TravelCenters of America (TA) 10-Q10 Nov 142014 Q3 Quarterly reportFinancial data

Company Profile

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information	Sep. 30, 2014	Nov. 07, 2014
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-14	'
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	'	37,667,636
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$126,900	$85,657
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,708 as of September 30, 2014, and $1,304 as of December 31, 2013)	136,909	105,932
Inventories	181,260	199,201
Other current assets	70,969	79,604
Total current assets	516,038	470,394
Property and equipment, net	728,592	704,866
Goodwill and intangible assets, net	54,969	48,772
Other noncurrent assets	35,032	33,250
Total assets	1,334,631	1,257,282
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	180,676	149,645
Current HPT Leases liabilities	31,111	29,935
Other current liabilities	137,708	124,033
Total current liabilities	349,495	303,613
Noncurrent HPT Leases liabilities	335,567	343,926
Senior Notes due 2028	110,000	110,000
Other noncurrent liabilities	56,423	45,866
Total liabilities	851,485	803,405
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Shareholders' equity:	'	'
Common shares, no par value, 39,158,666 shares authorized at September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, and 37,667,636 and 37,625,366 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, respectively	677,273	674,391
Accumulated other comprehensive income	594	834
Accumulated deficit	-194,721	-221,348
Total shareholders' equity	483,146	453,877
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$1,334,631	$1,257,282

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	'	'
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts (in dollars)	$1,708	$1,304
Common shares, par value (in dollars per share)	'	'
Common shares, shares authorized	39,158,666	39,158,666
Common shares, shares issued	37,667,636	37,625,366
Common shares, shares outstanding	37,667,636	37,625,366

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Fuel	$1,575,763	$1,667,464	$4,823,581	$4,927,971
Nonfuel	430,272	391,319	1,219,792	1,100,554
Rent and royalties	3,182	3,313	9,262	9,676
Total revenues	2,009,217	2,062,096	6,052,635	6,038,201
Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation):	'	'	'	'
Fuel	1,477,411	1,576,118	4,533,789	4,669,885
Nonfuel	199,670	178,837	560,053	496,140
Total cost of goods sold	1,677,081	1,754,955	5,093,842	5,166,025
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Site level operating	208,908	195,428	612,005	570,007
Selling, general & administrative	26,927	23,705	78,823	71,414
Real estate rent	54,360	52,424	162,295	156,412
Depreciation and amortization	16,617	14,646	48,542	41,894
Total operating expenses	306,812	286,203	901,665	839,727
Income from operations	25,324	20,938	57,128	32,449
Acquisition costs	-176	-1,026	-935	-1,346
Interest income	227	620	311	1,162
Interest expense	-4,209	-4,514	-12,497	-13,009
Income before income taxes and income from equity investees	21,166	16,018	44,007	19,256
Provision for income taxes	9,442	1,074	19,391	1,626
Income from equity investees	1,072	859	2,011	2,018
Net income	12,796	15,803	26,627	19,648
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of $(112) and $50 for three month ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 and $(120) and $(88) for nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively	-225	116	-247	-209
Equity interest in investee's unrealized gain (loss) on investments	-33	14	7	-67
Other comprehensive (loss) income	-258	130	-240	-276
Comprehensive income	$12,538	$15,933	$26,387	$19,372
Net income per share:	'	'	'	'
Basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.34	$0.53	$0.71	$0.66

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment, taxes	($112)	$50	($120)	($88)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$26,627	$19,648
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Noncash rent expense	-6,742	-6,636
Depreciation and amortization expense	48,542	41,894
Deferred income tax provision	7,852	515
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of business acquisitions:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-31,574	-47,649
Inventories	19,026	-1,144
Other current assets	2,305	9,669
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	55,218	59,558
Other, net	1,562	2,007
Net cash provided by operating activities	122,816	77,862
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Capital expenditures	-95,435	-125,671
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	41,268	61,493
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	-25,617	-27,887
Investment in equity investee	-825	'
Net cash used in investing activities	-80,609	-92,065
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions with HPT	835	2,184
Fees paid related to the issuance of common shares	-14	'
Proceeds from Senior Notes issuance	'	110,000
Sale-leaseback financing obligation payments	-1,778	-1,546
Payment of deferred financing fees	'	-4,749
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-957	105,889
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-7	-13
Net increase in cash	41,243	91,673
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	85,657	35,189
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	126,900	126,862
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:	'	'
Interest paid (including rent classified as interest and net of capitalized interest)	11,948	10,540
Income taxes paid (net of refunds)	$680	$745

Basis_of_Presentation_Business

Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Organization	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Organization	'
Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Organization	'
	1. Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Organization

	TravelCenters of America LLC, which we refer to as the Company or we, us and our, operates and franchises travel centers under the “TravelCenters of America,” “TA” and related brand names, or the TA brand, and the “Petro Stopping Centers” and “Petro” brand names, or the Petro brand, primarily along the U.S. interstate highway system. Our travel center customers include trucking fleets and their drivers, independent truck drivers and motorists. We also operate convenience stores with retail gasoline stations, primarily under the “Minit Mart” brand name, that generally serve motorists. Our travel centers include, on average, over 25 acres of land 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, or QSRs, travel and convenience stores and various other driver amenities. Our convenience stores have, on average, ten fueling positions and approximately 5,000 square feet of interior space offering merchandise and QSRs. We also collect rents, royalties and other fees from our franchisees.

	At September 30, 2014, our geographically diverse business included 250 travel centers in 43 U.S. states and in Canada, including 174 travel centers operated under the TA brand, and 76 travel centers operated under the Petro brand. As of September 30, 2014, we operated 220 of these travel centers, which we refer to as Company operated sites, and our franchisees operated 30 of these travel centers. Of our 250 travel centers at September 30, 2014, we owned 36, we leased or managed 189, including 184 that we leased from Hospitality Properties Trust, or HPT, and franchisees owned or leased from third parties 25. We sublease to franchisees five of the travel centers we lease from HPT.

	As of September 30, 2014, we operated 34 convenience stores in four states, primarily Kentucky. Of our 34 convenience stores at September 30, 2014, we owned 27 and we leased or managed seven, including one that we leased from HPT.

