TravelCenters of America (TA) 10-K 28 Feb 17 2016 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Feb. 27, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	TRAVELCENTERS OF AMERICA LLC
Entity Central Index Key	1,378,453
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2016
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 262.9
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		39,520,536
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 61,312	$ 172,087
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $744 and $850 as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively)	107,246	91,580
Inventory	207,829	183,492
Other current assets	25,674	48,181
Total current assets	402,061	495,340
Property and equipment, net	1,082,022	989,606
Goodwill	88,542	79,768
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	37,738	26,209
Other noncurrent assets	49,478	30,618
Total assets	1,659,841	1,621,541
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	157,964	125,079
Current HPT Leases liabilities	39,720	37,030
Other current liabilities	132,648	133,513
Total current liabilities	330,332	295,622
Long term debt, net	318,739	316,447
Noncurrent HPT Leases liabilities	381,854	385,498
Other noncurrent liabilities	75,837	74,655
Total liabilities	1,106,762	1,072,222
Shareholders' equity:
Common shares, no par value, 41,369 and 39,069 shares authorized at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, 39,523 and 38,808 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2016, and 2015, respectively	686,348	682,219
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	11	(240)
Accumulated deficit	(134,678)	(132,660)
Total TA shareholders' equity	551,681	549,319
Noncontrolling interests	1,398	0
Total shareholders' equity	553,079	549,319
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 1,659,841	$ 1,621,541

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 744	$ 850
Common shares, shares authorized	41,369	39,069
Common shares, shares issued	39,523	38,808
Common shares, shares outstanding	39,523	38,808

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenues:
Fuel	$ 3,530,149	$ 4,055,448	$ 6,149,449
Nonfuel	1,963,904	1,782,761	1,616,802
Rent and royalties from franchisees	17,352	12,424	12,382
Total revenues	5,511,405	5,850,633	7,778,633
Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation):
Fuel	3,125,372	3,640,954	5,720,949
Nonfuel	910,827	819,995	738,871
Total cost of goods sold	4,036,199	4,460,949	6,459,820
Operating expenses:
Site level operating	959,407	885,646	815,611
Selling, general and administrative	139,052	121,767	106,823
Real estate rent	262,298	231,591	217,155
Depreciation and amortization	92,389	72,383	65,584
Total operating expenses	1,453,146	1,311,387	1,205,173
Income from operations	22,060	78,297	113,640
Acquisition costs	2,451	5,048	1,160
Interest expense, net	27,815	22,545	16,712
Income from equity investees	4,544	4,056	3,224
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	10,502	0
(Loss) income before income taxes	(3,662)	44,258	98,992
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	(1,733)	16,539	38,023
Net (loss) income	(1,929)	27,719	60,969
Less net income for noncontrolling interests	89	0	0
Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders	(2,018)	27,719	60,969
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency income (loss), net of taxes of $57, $355 and $198, respectively	99	(655)	(400)
Equity interest in investee's unrealized gain (loss) on investments	152	(20)	1
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	251	(675)	(399)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to common shareholders	$ (1,767)	$ 27,044	$ 60,570
Net (loss) income per common share attributable to common shareholders:
Basic and diluted (in usd per share)	$ (0.05)	$ 0.72	$ 1.62

Consolidated Statements of Ope5

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustment, taxes	$ 57	$ (355)	$ (198)

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$ (1,929)	$ 27,719	$ 60,969
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Noncash rent expense	(13,683)	(15,170)	(8,982)
Depreciation and amortization expense	92,389	72,383	65,584
Deferred income taxes	4,342	7,367	13,790
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	10,502	0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of business acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(14,503)	5,076	8,838
Inventory	(20,642)	5,140	27,594
Other assets	22,539	(1,546)	2,414
Accounts payable and other liabilities	39,896	18,023	(12,010)
Other, net	2,368	7,394	2,928
Net cash provided by operating activities	110,777	136,888	161,125
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from asset sales	193,082	378,250	64,927
Capital expenditures	(329,997)	(295,437)	(169,825)
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(71,935)	(320,290)	(28,695)
Investment in equity investee	(11,188)	0	(825)
Net cash used in investing activities	(220,038)	(237,477)	(134,418)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of Senior Notes	0	100,000	120,000
Payments of Stock Issuance Costs	0	0	(14)
Payment of deferred financing costs	0	(4,506)	(6,135)
Proceeds from sale leaseback transactions with HPT	937	1,190	1,398
Sale leaseback financing obligation payments	(578)	(46,347)	(2,380)
Acquisition of treasury shares from employees	(1,394)	(1,842)	(928)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(1,035)	48,495	111,941
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(479)	(94)	(30)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(110,775)	(52,188)	138,618
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year	172,087	224,275	85,657
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year	61,312	172,087	224,275
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid (including rent classified as interest and net of capitalized interest)	29,846	21,204	16,055
Income taxes paid, net of refunds	$ 243	$ 1,984	$ 1,527

Consolidated Statements of Shar

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Shares	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated Deficit	Treasury Shares	Total TA Shareholders' Equity	Noncontrolling Interests
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Beginning balance	$ 453,877	$ 674,391	$ 834	$ (221,348)	$ 0	$ 453,877	$ 0
Ending balance	453,877	$ 674,391	834	(221,348)	0	453,877	0
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013		37,625
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Grants under share award plan and share based compensation, net (in shares)		711
Grants under share award plan and share based compensation, net	4,177	$ 5,105			(928)	4,177
Offering costs (in shares)		0
Payments of Stock Issuance Costs	(14)	$ (14)				(14)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(399)		(399)			(399)
Net (loss) income	60,969			60,969		60,969
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		38,336
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Beginning balance	518,610	$ 679,482	435	(160,379)	(928)	518,610	0
Ending balance	518,610	$ 679,482	435	(160,379)	(928)	518,610	0
Grants under share award plan and share based compensation, net (in shares)		472
Grants under share award plan and share based compensation, net	895	$ 2,737			(1,842)	895
Payments of Stock Issuance Costs	0
Retirement of treasury shares	2,770	$ 0			2,770	2,770
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(675)		(675)			(675)
Net (loss) income	$ 27,719			27,719		27,719
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015	38,808	38,808
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Beginning balance	$ 549,319	$ 682,219	(240)	(132,660)	0	549,319	0
Ending balance	549,319	$ 682,219	(240)	(132,660)	0	549,319	0
Grants under share award plan and share based compensation, net (in shares)		715
Grants under share award plan and share based compensation, net	2,735	$ 4,129			(1,394)	2,735
QSL acquisition	1,309						1,309
Payments of Stock Issuance Costs	0
Retirement of treasury shares	1,394	$ 0			1,394	1,394
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	251		251			251
Net (loss) income	$ (1,929)			(2,018)		(2,018)	89
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016	39,523	39,523
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Beginning balance	$ 553,079	$ 686,348	11	(134,678)	0	551,681	1,398
Ending balance	$ 553,079	$ 686,348	$ 11	$ (134,678)	$ 0	$ 551,681	$ 1,398

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies General Information and Basis of Presentation TravelCenters of America LLC, which we refer to as the Company or we, us and our, is a Delaware limited liability company. As of December 31, 2016 , we operated and franchised 540 travel center, standalone convenience store, and standalone restaurant locations. Our customers include trucking fleets and their drivers, independent truck drivers, highway and local motorists and casual diners. We also collect rents, royalties and other fees from our tenants and franchisees. As of December 31, 2016 , our business included 255 travel centers in 43 states in the United States, or U.S., primarily along the U.S. interstate highway system, and the province of Ontario, Canada. Our travel centers included 178 operated under the "TravelCenters of America" and "TA" brand names, or the TA brand, and 77 operated under the "Petro Stopping Centers" and "Petro" brand names, or the Petro brand. Of our 255 travel centers at December 31, 2016 , we owned 29 , we leased 199 , we operated two for a joint venture in which we own a noncontrolling interest and 25 were owned or leased from others by our franchisees. We operated 225 of our travel centers and franchisees operated 30 travel centers, including five we leased to franchisees. Our travel centers offer a broad range of products and services, including 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, and various customer amenities. We report this portion of our business as our travel center segment. As of December 31, 2016 , our business included 233 convenience stores in 11 states in the U.S. We operate our convenience stores primarily under the "Minit Mart" brand name, or the Minit Mart brand. Of these 233 convenience stores at December 31, 2016 , we owned 198 , we leased 32 , and we operated three for a joint venture in which we own a noncontrolling interest. Our convenience stores offer gasoline as well as a variety of nonfuel products and services, including coffee, groceries, some fresh foods, and, in many stores, a QSR and/or car washes. We report this portion of our business as our convenience store segment. As of December 31, 2016 , our business included 52 standalone restaurants in 15 states in the U.S. operated primarily under the "Quaker Steak & Lube" brand name, or the QSL brand. Of our 52 standalone restaurants at December 31, 2016 , we owned five , we leased seven , we operated one for a joint venture in which we own a noncontrolling interest and 39 were owned or leased from others by our franchisees. We report this portion of our business within corporate and other in our segment information. We manage our business on the basis of two reportable segments, travel centers and convenience stores. See Note 15 for more information about our reportable segments. We have a single travel center located in a foreign country, Canada, that we do not consider material to our operations. Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of TravelCenters of America LLC and its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. We use the equity method of accounting for investments in entities when we have the ability to significantly influence, but not control, the investee's operating and financial policies, typically when we own 20% to 50% of the investee's voting stock. See Note 10 for more information about our equity investments. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant Accounting Policies Revenue Recognition. We recognize revenue and the related costs at the time of final sale to consumers at our company operated locations for retail fuel and nonfuel sales. We record the estimated cost of loyalty program redemptions by customers of our loyalty program points as a discount against gross revenue in determining net revenue presented in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income. For those travel centers that we lease to a franchisee, we recognize rent revenue. These leases generally specify rent increases each year based on inflation rates for the respective periods or capital improvements we make at the travel center. Because the rent increases related to these factors are contingent upon future events, we recognize the related rent revenue after such events have occurred. We collect and recognize franchise royalty revenues monthly. We determine royalty revenues generally as a percentage of the franchisees' revenues. We recognize initial franchise fee revenues when the franchisee opens for business under our brand name, which is when we have fulfilled our initial obligations under the related agreements. Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. We record trade accounts receivable at the invoiced amount and those amounts do not bear interest. The recorded allowance for doubtful accounts is our best estimate of the amount of probable losses in our existing accounts receivable. We base the allowance on historical payment patterns, aging of accounts receivable, periodic review of customers' financial condition and actual write off history. We charge off account balances against the allowance when we believe it is probable the receivable will not be collected. Inventory. We state our inventory at the lower of cost or market value. We determine cost principally on the weighted average cost method. We maintain reserves for the estimated amounts of obsolete and excess inventory. These estimates are based on unit sales histories and on hand inventory quantities, known market trends for inventory items and assumptions regarding factors such as future inventory needs, our ability and the related cost to return items to our suppliers and our ability to sell inventory at a discount when necessary. Property and Equipment. We record property and equipment as a result of business combinations based on their fair market values as of the date of the acquisition. We record all other property and equipment at cost. We depreciate our property and equipment on a straight line basis generally over the following estimated useful lives of the assets: Buildings and site improvements 15 to 40 years Machinery and equipment 3 to 15 years Furniture and fixtures 5 to 10 years We depreciate leasehold improvements over the shorter of the lives shown above or the remaining term of the underlying lease. Amortization expense related to assets recorded in connection with the sale leaseback financing obligation pertaining to certain travel centers we lease from Hospitality Properties Trust, or HPT, is included in depreciation and amortization expense over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the lease term. See Notes 7 and 12 for more information about our relationship and transactions with HPT. Goodwill and Intangible Assets. In a business combination we are required to record assets and liabilities acquired, including those intangible assets that arise from contractual or other legal rights or are otherwise capable of being separated or divided from the acquired entity, based on the fair values of the acquired assets and liabilities. Any excess of acquisition cost over the fair value of the acquired net assets is recognized as goodwill. We amortize the recorded costs of intangible assets with finite lives on a straight line basis over their estimated lives, principally the terms of the related contractual agreements. See Note 4 for more information about our goodwill and intangible assets. Impairment. We review definite lived assets for indicators of impairment during each reporting period. We recognize impairment charges when (i) the carrying value of a long lived asset or asset group to be held and used in the business is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value and (ii) when the carrying value of a long lived asset or asset group to be disposed of exceeds the estimated fair value of the asset less the estimated cost to sell the asset. Our estimates of fair value are based on our estimates of likely market participant assumptions, including projected operating results, rental payments and the discount rate used to measure the present value of projected future cash flows. We recognize impairment charges in the period during which the circumstances surrounding an asset or asset group to be held and used have changed such that the carrying value is no longer recoverable, or during which a commitment to a plan to dispose of the asset or asset group is made. We perform our impairment analysis for substantially all of our property and equipment at the individual location level because that is the lowest level of asset groupings for which the cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. We evaluate goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable using either a quantitative or qualitative analysis. We subject goodwill and intangible assets to further evaluation and recognize impairment charges when events and circumstances indicate the carrying value of the goodwill or intangible asset exceeds the fair market value of the asset. We evaluate goodwill for impairment as of July 31 at the reporting unit level. With respect to goodwill, if we conclude that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, we perform a two-step goodwill impairment test to identify potential goodwill impairment and measure the amount of impairment to be recognized, if any. Goodwill impairment testing for 2016 was performed using a quantitative analysis under which the fair value of our goodwill was estimated using an income approach and a market approach. The income approach considered discounted forecasted cash flows that were based on our long term operating plan. A terminal value was used to estimate the cash flows beyond the period covered by the operating plan. The discount rate is an estimate of the overall after tax rate of return required by equity and debt market holders of a business enterprise. The market approach considered comparable publicly traded guideline companies' respective business values. For each comparable publicly traded guideline company, value indicators, or pricing multiples, were considered to estimate the value of our business enterprise. These analyses required the exercise of significant judgments, including judgments about appropriate discount rates, perpetual growth rates and the timing of expected future cash flows. During 2016, we did not record any impairment charges related to our indefinite lived intangible assets or goodwill. Share Based Employee Compensation. We have historically granted awards of our common share under our share award plans. Share awards issued to our Directors vest immediately. Share awards made to others vest in five to ten equal annual installments beginning on the date of grant. Compensation expense related to share awards is determined based on the market value of our shares on either the date of grant for employees or the vesting date for nonemployees, as appropriate, with the aggregate value of the shares awarded amortized to expense over the related vesting period. We include share based compensation expense in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income. Environmental Remediation. We record remediation charges and penalties when the obligation to remediate is probable and the amount of associated costs is reasonably determinable. We include remediation expenses within site level operating expenses in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income. Generally, the timing of remediation expense recognition coincides with completion of a feasibility study or the commitment to a formal plan of action. Accrued liabilities related to environmental matters are recorded on an undiscounted basis because of the uncertainty associated with the timing of the related future payments. In our consolidated balance sheets, the accrual for environmental matters is included in other noncurrent liabilities, with the amount estimated to be expended within the subsequent twelve months included in other current liabilities. We recognize a receivable for estimated future environmental costs that we may be reimbursed for within other noncurrent assets in our consolidated balance sheets. Self Insurance Accruals. For insurance programs for which we pay deductibles and for which we are partially self insured up to certain stop loss amounts, we establish accruals for both estimated losses on known claims and claims incurred but not reported, based on claims histories and using actuarial methods. In our consolidated balance sheets, the accrual for self insurance costs is included in other noncurrent liabilities, with the amount estimated to be expended within the subsequent twelve months included in other current liabilities. Asset Retirement Obligations. We recognize the future costs for our obligations related to the removal of our underground storage tanks and certain improvements we own at leased properties over the estimated useful lives of each asset requiring removal. We record a liability for the fair value of an asset retirement obligation with a corresponding increase to the carrying value of the related long lived asset at the time such an asset is installed. We base the estimated liability on our historical experiences in removing these assets, their estimated useful lives, external estimates as to the cost to remove the assets in the future and regulatory or contractual requirements. The liability is a discounted liability using a credit adjusted risk free rate. Our asset retirement obligations at December 31, 2016 and 2015 , were $9,335 and $7,602 , respectively, and are presented in other noncurrent liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. Leasing Transactions. Leasing transactions are a material part of our business. We have five leases with HPT. See Note 7 for more information about our leases with HPT and our accounting for them. We recognize rent under operating leases without scheduled rent increases as expense over the lease term as it becomes payable. Certain operating leases specify scheduled rent increases over the lease term or other lease payments that are not scheduled evenly throughout the lease term. We recognize the effects of those scheduled rent increases in rent expense over the lease term on an average, or straight line, basis. The rent payments resulting from our sales to HPT of improvements to the properties we lease from HPT are contingent rent. Other than at the travel centers where our leases are accounted for as sale leaseback financing obligations, we recognize the expense related to this contingent rent evenly throughout the remaining lease term beginning on the dates of the related sales to HPT. Income Taxes. We establish deferred income tax assets and liabilities to reflect the future tax consequences of differences between the tax bases and financial statement bases of assets and liabilities. We reduce the measurement of deferred tax assets, if necessary, by a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will not be realized. We recognize the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an audit. We evaluate and adjust these tax positions based on changing facts and circumstances. For tax positions meeting the more likely than not threshold, the amount we recognize in the financial statements is the largest benefit that we estimate has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority. We classify interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions, if any, in our financial statements as a component of income tax expense. See Note 9 for more information about our income taxes. Reclassifications. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to be consistent with the current year presentation, including the reclassification in our consolidated balance sheets of deferred financing costs of $13,553 from other noncurrent assets to long term debt in accordance with Accounting Standards Update 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs . Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or the FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers , or ASU 2014-09, which establishes a comprehensive revenue recognition standard under GAAP for almost all industries. The new standard will apply for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods therein. Early adoption is prohibited. To address implementation of ASU 2014-09 and evaluate its impact on our consolidated financial statements, we have developed a project plan in which we are utilizing a bottom up approach to evaluate our revenue streams and related internal controls. Since many of our revenue streams are point of sale, we do not believe the implementation of this standard will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. We expect to complete our assessment, including selecting a transition method for adoption, by the end of the third quarter of 2017. In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases , which establishes a comprehensive lease standard under GAAP for virtually all industries. The new standard requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase of the leased asset by the lessee. This classification will determine whether the lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight line basis over the term of the lease. A lessee is also required to record a right of use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of their classification. Leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for similar to existing guidance for operating leases. The new standard requires lessors to account for leases using an approach that is substantially equivalent to existing guidance for sales type leases, direct financing leases and operating leases. The new standard will apply for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods therein, and requires modified retrospective application. Early adoption is permitted. We are in the process of evaluating the effects the adoption of this update may have on our consolidated financial statements. We believe the adoption of this update will have a material impact on our consolidated balance sheets due to the recognition of the lease rights and obligations as assets and liabilities. While the adoption will have no effect on the cash we pay, amounts within our statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income are expected to change materially. In August 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows , which simplifies elements of cash flow classification and reduces diversity in practice across all industries. The new standard will apply for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods therein, and requires retrospective application. Early adoption is permitted. The implementation of this update is not expected to cause any material changes to our consolidated statements of cash flows. In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2017-01, Business Combinations , which clarifies the definition of a business. The new standard will apply for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods therein, and requires prospective application. Early adoption is permitted. The implementation of this update is not expected to cause any material changes to our consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other , which simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. The new standard will apply for annual or interim impairment tests beginning after December 15, 2019, and requires prospective application. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	Acquisitions 2016 Acquisitions. During the year ended December 31, 2016 , we acquired 29 convenience stores, 11 standalone restaurants and franchise agreements for an additional 39 standalone restaurants, and accounted for these transactions as business combinations, which requires, among other things, that the assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recognized at their respective fair values as of the date of acquisition. We have included the results of these acquired businesses in our consolidated financial statements from the dates of acquisition. The pro forma impact of the convenience stores and standalone restaurants acquired during year ended December 31, 2016 , including the results of operations of the acquired convenience stores and standalone restaurants from the beginning of the periods presented, is not material to our consolidated financial statements. The following table summarizes the amounts we recorded for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the business combinations in 2016 described above, along with resulting goodwill. We expect that amortization of all of the goodwill resulting from these acquisitions will be deductible for tax purposes. Convenience Stores Corporate and Other (1) Total Inventory $ 3,175 $ 465 $ 3,640 Property and equipment 36,289 12,825 49,114 Goodwill 6,919 1,890 8,809 Intangible assets 370 14,020 14,390 Other assets 18 1,130 1,148 Other liabilities (1,618 ) (3,548 ) (5,166 ) Total aggregate purchase price $ 45,153 $ 26,782 $ 71,935 (1) Includes standalone restaurants. See Note 15 for more segment information. 2015 Acquisitions. During the year ended December 31, 2015 , we acquired three travel centers for a total of $9,338 and 169 convenience stores for a total of $310,952 and we accounted for these transactions as business combinations. The following table summarizes the amounts we recorded for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the business combinations in 2015 described above, along with resulting goodwill. We expect that amortization of all of the goodwill resulting from these acquisitions will be deductible for tax purposes. Travel Convenience Stores Total Inventory $ 683 $ 15,296 $ 15,979 Property and equipment 7,815 251,956 259,771 Goodwill 1,137 46,360 47,497 Intangible assets 158 5,070 5,228 Other liabilities (455 ) (7,730 ) (8,185 ) Total aggregate purchase price $ 9,338 $ 310,952 $ 320,290 The pro forma impact of each of the acquisitions during the year ended December 31, 2015, were individually insignificant to our consolidated financial statements but these acquisitions were significant in the aggregate. Total revenues attributable to these acquisitions included within our consolidated revenues for the year ended December 31, 2015, were $237,148 . The following pro forma consolidated revenue amounts reflect our revenues as if the acquisitions occurred on January 1, 2014. Unaudited Year Ended December 31, 2015 Year Ended December 31, 2014 Total revenues $ 6,299,036 $ 8,321,178 It is not practical to estimate the pro forma impact of these acquisitions on our consolidated net income attributable to common shareholders because audited or unaudited financial statements prepared in conformity with GAAP were not available from each of the acquisition targets. In addition, the sellers' historical levels of selling, general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization expense, interest income and expense and provision (benefit) for income taxes were not significant factors in our acquisition underwriting process. 2014 Acquisitions. During the year ended December 31, 2014 , we acquired four travel centers for a total of $28,695 and we accounted for these transactions as business combinations. Pending Acquisitions. As of December 31, 2016 , we had entered agreements to acquire one travel center from one of our franchisees for a purchase price of $13,050 and six standalone restaurants from one of our franchisees for an aggregate purchase price of $6,000 , and s ince December 31, 2016 , we entered into an agreement to acquire an additional travel center for a purchase price of $4,175 . During 2017, as of the date of this Annual Report, we have completed the purchase of the six standalone restaurants for an aggregate purchase price of $6,000 . We expect to complete the remaining acquisitions in the first half of 2017, but these purchases are subject to conditions and may not occur, may be delayed or the terms may change. Acquisition costs, such as legal fees, due diligence costs and closing costs, are not included as a component of consideration transferred in business combinations but instead are expensed as incurred.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment Property and equipment, net, at cost, as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 , consisted of the following: December 31, 2016 2015 Land and improvements $ 303,422 $ 280,550 Buildings and improvements 341,803 287,276 Machinery, equipment and furniture 425,527 327,853 Leasehold improvements 224,713 216,177 Construction in progress 198,600 207,489 1,494,065 1,319,345 Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization 412,043 329,739 Property and equipment, net $ 1,082,022 $ 989,606 Total depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , was $88,892 , $70,042 and $63,880 , respectively. The following table shows the amounts of property and equipment owned by HPT but recognized in our consolidated balance sheets and included within the balances shown in the table above, as a result of the required accounting for the assets funded by HPT under the deferred tenant improvements allowance and for the assets that did not qualify for sale leaseback accounting. December 31, 2016 2015 Land and improvements $ 14,055 $ 14,053 Buildings and improvements 7,498 6,586 Machinery, equipment and furniture 3,239 3,216 Leasehold improvements 114,987 114,989 139,779 138,844 Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization 80,533 71,357 Property and equipment, net $ 59,246 $ 67,487 At December 31, 2016 , our property and equipment balance included $57,201 of improvements of the type that we typically request that HPT purchase for an increase in minimum annual rent; however, HPT is not obligated to purchase these improvements.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill and intangible assets, net, as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 , consisted of the following: December 31, 2016 Cost Accumulated Amortization Net Amortizable intangible assets: Agreements with franchisees $ 24,593 $ (10,473 ) $ 14,120 Leasehold interests 6,867 (2,510 ) 4,357 Agreements with franchisors 2,836 (1,490 ) 1,346 Other 5,276 (3,478 ) 1,798 Total amortizable intangible assets 39,572 (17,951 ) 21,621 Carrying value of trademarks (indefinite lives) 16,117 — 16,117 Total intangible assets 55,689 (17,951 ) 37,738 Goodwill 88,542 — 88,542 Goodwill and intangible assets, net $ 144,231 $ (17,951 ) $ 126,280 December 31, 2015 Cost Accumulated Amortization Net Amortizable intangible assets: Agreements with franchisees $ 15,913 $ (8,907 ) $ 7,006 Leasehold interests 5,837 (2,259 ) 3,578 Agreements with franchisors 2,836 (1,003 ) 1,833 Other 5,362 (3,277 ) 2,085 Total amortizable intangible assets 29,948 (15,446 ) 14,502 Carrying value of trademarks (indefinite lives) 11,707 — 11,707 Total intangible assets 41,655 (15,446 ) 26,209 Goodwill 79,768 — 79,768 Goodwill and intangible assets, net $ 121,423 $ (15,446 ) $ 105,977 Total amortization expense for amortizable intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 was $2,570 , $1,703 and $1,491 , respectively. We amortize our amortizable intangible assets over a weighted average period of 12 years. The aggregate amortization expense for our amortizable intangible assets for each of the next five years is: Total 2017 $ 2,807 2018 2,690 2019 2,572 2020 2,390 2021 1,986 Goodwill. During 2016 and 2015 , we recognized $8,809 and $47,497 , respectively, of goodwill in connection with our business combinations. Our goodwill balance included $72,421 that is deductible for tax purposes. Goodwill by reporting unit was as follows: December 31, 2016 2015 Travel center segment $ 17,252 $ 17,287 Convenience store segment 69,400 62,481 Quaker Steak & Lube business 1,890 — Total goodwill $ 88,542 $ 79,768 The estimates of the fair value of our goodwill acquired during 2016 were based upon our estimates and assumptions about the fair values of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed and are subject to change if we obtain additional information during the respective measurement period (up to one year from the acquisition date).

