TravelCenters of America (TA) 10-K 28 Feb 18 2017 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Feb. 27, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
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, 2017
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			$ 133.1
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		39,983,742
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 36,082	$ 61,312
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $809 and $744 as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively)	125,501	107,246
Inventory	209,640	204,145
Other current assets	27,295	29,358
Total current assets	398,518	402,061
Property and equipment, net	1,001,090	1,082,022
Goodwill	93,859	88,542
Other intangible assets, net	34,383	37,738
Other noncurrent assets	90,004	49,478
Total assets	1,617,854	1,659,841
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	155,581	157,964
Current HPT Leases liabilities	41,389	39,720
Other current liabilities	130,140	132,648
Total current liabilities	327,110	330,332
Long term debt, net	319,634	318,739
Noncurrent HPT Leases liabilities	368,782	381,854
Other noncurrent liabilities	35,029	75,837
Total liabilities	1,050,555	1,106,762
Shareholders' equity:
Common shares, no par value, 41,369 shares authorized at December 31, 2017 and 2016, 39,984 and 39,523 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017, and 2016, respectively	690,688	686,348
Accumulated other comprehensive income	580	11
Accumulated deficit	(125,416)	(134,678)
Total TA shareholders' equity	565,852	551,681
Noncontrolling interests	1,447	1,398
Total shareholders' equity	567,299	553,079
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 1,617,854	$ 1,659,841

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 809	$ 744
Common shares, shares authorized	41,369	41,369
Common shares, shares issued	39,984	39,523
Common shares, shares outstanding	39,984	39,523

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Revenues:
Fuel	$ 4,090,912	$ 3,530,149	$ 4,055,448
Nonfuel	1,944,181	1,903,623	1,740,509
Rent and royalties from franchisees	16,500	17,352	12,424
Total revenues	6,051,593	5,451,124	5,808,381
Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation):
Fuel	3,696,733	3,125,372	3,640,954
Nonfuel	859,829	850,546	777,743
Total cost of goods sold	4,556,562	3,975,918	4,418,697
Operating expenses:
Site level operating	980,749	959,407	885,646
Selling, general and administrative	154,663	139,052	121,767
Real estate rent	277,127	262,298	231,591
Depreciation and amortization	128,416	92,389	72,383
Total operating expenses	1,540,955	1,453,146	1,311,387
(Loss) income from operations	(45,924)	22,060	78,297
Acquisition costs	247	2,451	5,048
Interest expense, net	29,962	27,815	22,545
Income from equity investees	1,088	4,544	4,056
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0	10,502
(Loss) income before income taxes	(75,045)	(3,662)	44,258
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	84,439	1,733	(16,539)
Net income (loss)	9,394	(1,929)	27,719
Less: net income for noncontrolling interests	132	89	0
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	9,262	(2,018)	27,719
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency income (loss), net of taxes of $179, $57 and $355, respectively	108	99	(655)
Equity interest in investee's unrealized gain (loss) on investments	461	152	(20)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	569	251	(675)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$ 9,831	$ (1,767)	$ 27,044
Net income (loss) per common share attributable to common shareholders:
Basic and diluted (in usd per share)	$ 0.23	$ (0.05)	$ 0.72

Consolidated Statements of Ope5

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Foreign currency income (loss), taxes	$ 179	$ 57	$ (355)

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 9,394	$ (1,929)	$ 27,719
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Noncash rent expense	(14,632)	(13,683)	(15,170)
Depreciation and amortization expense	128,416	92,389	72,383
Deferred income taxes	(85,432)	(2,167)	17,318
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0	10,502
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of business acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(18,507)	(14,503)	5,076
Inventory	(4,660)	(19,678)	6,464
Other assets	2,096	21,575	(2,870)
Accounts payable and other liabilities	8,123	46,405	8,072
Other, net	10,876	2,368	7,394
Net cash provided by operating activities	35,674	110,777	136,888
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from asset sales	109,374	193,082	378,250
Capital expenditures	(145,401)	(329,997)	(295,437)
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(19,858)	(71,935)	(320,290)
Investment in equity investee	(6,000)	(11,188)	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(61,885)	(220,038)	(237,477)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of Senior Notes	0	0	100,000
Payment of deferred financing costs	0	0	(4,506)
Proceeds from sale leaseback transactions with HPT	2,860	937	1,190
Sale leaseback financing obligation payments	(761)	(578)	(46,347)
Acquisition of treasury shares from employees	(1,175)	(1,394)	(1,842)
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	(83)	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	841	(1,035)	48,495
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	140	(479)	(94)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(25,230)	(110,775)	(52,188)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year	61,312	172,087	224,275
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year	36,082	61,312	172,087
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid (including rent classified as interest and net of capitalized interest)	31,611	29,846	21,204
Income taxes paid, net of refunds	$ 345	$ 243	$ 1,984

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	$ 518,610	$ 679,482	$ 435	$ (160,379)	$ (928)	$ 518,610	$ 0
Ending balance	518,610	$ 679,482	435	(160,379)	(928)	518,610	0
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		38,336
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
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
Retirement of treasury shares	2,770				2,770	2,770
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(675)		(675)			(675)
Net income (loss)	27,719			27,719		27,719
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015		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
Retirement of treasury shares	1,394				1,394	1,394
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	251		251			251
Net income (loss)	$ (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
Grants under share award plan and share based compensation, net (in shares)		461
Grants under share award plan and share based compensation, net	3,165	$ 4,340			(1,175)	3,165
Retirement of treasury shares	1,175				1,175	1,175
Distribution to noncontrolling interests	83						83
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	569		569			569
Net income (loss)	$ 9,394			9,262		9,262	132
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017	39,984	39,984
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Beginning balance	$ 567,299	$ 690,688	580	(125,416)	0	565,852	1,447
Ending balance	$ 567,299	$ 690,688	$ 580	$ (125,416)	$ 0	$ 565,852	$ 1,447

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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, 2017 , we operated and franchised 538 travel centers, standalone convenience stores and standalone restaurants. 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. We manage our business on the basis of two separately 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. As of December 31, 2017 , our business included 256 travel centers in 43 states in the United States, primarily along the U.S. interstate highway system, and the province of Ontario, Canada. Our travel centers included 178 locations operated under the "TravelCenters of America" and "TA" brand names and 78 locations operated under the "Petro Stopping Centers" and "Petro" brand names. Of our 256 travel centers at December 31, 2017 , we owned 30 , we leased 200 , we operated two for a joint venture in which we own a noncontrolling interest and 24 were owned or leased from others by our franchisees. We operated 228 of our travel centers and franchisees operated 28 travel centers, including four 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, 2017 , our business included 233 convenience stores in 11 states in the United States. We operate our convenience stores under the "Minit Mart" brand name. Of these 233 convenience stores at December 31, 2017 , 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 wash. We report this portion of our business as our convenience store segment. As of December 31, 2017 , our business included 49 standalone restaurants in 13 states in the United States operated primarily under the "Quaker Steak & Lube", or QSL, brand name. Of our 49 standalone restaurants at December 31, 2017 , we owned six , we leased nine , we operated one for a joint venture in which we own a noncontrolling interest and 33 were owned or leased from others by our franchisees. We report this portion of our business within corporate and other in our segment information. 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 income (loss). 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 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 Other 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 other 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, real estate rent expense and the discount rate used to measure the present value of projected future cash flows. We use a number of assumptions and methods in preparing valuations underlying impairment tests, and in some instances we may obtain third party appraisals. 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 site level because that is the lowest level of asset and liability groupings for which the cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. During 2017 , our estimates and assumptions resulted in total impairment charges of $9,769 related to certain convenience store locations. We assess intangible assets with definite lives for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining period of amortization. Definite lived intangible assets include our agreements with franchisees, leasehold interests, our agreements with franchisors and other intangible assets. For 2017, definite lived intangible assets were assessed using a qualitative analysis that was performed by assessing certain trends and factors, including actual sales, collection of royalties from franchisees and any changes in the manner in which the assets were used that could impact the value of the asset. During 2017, we did not record any impairment charges related to our definite lived intangible assets. 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 indefinite lived intangible assets to further evaluation and recognize impairment charges when events and circumstances indicate the carrying value of the goodwill or indefinite lived intangible asset exceeds the fair market value of the asset. For 2017 , indefinite lived intangible assets were assessed using a qualitative analysis that was performed by assessing certain trends and factors, including projected growth rates and actual sales and operating profit margins, discount rates, industry data and other relevant qualitative factors. These trends and factors were compared to, and based on, the assumptions used in the most recent quantitative assessment. During 2017, we did not record any impairment charges related to our indefinite lived intangible assets. We evaluate goodwill for impairment as of July 31, or more frequently if the circumstances warrant, at the reporting unit level. We have three reporting units, which include our two reportable segments, travel centers and convenience stores, and our QSL business. 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 the travel center and convenience store reporting units for 2017 was performed using a quantitative analysis under which the fair value of our reportable segments was estimated using both 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. If the business climate deteriorates, our actual results may not be consistent with these assumptions and estimates. The discount rate is an estimate of the overall after tax market rate of return we believe may be required by equity and debt holders of a business enterprise. The market approach considered the estimated fair values of possible comparable publicly traded companies. For each comparable publicly traded company, value indicators, or pricing multiples, were considered to estimate the value of our business enterprise. These analyses require the exercise of significant judgments, including judgments about appropriate discount rates, perpetual growth rates and the timing of expected future cash flows, including revenue growth rates and operating cash flow margins, of the respective reporting unit. The fair value estimates are sensitive and actual rates and results may differ materially. Applying different assumptions could lead to different results. We utilized a qualitative approach to perform impairment testing for the QSL business, which included evaluating financial trends and industry and market conditions. The fair value of our travel center reporting unit substantially exceeded its carrying value and the fair value of our convenience store reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount by 2.6% . Based on our analyses, we concluded that as of July 31, 2017, our goodwill was not impaired. Share Based Employee Compensation. We have historically granted awards of our common shares 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 income (loss). Environmental Remediation. We record remediation charges and penalties when the obligation to remediate is probable and the amount of associated costs are reasonably determinable. We include remediation expenses within site level operating expenses in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). 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 12 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 12 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, 2017 and 2016 , were $10,240 and $9,335 , 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 within our consolidated financial statements, primarily the reclassification of certain lottery adjustments from nonfuel cost of goods sold to nonfuel revenues in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). This reclassification is not considered material and has no impact on (loss) income from operations. In addition, we reclassified lottery tickets from inventory to other current assets in our consolidated balance sheets. 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. This new standard will apply for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods therein. To address implementation of ASU 2014-09 and evaluate its impact on our consolidated financial statements, we developed a project plan in which we utilized a bottom up approach to evaluate our revenue streams and related internal controls. We have selected the full retrospective transition method for adoption, which requires that we restate our consolidated financial statements for prior year comparative periods. Although the majority of our revenue is initiated at the point of sale, the implementation of this standard will impact the accounting for our loyalty programs, initial franchise fees and advertising contributions received from franchisees. Under ASU 2014-09, loyalty awards will be recognized as a separate performance obligation against the revenue that earned the loyalty award, which will result in a reclassification of $65,623 and $56,477 between fuel and nonfuel revenue in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, which will significantly affect our reported amounts for fuel gross margin per gallon (decrease) and nonfuel gross margin percentage (increase). However, the accounting for our loyalty program will not have a material impact on our (loss) income from operations or net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders or our consolidated balance sheets. The adjustments to reflect adoption of ASU 2014-09 with respect to our initial franchise fees and advertising contributions for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, are not material to our consolidated financial statements. 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 on the consolidated balance sheets 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 of this standard will have no effect on the cash we pay under our lease agreements, we expect amounts within our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) will 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, 2017
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	Acquisitions 2017 Acquisitions. During the year ended December 31, 2017 , we acquired six standalone restaurants from one of our franchisees and a travel center from another of our franchisees for an aggregate purchase price of $19,858 , and we 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 these acquisitions, including the respective results of operations from the beginning of the periods presented, are not material to our consolidated financial statements. 2016 Acquisitions. During the year ended December 31, 2016 , we acquired 29 convenience stores for a total of $45,153 and 11 standalone restaurants and franchise agreements for an additional 39 standalone restaurants for a total of $26,782 , and we accounted for these acquisitions as 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 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 Other 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.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment Property and equipment, net, at cost, as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , consisted of the following: December 31, 2017 2016 Land and improvements $ 315,696 $ 303,422 Buildings and improvements 376,404 341,803 Machinery, equipment and furniture 505,803 425,527 Leasehold improvements 242,943 224,713 Construction in progress 65,450 198,600 1,506,296 1,494,065 Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization 505,206 412,043 Property and equipment, net $ 1,001,090 $ 1,082,022 Total depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , was $124,419 , $88,892 and $70,042 , respectively, which included impairment charges of $9,769 for the year ended December 31, 2017 , related to certain convenience store locations. 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. See Note 7 for more information about our leases with HPT. December 31, 2017 2016 Land and improvements $ 14,565 $ 14,055 Buildings and improvements 9,848 7,498 Machinery, equipment and furniture 3,239 3,239 Leasehold improvements 114,686 114,987 142,338 139,779 Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization 89,129 80,533 Property and equipment, net $ 53,209 $ 59,246 At December 31, 2017 , our property and equipment balance included $16,408 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, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill and other intangible assets, net, as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , consisted of the following: December 31, 2017 Cost Accumulated Amortization Net Amortizable intangible assets: Agreements with franchisees $ 22,945 $ (11,221 ) $ 11,724 Leasehold interests 6,867 (2,777 ) 4,090 Agreements with franchisors 2,836 (1,893 ) 943 Other 5,190 (3,681 ) 1,509 Total amortizable intangible assets 37,838 (19,572 ) 18,266 Carrying value of trademarks (indefinite lives) 16,117 — 16,117 Total intangible assets 53,955 (19,572 ) 34,383 Goodwill 93,859 — 93,859 Goodwill and other intangible assets, net $ 147,814 $ (19,572 ) $ 128,242 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 other intangible assets, net $ 144,231 $ (17,951 ) $ 126,280 Total amortization expense for amortizable intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , was $3,057 , $2,570 and $1,703 , respectively. We amortize our amortizable intangible assets over a weighted average period of 12 years. The aggregate amortization expense for our amortizable intangible assets as of December 31, 2017, for each of the next five years is: Total 2018 $ 2,172 2019 2,054 2020 1,873 2021 1,653 2022 1,413 Goodwill. During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 , we recognized $5,517 and $8,809 , respectively, of goodwill in connection with our business combinations. Our goodwill balance included $77,738 that is deductible for tax purposes. Goodwill by reporting unit was as follows: December 31, 2017 2016 Travel center segment $ 21,613 $ 17,252 Convenience store segment 69,200 69,400 QSL business 3,046 1,890 Total goodwill $ 93,859 $ 88,542