	We manage our business as one operating segment and, therefore, have one reportable segment. Our locations sell similar products and services, use similar processes to sell products and services, and sell 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, that we do not consider material to our operations.

	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited. These unaudited interim 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, 2013, or our Annual Report. In the opinion of our management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, including normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair presentation. All 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 a full year.

	Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows to be consistent with the current year presentation.

	Fair Value Measurement

	We estimate that, based on their trading price (a Level 1 input), the fair value of our Senior Notes on September 30, 2014, was $114,444.

	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which establishes a comprehensive revenue recognition standard under GAAP for virtually all industries. The new standard will apply for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods therein. Early adoption is prohibited. We have not yet determined the effects, if any, adoption of this update may have on our consolidated financial statements.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
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,
		2014		2013		2014		2013

	Net income, as reported	$	12,796	$	15,803	$	26,627	$	19,648
	Less: net income attributable to participating securities	624		979		1,301		1,220
	Net income available to common shareholders	$	12,172	$	14,824	$	25,326	$	18,428

	Weighted average common shares(1)	35,832,021		27,737,712		35,802,607		27,717,490

	Basic and diluted net income per share	$	0.34	$	0.53	$	0.71	$	0.66


	(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 shares. The weighted average number of unvested shares outstanding for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, was 1,837,191 and 1,832,378, respectively. The weighted average number of unvested shares outstanding for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, was 1,839,500 and 1,835,023, respectively.

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Inventories	'
Inventories	'
	3. Inventories

	Inventories consisted of the following:

		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013

	Nonfuel products	$	141,075	$	150,600
	Fuel products	40,185		48,601
	Total inventories	$	181,260	$	199,201

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Acquisitions	'
Acquisitions	'
	4. Acquisitions

	During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we acquired three travel centers for $25,697, and we accounted for these transactions using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires, among other things, that the assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recognized at their respective fair values as of the acquisition date. We expect that all of the goodwill acquired will be deductible for tax purposes. 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.

	Cash	$	80
	Inventories	1,246
	Property and equipment	17,500
	Goodwill	7,120
	Other assets	17
	Other liabilities	(266		)
	Total purchase price	$	25,697

	We have included the results of these travel centers in our consolidated financial statements from their date of acquisition. The pro forma impact of including the results of operations of these acquisitions from the beginning of the period are not material to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

	As of September 30, 2014, we had entered an agreement to acquire a travel center property for $3,000. We expect to complete this acquisition during the fourth quarter of 2014, but this purchase is subject to conditions and may not occur, may be delayed or the terms may change.

	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, we incurred acquisition related costs totaling $176, $1,026, $935 and $1,346, respectively, for legal, due diligence and related activities associated with acquisitions considered or completed.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	5. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

	Accumulated other comprehensive income at September 30, 2014, consisted of the following:

		Foreign			Equity interest		Accumulated
		currency			in investee’s		other
		translation			unrealized gain		comprehensive
		adjustment			(loss) on		income
					investments

	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	785		$	49	$	834
	Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $(120)	(247		)	—		(247		)
	Equity interest in investee’s unrealized loss on investments	—			7		7
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(247		)	7		(240		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	538		$	56	$	594

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Related Party Transactions	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	6. 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, 2014, HPT owned 3,420,000 of our common shares, representing approximately 9.1% of our outstanding common shares. One of our Managing Directors, Mr. Barry Portnoy, is a managing trustee of HPT. Mr. Barry Portnoy’s son, Mr. Adam Portnoy, is also a managing trustee of HPT, and Mr. Barry Portnoy’s son-in-law, Mr. Ethan Bornstein, is an executive officer of HPT. Our other Managing Director, Mr. Thomas O’Brien, who is also our President and Chief Executive Officer, is a former executive officer of HPT. One of our Independent Directors, Mr. Arthur Koumantzelis, was an independent trustee of HPT prior to our spin-off from HPT.

	We have two leases with HPT, the TA Lease and the Petro Lease, pursuant to which we lease 185 properties from HPT. Our TA Lease is for 145 properties and our Petro Lease is for 40 properties. 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 properties, including costs related to personnel, utilities, inventory acquisition and provision of services to customers, insurance, real estate and personal property taxes, environmental related expenses and, at those properties at which HPT leases the property from the owner and subleases it to us, ground lease payments. We also are required generally to indemnify HPT for certain environmental matters and for liabilities that arise during the terms of the leases from ownership or operation of the leased properties and, at lease expiration, we are required to pay an amount equal to an estimate of the cost of removing underground storage tanks on the leased properties.

	Effective January 2012 and 2013, we began to incur percentage rent payable to HPT under the TA Lease and the Petro Lease, respectively. In each case, the percentage rent equals 3% of increases in nonfuel gross revenues and 0.3% of increases in gross fuel revenues at the leased properties over base amounts. The increases in percentage rents attributable to fuel revenues are subject to a maximum each year calculated by reference to changes in the consumer price index. Also, HPT has agreed to waive payment of the first $2,500 of percentage rent that may become due under our Petro Lease; HPT waived an estimated $133 and $402 of percentage rent under our Petro Lease for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, pursuant to that waiver; and through September 30, 2014, HPT has cumulatively waived an estimated $768 of the $2,500 of percentage rent to be waived. The total amount of percentage rent (net of the waived amount) that we incurred was $573 and $464 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $2,195 and $1,746, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

	Under the HPT Leases, we may request that HPT purchase approved amounts for renovations, improvements and equipment at the leased properties in return for increases in our minimum annual rent according to the following formula: the minimum rent per year will be increased by an amount equal to the amount paid by HPT multiplied by the greater of (i) 8.5% or (ii) a benchmark U.S. Treasury interest rate plus 3.5%. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, pursuant to the terms of the HPT Leases, we sold to HPT $41,961 and $63,163, respectively, of improvements we previously made to properties leased from HPT, and, as a result, our minimum annual rent payable to HPT increased by $3,567 and $5,369, respectively. At September 30, 2014, our property and equipment balance included $26,172 of improvements of the type that we typically request that HPT purchase for an increase in rent; however, HPT is not obligated to purchase these improvements.