Other Current Liabilities

Other Current Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Current Liabilities	Other Current Liabilities Other current liabilities, as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 , consisted of the following: December 31, 2016 2015 Taxes payable, other than income taxes $ 47,875 $ 43,457 Accrued wages and benefits 19,146 15,410 Self insurance program accruals, current portion 14,732 16,374 Loyalty program accruals 13,686 13,470 Accrued capital expenditures 12,135 22,739 Other 25,074 22,063 Total other current liabilities $ 132,648 $ 133,513

Long Term Debt

Long Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long Term Debt	Long Term Debt Long term debt, as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 , consisted of the following: December 31, 2016 2015 2028 Senior Notes $ 110,000 $ 110,000 2029 Senior Notes 120,000 120,000 2030 Senior Notes 100,000 100,000 Other long term debt 1,292 — Deferred financing costs (12,553 ) (13,553 ) Total long term debt $ 318,739 $ 316,447 Senior Notes In October 2015, we issued in an underwritten public offering $100,000 aggregate principal amount of our 8.00% Senior Notes due on October 15, 2030 , or the 2030 Senior Notes. Our net proceeds from this issuance were $95,494 after underwriters' discount and commission and other costs of the offering. The 2030 Senior Notes require us to pay interest at 8.00% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year, beginning on January 15, 2016, and the 2030 Senior Notes will mature (unless previously redeemed) on October 15, 2030, and no principal payments are required prior to that date. We may, at our option, at any time on or after October 15, 2018 , redeem some or all of the 2030 Senior Notes by paying 100% of the principal amount of the 2030 Senior Notes to be redeemed plus accrued but unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date. In December 2014, we issued in an underwritten public offering $120,000 aggregate principal amount of our 8.00% Senior Notes due on December 15, 2029 , or the 2029 Senior Notes. Our net proceeds from this issuance were $114,448 after underwriters' discount and commission and other costs of the offering. The 2029 Senior Notes require us to pay interest at 8.00% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears on February 28, May 31, August 31 and November 30 of each year. The 2029 Senior Notes will mature (unless previously redeemed) on December 15, 2029 , and no principal payments are required prior to that date. We may, at our option, at any time on or after December 15, 2017 , redeem some or all of the 2029 Senior Notes by paying 100% of the principal amount of the 2029 Senior Notes to be redeemed plus accrued but unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date. Our 8.25% Senior Notes due on January 15, 2028 , or the 2028 Senior Notes were issued in January 2013. The 2028 Senior Notes require us to pay interest at 8.25% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year. The 2028 Senior Notes will mature (unless previously redeemed) on January 15, 2028 and no principal payments are required prior to that date. We may, at our option, at any time on or after January 15, 2016 , redeem some or all of the 2028 Senior Notes by paying 100% of the principal amount of the 2028 Senior Notes to be redeemed plus accrued but unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date. We refer to the 2028 Senior Notes, 2029 Senior Notes and 2030 Senior Notes collectively as our Senior Notes, which are our senior unsecured obligations. 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. Our Senior Notes have been presented on our consolidated balance sheets as long term debt net of deferred financing costs. We estimate that the fair values of our 2028 Senior Notes, 2029 Senior Notes, and 2030 Senior Notes were $111,188 , $121,488 and $100,280 , respectively, based on their respective closing prices on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, or Nasdaq, (a Level 1 input) on December 31, 2016 . Revolving Credit Facility On December 19, 2014, we amended our revolving credit facility, or the Credit Facility, to, among other things: (i) extend the maturity of the Credit Facility from October 25, 2016 to December 19, 2019; (ii) reduce the applicable margins on borrowings and standby letter of credit fees; (iii) reduce the unused line fee rate; (iv) reduce the threshold for triggering a minimum fixed charge ratio requirement; and (v) make certain adjustments to the borrowing base calculation in a manner we believe is favorable to us. Under the Credit Facility, a maximum of $200,000 may be drawn, repaid and redrawn until maturity in December 2019. The availability of this maximum amount is subject to limits based on qualified collateral. Subject to available collateral and lender participation, the maximum amount may be increased to $300,000 . The Credit Facility may be used for general business purposes and provides for the issuance of letters of credit. Generally, no principal payments are due until maturity. We are required to pay interest on borrowings under the Credit Facility at a rate based on, at our option, LIBOR or a base rate, plus a premium (which premium is subject to adjustment based upon facility availability, utilization and other matters). Pursuant to the Credit Facility, we pay a monthly unused line fee which is subject to adjustment according to the average daily principal amount of unused commitment under the Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2016 , our letter of credit fees were an annual rate of 1.50% of our outstanding standby letters of credit and our unused line fee rate was an annual rate of 0.25% of the maximum balance minus our utilization and letters of credit. The Credit Facility requires us to maintain certain levels of collateral, limits our ability to incur debt and liens, restricts us from making certain investments and paying dividends and other distributions, requires us to maintain a minimum fixed charge ratio under certain circumstances and contains other customary covenants and conditions. The Credit Facility provides for the acceleration of principal and interest payments upon an event of default including, but not limited to, failure to pay interest or other amounts due, a change in control of us, as defined in the Credit Facility, and our default under certain contracts, including our leases with HPT, and our business management agreement with The RMR Group LLC, or RMR. Our Credit Facility is secured by substantially all of our cash, accounts receivable, inventory, equipment and intangible assets. The amount available to us is determined by reference to a borrowing base calculation based on eligible collateral. At December 31, 2016 , based on our qualified collateral, a total of $102,625 was available to us for loans and letters of credit under the Credit Facility. At December 31, 2016 , there were no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility but we had outstanding $23,128 of letters of credit issued under that facility, securing certain trade payables, insurance, fuel tax and other obligations. These letters of credit reduce the amount available for borrowing under the Credit Facility. Deferred Financing Costs The unamortized balance of our deferred financing costs were $12,553 and $13,553 for our Senior Notes and $664 and $889 for our Credit Facility at December 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, net of accumulated amortization of $2,428 and $1,428 , and $456 and $231 , respectively. The deferred financing costs for our Senior Notes are presented as a reduction of long term debt and the deferred financing costs for our credit facility are presented in other noncurrent assets in our consolidated balance sheets. In 2015, we capitalized $4,506 of costs related to the issuance of our 2030 Senior Notes. In 2014, we capitalized $5,552 of costs related to the issuance of our 2029 Senior Notes and $583 related to amending our Credit Facility and we recognized expense of $96 to write off previously capitalized fees when we amended our Credit Facility. We estimate we will recognize future amortization of deferred financing costs of $1,221 in each of the years 2017 and 2018 , and $1,214 in 2019 , $1,000 in 2020 and $997 in 2021 . We recognized interest expense from the amortization of deferred financing costs, of $1,225 , $995 and $703 for the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively.