Other Current Liabilities

Other Current Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Current Liabilities	Other Current Liabilities Other current liabilities, as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , consisted of the following: December 31, 2017 2016 Taxes payable, other than income taxes $ 48,976 $ 47,875 Accrued wages and benefits 20,674 19,146 Self insurance program accruals, current portion 15,301 14,732 Loyalty program accruals 15,165 13,686 Accrued capital expenditures 5,695 12,135 Other 24,329 25,074 Total other current liabilities $ 130,140 $ 132,648

Long Term Debt

Long Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long Term Debt	Long Term Debt Long term debt, net, as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , consisted of the following: December 31, 2017 2016 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 1,189 1,292 Deferred financing costs (11,555 ) (12,553 ) Total long term debt, net $ 319,634 $ 318,739 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. Our 8.00% Senior Notes due on December 15, 2029, or the 2029 Senior Notes, were issued in December 2014. 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 $111,100 , $120,960 and $99,960 , respectively, based on their respective closing prices on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (a Level 1 input) on December 31, 2017 . Revolving Credit Facility Our revolving credit facility, or the Credit Facility, matures on December 19, 2019. 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, 2017 , 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, 2017 , based on our qualified collateral, a total of $112,669 was available to us for loans and letters of credit under the Credit Facility. At December 31, 2017 , there were no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility but we had outstanding $17,795 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 $11,555 and $12,553 for our Senior Notes and $440 and $664 for our Credit Facility at December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively, net of accumulated amortization of $3,425 and $2,428 , and $680 and $456 , 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. We estimate we will recognize future amortization of deferred financing costs of $1,221 in 2018 , $1,214 in 2019 , $1,000 in 2020 , and $997 in each of the years 2021 and 2022 . We recognized interest expense from the amortization of deferred financing costs of $1,221 , $1,225 and $995 for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively.

Leasing Transactions

Leasing Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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 that are 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, 2017 , 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 sheets as reflected in the sale leaseback financing obligation): Total 2018 $ 300,864 2019 297,407 2020 295,146 2021 292,177 2022 288,069 Thereafter 2,207,232 Total $ 3,680,895 The expenses related to our operating leases are included in site level operating expenses; selling, general and administrative expenses; and real estate rent expense in the operating expenses section of our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Rent expense under our operating leases consisted of the following: Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Minimum rent $ 278,806 $ 263,212 $ 233,211 Sublease rent 7,035 7,463 8,422 Contingent rent (1) 2,195 1,304 (1,266 ) Total rent expense $ 288,036 $ 271,979 $ 240,367 (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, 2017 , we leased from HPT a total of 199 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 rent and deferred rent balances owed by us under our HPT Leases as of December 31, 2017 , were as follows: Number of Properties Initial Term End Date (1) Minimum Annual Deferred Rent (2) TA Lease 1 40 December 31, 2029 $ 52,763 $ 27,421 TA Lease 2 40 December 31, 2028 53,681 29,107 TA Lease 3 39 December 31, 2026 54,006 29,324 TA Lease 4 40 December 31, 2030 52,290 21,233 Petro Lease 40 June 30, 2032 69,527 42,915 Total 199 $ 282,267 $ 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, we previously deferred as of December 31, 2010, a total of $150,000 of rent payable by us, which remained outstanding as of December 31, 2017 . This deferred rent obligation was 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. We recognized rent expense of $264,628 , $249,966 and $221,159 , for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , 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 and $1,121 of percentage rent under our Petro Lease for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, pursuant to a prior agreement. 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, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , was $2,195 , $1,304 and $1,999 , respectively. 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, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , we sold to HPT $84,632 , $109,926 and $99,896 , respectively, of improvements we previously made to properties leased from HPT, and, as a result, our minimum annual rent payable to HPT increased by $7,194 , $9,344 and $8,491 , respectively. At December 31, 2017 , our property and equipment balance included $16,408 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. On September 25, 2017 , HPT purchased land and improvements that previously were leased by HPT from a third party and subleased to us. Effective as of that date, our rent due to that third party pursuant to the terms of our sublease with HPT ceased. Also on that date, we and HPT amended our lease to reflect our direct lease from HPT of that land and those improvements and to increase our minimum annual rent due to HPT by $731 , which was 8.5% of HPT's investment. On September 14, 2016 , HPT purchased a vacant land parcel located adjacent to a property we lease from HPT 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 . On October 30, 2015 , HPT purchased land and improvements that previously were leased by HPT from a third party and subleased to us. Effective as of that date, our rent due to that third party pursuant to the terms of our sublease with HPT ceased. Also on that date, we and HPT amended our lease to reflect our direct lease from HPT of that land and those improvements and to increase our minimum annual rent due to HPT by $1,275 , which was 8.5% of HPT's investment. 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 real estate 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 real estate 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 . On May 3, 2017 , we sold the remaining development property to HPT for $27,602 . 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. HPT challenged VDOT's estimate of the property's value and during 2017 engaged in mediation. Following the mediation, VDOT agreed to pay, and HPT agreed to accept, the sum of $7,209 as full payment for VDOT's acquisition of the travel center. In 2017, VDOT subsequently made payment to HPT of $1,031 , representing the agreed settlement less amounts previously paid to HPT (exclusive of interest). After deducting from this payment our and HPT's share of third party costs and expenses incurred in connection with the challenge of VDOT's initial valuation of the property, we and HPT will allocate and apply the remaining amount of $1,031 as set forth in the lease. The following table sets forth the amounts of annual minimum lease payments required under the HPT Leases as of December 31, 2017 , in each of the years shown. Annual Minimum Rent Rent for Ground Leases Subleased from HPT 2018 $ 282,267 $ 8,891 2019 282,267 7,066 2020 282,267 6,822 2021 282,267 5,240 2022 282,267 1,997 2023 282,267 1,009 2024 (1) 325,182 775 2025 282,267 303 2026 (2) 319,212 78 2027 228,261 78 2028 (3) 266,317 78 2029 (4) 210,755 78 2030 (5) 152,826 78 2031 69,527 78 2032 (6) 48,638 78 (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 $7,621 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 $8,949 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 $8,753 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 $9,776 due on December 31, 2030. (6) Includes estimated cost of removing underground storage tanks on the leased properties of $13,874 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 income (loss). Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Cash payments for rent under the HPT Leases $ 280,897 $ 265,482 $ 241,962 Change in accrued estimated percentage rent 356 430 (1,275 ) Adjustments to recognize expense on a straight line basis (383 ) (216 ) (4,910 ) Less: sale leaseback financing obligation amortization (658 ) (477 ) (974 ) Less: portion of rent payments recognized as interest expense (1,681 ) (1,729 ) (3,445 ) Less: deferred tenant improvements allowance amortization (3,770 ) (3,769 ) (5,019 ) Amortization of deferred gain on sale leaseback transactions (10,133 ) (9,755 ) (5,180 ) Rent expense related to HPT Leases 264,628 249,966 221,159 Rent paid to others (1) 12,813 12,447 10,583 Adjustments to recognize expense on a straight line basis for other leases (314 ) (115 ) (151 ) Total real estate rent expense $ 277,127 $ 262,298 $ 231,591 (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 $ 24,170 $ 22,868 Sale leaseback financing obligation (1) 863 484 Straight line rent accrual (2) 2,458 2,458 Deferred gain (3) 10,128 10,140 Deferred tenant improvements allowance (4) 3,770 3,770 Total current HPT Leases liabilities $ 41,389 $ 39,720 Noncurrent HPT Leases liabilities: Deferred rent obligation $ 150,000 $ 150,000 Sale leaseback financing obligation (1) 22,987 21,165 Straight line rent accrual (2) 46,937 47,771 Deferred gain (3) 111,041 121,331 Deferred tenant improvements allowance (4) 37,817 41,587 Total noncurrent HPT Leases liabilities $ 368,782 $ 381,854 (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 real estate rent expense. (2) Straight Line Rent Accrual. Straight line rent accrual includes the 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 real estate 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 real estate 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, 2017 , we leased to franchisees four travel centers. Two of the four franchisees exercised their final renewal term options and renewed their lease agreements during 2017, and the current terms of these two lease agreements expire in June 2022. The remaining two franchisees did not exercise their final renewal term options and therefore, the related lease agreements expired during 2017. One of these franchisees has filed, and the other has indicated an intent to file, requests for a preliminary injunction preventing their eviction from the lease premises until such time as a court can determine whether we breached the terms of the leases by proposing increases in rent during the final renewal terms or whether they have breached their agreements. As this matter proceeds through the courts, these two franchisees currently are operating under certain terms of the expired lease agreements. 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 $4,208 , $4,439 and $4,458 for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Future minimum lease payments due to us for the two leased sites under these operating leases as of December 31, 2017 , were $1,927 for each of the years 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, and $963 for 2022.

Shareholders' Equity

Shareholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Shareholders' Equity	Shareholders' Equity Share Award Plans. 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 had not yet vested have continued, and 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 751 , 926 and 671 common shares under the Share Award Plans during the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively, with aggregate market values of $3,528 , $6,120 and $6,607 , 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, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , we recognized total share based compensation expense of $5,515 , $5,523 and $5,507 , respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , the vesting date fair value of common shares that vested was $3,781 , $5,040 and $7,621 , respectively. The weighted average grant date fair value of common shares awarded during the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , was $4.70 , $6.61 and $9.84 , 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, 2017 , 633 common shares remained available for issuance under the 2016 Plan. As of December 31, 2017 , there was a total of $10,664 of share based compensation related to unvested common shares that will be expensed over a weighted average remaining service period of three 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, 2017 . Number of Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share Unvested shares balance as of December 31, 2016 2,098 $ 7.50 Granted 751 4.70 Vested (818 ) 6.93 Forfeited/canceled (18 ) 7.93 Unvested shares balance as of December 31, 2017 2,013 6.68 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 required tax withholding obligations with respect to their share awards. For the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , we acquired through this share withholding process 272 , 209 and 197 common shares, respectively, with an aggregate value of $1,175 , $1,394 and $1,842 , respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , we retired 272 , 209 and 287 treasury shares, no par value, respectively, with a carrying value of $1,175 , $1,394 and $2,770 , respectively, that reduced common shares outstanding. Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share Attributable to Common Shareholders We calculate basic earnings per common share by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The net income (loss) attributable to participating securities is deducted from our total net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders to determine the net income (loss) 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, 2017 , 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 income (loss) attributable to common shareholders to net income (loss) available to common shareholders and the related earnings per share. Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders, as reported $ 9,262 $ (2,018 ) $ 27,719 Less: net income (loss) attributable to participating securities 481 (100 ) 1,386 Net income (loss) available to common shareholders $ 8,781 $ (1,918 ) $ 26,333 Weighted average common shares (1) 37,524 36,976 36,485 Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share $ 0.23 $ (0.05 ) $ 0.72 (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 2,057 for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 1,920 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 .