	The following table details amounts related to the HPT Leases and other leases that are reflected in real estate rent expense in our condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Cash payments to HPT under the HPT Leases	$	55,771		$	54,637		$	166,520		$	161,763
	Change in accrued estimated percentage rent	72			(111		)	670			473
	Adjustments to recognize expense on a straight line basis	(332		)	(483		)	(1,232		)	(1,383		)
	Less sale-leaseback financing obligation amortization	(595		)	(525		)	(1,778		)	(1,547		)
	Less portion of rent payments recognized as interest expense	(1,471		)	(1,757		)	(4,412		)	(5,242		)
	Less deferred tenant improvements allowance amortization	(1,692		)	(1,692		)	(5,077		)	(5,077		)
	Amortization of deferred gain on sale-leaseback transactions	(96		)	(77		)	(289		)	(230		)
	Rent expense related to HPT Leases	51,657			49,992			154,402			148,757
	Rent paid to others (1)	2,774			2,430			8,088			7,628
	Adjustments to recognize expense on a straight line basis for other leases	(71		)	2			(195		)	27
	Total real estate rent expense	$	54,360		$	52,424		$	162,295		$	156,412

	(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 details amounts related to the HPT Leases that are included in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013

	Current HPT Leases liabilities:
	Accrued rent	$	18,975		$	18,041
	Sale-leaseback financing obligation (1)	2,493			2,358
	Straight line rent accrual (2)	2,489			2,382
	Deferred gain on sale-leaseback transactions (3)	385			385
	Deferred tenant improvements allowance (4)	6,769			6,769
	Total Current HPT Leases liabilities	$	31,111		$	29,935

	Noncurrent HPT Leases liabilities:
	Deferred rent obligation (5)	$	150,000		$	150,000
	Sale-leaseback financing obligation (1)	82,684			83,762
	Straight line rent accrual (2)	50,986			52,901
	Deferred gain on sale-leaseback transactions (3)	2,828			3,117
	Deferred tenant improvements allowance (4)	49,069			54,146
	Total Noncurrent HPT Leases liabilities	$	335,567		$	343,926

	(1) Sale-leaseback Financing Obligation. GAAP governing the transactions related to the TA Lease required us to record in our consolidated balance sheets the leased assets at thirteen of the properties (eight as of September 30, 2014) previously owned by our predecessor that we now lease from HPT because we subleased more than a minor portion of those properties to third parties, and one property that did not qualify for operating lease treatment for other reasons. Accordingly, we recorded the leased assets at these properties at an amount equal to HPT’s recorded initial carrying amounts, which were equal to their fair values, and recognized an equal amount of liability that is presented as sale-leaseback financing obligation in our consolidated balance sheets. In addition, sales to HPT of improvements at these properties are accounted for as sale-leaseback financing transactions and these liabilities are increased by the amount of proceeds we receive from HPT. We recognize a portion of the total rent payments to HPT related to these assets as a reduction of the sale-leaseback financing obligation and a portion as interest expense in our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. We determined the allocation of these rent payments to the liability and to interest expense using the effective interest method. The amounts allocated to interest expense were $1,471 and $1,757 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $4,412 and $5,242 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

	During 2012 and 2013, subleases to our franchisees at five of these properties were terminated and we began operating these properties directly. The termination of these subleases qualified the properties for sale-leaseback accounting at which times we removed the related assets and liabilities from our consolidated balance sheet. See note (3) below for further discussion regarding the deferred gains of $2,850 we recognized as part of these sublease terminations.

	(2) Straight Line Rent Accrual. The TA Lease included scheduled rent increases over the first six years of the lease term, as do certain of the leases for properties we sublease from HPT, the rent for which we pay directly to HPT’s landlords. Also, under our leases with HPT, we are obligated to pay to HPT at lease expiration an amount equal to an estimate of the cost, calculated in accordance with GAAP, of removing the underground storage tanks. We recognize the effects of scheduled rent increases and the future payment to HPT for the estimated cost of removing underground storage tanks in real estate rent expense over the lease terms on a straight line basis, with offsetting entries to this accrual balance.

	(3) Deferred Gain on Sale-Leaseback Transactions. This gain arose from our 2012 and 2013 terminations of subleases to franchisees for five properties we lease from HPT, which qualified these properties for sale-leaseback accounting and required us to remove the related assets and liabilities from our consolidated balance sheets, as further described in note (1) above, and from the sales to HPT of certain assets at the five properties we lease from HPT that we continue to sublease to franchisees. Under GAAP, the gain or loss from the sale portion of a sale-leaseback transaction is deferred and amortized into our real estate rent expense on a straight line basis over the then remaining term of the lease.

	(4) Deferred Tenant Improvements Allowance. HPT committed to fund up to $125,000 of capital projects at the properties we lease under the TA Lease without an increase in rent payable by us, which amount HPT had fully funded by September 30, 2010, net of discounting to reflect our accelerated receipt of those funds. In connection with this commitment, we recognized a liability for the rent deemed to be related to this tenant improvements allowance. This deferred tenant improvements allowance was initially recorded at an amount equal to the leasehold improvements receivable we recognized for the discounted value of the then expected future amounts to be received from HPT, based upon our then expected timing of receipt of those payments. We amortize the deferred tenant improvements allowance on a straight line basis over the term of the TA Lease as a reduction of real estate rent expense.

(5) Deferred Rent Obligation. Pursuant to a rent deferral agreement with HPT, through December 31, 2010, we deferred a total of $150,000 of rent payable to HPT. The deferred rent obligation is payable in two installments, $107,085 in December 2022 and $42,915 in June 2024. This obligation does not bear interest, unless certain events of default or other events occur, including a change of control of us.

On August 13, 2013, the travel center located in Roanoke, VA that we leased from HPT under the TA Lease was taken by eminent domain proceedings brought by the Virginia Department of Transportation, or VDOT, in connection with planned highway construction. The TA Lease provides that the annual rent payable by us is reduced by 8.5% of the amount of the proceeds HPT receives from the taking or, at HPT’s option, the fair market value rent of the property on the commencement date of the TA Lease. In January 2014, HPT received proceeds from VDOT of $6,178, which is a substantial portion of VDOT’s estimate of the value of the property, and as a result our annual rent under the TA Lease was reduced by $525. We and HPT are challenging VDOT’s estimate of this property’s value and we expect that the final resolution of this matter will take a prolonged time. HPT entered a lease agreement with VDOT to lease for $40 per month this property through November 15, 2014. We entered into a sublease for this property with HPT and we plan to continue operating it as a travel center through November 15, 2014. Under the terms of the TA Lease, we are responsible to pay the rent to VDOT under the lease agreement.