Leasing Transactions

Leasing Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Leases [Abstract]
Leasing Transactions	Leasing Transactions As a lessee. We have entered into lease agreements covering many of our retail locations, office and warehouse space, and various equipment and vehicles, with the most significant leases being our five leases with HPT as further described below. Certain leases include renewal options, and certain leases include escalation clauses and purchase options. Future minimum lease payments required under leases that had remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2016 , were as follows (included herein are the full payments due under the HPT Leases including the amount attributed to the lease of those sites that are accounted for as a financing in our consolidated balance sheet as reflected in the sale leaseback financing obligation): Total 2017 $ 292,347 2018 289,723 2019 286,019 2020 283,406 2021 280,680 Thereafter 2,407,323 Total $ 3,839,498 The expenses related to our operating leases are included in site level operating expenses; selling, general and administrative expenses; and real estate rent in the operating expenses section of our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income. Rent expense under our operating leases consisted of the following: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Minimum rent $ 263,212 $ 233,211 $ 212,711 Sublease rent 7,463 8,422 8,932 Contingent rent (1) 1,304 (1,266 ) 3,671 Total rent expense $ 271,979 $ 240,367 $ 225,314 (1) Since 2007, we had accrued contingent rent associated with one site leased from HPT. In June 2015, we became no longer liable for this contingent rent, and the related accrual was reversed during the year ended December 31, 2015. HPT Leases. As of December 31, 2016 , we leased from HPT a total of 198 properties under five leases, four of which we refer to as our TA Leases and one of which we refer to as the Petro Lease, and which we refer to collectively as the HPT Leases. The number of properties leased, the terms, the minimum annual rents and deferred rent balances owed by us under our HPT Leases as of December 31, 2016, were as follows: Number of Properties Initial Term End Date (1) Minimum Annual Rent as of December 31, 2016 Deferred Rent (2) TA Lease 1 40 December 31, 2029 $ 51,435 $ 27,421 TA Lease 2 40 December 31, 2028 52,327 29,107 TA Lease 3 39 December 31, 2026 52,665 29,324 TA Lease 4 39 December 31, 2030 47,996 21,233 Petro Lease 40 June 30, 2032 67,573 42,915 Total 198 $ 271,996 $ 150,000 (1) We have two renewal options of 15 years each under each of our HPT Leases. (2) Pursuant to a rent deferral agreement with HPT, from July 2008 through December 31, 2010, HPT deferred a total of $150,000 of rent payable by us, which remained outstanding as of December 31, 2016. This deferred rent obligation was subsequently allocated among the HPT Leases and is due at the end of the respective initial term end dates for the TA Leases noted above. Deferred rent for the Petro Lease is due and payable on June 30, 2024. Deferred rent is subject to acceleration at HPT's option upon an uncured default by, or a change in control of, us. 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, underground storage tank removal costs and ground lease payments at those properties at which HPT leases the property and subleases it to us. 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. The HPT Leases require us to maintain the leased properties, including structural and non-structural components. Under our HPT Leases, we may request that HPT purchase approved amounts of renovations, improvements and equipment at the leased properties in return for increases in our minimum annual rent according to the following formula: the minimum annual rent 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 years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , we sold to HPT $109,926 , $99,896 and $66,133 , respectively, of improvements we previously made to properties leased from HPT, and, as a result, our minimum annual rent payable to HPT increased by $9,344 , $8,491 and $5,621 , respectively. At December 31, 2016 , our property and equipment balance included $57,201 of improvements of the type that we typically request that HPT purchase for an increase in minimum annual rent; however, HPT is not obligated to purchase these improvements. We recognized rent expense of $249,966 , $221,159 and $206,639 , for the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively, under our HPT Leases. In addition to the payment of minimum annual rent, the TA Leases provide for payment to HPT of percentage rent, beginning in 2016, based on increases in total nonfuel revenues over base year levels ( 3% of nonfuel revenues above 2015 nonfuel revenues) and the Petro Lease provides for payment to HPT of percentage rent based on increases in total nonfuel revenues over base year levels ( 3% of nonfuel revenues above 2012 nonfuel revenues). HPT waived $372 of percentage rent under our Petro Lease for the year ended December 31, 2016 , pursuant to an agreement we and HPT entered in 2011. As of June 30, 2016, HPT had cumulatively waived all of the $2,500 of percentage rent it previously agreed to waive. The total amount of percentage rent (which is net of any waived amounts) that we incurred during the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , was $1,304 , $1,999 and $2,984 , respectively. On June 1, 2015 , we entered into a transaction agreement, or the Transaction Agreement, with HPT pursuant to which, among other things, we agreed to sell to, and lease back from, HPT 14 travel centers we owned and certain assets we owned at 11 properties we lease from HPT for an aggregate of $279,383 . As of December 31, 2015, we had completed the sale to, and lease back from, HPT of the 14 travel centers we owned and certain assets we owned at 11 properties and our minimum annual rent increased by $24,027 . These sales generated an aggregate gain of $133,668 , which was deferred and is being amortized as a reduction of our rent expense over the terms of the TA Leases. On June 9, 2015, pursuant to the Transaction Agreement, we purchased from HPT, for $45,042 , five travel centers that we previously leased from HPT and subleased to franchisees. The lease of these properties had been accounted for as a financing, with the related assets recognized in our consolidated balance sheets. The purchase prices paid for the properties exceeded the unamortized balance of the sale leaseback financing obligation, resulting in our recognition of a loss on extinguishment of debt of $10,502 . Our minimum annual rent payment decreased by $3,874 as a result of the completion of our purchase of these properties. Also pursuant to the Transaction Agreement, we agreed to sell to, and lease back from, HPT five travel centers upon the completion of their development for a purchase price equal to their development costs. On March 31, 2016, we sold one of these development properties to HPT for $19,683 . On June 22, 2016, we and HPT amended the Transaction Agreement to, among other things, replace one development property with two alternative travel centers owned by us. Pursuant to the Transaction Agreement, as amended, on June 22, 2016, we sold the two alternative travel centers to HPT for an aggregate of $23,876 . The sale of these two properties generated a gain of $11,794 that was deferred and is being amortized on a straight line basis over the terms of the related leases as a reduction of rent expense. On June 30, 2016, we sold one of these development properties to HPT for $22,297 . On September 30, 2016, we sold one of these development properties to HPT for $16,557 . As of December 31, 2016 , the sale and lease back of the remaining development property pursuant to the terms of the Transaction Agreement is expected to be completed before June 30, 2017. On August 13, 2013, the travel center located in Roanoke, VA that we leased from HPT was taken by eminent domain proceedings brought by the Virginia Department of Transportation, or VDOT, in connection with planned highway construction. 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 the minimum annual rent payable by us to HPT under the then applicable lease was reduced by $525 effective January 6, 2014. 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 considerable time. On October 30, 2015, HPT completed the purchase of the land and improvements at a travel center it then leased from a third party and subleased to us located in Waterloo, NY. Upon HPT's acquisition, the land and improvements were directly leased to us under the Petro Lease. The Petro Lease was amended and, as a result of this transaction, minimum annual rent increased by $1,275 , but our obligation to pay the ground rent of $1,260 annually was terminated. On September 14, 2016, HPT purchased a vacant land parcel located adjacent to a property we lease from HPT in Holbrook, AZ for $325 ; and we and HPT amended our TA Lease 4 to add this parcel and our minimum annual rent under our TA Lease 4 increased by $28 . The following table sets forth the amounts of annual minimum lease payments required under the HPT Leases as of December 31, 2016 , in each of the years shown. Annual Minimum Rent Rent for Ground Leases Subleased from HPT 2017 $ 271,996 $ 9,520 2018 271,996 8,943 2019 271,996 7,117 2020 271,996 6,254 2021 271,996 4,591 2022 271,996 1,571 2023 271,996 934 2024 (1) 314,911 700 2025 271,996 228 2026 (2) 309,113 2 2027 219,332 — 2028 (3) 257,387 — 2029 (4) 203,344 — 2030 (5) 146,674 — 2031 67,573 — 2032 (6) 47,644 — (1) Includes previously deferred rent payments of $42,915 due on June 30, 2024. (2) Includes previously deferred rent payments of $29,324 and estimated cost of removing underground storage tanks on the leased properties of $7,793 due on December 31, 2026. (3) Includes previously deferred rent payments of $29,107 and estimated cost of removing underground storage tanks on the leased properties of $8,948 due on December 31, 2028. (4) Includes previously deferred rent payments of $27,421 and estimated cost of removing underground storage tanks on the leased properties of $8,918 due on December 31, 2029. (5) Includes previously deferred rent payments of $21,233 and estimated cost of removing underground storage tanks on the leased properties of $9,872 due on December 31, 2030. (6) Includes estimated cost of removing underground storage tanks on the leased properties of $13,858 due on June 30, 2032. 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 consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income. Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Cash payments for rent under the HPT Leases $ 265,482 $ 241,962 $ 222,722 Change in accrued estimated percentage rent 430 (1,275 ) 959 Adjustments to recognize expense on a straight line basis (216 ) (4,910 ) (1,621 ) Less: sale leaseback financing obligation amortization (477 ) (974 ) (2,380 ) Less: portion of rent payments recognized as interest expense (1,729 ) (3,445 ) (5,887 ) Less: deferred tenant improvements allowance amortization (3,769 ) (5,019 ) (6,769 ) Amortization of deferred gain on sale leaseback transactions (9,755 ) (5,180 ) (385 ) Rent expense related to HPT Leases 249,966 221,159 206,639 Rent paid to others (1) 12,447 10,583 10,786 Adjustments to recognize expense on a straight line basis for other leases (115 ) (151 ) (270 ) Total real estate rent expense $ 262,298 $ 231,591 $ 217,155 (1) Includes rent paid directly to HPT's landlords under leases for properties we sublease from HPT as well as rent related to properties we lease from landlords other than HPT. The following table summarizes the various amounts related to the HPT Leases that are included in our consolidated balance sheets. December 31, December 31, Current HPT Leases liabilities: Accrued rent $ 22,868 $ 21,098 Sale leaseback financing obligation (1) 484 469 Straight line rent accrual (2) 2,458 2,458 Deferred gain (3) 10,140 9,235 Deferred tenant improvements allowance (4) 3,770 3,770 Total Current HPT Leases liabilities $ 39,720 $ 37,030 Noncurrent HPT Leases liabilities: Deferred rent obligation $ 150,000 $ 150,000 Sale leaseback financing obligation (1) 21,165 20,719 Straight line rent accrual (2) 47,771 48,373 Deferred gain (3) 121,331 121,049 Deferred tenant improvements allowance (4) 41,587 45,357 Total Noncurrent HPT Leases liabilities $ 381,854 $ 385,498 (1) Sale Leaseback Financing Obligation. Prior to the Transaction Agreement, the assets related to nine travel centers we leased from HPT were reflected in our consolidated balance sheets, as was the related financing obligation. This accounting was required primarily because, at the time of the inception of the prior leases with HPT, more than a minor portion of these nine travel centers was subleased to third parties. As part of the June 2015 Transaction Agreement, we purchased five of these nine travel centers from HPT. That purchase was accounted for as an extinguishment of the related financing obligation and resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $10,502 because the price we paid to HPT to purchase the five properties was $10,502 in excess of the then remaining related financing obligation. Also, because the TA Leases we entered into with HPT in connection with the Transaction Agreement were accounted for as new leases and two of the remaining four properties reflected as financings under the Prior TA Lease then qualified for operating lease treatment, the remaining net assets and financing obligation related to these two properties were eliminated, resulting in a gain of $1,033 , which was deferred and will be recognized over the terms of the applicable TA Leases as a reduction of rent expense. (2) Straight Line Rent Accrual. We accrued rent expense from 2007 to 2012 for stated increases in our minimum annual rents due under our then existing TA lease. While the TA Leases we entered into with HPT in connection with the Transaction Agreement contain no stated rent payment increases, we continue to amortize this accrual on a straight line basis over the current terms of the TA Leases as a reduction to real estate rent expense. The straight line rent accrual also includes our obligation for the estimated cost of removal of underground storage tanks at properties leased from HPT at the end of the related lease; we recognize these obligations on a straight line basis over the term of the related leases as additional rent expense. (3) Deferred Gain. The deferred gain primarily includes $145,462 of gains from the sales of travel centers and certain other assets to HPT during 2015 and 2016 pursuant to the Transaction Agreement and the amended Transaction Agreement. We amortize the deferred gains on a straight line basis over the terms of the related leases as a reduction of rent expense. (4) Deferred Tenant Improvements Allowance. HPT funded certain capital projects at the properties we lease under the HPT Leases without an increase in rent payable by us. In connection with HPT's initial capital commitment, we recognized a liability for rent deemed to be related to this capital commitment as a deferred tenant improvements allowance. We amortize the deferred tenant improvements allowance on a straight line basis over the terms of the HPT Leases as a reduction of real estate rent expense. As a lessor. As of December 31, 2016 , we leased to franchisees five travel centers. The current terms of the five lease agreements with franchisees expire between June and September 2017. Four of the five leases have one remaining renewal option for an additional five year term; the fifth lease has no further renewal option. These leases include rent escalations that are contingent on future events, namely inflation or our investing in capital improvements at these travel centers. Rent revenue from these operating leases totaled $4,439 , $4,458 and $4,365 for the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Future minimum lease payments due to us for the five leased sites under these operating leases as of December 31, 2016 , was $2,478 , all due within 2017.

Shareholders' Equity

Shareholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Shareholders' Equity	Shareholders' Equity Share Award Plan. On May 19, 2016, our shareholders approved the TravelCenters of America LLC 2016 Equity Compensation Plan, or the 2016 Plan, under which 2,300 shares were authorized for issuance under the terms of the 2016 Plan. The 2016 Plan replaced the Amended and Restated TravelCenters of America LLC 2007 Equity Compensation Plan, or the 2007 Plan. No additional awards will be made under the 2007 Plan and the shares previously registered for offer and sale under the 2007 Plan but not yet issued were deregistered, although shares awarded under the 2007 Plan that have not yet vested will continue to vest in accordance with, and subject to, the terms of the related awards. We refer to the 2007 Plan and 2016 Plan collectively as the Share Award Plans. We awarded a total of 926 , 671 and 803 common shares under the Share Award Plans during the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively, with aggregate market values of $6,120 , $6,607 and $7,766 , respectively, based on the closing prices of our common shares on the principal exchange on which they were traded on the dates of the awards. During the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , we recognized total share based compensation expense of $5,523 , $5,507 and $5,105 , respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , the vesting date fair value of common shares that vested was $5,040 , $7,621 and $6,233 , respectively. The weighted average grant date fair value of common shares awarded in 2016 , 2015 and 2014 was $6.61 , $9.84 and $9.67 , per share, respectively. Common shares issued to Directors vested immediately and the related compensation expense was recognized on the grant date. Common shares issued to others vest in five to ten equal annual installments beginning on the date of grant. The related compensation expense was determined based on the market value of our common shares on either the date of grant for employees or the vesting date for nonemployees, as appropriate, with the aggregate value of the awarded common shares expensed over the related vesting period. As of December 31, 2016 , 1,374 common shares remained available for issuance under the 2016 Plan. As of December 31, 2016 , there was a total of $14,913 of share based compensation related to unvested common shares that will be expensed over a weighted average remaining service period of five years . The following table sets forth the number and weighted average grant date fair value of unvested common shares and common shares awarded under the Share Award Plans for the year ended December 31, 2016 . Number of Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share Unvested shares balance as of December 31, 2015 1,934 $ 7.95 Granted 926 6.61 Vested (760 ) 7.54 Forfeited/canceled (2 ) 9.33 Unvested shares balance as of December 31, 2016 2,098 7.50 Treasury Shares. Certain recipients of share awards may elect to have us withhold the number of their vesting common shares with a fair market value sufficient to fund the minimum required tax withholding obligations with respect to share awards. For the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014, we acquired through this share withholding process 209 , 197 and 90 common shares, respectively, with an aggregate value of $1,394 , $1,842 and $928 , respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2016, we retired 209 treasury shares, no par value, with a carrying value of $1,394 that reduced common shares outstanding. During the year ended December 31, 2015, we retired 287 treasury shares, no par value, with a carrying value of $2,770 . Net (Loss) Income Per Common Share Attributable to Common Shareholders We calculate basic earnings per common share by dividing net (loss) income available to common shareholders for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The net (loss) income attributable to participating securities is deducted from our total net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders to determine the net (loss) income available to common shareholders. We calculate diluted earnings per common share by adjusting weighted average outstanding shares, assuming conversion of all potentially dilutive share securities, using the treasury stock method; but we had no dilutive share securities outstanding as of December 31, 2016 , nor at any time during the three year period then ended. Unvested shares issued under our Share Award Plans are deemed participating securities because they participate equally in earnings and losses with all of our other common shares. The following table presents a reconciliation of net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders to net (loss) income available to common shareholders and the related earnings per share. Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders, as reported $ (2,018 ) $ 27,719 $ 60,969 Less: net (loss) income attributable to participating securities (100 ) 1,386 2,986 Net (loss) income available to common shareholders $ (1,918 ) $ 26,333 $ 57,983 Weighted average common shares (1) 36,976 36,485 35,856 Basic and diluted net (loss) income per common share $ (0.05 ) $ 0.72 $ 1.62 (1) Excludes the unvested shares awarded under our Share Award Plans, 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 was 1,920 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 , and 1,846 for the year ended December 31, 2014 .

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes We had a tax benefit of $1,733 for the year ended December 31, 2016 , and a tax provision of $16,539 and $38,023 for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 U.S. federal statutory rate applied to (loss) income before taxes $ (1,074 ) $ 15,661 $ 34,826 State income taxes, net of federal benefit (1,621 ) 1,695 4,106 Nondeductible executive compensation 841 1,499 892 Other nondeductible expenses 331 271 496 Benefit of tax credits (2,849 ) (2,574 ) (2,188 ) Taxes on foreign income at rates different than U.S. rates — — 244 Provision to return adjustments 910 (199 ) — Other, net 1,729 186 (353 ) Total tax (benefit) provision $ (1,733 ) $ 16,539 $ 38,023 Components of the Income Tax (Benefit) Provision Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Current tax (benefit) provision: Federal $ (2,101 ) $ 6,513 $ 23,037 State (3,974 ) 2,659 1,196 Total current tax (benefit) provision (6,075 ) 9,172 24,233 Deferred tax (benefit) provision: Federal 2,861 7,438 10,880 State 1,481 (71 ) 2,910 Total deferred tax (benefit) provision 4,342 7,367 13,790 Total tax (benefit) provision $ (1,733 ) $ 16,539 $ 38,023 Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities December 31, 2016 2015 Deferred tax assets: Straight line rent accrual $ 19,846 $ 19,974 Reserves 24,575 24,740 Deferred gains 55,110 54,424 Asset retirement obligation 3,827 3,117 Tax credit carryforwards 10,331 3,627 Tax loss carryforwards 29,782 5,971 Deferred tenant improvements allowance 18,596 20,142 Other 10,699 10,281 Total deferred tax asset before valuation allowance 172,766 142,276 Valuation allowance (600 ) (2,380 ) Total deferred tax assets 172,166 139,896 Deferred tax liabilities: Property and equipment (176,117 ) (142,257 ) Goodwill and other intangible assets (7,865 ) (5,269 ) Other (1,050 ) (837 ) Total deferred tax liabilities (185,032 ) (148,363 ) Net deferred tax liabilities $ (12,866 ) $ (8,467 ) As of December 31, 2016 , we had a valuation allowance of $600 related to federal capital loss carryforwards and deferred tax assets in foreign jurisdictions due to the uncertainty of their realization. At December 31, 2016, we had carryforwards for federal net operating losses, state net operating losses and federal tax credits of $130,484 , $61,095 and $22,238 , respectively. Although not anticipated, $59,367 of the federal net operating losses is scheduled to expire in 2030 if unused. We anticipate $134 of the state net operating losses will expire in 2017, and the remainder to be utilized prior to expiration beginning in 2021. Federal credits of $498 may expire between 2019 and 2025 if unused, with the remainder to be utilized prior to their expiration beginning in 2031. The following table presents the classification in our consolidated balance sheets of the deferred tax assets and liabilities presented in the table above. December 31, 2016 2015 Deferred tax amounts are included in: Other noncurrent assets $ — $ 87 Other noncurrent liabilities (12,866 ) (8,554 ) Uncertain Tax Positions Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Balance at beginning of period $ 59,742 $ 59,557 $ 59,557 Interest — 185 — Balance at end of period $ 59,742 $ 59,742 $ 59,557 As of December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , we had unrecognized tax benefits of $59,742 , $59,742 and $59,557 , respectively. These unrecognized tax benefits relate to uncertainties concerning our value as of the ownership change in 2007, whether certain capital contributions made in that year should be included in the computation of the annual net operating loss deduction limitation, and uncertainties as to the measurement of the net unrecognized built-in loss and allocation of the net unrecognized built-in loss, if any, to our various assets as of the date of the ownership change. These uncertainties impact the amount of the loss carryforwards that are subject to the annual net operating loss deduction limitation as well as the annual net operating loss deduction limitation itself. The amount of the uncertain tax benefits, if settled favorably, that would have an impact on our effective tax rate is $57,413 , $57,413 and $57,228 for the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015 , $31,440 and $24,931 , respectively, of the uncertain tax benefits were classified as a reduction to our noncurrent deferred tax assets and $28,302 and $34,811 , respectively, were classified as a noncurrent liability. We did not accrue interest or penalties for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2014 , due to the existence of net operating loss and credit carryforwards to offset any additional income tax liability. There is a reasonable possibility the uncertain tax positions totaling $59,742 may be recognized during 2017. Our U.S. federal income tax returns are subject to tax examinations for the years ended December 31, 2013 through 2016 . Our state and Canadian income tax returns are generally subject to examination for the tax years ended December 31, 2012 through 2016 . To the extent we have tax attribute carryforwards, the tax years in which the attribute was generated may still be adjusted by the taxing authorities to the extent the carryforwards are utilized in a subsequent year.

Equity Investments

Equity Investments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity Investments	Equity Investments As of December 31, 2016, our investment in equity affiliates, which are presented in our consolidated balance sheet in other noncurrent assets, and our proportional share of our investees' net income recognized in our consolidated financial statements were as follows: PTP Other (1) Total Investment balance: As of December 31, 2016 $ 21,657 $ 24,097 $ 45,754 As of December 31, 2015 20,042 6,828 26,870 Income (loss) from equity investments: Year ended December 31, 2016 $ 4,614 $ (70 ) $ 4,544 Year ended December 31, 2015 4,036 20 4,056 Year ended December 31, 2014 3,135 89 3,224 (1) Includes equity investments that are individually immaterial to our consolidated financial statements, including our investment in Affiliates Insurance Company, or AIC. See Note 12 for more information about our investment in AIC. Petro Travel Plaza Holdings LLC Petro Travel Plaza Holdings LLC, or PTP, is a joint venture between us and Tejon Development Corporation that owns two travel centers, three convenience stores and one standalone restaurant in California. We own a 40% interest in PTP and operate the two travel centers, three convenience stores and one standalone restaurant PTP owns for which we receive management and accounting fees. This investment is accounted for under the equity method. The carrying value of this investment as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, was $21,657 and $20,042 , respectively, and was included in our other noncurrent assets in our consolidated balance sheets. The equity income recorded from this investment for the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , was $4,614 , $4,036 and $3,135 , respectively. In addition to the equity income, we recognized management fee income of $1,055 , $838 and $800 for the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The following tables set forth summarized financial information of PTP and do not represent the amounts we have included in our consolidated financial statements in connection with our investment in PTP. December 31, 2016 2015 Total current assets $ 12,605 $ 12,013 Total noncurrent assets 56,047 52,471 Total current liabilities 1,909 2,691 Total noncurrent liabilities 15,456 15,083 Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Total revenues $ 114,947 $ 115,776 $ 122,584 Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation) 81,280 85,283 96,565 Operating income 12,784 11,083 8,701 Net income and comprehensive income 12,077 10,629 8,229 Fair Value It is not practicable to estimate the fair value of our equity investments because of the lack of quoted market prices and the inability to estimate current fair value without incurring excessive costs. However, management believes that the carrying amounts of our equity investments at December 31, 2016 , were not impaired given these companies' overall financial conditions and earnings trends.

