activities	77,862	89,274
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from sales of improvements to HPT	60,979	48,282
Proceeds from asset sales	514	90
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	-27,887	-41,083
Capital expenditures	-125,671	-111,573
Net cash used in investing activities	-92,065	-104,284
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from sale/leaseback transactions with HPT	2,184	'
Proceeds from Senior Notes issuance	110,000	'
Sale/leaseback financing obligation payments	-1,546	-1,641
Payment of deferred financing fees	-4,749	-22
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	105,889	-1,663
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-13	28
Net increase (decrease) in cash	91,673	-16,645
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	35,189	118,255
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	126,862	101,610
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:	'	'
Interest paid (including rent classified as interest)	11,346	7,244
Income taxes paid (net of refunds)	$745	$1,047

Basis_of_Presentation_Business

Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Organization	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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, primarily 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, and other brand names along the U.S. interstate highway system.  Our customers include long haul trucking fleets and their drivers, independent truck drivers and motorists.
	At September 30, 2013, our geographically diverse business included 247 locations in 42 U.S. states and in Canada.  As of September 30, 2013, we operated 214 of these locations, which we refer to as Company operated sites, and our franchisees operated 33 of these locations. Of our 247 locations at September 30, 2013, we owned 30, we leased or managed 190 from or for others, including 184 that we leased from Hospitality Properties Trust, or HPT, and franchisees owned or leased from others 27.  We subleased to franchisees six locations we lease from HPT.
	Our travel centers include over 25 acres of land on average and typically 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 and convenience stores and various other driver amenities.  We also collect rents, royalties and other fees from our franchisees.
	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 customers. We sometimes 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 only a single travel center located in a foreign country, Canada, and, we do not consider the revenues and assets related to our operations in Canada to be material to us.
	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited.  These unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, applicable for interim financial statements.  The disclosures do not include all the information necessary for complete financial statements in accordance with GAAP.  These unaudited interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, or our Annual Report.  In the opinion of our management, all adjustments, which include normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.  While our revenues are modestly seasonal, the quarterly variations in our operating results may reflect greater seasonal differences because our rent and certain other costs do not vary seasonally.  For this and other reasons, our operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.
	We have reclassified certain prior year amounts between real estate rent and depreciation and amortization to be consistent with the current year presentation.  The total amounts of prior year operating expenses are unchanged.
	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	In January 2013, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, No. 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 caused no changes to our condensed 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 do not expect the adoption of this update will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	2.                                      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.
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Net income, as reported	$	15,803	$	18,990	$	19,648	$	34,657
	Less: net income attributable to participating securities	979		1,086		1,220		1,986
	Net income available to common shareholders	$	14,824	$	17,904	$	18,428	$	32,671
	Weighted average common shares(1)	27,737,712		27,162,024		27,717,490		27,143,539
	Basic and diluted net income per share	$	0.53	$	0.66	$	0.66	$	1.2
	(1)   Excludes 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 three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, was 1,832,378 and 1,647,756, respectively.  The weighted average number of unvested shares outstanding for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, was 1,835,023 and 1,649,891, respectively.

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventories	'
Inventories	'
	3.                                      Inventories
	Inventories consisted of the following:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Nonfuel products	$	148,791	$	144,025
	Fuel products	44,297		46,981
	Total inventories	$	193,088	$	191,006

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Acquisitions	'
Acquisitions	'
	4.                                      Acquisitions
	During the first nine months of 2013, we acquired six locations.  These sites were acquired for an aggregate of approximately $27,948, and we accounted for these transactions as business combinations, as required by GAAP.  Two of these locations were purchased from franchisees.  We have included the results of all of the acquired sites in our condensed consolidated financial statements from their respective dates of acquisition.  The pro forma impact of including the results of operations of the acquired business from the beginning of the period is not material to our results of operations.  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.  The estimates of fair values for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were based upon preliminary calculations and valuations and our estimates and assumptions for each of these acquisitions are subject to change as we obtain additional information during the respective measurement periods (up to one year from the acquisition date).
	Cash	$	61
	Inventories	962
	Other current assets	7
	Property and equipment	22,239
	Goodwill	5,077
	Other noncurrent assets	295
	Other current liabilities	(279		)
	Other noncurrent liabilities	(414		)
	Total purchase price	$	27,948
	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, we incurred and charged to expense $1,026 and $1,346, respectively, of acquisition costs related to our acquisition activities.
	As of September 30, 2013, we had entered agreements to acquire four travel center properties for a total of approximately $20,462.  We completed two of these acquisitions in October 2013 for a total of $8,862.  We expect to complete the other acquisitions in the fourth quarter of 2013, but these purchases are subject to conditions and may not occur, may be delayed or the terms may change.