On September 23, 2014, HPT exercised its option to purchase the land and improvements at the travel center we sublease from HPT in Waterloo, NY. This transaction is expected to close in October 2015 and we expect that, following HPT’s purchase, we will lease this travel center directly from HPT.

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, and building management services to us related to our headquarters office building, or our property management agreement. One of our Managing Directors, Mr. Barry Portnoy, is Chairman, majority owner and an employee of RMR. Mr. Barry Portnoy’s son, Mr. Adam Portnoy, is an owner of RMR and serves as President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of RMR. Our other Managing Director, Mr. Thomas O’Brien, who is also our President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Andrew Rebholz, our Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, and Mr. Mark Young, our Executive Vice President and General Counsel, are also officers of RMR. RMR provides management services to HPT and HPT’s executive officers are officers of RMR. Two of our Independent Directors also serve as independent directors or independent trustees of other public companies to which RMR or its affiliates provide management services. Mr. Barry Portnoy serves as a managing director or managing trustee of a majority of the public companies to which RMR or its affiliates provide management services and Mr. Adam Portnoy serves as a managing trustee of a majority of those companies. In addition, officers of RMR serve as officers of those companies.

Pursuant to our business management agreement and property management agreement with RMR, we recognized aggregate fees of $3,257 and $2,993 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $9,335 and $8,408 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. These amounts are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

Relationship with AIC

We, RMR, HPT and four other companies to which RMR provides management services currently own Affiliates Insurance Company, or AIC, an Indiana insurance company. All of our Directors and most of the trustees and directors of the other AIC shareholders currently serve on the board of directors of AIC. RMR provides management and administrative services to AIC pursuant to a management and administrative services agreement with AIC.

On March 25, 2014, as a result of the removal, without cause, of all of the trustees of Equity Commonwealth (formerly known as CommonWealth REIT), or EQC, this shareholder of AIC underwent a change in control, as defined in the shareholders agreement among us, the other shareholders of AIC and AIC. As a result of that change in control and in accordance with the terms of the shareholders agreement, on May 9, 2014, we and those other shareholders purchased pro rata the AIC shares EQC owned. Pursuant to that purchase, we purchased 2,857 AIC shares from EQC for $825. Following these purchases, we and the other remaining six shareholders each own approximately 14.3% of AIC.

In June 2014, we and the other shareholders of AIC renewed our participation in an insurance program arranged by AIC. In connection with that renewal, we purchased a one-year property insurance policy providing $500,000 of coverage, with respect to which AIC is a reinsurer of certain coverage amounts. The total premium due to AIC, including taxes and fees, is approximately $1,601 in connection with that policy, which amount may be adjusted from time to time as we acquire or dispose of properties that are covered in the policy.

As of September 30, 2014, we had invested $6,054 in AIC. Although we own less than 20% of AIC, we use the equity method to account for this investment because we believe that we have significant influence over AIC as all of our Directors are also directors of AIC. Our investment in AIC had a carrying value of $6,806 and $5,913 as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, which amounts are included in other noncurrent assets in our consolidated balance sheets. We recognized income of $54 and $64 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $61 and $219 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, related to our investment in AIC.

Directors’ and Officers’ Liability Insurance

In September 2014, we purchased a two year combined directors’ and officers’ insurance policy with RMR and five other companies managed by RMR that provides $10,000 in aggregate primary coverage, including certain errors and omission coverage. At that time, we also purchased separate additional one year directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies that provide $20,000 of aggregate excess coverage plus $5,000 of excess non-indemnifiable coverage. The total premium payable by us for these policies purchased in September 2014 was approximately $351.

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 and two convenience stores in California. We own a 40% interest in PTP and operate the two travel centers and two convenience stores PTP owns for which we receive management and accounting fees. The carrying value of our investment in PTP as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, was $19,622 and $17,672, respectively. We recognized management and accounting fee income of $200 for each of the three month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, and $600 for each of the nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. At September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, we had net payables to PTP of $1,945 and $1,147, respectively. We recognized income of $1,018 and $795 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $1,950 and $1,799 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, as our share of PTP’s net income.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	7. Commitments and Contingencies

	Environmental Matters

	Extensive environmental laws regulate our operations and properties. These laws may require us to investigate and clean up hazardous substances, including petroleum or natural gas products, released at our owned and leased properties. Governmental entities or third parties may hold us liable for property damage and personal injuries, and for investigation, remediation and monitoring costs incurred in connection with any contamination and regulatory compliance. We use both underground storage tanks and above ground storage tanks to store petroleum products, natural gas and waste at our locations. We must comply with environmental laws regarding tank construction, integrity testing, leak detection and monitoring, overfill and spill control, release reporting and financial assurance for corrective action in the event of a release. At some locations we must also comply with environmental laws relative to vapor recovery or discharges to water. Under the terms of our leases, we generally have agreed to indemnify HPT for any environmental liabilities related to properties that we lease from HPT and we are required to pay all environmental related expenses incurred in the operation of the properties.

	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 in the future, 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 or expect to 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, 2014, we had a gross accrued liability of $5,222 for environmental matters as well as a receivable for expected recoveries of certain of these estimated future expenditures of $1,213, resulting in an estimated net amount of $4,009 that we expect to fund in the future. We cannot precisely know the ultimate costs we may incur in connection with currently known or future potential environmental related violations, corrective actions, investigation and remediation; however, we do not expect the costs for such matters to be material, individually or in the aggregate, to our financial condition or results of operations.