Business and Property Managemen

Business and Property Management Agreements with RMR	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Business and Property Management Agreements with RMR	Related Party Transactions Relationship with HPT We were a 100% owned subsidiary of HPT until HPT distributed our common shares to its shareholders in 2007. We are HPT's largest tenant and HPT is our principal landlord and largest shareholder and as of December 31, 2016 , owned 3,420 of our common shares, or approximately 8.7% of our outstanding common shares. One of our Managing Directors, Barry Portnoy, is a managing trustee of HPT. Barry Portnoy's son, Adam Portnoy, is also a managing trustee of HPT, and Barry Portnoy's son-in-law, Ethan Bornstein, is an executive officer of HPT. Our other Managing Director, Thomas O'Brien, who is also our President and Chief Executive Officer, was a former executive officer of HPT. RMR provides management services to both us and HPT. Spin-Off Transaction Agreement. In connection with our spin-off from HPT in 2007, we entered a transaction agreement with HPT and RMR, pursuant to which we granted HPT a right of first refusal to purchase, lease, mortgage or otherwise finance any interest we own in a travel center before we sell, lease, mortgage or otherwise finance that travel center to or with another party, and we granted HPT and any other company to which RMR provides management services a right of first refusal to acquire or finance any real estate of the types in which HPT or such other companies invest before we do. We also agreed that for so long as we are a tenant of HPT we will not permit: the acquisition by any person or group of beneficial ownership of 9.8% or more of the voting shares or the power to direct the management and policies of us or any of our subsidiary tenants or guarantors under the HPT Leases; the sale of a material part of our assets or of any such tenant or guarantor; or the cessation of certain of our Directors to continue to constitute a majority of our Board of Directors or any such tenant or guarantor. Also, we agreed not to take any action that might reasonably be expected to have a material adverse impact on HPT's ability to qualify as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, and to indemnify HPT for any liabilities it may incur relating to our assets and business. Lease Arrangements . As of December 31, 2016 , we leased from HPT a total of 198 properties under the HPT Leases. We have also engaged in other transactions with HPT, including in connection with the Transaction Agreement that we entered into with HPT on June 1, 2015 . See Note 7 for more information about our relationship, agreements and transactions with HPT. Our Manager, RMR RMR provides certain services we require to operate our business. We have two agreements with RMR to provide management services to us: (i) a business management agreement, which relates to various aspects of our business generally, and (ii) a property management agreement, which relates to building management services for our headquarters building. See Note 11 for more information about our management agreements with RMR. We have relationships and historical and continuing transactions with RMR, The RMR Group Inc. and others related to them. RMR is a subsidiary of The RMR Group Inc. One of our Managing Directors, Barry Portnoy, is a managing director and controlling shareholder (through ABP Trust) of The RMR Group Inc. and an officer of RMR. Barry Portnoy's son, Adam Portnoy, is a managing director, president and chief executive officer and controlling shareholder (through ABP Trust) of the RMR Group Inc. and an officer of RMR. Barry Portnoy and Adam Portnoy also own class A membership units of RMR (through ABP Trust). Our other Managing Director, Thomas O'Brien, who is also our President and Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Rebholz, our Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, and Mark Young, our Executive Vice President and General Counsel, are officers and employees of RMR. RMR provides management services to HPT and HPT's executive officers are officers and employees of RMR. Our Independent Directors also serve as independent directors or independent trustees of other companies to which RMR, or its affiliates, provides management services. Barry Portnoy serves as a director, managing director, trustee or managing trustee of those companies and Adam Portnoy serves as a director, trustee or managing trustee of a majority of those companies. In addition, officers of RMR and The RMR Group Inc. serve as our officers and officers of other companies to which RMR or its affiliates provides management services. See Note 11 for more information about our relationship with RMR. Share Awards to RMR Employees . Under our Share Award Plans, we grant share awards to certain employees of RMR who are not also Directors, officers or employees of ours. We awarded a total of 63 , 62 and 63 shares with an aggregate value of $416 , $575 and $610 to such persons in 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively, based upon the closing price of our common shares on the applicable stock exchange on which such shares were listed on the dates of the grants. One fifth of those shares vested on the applicable grant dates and one fifth vests on each of the next four anniversaries of the grant dates. These share awards to such RMR employees are in addition to both the fees we pay to RMR and our share awards to our Directors, officers and employees. Under our Share Award Plans, recipients of vesting common share awards (including our officers and employees and officers and employees of RMR) may request that we purchase some of the vesting common shares in satisfaction of tax withholding and payment obligations at the closing price for our common shares on the applicable stock exchange on which such shares are listed on the date of purchase. See Note 8 for more information about share withholding. Relationship with AIC We, HPT and five other companies to which RMR provides management services currently own AIC, an Indiana insurance company, and are parties to an amended and restated shareholders agreement regarding AIC. On May 9, 2014, as a result of a change in control of Equity Commonwealth (formerly known as CommonWealth REIT), or EQC, as defined in the amended and restated shareholders agreement, we and the other AIC shareholders purchased pro rata the AIC shares EQC owned in accordance with the terms of that agreement. Pursuant to that purchase, we purchased 3 AIC shares from EQC for $825 . Following these purchases, we and the other remaining six shareholders each owns approximately 14.3% of AIC. Although we own less than 20% of AIC, we use the equity method to account for this investment because we believe that we have significant influence over AIC because all of our Directors are also directors of AIC. All of our Directors and all 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. Pursuant to this agreement, AIC pays RMR a service fee equal to 3.0% of the total annual net earned premiums payable under then active policies issued or underwritten by AIC or by a vendor or an agent of AIC on its behalf or in furtherance of AIC's business. We and the other shareholders of AIC participate in a combined property insurance program arranged and insured or reinsured in part by AIC. We paid aggregate annual premiums, including taxes and fees, of $2,281 , $2,283 and $1,601 , respectively, in connection with this insurance program for the policy years ending June 30, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 . Our aggregate annual premiums for the current policy year may be adjusted, and in the prior policy years were, from time to time as we acquire and dispose of properties that are included in this insurance program. As of December 31, 2016 , we have invested $6,054 in AIC since its formation in 2008. Our investment in AIC had a carrying value of $7,116 and $6,828 as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. These amounts are included in other noncurrent assets on our consolidated balance sheets. We recognized income of $137 , $20 and $89 , related to our investment in AIC for 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Our other comprehensive income includes our proportional share of unrealized gains (losses) on securities held for sale, which are owned by AIC, of $152 , $(20) and $1 for the years ended 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Directors' and Officers' Liability Insurance We, The RMR Group Inc., RMR and certain companies to which RMR provides management services, including HPT, participate in a combined directors' and officers' liability insurance policy. The current combined policy expires in September 2018. We paid an aggregate premium of $91 , $225 and $351 in 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively, for these policies.
RMR | Affiliated entity
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Business and Property Management Agreements with RMR	Business and Property Management Agreements with RMR We have two agreements with RMR to provide management services to us: (i) a business management agreement, which relates to various aspects of our business generally, including but not limited to, services related to compliance with various laws and rules applicable to our status as a publicly owned company, advice and supervision with respect to our travel centers, site selection for properties on which new travel centers may be developed, identification of, and purchase negotiation for, travel center and convenience store properties and companies, accounting and financial reporting, capital markets and financing activities, investor relations and general oversight of our daily business activities, including legal matters, human resources, insurance programs, management information systems and the like, and (ii) a property management agreement under which RMR provides building management services to us for our headquarters building. See Note 12 for further information regarding our relationship, agreements and transactions with RMR. Business Management Agreement. Under our business management agreement, we pay RMR an annual business management fee equal to 0.6% of the sum of our gross fuel margin (which is our fuel sales revenues less our cost of fuel sales) plus our total nonfuel revenues. The fee is payable monthly based on the prior month's margins and revenues. This fee totaled $14,212 , $13,179 and $12,272 for the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively. These amounts are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income. The current term of our business management agreement with RMR ends on December 31, 2017 , and automatically renews for successive one year terms unless we or RMR gives notice of non-renewal before the end of an applicable term. RMR may terminate the business management agreement upon 120 days' written notice, and we have the right to terminate the business management agreement upon 60 days' written notice, subject to approval by a majority vote of our Independent Directors. If we terminate or do not renew the business management agreement other than for cause, as defined, we are obligated to pay RMR a termination fee equal to 2.875 times the annual base management fee and the annual internal audit services expense, which amounts are based on averages during the 24 consecutive calendar months prior to the date of notice of termination or nonrenewal. Property Management Agreement. We also have a property management agreement with RMR under which RMR provides building management services to us for our headquarters building. The current term of the property management agreement ends on July 31, 2017, and automatically renews for successive one year terms unless we or RMR gives notice of non-renewal before the end of the applicable term. Our Compensation Committee reviews the property management agreement, evaluates RMR’s performance under this agreement and renews, amends or terminates this agreement annually. We paid RMR aggregate fees of $153 , $145 and $141 for property management services at our headquarters building for the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively. These amounts are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income. Expense Reimbursement. We are also generally responsible for all of our expenses and certain expenses incurred by RMR on our behalf. RMR also provides internal audit services to us in return for our share of the total internal audit costs incurred by RMR for us and other publicly owned companies to which RMR or its affiliates provides management services, which amounts are subject to approval by our Compensation Committee. Our Audit Committee appoints our Director of Internal Audit. Our share of RMR's costs of providing this internal audit function was $235 , $257 and $272 for the years ended December 31, 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively. These allocated costs are in addition to the business management fees paid to RMR. Transition Services. RMR has agreed to provide certain transition services for us for 120 days following termination by us or notice of termination by RMR. Vendors. Pursuant to our business management agreement, RMR may from time to time negotiate on our behalf with certain third party vendors and suppliers for the procurement of services to us. As part of this arrangement, we may enter agreements with RMR and other companies to which RMR provides management services for the purpose of obtaining more favorable terms from such vendors and suppliers.

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related Party Transactions Relationship with HPT We were a 100% owned subsidiary of HPT until HPT distributed our common shares to its shareholders in 2007. We are HPT's largest tenant and HPT is our principal landlord and largest shareholder and as of December 31, 2016 , owned 3,420 of our common shares, or approximately 8.7% of our outstanding common shares. One of our Managing Directors, Barry Portnoy, is a managing trustee of HPT. Barry Portnoy's son, Adam Portnoy, is also a managing trustee of HPT, and Barry Portnoy's son-in-law, Ethan Bornstein, is an executive officer of HPT. Our other Managing Director, Thomas O'Brien, who is also our President and Chief Executive Officer, was a former executive officer of HPT. RMR provides management services to both us and HPT. Spin-Off Transaction Agreement. In connection with our spin-off from HPT in 2007, we entered a transaction agreement with HPT and RMR, pursuant to which we granted HPT a right of first refusal to purchase, lease, mortgage or otherwise finance any interest we own in a travel center before we sell, lease, mortgage or otherwise finance that travel center to or with another party, and we granted HPT and any other company to which RMR provides management services a right of first refusal to acquire or finance any real estate of the types in which HPT or such other companies invest before we do. We also agreed that for so long as we are a tenant of HPT we will not permit: the acquisition by any person or group of beneficial ownership of 9.8% or more of the voting shares or the power to direct the management and policies of us or any of our subsidiary tenants or guarantors under the HPT Leases; the sale of a material part of our assets or of any such tenant or guarantor; or the cessation of certain of our Directors to continue to constitute a majority of our Board of Directors or any such tenant or guarantor. Also, we agreed not to take any action that might reasonably be expected to have a material adverse impact on HPT's ability to qualify as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, and to indemnify HPT for any liabilities it may incur relating to our assets and business. Lease Arrangements . As of December 31, 2016 , we leased from HPT a total of 198 properties under the HPT Leases. We have also engaged in other transactions with HPT, including in connection with the Transaction Agreement that we entered into with HPT on June 1, 2015 . See Note 7 for more information about our relationship, agreements and transactions with HPT. Our Manager, RMR RMR provides certain services we require to operate our business. We have two agreements with RMR to provide management services to us: (i) a business management agreement, which relates to various aspects of our business generally, and (ii) a property management agreement, which relates to building management services for our headquarters building. See Note 11 for more information about our management agreements with RMR. We have relationships and historical and continuing transactions with RMR, The RMR Group Inc. and others related to them. RMR is a subsidiary of The RMR Group Inc. One of our Managing Directors, Barry Portnoy, is a managing director and controlling shareholder (through ABP Trust) of The RMR Group Inc. and an officer of RMR. Barry Portnoy's son, Adam Portnoy, is a managing director, president and chief executive officer and controlling shareholder (through ABP Trust) of the RMR Group Inc. and an officer of RMR. Barry Portnoy and Adam Portnoy also own class A membership units of RMR (through ABP Trust). Our other Managing Director, Thomas O'Brien, who is also our President and Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Rebholz, our Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, and Mark Young, our Executive Vice President and General Counsel, are officers and employees of RMR. RMR provides management services to HPT and HPT's executive officers are officers and employees of RMR. Our Independent Directors also serve as independent directors or independent trustees of other companies to which RMR, or its affiliates, provides management services. Barry Portnoy serves as a director, managing director, trustee or managing trustee of those companies and Adam Portnoy serves as a director, trustee or managing trustee of a majority of those companies. In addition, officers of RMR and The RMR Group Inc. serve as our officers and officers of other companies to which RMR or its affiliates provides management services. See Note 11 for more information about our relationship with RMR. Share Awards to RMR Employees . Under our Share Award Plans, we grant share awards to certain employees of RMR who are not also Directors, officers or employees of ours. We awarded a total of 63 , 62 and 63 shares with an aggregate value of $416 , $575 and $610 to such persons in 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively, based upon the closing price of our common shares on the applicable stock exchange on which such shares were listed on the dates of the grants. One fifth of those shares vested on the applicable grant dates and one fifth vests on each of the next four anniversaries of the grant dates. These share awards to such RMR employees are in addition to both the fees we pay to RMR and our share awards to our Directors, officers and employees. Under our Share Award Plans, recipients of vesting common share awards (including our officers and employees and officers and employees of RMR) may request that we purchase some of the vesting common shares in satisfaction of tax withholding and payment obligations at the closing price for our common shares on the applicable stock exchange on which such shares are listed on the date of purchase. See Note 8 for more information about share withholding. Relationship with AIC We, HPT and five other companies to which RMR provides management services currently own AIC, an Indiana insurance company, and are parties to an amended and restated shareholders agreement regarding AIC. On May 9, 2014, as a result of a change in control of Equity Commonwealth (formerly known as CommonWealth REIT), or EQC, as defined in the amended and restated shareholders agreement, we and the other AIC shareholders purchased pro rata the AIC shares EQC owned in accordance with the terms of that agreement. Pursuant to that purchase, we purchased 3 AIC shares from EQC for $825 . Following these purchases, we and the other remaining six shareholders each owns approximately 14.3% of AIC. Although we own less than 20% of AIC, we use the equity method to account for this investment because we believe that we have significant influence over AIC because all of our Directors are also directors of AIC. All of our Directors and all 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. Pursuant to this agreement, AIC pays RMR a service fee equal to 3.0% of the total annual net earned premiums payable under then active policies issued or underwritten by AIC or by a vendor or an agent of AIC on its behalf or in furtherance of AIC's business. We and the other shareholders of AIC participate in a combined property insurance program arranged and insured or reinsured in part by AIC. We paid aggregate annual premiums, including taxes and fees, of $2,281 , $2,283 and $1,601 , respectively, in connection with this insurance program for the policy years ending June 30, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 . Our aggregate annual premiums for the current policy year may be adjusted, and in the prior policy years were, from time to time as we acquire and dispose of properties that are included in this insurance program. As of December 31, 2016 , we have invested $6,054 in AIC since its formation in 2008. Our investment in AIC had a carrying value of $7,116 and $6,828 as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. These amounts are included in other noncurrent assets on our consolidated balance sheets. We recognized income of $137 , $20 and $89 , related to our investment in AIC for 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Our other comprehensive income includes our proportional share of unrealized gains (losses) on securities held for sale, which are owned by AIC, of $152 , $(20) and $1 for the years ended 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Directors' and Officers' Liability Insurance We, The RMR Group Inc., RMR and certain companies to which RMR provides management services, including HPT, participate in a combined directors' and officers' liability insurance policy. The current combined policy expires in September 2018. We paid an aggregate premium of $91 , $225 and $351 in 2016 , 2015 and 2014 , respectively, for these policies.

Contingencies

Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingencies	Contingencies Legal Proceedings We are routinely involved in various legal and administrative proceedings, including tax audits, incidental to the ordinary course of our business. Except as set forth below, we do not expect that any litigation or administrative proceedings in which we are presently involved will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Environmental Contingencies 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 at our locations. We use both underground storage tanks and above ground storage tanks to store petroleum products, natural gas and other hazardous substances 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 the HPT 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 leased properties. Under an agreement with Equilon Enterprises LLC doing business as Shell Oil Products U.S., or Shell, we have agreed to indemnify Shell and its affiliates from certain environmental liabilities incurred with respect to our travel centers where Shell has installed natural gas fueling lanes. 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 liability, our operating results may be materially adversely affected. In addition, to the extent we fail to comply with environmental laws and regulations, or we become subject to costs and requirements not similarly experienced by our competitors, our competitive position may be harmed. At December 31, 2016 , we had a gross accrued liability of $4,664 for environmental matters as well as a receivable for expected recoveries of certain of these estimated future expenditures of $1,035 , resulting in an estimated net amount of $3,629 that we expect to fund in the future. We cannot precisely know the ultimate costs we may incur in connection with currently known 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 position 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, or the 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 would 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. 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. In October 2015, the State Water Board issued a notice of alleged suspended penalty conduct claiming that we are liable for the full amount of the $1,000 in suspended penalties as a result of five alleged violations of underground storage tank regulations and requesting further information concerning the alleged violations. In November 2015, we filed our response to the State Water Board's notice and we have since met with the State Water Board to attempt to resolve these matters without a court hearing. We believe we have meritorious defenses to these alleged violations, but cannot predict whether any penalties relating to these matters will be assessed by the Superior Court, which has retained jurisdiction over such matters. The State Water Board also has retained the right to file a separate action relating to these violations, but to date has not done so. As of December 31, 2016 , we have recognized a liability of $1,000 with respect to these matters concerning the State Water Board and believe, though we can provide no assurance that, any additional amount of loss we may realize above that accrued, if any, upon the ultimate resolution of this matter will not be material to us. We currently have insurance of up to $10,000 per incident and up to $25,000 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. We cannot 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. Other Disputes On November 30, 2016, we filed a complaint, or the Complaint, captioned TA Operating LLC v. Comdata, Inc. and FleetCor Technologies, Inc. , C.A. No. 12954-CB (Del. Ch.), in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or the Court, against FleetCor Technologies, Inc., or FleetCor, and its subsidiary Comdata Inc., or Comdata, with respect to a notice of termination we received from Comdata on November 3, 2016, purporting to terminate two agreements between us and Comdata: (i) a merchant agreement under which we agreed to accept Comdata issued fuel cards through January 2, 2022, in payment for fuel and nonfuel transactions initiated by cardholders at our travel center locations in exchange for fees payable by us to Comdata, or the Merchant Agreement; and (ii) an agreement under which we agreed to install radio frequency identification, or RFID, technology at our travel centers, or the RFID Agreement. In the Complaint, we seek, among other things, (a) a declaration that we are not in default under our Merchant Agreement; (b) a judgment that Comdata has breached its contractual duties to us; (c) a judgment that Comdata breached its implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing to us; (d) a judgment that Comdata has and is willfully and knowingly engaged in unfair, abusive, and deceptive business practices in the course of its business dealings with us in violation of Tennessee law; (e) an order for specific performance by Comdata of its obligations to us under our Merchant Agreement; (f) injunctive relief; (g) an order holding FleetCor jointly and severally liable and subject to all remedies we may be granted; and (h) damages, including statutory treble damages, attorney fees and costs, and further relief as the court deems appropriate. At a hearing held on December 14, 2016, the Court denied our request for preliminary injunctive relief subject to Comdata's agreement to continue providing services under the Merchant Agreement pending a final ruling from the Court. On December 21, 2016, Comdata filed a counterclaim alleging that we defaulted the RFID Agreement and that this alleged default allows Comdata to terminate both the RFID Agreement and the Merchant Agreement. In addition, beginning February 1, 2017, Comdata has unilaterally begun to withhold fees from the transaction settlement payments due to us that we believe will average approximately $850 to $1,000 per month in excess of the fees payable by us to Comdata under the terms of our Merchant Agreement. On December 27, 2016, we filed a motion for partial judgment on the pleadings, or the Motion, and briefing on the Motion concluded on February 17, 2017. At a hearing held on February 27, 2017, the Court denied the Motion, finding that the requested relief depended upon disputed facts which will be determined at a trial. A trial is currently scheduled to begin in early April 2017. We believe that Comdata has wrongfully terminated our Merchant Agreement as a result of an alleged default under the RFID Agreement; and, in any event, we do not believe that we are in default of either the Merchant Agreement or the RFID Agreement. We believe that the claims against us are without merit and intend to vigorously defend against them. Our costs related to this litigation were $748 during the fourth quarter of 2016.