Senior_Notes

Senior Notes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Senior Notes	'
Senior Notes	'
	5.                                      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. 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.  Total expenses of the offering of $4,914 were capitalized as deferred financing costs, which are included in other noncurrent assets in our condensed consolidated balance sheet and which are being amortized evenly over the term of the Senior Notes as interest expense.
	We estimate that the fair value of our Senior Notes was $112,992 based on the trading price (a Level 1 input) of our Senior Notes on September 30, 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.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
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, 2012	$	1,200		$	99		$	1,299
	Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $(88)	(209		)	—			(209		)
	Equity interest in investee’s unrealized loss on investments	—			(67		)	(67		)
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(209		)	(67		)	(276		)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	991		$	32		$	1,023

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Related Party Transactions	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	7.                                      Related Party Transactions
	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 September 30, 2013, HPT owned 2,540,000 of our common shares, representing approximately 8.6% 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 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.  In addition, one of our Independent Directors, Mr. Arthur Koumantzelis, was a trustee of HPT at the time we were created; Mr. Koumantzelis resigned and ceased to be a trustee of HPT shortly before he joined our Board of Directors in 2007.
	We have two leases with HPT, the TA Lease and the Petro Lease, pursuant to which we lease 184 locations from HPT.  Our TA Lease is for 144 locations that we operate primarily under the TA brand.  Our Petro Lease is for 40 locations 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.  We refer to the TA Lease and Petro Lease collectively as the HPT Leases.
	The HPT Leases are “triple net” leases that require us to pay all costs incurred in the operation of the leased locations, 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 locations at which HPT leases the property and subleases it to us.  We also are required to generally indemnify HPT for certain environmental matters and for liabilities which arise during the terms of the leases from ownership or operation of the leased locations.  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 sites.
	Effective February 2012, the annual rent amount payable under the TA Lease increased by $5,000 pursuant to the final fixed rent increase included in the HPT Leases.  Accordingly, under the current terms of the HPT Leases, our rent payments to HPT will not increase except as a result of percentage rent and rent related to sales to HPT of improvements we make to properties we lease from HPT, as further described in the following paragraphs, or in the event HPT leases other properties to us.
	Effective January 2012, we began to incur percentage rent payable to HPT under the TA Lease, and effective January 2013, we began to incur percentage rent payable to HPT under the Petro Lease.  Percentage rent under the HPT Leases is based on the excess of our fuel and nonfuel revenues over such revenues in the applicable base year periods.  The percentage rent is paid to HPT quarterly in arrears.  HPT has agreed to waive the first $2,500 of percentage rent that may become due under the Petro Lease.  The total amount of percentage rent we recognized as expense during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, was $464 and $1,746 and $222 and $1,277, respectively.  The amount of percentage rent that would have been payable under the Petro Lease for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, was $90 and $307, respectively; because these amounts were waived, we did not recognize them as an expense in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	Under the HPT Leases, we may request that HPT purchase certain approved renovations, improvements and equipment at the leased locations 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% and (ii) a benchmark U.S. Treasury interest rate plus 3.5%.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, pursuant to the terms of the HPT Leases, we sold to HPT $63,163 of improvements we made to properties leased from HPT, and, as a result, our minimum annual rent payable to HPT increased by approximately $5,369.  As of September 30, 2013, our property and equipment balance included $2,448 for similar improvements we have made to HPT owned sites that we intend to request that HPT purchase from us for an increase in future rent; however, HPT is not obligated to purchase these improvements.
	The following table summarizes the various amounts related to the HPT Leases and leases with other lessors that are reflected in real estate rent expense in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Cash payments for rent under the HPT Leases	$	54,637		$	51,867		$	161,763		$	154,973
	Change in accrued estimated percentage rent	(111		)	76			473			76
	Adjustments to recognize expense on a straight line basis	(483		)	(1,172		)	(1,383		)	(2,306		)
	Sale/leaseback financing obligation amortization	(525		)	(543		)	(1,547		)	(1,641		)
	Rent payments recognized as interest expense	(1,757		)	(1,816		)	(5,242		)	(5,436		)
	Deferred leasehold improvements allowance amortization	(1,692		)	(1,692		)	(5,077		)	(5,077		)
	Amortization of deferred gain on sale/leaseback transactions	(77		)	(18		)	(230		)	(52		)
	Rent expense related to HPT Leases	49,992			46,702			148,757			140,537
	Rent paid to others (1)	2,430			2,454			7,628			7,302
	Adjustments to recognize expense on a straight line basis for other leases	2			29			27			191
	Total real estate rent expense	$	52,424		$	49,185		$	156,412		$	148,030
	(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 balance sheets.
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Current HPT Leases liabilities:
	Accrued rent	$	18,057		$	17,092
	Current portion of sale/leaseback financing obligation (1)	2,220			2,038
	Current portion of straight line rent accrual (2)	4,413			2,149
	Current portion of deferred gain on sale/leaseback transactions (3)	306			306
	Current portion of deferred tenant improvements allowance (4)	6,769			6,769
	Total Current HPT Leases liabilities	$	31,765		$	28,354
	Noncurrent HPT Leases liabilities:
	Deferred rent obligation (5)	$	150,000		$	150,000
	Sale/leaseback financing obligation (1)	82,650			82,195
	Straight line rent accrual (2)	51,399			55,233
	Deferred gain on sale/leaseback transactions (3)	2,562			2,792
	Deferred tenant improvements allowance (4)	55,838			60,915
	Total Noncurrent HPT Lease liabilities	$	342,449		$	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 sheet the leased assets at thirteen of the locations previously owned by our predecessor that we now lease from HPT because we subleased more than a minor portion of those locations to third parties, and one location did not qualify for operating lease treatment for other reasons.  Accordingly, we recorded the leased assets at these locations 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 sheet.  In addition, sales to HPT of improvements at these locations 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 operations 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 were $1,757 and $1,816 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $5,242 and $5,436 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  During 2012, the subleases at four of these locations were terminated, qualifying the related locations for sale leaseback accounting and reducing this liability.  In October 2013, the sublease at another one of these locations was terminated and we began to operate that travel center; this liability balance will be reduced by approximately $2,463 in the fourth quarter as a result.