	In February 2014, we reached an agreement with the California State Water Resources Control Board, or the State Water Board, to settle certain claims the State Water Board had filed against us in California Superior Court in 2010 relating to alleged violations of underground storage tank laws and regulations for a cash payment of $1,800; suspended penalties of $1,000 that may become payable by us in the future if, prior to March 2019, we fail to comply with specified underground storage tank laws and regulations; and our agreement to invest, prior to March 2018, up to $2,000 of verified costs that are directly related to the development and implementation of a comprehensive California Enhanced Environmental Compliance Program for the underground storage tank systems at all of our California facilities that is above and beyond minimum requirements of California law and regulations related to underground storage tank systems. To the extent that we do not incur the full $2,000 of eligible environmental compliance costs by March 2018, the difference between the amount we incur and $2,000 will be payable to the State Water Board. The settlement, which was approved by the Superior Court on February 20, 2014, also included injunctive relief provisions requiring that we comply with certain California environmental laws and regulations applicable to underground storage tank systems. We made the $1,800 cash payment during the first quarter of 2014. As of September 30, 2014, we have a liability of $1,708 recorded with respect to this matter, which amount is included in the gross accrued liability for environmental matters referenced above. We have not recognized a liability for any portion of the suspended penalties totaling $1,000 as we believe the probability of triggering these penalties is remote.

	We have insurance of up to $10,000 per incident and up to $40,000 in the aggregate for certain environmental liabilities, 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.

	It is impossible to predict the ultimate effect changing circumstances and changing environmental laws may have on us in the future or the ultimate outcome of matters currently pending. We cannot be certain that contamination presently unknown to us does not exist at our sites, or that material liability will not be imposed on us in the future. If we discover additional environmental issues, or if government agencies impose additional environmental requirements, increased environmental compliance or remediation expenditures may be required, which could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, legislation and regulation regarding climate change, including greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental matters, and market reaction to any such legislation or regulation or to climate change concerns, may decrease the demand for our major product, diesel fuel, may require us to expend significant amounts and may negatively impact our business. For instance, federal and state governmental requirements addressing emissions from trucks and other motor vehicles, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s gasoline and diesel sulfur control requirements that limit the concentration of sulfur in motor vehicle gasoline and diesel fuel, as well as President Obama’s February 2014 order that his administration develop and implement new fuel efficiency standards for medium and heavy duty commercial trucks by March 2016, has caused us to add certain services and provide certain products to our customers at a cost to us and may decrease the demand for our fuel products and negatively impact our business. Further, legislation and regulations that limit carbon emissions also may cause our energy costs at our locations to increase.

	Legal Proceedings

	Beginning in December 2006, a series of class action lawsuits was filed against numerous companies in the petroleum industry, including our predecessor and our subsidiaries, in U.S. district courts in over 20 states. Major petroleum refiners and retailers were named as defendants in one or more of these lawsuits. The plaintiffs in the lawsuits generally alleged that they were retail purchasers who purchased motor fuel at temperatures greater than 60 degrees Fahrenheit at the time of sale. One theory alleged that the plaintiffs purchased smaller amounts of motor fuel than the amount for which defendants charged them because the defendants measured the amount of motor fuel they delivered by volumes which, at higher temperatures, contain less energy. A second theory alleged that fuel taxes are calculated in temperature adjusted 60 degree gallons and are collected by governmental agencies from suppliers and wholesalers, who are reimbursed in the amount of the tax by the defendant retailers before the fuel is sold to consumers. These “tax” cases allege that, when the fuel is subsequently sold to consumers at temperatures above 60 degrees, the retailers sell a greater volume of fuel than the amount on which they paid tax, and therefore reap unjust benefit because the customers pay more tax than the retailer pays. A third theory alleged that all purchasers of fuel at any temperature are harmed because the defendants do not use equipment that adjusts for temperature or disclose the temperature of fuel being sold, and thereby deprive customers of information they allegedly require to make an informed purchasing decision. All of these cases were consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas pursuant to multi-district litigation procedures. On May 28, 2010, that Court ruled that, with respect to two cases originally filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas, it would grant plaintiffs’ motion to certify a class of plaintiffs seeking injunctive relief (implementation of fuel temperature equipment and/or posting of notices regarding the effect of temperature on fuel). On January 19, 2012, the Court amended its prior ruling, and certified a class with respect to plaintiffs’ claims for damages as well. A TA entity was named in one of those two Kansas cases, but the Court ruled that the named plaintiffs were not sufficient to represent a class as to TA. TA was thereafter dismissed from the Kansas case. Several defendants in the Kansas cases, including major petroleum refiners, entered into multi-state settlements. Following a September 2012 trial against the remaining defendants in the Kansas cases, the jury returned a unanimous verdict in favor of those Kansas defendants, and the judge likewise ruled in the Kansas defendants’ favor on the sole non-jury claim. In early 2013, the Court announced its intention to remand three cases originally filed in federal district courts in California back to their original courts. On April 9, 2013, the Court granted plaintiffs’ motion for class certification in connection with the California claims in the California cases. On August 14, 2013, the Court granted summary judgment for the defendants with respect to all California claims in the California cases, and in February 2014, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California entered judgment in favor of the defendants with respect to those claims. The plaintiffs in the California cases have all dismissed their non-California claims against TA, except for one individual plaintiff, who continues to assert claims based on purchases of fuel in states other than California. In January 2014, TA was dismissed with prejudice in all the non-California cases in all states in which it remained a defendant at that time. Therefore, the only case in which TA remains a defendant is the case in which one remaining plaintiff is pursuing non-California claims. We believe there are substantial factual and legal defenses to the allegations made in this remaining case. While we do not expect that we will incur a material loss in this case, we cannot estimate our ultimate exposure to loss or liability, if any, related to this lawsuit.

	On April 6, 2009, five independent truck stop owners, who were 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. On February 28, 2014, we entered into a Definitive Master Class Settlement Agreement with the plaintiffs, or the settlement agreement. The Court approved the settlement agreement on July 14, 2014. The settlement agreement provides for the payment by the co-defendants, of an aggregate of $130,000, including $10,000 from us, to a settlement fund for class members and the dismissal with prejudice of the litigation and the unconditional release of all claims that class members brought, or could have brought, against us and the other settling co-defendants with respect to the litigation and related actions. We recognized a $10,000 loss in connection with this matter in December 2013 and made the cash payment in March 2014.