Inventory

Inventory	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventory	Inventory Inventory at December 31, 2016 and 2015 , consisted of the following: 2016 2015 Nonfuel products $ 171,497 $ 159,256 Fuel products 36,332 24,236 Total inventory $ 207,829 $ 183,492

Segment Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information Reportable segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or decision making group, in deciding how to allocate resources to an individual segment and in assessing performance. We measure our reportable segments' profitability based on site level gross margin in excess of site level operating expenses. Travel Centers We operate and franchise travel centers under the TA brand and 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. Our travel centers offer customers diesel fuel and gasoline as well as nonfuel products and services such as truck repair and maintenance services, full service restaurants, QSRs, and various customer amenities. Convenience Stores We operate convenience stores with retail gasoline stations, primarily under the Minit Mart brand, that generally serve motorists and are not located at a travel center. These convenience stores typically offer customers gasoline as well as a variety of nonfuel products and services, including coffee, groceries, some fresh foods, and, in many stores, a QSR and/or car washes. Corporate and Other We include unallocated corporate expenses, the operations of our standalone restaurants and distribution centers, and all other businesses which do not meet the definition of a travel center or convenience store and which are not material to our operations in corporate and other. For purposes of segment performance measurement, we do not allocate to either our travel center or convenience store segments items that are of a non-operating or of a corporate nature such as selling, general and administrative expenses, transaction costs associated with the acquisition of certain businesses, interest, income from equity investees and income taxes. Identifiable assets of the business segments exclude general corporate assets, which primarily consist of certain cash, accounts receivable, certain property and equipment, deferred income taxes and certain other assets. Other than cash that resides at the travel centers or convenience stores, cash and accounts receivable are managed within our treasury and finance function at corporate. Additional Information The accounting policies of the business segments are the same as the polices described in Note 1. Intersegment sales and transfers are accounted for at the same prices as if the sales and transfers were made to third parties and are eliminated in consolidation. Segment Information Year Ended December 31, 2016 Travel Centers Convenience Stores Corporate and Other Consolidated Revenues: Fuel $ 3,036,861 $ 420,747 $ 72,541 $ 3,530,149 Nonfuel 1,644,411 294,852 24,641 1,963,904 Rent and royalties from franchisees 13,628 306 3,418 17,352 Total revenues 4,694,900 715,905 100,600 5,511,405 Site level gross margin in excess of site level operating expenses $ 468,912 $ 36,660 $ 10,227 $ 515,799 Corporate operating expenses: Selling, general and administrative $ 139,052 $ 139,052 Real estate rent 262,298 262,298 Depreciation and amortization 92,389 92,389 Income from operations 22,060 Acquisition costs 2,451 2,451 Interest expense, net 27,815 27,815 Income from equity investees 4,544 4,544 Loss before income taxes (3,662 ) Benefit for income taxes (1,733 ) (1,733 ) Net loss (1,929 ) Less net income for noncontrolling interests 89 Net loss attributable to common shareholders $ (2,018 ) Capital expenditures for property and equipment $ 200,513 $ 58,197 $ 71,287 $ 329,997 Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired — 45,153 26,782 71,935 Total assets 767,639 516,343 375,859 1,659,841 Year Ended December 31, 2015 Travel Centers Convenience Stores Corporate and Other Consolidated Revenues: Fuel $ 3,763,536 $ 224,894 $ 67,018 $ 4,055,448 Nonfuel 1,626,646 155,197 918 1,782,761 Rent and royalties from franchisees 12,424 — — 12,424 Total revenues 5,402,606 380,091 67,936 5,850,633 Site level gross margin in excess of site level operating expenses $ 483,564 $ 17,259 $ 3,215 $ 504,038 Corporate operating expenses: Selling, general and administrative $ 121,767 $ 121,767 Real estate rent 231,591 231,591 Depreciation and amortization 72,383 72,383 Income from operations 78,297 Acquisition costs 5,048 5,048 Interest expense, net 22,545 22,545 Income from equity investees 4,056 4,056 Loss on extinguishment of debt 10,502 10,502 Income before income taxes 44,258 Provision for income taxes 16,539 16,539 Net income 27,719 Less net income for noncontrolling interests — Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 27,719 Capital expenditures for property and equipment $ 210,385 $ 14,191 $ 70,861 $ 295,437 Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired 9,338 310,952 — 320,290 Total assets 725,714 431,014 464,813 1,621,541 Year Ended December 31, 2014 Travel Centers Convenience Stores Corporate and Other Consolidated Revenues: Fuel $ 5,961,985 $ 113,221 $ 74,243 $ 6,149,449 Nonfuel 1,539,996 76,634 172 1,616,802 Rent and royalties from franchisees 12,382 — — 12,382 Total revenues 7,514,363 189,855 74,415 7,778,633 Site level gross margin in excess of site level operating expenses $ 492,778 $ 8,834 $ 1,590 $ 503,202 Corporate operating expenses: Selling, general and administrative $ 106,823 $ 106,823 Real estate rent 217,155 217,155 Depreciation and amortization 65,584 65,584 Income from operations 113,640 Acquisition costs 1,160 1,160 Interest expense, net 16,712 16,712 Income from equity investees 3,224 3,224 Income before income taxes 98,992 Provision for income taxes 38,023 38,023 Net income 60,969 Less net income for noncontrolling interests — Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 60,969 Capital expenditures for property and equipment $ 147,509 $ 3,668 $ 18,648 $ 169,825 Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired 28,695 — — 28,695 Total assets 829,071 87,782 476,154 1,393,007

Selected Quarterly Financial Da

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)	Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) The following is a summary of our unaudited quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 : Year Ended December 31, 2016 First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Total revenues $ 1,164,450 $ 1,445,065 $ 1,477,603 $ 1,424,287 Gross profit (excluding depreciation) 340,292 378,498 394,796 361,620 (Loss) income from operations (8,778 ) 12,311 23,129 (4,602 ) (Benefit) provision for income taxes (5,677 ) 1,985 6,263 (4,304 ) Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders (9,944 ) 3,521 10,898 (6,493 ) Net (loss) income per common share attributable to common shareholders: Basic and diluted $ (0.26 ) $ 0.09 $ 0.28 $ (0.17 ) Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to common shareholders $ (9,698 ) $ 3,581 $ 10,932 $ (6,582 ) Year Ended December 31, 2015 First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Total revenues $ 1,407,701 $ 1,582,883 $ 1,508,993 $ 1,351,056 Gross profit (excluding depreciation) 338,499 345,794 358,480 346,911 Income from operations 32,170 21,974 21,444 2,709 Provision (benefit) for income taxes 10,486 2,515 6,157 (2,619 ) Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders 15,729 3,772 9,826 (1,608 ) Net income (loss) per common share attributable to common shareholders: Basic and diluted $ 0.41 $ 0.10 $ 0.26 $ (0.04 ) Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders $ 15,428 $ 3,754 $ 9,514 $ (1,652 ) During the fourth quarter of 2015 we recognized a benefit of $7,997 related to amounts owed to us in connection with biodiesel purchases we made during 2015 as a result of the retroactive reinstatement in December 2015 of Federal renewable energy fuel tax credits.

Summary of Significant Accoun24

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Segment Reporting	We manage our business on the basis of two reportable segments, travel centers and convenience stores. See Note 15 for more information about our reportable segments. We have a single travel center located in a foreign country, Canada, that we do not consider material to our operations.
Consolidation	Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of TravelCenters of America LLC and its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. We use the equity method of accounting for investments in entities when we have the ability to significantly influence, but not control, the investee's operating and financial policies, typically when we own 20% to 50% of the investee's voting stock.
Basis of Presentation	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition. We recognize revenue and the related costs at the time of final sale to consumers at our company operated locations for retail fuel and nonfuel sales. We record the estimated cost of loyalty program redemptions by customers of our loyalty program points as a discount against gross revenue in determining net revenue presented in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income. For those travel centers that we lease to a franchisee, we recognize rent revenue. These leases generally specify rent increases each year based on inflation rates for the respective periods or capital improvements we make at the travel center. Because the rent increases related to these factors are contingent upon future events, we recognize the related rent revenue after such events have occurred. We collect and recognize franchise royalty revenues monthly. We determine royalty revenues generally as a percentage of the franchisees' revenues. We recognize initial franchise fee revenues when the franchisee opens for business under our brand name, which is when we have fulfilled our initial obligations under the related agreements.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. We record trade accounts receivable at the invoiced amount and those amounts do not bear interest. The recorded allowance for doubtful accounts is our best estimate of the amount of probable losses in our existing accounts receivable. We base the allowance on historical payment patterns, aging of accounts receivable, periodic review of customers' financial condition and actual write off history. We charge off account balances against the allowance when we believe it is probable the receivable will not be collected.
Inventory	Inventory. We state our inventory at the lower of cost or market value. We determine cost principally on the weighted average cost method. We maintain reserves for the estimated amounts of obsolete and excess inventory. These estimates are based on unit sales histories and on hand inventory quantities, known market trends for inventory items and assumptions regarding factors such as future inventory needs, our ability and the related cost to return items to our suppliers and our ability to sell inventory at a discount when necessary.
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment. We record property and equipment as a result of business combinations based on their fair market values as of the date of the acquisition. We record all other property and equipment at cost. We depreciate our property and equipment on a straight line basis generally over the following estimated useful lives of the assets: Buildings and site improvements 15 to 40 years Machinery and equipment 3 to 15 years Furniture and fixtures 5 to 10 years We depreciate leasehold improvements over the shorter of the lives shown above or the remaining term of the underlying lease. Amortization expense related to assets recorded in connection with the sale leaseback financing obligation pertaining to certain travel centers we lease from Hospitality Properties Trust, or HPT, is included in depreciation and amortization expense over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the lease term.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Intangible Assets. In a business combination we are required to record assets and liabilities acquired, including those intangible assets that arise from contractual or other legal rights or are otherwise capable of being separated or divided from the acquired entity, based on the fair values of the acquired assets and liabilities. Any excess of acquisition cost over the fair value of the acquired net assets is recognized as goodwill. We amortize the recorded costs of intangible assets with finite lives on a straight line basis over their estimated lives, principally the terms of the related contractual agreements.
Impairment	Impairment. We review definite lived assets for indicators of impairment during each reporting period. We recognize impairment charges when (i) the carrying value of a long lived asset or asset group to be held and used in the business is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value and (ii) when the carrying value of a long lived asset or asset group to be disposed of exceeds the estimated fair value of the asset less the estimated cost to sell the asset. Our estimates of fair value are based on our estimates of likely market participant assumptions, including projected operating results, rental payments and the discount rate used to measure the present value of projected future cash flows. We recognize impairment charges in the period during which the circumstances surrounding an asset or asset group to be held and used have changed such that the carrying value is no longer recoverable, or during which a commitment to a plan to dispose of the asset or asset group is made. We perform our impairment analysis for substantially all of our property and equipment at the individual location level because that is the lowest level of asset groupings for which the cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. We evaluate goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable using either a quantitative or qualitative analysis. We subject goodwill and intangible assets to further evaluation and recognize impairment charges when events and circumstances indicate the carrying value of the goodwill or intangible asset exceeds the fair market value of the asset. We evaluate goodwill for impairment as of July 31 at the reporting unit level. With respect to goodwill, if we conclude that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, we perform a two-step goodwill impairment test to identify potential goodwill impairment and measure the amount of impairment to be recognized, if any.
Share Based Employee Compensation	Share Based Employee Compensation. We have historically granted awards of our common share under our share award plans. Share awards issued to our Directors vest immediately. Share awards made to others vest in five to ten equal annual installments beginning on the date of grant. Compensation expense related to share awards is determined based on the market value of our shares on either the date of grant for employees or the vesting date for nonemployees, as appropriate, with the aggregate value of the shares awarded amortized to expense over the related vesting period. We include share based compensation expense in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income.
Environmental Remediation	Environmental Remediation. We record remediation charges and penalties when the obligation to remediate is probable and the amount of associated costs is reasonably determinable. We include remediation expenses within site level operating expenses in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income. Generally, the timing of remediation expense recognition coincides with completion of a feasibility study or the commitment to a formal plan of action. Accrued liabilities related to environmental matters are recorded on an undiscounted basis because of the uncertainty associated with the timing of the related future payments. In our consolidated balance sheets, the accrual for environmental matters is included in other noncurrent liabilities, with the amount estimated to be expended within the subsequent twelve months included in other current liabilities. We recognize a receivable for estimated future environmental costs that we may be reimbursed for within other noncurrent assets in our consolidated balance sheets.
Self Insurance Accruals	Self Insurance Accruals. For insurance programs for which we pay deductibles and for which we are partially self insured up to certain stop loss amounts, we establish accruals for both estimated losses on known claims and claims incurred but not reported, based on claims histories and using actuarial methods. In our consolidated balance sheets, the accrual for self insurance costs is included in other noncurrent liabilities, with the amount estimated to be expended within the subsequent twelve months included in other current liabilities.
Asset Retirement Obligations	Asset Retirement Obligations. We recognize the future costs for our obligations related to the removal of our underground storage tanks and certain improvements we own at leased properties over the estimated useful lives of each asset requiring removal. We record a liability for the fair value of an asset retirement obligation with a corresponding increase to the carrying value of the related long lived asset at the time such an asset is installed. We base the estimated liability on our historical experiences in removing these assets, their estimated useful lives, external estimates as to the cost to remove the assets in the future and regulatory or contractual requirements. The liability is a discounted liability using a credit adjusted risk free rate.
Leasing Transactions	Leasing Transactions. Leasing transactions are a material part of our business. We have five leases with HPT. See Note 7 for more information about our leases with HPT and our accounting for them. We recognize rent under operating leases without scheduled rent increases as expense over the lease term as it becomes payable. Certain operating leases specify scheduled rent increases over the lease term or other lease payments that are not scheduled evenly throughout the lease term. We recognize the effects of those scheduled rent increases in rent expense over the lease term on an average, or straight line, basis. The rent payments resulting from our sales to HPT of improvements to the properties we lease from HPT are contingent rent. Other than at the travel centers where our leases are accounted for as sale leaseback financing obligations, we recognize the expense related to this contingent rent evenly throughout the remaining lease term beginning on the dates of the related sales to HPT.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes. We establish deferred income tax assets and liabilities to reflect the future tax consequences of differences between the tax bases and financial statement bases of assets and liabilities. We reduce the measurement of deferred tax assets, if necessary, by a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will not be realized. We recognize the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an audit. We evaluate and adjust these tax positions based on changing facts and circumstances. For tax positions meeting the more likely than not threshold, the amount we recognize in the financial statements is the largest benefit that we estimate has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority. We classify interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions, if any, in our financial statements as a component of income tax expense.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to be consistent with the current year presentation, including the reclassification in our consolidated balance sheets of deferred financing costs of $13,553 from other noncurrent assets to long term debt in accordance with Accounting Standards Update 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs .
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or the FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers , or ASU 2014-09, which establishes a comprehensive revenue recognition standard under GAAP for almost all industries. The new standard will apply for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods therein. Early adoption is prohibited. To address implementation of ASU 2014-09 and evaluate its impact on our consolidated financial statements, we have developed a project plan in which we are utilizing a bottom up approach to evaluate our revenue streams and related internal controls. Since many of our revenue streams are point of sale, we do not believe the implementation of this standard will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. We expect to complete our assessment, including selecting a transition method for adoption, by the end of the third quarter of 2017. In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases , which establishes a comprehensive lease standard under GAAP for virtually all industries. The new standard requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase of the leased asset by the lessee. This classification will determine whether the lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight line basis over the term of the lease. A lessee is also required to record a right of use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of their classification. Leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for similar to existing guidance for operating leases. The new standard requires lessors to account for leases using an approach that is substantially equivalent to existing guidance for sales type leases, direct financing leases and operating leases. The new standard will apply for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods therein, and requires modified retrospective application. Early adoption is permitted. We are in the process of evaluating the effects the adoption of this update may have on our consolidated financial statements. We believe the adoption of this update will have a material impact on our consolidated balance sheets due to the recognition of the lease rights and obligations as assets and liabilities. While the adoption will have no effect on the cash we pay, amounts within our statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income are expected to change materially. In August 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows , which simplifies elements of cash flow classification and reduces diversity in practice across all industries. The new standard will apply for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods therein, and requires retrospective application. Early adoption is permitted. The implementation of this update is not expected to cause any material changes to our consolidated statements of cash flows. In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2017-01, Business Combinations , which clarifies the definition of a business. The new standard will apply for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods therein, and requires prospective application. Early adoption is permitted. The implementation of this update is not expected to cause any material changes to our consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other , which simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. The new standard will apply for annual or interim impairment tests beginning after December 15, 2019, and requires prospective application. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017.

Summary of Significant Accoun25

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule of estimated useful lives of property and equipment	We depreciate our property and equipment on a straight line basis generally over the following estimated useful lives of the assets: Buildings and site improvements 15 to 40 years Machinery and equipment 3 to 15 years Furniture and fixtures 5 to 10 years Property and equipment, net, at cost, as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 , consisted of the following: December 31, 2016 2015 Land and improvements $ 303,422 $ 280,550 Buildings and improvements 341,803 287,276 Machinery, equipment and furniture 425,527 327,853 Leasehold improvements 224,713 216,177 Construction in progress 198,600 207,489 1,494,065 1,319,345 Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization 412,043 329,739 Property and equipment, net $ 1,082,022 $ 989,606

Acquisitions (Tables)

Acquisitions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Summary of the amounts assigned, based on their fair values, to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the business combinations	The following table summarizes the amounts we recorded for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the business combinations in 2016 described above, along with resulting goodwill. We expect that amortization of all of the goodwill resulting from these acquisitions will be deductible for tax purposes. Convenience Stores Corporate and Other (1) Total Inventory $ 3,175 $ 465 $ 3,640 Property and equipment 36,289 12,825 49,114 Goodwill 6,919 1,890 8,809 Intangible assets 370 14,020 14,390 Other assets 18 1,130 1,148 Other liabilities (1,618 ) (3,548 ) (5,166 ) Total aggregate purchase price $ 45,153 $ 26,782 $ 71,935 (1) Includes standalone restaurants. See Note 15 for more segment information.	The following table summarizes the amounts we recorded for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the business combinations in 2015 described above, along with resulting goodwill. We expect that amortization of all of the goodwill resulting from these acquisitions will be deductible for tax purposes. Travel Convenience Stores Total Inventory $ 683 $ 15,296 $ 15,979 Property and equipment 7,815 251,956 259,771 Goodwill 1,137 46,360 47,497 Intangible assets 158 5,070 5,228 Other liabilities (455 ) (7,730 ) (8,185 ) Total aggregate purchase price $ 9,338 $ 310,952 $ 320,290
Schedule of pro forma consolidated revenue amounts	The following pro forma consolidated revenue amounts reflect our revenues as if the acquisitions occurred on January 1, 2014. Unaudited Year Ended December 31, 2015 Year Ended December 31, 2014 Total revenues $ 6,299,036 $ 8,321,178

Property and Equipment (Tables)

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Schedule of components of property and equipment, at cost	We depreciate our property and equipment on a straight line basis generally over the following estimated useful lives of the assets: Buildings and site improvements 15 to 40 years Machinery and equipment 3 to 15 years Furniture and fixtures 5 to 10 years Property and equipment, net, at cost, as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 , consisted of the following: December 31, 2016 2015 Land and improvements $ 303,422 $ 280,550 Buildings and improvements 341,803 287,276 Machinery, equipment and furniture 425,527 327,853 Leasehold improvements 224,713 216,177 Construction in progress 198,600 207,489 1,494,065 1,319,345 Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization 412,043 329,739 Property and equipment, net $ 1,082,022 $ 989,606
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Schedule of components of property and equipment, at cost	The following table shows the amounts of property and equipment owned by HPT but recognized in our consolidated balance sheets and included within the balances shown in the table above, as a result of the required accounting for the assets funded by HPT under the deferred tenant improvements allowance and for the assets that did not qualify for sale leaseback accounting. December 31, 2016 2015 Land and improvements $ 14,055 $ 14,053 Buildings and improvements 7,498 6,586 Machinery, equipment and furniture 3,239 3,216 Leasehold improvements 114,987 114,989 139,779 138,844 Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization 80,533 71,357 Property and equipment, net $ 59,246 $ 67,487