	(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 asset retirement obligation we would have if we owned the underlying assets.  We recognize the effects of scheduled rent increases and the future payment to HPT for asset retirement obligations 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 termination during 2012 of subleases for four locations 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 real estate rent expense on a straight line basis over the term of the lease.  We expect a gain on sale/leaseback transactions of $434 as a result of the termination in October 2013 of the sublease of a location we lease from HPT, as further described in note (1) above, and that gain will be similarly deferred and amortized.
	(4)         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 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 locations 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 be unaffected by the type of fuel sold, whether diesel fuel or natural gas.  That amendment also made certain administrative changes.  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 locations 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 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 existing travel centers included in the TA Lease purchased by HPT and to increase annual rent by $537, which was 8.5% of HPT’s investment.
	One of the travel centers we leased from HPT under the TA Lease, located in Roanoke, VA, was taken in August 2013 by eminent domain proceedings brought by the Virginia Department of Transportation, or VDOT, in connection with certain highway construction.  The TA Lease provides that it terminates with respect to a property upon a taking of the property as the result of any eminent domain proceeding.  Under the terms of the TA Lease, the annual rent payable by us is reduced by 8.5% of the amount of the proceeds HPT receives from that taking or, at HPT’s option, the fair market value rent of the property.  There are ongoing negotiations among VDOT, HPT, and us regarding the amount of compensation to be paid for the taking and regarding a possible short term lease of the property to HPT, for sublease to us.  We expect that we will continue to operate this travel center pursuant to a sublease until October 2014.  VDOT’s estimate of fair market value for the taking is $6,280.  We and HPT have engaged an appraiser to review VDOT’s estimate.  Given the preliminary stages of these negotiations, there can be no assurance concerning what additional compensation, if any, would be payable to us or HPT as a result of the taking or what leasing arrangements, if any, will be entered into and the date at which we will cease to operate this travel center.
	Relationship with RMR
	Reit Management & Research LLC, or RMR, provides business management and shared services to us pursuant to a business management and shared services agreement, or our business management agreement.  RMR also provides building management services to us for our headquarters building pursuant to a property management agreement.  Under our business management agreement with RMR, we acknowledge that RMR also provides management services to other companies, including HPT.  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, is also an Executive Vice President of RMR.  Mr. Andrew Rebholz, our Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, and Mr. Mark Young, our Executive Vice President and General Counsel, are Senior Vice Presidents of RMR.  HPT’s executive officers are officers of RMR.  A majority 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 those companies, including HPT, and Mr. Adam Portnoy serves as a managing trustee of a majority of those companies, including HPT.  In addition, officers of RMR serve as officers of those companies.
	Pursuant to our business management agreement and property management agreement with RMR, we incurred aggregate fees of $2,993 and $2,791 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $8,408 and $7,904 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  These amounts are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our condensed consolidated financial statements.
	Relationship with AIC
	We, RMR, HPT and five other companies to which RMR provides management services each currently own 12.5% of Affiliates Insurance Company, or AIC, an Indiana insurance company.  All of our Directors, all of the trustees and directors of the other publicly held AIC shareholders and nearly all of the directors of RMR 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.  As of September 30, 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 because all of our Directors are also directors of AIC.  Our investment in AIC had a carrying value of $5,781 and $5,629 as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.  We recognized income of $64 and $115 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $219 and $236 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, arising from our investment in AIC.  We and the other shareholders of AIC have purchased property insurance 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.  This program was modified and extended in June 2013 for a one year term and we paid a premium, including taxes and fees, of $2,743 in connection with that renewal, which amount may be adjusted from time to time as we acquire or dispose of properties that are included in that program.  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 possibly reducing our insurance expenses or by realizing our pro-rata share of any profits of this insurance business.
	Relationship with PTP
	Petro Travel Plaza Holdings LLC, or PTP, is a joint venture between us and Tejon Development Corporation, or Tejon, that owns two travel centers in California.  We own a 40% interest in PTP and operate the two locations PTP owns for which we receive management and accounting fees.  The carrying value of the investment in PTP as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, was $17,131 and $15,332, respectively.  We recognized management and accounting fee income of $200 for each of the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and $600 for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.  At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we had a net payable to PTP of $675 and $575, respectively.  We recognized income of $795 and $686 during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $1,799 and $1,027 during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, related to this investment.  In the first nine months of 2012, we received $4,800 of distributions from PTP that represented a return on our investment; accordingly, this distribution is included in cash provided by operating activities in the accompanying statement of cash flows.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	8.                                      Commitments and Contingencies
	Commitments
	As of September 30, 2013, we had entered agreements to acquire four travel center properties for a total of approximately $20,462.  We completed two of these acquisitions in October 2013 for a total of $8,862.  We expect to complete the other acquisitions in the fourth quarter of 2013, but these purchases are subject to conditions and may not occur, may be delayed or the terms may change.
	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 service facilities; 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 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 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 locations that we lease from HPT and we are required to pay all environmental related expenses incurred in the operation of the locations.
	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 September 30, 2013, we had a gross accrued liability of $8,299 for environmental matters as well as a receivable for expected recoveries of certain of these estimated future expenditures of $2,169, resulting in an estimated net amount of $6,130 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 for certain environmental liabilities at certain of our locations that were known at the time the policies were issued, and up to $40,000 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.