	In addition to the legal proceedings referenced above, we are routinely involved in various other legal and administrative proceedings, including tax audits, incidental to the ordinary course of our business, none of which we expect, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Taxes	'
Income Taxes	'
	8. Income Taxes

	The income tax provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, reflects our current estimated annual effective tax rate for the year ending December 31, 2014, of 41.74%. Our current estimated annual effective tax rate is higher than the federal statutory tax rate primarily due to state income taxes and certain items recognized as expenses under GAAP that are not deductible for income tax purposes.

	For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, our income tax provision differed from the amount of benefit expected to be calculated at statutory rates primarily due to the impact of our valuation allowance, a portion of which was reversed in the fourth quarter of 2013. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we included in our tax provision $1,111 for certain state taxes on operating income that were payable without regard to our tax loss carryforwards. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, our tax provision also included $515 related to a noncash deferred liability that arose from the amortization of indefinite lived intangible assets for tax purposes but not for GAAP purposes that were unavailable to offset our deferred tax assets while we maintained a valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets.

Basis_of_Presentation_Business1

Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Organization (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Organization	'
Reclassifications	'
Reclassifications	Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows to be consistent with the current year presentation.
Fair Value Measurement	'
	Fair Value Measurement

	We estimate that, based on their trading price (a Level 1 input), the fair value of our Senior Notes on September 30, 2014, was $114,444.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which establishes a comprehensive revenue recognition standard under GAAP for virtually all industries. The new standard will apply for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods therein. Early adoption is prohibited. We have not yet determined the effects, if any, adoption of this update may have on our consolidated financial statements.

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
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,
		2014		2013		2014		2013

	Net income, as reported	$	12,796	$	15,803	$	26,627	$	19,648
	Less: net income attributable to participating securities	624		979		1,301		1,220
	Net income available to common shareholders	$	12,172	$	14,824	$	25,326	$	18,428

	Weighted average common shares(1)	35,832,021		27,737,712		35,802,607		27,717,490

	Basic and diluted net income per share	$	0.34	$	0.53	$	0.71	$	0.66


	(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 shares. The weighted average number of unvested shares outstanding for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, was 1,837,191 and 1,832,378, respectively. The weighted average number of unvested shares outstanding for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, was 1,839,500 and 1,835,023, respectively.

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Inventories	'
Schedule of inventories	'

		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013

	Nonfuel products	$	141,075	$	150,600
	Fuel products	40,185		48,601
	Total inventories	$	181,260	$	199,201

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Acquisitions	'
Summary of the amounts assigned, based on their fair values, to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the business combinations	'

	Cash	$	80
	Inventories	1,246
	Property and equipment	17,500
	Goodwill	7,120
	Other assets	17
	Other liabilities	(266		)
	Total purchase price	$	25,697

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
Schedule of accumulated other comprehensive income	'

		Foreign			Equity interest		Accumulated
		currency			in investee’s		other
		translation			unrealized gain		comprehensive
		adjustment			(loss) on		income
					investments

	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	785		$	49	$	834
	Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $(120)	(247		)	—		(247		)
	Equity interest in investee’s unrealized loss on investments	—			7		7
	Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(247		)	7		(240		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	538		$	56	$	594

Related_Party_Transactions_Tab

Related Party Transactions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2014
Related Party Transactions	'
Schedule of details amounts related to the HPT Leases and other leases that are reflected in real estate rent expense in our condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income	'

		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Cash payments to HPT under the HPT Leases	$	55,771		$	54,637		$	166,520		$	161,763
	Change in accrued estimated percentage rent	72			(111		)	670			473
	Adjustments to recognize expense on a straight line basis	(332		)	(483		)	(1,232		)	(1,383		)
	Less sale-leaseback financing obligation amortization	(595		)	(525		)	(1,778		)	(1,547		)
	Less portion of rent payments recognized as interest expense	(1,471		)	(1,757		)	(4,412		)	(5,242		)
	Less deferred tenant improvements allowance amortization	(1,692		)	(1,692		)	(5,077		)	(5,077		)
	Amortization of deferred gain on sale-leaseback transactions	(96		)	(77		)	(289		)	(230		)
	Rent expense related to HPT Leases	51,657			49,992			154,402			148,757
	Rent paid to others (1)	2,774			2,430			8,088			7,628
	Adjustments to recognize expense on a straight line basis for other leases	(71		)	2			(195		)	27
	Total real estate rent expense	$	54,360		$	52,424		$	162,295		$	156,412

	(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 details amounts related to the HPT Leases	'

		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013

	Current HPT Leases liabilities:
	Accrued rent	$	18,975		$	18,041
	Sale-leaseback financing obligation (1)	2,493			2,358
	Straight line rent accrual (2)	2,489			2,382
	Deferred gain on sale-leaseback transactions (3)	385			385
	Deferred tenant improvements allowance (4)	6,769			6,769
	Total Current HPT Leases liabilities	$	31,111		$	29,935

	Noncurrent HPT Leases liabilities:
	Deferred rent obligation (5)	$	150,000		$	150,000
	Sale-leaseback financing obligation (1)	82,684			83,762
	Straight line rent accrual (2)	50,986			52,901
	Deferred gain on sale-leaseback transactions (3)	2,828			3,117
	Deferred tenant improvements allowance (4)	49,069			54,146
	Total Noncurrent HPT Leases liabilities	$	335,567		$	343,926

	(1) Sale-leaseback Financing Obligation. GAAP governing the transactions related to the TA Lease required us to record in our consolidated balance sheets the leased assets at thirteen of the properties (eight as of September 30, 2014) previously owned by our predecessor that we now lease from HPT because we subleased more than a minor portion of those properties to third parties, and one property that did not qualify for operating lease treatment for other reasons. Accordingly, we recorded the leased assets at these properties at an amount equal to HPT’s recorded initial carrying amounts, which were equal to their fair values, and recognized an equal amount of liability that is presented as sale-leaseback financing obligation in our consolidated balance sheets. In addition, sales to HPT of improvements at these properties are accounted for as sale-leaseback financing transactions and these liabilities are increased by the amount of proceeds we receive from HPT. We recognize a portion of the total rent payments to HPT related to these assets as a reduction of the sale-leaseback financing obligation and a portion as interest expense in our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. We determined the allocation of these rent payments to the liability and to interest expense using the effective interest method. The amounts allocated to interest expense were $1,471 and $1,757 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $4,412 and $5,242 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

	During 2012 and 2013, subleases to our franchisees at five of these properties were terminated and we began operating these properties directly. The termination of these subleases qualified the properties for sale-leaseback accounting at which times we removed the related assets and liabilities from our consolidated balance sheet. See note (3) below for further discussion regarding the deferred gains of $2,850 we recognized as part of these sublease terminations.