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of components of goodwill and intangible assets, net	Goodwill and intangible assets, net, as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 , consisted of the following: December 31, 2016 Cost Accumulated Amortization Net Amortizable intangible assets: Agreements with franchisees $ 24,593 $ (10,473 ) $ 14,120 Leasehold interests 6,867 (2,510 ) 4,357 Agreements with franchisors 2,836 (1,490 ) 1,346 Other 5,276 (3,478 ) 1,798 Total amortizable intangible assets 39,572 (17,951 ) 21,621 Carrying value of trademarks (indefinite lives) 16,117 — 16,117 Total intangible assets 55,689 (17,951 ) 37,738 Goodwill 88,542 — 88,542 Goodwill and intangible assets, net $ 144,231 $ (17,951 ) $ 126,280 December 31, 2015 Cost Accumulated Amortization Net Amortizable intangible assets: Agreements with franchisees $ 15,913 $ (8,907 ) $ 7,006 Leasehold interests 5,837 (2,259 ) 3,578 Agreements with franchisors 2,836 (1,003 ) 1,833 Other 5,362 (3,277 ) 2,085 Total amortizable intangible assets 29,948 (15,446 ) 14,502 Carrying value of trademarks (indefinite lives) 11,707 — 11,707 Total intangible assets 41,655 (15,446 ) 26,209 Goodwill 79,768 — 79,768 Goodwill and intangible assets, net $ 121,423 $ (15,446 ) $ 105,977
Schedule of estimate the aggregate amortization expense for amortizable intangible assets to be as follows for each of the next five years	The aggregate amortization expense for our amortizable intangible assets for each of the next five years is: Total 2017 $ 2,807 2018 2,690 2019 2,572 2020 2,390 2021 1,986
Schedule of goodwill by segment	Goodwill by reporting unit was as follows: December 31, 2016 2015 Travel center segment $ 17,252 $ 17,287 Convenience store segment 69,400 62,481 Quaker Steak & Lube business 1,890 — Total goodwill $ 88,542 $ 79,768

Other Current Liabilities (Tabl

Other Current Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of components of other current liabilities	Other current liabilities, as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 , consisted of the following: December 31, 2016 2015 Taxes payable, other than income taxes $ 47,875 $ 43,457 Accrued wages and benefits 19,146 15,410 Self insurance program accruals, current portion 14,732 16,374 Loyalty program accruals 13,686 13,470 Accrued capital expenditures 12,135 22,739 Other 25,074 22,063 Total other current liabilities $ 132,648 $ 133,513

Long Term Debt (Tables)

Long Term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of long term debt	Long term debt, as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 , consisted of the following: December 31, 2016 2015 2028 Senior Notes $ 110,000 $ 110,000 2029 Senior Notes 120,000 120,000 2030 Senior Notes 100,000 100,000 Other long term debt 1,292 — Deferred financing costs (12,553 ) (13,553 ) Total long term debt $ 318,739 $ 316,447

Leasing Transactions (Tables)

Leasing Transactions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Schedule of future minimum lease payments required under entity's leases and HPT Leases	Future minimum lease payments required under leases that had remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2016 , were as follows (included herein are the full payments due under the HPT Leases including the amount attributed to the lease of those sites that are accounted for as a financing in our consolidated balance sheet as reflected in the sale leaseback financing obligation): Total 2017 $ 292,347 2018 289,723 2019 286,019 2020 283,406 2021 280,680 Thereafter 2,407,323 Total $ 3,839,498
Schedule of rent expense under the entity's operating leases and HPT Leases	Rent expense under our operating leases consisted of the following: Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Minimum rent $ 263,212 $ 233,211 $ 212,711 Sublease rent 7,463 8,422 8,932 Contingent rent (1) 1,304 (1,266 ) 3,671 Total rent expense $ 271,979 $ 240,367 $ 225,314 (1) Since 2007, we had accrued contingent rent associated with one site leased from HPT. In June 2015, we became no longer liable for this contingent rent, and the related accrual was reversed during the year ended December 31, 2015.
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Schedule of future minimum lease payments required under entity's leases and HPT Leases	The following table sets forth the amounts of annual minimum lease payments required under the HPT Leases as of December 31, 2016 , in each of the years shown. Annual Minimum Rent Rent for Ground Leases Subleased from HPT 2017 $ 271,996 $ 9,520 2018 271,996 8,943 2019 271,996 7,117 2020 271,996 6,254 2021 271,996 4,591 2022 271,996 1,571 2023 271,996 934 2024 (1) 314,911 700 2025 271,996 228 2026 (2) 309,113 2 2027 219,332 — 2028 (3) 257,387 — 2029 (4) 203,344 — 2030 (5) 146,674 — 2031 67,573 — 2032 (6) 47,644 — (1) Includes previously deferred rent payments of $42,915 due on June 30, 2024. (2) Includes previously deferred rent payments of $29,324 and estimated cost of removing underground storage tanks on the leased properties of $7,793 due on December 31, 2026. (3) Includes previously deferred rent payments of $29,107 and estimated cost of removing underground storage tanks on the leased properties of $8,948 due on December 31, 2028. (4) Includes previously deferred rent payments of $27,421 and estimated cost of removing underground storage tanks on the leased properties of $8,918 due on December 31, 2029. (5) Includes previously deferred rent payments of $21,233 and estimated cost of removing underground storage tanks on the leased properties of $9,872 due on December 31, 2030. (6) Includes estimated cost of removing underground storage tanks on the leased properties of $13,858 due on June 30, 2032. The number of properties leased, the terms, the minimum annual rents and deferred rent balances owed by us under our HPT Leases as of December 31, 2016, were as follows: Number of Properties Initial Term End Date (1) Minimum Annual Rent as of December 31, 2016 Deferred Rent (2) TA Lease 1 40 December 31, 2029 $ 51,435 $ 27,421 TA Lease 2 40 December 31, 2028 52,327 29,107 TA Lease 3 39 December 31, 2026 52,665 29,324 TA Lease 4 39 December 31, 2030 47,996 21,233 Petro Lease 40 June 30, 2032 67,573 42,915 Total 198 $ 271,996 $ 150,000 (1) We have two renewal options of 15 years each under each of our HPT Leases. (2) Pursuant to a rent deferral agreement with HPT, from July 2008 through December 31, 2010, HPT deferred a total of $150,000 of rent payable by us, which remained outstanding as of December 31, 2016. This deferred rent obligation was subsequently allocated among the HPT Leases and is due at the end of the respective initial term end dates for the TA Leases noted above. Deferred rent for the Petro Lease is due and payable on June 30, 2024. Deferred rent is subject to acceleration at HPT's option upon an uncured default by, or a change in control of, us.
Schedule of rent expense under the entity's operating leases and HPT Leases	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 consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income. Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Cash payments for rent under the HPT Leases $ 265,482 $ 241,962 $ 222,722 Change in accrued estimated percentage rent 430 (1,275 ) 959 Adjustments to recognize expense on a straight line basis (216 ) (4,910 ) (1,621 ) Less: sale leaseback financing obligation amortization (477 ) (974 ) (2,380 ) Less: portion of rent payments recognized as interest expense (1,729 ) (3,445 ) (5,887 ) Less: deferred tenant improvements allowance amortization (3,769 ) (5,019 ) (6,769 ) Amortization of deferred gain on sale leaseback transactions (9,755 ) (5,180 ) (385 ) Rent expense related to HPT Leases 249,966 221,159 206,639 Rent paid to others (1) 12,447 10,583 10,786 Adjustments to recognize expense on a straight line basis for other leases (115 ) (151 ) (270 ) Total real estate rent expense $ 262,298 $ 231,591 $ 217,155 (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.
Summary of various amounts realted to HPT Leases under entity's consolidated balance sheets	The following table summarizes the various amounts related to the HPT Leases that are included in our consolidated balance sheets. December 31, December 31, Current HPT Leases liabilities: Accrued rent $ 22,868 $ 21,098 Sale leaseback financing obligation (1) 484 469 Straight line rent accrual (2) 2,458 2,458 Deferred gain (3) 10,140 9,235 Deferred tenant improvements allowance (4) 3,770 3,770 Total Current HPT Leases liabilities $ 39,720 $ 37,030 Noncurrent HPT Leases liabilities: Deferred rent obligation $ 150,000 $ 150,000 Sale leaseback financing obligation (1) 21,165 20,719 Straight line rent accrual (2) 47,771 48,373 Deferred gain (3) 121,331 121,049 Deferred tenant improvements allowance (4) 41,587 45,357 Total Noncurrent HPT Leases liabilities $ 381,854 $ 385,498 (1) Sale Leaseback Financing Obligation. Prior to the Transaction Agreement, the assets related to nine travel centers we leased from HPT were reflected in our consolidated balance sheets, as was the related financing obligation. This accounting was required primarily because, at the time of the inception of the prior leases with HPT, more than a minor portion of these nine travel centers was subleased to third parties. As part of the June 2015 Transaction Agreement, we purchased five of these nine travel centers from HPT. That purchase was accounted for as an extinguishment of the related financing obligation and resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $10,502 because the price we paid to HPT to purchase the five properties was $10,502 in excess of the then remaining related financing obligation. Also, because the TA Leases we entered into with HPT in connection with the Transaction Agreement were accounted for as new leases and two of the remaining four properties reflected as financings under the Prior TA Lease then qualified for operating lease treatment, the remaining net assets and financing obligation related to these two properties were eliminated, resulting in a gain of $1,033 , which was deferred and will be recognized over the terms of the applicable TA Leases as a reduction of rent expense. (2) Straight Line Rent Accrual. We accrued rent expense from 2007 to 2012 for stated increases in our minimum annual rents due under our then existing TA lease. While the TA Leases we entered into with HPT in connection with the Transaction Agreement contain no stated rent payment increases, we continue to amortize this accrual on a straight line basis over the current terms of the TA Leases as a reduction to real estate rent expense. The straight line rent accrual also includes our obligation for the estimated cost of removal of underground storage tanks at properties leased from HPT at the end of the related lease; we recognize these obligations on a straight line basis over the term of the related leases as additional rent expense. (3) Deferred Gain. The deferred gain primarily includes $145,462 of gains from the sales of travel centers and certain other assets to HPT during 2015 and 2016 pursuant to the Transaction Agreement and the amended Transaction Agreement. We amortize the deferred gains on a straight line basis over the terms of the related leases as a reduction of rent expense. (4) Deferred Tenant Improvements Allowance. HPT funded certain capital projects at the properties we lease under the HPT Leases without an increase in rent payable by us. In connection with HPT's initial capital commitment, we recognized a liability for rent deemed to be related to this capital commitment as a deferred tenant improvements allowance. We amortize the deferred tenant improvements allowance on a straight line basis over the terms of the HPT Leases as a reduction of real estate rent expense.

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Schedule of number and weighted average grant date fair value of unvested common shares and common shares issued under the Share Award Plans	The following table sets forth the number and weighted average grant date fair value of unvested common shares and common shares awarded under the Share Award Plans for the year ended December 31, 2016 . Number of Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share Unvested shares balance as of December 31, 2015 1,934 $ 7.95 Granted 926 6.61 Vested (760 ) 7.54 Forfeited/canceled (2 ) 9.33 Unvested shares balance as of December 31, 2016 2,098 7.50
Reconciliation from net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders to net (loss) income available to common shareholders	The following table presents a reconciliation of net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders to net (loss) income available to common shareholders and the related earnings per share. Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders, as reported $ (2,018 ) $ 27,719 $ 60,969 Less: net (loss) income attributable to participating securities (100 ) 1,386 2,986 Net (loss) income available to common shareholders $ (1,918 ) $ 26,333 $ 57,983 Weighted average common shares (1) 36,976 36,485 35,856 Basic and diluted net (loss) income per common share $ (0.05 ) $ 0.72 $ 1.62 (1) Excludes the unvested shares awarded under our Share Award Plans, 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 was 1,920 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 , and 1,846 for the year ended December 31, 2014 .

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of principal reasons for the difference between income tax (benefit) provision and the income tax (benefit) provision at the U.S. Federal statutory income tax rate	Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 U.S. federal statutory rate applied to (loss) income before taxes $ (1,074 ) $ 15,661 $ 34,826 State income taxes, net of federal benefit (1,621 ) 1,695 4,106 Nondeductible executive compensation 841 1,499 892 Other nondeductible expenses 331 271 496 Benefit of tax credits (2,849 ) (2,574 ) (2,188 ) Taxes on foreign income at rates different than U.S. rates — — 244 Provision to return adjustments 910 (199 ) — Other, net 1,729 186 (353 ) Total tax (benefit) provision $ (1,733 ) $ 16,539 $ 38,023
Schedule of (benefit) provision for income taxes	Components of the Income Tax (Benefit) Provision Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Current tax (benefit) provision: Federal $ (2,101 ) $ 6,513 $ 23,037 State (3,974 ) 2,659 1,196 Total current tax (benefit) provision (6,075 ) 9,172 24,233 Deferred tax (benefit) provision: Federal 2,861 7,438 10,880 State 1,481 (71 ) 2,910 Total deferred tax (benefit) provision 4,342 7,367 13,790 Total tax (benefit) provision $ (1,733 ) $ 16,539 $ 38,023
Schedule of significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities	The following table presents the classification in our consolidated balance sheets of the deferred tax assets and liabilities presented in the table above. December 31, 2016 2015 Deferred tax amounts are included in: Other noncurrent assets $ — $ 87 Other noncurrent liabilities (12,866 ) (8,554 ) Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities December 31, 2016 2015 Deferred tax assets: Straight line rent accrual $ 19,846 $ 19,974 Reserves 24,575 24,740 Deferred gains 55,110 54,424 Asset retirement obligation 3,827 3,117 Tax credit carryforwards 10,331 3,627 Tax loss carryforwards 29,782 5,971 Deferred tenant improvements allowance 18,596 20,142 Other 10,699 10,281 Total deferred tax asset before valuation allowance 172,766 142,276 Valuation allowance (600 ) (2,380 ) Total deferred tax assets 172,166 139,896 Deferred tax liabilities: Property and equipment (176,117 ) (142,257 ) Goodwill and other intangible assets (7,865 ) (5,269 ) Other (1,050 ) (837 ) Total deferred tax liabilities (185,032 ) (148,363 ) Net deferred tax liabilities $ (12,866 ) $ (8,467 )
Summary of activity related to unrecognized tax benefits	Uncertain Tax Positions Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Balance at beginning of period $ 59,742 $ 59,557 $ 59,557 Interest — 185 — Balance at end of period $ 59,742 $ 59,742 $ 59,557

Equity Investments Equity Inves

Equity Investments Equity Investments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Summarized financial information	As of December 31, 2016, our investment in equity affiliates, which are presented in our consolidated balance sheet in other noncurrent assets, and our proportional share of our investees' net income recognized in our consolidated financial statements were as follows: PTP Other (1) Total Investment balance: As of December 31, 2016 $ 21,657 $ 24,097 $ 45,754 As of December 31, 2015 20,042 6,828 26,870 Income (loss) from equity investments: Year ended December 31, 2016 $ 4,614 $ (70 ) $ 4,544 Year ended December 31, 2015 4,036 20 4,056 Year ended December 31, 2014 3,135 89 3,224 (1) Includes equity investments that are individually immaterial to our consolidated financial statements, including our investment in Affiliates Insurance Company, or AIC. See Note 12 for more information about our investment in AIC. The following tables set forth summarized financial information of PTP and do not represent the amounts we have included in our consolidated financial statements in connection with our investment in PTP. December 31, 2016 2015 Total current assets $ 12,605 $ 12,013 Total noncurrent assets 56,047 52,471 Total current liabilities 1,909 2,691 Total noncurrent liabilities 15,456 15,083 Year Ended December 31, 2016 2015 2014 Total revenues $ 114,947 $ 115,776 $ 122,584 Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation) 81,280 85,283 96,565 Operating income 12,784 11,083 8,701 Net income and comprehensive income 12,077 10,629 8,229

Inventory (Tables)

Inventory (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of inventories	Inventory at December 31, 2016 and 2015 , consisted of the following: 2016 2015 Nonfuel products $ 171,497 $ 159,256 Fuel products 36,332 24,236 Total inventory $ 207,829 $ 183,492

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of segment information	Segment Information Year Ended December 31, 2016 Travel Centers Convenience Stores Corporate and Other Consolidated Revenues: Fuel $ 3,036,861 $ 420,747 $ 72,541 $ 3,530,149 Nonfuel 1,644,411 294,852 24,641 1,963,904 Rent and royalties from franchisees 13,628 306 3,418 17,352 Total revenues 4,694,900 715,905 100,600 5,511,405 Site level gross margin in excess of site level operating expenses $ 468,912 $ 36,660 $ 10,227 $ 515,799 Corporate operating expenses: Selling, general and administrative $ 139,052 $ 139,052 Real estate rent 262,298 262,298 Depreciation and amortization 92,389 92,389 Income from operations 22,060 Acquisition costs 2,451 2,451 Interest expense, net 27,815 27,815 Income from equity investees 4,544 4,544 Loss before income taxes (3,662 ) Benefit for income taxes (1,733 ) (1,733 ) Net loss (1,929 ) Less net income for noncontrolling interests 89 Net loss attributable to common shareholders $ (2,018 ) Capital expenditures for property and equipment $ 200,513 $ 58,197 $ 71,287 $ 329,997 Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired — 45,153 26,782 71,935 Total assets 767,639 516,343 375,859 1,659,841 Year Ended December 31, 2015 Travel Centers Convenience Stores Corporate and Other Consolidated Revenues: Fuel $ 3,763,536 $ 224,894 $ 67,018 $ 4,055,448 Nonfuel 1,626,646 155,197 918 1,782,761 Rent and royalties from franchisees 12,424 — — 12,424 Total revenues 5,402,606 380,091 67,936 5,850,633 Site level gross margin in excess of site level operating expenses $ 483,564 $ 17,259 $ 3,215 $ 504,038 Corporate operating expenses: Selling, general and administrative $ 121,767 $ 121,767 Real estate rent 231,591 231,591 Depreciation and amortization 72,383 72,383 Income from operations 78,297 Acquisition costs 5,048 5,048 Interest expense, net 22,545 22,545 Income from equity investees 4,056 4,056 Loss on extinguishment of debt 10,502 10,502 Income before income taxes 44,258 Provision for income taxes 16,539 16,539 Net income 27,719 Less net income for noncontrolling interests — Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 27,719 Capital expenditures for property and equipment $ 210,385 $ 14,191 $ 70,861 $ 295,437 Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired 9,338 310,952 — 320,290 Total assets 725,714 431,014 464,813 1,621,541 Year Ended December 31, 2014 Travel Centers Convenience Stores Corporate and Other Consolidated Revenues: Fuel $ 5,961,985 $ 113,221 $ 74,243 $ 6,149,449 Nonfuel 1,539,996 76,634 172 1,616,802 Rent and royalties from franchisees 12,382 — — 12,382 Total revenues 7,514,363 189,855 74,415 7,778,633 Site level gross margin in excess of site level operating expenses $ 492,778 $ 8,834 $ 1,590 $ 503,202 Corporate operating expenses: Selling, general and administrative $ 106,823 $ 106,823 Real estate rent 217,155 217,155 Depreciation and amortization 65,584 65,584 Income from operations 113,640 Acquisition costs 1,160 1,160 Interest expense, net 16,712 16,712 Income from equity investees 3,224 3,224 Income before income taxes 98,992 Provision for income taxes 38,023 38,023 Net income 60,969 Less net income for noncontrolling interests — Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 60,969 Capital expenditures for property and equipment $ 147,509 $ 3,668 $ 18,648 $ 169,825 Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired 28,695 — — 28,695 Total assets 829,071 87,782 476,154 1,393,007