	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 may be adopted or administered and enforced differently in the future, which could adversely affect our business or 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, 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.
	Legal Proceedings
	In May 2010, the California Attorney General commenced litigation on behalf of the California State Water Resources Control 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, seeking unspecified civil penalties and injunctive relief.  We have denied the material allegations in the complaint and asserted various affirmative defenses.  The parties are currently engaged in settlement negotiations.  We intend to defend this lawsuit if a settlement is not reached.  Under the TA Lease and our expired lease agreement with Tejon for a location 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.  We have accrued an estimated loss for this matter and believe that the additional amount of loss we may realize, if any, upon the ultimate resolution of this matter in excess of the amount we have accrued will not be material to us.
	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 allege that they are retail purchasers who purchased motor fuel at temperatures greater than 60 degrees Fahrenheit at the time of sale.  One theory alleges 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 alleges 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, advanced more recently in connection with plaintiffs’ request for class certification, alleges 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.  We believe that there are substantial factual and legal defenses to the theories alleged in these so called “hot fuel” lawsuits.  The “temperature” cases seek nonmonetary relief in the form of an order requiring the defendants to install devices that display the temperature of the fuel and/or temperature correcting equipment on their retail fuel pumps and monetary relief in the form of damages, but the plaintiffs have not quantified the damages they seek.  The “tax” cases also seek monetary relief.  Plaintiffs have proposed a formula (which we dispute) to measure these damages as the difference between the amount of fuel excise taxes paid by defendants and the amount collected by defendants on motor fuel sales.  Plaintiffs have taken the position in Court filings that under this approach, our damages for an eight-year period for one state would be approximately $10,700.  We deny liability and disagree with the plaintiffs’ positions.  All of these cases have been 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, and TA entities have been dismissed voluntarily from several other cases as well.  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.  A TA entity is named in one of these three California cases.  On April 9, 2013, the Court granted plaintiffs’ motion for class certification 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.  Since that time, the parties have entered stipulations of dismissal with all but one Plaintiff in one of the California cases, who continues to assert claims based on purchases of fuel in states other than California.  The Court has not issued a decision on class certification or motions for summary judgment with respect to those remaining claims in the California case or with respect to the remaining cases that have been consolidated in the multi-district litigation.  We cannot estimate our ultimate exposure to loss or liability, if any, related to these lawsuits, but, the continued costs to defend these cases could be significant.
	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.  The Court has set a schedule that provides that trial shall begin on August 4, 2014.  We believe that there are substantial factual and legal defenses to the plaintiffs’ claims against us.  We cannot estimate our ultimate exposure to loss or liability, if any, related to this lawsuit, but the continued costs to defend this case could be significant.
	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.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Taxes	'
Income Taxes	'
	9.                                      Income Taxes
	Because we do not have sufficient history of generating taxable income we do not currently recognize in our income tax provision the future benefit of our deferred tax assets, including the tax benefit associated with our loss carry forwards from prior years by establishing a valuation allowance related to these deferred tax assets.  We will continue to assess our ability to generate taxable income during future periods in which our deferred tax assets may be realized.  If and when we believe it is more likely than not that we will recover our deferred tax assets, we will reverse the valuation allowance as an income tax benefit in our consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income, which will affect our results of operations.  As a result of certain trading in our shares during 2007, our 2007 federal net operating loss of $49,740 and other tax credit carry forwards are generally not available to us for the purpose of offsetting future taxable income because of certain Internal Revenue Code provisions regarding changes in ownership of our common shares.  As of December 31, 2012, we had an unrestricted federal net operating loss carry forward of approximately $108,250.  Our federal net operating loss carryforward and tax credits and the majority of our state net operating loss carry forwards will begin to expire in 2027.  Certain of our other state net operating loss carry forwards began to expire in 2012.  In addition, certain states do not permit the use of net operating loss carry forwards.
	For the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we recognized tax expense of $1,074 and $429, respectively, which included tax expense of $740 and $213, respectively, for certain state taxes based on operating income that are payable without regard to our tax loss carry forwards.  Tax expense also included $334 and $216 in the third quarter of 2013 and 2012, respectively, related to a noncash deferred liability arising from foreign currency translation adjustments that do not offset our deferred tax assets and from the amortization of indefinite lived intangible assets for tax purposes but not for GAAP purposes.
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, we recognized tax expense of $1,626 and $1,062, respectively, which included tax expense of $1,111 and $637, respectively, for certain state taxes based on operating income that are payable without regard to our tax loss carry forwards.  Tax expense also included $515 and $425 in the first nine months of 2013 and 2012, respectively, related to a noncash deferred liability arising from foreign currency translation adjustments that do not offset our deferred tax assets and from the amortization of indefinite lived intangible assets for tax purposes but not for GAAP purposes.
	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 our 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.  We believe that our history of losses coupled with the fact that we have a short history of operating profits that is limited to 2011 and 2012, creates sufficient negative evidence such that we are unable to conclude that realization of the benefit is more likely than not.  As a result, we have concluded that it is appropriate to maintain a full valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets until our profitability becomes more predictable.  We may reverse some or all of the valuation allowance when we believe that we will more likely than not realize the benefit of our deferred tax assets.  At that time, we will record deferred tax assets as an income tax benefit in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, which will affect our results of operations.  If our profitability realized since January 1, 2011, continues, our estimates and assumptions regarding the valuation allowance may change in the future.

