TravelCenters of America (TA) 10-K 26 Feb 21 2020 FY Annual report Financial data

Cover Page

Cover Page - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Feb. 25, 2021	Jul. 31, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	TravelCenters of America Inc. /MD/
Entity Central Index Key	0001378453
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Small Business	true
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-33274
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MD
Entity Tax Identification Number	20-5701514
Entity Address, Address Line One	24601 Center Ridge Road
Entity Address, City or Town	Westlake
Entity Address, State or Province	OH
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	44145-5639
City Area Code	440
Local Phone Number	808-9100
Title of 12(b) Security	Shares of Common Stock, $0.001 Par Value Per Share
Trading Symbol	TA
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Listing, Par Value Per Share	$ 0.001
Entity Public Float				$ 95.8
Closing price per share of common stock (USD per share)				$ 15.40
Common stock held directly by, or by affiliates of, the directors and the officers of the registrant (in shares)				2,074,996
Number of shares of common stock outstanding owned (in shares)	14,574,000				8,307,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		14,571,018
Documents Incorporated by Reference	DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE Certain information required in Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated by reference to our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A, or our definitive Proxy Statement.
SVC | Principal landlord and one of largest stockholders
Entity Information [Line Items]
Number of shares of common stock outstanding owned (in shares)	1,185,000		501,000	1,184,797
8.25% Senior Notes due 2028
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	8.25% Senior Notes due 2028
Trading Symbol	TANNI
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
8.00% Senior Notes due 2029
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	8.00% Senior Notes due 2029
Trading Symbol	TANNL
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
8.00% Senior Notes due 2030
Entity Information [Line Items]
Title of 12(b) Security	8.00% Senior Notes due 2030
Trading Symbol	TANNZ
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 483,151	$ 17,206
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,016 and $1,083 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively)	94,429	173,496
Inventory	172,830	196,611
Other current assets	35,506	32,456
Total current assets	785,916	419,769
Property and equipment, net	801,789	868,503
Operating lease assets	1,734,883	1,817,998
Goodwill	22,213	25,259
Intangible assets, net	11,529	20,707
Other noncurrent assets	87,530	78,659
Total assets	3,443,860	3,230,895
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	158,075	147,440
Current operating lease liabilities	111,255	104,070
Other current liabilities	175,867	138,455
Total current liabilities	445,197	389,965
Long term debt, net	525,397	329,321
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities	1,763,166	1,880,188
Other noncurrent liabilities	69,121	58,885
Total liabilities	2,802,881	2,658,359
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 216,000 and 16,000 shares of common stock authorized as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and 14,574 and 8,307 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively	14	8
Additional paid-in capital	781,841	698,402
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(205)	(172)
Accumulated deficit	(141,084)	(127,185)
Total TA stockholders' equity	640,566	571,053
Noncontrolling interest	413	1,483
Total stockholders' equity	640,979	572,536
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 3,443,860	$ 3,230,895

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 4,846,037	$ 6,117,359
Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation):
Total cost of goods sold	3,436,362	4,594,769
Site level operating expense	870,329	943,810
Selling, general and administrative expense	145,038	155,474
Real estate rent expense	255,743	257,762
Depreciation and amortization expense	127,789	100,260
Income from operations	10,776	65,284
Interest expense, net	30,479	28,356
Other expense (income), net	1,379	(880)
(Loss) income before income taxes	(21,082)	37,808
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	6,178	(4,339)
Net (loss) income	(14,904)	33,469
Less: net (loss) income for noncontrolling interest	(1,005)	124
Net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders	(13,899)	33,345
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes:
Foreign currency (loss) gain, net of taxes of $26 and $61, respectively	(33)	46
Interest in equity investee's unrealized losses on investments	0	(573)
Other comprehensive loss attributable to common stockholders	(33)	(527)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to common stockholders	$ (13,932)	$ 32,818
Net (loss) income per share of common stock attributable to common stockholders:
Basic and diluted net (loss) income per share of common stock attributable to common stockholders (in USD per share)	$ (1.23)	$ 4.12
Fuel
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 3,084,323	$ 4,247,069
Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation):
Total cost of goods sold	2,750,971	3,868,351
Nonfuel
Revenues:
Total revenues	1,747,418	1,856,147
Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation):
Total cost of goods sold	685,391	726,418
Rent and royalties from franchisees
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 14,296	$ 14,143

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$ (14,904)	$ 33,469
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Noncash rent credits, net	(21,486)	(21,406)
Depreciation and amortization expense	127,789	100,260
Deferred income taxes	(5,418)	5,710
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	78,328	(76,636)
Inventory	23,460	154
Other assets	(1,514)	5,152
Accounts payable and other liabilities	46,952	26,698
Other, net	11,201	9,066
Net cash provided by operating activities	244,408	82,467
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of travel centers from SVC	0	(309,637)
Capital expenditures	(54,386)	(83,955)
Distribution from equity investee	286	5,756
Proceeds from other asset sales	1,873	2,919
Investment in equity investee	(2,928)	(1,500)
Net cash used in investing activities	(55,155)	(386,417)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from underwritten equity offering	79,980	0
Net proceeds from Term Loan Facility	191,516	0
West Greenwich Loan borrowings	16,600	0
Revolving Credit Facility borrowings	0	7,900
Payments on Revolving Credit Facility	(7,900)	0
Acquisition of stock from employees	(1,750)	(346)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(65)	(136)
Other, net	(1,740)	(745)
Net cash provided by financing activities	276,641	6,673
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	51	96
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	465,945	(297,181)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year	17,206	314,387
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year	483,151	17,206
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid (including rent classified as interest and net of capitalized interest)	28,039	27,819
Income taxes refunded	$ (1,210)	$ (1,670)