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes We had a tax benefit of $84,439 and $1,733 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively, and a tax provision of $16,539 for the year ended December 31, 2015 . Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 U.S. federal statutory rate applied to income (loss) before income taxes $ 25,958 $ 1,074 $ (15,661 ) Uncertain tax position resolution 58,602 — — Benefit of tax credits 2,902 2,849 2,574 State income taxes, net of federal benefit 2,221 1,621 (1,695 ) Provision to return adjustments 443 (910 ) 199 Nondeductible executive compensation — (841 ) (1,499 ) Other nondeductible expenses (322 ) (331 ) (271 ) Tax rate change (6,356 ) — — Other, net 991 (1,729 ) (186 ) Total tax benefit (provision) $ 84,439 $ 1,733 $ (16,539 ) In December 2017, the U.S. government enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or the Tax Act, which, among other things, decreased the corporate statutory tax rate from 35% to 21%. We applied the effect of the Tax Act in 2017, the period in which the Tax Act was enacted. Passage of the Tax Act, among other things, required us to revalue our deferred tax assets and liabilities at the new statutory rate, which resulted in a decrease in our tax benefit of $6,356 for the year ended December 31, 2017 . We will monitor future interpretations of the Tax Act as they develop and accordingly, our estimates may change. Components of the Income Tax Benefit (Provision) Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Current tax benefit (provision) Federal $ 32,883 $ 2,101 $ (6,513 ) State (5,575 ) 3,974 (2,659 ) Total current tax benefit (provision) 27,308 6,075 (9,172 ) Deferred tax benefit (provision): Federal 48,139 (2,861 ) (7,438 ) State 8,992 (1,481 ) 71 Total deferred tax benefit (provision) 57,131 (4,342 ) (7,367 ) Total tax benefit (provision) $ 84,439 $ 1,733 $ (16,539 ) Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities December 31, 2017 2016 Deferred tax assets: Straight line rent accrual $ 13,542 $ 19,846 Reserves 16,566 24,575 Deferred gains 32,949 55,110 Asset retirement obligations 2,765 3,827 Tax credit carryforwards 27,414 10,331 Tax loss carryforwards 61,961 29,782 Deferred tenant improvements allowance 11,228 18,596 Other 6,083 10,699 Total deferred tax assets before valuation allowance 172,508 172,766 Valuation allowance (1,027 ) (600 ) Total deferred tax assets 171,481 172,166 Deferred tax liabilities: Property and equipment (120,297 ) (176,117 ) Goodwill and other intangible assets (5,632 ) (7,865 ) Other (1,466 ) (1,050 ) Total deferred tax liabilities (127,395 ) (185,032 ) Net deferred tax assets (liabilities) $ 44,086 $ (12,866 ) As of December 31, 2017 , we had a valuation allowance of $1,027 related to federal capital loss and foreign credit carryforwards, state net operating losses and deferred tax assets in foreign jurisdictions due to the uncertainty of their realization. At December 31, 2017 , we had carryforwards for federal net operating losses, state net operating losses and federal tax credits of $245,598 , $173,082 and $27,414 , respectively. Although not anticipated, $58,473 of the federal net operating losses is scheduled to expire in 2031 if unused. We anticipate $19 of the state net operating losses will expire in 2018, and the remainder to be utilized prior to expiration beginning in 2021. Federal tax credit carryforwards of $498 may expire between 2019 and 2025 if unused, with the remainder expected 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, 2017 2016 Net deferred tax amounts are included in: Other noncurrent assets $ 44,086 $ — Other noncurrent liabilities — (12,866 ) Uncertain Tax Positions Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Balance at beginning of period $ 59,742 $ 59,742 $ 59,557 Changes to current year tax positions (1,140 ) — — Interest — — 185 Lapse in statute of limitations (58,602 ) — — Balance at end of period $ — $ 59,742 $ 59,742 Because of uncertainties concerning our value as of the date of an ownership change for federal income tax purposes that we experienced as a result of certain trading in our common shares during 2007, and 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, we previously had not recognized certain of our tax attributes. In September 2017, as a result of a number of factors including the passage of time and the results of audits of certain of our U.S. federal income tax returns, the uncertainty related to the filing positions giving rise to these tax attributes was resolved and, accordingly, we recognized deferred tax assets related to those tax attributes and reversed a related accrued tax liability. The benefit for income taxes in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2017 , includes $58,602 recognized in connection with the resolution of the previous uncertain tax positions. Our U.S. federal income tax returns are subject to tax examinations for the years ended December 31, 2014 through 2017 . Our state and Canadian income tax returns are generally subject to examination for the tax years ended December 31, 2013 through 2017 . 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, 2017
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity Investments	Equity Investments As of December 31, 2017 , our investment in equity affiliates, which are presented in our consolidated balance sheets in other noncurrent assets, and our proportional share of our investees' net income (loss) recognized in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) were as follows: PTP Other (1) Total Investment balance: As of December 31, 2017 $ 20,807 $ 21,695 $ 42,502 As of December 31, 2016 21,657 24,097 45,754 Income (loss) from equity investments: Year ended December 31, 2017 $ 3,951 $ (2,863 ) $ 1,088 Year ended December 31, 2016 4,614 (70 ) 4,544 Year ended December 31, 2015 4,036 20 4,056 (1) Includes other equity investments, 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 we receive a management fee from PTP to operate these locations. This investment is accounted for under the equity method. We recognized management fee income of $1,540 , $1,055 and $838 for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. In addition, we supply PTP with its fuel at our cost. During the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , we sold to PTP $59,943 , $55,004 and $60,875 of fuel, respectively. The following tables set forth summarized financial information of PTP and does not represent the amounts we have included in our consolidated financial statements in connection with our investment in PTP. December 31, 2017 2016 Total current assets $ 10,759 $ 12,605 Total noncurrent assets 56,676 56,047 Total current liabilities 2,262 1,909 Total noncurrent liabilities 15,468 15,456 Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Total revenues $ 119,463 $ 114,331 $ 115,313 Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation) 85,729 80,664 84,820 Operating income 10,896 12,784 11,083 Net income and comprehensive income 10,418 12,077 10,629 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, 2017 , 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, 2017
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, 2017 , owned 3,420 of our common shares, or approximately 8.6% of our outstanding common shares. Our Managing Director, Adam D. Portnoy, serves, and our former Managing Director, Barry M. Portnoy, served, as a managing trustee of HPT. Ethan S. Bornstein, Adam D. Portnoy's brother-in-law, is an executive officer of HPT. Thomas M. O'Brien, who served as one of our Managing Directors and our President and Chief Executive Officer until December 31, 2017, 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 and to indemnify HPT for any liabilities it may incur relating to our assets and business. Lease Arrangements . As of December 31, 2017 , we leased from HPT a total of 199 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 a business management agreement with RMR to provide management services to us, which relates to various aspects of our business generally. Until July 31, 2017, we also had a property management agreement with RMR, which related to building management services for our headquarters building. See Note 11 for more information about our current and former 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 majority owned subsidiary of The RMR Group Inc. Our Managing Director, Adam D. Portnoy, is a managing director and an officer and, as the current sole trustee of ABP Trust, is the controlling shareholder of The RMR Group Inc. and an officer of RMR. Adam D. Portnoy, as the current sole trustee of ABP Trust, beneficially owns all the class A membership units of RMR. Barry M. Portnoy was our other Managing Director and a director and an officer of The RMR Group Inc. and an officer of RMR until his death on February 25, 2018. Andrew J. Rebholz, our Chief Executive Officer, Barry A. Richards, our President and Chief Operating Officer, William E. Myers, our Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, and Mark R. Young, our Executive Vice President and General Counsel, are officers and employees of RMR. Thomas M. O'Brien, who served as one of our Managing Directors and our President and Chief Executive Officer until December 31, 2017, was also an officer and an employee of RMR until December 31, 2017. 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 subsidiaries provide management services. Adam D. Portnoy serves as a managing director or managing trustee of almost all of the public companies to which RMR or its subsidiaries provide management services. In addition, officers of RMR and The RMR Group Inc. serve as our officers and officers of other companies to which RMR or its subsidiaries provide 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 67 , 63 and 62 shares with an aggregate value of $319 , $416 and $575 to such persons during the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , 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. During these periods, we purchased some of our common shares from certain of our and RMR's officers and employees in satisfaction of tax withholding and payment obligations in connection with the vesting of awards of our common shares. We made these purchases 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. CEO Retirement . On November 29, 2017, we and RMR entered into a retirement agreement with Thomas M. O'Brien. Pursuant to his retirement agreement, Thomas M. O'Brien continued to serve as our President and Chief Executive Officer and as one of our Managing Directors until December 31, 2017, and he will remain our employee through June 30, 2018, in order to continue to assist in transitioning his duties and responsibilities to his successor. Under Thomas M. O'Brien's retirement agreement, (i) consistent with past practice, we will continue to pay Thomas M. O'Brien his current annual base salary of $300 until June 30, 2018, and we paid a cash bonus in respect of 2017 in the amount of $2,060 in December 2017 and (ii) in lieu of any share grants for his 2017 service, we paid an additional cash payment in the amount of $475 to Thomas M. O'Brien in December 2017. Subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, after his retirement from the Company on June 30, 2018, we will make an additional cash payment to Thomas M. O'Brien in the amount of $1,505 and fully accelerate the vesting of any then unvested common shares of the Company previously awarded to Thomas M. O'Brien. The retirement agreement does not entitle Thomas M. O'Brien to any additional share awards from us. Pursuant to his retirement agreement, Thomas M. O'Brien granted to us or our nominee a right of first refusal in the event he determines to sell any of his shares of the Company, pursuant to which we may elect during a specified period to purchase those shares at the average closing price per share for the ten trading days preceding the date of his written notice to us of his intent to sell. In the event that we decline to exercise our purchase right, RMR may elect to purchase such shares at the price offered to us. Thomas M. O'Brien also agreed that, as long as he owns shares in the Company, he will vote those shares at shareholders' meetings in favor of nominees for director and proposals recommended by our Board of Directors. Thomas M. O'Brien's retirement agreement contains other terms and conditions, including cooperation, confidentiality, non-solicitation, non-competition and other covenants, and a waiver and release. Thomas M. O'Brien's retirement agreement also contains certain terms relating to RMR and other companies to which RMR or its subsidiaries provide management services. Relationship with AIC We, HPT and five other companies to which RMR provides management services each currently own 14.3% of AIC, an Indiana insurance company and are parties to a shareholders agreement regarding 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 to 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 $1,721 , $2,281 and $2,283 , respectively, in connection with this insurance program for the policy years ending June 30, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Our aggregate annual premiums for the current policy year may be adjusted from time to time as we acquire or dispose of properties that are included in this insurance program. As of December 31, 2017 , we have invested $6,054 in AIC since its formation in 2008. Our investment in AIC had a carrying value of $8,185 and $7,116 as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. These amounts are included in other noncurrent assets in our consolidated balance sheets. We recognized income of $608 , $137 and $20 , related to our investment in AIC for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Our other comprehensive income (loss) includes our proportional share of unrealized gains (losses) on securities held for sale, which are owned by AIC, of $461 , $152 and $(20) for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Directors' and Officers' Liability Insurance We, The RMR Group Inc., RMR and certain companies to which RMR or its subsidiaries provide management services, including HPT, participate in a combined directors' and officers' liability insurance policy. The current combined policy expires in September 2018. We paid aggregate premiums of $156 , $91 and $225 in the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively, for these policies.
Affiliated entity | RMR
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Business and Property Management Agreements with RMR	Business and Property Management Agreements with RMR We have a business management agreement with RMR to provide management services to us, 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. Until July 31, 2017, we also had a property management agreement under which RMR provided 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 fuel gross margin (which is our fuel revenues less our fuel cost of goods sold) plus our total nonfuel revenues. The fee is payable monthly based on the prior month's gross margin and revenues. This fee totaled $14,030 , $14,212 and $13,179 for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. These amounts are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The current term of our business management agreement with RMR ends on December 31, 2018 , 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. 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 subsidiaries provide management services, which amounts are subject to approval by our Compensation Committee. Our Audit Committee appoints our Director of Internal Audit and our Compensation Committee approves our portion of RMR's internal audit costs. The amounts recognized as expense for internal audit costs were $276 , $235 and $257 for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. These amounts are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) and are in addition to the business management fees paid to RMR. Pursuant to our business management agreement, RMR may from time to time negotiate on our behalf with certain third party vendors and suppliers for the procurement of services to us. As part of this arrangement, we may enter agreements with RMR and other companies to which RMR provides management services for the purpose of obtaining more favorable terms from such vendors and suppliers. In addition, RMR has agreed to provide certain transition services to us for 120 days following termination by us or notice of termination by RMR. Property Management Agreement. Until July 31, 2017, we also had a property management agreement with RMR under which RMR provided building management services to us for our headquarters building. We paid RMR aggregate fees and expenses of $78 , $153 and $145 for property management services at our headquarters building for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. These amounts are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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, 2017 , owned 3,420 of our common shares, or approximately 8.6% of our outstanding common shares. Our Managing Director, Adam D. Portnoy, serves, and our former Managing Director, Barry M. Portnoy, served, as a managing trustee of HPT. Ethan S. Bornstein, Adam D. Portnoy's brother-in-law, is an executive officer of HPT. Thomas M. O'Brien, who served as one of our Managing Directors and our President and Chief Executive Officer until December 31, 2017, 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 and to indemnify HPT for any liabilities it may incur relating to our assets and business. Lease Arrangements . As of December 31, 2017 , we leased from HPT a total of 199 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 a business management agreement with RMR to provide management services to us, which relates to various aspects of our business generally. Until July 31, 2017, we also had a property management agreement with RMR, which related to building management services for our headquarters building. See Note 11 for more information about our current and former 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 majority owned subsidiary of The RMR Group Inc. Our Managing Director, Adam D. Portnoy, is a managing director and an officer and, as the current sole trustee of ABP Trust, is the controlling shareholder of The RMR Group Inc. and an officer of RMR. Adam D. Portnoy, as the current sole trustee of ABP Trust, beneficially owns all the class A membership units of RMR. Barry M. Portnoy was our other Managing Director and a director and an officer of The RMR Group Inc. and an officer of RMR until his death on February 25, 2018. Andrew J. Rebholz, our Chief Executive Officer, Barry A. Richards, our President and Chief Operating Officer, William E. Myers, our Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, and Mark R. Young, our Executive Vice President and General Counsel, are officers and employees of RMR. Thomas M. O'Brien, who served as one of our Managing Directors and our President and Chief Executive Officer until December 31, 2017, was also an officer and an employee of RMR until December 31, 2017. 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 subsidiaries provide management services. Adam D. Portnoy serves as a managing director or managing trustee of almost all of the public companies to which RMR or its subsidiaries provide management services. In addition, officers of RMR and The RMR Group Inc. serve as our officers and officers of other companies to which RMR or its subsidiaries provide 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 67 , 63 and 62 shares with an aggregate value of $319 , $416 and $575 to such persons during the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , 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. During these periods, we purchased some of our common shares from certain of our and RMR's officers and employees in satisfaction of tax withholding and payment obligations in connection with the vesting of awards of our common shares. We made these purchases 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. CEO Retirement . On November 29, 2017, we and RMR entered into a retirement agreement with Thomas M. O'Brien. Pursuant to his retirement agreement, Thomas M. O'Brien continued to serve as our President and Chief Executive Officer and as one of our Managing Directors until December 31, 2017, and he will remain our employee through June 30, 2018, in order to continue to assist in transitioning his duties and responsibilities to his successor. Under Thomas M. O'Brien's retirement agreement, (i) consistent with past practice, we will continue to pay Thomas M. O'Brien his current annual base salary of $300 until June 30, 2018, and we paid a cash bonus in respect of 2017 in the amount of $2,060 in December 2017 and (ii) in lieu of any share grants for his 2017 service, we paid an additional cash payment in the amount of $475 to Thomas M. O'Brien in December 2017. Subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, after his retirement from the Company on June 30, 2018, we will make an additional cash payment to Thomas M. O'Brien in the amount of $1,505 and fully accelerate the vesting of any then unvested common shares of the Company previously awarded to Thomas M. O'Brien. The retirement agreement does not entitle Thomas M. O'Brien to any additional share awards from us. Pursuant to his retirement agreement, Thomas M. O'Brien granted to us or our nominee a right of first refusal in the event he determines to sell any of his shares of the Company, pursuant to which we may elect during a specified period to purchase those shares at the average closing price per share for the ten trading days preceding the date of his written notice to us of his intent to sell. In the event that we decline to exercise our purchase right, RMR may elect to purchase such shares at the price offered to us. Thomas M. O'Brien also agreed that, as long as he owns shares in the Company, he will vote those shares at shareholders' meetings in favor of nominees for director and proposals recommended by our Board of Directors. Thomas M. O'Brien's retirement agreement contains other terms and conditions, including cooperation, confidentiality, non-solicitation, non-competition and other covenants, and a waiver and release. Thomas M. O'Brien's retirement agreement also contains certain terms relating to RMR and other companies to which RMR or its subsidiaries provide management services. Relationship with AIC We, HPT and five other companies to which RMR provides management services each currently own 14.3% of AIC, an Indiana insurance company and are parties to a shareholders agreement regarding 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 to 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 $1,721 , $2,281 and $2,283 , respectively, in connection with this insurance program for the policy years ending June 30, 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Our aggregate annual premiums for the current policy year may be adjusted from time to time as we acquire or dispose of properties that are included in this insurance program. As of December 31, 2017 , we have invested $6,054 in AIC since its formation in 2008. Our investment in AIC had a carrying value of $8,185 and $7,116 as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. These amounts are included in other noncurrent assets in our consolidated balance sheets. We recognized income of $608 , $137 and $20 , related to our investment in AIC for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Our other comprehensive income (loss) includes our proportional share of unrealized gains (losses) on securities held for sale, which are owned by AIC, of $461 , $152 and $(20) for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Directors' and Officers' Liability Insurance We, The RMR Group Inc., RMR and certain companies to which RMR or its subsidiaries provide management services, including HPT, participate in a combined directors' and officers' liability insurance policy. The current combined policy expires in September 2018. We paid aggregate premiums of $156 , $91 and $225 in the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively, for these policies.