Other_Information

Other Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Other Information	'
Other Information	'
	10.                               Other Information
	Interest expense consisted of the following:
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2013			2012		2013			2012
	Interest related to our Senior Notes and Credit Facility	$	2,731		$	535	$	7,845		$	1,605
	HPT rent classified as interest	1,757			1,816		5,242			5,436
	Amortization of deferred financing costs	171			89		496			263
	Capitalized interest	(166		)	—		(806		)	—
	Other	21			198		232			328
	Interest expense	$	4,514		$	2,638	$	13,009		$	7,632
	We capitalize a portion of the interest expense incurred on our Senior Notes 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 life of the corresponding asset.

Basis_of_Presentation_Business1

Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Organization (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Organization	'
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	In January 2013, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, No. 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 caused no changes to our condensed 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 do not expect the adoption of this update will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share	'
Schedule of reconciliation from net income to the net income available to common shareholders and the related earnings per share	'
		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Net income, as reported	$	15,803	$	18,990	$	19,648	$	34,657
	Less: net income attributable to participating securities	979		1,086		1,220		1,986
	Net income available to common shareholders	$	14,824	$	17,904	$	18,428	$	32,671
	Weighted average common shares(1)	27,737,712		27,162,024		27,717,490		27,143,539
	Basic and diluted net income per share	$	0.53	$	0.66	$	0.66	$	1.2
	(1)   Excludes 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 three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, was 1,832,378 and 1,647,756, respectively.  The weighted average number of unvested shares outstanding for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, was 1,835,023 and 1,649,891, respectively.

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventories	'
Schedule of inventories	'
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
	Nonfuel products	$	148,791	$	144,025
	Fuel products	44,297		46,981
	Total inventories	$	193,088	$	191,006

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Acquisitions	'
Summary of the amounts assigned, based on their fair values, to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the business combinations	'
	Cash	$	61
	Inventories	962
	Other current assets	7
	Property and equipment	22,239
	Goodwill	5,077
	Other noncurrent assets	295
	Other current liabilities	(279		)
	Other noncurrent liabilities	(414		)
	Total purchase price	$	27,948

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
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, 2012	$	1,200		$	99		$	1,299
	Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $(88)	(209		)	—			(209		)
	Equity interest in investee’s unrealized loss on investments	—			(67		)	(67		)
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(209		)	(67		)	(276		)
	Balance at September 30, 2013	$	991		$	32		$	1,023