Consolidated Statements of Stoc

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated Deficit	Treasury Stock	Total TA Stockholders' Equity	Noncontrolling Interest
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018		8,080
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 450,392	$ 8	$ 695,307	$ 355	$ (246,773)	$ 0	$ 448,897	$ 1,495
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Grants under share award plan and stock based compensation, net (in shares)		227
Grants under share award plan and stock based compensation, net			3,095
Grants under share award plan and stock based compensation, net	2,749						2,749
Grants under share award plan and stock based compensation, net						(346)
Retirement of treasury stock	346					346	346
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(136)							(136)
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes	(527)			(527)			(527)
Cumulative effect of adoption of ASC 842, net of taxes	86,243				86,243		86,243
Net (loss) income	$ 33,469				33,345		33,345	124
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019	8,307	8,307
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 572,536	$ 8	698,402	(172)	(127,185)	0	571,053	1,483
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Grants under share award plan and stock based compensation, net (in shares)		167
Grants under share award plan and stock based compensation, net			3,465
Grants under share award plan and stock based compensation, net	3,465						3,465
Proceeds from underwritten public equity offering (in shares)		6,100
Proceeds from underwritten public equity offering	79,980	$ 6	79,974				79,980
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(65)							(65)
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes	(33)			(33)			(33)
Net (loss) income	$ (14,904)				(13,899)		(13,899)	(1,005)
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2020	14,574	14,574
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2020	$ 640,979	$ 14	$ 781,841	$ (205)	$ (141,084)	$ 0	$ 640,566	$ 413
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Accounting Standards Update [Extensible List]	us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201602Member

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 1,016	$ 1,083
Common stock, par value (in USD per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized	216,000,000	16,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	14,574,000	8,307,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	14,574,000	8,307,000

Consolidated Statements of Op_2

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Foreign currency (loss) gain, taxes	$ 26	$ 61