Selected Quarterly Financial 37

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of unaudited quarterly results of operations	The following is a summary of our unaudited quarterly results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 : Year Ended December 31, 2016 First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Total revenues $ 1,164,450 $ 1,445,065 $ 1,477,603 $ 1,424,287 Gross profit (excluding depreciation) 340,292 378,498 394,796 361,620 (Loss) income from operations (8,778 ) 12,311 23,129 (4,602 ) (Benefit) provision for income taxes (5,677 ) 1,985 6,263 (4,304 ) Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders (9,944 ) 3,521 10,898 (6,493 ) Net (loss) income per common share attributable to common shareholders: Basic and diluted $ (0.26 ) $ 0.09 $ 0.28 $ (0.17 ) Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to common shareholders $ (9,698 ) $ 3,581 $ 10,932 $ (6,582 ) Year Ended December 31, 2015 First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Total revenues $ 1,407,701 $ 1,582,883 $ 1,508,993 $ 1,351,056 Gross profit (excluding depreciation) 338,499 345,794 358,480 346,911 Income from operations 32,170 21,974 21,444 2,709 Provision (benefit) for income taxes 10,486 2,515 6,157 (2,619 ) Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders 15,729 3,772 9,826 (1,608 ) Net income (loss) per common share attributable to common shareholders: Basic and diluted $ 0.41 $ 0.10 $ 0.26 $ (0.04 ) Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders $ 15,428 $ 3,754 $ 9,514 $ (1,652 )

Summary of Significant Accoun38

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - General Information and Basis of Presentation (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016statestorepropertyrestaurantconvenience_storetravel_centersegment
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments | segment	2
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of stores | store	540
HPT | Principal landlord and largest shareholder
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of stores leased | property	198
Travel centers
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of stores	255
Number of states | state	43
Number of stores owned	29
Number of stores leased	199
Travel centers | Company operated stores
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of stores	225
Travel centers | Franchisee operated stores
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of stores	30
Number of stores owned by franchisees or leased from others	25
Travel centers | TA brand
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of stores	178
Travel centers | TA brand | Franchisee units leases
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of stores owned and leased by franchisees	5
Travel centers | Petro brand
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of stores	77
Convenience stores
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of states | state	11
Number of stores owned | convenience_store	198
Number of stores leased | convenience_store	32
Convenience stores | Minit Mart brand
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of stores | convenience_store	233
Restaurants
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of stores | restaurant	52
Number of states | state	15
Number of stores owned | restaurant	5
Number of stores leased | restaurant	7
Restaurants | Franchisee operated stores
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of stores | restaurant	39
PTP | Travel centers
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of stores	2
Number of stores operated under joint venture	2
PTP | Convenience stores
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of stores | convenience_store	3
Number of stores operated under joint venture | convenience_store	3
PTP | Restaurants
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of stores | restaurant	1
Number of stores operated under joint venture | restaurant	1

Summary of Significant Accoun39

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Property and Equipment (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Buildings and site improvements | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	15 years
Buildings and site improvements | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	40 years
Machinery and equipment | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	3 years
Machinery and equipment | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	15 years
Furniture and fixtures | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	5 years
Furniture and fixtures | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	10 years

Summary of Significant Accoun40

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Share Based Employee Compensation (Details) - Restricted shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016
Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period of shares issued to other than directors	5 years
Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period of shares issued to other than directors	10 years

Summary of Significant Accoun41

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Asset Retirement Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Asset retirement obligation	$ 9,335	$ 7,602

Summary of Significant Accoun42

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Leasing Transactions (Details)	Dec. 31, 2016lease
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of leases with HPT	5

Summary of Significant Accoun43

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Reclassifications (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Deferred financing costs	$ 12,553	$ 13,553

Acquisitions - Acquisitions (D

Acquisitions - Acquisitions (Details)	2 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 27, 2017USD ($)restaurant	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)franchiseerestauranttravel_center	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)restaurantconvenience_store	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)convenience_storetravel_center	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)travel_center
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price paid			$ 71,935,000	$ 320,290,000	$ 28,695,000
Revenues attributable to acquisitions				$ 237,148,000
Restaurants
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of properties acquired | restaurant			11
Restaurants | Subsequent event
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of properties acquired | restaurant	6
Purchase price per agreement	$ 6,000,000
Restaurants | Forecast
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of properties acquired | restaurant		6
Number of franchisees | franchisee		1
Purchase price per agreement		$ 6,000,000
Restaurants | Franchisee operated
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of properties acquired | restaurant			39
Convenience stores
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of properties acquired | convenience_store			29	169
Travel centers
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of properties acquired | travel_center				3	4
Travel centers | Forecast
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of properties acquired | travel_center		1
Number of franchisees | franchisee		1
Purchase price per agreement		$ 13,050,000
Travel centers | Forecast | Subsequent event
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price per agreement		$ 4,175,000

Acquisitions - Assets Acquired

Acquisitions - Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Inventory	$ 3,640	$ 15,979
Property and equipment	49,114	259,771
Goodwill	8,809	47,497
Intangible assets	14,390	5,228
Other assets	1,148
Other liabilities	(5,166)	(8,185)
Total aggregate purchase price	71,935	320,290
Convenience stores
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Inventory	3,175	15,296
Property and equipment	36,289	251,956
Goodwill	6,919	46,360
Intangible assets	370	5,070
Other assets	18
Other liabilities	(1,618)	(7,730)
Total aggregate purchase price	45,153	310,952
Travel centers
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Inventory		683
Property and equipment		7,815
Goodwill		1,137
Intangible assets		158
Other liabilities		(455)
Total aggregate purchase price		$ 9,338
Corporate and Other | Restaurants
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Inventory	465
Property and equipment	12,825
Goodwill	1,890
Intangible assets	14,020
Other assets	1,130
Other liabilities	(3,548)
Total aggregate purchase price	$ 26,782

Acquisitions - Pro forma Revenu

Acquisitions - Pro forma Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 6,299,036	$ 8,321,178

Property and Equipment (Details

Property and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Depreciation expense	$ 88,892	$ 70,042	$ 63,880
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	1,494,065	1,319,345
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	412,043	329,739
Property and equipment, net	1,082,022	989,606
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	139,779	138,844
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	80,533	71,357
Property and equipment, net	59,246	67,487
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | Leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Improvement assets to be purchased for an increase in rent	57,201
Land and improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	303,422	280,550
Land and improvements | Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	14,055	14,053
Buildings and improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	341,803	287,276
Buildings and improvements | Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	7,498	6,586
Machinery, equipment and furniture
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	425,527	327,853
Machinery, equipment and furniture | Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	3,239	3,216
Leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	224,713	216,177
Leasehold improvements | Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	114,987	114,989
Construction in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 198,600	$ 207,489

Goodwill and Intangible Asset48

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Total intangible assets, Cost	$ 55,689	$ 41,655
Total intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(17,951)	(15,446)
Total intangible assets, Net	37,738	26,209
Goodwill	88,542	79,768
Total goodwill and intangible assets, Cost	144,231	121,423
Total goodwill and intangible assets, Net	126,280	105,977
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total amortizable intangible assets, Cost	39,572	29,948
Total amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(17,951)	(15,446)
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net	21,621	14,502
Trademarks
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Carrying value of trademarks (indefinite lives)	16,117	11,707
Agreements with franchisees
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Total intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(10,473)	(8,907)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total amortizable intangible assets, Cost	24,593	15,913
Total amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(10,473)	(8,907)
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net	14,120	7,006
Leasehold interests
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Total intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(2,510)	(2,259)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total amortizable intangible assets, Cost	6,867	5,837
Total amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(2,510)	(2,259)
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net	4,357	3,578
Agreements with franchisors
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Total intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(1,490)	(1,003)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total amortizable intangible assets, Cost	2,836	2,836
Total amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(1,490)	(1,003)
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net	1,346	1,833
Other
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Total intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(3,478)	(3,277)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total amortizable intangible assets, Cost	5,276	5,362
Total amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(3,478)	(3,277)
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net	$ 1,798	$ 2,085

Goodwill and Intangible Asset49

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortization expense for amortizable intangible assets	$ 2,570	$ 1,703	$ 1,491
Weighted average period of amortizable intangible assets	12 years
Goodwill acquired during period	$ 8,809	$ 47,497
Goodwill deductible for tax purposes	$ 72,421

Goodwill and Intangible Asset50

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Future Amortization Expense (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Total
2,017	$ 2,807
2,018	2,690
2,019	2,572
2,020	2,390
2,021	$ 1,986

Goodwill and Intangible Asset51

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Goodwill by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill [Line Items]
Total goodwill	$ 88,542	$ 79,768
Quaker Steak & Lube business
Goodwill [Line Items]
Total goodwill	1,890	0
Travel center segment
Goodwill [Line Items]
Total goodwill	17,252	17,287
Convenience store segment
Goodwill [Line Items]
Total goodwill	$ 69,400	$ 62,481

Other Current Liabilities (Deta

Other Current Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Taxes payable, other than income taxes	$ 47,875	$ 43,457
Accrued wages and benefits	19,146	15,410
Self insurance program accruals, current portion	14,732	16,374
Loyalty program accruals	13,686	13,470
Accrued capital expenditures	12,135	22,739
Other	25,074	22,063
Total other current liabilities	$ 132,648	$ 133,513

Long Term Debt - Schedule of De

Long Term Debt - Schedule of Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long term debt	$ 318,739	$ 316,447
Other long term debt	1,292	0
Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Deferred financing costs	(12,553)	(13,553)
2028 Senior Notes | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long term debt	110,000	110,000
2029 Senior Notes | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long term debt	120,000	120,000
2030 Senior Notes | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long term debt	$ 100,000	$ 100,000

Long Term Debt - Senior Notes (

Long Term Debt - Senior Notes (Details) - Senior Notes - USD ($)	1 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2016
2030 Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount issued	$ 100,000,000
Interest rate (as a percent)	8.00%
Net proceeds from issuance	$ 95,494,000
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)	100.00%
Fair value of debt instrument				$ 100,280,000
2029 Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount issued		$ 120,000,000
Interest rate (as a percent)		8.00%
Net proceeds from issuance		$ 114,448,000
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)		100.00%
Fair value of debt instrument				121,488,000
2028 Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)			8.25%
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)			100.00%
Fair value of debt instrument				$ 111,188,000

Long Term Debt - Revolving Cred

Long Term Debt - Revolving Credit Facility (Details) - Credit Facility	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 200,000,000
Increase in maximum borrowing capacity subject to available collateral and lender participation	$ 300,000,000
Fee on outstanding commitments (as a percent)	1.50%
Fee on unused commitments (as a percent)	0.25%
Amount available for borrowings and letters of credit	$ 102,625,000
Borrowings outstanding	0
Outstanding amount of letters of credit	$ 23,128,000

Long Term Debt - Deferred Finan

Long Term Debt - Deferred Financing Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Future amortization of deferred financing fees in 2017	$ 1,221
Future amortization of deferred financing fees in 2018	1,221
Future amortization of deferred financing fees in 2019	1,214
Future amortization of deferred financing fees in 2020	1,000
Future amortization of deferred financing fees in 2021	997
Interest expense from the amortization of deferred financing fees	1,225	$ 995	$ 703
Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Deferred financing costs	12,553	13,553
Accumulated amortization	2,428	1,428
Senior Notes | 2030 Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capitalized costs		4,506
Senior Notes | 2029 Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capitalized costs			5,552
Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Deferred financing costs	664	889
Accumulated amortization	$ 456	$ 231
Capitalized costs			583
Expense recognized to write off deferred financing fees			$ 96

Leasing Transactions - As a Les

Leasing Transactions - As a Lessee (Details)	Dec. 31, 2016lease
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of leases with HPT	5

Leasing Transactions - Future M

Leasing Transactions - Future Minimum Lease Payments (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
2,017	$ 292,347
2,018	289,723
2,019	286,019
2,020	283,406
2,021	280,680
Thereafter	2,407,323
Total	$ 3,839,498

Leasing Transactions - Rent Exp

Leasing Transactions - Rent Expense Under Operating Leases (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015lease
Leases [Abstract]
Minimum rent	$ 263,212	$ 233,211	$ 212,711
Sublease rent	7,463	8,422	8,932
Contingent rent	1,304	(1,266)	3,671
Total rent expense	271,979	$ 240,367	$ 225,314
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT
Leases [Abstract]
Minimum rent	$ 271,996
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Number of leases with contingent rent | lease				1

Leasing Transactions - HPT Leas

Leasing Transactions - HPT Leases (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)travel_center	Sep. 14, 2016USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)travel_center	Jun. 22, 2016USD ($)travel_center	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)travel_center	Oct. 30, 2015USD ($)	Jun. 09, 2015USD ($)travel_center	Jun. 01, 2015USD ($)travel_center	Jan. 06, 2014USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)propertytravel_center	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)propertyleasetravel_center	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)travel_center	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)travel_center
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Total real estate rent expense												$ 262,298	$ 231,591	$ 217,155
Percentage rent incurred												1,304	(1,266)	3,671
Loss on extinguishment of debt												$ 0	$ 10,502	$ 0
Travel centers
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of stores leased | travel_center												199
Number of properties acquired | travel_center													3	4
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of stores leased | property												198
Number of leases with HPT | lease												5
Lease payment multiple (as a percent) for basis in increase in rent												8.50%
Basis spread on U.S. Treasury interest rate (as a percent)												3.50%
Aggregate selling price											$ 279,383	$ 109,926	$ 99,896	$ 66,133
Increase (decrease) in minimum annual rent												9,344	8,491	5,621
Total real estate rent expense												$ 249,966	221,159	206,639
Number of properties with certain assets owned | property											11
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | Travel centers
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Aggregate selling price	$ 16,557		$ 22,297	$ 23,876	$ 19,683
Increase (decrease) in minimum annual rent							$ (3,874)
Number of properties sold | travel_center	1		1	2	1						14
Deferred gain from sale of assets											$ 133,668		133,668
Aggregate purchase price of acquisition							$ 45,042
Number of properties acquired | travel_center							5	5
Loss on extinguishment of debt							$ 10,502	$ 10,502
Number of stores agreed to be sold | travel_center											5
Number of stores replaced | travel_center				1
Aggregate deferred gain				$ 11,794				$ 1,033
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | TA Leases
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of leases with HPT | lease												4
Increase (decrease) in minimum annual rent											$ 24,027
Percentage rent, TA Leases, percentage of nonfuel revenues over base year levels												3.00%
Deferred gain from sale of assets												$ 145,462
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | Petro Lease
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of stores leased | property												40
Number of leases with HPT | lease												1
Increase (decrease) in minimum annual rent						$ 1,275
Percentage rent, Petro Lease, percentage of nonfuel revenues over base year levels												3.00%
Percentage rent waived												$ 372
Cumulative percentage rent waived												2,500
Percentage rent incurred												$ 1,304	$ 1,999	$ 2,984
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | Petro Lease | Ground rent
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Annual rent terminated						$ 1,260
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | TA Lease 4
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of stores leased | property												39
Increase (decrease) in minimum annual rent		$ 28
Purchase price of vacant parcel of land		$ 325
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | Prior TA Lease
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) in minimum annual rent									$ (525)
Proceeds from VDOT										$ 6,178
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | Leasehold improvements
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Improvement assets to be purchased for an increase in rent												$ 57,201

Leasing Transactions - Summariz

Leasing Transactions - Summarized Information for Each HPT Lease (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)renewal_optionproperty	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Minimum annual rent	$ 263,212	$ 233,211	$ 212,711
Number of renewal options | renewal_option	1
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of properties | property	198
Minimum annual rent	$ 271,996
Deferred rent	$ 150,000	$ 150,000
Number of renewal options | renewal_option	2
Renewal term (in years)	15 years
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | TA Lease 1
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of properties | property	40
Minimum annual rent	$ 51,435
Deferred rent	$ 27,421
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | TA Lease 2
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of properties | property	40
Minimum annual rent	$ 52,327
Deferred rent	$ 29,107
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | TA Lease 3
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of properties | property	39
Minimum annual rent	$ 52,665
Deferred rent	$ 29,324
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | TA Lease 4
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of properties | property	39
Minimum annual rent	$ 47,996
Deferred rent	$ 21,233
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | Petro Lease
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of properties | property	40
Minimum annual rent	$ 67,573
Deferred rent	$ 42,915

Leasing Transactions - Future62

Leasing Transactions - Future Minimum Lease Payments Under the HPT Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Minimum Lease Payments, Operating Leases and Sale Leaseback Transactions, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2,017	$ 292,347
2,018	289,723
2,019	286,019
2,020	283,406
2,021	280,680
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT
Minimum Lease Payments, Operating Leases and Sale Leaseback Transactions, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2,017	271,996
2,018	271,996
2,019	271,996
2,020	271,996
2,021	271,996
2,022	271,996
2,023	271,996
2,024	314,911
2,025	271,996
2,026	309,113
2,027	219,332
2,028	257,387
2,029	203,344
2,030	146,674
2,031	67,573
2,032	47,644
Deferred rent obligation	150,000	$ 150,000
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | Petro Lease
Minimum Lease Payments, Operating Leases and Sale Leaseback Transactions, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Deferred rent obligation	42,915
Estimated cost of removing underground storage tanks on leased properties	13,858
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | TA Lease 3
Minimum Lease Payments, Operating Leases and Sale Leaseback Transactions, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Deferred rent obligation	29,324
Estimated cost of removing underground storage tanks on leased properties	7,793
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | TA Lease 2
Minimum Lease Payments, Operating Leases and Sale Leaseback Transactions, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Deferred rent obligation	29,107
Estimated cost of removing underground storage tanks on leased properties	8,948
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | TA Lease 1
Minimum Lease Payments, Operating Leases and Sale Leaseback Transactions, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Deferred rent obligation	27,421
Estimated cost of removing underground storage tanks on leased properties	8,918
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | TA Lease 4
Minimum Lease Payments, Operating Leases and Sale Leaseback Transactions, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Deferred rent obligation	21,233
Estimated cost of removing underground storage tanks on leased properties	9,872
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | Ground leases
Minimum Lease Payments, Operating Leases and Sale Leaseback Transactions, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2,017	9,520
2,018	8,943
2,019	7,117
2,020	6,254
2,021	4,591
2,022	1,571
2,023	934
2,024	700
2,025	228
2,026	2
2,027	0
2,028	0
2,029	0
2,030	0
2,031	0
2,032	$ 0

Leasing Transactions - Summary

Leasing Transactions - Summary of Various Amounts Reflected in Real Estate Rent Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Total real estate rent expense	$ 262,298	$ 231,591	$ 217,155
HPT's landlords and other landlords
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cash payments for rent	12,447	10,583	10,786
Adjustments to recognize expense on a straight line basis	(115)	151	270
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cash payments for rent	265,482	241,962	222,722
Change in accrued estimated percentage rent	430	(1,275)	959
Adjustments to recognize expense on a straight line basis	216	(4,910)	(1,621)
Less: sale leaseback financing obligation amortization	(477)	974	2,380
Less: portion of rent payments recognized as interest expense	(1,729)	(3,445)	(5,887)
Less: deferred tenant improvements allowance amortization	3,769	(5,019)	(6,769)
Amortization of deferred gain on sale leaseback transactions	(9,755)	(5,180)	(385)
Total real estate rent expense	$ 249,966	$ 221,159	$ 206,639