Related_Party_Transactions_Tab

Related Party Transactions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Related Party Transactions	'
Schedule of various amounts related to our HPT Leases and leases with other lessors that are reflected in real estate rent expense in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income	'
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Cash payments for rent under the HPT Leases	$	54,637		$	51,867		$	161,763		$	154,973
	Change in accrued estimated percentage rent	(111		)	76			473			76
	Adjustments to recognize expense on a straight line basis	(483		)	(1,172		)	(1,383		)	(2,306		)
	Sale/leaseback financing obligation amortization	(525		)	(543		)	(1,547		)	(1,641		)
	Rent payments recognized as interest expense	(1,757		)	(1,816		)	(5,242		)	(5,436		)
	Deferred leasehold improvements allowance amortization	(1,692		)	(1,692		)	(5,077		)	(5,077		)
	Amortization of deferred gain on sale/leaseback transactions	(77		)	(18		)	(230		)	(52		)
	Rent expense related to HPT Leases	49,992			46,702			148,757			140,537
	Rent paid to others (1)	2,430			2,454			7,628			7,302
	Adjustments to recognize expense on a straight line basis for other leases	2			29			27			191
	Total real estate rent expense	$	52,424		$	49,185		$	156,412		$	148,030
	(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	'
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Current HPT Leases liabilities:
	Accrued rent	$	18,057		$	17,092
	Current portion of sale/leaseback financing obligation (1)	2,220			2,038
	Current portion of straight line rent accrual (2)	4,413			2,149
	Current portion of deferred gain on sale/leaseback transactions (3)	306			306
	Current portion of deferred tenant improvements allowance (4)	6,769			6,769
	Total Current HPT Leases liabilities	$	31,765		$	28,354
	Noncurrent HPT Leases liabilities:
	Deferred rent obligation (5)	$	150,000		$	150,000
	Sale/leaseback financing obligation (1)	82,650			82,195
	Straight line rent accrual (2)	51,399			55,233
	Deferred gain on sale/leaseback transactions (3)	2,562			2,792
	Deferred tenant improvements allowance (4)	55,838			60,915
	Total Noncurrent HPT Lease liabilities	$	342,449		$	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 sheet the leased assets at thirteen of the locations previously owned by our predecessor that we now lease from HPT because we subleased more than a minor portion of those locations to third parties, and one location did not qualify for operating lease treatment for other reasons.  Accordingly, we recorded the leased assets at these locations 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 sheet.  In addition, sales to HPT of improvements at these locations 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 operations 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 were $1,757 and $1,816 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $5,242 and $5,436 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  During 2012, the subleases at four of these locations were terminated, qualifying the related locations for sale leaseback accounting and reducing this liability.  In October 2013, the sublease at another one of these locations was terminated and we began to operate that travel center; this liability balance will be reduced by approximately $2,463 in the fourth quarter as a result.
	(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 asset retirement obligation we would have if we owned the underlying assets.  We recognize the effects of scheduled rent increases and the future payment to HPT for asset retirement obligations 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 termination during 2012 of subleases for four locations 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 real estate rent expense on a straight line basis over the term of the lease.  We expect a gain on sale/leaseback transactions of $434 as a result of the termination in October 2013 of the sublease of a location we lease from HPT, as further described in note (1) above, and that gain will be similarly deferred and amortized.
	(4)         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 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.

Other_Information_Tables

Other Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Other Information	'
Schedule of interest expense	'
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2013			2012		2013			2012
	Interest related to our Senior Notes and Credit Facility	$	2,731		$	535	$	7,845		$	1,605
	HPT rent classified as interest	1,757			1,816		5,242			5,436
	Amortization of deferred financing costs	171			89		496			263
	Capitalized interest	(166		)	—		(806		)	—
	Other	21			198		232			328
	Interest expense	$	4,514		$	2,638	$	13,009		$	7,632

Basis_of_Presentation_Business2

Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Organization (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
	item
	leasedsite
	acre
	state
Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Organization	'
Number of locations	247
Number of states in which the entity operates	42
Number of locations owned	30
Number of sites under leases	190
Area of property (in acres)	25
Number of operating segments	1
Number of reportable segments	1
HPT	'
Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Organization	'
Number of sites under leases	184
Company operated sites	'
Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Organization	'
Number of locations	214
Franchised sites	'
Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Organization	'
Number of locations owned and operated	27
Franchisee subleased sites | HPT	'
Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Organization	'
Number of locations	6
Franchisee operated sites	'
Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Organization	'
Number of locations	33

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	'	'	'	'
Net income, as reported	$15,803	$18,990	$19,648	$34,657
Less: net income attributable to participating securities	979	1,086	1,220	1,986
Net income available to common shareholders	$14,824	$17,904	$18,428	$32,671
Weighted average common shares	27,737,712	27,162,024	27,717,490	27,143,539
Basic and diluted net income per share	$0.53	$0.66	$0.66	$1.20
Number of unvested participating shares	1,832,378	1,647,756	1,835,023	1,649,891