Contingencies

Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingencies	Contingencies 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 have 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 and 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, 2017 , we had an accrued liability of $2,751 for environmental matters as well as a receivable for expected recoveries of certain of these estimated future expenditures of $687 , resulting in an estimated net amount of $2,064 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 to develop and implement a comprehensive compliance program for the underground storage tank systems at all of our California facilities that is above and beyond minimum requirements of California law (which costs have since been incurred and were verified as of February 2017). 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 were 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 subsequently met with the State Water Board to attempt to respond to these matters without a court hearing. On November 11, 2017, we reached an agreement with the State Water Board by agreeing to pay $500 of suspended penalties. Although it is possible that, if we fail to comply with certain underground storage tank laws and regulations prior to March 2019, we may become liable for the remaining $500 of suspended penalties, based on current information, we do not believe this is reasonably likely to occur and, accordingly, we reversed $500 of our previously recognized liability in the fourth quarter 2017. 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 which expires in June 2018. 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. 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 or are aware of will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. On November 30, 2016, we filed a complaint, or the Complaint, captioned TA Operating LLC v. Comdata, Inc. , et al. C.A. No. 12954-CB (Del. Ch.), in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or the Court, against Comdata Inc., or Comdata, and its parent company with respect to a notice of termination we received from Comdata on November 3, 2016. Based upon Comdata's assertion that we had breached an agreement under which we agreed to install radio frequency identification, or RFID, technology at our travel centers, or the RFID Agreement, the notice purported to terminate a different agreement between us and Comdata under which we agreed to accept Comdata issued fuel cards through January 2, 2022, for certain purchases by our customers in exchange for fees payable by us to Comdata, or the Merchant Agreement. In the Complaint, we sought, among other things, (a) a declaration that we are not in default under the 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 the Merchant Agreement; (f) injunctive relief; and (g) damages, including attorneys' 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 under the RFID Agreement and that this alleged default allows Comdata to terminate both the RFID Agreement and the Merchant Agreement. In addition, from February 1, 2017, until mid-September 2017, Comdata unilaterally withheld increased fees from the transaction settlement payments due to us. During the year ended December 31, 2017 , the difference between the withheld fees and the fees payable under the Merchant Agreement totaled $6,903 . After a trial in April 2017, and post-trial briefing and argument, on September 11, 2017, the Court issued its post-trial Memorandum Opinion. The Court found that we are entitled to, among other things, an order requiring Comdata to specifically perform under the Merchant Agreement, and awarded damages to us and against Comdata for the difference between the higher transaction fees we paid to Comdata since February 1, 2017, and what we would have paid during this period under the fee structure in the Merchant Agreement, plus pre- and post- judgment interest. The Court also found that the Merchant Agreement provides for an award of reasonable attorneys' fees and costs to the prevailing party in a lawsuit enforcing any rights under the Merchant Agreement. The Court directed us and Comdata to submit a form of final judgment with an accounting of our damages and a proposed schedule for resolution of the fees and costs within ten days of the date of the Memorandum Opinion. We and Comdata reached agreement on the amount of excess fees to be paid to us by Comdata and on the calculation of pre-judgment interest, but did not reach agreement on when final judgment should enter and on the amounts of, or schedule for resolving an award of, attorney's fees and costs. Consequently, we and Comdata each filed our own proposed forms of final judgment. On October 17, 2017, the Court entered an order outlining a schedule for resolving issues related to attorney's fees and costs. In September 2017, we recognized a receivable, with an offsetting reduction of transaction fees expense, of $6,903 for the amount of excess transaction fees we subsequently recovered from Comdata in November 2017. The transaction fee expense which we paid net of the amount we recovered from Comdata is included in site level operating expenses in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). During the year ended December 31, 2017 , we recognized litigation expenses related to this matter of $9,706 , which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Although the Court's September 11, 2017, Memorandum Opinion found that the prevailing party in litigation to enforce the Merchant Agreement is entitled to recover its reasonable attorneys' fees and costs plus pre- and post- judgment interest, we have not recognized any amounts of receivable or expense reduction for these attorneys' fees and costs, as the Court has not determined the amount of fees and costs that we are entitled to recover. Our attorneys' fees and costs related to this matter totaled $10,518 through December 31, 2017 .

Inventory

Inventory	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventory	Inventory Inventory at December 31, 2017 and 2016 , consisted of the following: December 31, December 31, Nonfuel products $ 169,140 $ 167,813 Fuel products 40,500 36,332 Total inventory $ 209,640 $ 204,145

Segment Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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. Our separately reportable segments are travel centers and convenience stores. 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 highway and local 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, 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 wash. Corporate and Other We include unallocated corporate expenses and the operations of our standalone restaurants and distribution centers, 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 income and expenses 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 policies 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, 2017 Travel Centers Convenience Stores Corporate and Other Consolidated Revenues: Fuel $ 3,533,121 $ 480,917 $ 76,874 $ 4,090,912 Nonfuel 1,636,009 269,854 38,318 1,944,181 Rent and royalties from franchisees 12,304 215 3,981 16,500 Total revenues 5,181,434 750,986 119,173 6,051,593 Site level gross margin in excess of site level operating expenses $ 463,833 $ 40,554 $ 9,895 $ 514,282 Corporate operating expenses: Selling, general and administrative $ 154,663 $ 154,663 Real estate rent 277,127 277,127 Depreciation and amortization 128,416 128,416 Loss from operations (45,924 ) Acquisition costs 247 247 Interest expense, net 29,962 29,962 Income from equity investees 1,088 1,088 Loss before income taxes (75,045 ) Benefit for income taxes 84,439 84,439 Net income 9,394 Less: net income for noncontrolling interests 132 Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 9,262 Capital expenditures for property and equipment $ 94,174 $ 22,979 $ 28,248 $ 145,401 Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired 13,748 — 6,110 19,858 Total assets 708,295 491,866 417,693 1,617,854 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 1,615,405 263,577 24,641 1,903,623 Rent and royalties from franchisees 13,628 306 3,418 17,352 Total revenues 4,665,894 684,630 100,600 5,451,124 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 754,372 516,343 389,126 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 1,599,088 140,503 918 1,740,509 Rent and royalties from franchisees 12,424 — — 12,424 Total revenues 5,375,048 365,397 67,936 5,808,381 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 720,149 431,014 470,378 1,621,541

Selected Quarterly Financial Da

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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, 2017 and 2016 : Year Ended December 31, 2017 First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Total revenues $ 1,390,766 $ 1,498,668 $ 1,575,677 $ 1,584,765 Total gross margin 345,056 390,246 394,173 365,556 (Loss) income from operations (41,470 ) 1,630 13,112 (19,161 ) Benefit for income taxes 19,315 2,380 56,268 6,476 Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders (29,424 ) (3,013 ) 62,324 (20,625 ) Net (loss) income per common share attributable to common shareholders: Basic and diluted $ (0.74 ) $ (0.08 ) $ 1.58 $ (0.52 ) Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to common shareholders $ (29,276 ) $ (2,902 ) $ 62,529 $ (20,520 ) Year Ended December 31, 2016 First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Total revenues $ 1,149,822 $ 1,430,008 $ 1,462,646 $ 1,408,648 Total gross margin 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 ) During the fourth quarter of 2017 , we recognized a $6,356 charge to the benefit for income taxes in order to revalue our deferred tax assets and liabilities at the new statutory rate of 21%, a decrease from 35%, as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted in December 2017. We also recognized a $5,389 impairment charge relating to certain property and equipment and a $1,546 write off of certain assets.