Leasing Transactions - Summar64

Leasing Transactions - Summary of Various Amounts Included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (Details) $ in Thousands	Jun. 09, 2015USD ($)travel_center	Jun. 01, 2015USD ($)travel_center	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)travel_center	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)travel_center	Jun. 22, 2016USD ($)
Current HPT Leases Liabilities
Total Current HPT Leases liabilities			$ 39,720	$ 37,030
Noncurrent HPT Leases Liabilities
Total Noncurrent HPT Leases liabilities			381,854	385,498
Various Amounts Related to HPT Leases Included in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Footnotes):
Loss on extinguishment of debt			0	$ 10,502	$ 0
Travel centers
Various Amounts Related to HPT Leases Included in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Footnotes):
Number of properties acquired | travel_center				3	4
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT
Current HPT Leases Liabilities
Accrued rent			22,868	$ 21,098
Sale leaseback financing obligation			484	469
Straight line rent accrual			2,458	2,458
Deferred gain			10,140	9,235
Deferred tenant improvements allowance			3,770	3,770
Total Current HPT Leases liabilities			39,720	37,030
Noncurrent HPT Leases Liabilities
Deferred rent obligation			150,000	150,000
Sale leaseback financing obligation			21,165	20,719
Straight line rent accrual			47,771	48,373
Deferred gain			121,331	121,049
Deferred tenant improvements allowance			41,587	45,357
Total Noncurrent HPT Leases liabilities			381,854	385,498
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | Travel centers
Various Amounts Related to HPT Leases Included in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Footnotes):
Number of properties acquired | travel_center	5	5
Loss on extinguishment of debt	$ 10,502	$ 10,502
Aggregate deferred gain		$ 1,033				$ 11,794
Deferred gain from sale of assets				$ 133,668
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | Prior TA Lease | Travel center property
Various Amounts Related to HPT Leases Included in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Footnotes):
Number of sites reflected on consolidated balance sheets | travel_center		9
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | TA Leases
Various Amounts Related to HPT Leases Included in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Footnotes):
Deferred gain from sale of assets			$ 145,462
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | TA Leases | Travel centers
Various Amounts Related to HPT Leases Included in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Footnotes):
Number of sites leased | travel_center		2
Number of sites subject to capital lease | travel_center		4

Leasing Transactions - As a L65

Leasing Transactions - As a Lessor (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)travel_centerrenewal_optionlease	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Number of leases that have one remaining renewal option | lease	4
Number of remaining renewal options available | renewal_option	1
Term of renewal options	5 years
Rent revenue from operating leases | $	$ 4,439	$ 4,458	$ 4,365
Future minimum lease payments due in 2017 | $	$ 2,478
Franchise units
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Number of leases with franchisees | lease	5
Travel centers | Franchise units
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Number of sites subject to lease | travel_center	5

Shareholders' Equity - Share Aw

Shareholders' Equity - Share Award Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	May 19, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Aggregate number of shares repurchased	209	197	90
Aggregate value of shares repurchased	$ 1,394	$ 1,842	$ 928
Number of treasury shares retired	209	287
Carrying value of treasury shares retired	$ 1,394	$ 2,770
Share award plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of common shares authorized under the 2016 Plan				2,300
Number of common shares awarded under the plan	926	671	803
Market value of common shares awarded	$ 6,120	$ 6,607	$ 7,766
Total share based compensation expense recognized	5,523	5,507	5,105
Fair value	$ 5,040	$ 7,621	$ 6,233
Weighted average grant date fair value of common shares (in usd per share)	$ 6.61	$ 9.84	$ 9.67
Common shares that remained available for issuance	1,374
Total share based compensation related to unvested shares	$ 14,913
Weighted average remaining service period over which share based compensation related to unvested shares will be expensed	5 years
Share award plan | Employees, excluding Directors | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	5 years
Share award plan | Employees, excluding Directors | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	10 years

Shareholders' Equity - Unvested

Shareholders' Equity - Unvested Common Shares (Details) - Share award plan - $ / shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Number of Shares
Unvested shares balance at the beginning of the period	1,934
Granted (in shares)	926	671	803
Vested (in shares)	(760)
Forfeited/canceled (in shares)	(2)
Unvested shares balance at the end of the period	2,098	1,934
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Unvested shares balance at the beginning of the period (in usd per share)	$ 7.95
Granted (in usd per share)	6.61	$ 9.84	$ 9.67
Vested (in usd per share)	7.54
Forfeited/canceled (in usd per share)	9.33
Unvested shares balance at the end of the period (in usd per share)	$ 7.50	$ 7.95

Shareholders' Equity - Earnings

Shareholders' Equity - Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders, as reported	$ (6,493)	$ 10,898	$ 3,521	$ (9,944)	$ (1,608)	$ 9,826	$ 3,772	$ 15,729	$ (2,018)	$ 27,719	$ 60,969
Less: net (loss) income attributable to participating securities									(100)	1,386	2,986
Net (loss) income available to common shareholders									$ (1,918)	$ 26,333	$ 57,983
Weighted average common shares									36,976	36,485	35,856
Basic and diluted net (loss) income per common share (in shares)	$ (0.17)	$ 0.28	$ 0.09	$ (0.26)	$ (0.04)	$ 0.26	$ 0.10	$ 0.41	$ (0.05)	$ 0.72	$ 1.62
Weighted average number of unvested shares outstanding (in shares)									1,920	1,920	1,846

Income Taxes - Narrative (Detai

Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	$ (4,304)	$ 6,263	$ 1,985	$ (5,677)	$ (2,619)	$ 6,157	$ 2,515	$ 10,486	$ (1,733)	$ 16,539	$ 38,023
Valuation allowance	600				2,380				600	2,380
Unrecognized tax benefits	59,742				59,742				59,742	59,742	59,557	$ 59,557
Uncertain tax benefits if settled, would favorably impact on the effective tax rate	57,413				57,413				57,413	57,413	$ 57,228
Unrecognized tax benefits classified as noncurrent asset	31,440				24,931				31,440	24,931
Unrecognized tax benefits classified as noncurrent liability	28,302				$ 34,811				28,302	$ 34,811
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Federal tax credit carryforwards	22,238								22,238
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards	130,484								130,484
State and Local Jurisdiction
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards	61,095								61,095
Net operating loss to expire in 2030 | Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards	59,367								59,367
Net operating loss to expire in 2017 | State and Local Jurisdiction
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards	134								134
Tax Credit to expire between 2019 and 2025
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Federal tax credit carryforwards	$ 498								$ 498

Income Taxes - Effective Tax Ra

Income Taxes - Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
U.S. federal statutory rate applied to (loss) income before taxes									$ (1,074)	$ 15,661	$ 34,826
State income taxes, net of federal benefit									(1,621)	1,695	4,106
Nondeductible executive compensation									841	1,499	892
Other nondeductible expenses									331	271	496
Benefit of tax credits									(2,849)	(2,574)	(2,188)
Taxes on foreign income at rates different than U.S. rates									0	0	244
Provision to return									910	(199)	0
Other, net									1,729	186	(353)
Total tax (benefit) provision	$ (4,304)	$ 6,263	$ 1,985	$ (5,677)	$ (2,619)	$ 6,157	$ 2,515	$ 10,486	$ (1,733)	$ 16,539	$ 38,023

Income Taxes - Components of In

Income Taxes - Components of Income Tax Provision (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current tax (benefit) provision:
Federal									$ (2,101)	$ 6,513	$ 23,037
State									(3,974)	2,659	1,196
Total current tax (benefit) provision									(6,075)	9,172	24,233
Deferred tax (benefit) provision:
Federal									2,861	7,438	10,880
State									1,481	(71)	2,910
Total deferred tax (benefit) provision									4,342	7,367	13,790
Total tax (benefit) provision	$ (4,304)	$ 6,263	$ 1,985	$ (5,677)	$ (2,619)	$ 6,157	$ 2,515	$ 10,486	$ (1,733)	$ 16,539	$ 38,023

Income Taxes - Components of De

Income Taxes - Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Deferred tax assets:
Straight line rent accrual	$ 19,846	$ 19,974
Reserves	24,575	24,740
Deferred gains	55,110	54,424
Asset retirement obligation	3,827	3,117
Tax credit carryforwards	10,331	3,627
Tax loss carryforwards	29,782	5,971
Deferred tenant improvements allowance	18,596	20,142
Other	10,699	10,281
Total deferred tax asset before valuation allowance	172,766	142,276
Valuation allowance	(600)	(2,380)
Total deferred tax assets	172,166	139,896
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment	(176,117)	(142,257)
Goodwill and other intangible assets	(7,865)	(5,269)
Other	(1,050)	(837)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(185,032)	(148,363)
Net deferred tax liabilities	$ (12,866)	$ (8,467)

Income Taxes - Classification o

Income Taxes - Classification of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Deferred tax amounts are included in:
Other noncurrent assets	$ 0	$ 87
Other noncurrent liabilities	$ (12,866)	$ (8,554)

Income Taxes - Uncertain Tax Pr

Income Taxes - Uncertain Tax Provisions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Activity related to unrecognized tax benefits
Balance at beginning of period	$ 59,742	$ 59,557	$ 59,557
Interest	0	185	0
Balance at end of period	$ 59,742	$ 59,742	$ 59,557

Equity Investments - Equity Inv

Equity Investments - Equity Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment balance	$ 45,754	$ 26,870
Income from equity investments	4,544	4,056	$ 3,224
PTP
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment balance	21,657	20,042
Income from equity investments	4,614	4,036	3,135
Management Fees Revenue	1,055	838	800
Other
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment balance	24,097	6,828
Income from equity investments	$ (70)	$ 20	$ 89

Equity Investments - Petro Trav

Equity Investments - Petro Travel Plaza Holdings LLC (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)storerestaurantconvenience_storetravel_center	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of stores | store	540
Carrying value of investment	$ 45,754	$ 26,870
Income from equity investments	$ 4,544	4,056	$ 3,224
Restaurants
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of stores | restaurant	52
Travel centers
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of stores | travel_center	255
PTP
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest (as a percent)	40.00%
Carrying value of investment	$ 21,657	20,042
Income from equity investments	4,614	4,036	3,135
Management and accounting fee income	$ 1,055	$ 838	$ 800
PTP | Restaurants
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of stores | restaurant	1
PTP | Travel centers
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of stores | travel_center	2
PTP | Convenience stores
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of stores | convenience_store	3

Equity Investments - PTP summar

Equity Investments - PTP summarized financial information (Details) - PTP - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total current assets	$ 12,605	$ 12,013
Total noncurrent assets	56,047	52,471
Total current liabilities	1,909	2,691
Total noncurrent liabilities	15,456	15,083
Total revenues	114,947	115,776	$ 122,584
Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation)	81,280	85,283	96,565
Operating income	12,784	11,083	8,701
Net income and comprehensive income	$ 12,077	$ 10,629	$ 8,229

Business and Property Managem78

Business and Property Management Agreements with RMR - Narrative (Details) - Affiliated entity - RMR $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)agreement	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of agreements with RMR | agreement	2
Share in internal audit costs	$ 235	$ 257	$ 272
Amended and restated business management agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Annual business management fee percentage	0.60%
Business management agreement, automatic renewal term (in years)	1 year
Period before which written notice is required to be given (in days)	120 days
Period for wrtitten notice to withdraw, subject to approval by majority vote of Independent Directors	60 days
Multiple in calculating termination fee	2.875
Period over which base management fee is determined as basis to calculate termination fee	24 months
Period of transition services (in days)	120 days
Property management agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Property management agreement, automatic renewal term (in years)	1 year
Selling, general and administrative expenses | Amended and restated business management agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Business management fee	$ 14,212	13,179	12,272
Selling, general and administrative expenses | Property management agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Property management fee	$ 153	$ 145	$ 141

Related Party Transactions - Re

Related Party Transactions - Relationship with HPT (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016propertydirectorshares	Dec. 31, 2015shares
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Common shares, shares outstanding	39,523,000	38,808,000
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Common shares, shares outstanding	3,420,000
Percentage of outstanding common shares owned	8.70%
Number of managing directors who are also managing trustees of HPT | director	1
Number of properties | property	198
Affiliated entity | RMR | Maximum
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of any class of equity shares that can be acquired	9.80%

Related Party Transactions - Ou

Related Party Transactions - Our Manager, RMR (Details) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)directoragreementshares	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)shares
Vests on the grant dates
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Vesting percentage	20.00%
Vests on each of the next four anniversaries of the grant dates
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Vesting percentage	20.00%
RMR | Affiliated entity
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of agreements with RMR | agreement	2
Number of managing directors who are also managing directors, controlling shareholders and officers of RMR | director	1
RMR | Affiliated entity | Restricted shares
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of common shares awarded under the plan | shares	63	62	63
Market value of common shares awarded | $	$ 416	$ 575	$ 610

Related Party Transactions - 81

Related Party Transactions - Relationship with AIC (Details) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	May 09, 2014USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)shareholdercompany	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Value of common shares purchased		$ 11,188	$ 0	$ 825
Carrying value of investment		45,754	26,870
Income from equity investees		4,544	4,056	3,224
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities held for sale		$ 152	(20)	1
AIC | Equity method investee
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Common shares purchased | shares	3
Value of common shares purchased	$ 825
Number of other shareholders in equity investment | shareholder		6
Ownership interest (as a percent)		14.30%
Service fee percentage		3.00%
Amount of investment		$ 6,054
Carrying value of investment		7,116	6,828
Income from equity investees		137	20	89
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities held for sale		152	(20)	1
AIC | Equity method investee | Property insurance annual premium
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Annual premiums for property insurance		$ 2,281	$ 2,283	$ 1,601
RMR | Affiliated entity
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of companies managed by RMR | company		5

Related Party Transactions - Di

Related Party Transactions - Directors' and Officers' Liability Insurance (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Affiliated entity | RMR | Directors and officers liability insurance
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Combined policy premium paid	$ 91	$ 225	$ 351

Contingencies - Contingencies (

Contingencies - Contingencies (Details)	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2015violation	Feb. 28, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Litigation by California State Water Resources Control Board
Commitments and contingencies
Loss contingency liability			$ 1,000,000
Settlement amount		$ 1,800,000
Suspended penalties		1,000,000
Maximum verified costs		$ 2,000,000
Number of alleged violations | violation	5
Environmental matters
Commitments and contingencies
Total recorded liabilities			4,664,000
Expected recoveries of future expenditures			1,035,000
Loss contingency liability			3,629,000
Loss contingency insurance limit for liabilities per incident			10,000,000
Loss contingency insurance limit for liabilities			$ 25,000,000

Contingencies - Other Disputes

Contingencies - Other Disputes (Details) - Litigation with FleetCor and Comdata $ in Thousands	Feb. 01, 2017USD ($)	Nov. 03, 2016agreement	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Agreements in notice of termination | agreement		2
Litigation costs			$ 748
Subsequent event
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Minimum transaction fees withheld	$ 850
Maximum transaction fees withheld	$ 1,000

Inventory (Details)

Inventory (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventory	$ 207,829	$ 183,492
Nonfuel products
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventory	171,497	159,256
Fuel products
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventory	$ 36,332	$ 24,236

Segment Information - Segment R

Segment Information - Segment Results (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenues:
Fuel									$ 3,530,149	$ 4,055,448	$ 6,149,449
Nonfuel									1,963,904	1,782,761	1,616,802
Rent and royalties from franchisees									17,352	12,424	12,382
Total revenues	$ 1,424,287	$ 1,477,603	$ 1,445,065	$ 1,164,450	$ 1,351,056	$ 1,508,993	$ 1,582,883	$ 1,407,701	5,511,405	5,850,633	7,778,633
Site level gross margin in excess of site level operating expenses									515,799	504,038	503,202
Corporate operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative									139,052	121,767	106,823
Real estate rent									262,298	231,591	217,155
Depreciation and amortization									92,389	72,383	65,584
Income from operations	(4,602)	23,129	12,311	(8,778)	2,709	21,444	21,974	32,170	22,060	78,297	113,640
Acquisition costs									2,451	5,048	1,160
Interest expense, net									27,815	22,545	16,712
Income from equity investees									4,544	4,056	3,224
Loss on extinguishment of debt									0	10,502	0
(Loss) income before income taxes									(3,662)	44,258	98,992
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	(4,304)	6,263	1,985	(5,677)	(2,619)	6,157	2,515	10,486	(1,733)	16,539	38,023
Net (loss) income									(1,929)	27,719	60,969
Less net income for noncontrolling interests									89	0	0
Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders	(6,493)	$ 10,898	$ 3,521	$ (9,944)	(1,608)	$ 9,826	$ 3,772	$ 15,729	(2,018)	27,719	60,969
Capital expenditures for property and equipment									329,997	295,437	169,825
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired									71,935	320,290	28,695
Total assets	1,659,841				1,621,541				1,659,841	1,621,541	1,393,007
Operating Segments | Travel center segment
Revenues:
Fuel									3,036,861	3,763,536	5,961,985
Nonfuel									1,644,411	1,626,646	1,539,996
Rent and royalties from franchisees									13,628	12,424	12,382
Total revenues									4,694,900	5,402,606	7,514,363
Site level gross margin in excess of site level operating expenses									468,912	483,564	492,778
Corporate operating expenses:
Capital expenditures for property and equipment									200,513	210,385	147,509
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired									0	9,338	28,695
Total assets	767,639				725,714				767,639	725,714	829,071
Operating Segments | Convenience store segment
Revenues:
Fuel									420,747	224,894	113,221
Nonfuel									294,852	155,197	76,634
Rent and royalties from franchisees									306	0	0
Total revenues									715,905	380,091	189,855
Site level gross margin in excess of site level operating expenses									36,660	17,259	8,834
Corporate operating expenses:
Capital expenditures for property and equipment									58,197	14,191	3,668
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired									45,153	310,952	0
Total assets	516,343				431,014				516,343	431,014	87,782
Corporate and Other
Revenues:
Fuel									72,541	67,018	74,243
Nonfuel									24,641	918	172
Rent and royalties from franchisees									3,418	0	0
Total revenues									100,600	67,936	74,415
Site level gross margin in excess of site level operating expenses									10,227	3,215	1,590
Corporate operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative									139,052	121,767	106,823
Real estate rent									262,298	231,591	217,155
Depreciation and amortization									92,389	72,383	65,584
Acquisition costs									2,451	5,048	1,160
Interest expense, net									27,815	22,545	16,712
Income from equity investees									4,544	4,056	3,224
Loss on extinguishment of debt										10,502
(Benefit) provision for income taxes									(1,733)	16,539	38,023
Capital expenditures for property and equipment									71,287	70,861	18,648
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired									26,782	0	0
Total assets	$ 375,859				$ 464,813				$ 375,859	$ 464,813	$ 476,154

Selected Quarterly Financial 87

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)
Total revenues	$ 1,424,287	$ 1,477,603	$ 1,445,065	$ 1,164,450	$ 1,351,056	$ 1,508,993	$ 1,582,883	$ 1,407,701	$ 5,511,405	$ 5,850,633	$ 7,778,633
Gross profit (excluding depreciation)	361,620	394,796	378,498	340,292	346,911	358,480	345,794	338,499
(Loss) income from operations	(4,602)	23,129	12,311	(8,778)	2,709	21,444	21,974	32,170	22,060	78,297	113,640
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	(4,304)	6,263	1,985	(5,677)	(2,619)	6,157	2,515	10,486	(1,733)	16,539	38,023
Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders	$ (6,493)	$ 10,898	$ 3,521	$ (9,944)	$ (1,608)	$ 9,826	$ 3,772	$ 15,729	$ (2,018)	$ 27,719	$ 60,969
Net (loss) income per common share attributable to common shareholders:
Basic and diluted (in usd per share)	$ (0.17)	$ 0.28	$ 0.09	$ (0.26)	$ (0.04)	$ 0.26	$ 0.10	$ 0.41	$ (0.05)	$ 0.72	$ 1.62
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to common shareholders	$ (6,582)	$ 10,932	$ 3,581	$ (9,698)	$ (1,652)	$ 9,514	$ 3,754	$ 15,428	$ (1,767)	$ 27,044	$ 60,570
Benefit related to reinstatement of biodiesel and renewable energy fuel tax credits					$ 7,997