	(2) Straight Line Rent Accrual. The TA Lease included scheduled rent increases over the first six years of the lease term, as do certain of the leases for properties we sublease from HPT, the rent for which we pay directly to HPT’s landlords. Also, under our leases with HPT, we are obligated to pay to HPT at lease expiration an amount equal to an estimate of the cost, calculated in accordance with GAAP, of removing the underground storage tanks. We recognize the effects of scheduled rent increases and the future payment to HPT for the estimated cost of removing underground storage tanks in real estate rent expense over the lease terms on a straight line basis, with offsetting entries to this accrual balance.

	(3) Deferred Gain on Sale-Leaseback Transactions. This gain arose from our 2012 and 2013 terminations of subleases to franchisees for five properties we lease from HPT, which qualified these properties for sale-leaseback accounting and required us to remove the related assets and liabilities from our consolidated balance sheets, as further described in note (1) above, and from the sales to HPT of certain assets at the five properties we lease from HPT that we continue to sublease to franchisees. Under GAAP, the gain or loss from the sale portion of a sale-leaseback transaction is deferred and amortized into our real estate rent expense on a straight line basis over the then remaining term of the lease.

	(4) Deferred Tenant Improvements Allowance. HPT committed to fund up to $125,000 of capital projects at the properties we lease under the TA Lease without an increase in rent payable by us, which amount HPT had fully funded by September 30, 2010, net of discounting to reflect our accelerated receipt of those funds. In connection with this commitment, we recognized a liability for the rent deemed to be related to this tenant improvements allowance. This deferred tenant improvements allowance was initially recorded at an amount equal to the leasehold improvements receivable we recognized for the discounted value of the then expected future amounts to be received from HPT, based upon our then expected timing of receipt of those payments. We amortize the deferred tenant improvements allowance on a straight line basis over the term of the TA Lease as a reduction of real estate rent expense.

	(5) Deferred Rent Obligation. Pursuant to a rent deferral agreement with HPT, through December 31, 2010, we deferred a total of $150,000 of rent payable to HPT. The deferred rent obligation is payable in two installments, $107,085 in December 2022 and $42,915 in June 2024. This obligation does not bear interest, unless certain events of default or other events occur, including a change of control of us.

Basis_of_Presentation_Business2

Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Organization (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
	item
Basis of presentation, business description and organization	'
Number of operating segments	1
Number of reportable segments	1
Senior Notes	'
Basis of presentation, business description and organization	'
Fair value of debt instrument	114,444
HPT	'
Basis of presentation, business description and organization	'
Number of sites under leases	185
Travel centers	'
Basis of presentation, business description and organization	'
Number of locations	250
Number of states in which the entity operates	43
Number of locations owned	36
Number of sites under leases	189
Travel centers \| Minimum	'
Basis of presentation, business description and organization	'
Area of property	25
Travel centers \| HPT	'
Basis of presentation, business description and organization	'
Number of sites under leases	184
Travel centers \| Travel Centers of America brand	'
Basis of presentation, business description and organization	'
Number of locations	174
Travel centers \| Petro Stopping Center brand	'
Basis of presentation, business description and organization	'
Number of locations	76
Travel centers \| Company operated sites	'
Basis of presentation, business description and organization	'
Number of locations	220
Travel centers \| Franchisee operated sites	'
Basis of presentation, business description and organization	'
Number of locations	30
Travel centers \| Franchised sites	'
Basis of presentation, business description and organization	'
Number of locations owned and operated	25
Travel centers \| Franchisee subleased sites \| HPT	'
Basis of presentation, business description and organization	'
Number of locations	5
Convenience stores	'
Basis of presentation, business description and organization	'
Area of property	5,000
Number of fueling stations	10
Number of locations	34
Number of states in which the entity operates	4
Number of locations owned	27
Number of sites under leases	7
Convenience stores \| HPT	'
Basis of presentation, business description and organization	'
Number of sites under leases	1

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, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	'	'	'	'
Net income, as reported	$12,796	$15,803	$26,627	$19,648
Less: net income attributable to participating securities	624	979	1,301	1,220
Net income available to common shareholders	$12,172	$14,824	$25,326	$18,428
Weighted average common shares	35,832,021	27,737,712	35,802,607	27,717,490
Basic and diluted net income per share	$0.34	$0.53	$0.71	$0.66
Number of unvested participating shares	1,837,191	1,832,378	1,839,500	1,835,023

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Inventories	'	'
Nonfuel products	$141,075	$150,600
Fuel products	40,185	48,601
Total inventories	$181,260	$199,201

Acquisitions_Details

Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Summary of the amounts assigned, based on their fair values, to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the business combinations	'	'	'	'
Cash	$80	'	$80	'
Inventories	1,246	'	1,246	'
Property and equipment	17,500	'	17,500	'
Goodwill	7,120	'	7,120	'
Other assets	17	'	17	'
Other liabilities	-266	'	-266	'
Total purchase price	25,697	'	25,697	'
Acquisition related costs	176	1,026	935	1,346
Three travel centers	'	'	'	'
Acquisitions	'	'	'	'
Purchase price paid	'	'	25,697	'
One travel center \| Pending Acquisition	'	'	'	'
Summary of the amounts assigned, based on their fair values, to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the business combinations	'	'	'	'
Cost of acquisition	'	'	$3,000	'