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventories	'	'
Nonfuel products	$148,791	$144,025
Fuel products	44,297	46,981
Total inventories	$193,088	$191,006

Acquisitions_Details

Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
			item		Four travel centers	Four travel centers
					item	Subsequent event
						item
Acquisitions	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of locations formerly operated by franchisees	'	'	2	'	'	'
Summary of the amounts assigned, based on their fair values, to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the business combinations	'	'	'	'	'	'
Acquisition measurement period	'	'	'1 year	'	'	'
Cash	$61	'	$61	'	'	'
Inventories	962	'	962	'	'	'
Other current assets	7	'	7	'	'	'
Property and equipment	22,239	'	22,239	'	'	'
Goodwill	5,077	'	5,077	'	'	'
Other noncurrent assets	295	'	295	'	'	'
Other current liabilities	-279	'	-279	'	'	'
Other noncurrent liabilities	-414	'	-414	'	'	'
Total purchase price	27,948	'	27,948	'	'	'
Acquisition costs	1,026	189	1,346	647	'	'
Number of travel center properties to be acquired as per the agreement	'	'	6	'	4	2
Cost of acquisition	'	'	'	'	$20,462	$8,862

Senior_Notes_Details

Senior Notes (Details) (Senior Notes, USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Jan. 15, 2013
Senior Notes	'	'
Senior notes	'	'
Aggregate principal amount	'	$110,000
Interest rate (as a percent)	8.25%	'
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)	100.00%	'
Deferred financing costs, noncurrent	4,914	'
Fair value of debt instrument	$112,992	'

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	'	'	$1,299	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $(88)	116	222	-209	218
Equity interest in investee's unrealized loss on investments	14	35	-67	31
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	130	257	-276	249
Balance at the end of the period	1,023	'	1,023	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment, taxes	50	89	-88	86
Foreign currency translation adjustment	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	'	'	1,200	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $(88)	'	'	-209	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	'	'	-209	'
Balance at the end of the period	991	'	991	'
Equity interest in investee's unrealized gain (loss) on investments	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	'	'	99	'
Equity interest in investee's unrealized loss on investments	'	'	-67	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	'	'	-67	'
Balance at the end of the period	$32	'	$32	'

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2010

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jul. 02, 2013

Feb. 01, 2012

Aug. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2010

Oct. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Apr. 15, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

leasedsite

leasedsite

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

AIC

AIC

AIC

AIC

AIC

AIC

PTP

PTP

PTP

PTP

PTP

PTP

installment

installment

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

Petro Lease

Petro Lease

property

item

item

item

item

lease

lease

item

leasedsite

leasedsite

item

Subsequent event

leasedsite

option

lease

lease

leasedsite

leasedsite

property

property

item

leasedsite

Related Party

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of common shares owned

'

'

'

'

'

2,540,000

'

2,540,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of outstanding common shares owned

'

'

'

'

'

8.60%

'

8.60%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of leases

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of properties under lease

190

'

190

'

'

184

'

184

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

144

'

144

'

'

'

'

40

40

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of renewal options available

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Term of renewal option

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'15 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Increase in annual lease rent payable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$5,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage rent to be waived

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Annual percentage rent recognized as an expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

464

222

1,746

1,277

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage rent waived

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

90

307

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Rate of increase in annual amount (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

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%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Improvements sold

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

63,163

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Increase to annual rent payable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,369

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Improvements included in property and equipment

'

'

'

'

'

2,448

'

2,448

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash payments for rent under the HPT Leases

'

'

'

'

'

54,637

51,867

161,763

154,973

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Change in accrued estimated percentage rent

'

'

'

'

'

-111

76

473

76

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Adjustments to recognize expense on a straight line basis

'

'

'

'

'

-483

-1,172

-1,383

-2,306

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Sale/leaseback financing obligation amortization

'

'

-1,546

-1,641

'

-525

-543

-1,547

-1,641

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Rent payments recognized as interest expense

1,757

1,816

5,242

5,436

'

-1,757

-1,816

-5,242

-5,436

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred leasehold improvements allowance amortization

'

'

'

'

'

-1,692

-1,692

-5,077

-5,077

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization of deferred gain on sale/leaseback transactions

'

'

'

'

'

-77

-18

-230

-52

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Rent expense related to HPT Leases

'

'

'

'

'

49,992

46,702

148,757

140,537

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Rent paid to others

2,430

2,454

7,628

7,302

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

2

29

27

191

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total real estate rent expense

52,424

49,185

156,412

148,030

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current HPT Leases liabilities:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accrued rent

'

'

'

'

'

18,057

'

18,057

'