Summary of Significant Accoun24

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Segment Reporting	We manage our business on the basis of two separately 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 income (loss). 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 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 Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other 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, real estate rent expense and the discount rate used to measure the present value of projected future cash flows. We use a number of assumptions and methods in preparing valuations underlying impairment tests, and in some instances we may obtain third party appraisals. 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 site level because that is the lowest level of asset and liability groupings for which the cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. During 2017 , our estimates and assumptions resulted in total impairment charges of $9,769 related to certain convenience store locations. We assess intangible assets with definite lives for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining period of amortization. Definite lived intangible assets include our agreements with franchisees, leasehold interests, our agreements with franchisors and other intangible assets. For 2017, definite lived intangible assets were assessed using a qualitative analysis that was performed by assessing certain trends and factors, including actual sales, collection of royalties from franchisees and any changes in the manner in which the assets were used that could impact the value of the asset. During 2017, we did not record any impairment charges related to our definite lived intangible assets. 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 indefinite lived intangible assets to further evaluation and recognize impairment charges when events and circumstances indicate the carrying value of the goodwill or indefinite lived intangible asset exceeds the fair market value of the asset. For 2017 , indefinite lived intangible assets were assessed using a qualitative analysis that was performed by assessing certain trends and factors, including projected growth rates and actual sales and operating profit margins, discount rates, industry data and other relevant qualitative factors. These trends and factors were compared to, and based on, the assumptions used in the most recent quantitative assessment. During 2017, we did not record any impairment charges related to our indefinite lived intangible assets. We evaluate goodwill for impairment as of July 31, or more frequently if the circumstances warrant, at the reporting unit level. We have three reporting units, which include our two reportable segments, travel centers and convenience stores, and our QSL business. 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 shares 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 income (loss).
Environmental Remediation	Environmental Remediation. We record remediation charges and penalties when the obligation to remediate is probable and the amount of associated costs are reasonably determinable. We include remediation expenses within site level operating expenses in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). 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 12 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 12 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	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 within our consolidated financial statements, primarily the reclassification of certain lottery adjustments from nonfuel cost of goods sold to nonfuel revenues in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). This reclassification is not considered material and has no impact on (loss) income from operations. In addition, we reclassified lottery tickets from inventory to other current assets in our consolidated balance sheets.
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. This new standard will apply for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods therein. To address implementation of ASU 2014-09 and evaluate its impact on our consolidated financial statements, we developed a project plan in which we utilized a bottom up approach to evaluate our revenue streams and related internal controls. We have selected the full retrospective transition method for adoption, which requires that we restate our consolidated financial statements for prior year comparative periods. Although the majority of our revenue is initiated at the point of sale, the implementation of this standard will impact the accounting for our loyalty programs, initial franchise fees and advertising contributions received from franchisees. Under ASU 2014-09, loyalty awards will be recognized as a separate performance obligation against the revenue that earned the loyalty award, which will result in a reclassification of $65,623 and $56,477 between fuel and nonfuel revenue in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, which will significantly affect our reported amounts for fuel gross margin per gallon (decrease) and nonfuel gross margin percentage (increase). However, the accounting for our loyalty program will not have a material impact on our (loss) income from operations or net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders or our consolidated balance sheets. The adjustments to reflect adoption of ASU 2014-09 with respect to our initial franchise fees and advertising contributions for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, are not material to our consolidated financial statements. 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 on the consolidated balance sheets 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 of this standard will have no effect on the cash we pay under our lease agreements, we expect amounts within our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) will 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, 2017
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, 2017 and 2016 , consisted of the following: December 31, 2017 2016 Land and improvements $ 315,696 $ 303,422 Buildings and improvements 376,404 341,803 Machinery, equipment and furniture 505,803 425,527 Leasehold improvements 242,943 224,713 Construction in progress 65,450 198,600 1,506,296 1,494,065 Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization 505,206 412,043 Property and equipment, net $ 1,001,090 $ 1,082,022

Acquisitions (Tables)

Acquisitions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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 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 Other 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.

Property and Equipment (Tables)

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Schedule of components of property and equipment, net, 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, 2017 and 2016 , consisted of the following: December 31, 2017 2016 Land and improvements $ 315,696 $ 303,422 Buildings and improvements 376,404 341,803 Machinery, equipment and furniture 505,803 425,527 Leasehold improvements 242,943 224,713 Construction in progress 65,450 198,600 1,506,296 1,494,065 Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization 505,206 412,043 Property and equipment, net $ 1,001,090 $ 1,082,022
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Schedule of components of property and equipment, net, 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. See Note 7 for more information about our leases with HPT. December 31, 2017 2016 Land and improvements $ 14,565 $ 14,055 Buildings and improvements 9,848 7,498 Machinery, equipment and furniture 3,239 3,239 Leasehold improvements 114,686 114,987 142,338 139,779 Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization 89,129 80,533 Property and equipment, net $ 53,209 $ 59,246

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of components of goodwill and other intangible assets, net	Goodwill and other intangible assets, net, as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , consisted of the following: December 31, 2017 Cost Accumulated Amortization Net Amortizable intangible assets: Agreements with franchisees $ 22,945 $ (11,221 ) $ 11,724 Leasehold interests 6,867 (2,777 ) 4,090 Agreements with franchisors 2,836 (1,893 ) 943 Other 5,190 (3,681 ) 1,509 Total amortizable intangible assets 37,838 (19,572 ) 18,266 Carrying value of trademarks (indefinite lives) 16,117 — 16,117 Total intangible assets 53,955 (19,572 ) 34,383 Goodwill 93,859 — 93,859 Goodwill and other intangible assets, net $ 147,814 $ (19,572 ) $ 128,242 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 other intangible assets, net $ 144,231 $ (17,951 ) $ 126,280
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 as of December 31, 2017, for each of the next five years is: Total 2018 $ 2,172 2019 2,054 2020 1,873 2021 1,653 2022 1,413
Schedule of goodwill by segment	Goodwill by reporting unit was as follows: December 31, 2017 2016 Travel center segment $ 21,613 $ 17,252 Convenience store segment 69,200 69,400 QSL business 3,046 1,890 Total goodwill $ 93,859 $ 88,542

Other Current Liabilities (Tabl

Other Current Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of components of other current liabilities	Other current liabilities, as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , consisted of the following: December 31, 2017 2016 Taxes payable, other than income taxes $ 48,976 $ 47,875 Accrued wages and benefits 20,674 19,146 Self insurance program accruals, current portion 15,301 14,732 Loyalty program accruals 15,165 13,686 Accrued capital expenditures 5,695 12,135 Other 24,329 25,074 Total other current liabilities $ 130,140 $ 132,648

Long Term Debt (Tables)

Long Term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of long term debt	Long term debt, net, as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , consisted of the following: December 31, 2017 2016 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 1,189 1,292 Deferred financing costs (11,555 ) (12,553 ) Total long term debt, net $ 319,634 $ 318,739

Leasing Transactions (Tables)

Leasing Transactions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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, 2017 , 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 sheets as reflected in the sale leaseback financing obligation): Total 2018 $ 300,864 2019 297,407 2020 295,146 2021 292,177 2022 288,069 Thereafter 2,207,232 Total $ 3,680,895
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, 2017 2016 2015 Minimum rent $ 278,806 $ 263,212 $ 233,211 Sublease rent 7,035 7,463 8,422 Contingent rent (1) 2,195 1,304 (1,266 ) Total rent expense $ 288,036 $ 271,979 $ 240,367 (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, 2017 , in each of the years shown. Annual Minimum Rent Rent for Ground Leases Subleased from HPT 2018 $ 282,267 $ 8,891 2019 282,267 7,066 2020 282,267 6,822 2021 282,267 5,240 2022 282,267 1,997 2023 282,267 1,009 2024 (1) 325,182 775 2025 282,267 303 2026 (2) 319,212 78 2027 228,261 78 2028 (3) 266,317 78 2029 (4) 210,755 78 2030 (5) 152,826 78 2031 69,527 78 2032 (6) 48,638 78 (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 $7,621 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 $8,949 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 $8,753 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 $9,776 due on December 31, 2030. (6) Includes estimated cost of removing underground storage tanks on the leased properties of $13,874 due on June 30, 2032. The number of properties leased, the terms, the minimum annual rent and deferred rent balances owed by us under our HPT Leases as of December 31, 2017 , were as follows: Number of Properties Initial Term End Date (1) Minimum Annual Deferred Rent (2) TA Lease 1 40 December 31, 2029 $ 52,763 $ 27,421 TA Lease 2 40 December 31, 2028 53,681 29,107 TA Lease 3 39 December 31, 2026 54,006 29,324 TA Lease 4 40 December 31, 2030 52,290 21,233 Petro Lease 40 June 30, 2032 69,527 42,915 Total 199 $ 282,267 $ 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, we previously deferred as of December 31, 2010, a total of $150,000 of rent payable by us, which remained outstanding as of December 31, 2017 . This deferred rent obligation was 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 income (loss). Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Cash payments for rent under the HPT Leases $ 280,897 $ 265,482 $ 241,962 Change in accrued estimated percentage rent 356 430 (1,275 ) Adjustments to recognize expense on a straight line basis (383 ) (216 ) (4,910 ) Less: sale leaseback financing obligation amortization (658 ) (477 ) (974 ) Less: portion of rent payments recognized as interest expense (1,681 ) (1,729 ) (3,445 ) Less: deferred tenant improvements allowance amortization (3,770 ) (3,769 ) (5,019 ) Amortization of deferred gain on sale leaseback transactions (10,133 ) (9,755 ) (5,180 ) Rent expense related to HPT Leases 264,628 249,966 221,159 Rent paid to others (1) 12,813 12,447 10,583 Adjustments to recognize expense on a straight line basis for other leases (314 ) (115 ) (151 ) Total real estate rent expense $ 277,127 $ 262,298 $ 231,591 (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 related to the HPT Leases included in the 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 $ 24,170 $ 22,868 Sale leaseback financing obligation (1) 863 484 Straight line rent accrual (2) 2,458 2,458 Deferred gain (3) 10,128 10,140 Deferred tenant improvements allowance (4) 3,770 3,770 Total current HPT Leases liabilities $ 41,389 $ 39,720 Noncurrent HPT Leases liabilities: Deferred rent obligation $ 150,000 $ 150,000 Sale leaseback financing obligation (1) 22,987 21,165 Straight line rent accrual (2) 46,937 47,771 Deferred gain (3) 111,041 121,331 Deferred tenant improvements allowance (4) 37,817 41,587 Total noncurrent HPT Leases liabilities $ 368,782 $ 381,854 (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 real estate rent expense. (2) Straight Line Rent Accrual. Straight line rent accrual includes the 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 real estate 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 real estate 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, 2017
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, 2017 . Number of Shares Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share Unvested shares balance as of December 31, 2016 2,098 $ 7.50 Granted 751 4.70 Vested (818 ) 6.93 Forfeited/canceled (18 ) 7.93 Unvested shares balance as of December 31, 2017 2,013 6.68
Reconciliation from net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders to net income (loss) available to common shareholders	The following table presents a reconciliation of net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders to net income (loss) available to common shareholders and the related earnings per share. Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders, as reported $ 9,262 $ (2,018 ) $ 27,719 Less: net income (loss) attributable to participating securities 481 (100 ) 1,386 Net income (loss) available to common shareholders $ 8,781 $ (1,918 ) $ 26,333 Weighted average common shares (1) 37,524 36,976 36,485 Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share $ 0.23 $ (0.05 ) $ 0.72 (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 2,057 for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 1,920 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 .