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	'	'	$834	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $(120)	-225	116	-247	-209
Equity interest in investee's unrealized loss on investments	-33	14	7	-67
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-258	130	-240	-276
Balance at the end of the period	594	'	594	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment, taxes	-112	50	-120	-88
Foreign currency translation adjustment	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	'	'	785	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of $(120)	'	'	-247	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	'	'	-247	'
Balance at the end of the period	538	'	538	'
Equity interest in investee's unrealized gain (loss) on investments	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'	'	'	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	'	'	49	'
Equity interest in investee's unrealized loss on investments	'	'	7	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	'	'	7	'
Balance at the end of the period	$56	'	$56	'

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

24 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 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, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2010

Jan. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2010

Sep. 30, 2014

9-May-14

Jun. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

item

Deferred rent obligation payable in December 2022

Deferred rent obligation payable in June 2024

HPT

AIC

RMR

PTP

lease

item

TA Lease

Petro Lease

item

leasedsite

property

leasedsite

Maximum

travelcenter

installment

leasedsite

option

Related Party

Number of common shares owned

3,420,000

Percentage of outstanding common shares owned

9.10%

Number of leases

Number of properties under lease

185

145

Number of renewal options available

Term of renewal option

'15 years

Percentage of non-fuel revenue

3.00%

Percentage of fuel revenue

0.30%

Percentage rent to be waived

$2,500

Percentage rent waived

133

402

Cumulative percentage rent waived

768

Annual percentage rent recognized as an expense

573

464

2,195

1,746

Rate of increase in annual amount (as a percent)

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%

Improvements sold

41,961

63,163

Increase to annual rent payable

3,567

5,369

Improvements included in property and equipment

26,172

Summary of details amounts related to the HPT Leases and other leases that are reflected in real estate rent expense in condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income

Cash payments to HPT under the HPT Leases

55,771

54,637

166,520

161,763

Change in accrued estimated percentage rent

-111

670

473

Adjustments to recognize expense on a straight line basis

-332

-483

-1,232

-1,383

Less sale-leaseback financing obligation amortization

-1,778

-1,546

-595

-525

-1,778

-1,547

Less portion of rent payments recognized as interest expense

1,471

1,757

4,412

5,242

-1,471

-1,757

-4,412

-5,242

Less deferred tenant improvements allowance amortization

-1,692

-5,077

Amortization of deferred gain on sale-leaseback transactions

-96

-77

-289

-230

Rent expense related to HPT Leases

51,657

49,992

154,402

148,757

Rent paid to others

2,774

2,430

8,088

7,628

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

-71

-195

Total real estate rent expense

54,360

52,424

162,295

156,412

Current HPT Leases liabilities:

Accrued rent

18,975

18,041

Sale-leaseback financing obligation

2,493

2,358

Straight line rent accrual

2,489

2,382

Deferred gain on sale-leaseback transactions

385

Deferred tenant improvements allowance

6,769

Total Current HPT Leases liabilities

31,111

29,935

31,111

29,935

Noncurrent HPT Leases liabilities:

Deferred rent obligation

107,085

42,915

150,000

Sale-leaseback financing obligation

82,684

83,762

Straight line rent accrual

50,986

52,901

Deferred gain on sale-leaseback transactions

2,828

3,117

Deferred tenant improvements allowance

49,069

54,146

Total Noncurrent HPT Lease liabilities

335,567

343,926

335,567

343,926

Other related party transactions

Number of real estate properties leased to be recorded

Number of real estate properties not qualifying for operating lease treatment

Gain on business acquisition

2,850

The term of scheduled rent increase from the initial lease term

'6 years

Number of real estate properties for which subleases were terminated

Amount funded for leasehold improvements

125,000

Number of installments in which deferred rent is payable

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

8.50%

Proceeds from VDOT

6,178

Decrease to annual rent payable related to a lease agreement

525

Rent for Ground Leases Subleased from HPT

Number of managing directors who are employee of RMR

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

Aggregate fees

3,257

2,993

9,335

8,408

Number of other companies which are shareholders of related party

Ownership interest (as a percent)

14.30%

40.00%

Amount invested in equity investee

6,054

Equity method investments, carrying value

6,806

5,913

19,622

17,672

Income (loss) recognized related to equity investments

1,072

859

2,011

2,018

219

1,018

795

1,950

1,799

Period of property insurance program

'1 year

Coverage of property insurance

500,000

Premiums paid under property insurance program

1,601

Common shares purchased

2,857

Purchase price of shares

825

Period for directors' and officers' insurance coverage

'2 years

Number of entities to who RMR manages

Aggregate coverage of combined directors' and officers' liability insurance policy purchased with the related party

10,000

Period for additional directors' and officers' insurance coverage

'1 year

Combined directors' and officers' liability insurance policy purchased with related party aggregate excess layer coverage

20,000

Aggregate excess non-indemnifiable coverage of combined directors' and officers' liability insurance policy purchased with the related party

5,000

Premium payable for combined directors' and officers' liability insurance policy

351

Number of travel centers built

Number of convenience stores built

Number of travel centers operated

Number of convenience stores operated

Management and accounting fee income recognized

200

600

Net payables

$1,945

$1,147

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Feb. 28, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

31-May-10

Sep. 30, 2014

31-May-10

Sep. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Apr. 30, 2011

Apr. 30, 2009

Sep. 30, 2014

Litigation by California State Water Resources Control Board

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

Purported class action suit against Comdata

Minimum

Environmental Matters

case

lawsuit

TA entity

plaintiffs

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

Maximum

fahrenheit

case

item

state

case

Commitments and contingencies

Gross accrued liability

$5,222

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

1,213

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

4,009

Suspended penalties amount

1,000

Maximum verified costs, prior to March 2018

2,000

Loss contingency, liability

1,708

Loss Contingency Insurance Limit for Liabilities PerIncident

10,000

Loss Contingency Insurance Limit for Liabilities

40,000

Number of states

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

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

Number of cases filed

Number of cases remanded

Number of plaintiffs pursuing non-California claims

Number of independent truck stop owners, who are plaintiffs

Cash paid for settlement

130,000

Settlement amount

1,800

Cash paid by the entity for settlement

1,800

Cash to be paid by the entity for settlement

10,000

Net expense recorded

$10,000

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Taxes	'	'
Effective tax rate (as a percent)	41.74%	'
State taxes based on operating income	'	$1,111
Tax provision related to a noncash deferred liability arising from foreign currency translation adjustments	'	$515