17,092

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current portion of sale/leaseback financing obligation

'

'

'

'

'

2,220

'

2,220

'

2,038

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current portion of straight line rent accrual

'

'

'

'

'

4,413

'

4,413

'

2,149

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current portion of deferred gain on sale/leaseback transactions

'

'

'

'

'

306

'

306

'

306

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Current portion of deferred tenant improvements allowance

'

'

'

'

'

6,769

'

6,769

'

6,769

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total Current HPT Leases liabilities

31,765

'

31,765

'

28,354

31,765

'

31,765

'

28,354

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Noncurrent HPT Leases liabilities:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred rent obligation

'

'

'

'

'

150,000

'

150,000

'

150,000

150,000

107,085

42,915

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Sale/leaseback financing obligation

'

'

'

'

'

82,650

'

82,650

'

82,195

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Straight line rent accrual

'

'

'

'

'

51,399

'

51,399

'

55,233

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred gain on sale/leaseback transactions

'

'

'

'

'

2,562

'

2,562

'

2,792

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred tenant improvements allowance

'

'

'

'

'

55,838

'

55,838

'

60,915

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total Noncurrent HPT Lease liabilities

342,449

'

342,449

'

351,135

342,449

'

342,449

'

351,135

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred gain on sale/leaseback transactions, current and noncurrent

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

434

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reduction of liability due to termination of sublease real estate property

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,463

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other related party transactions

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of real estate properties leased to be recognized

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

13

'

13

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of real estate properties not qualifying for operating lease treatment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of real estate properties for which subleases were terminated

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Lease term for scheduled rent increase

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'6 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount funded for leasehold improvements

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

125,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of installments in which deferred rent is payable

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Increase to annual rent payable related to a lease amendment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

537

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of leased properties taken by eminent domain proceedings by Virginia Department of Transportation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated fair market value for the taking

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,280

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate fees

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,993

2,791

8,408

7,904

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of other companies which are shareholders of related party

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5

'

5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ownership interest (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

12.50%

'

12.50%

'

'

'

40.00%

'

40.00%

'

'

Amount invested in equity investee

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,229

'

5,229

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity method investments, carrying value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,781

'

5,781

'

5,629

'

17,131

'

17,131

'

15,332

Income (losses) recognized related to equity investments

859

801

2,018

1,263

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

64

115

219

236

'

'

795

686

1,799

1,027

'

Coverage of property insurance

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Period for which property insurance program was extended

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Premiums paid under property insurance program

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,743

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of real estate properties built

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

2

'

'

Number of real estate properties operated

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

2

'

'

Management and accounting fee income recognized

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

200

200

600

600

'

Net payable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

675

'

675

'

575

Distributions from equity investee

'

'

'

$4,800

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$2,000

'

'

'

'

'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Oct. 31, 2013

31-May-10

Sep. 30, 2013

31-May-10

Sep. 30, 2013

Apr. 30, 2011

Apr. 30, 2009

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

item

Four travel centers

Four travel centers

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

Minimum

Environmental Matters

Environmental Matters

item

Subsequent Event

case

lawsuit

TA entity

TA entity

plaintiffs

plaintiffs

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

Maximum

item

fahrenheit

case

item

state

case

Commitments and Contingencies

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of travel center properties to be acquired as per the agreement

6

4

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cost of acquisition

'

$20,462

$8,862

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gross accrued liability

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,299

'

Receivable for expected recoveries of certain estimated future expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,169

'

Estimated net amount expected to be funded from future cash flows

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,130

'

Insurance for certain environmental liabilities 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

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Period for which damages would be payable

'

'

'

'

'8 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Damages that would be payable

'

'

'

'

$10,700

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of cases filed

'

'

'

2

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of cases remanded

'

'

'

'

'

'

3

'

'

'

'

'

Number of defendants severed from the case

'

'

'

'

'

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

Number of independent truck stop owners, who are plaintiffs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4

5

'

'

'

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2007	Dec. 31, 2012
						Federal
Income Taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net operating loss carryforward limitation amount	'	'	'	'	$49,740	'
Income Taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrestricted available federal net operating loss carry forward	'	'	'	'	'	108,250
Tax expense recognized	1,074	429	1,626	1,062	'	'
State taxes based on operating income	740	213	1,111	637	'	'
Tax expense related to a noncash deferred liability arising from foreign currency translation adjustments	$334	$216	$515	$425	'	'

Other_Information_Details

Other Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Interest expense	'	'	'	'
Interest related to our Senior Notes and Credit Facility	$2,731	$535	$7,845	$1,605
HPT rent classified as interest	1,757	1,816	5,242	5,436
Amortization of deferred financing costs	171	89	496	263
Capitalized interest	-166	'	-806	'
Other	21	198	232	328
Interest expense	$4,514	$2,638	$13,009	$7,632