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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, 2017 2016 2015 U.S. federal statutory rate applied to income (loss) before income taxes $ 25,958 $ 1,074 $ (15,661 ) Uncertain tax position resolution 58,602 — — Benefit of tax credits 2,902 2,849 2,574 State income taxes, net of federal benefit 2,221 1,621 (1,695 ) Provision to return adjustments 443 (910 ) 199 Nondeductible executive compensation — (841 ) (1,499 ) Other nondeductible expenses (322 ) (331 ) (271 ) Tax rate change (6,356 ) — — Other, net 991 (1,729 ) (186 ) Total tax benefit (provision) $ 84,439 $ 1,733 $ (16,539 )
Schedule of benefit (provision) for income taxes	Components of the Income Tax Benefit (Provision) Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Current tax benefit (provision) Federal $ 32,883 $ 2,101 $ (6,513 ) State (5,575 ) 3,974 (2,659 ) Total current tax benefit (provision) 27,308 6,075 (9,172 ) Deferred tax benefit (provision): Federal 48,139 (2,861 ) (7,438 ) State 8,992 (1,481 ) 71 Total deferred tax benefit (provision) 57,131 (4,342 ) (7,367 ) Total tax benefit (provision) $ 84,439 $ 1,733 $ (16,539 )
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, 2017 2016 Net deferred tax amounts are included in: Other noncurrent assets $ 44,086 $ — Other noncurrent liabilities — (12,866 ) Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities December 31, 2017 2016 Deferred tax assets: Straight line rent accrual $ 13,542 $ 19,846 Reserves 16,566 24,575 Deferred gains 32,949 55,110 Asset retirement obligations 2,765 3,827 Tax credit carryforwards 27,414 10,331 Tax loss carryforwards 61,961 29,782 Deferred tenant improvements allowance 11,228 18,596 Other 6,083 10,699 Total deferred tax assets before valuation allowance 172,508 172,766 Valuation allowance (1,027 ) (600 ) Total deferred tax assets 171,481 172,166 Deferred tax liabilities: Property and equipment (120,297 ) (176,117 ) Goodwill and other intangible assets (5,632 ) (7,865 ) Other (1,466 ) (1,050 ) Total deferred tax liabilities (127,395 ) (185,032 ) Net deferred tax assets (liabilities) $ 44,086 $ (12,866 )
Summary of activity related to uncertain tax positions	Uncertain Tax Positions Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Balance at beginning of period $ 59,742 $ 59,742 $ 59,557 Changes to current year tax positions (1,140 ) — — Interest — — 185 Lapse in statute of limitations (58,602 ) — — Balance at end of period $ — $ 59,742 $ 59,742

Equity Investments - Equity Inv

Equity Investments - Equity Investments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Summarized financial information	The following tables set forth summarized financial information of PTP and does not represent the amounts we have included in our consolidated financial statements in connection with our investment in PTP. December 31, 2017 2016 Total current assets $ 10,759 $ 12,605 Total noncurrent assets 56,676 56,047 Total current liabilities 2,262 1,909 Total noncurrent liabilities 15,468 15,456 Year Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Total revenues $ 119,463 $ 114,331 $ 115,313 Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation) 85,729 80,664 84,820 Operating income 10,896 12,784 11,083 Net income and comprehensive income 10,418 12,077 10,629 As of December 31, 2017 , our investment in equity affiliates, which are presented in our consolidated balance sheets in other noncurrent assets, and our proportional share of our investees' net income (loss) recognized in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) were as follows: PTP Other (1) Total Investment balance: As of December 31, 2017 $ 20,807 $ 21,695 $ 42,502 As of December 31, 2016 21,657 24,097 45,754 Income (loss) from equity investments: Year ended December 31, 2017 $ 3,951 $ (2,863 ) $ 1,088 Year ended December 31, 2016 4,614 (70 ) 4,544 Year ended December 31, 2015 4,036 20 4,056 (1) Includes other equity investments, including our investment in Affiliates Insurance Company, or AIC. See Note 12 for more information about our investment in AIC.

Inventory (Tables)

Inventory (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of inventories	Inventory at December 31, 2017 and 2016 , consisted of the following: December 31, December 31, Nonfuel products $ 169,140 $ 167,813 Fuel products 40,500 36,332 Total inventory $ 209,640 $ 204,145

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of segment information	Segment Information Year Ended December 31, 2017 Travel Centers Convenience Stores Corporate and Other Consolidated Revenues: Fuel $ 3,533,121 $ 480,917 $ 76,874 $ 4,090,912 Nonfuel 1,636,009 269,854 38,318 1,944,181 Rent and royalties from franchisees 12,304 215 3,981 16,500 Total revenues 5,181,434 750,986 119,173 6,051,593 Site level gross margin in excess of site level operating expenses $ 463,833 $ 40,554 $ 9,895 $ 514,282 Corporate operating expenses: Selling, general and administrative $ 154,663 $ 154,663 Real estate rent 277,127 277,127 Depreciation and amortization 128,416 128,416 Loss from operations (45,924 ) Acquisition costs 247 247 Interest expense, net 29,962 29,962 Income from equity investees 1,088 1,088 Loss before income taxes (75,045 ) Benefit for income taxes 84,439 84,439 Net income 9,394 Less: net income for noncontrolling interests 132 Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 9,262 Capital expenditures for property and equipment $ 94,174 $ 22,979 $ 28,248 $ 145,401 Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired 13,748 — 6,110 19,858 Total assets 708,295 491,866 417,693 1,617,854 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 1,615,405 263,577 24,641 1,903,623 Rent and royalties from franchisees 13,628 306 3,418 17,352 Total revenues 4,665,894 684,630 100,600 5,451,124 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 754,372 516,343 389,126 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 1,599,088 140,503 918 1,740,509 Rent and royalties from franchisees 12,424 — — 12,424 Total revenues 5,375,048 365,397 67,936 5,808,381 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 720,149 431,014 470,378 1,621,541

Selected Quarterly Financial 37

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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, 2017 and 2016 : Year Ended December 31, 2017 First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Total revenues $ 1,390,766 $ 1,498,668 $ 1,575,677 $ 1,584,765 Total gross margin 345,056 390,246 394,173 365,556 (Loss) income from operations (41,470 ) 1,630 13,112 (19,161 ) Benefit for income taxes 19,315 2,380 56,268 6,476 Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders (29,424 ) (3,013 ) 62,324 (20,625 ) Net (loss) income per common share attributable to common shareholders: Basic and diluted $ (0.74 ) $ (0.08 ) $ 1.58 $ (0.52 ) Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to common shareholders $ (29,276 ) $ (2,902 ) $ 62,529 $ (20,520 ) Year Ended December 31, 2016 First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Total revenues $ 1,149,822 $ 1,430,008 $ 1,462,646 $ 1,408,648 Total gross margin 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 )

Summary of Significant Accoun38

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - General Information and Basis of Presentation (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017staterestaurantsegmentconvenience_storetravel_centerstore
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments | segment	2
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of sites | store	538
Restaurants
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of sites | restaurant	49
Number of states | state	13
Number of sites owned | restaurant	6
Number of sites leased | restaurant	9
Number of sites operated under joint venture | restaurant	1
Restaurants | Franchisee operated sites
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of sites | restaurant	33
Travel centers
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of sites	256
Number of states | state	43
Number of sites owned	30
Number of sites leased	200
Number of sites operated under joint venture	2
Travel centers | Company operated sites
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of sites	228
Travel centers | Franchisee operated sites
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of sites	28
Number of sites owned by franchisees or leased from others	24
Travel centers | Franchisee operated sites leased
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of sites	4
Travel centers | TA brand
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of sites	178
Travel centers | Petro brand
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of sites	78
Convenience stores
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of states | state	11
Number of sites owned | convenience_store	198
Number of sites leased | convenience_store	32
Number of sites operated under joint venture | convenience_store	3
Convenience stores | Minit Mart brand
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of sites | convenience_store	233

Summary of Significant Accoun39

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Property and Equipment (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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 - Impairment (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)reporting_unitsegment	Jul. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Impairment charges related to certain convenience stores | $	$ 5,389	$ 9,769
Goodwill [Line Items]
Number of reporting units | reporting_unit		3
Number of reportable segments | segment		2
Convenience stores
Goodwill [Line Items]
Reporting units percentage of fair value in excess of carrying value			2.60%

Summary of Significant Accoun41

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Share Based Employee Compensation (Details) - Restricted shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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 Accoun42

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Asset Retirement Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Asset retirement obligation	$ 10,240	$ 9,335

Summary of Significant Accoun43

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Leasing Transactions (Details)	Dec. 31, 2017lease
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of leases with HPT	5

Summary of Significant Accoun44

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
ASU 2014-09
Lottery awards reclassification between fuel and nonfuel revenue	$ 65,623	$ 56,477

Acquisitions - Acquisitions (D

Acquisitions - Acquisitions (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)franchiseerestauranttravel_center	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)restaurantconvenience_store	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)convenience_storetravel_center
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	$ 19,858	$ 71,935	$ 320,290
Travel centers
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of properties acquired | travel_center			3
Number of franchisees | franchisee	1
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired			$ 9,338
Convenience stores
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of properties acquired | convenience_store		29	169
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired		$ 45,153	$ 310,952
Franchisee operated sites | Travel centers
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of properties acquired | travel_center	1
Restaurants
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of properties acquired | restaurant		11
Number of franchisees | franchisee	1
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired		$ 26,782
Restaurants | Franchisee operated sites
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of properties acquired | restaurant	6	39

Acquisitions - Assets Acquired

Acquisitions - Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Inventory	$ 3,640
Property and equipment	49,114
Goodwill	8,809
Other intangible assets	14,390
Other assets	1,148
Other liabilities	(5,166)
Total aggregate purchase price	71,935
Restaurants
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Inventory	465
Property and equipment	12,825
Goodwill	1,890
Other intangible assets	14,020
Other assets	1,130
Other liabilities	(3,548)
Total aggregate purchase price	26,782
Convenience stores
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Inventory	3,175
Property and equipment	36,289
Goodwill	6,919
Other intangible assets	370
Other assets	18
Other liabilities	(1,618)
Total aggregate purchase price	$ 45,153

Property and Equipment (Details

Property and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Depreciation expense		$ 124,419	$ 88,892	$ 70,042
Impairment charges related to certain convenience stores	$ 5,389	9,769
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	1,506,296	1,506,296	1,494,065
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	505,206	505,206	412,043
Property and equipment, net	1,001,090	1,001,090	1,082,022
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	142,338	142,338	139,779
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	89,129	89,129	80,533
Property and equipment, net	53,209	53,209	59,246
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | Leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Improvement assets to be purchased for an increase in rent	16,408	16,408
Land and improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	315,696	315,696	303,422
Land and improvements | Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	14,565	14,565	14,055
Buildings and improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	376,404	376,404	341,803
Buildings and improvements | Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	9,848	9,848	7,498
Machinery, equipment and furniture
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	505,803	505,803	425,527
Machinery, equipment and furniture | Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	3,239	3,239	3,239
Leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	242,943	242,943	224,713
Leasehold improvements | Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	114,686	114,686	114,987
Construction in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 65,450	$ 65,450	$ 198,600

Goodwill and Intangible Asset48

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Total intangible assets, Cost	$ 53,955	$ 55,689
Total intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(19,572)	(17,951)
Total intangible assets, Net	34,383	37,738
Goodwill	93,859	88,542
Goodwill and other intangible assets, Cost	147,814	144,231
Goodwill and other intangible assets, Net	128,242	126,280
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total amortizable intangible assets, Cost	37,838	39,572
Total amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(19,572)	(17,951)
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net	18,266	21,621
Trademarks
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Carrying value of trademarks (indefinite lives)	16,117	16,117
Agreements with franchisees
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Total intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(11,221)	(10,473)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total amortizable intangible assets, Cost	22,945	24,593
Total amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(11,221)	(10,473)
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net	11,724	14,120
Leasehold interests
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Total intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(2,777)	(2,510)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total amortizable intangible assets, Cost	6,867	6,867
Total amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(2,777)	(2,510)
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net	4,090	4,357
Agreements with franchisors
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Total intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(1,893)	(1,490)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total amortizable intangible assets, Cost	2,836	2,836
Total amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(1,893)	(1,490)
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net	943	1,346
Other
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Total intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(3,681)	(3,478)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total amortizable intangible assets, Cost	5,190	5,276
Total amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(3,681)	(3,478)
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net	$ 1,509	$ 1,798

Goodwill and Intangible Asset49

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Future Amortization Expense (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Total
2,018	$ 2,172
2,019	2,054
2,020	1,873
2,021	1,653
2,022	$ 1,413

Goodwill and Intangible Asset50

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Goodwill by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill [Line Items]
Total goodwill	$ 93,859	$ 88,542
QSL business
Goodwill [Line Items]
Total goodwill	3,046	1,890
Travel center segment
Goodwill [Line Items]
Total goodwill	21,613	17,252
Convenience store segment
Goodwill [Line Items]
Total goodwill	$ 69,200	$ 69,400

Goodwill and Intangible Asset51

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortization expense for amortizable intangible assets	$ 3,057	$ 2,570	$ 1,703
Weighted average period of amortizable intangible assets	12 years
Goodwill acquired during period	$ 5,517	$ 8,809
Goodwill deductible for tax purposes	$ 77,738

Other Current Liabilities (Deta

Other Current Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Taxes payable, other than income taxes	$ 48,976	$ 47,875
Accrued wages and benefits	20,674	19,146
Self insurance program accruals, current portion	15,301	14,732
Loyalty program accruals	15,165	13,686
Accrued capital expenditures	5,695	12,135
Other	24,329	25,074
Total other current liabilities	$ 130,140	$ 132,648

Long Term Debt - Schedule of De

Long Term Debt - Schedule of Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long term debt, net	$ 319,634	$ 318,739
Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Deferred financing costs	(11,555)	(12,553)
Other long term debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	1,189	1,292
2028 Senior Notes | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	110,000	110,000
2029 Senior Notes | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	120,000	120,000
2030 Senior Notes | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 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, 2017
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				$ 99,960,000
2029 Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (as a percent)		8.00%
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)		100.00%
Fair value of debt instrument				120,960,000
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				$ 111,100,000

Long Term Debt - Revolving Cred

Long Term Debt - Revolving Credit Facility (Details) - Credit Facility	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
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	$ 112,669,000
Borrowings outstanding	0
Outstanding amount of letters of credit	$ 17,795,000

Long Term Debt - Deferred Finan

Long Term Debt - Deferred Financing Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
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
Future amortization of deferred financing fees in 2022	997
Interest expense from the amortization of deferred financing fees	1,221	$ 1,225	$ 995
Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Deferred financing costs	11,555	12,553
Accumulated amortization	3,425	2,428
Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Deferred financing costs	440	664
Accumulated amortization	$ 680	$ 456

Leasing Transactions - As a Les

Leasing Transactions - As a Lessee (Details)	Dec. 31, 2017lease
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 Under the HPT Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Minimum Lease Payments, Operating Leases and Sale Leaseback Transactions, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2,018	$ 300,864
2,019	297,407
2,020	295,146
2,021	292,177
2,022	288,069
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT
Minimum Lease Payments, Operating Leases and Sale Leaseback Transactions, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2,018	282,267
2,019	282,267
2,020	282,267
2,021	282,267
2,022	282,267
2,023	282,267
2,024	325,182
2,025	282,267
2,026	319,212
2,027	228,261
2,028	266,317
2,029	210,755
2,030	152,826
2,031	69,527
2,032	48,638
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	13,874
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	7,621
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	8,949
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	8,753
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	9,776
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | Ground leases
Minimum Lease Payments, Operating Leases and Sale Leaseback Transactions, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2,018	8,891
2,019	7,066
2,020	6,822
2,021	5,240
2,022	1,997
2,023	1,009
2,024	775
2,025	303
2,026	78
2,027	78
2,028	78
2,029	78
2,030	78
2,031	78
2,032	$ 78

Leasing Transactions - Rent Exp

Leasing Transactions - Rent Expense Under Operating Leases (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015lease
Leases [Abstract]
Minimum rent	$ 278,806	$ 263,212	$ 233,211
Sublease rent	7,035	7,463	8,422
Contingent rent	2,195	1,304	(1,266)
Total rent expense	288,036	$ 271,979	$ 240,367
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT
Leases [Abstract]
Minimum rent	$ 282,267
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. 25, 2017USD ($)	May 03, 2017USD ($)travel_center	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 ($)propertytravel_center	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)propertyleasetravel_center	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)travel_center
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Total real estate rent expense														$ 277,127	$ 262,298	$ 231,591
Percentage rent incurred														2,195	1,304	(1,266)
Aggregate selling price														109,374	193,082	378,250
Loss on extinguishment of debt														$ 0	0	$ 10,502
Travel centers
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of sites leased | travel_center														200
Number of properties acquired | travel_center																3
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of sites leased | property														199
Number of leases with HPT | lease														5
Total real estate rent expense														$ 264,628	249,966	$ 221,159
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	$ 84,632	109,926	99,896
Increase (decrease) in minimum annual rent	$ 731							$ 1,275						7,194	9,344	8,491
Number of sites with certain assets owned | property													11
Proceeds from VDOT												$ 6,178
Final agreed upon payment due from VDOT														7,209
Subsequent proceeds from VDOT														$ 1,031
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | Travel centers
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Aggregate selling price		$ 27,602	$ 16,557		$ 22,297	$ 23,876	$ 19,683
Increase (decrease) in minimum annual rent									$ (3,874)
Number of sites sold | travel_center		1	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
Number of sites 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
Percentage rent, TA Leases, percentage of nonfuel revenues over base year levels														3.00%
Increase (decrease) in minimum annual rent													$ 24,027
Deferred gain from sale of assets														$ 145,462
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | Petro Lease
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of sites leased | property														40
Number of leases with HPT | lease														1
Percentage rent, Petro Lease, percentage of nonfuel revenues over base year levels														3.00%
Percentage rent waived															372	1,121
Cumulative percentage rent waived					$ 2,500
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | HPT Leases
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage rent incurred														$ 2,195	$ 1,304	$ 1,999
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | TA Lease 4
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of sites leased | property														40
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)
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | Leasehold improvements
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Improvement assets to be purchased for an increase in rent														$ 16,408

Leasing Transactions - Summariz

Leasing Transactions - Summarized Information for Each HPT Lease (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)propertyrenewal_option	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Minimum annual rent	$ 278,806	$ 263,212	$ 233,211
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of sites leased | property	199
Minimum annual rent	$ 282,267
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 sites leased | property	40
Minimum annual rent	$ 52,763
Deferred rent	$ 27,421
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | TA Lease 2
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of sites leased | property	40
Minimum annual rent	$ 53,681
Deferred rent	$ 29,107
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | TA Lease 3
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of sites leased | property	39
Minimum annual rent	$ 54,006
Deferred rent	$ 29,324
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | TA Lease 4
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of sites leased | property	40
Minimum annual rent	$ 52,290
Deferred rent	$ 21,233
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | Petro Lease
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of sites leased | property	40
Minimum annual rent	$ 69,527
Deferred rent	$ 42,915

Leasing Transactions - Future62

Leasing Transactions - Future Minimum Lease Payments (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
2,018	$ 300,864
2,019	297,407
2,020	295,146
2,021	292,177
2,022	288,069
Thereafter	2,207,232
Total	$ 3,680,895

Leasing Transactions - Summary

Leasing Transactions - Summary of Various Amounts Reflected in Real Estate Rent Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Total real estate rent expense	$ 277,127	$ 262,298	$ 231,591
HPT's landlords and other landlords
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cash payments for rent	12,813	12,447	10,583
Adjustments to recognize expense on a straight line basis	(314)	(115)	(151)
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cash payments for rent	280,897	265,482	241,962
Change in accrued estimated percentage rent	356	430	(1,275)
Adjustments to recognize expense on a straight line basis	383	216	4,910
Less: sale leaseback financing obligation amortization	(658)	(477)	(974)
Less: portion of rent payments recognized as interest expense	(1,681)	(1,729)	(3,445)
Less: deferred tenant improvements allowance amortization	(3,770)	(3,769)	(5,019)
Amortization of deferred gain on sale leaseback transactions	(10,133)	(9,755)	(5,180)
Total real estate rent expense	$ 264,628	$ 249,966	$ 221,159

Leasing Transactions - Summar64

Leasing Transactions - Summary of Various Amounts Included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (Details) $ in Thousands	Jun. 09, 2015travel_center	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)travel_center	Jun. 22, 2016USD ($)	Jun. 01, 2015USD ($)travel_center
Current HPT Leases Liabilities
Total current HPT Leases liabilities		$ 41,389	$ 39,720
Noncurrent HPT Leases Liabilities
Total noncurrent HPT Leases liabilities		368,782	381,854
Various Amounts Related to HPT Leases Included in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Footnotes):
Loss on extinguishment of debt		0	0	$ 10,502
Travel centers
Various Amounts Related to HPT Leases Included in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Footnotes):
Number of properties acquired | travel_center				3
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT
Current HPT Leases Liabilities
Accrued rent		24,170	22,868
Sale leaseback financing obligation		863	484
Straight line rent accrual		2,458	2,458
Deferred gain		10,128	10,140
Deferred tenant improvements allowance		3,770	3,770
Total current HPT Leases liabilities		41,389	39,720
Noncurrent HPT Leases Liabilities
Deferred rent obligation		150,000	150,000
Sale leaseback financing obligation		22,987	21,165
Straight line rent accrual		46,937	47,771
Deferred gain		111,041	121,331
Deferred tenant improvements allowance		37,817	41,587
Total noncurrent HPT Leases liabilities		368,782	$ 381,854
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
Aggregate deferred gain					$ 11,794	$ 1,033
Deferred gain from sale of assets				$ 133,668
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT | Prior TA Lease | Travel center property | Travel centers
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, 2017USD ($)franchiseetravel_center	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Rent revenue from operating leases	$ 4,208	$ 4,439	$ 4,458
Future minimum lease payments due in 2018	1,927
Future minimum lease payments due in 2019	1,927
Future minimum lease payments due in 2020	1,927
Future minimum lease payments due in 2021	1,927
Future minimum lease payments due in 2022	$ 963
Travel centers | Franchise units
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Number of sites subject to lease | franchisee	4
Number of franchisees that renewed in 2017 | franchisee	2
Number of franchisees that did not renewed in 2017 | travel_center	2
Number of franchisees who filed preliminary injunction request | franchisee	1
Number of franchisees who have intent to file preliminary injunction request | franchisee	1

Shareholders' Equity - Share Aw

Shareholders' Equity - Share Award Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	May 19, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of additional awards under 2007 Plan	0
Share award plans
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 share award plans	751	926	671
Market value of common shares awarded	$ 3,528	$ 6,120	$ 6,607
Total share based compensation expense recognized	5,515	5,523	5,507
Fair value	$ 3,781	$ 5,040	$ 7,621
Weighted average grant date fair value of common shares (in usd per share)	$ 4.70	$ 6.61	$ 9.84
Common shares that remained available for issuance	633
Total share based compensation related to unvested shares	$ 10,664
Weighted average remaining service period over which share based compensation related to unvested shares will be expensed	3 years
Share award plans | Employees, excluding Directors | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period	5 years
Share award plans | 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 plans - $ / shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Number of Shares
Unvested shares balance at the beginning of the period	2,098
Granted (in shares)	751	926	671
Vested (in shares)	(818)
Forfeited/canceled (in shares)	(18)
Unvested shares balance at the end of the period	2,013	2,098
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Unvested shares balance at the beginning of the period (in usd per share)	$ 7.50
Granted (in usd per share)	4.70	$ 6.61	$ 9.84
Vested (in usd per share)	6.93
Forfeited/canceled (in usd per share)	7.93
Unvested shares balance at the end of the period (in usd per share)	$ 6.68	$ 7.50

Shareholders' Equity - Treasury

Shareholders' Equity - Treasury Shares (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Aggregate number of shares repurchased	272	209	197
Aggregate value of shares repurchased	$ 1,175	$ 1,394	$ 1,842
Number of treasury shares retired	272	209	287
Carrying value of treasury shares retired	$ 1,175	$ 1,394	$ 2,770

Shareholders' Equity - Earnings

Shareholders' Equity - Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Dilutive share securities oustanding									$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders, as reported	$ (20,625,000)	$ 62,324,000	$ (3,013,000)	$ (29,424,000)	$ (6,493,000)	$ 10,898,000	$ 3,521,000	$ (9,944,000)	9,262,000	(2,018,000)	27,719,000
Less: net income (loss) attributable to participating securities									481,000	(100,000)	1,386,000
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders									$ 8,781,000	$ (1,918,000)	$ 26,333,000
Weighted average common shares									37,524	36,976	36,485
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share	$ (0.52)	$ 1.58	$ (0.08)	$ (0.74)	$ (0.17)	$ 0.28	$ 0.09	$ (0.26)	$ 0.23	$ (0.05)	$ 0.72
Weighted average number of unvested shares outstanding (in shares)									2,057	1,920	1,920

Income Taxes - Narrative (Detai

Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	$ 6,476	$ 56,268	$ 2,380	$ 19,315	$ 4,304	$ (6,263)	$ (1,985)	$ 5,677	$ 84,439	$ 1,733	$ (16,539)
Decrease in tax benefit due to Tax Cuts and Jobs Act	6,356								6,356
Valuation allowance	1,027				$ 600				1,027	600
Resolution of previous uncertain tax positions									(58,602)	$ 0	$ 0
Domestic Tax Authority
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards	245,598								245,598
Federal tax credit carryforwards	27,414								27,414
State and Local Jurisdiction
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards	173,082								173,082
Net operating loss to expire in 2031 | Domestic Tax Authority
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards	58,473								58,473
Net operating loss to expire in 2018 | State and Local Jurisdiction
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards	19								19
Tax Credit to expire between 2019 and 2025 | Domestic Tax Authority
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, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
U.S. federal statutory rate applied to income (loss) before income taxes									$ 25,958	$ 1,074	$ (15,661)
Uncertain tax position resolution									58,602	0	0
Benefit of tax credits									2,902	2,849	2,574
State income taxes, net of federal benefit									2,221	1,621	(1,695)
Provision to return adjustments									443	(910)	199
Nondeductible executive compensation									0	(841)	(1,499)
Other nondeductible expenses									(322)	(331)	(271)
Tax rate change									(6,356)	0	0
Other, net									991	(1,729)	(186)
Total tax benefit (provision)	$ 6,476	$ 56,268	$ 2,380	$ 19,315	$ 4,304	$ (6,263)	$ (1,985)	$ 5,677	$ 84,439	$ 1,733	$ (16,539)

Income Taxes - Components of In

Income Taxes - Components of Income Tax Benefit (Provision) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current tax benefit (provision)
Federal									$ 32,883	$ 2,101	$ (6,513)
State									(5,575)	3,974	(2,659)
Total current tax benefit (provision)									27,308	6,075	(9,172)
Deferred tax benefit (provision):
Federal									48,139	(2,861)	(7,438)
State									8,992	(1,481)	71
Total deferred tax benefit (provision)									57,131	(4,342)	(7,367)
Total tax benefit (provision)	$ 6,476	$ 56,268	$ 2,380	$ 19,315	$ 4,304	$ (6,263)	$ (1,985)	$ 5,677	$ 84,439	$ 1,733	$ (16,539)

Income Taxes - Components of De

Income Taxes - Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Deferred tax assets:
Straight line rent accrual	$ 13,542	$ 19,846
Reserves	16,566	24,575
Deferred gains	32,949	55,110
Asset retirement obligations	2,765	3,827
Tax credit carryforwards	27,414	10,331
Tax loss carryforwards	61,961	29,782
Deferred tenant improvements allowance	11,228	18,596
Other	6,083	10,699
Total deferred tax assets before valuation allowance	172,508	172,766
Valuation allowance	(1,027)	(600)
Total deferred tax assets	171,481	172,166
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment	(120,297)	(176,117)
Goodwill and other intangible assets	(5,632)	(7,865)
Other	(1,466)	(1,050)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(127,395)	(185,032)
Net deferred tax assets	$ 44,086
Net deferred tax (liabilities)		$ (12,866)

Income Taxes - Classification o

Income Taxes - Classification of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Net deferred tax amounts are included in:
Other noncurrent assets	$ 44,086	$ 0
Other noncurrent liabilities	$ 0	$ (12,866)

Income Taxes - Uncertain Tax Po

Income Taxes - Uncertain Tax Positions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Activity related to unrecognized tax benefits
Balance at beginning of period	$ 59,742	$ 59,742	$ 59,557
Changes to current year tax positions	(1,140)	0	0
Interest	0	0	185
Lapse in statute of limitations	(58,602)	0	0
Balance at end of period	$ 0	$ 59,742	$ 59,742

Equity Investments - Equity I76

Equity Investments - Equity Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment balance	$ 42,502	$ 45,754
Income (loss) from equity investments	1,088	4,544	$ 4,056
PTP
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment balance	20,807	21,657
Income (loss) from equity investments	3,951	4,614	4,036
Other
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment balance	21,695	24,097
Income (loss) from equity investments	$ (2,863)	$ (70)	$ 20

Equity Investments - Petro Trav

Equity Investments - Petro Travel Plaza Holdings LLC (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)restaurantconvenience_storetravel_centerstore	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of sites | store	538
Fuel revenue from PTP	$ 4,090,912	$ 3,530,149	$ 4,055,448
Restaurants
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of sites | restaurant	49
Travel centers
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of sites | travel_center	256
PTP
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest (as a percent)	40.00%
Management fee income	$ 1,540	1,055	838
Fuel revenue from PTP	$ 59,943	$ 55,004	$ 60,875
PTP | Restaurants
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of sites | restaurant	1
PTP | Travel centers
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of sites | travel_center	2
PTP | Convenience stores
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of sites | convenience_store	3

Equity Investments - PTP summar

Equity Investments - PTP summarized financial information (Details) - PTP - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total current assets	$ 10,759	$ 12,605
Total noncurrent assets	56,676	56,047
Total current liabilities	2,262	1,909
Total noncurrent liabilities	15,468	15,456
Total revenues	119,463	114,331	$ 115,313
Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation)	85,729	80,664	84,820
Operating income	10,896	12,784	11,083
Net income and comprehensive income	$ 10,418	$ 12,077	$ 10,629

Business and Property Managem79

Business and Property Management Agreements with RMR - Narrative (Details) - Affiliated entity - RMR $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
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 written 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
Selling, general and administrative expenses | Business management agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Business management fee	$ 14,030	$ 14,212	$ 13,179
Expense for internal audit costs	276	235	257
Selling, general and administrative expenses | Property management agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Property management fee	$ 78	$ 153	$ 145

Related Party Transactions - Re

Related Party Transactions - Relationship with HPT (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017propertyshares	Dec. 31, 2016shares
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Common shares, shares outstanding	39,984,000	39,523,000
Principal landlord and largest shareholder | HPT
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Common shares, shares outstanding	3,420,000
Percentage of outstanding common shares owned	8.60%
Number of properties | property	199
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	1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)directorshares	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)shares
President and CEO | Current annual base salary, to be paid | Forecast
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
President and CEO compensation per retirement agreement			$ 300
President and CEO | Cash bonus paid relating to 2017
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
President and CEO compensation per retirement agreement	$ 2,060
President and CEO | Cash payment paid in lieu of share grants
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
President and CEO compensation per retirement agreement	$ 475
President and CEO | Cash payment to accelerate vesting of unvested common shares, to be paid | Forecast
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
President and CEO compensation per retirement agreement		$ 1,505
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 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 share award plans | shares				67	63	62
Market value of common shares awarded				$ 319	$ 416	$ 575

Related Party Transactions - 82

Related Party Transactions - Relationship with AIC (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)company	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Carrying value of investment	$ 42,502	$ 45,754
Income from equity investees	1,088	4,544	$ 4,056
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities held for sale	$ 461	152	(20)
AIC | Equity method investee
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest (as a percent)	14.30%
Service fee percentage	3.00%
Amount of investment	$ 6,054
Carrying value of investment	8,185	7,116
Income from equity investees	608	137	20
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities held for sale	461	152	(20)
AIC | Equity method investee | Property insurance annual premium
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Annual premiums paid for property insurance	$ 1,721	$ 2,281	$ 2,283
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, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Affiliated entity | RMR | Directors and officers liability insurance
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Aggregate premiums paid	$ 156	$ 91	$ 225

Contingencies - Environmental C

Contingencies - Environmental Contingencies (Details)	Nov. 11, 2017USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2015violation	Feb. 28, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Litigation by California State Water Resources Control Board
Commitments and contingencies
Settlement amount			$ 1,800,000
Suspended penalties			1,000,000
Maximum verified costs			$ 2,000,000
Number of alleged violations | violation		5
Agreed upon settlement of suspended penalties	$ 500,000
Remaining amount of suspended penalties liability that was reversed				$ 500,000
Environmental matters
Commitments and contingencies
Total recorded liabilities				2,751,000	$ 2,751,000
Expected recoveries of future expenditures					687,000
Loss contingency liability				2,064,000	2,064,000
Loss contingency insurance limit for liabilities per incident				$ 10,000,000	10,000,000
Loss contingency insurance limit for liabilities					$ 25,000,000

Contingencies - Legal Proceedin

Contingencies - Legal Proceedings (Details) - Litigation with FleetCor and Comdata - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended	13 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Site level operating expenses
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Total transaction fees withheld	$ 6,903
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Litigation expenses	$ 9,706	$ 10,518

Inventory (Details)

Inventory (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventory	$ 209,640	$ 204,145
Nonfuel products
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventory	169,140	167,813
Fuel products
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventory	$ 40,500	$ 36,332

Segment Information - Segment R

Segment Information - Segment Results (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Revenues:
Fuel									$ 4,090,912	$ 3,530,149	$ 4,055,448
Nonfuel									1,944,181	1,903,623	1,740,509
Rent and royalties from franchisees									16,500	17,352	12,424
Total revenues	$ 1,584,765	$ 1,575,677	$ 1,498,668	$ 1,390,766	$ 1,408,648	$ 1,462,646	$ 1,430,008	$ 1,149,822	6,051,593	5,451,124	5,808,381
Site level gross margin in excess of site level operating expenses									514,282	515,799	504,038
Corporate operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative									154,663	139,052	121,767
Real estate rent									277,127	262,298	231,591
Depreciation and amortization									128,416	92,389	72,383
(Loss) income from operations	(19,161)	13,112	1,630	(41,470)	(4,602)	23,129	12,311	(8,778)	(45,924)	22,060	78,297
Acquisition costs									247	2,451	5,048
Interest expense, net									29,962	27,815	22,545
Income from equity investees									1,088	4,544	4,056
Loss on extinguishment of debt									0	0	10,502
(Loss) income before income taxes									(75,045)	(3,662)	44,258
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	6,476	56,268	2,380	19,315	4,304	(6,263)	(1,985)	5,677	84,439	1,733	(16,539)
Net income (loss)									9,394	(1,929)	27,719
Less: net income for noncontrolling interests									132	89	0
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	(20,625)	$ 62,324	$ (3,013)	$ (29,424)	(6,493)	$ 10,898	$ 3,521	$ (9,944)	9,262	(2,018)	27,719
Capital expenditures for property and equipment									145,401	329,997	295,437
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired									19,858	71,935	320,290
Total assets	1,617,854				1,659,841				1,617,854	1,659,841	1,621,541
Travel center segment
Corporate operating expenses:
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired											9,338
Convenience store segment
Corporate operating expenses:
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired										45,153	310,952
Operating Segments | Travel center segment
Revenues:
Fuel									3,533,121	3,036,861	3,763,536
Nonfuel									1,636,009	1,615,405	1,599,088
Rent and royalties from franchisees									12,304	13,628	12,424
Total revenues									5,181,434	4,665,894	5,375,048
Site level gross margin in excess of site level operating expenses									463,833	468,912	483,564
Corporate operating expenses:
Capital expenditures for property and equipment									94,174	200,513	210,385
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired									13,748	0	9,338
Total assets	708,295				754,372				708,295	754,372	720,149
Operating Segments | Convenience store segment
Revenues:
Fuel									480,917	420,747	224,894
Nonfuel									269,854	263,577	140,503
Rent and royalties from franchisees									215	306	0
Total revenues									750,986	684,630	365,397
Site level gross margin in excess of site level operating expenses									40,554	36,660	17,259
Corporate operating expenses:
Capital expenditures for property and equipment									22,979	58,197	14,191
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired									0	45,153	310,952
Total assets	491,866				516,343				491,866	516,343	431,014
Corporate and Other
Revenues:
Fuel									76,874	72,541	67,018
Nonfuel									38,318	24,641	918
Rent and royalties from franchisees									3,981	3,418	0
Total revenues									119,173	100,600	67,936
Site level gross margin in excess of site level operating expenses									9,895	10,227	3,215
Corporate operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative									154,663	139,052	121,767
Real estate rent									277,127	262,298	231,591
Depreciation and amortization									128,416	92,389	72,383
Acquisition costs									247	2,451	5,048
Interest expense, net									29,962	27,815	22,545
Income from equity investees									1,088	4,544	4,056
Benefit (provision) for income taxes									84,439	1,733	(16,539)
Capital expenditures for property and equipment									28,248	71,287	70,861
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired									6,110	26,782	0
Total assets	$ 417,693				$ 389,126				$ 417,693	$ 389,126	$ 470,378

Selected Quarterly Financial 88

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Decrease in tax benefit due to Tax Cuts and Jobs Act	$ 6,356								$ 6,356
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)
Total revenues	1,584,765	$ 1,575,677	$ 1,498,668	$ 1,390,766	$ 1,408,648	$ 1,462,646	$ 1,430,008	$ 1,149,822	6,051,593	$ 5,451,124	$ 5,808,381
Total gross margin	365,556	394,173	390,246	345,056	361,620	394,796	378,498	340,292
(Loss) income from operations	(19,161)	13,112	1,630	(41,470)	(4,602)	23,129	12,311	(8,778)	(45,924)	22,060	78,297
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	6,476	56,268	2,380	19,315	4,304	(6,263)	(1,985)	5,677	84,439	1,733	(16,539)
Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders	$ (20,625)	$ 62,324	$ (3,013)	$ (29,424)	$ (6,493)	$ 10,898	$ 3,521	$ (9,944)	$ 9,262	$ (2,018)	$ 27,719
Net (loss) income per common share attributable to common shareholders:
Basic and diluted (in usd per share)	$ (0.52)	$ 1.58	$ (0.08)	$ (0.74)	$ (0.17)	$ 0.28	$ 0.09	$ (0.26)	$ 0.23	$ (0.05)	$ 0.72
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to common shareholders	$ (20,520)	$ 62,529	$ (2,902)	$ (29,276)	$ (6,582)	$ 10,932	$ 3,581	$ (9,698)	$ 9,831	$ (1,767)	$ 27,044
Decrease in tax benefit due to Tax Cuts and Jobs Act									6,356	$ 0	$ 0
Impairment charges related to certain convenience stores	5,389								$ 9,769
Write off of certain assets	$ 1,546