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies General Information and Basis of Presentation TravelCenters of America Inc., which we refer to as the Company or we, us and our, is a Maryland corporation. Prior to August 1, 2019, we were organized as a Delaware limited liability company. On August 1, 2019, in conjunction with our conversion from a Delaware limited liability company to a Maryland corporation, we assigned a $0.001 par value per share to our common stock and the excess over the par value was classified as additional paid-in capital in our consolidated balance sheets. See Note 9 for more information on our conversion to a Maryland corporation and our common stock. As of December 31, 2020, we operated or franchised 316 travel centers, standalone truck service facilities 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. As of December 31, 2020, our business included 271 travel centers in 44 states in the United States and the province of Ontario, Canada, primarily along the U.S. interstate highway system, operated primarily under the "TravelCenters of America," "TA," "TA Express," "Petro Stopping Centers" and "Petro" brand names. Of these travel centers, we owned 51, we leased 181, we operated two for a joint venture in which we owned a noncontrolling interest and 37 were owned or leased from others by our franchisees. We operated 232 of our travel centers and franchisees operated 39 travel centers, including two 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 a wide range of truck repair and maintenance services, diesel exhaust fluid, full service restaurants, or FSRs, quick service restaurants and various customer amenities. As of December 31, 2020, our business included three standalone truck service facilities operated under the "TA Truck Service" brand name. Of these standalone truck service facilities, we leased two and owned one. Our standalone truck service facilities offer extensive maintenance and emergency repair and roadside services to large trucks. As of December 31, 2020, our business included 42 standalone restaurants in 12 states in the United States operated primarily under the "Quaker Steak & Lube," or QSL, brand name. Of these standalone restaurants, we operated 14 restaurants (four we owned, eight we leased, one we operated for one of our franchisees and one we operated for a joint venture in which we owned a noncontrolling interest) and 28 were owned or leased from others and operated by our franchisees. We have entered an agreement to sell our QSL business for approximately $5,000, excluding costs to sell and certain closing adjustments. This sale is expected to close during the first quarter of 2021; however, it is subject to certain conditions. Accordingly, we cannot be certain that we will complete this sale, that this sale will not be delayed or that the terms will not change. See Note 3 for more information about the sale of our QSL business. We manage our business as one segment. We make specific disclosures concerning fuel and nonfuel products and services because they facilitate our discussion of trends and operational initiatives within our business and industry. We have a single travel center located in a foreign country, Canada, that we do not consider material to our operations. Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of TravelCenters of America Inc. 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 11 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. Revenues consist of fuel revenues, nonfuel revenues and rents and royalties from franchisees. See Note 2 for more information about our revenues. Cash and Cash Equivalents. We consider highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less on the date of purchase to be cash equivalents, the majority of which are held at major commercial banks. Certain cash account balances exceed Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits of $250 per account and, as a result, there is a concentration of credit risk related to amounts in excess of the insurance limits. We regularly monitor the financial stability of these financial institutions and believe that we are not exposed to any significant credit risk in cash and cash equivalents. 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. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, our accounts receivable balance also included $1,131 and $70,229, respectively, related to the federal biodiesel blenders' tax credit that the U.S. government retroactively reinstated in 2019. Inventory. We state our inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable 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 10 to 40 years Machinery and equipment 3 to 15 years Furniture and fixtures 5 to 20 years We depreciate leasehold improvements over the shorter of the lives shown above or the remaining term of the underlying lease. Goodwill and Intangible Assets. In a business combination we are required to record assets and liabilities acquired, including those intangible assets that arise from contractual or other legal rights or are otherwise capable of being separated or divided from the acquired entity, based on the fair values of the acquired assets and liabilities. Any excess of acquisition cost over the fair value of the acquired net identifiable 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 5 for more information about our goodwill and intangible assets. Impairment. We review definite lived assets for potential 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 our current expectations for projected fuel sales volume, nonfuel revenues, fuel and nonfuel gross margins, site level operating expense and real estate rent expense. The discount rate is used to measure the present value of projected future cash flows and is set at a rate we believe is likely to be used by a market participant using a weighted average cost of capital method that considers market and industry data as well as our specific risk factors. The weighted average cost of capital is our estimate of the overall after tax rate of return required by equity and debt holders of a business enterprise. We use a number of assumptions and methods in preparing valuations underlying the impairment tests including estimates of future cash flows and discount rates, 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 and operating lease assets 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. In March 2020, COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, and the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary declared a public health emergency in the United States in response to the outbreak. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our operations, we assessed our indefinite and definite lived intangible assets and our definite lived assets for potential indicators of impairment during the year ended December 31, 2020. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations was included in our analyses. However, we are unable to predict the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and as a result, we are unable to determine what the ultimate impact will be on our financial results and financial position. We will continue to closely monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the fair value of our travel centers reporting unit. During 2020 and 2019, based on our evaluation of certain low performing owned and leased standalone restaurants, we incurred impairment charges of $6,574 and $2,369, respectively, to our property and equipment and $1,262 and $579, respectively, to our operating lease assets. 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 primarily include our agreements with franchisees. For 2020, 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 values of the assets. During 2020 and 2019, we did not record any impairment charges related to, or recognize a revision to the remaining period of amortization of, 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. Indefinite lived intangible assets consisted of trademarks and their fair value was determined using a relief from royalty method. 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. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually as of July 31, or more frequently if the circumstances warrant, at the reporting unit level. We have two reporting units, travel centers and the QSL reporting unit. In May 2020, in conjunction with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we evaluated our travel centers and QSL reporting units for potential indicators of impairment, which included evaluating financial trends and industry and market conditions and assessing the reasonableness of the assumptions used in the most recent quantitative analysis. Based on our analyses, we determined that the decline in site level gross margin in excess of site level operating expense for our QSL reporting unit was an indicator of impairment. Accordingly, we performed an impairment assessment of the goodwill in our QSL reporting unit using the same quantitative analysis approach that we historically followed for our goodwill impairment assessments. Based on the assessment performed, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $3,046, which was recognized in depreciation and amortization expense in our consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive (loss) income for the year ended December 31, 2020. Annual impairment testing for the travel centers reporting unit for 2020 was performed using a quantitative analysis under which the fair value of our reporting unit 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. 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. However, due to the lack of comparable publicly traded companies within the travel center industry, we relied solely on the fair value estimated under the income approach. 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. For the travel centers reporting unit, we determined a discount rate and perpetual growth rate of 10.5% and 2.5%, respectively, was appropriate. The fair value estimates are sensitive and actual rates and results may differ materially. Applying different assumptions could lead to different results. Based on our analyses, we concluded that as of July 31, 2020, goodwill for our travel centers reporting unit was not impaired. We evaluate indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment as of November 30, or more frequently if the circumstances warrant. During 2020, indefinite lived intangible assets were assessed using a qualitative analysis that was performed by assessing certain trends and factors, including 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 2020 and 2019, we did not record any impairment charges related to our indefinite lived intangible assets. As of December 31, 2020, we classified the net assets of our QSL business as held for sale and recorded an impairment charge of $13,715 for the year ended December 31, 2020, included in depreciation and amortization expense in our consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive (loss) income. See Note 3 for more information on the sale of our QSL business. Stock Based Employee Compensation. We have historically granted awards of our shares of common stock under our share award plans. Stock awards issued to our Directors vest immediately. Stock awards made to others vest in five 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 expense within site level operating expense in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income. Generally, the timing of remediation expense recognition coincides with completion of a feasibility study or the commitment to a formal plan of action. Accrued liabilities related to environmental matters are recorded on an undiscounted basis because of the uncertainty associated with the timing of the related future payments. In our consolidated balance sheets, the accrual for environmental matters is included in other noncurrent liabilities, with the amount estimated to be expended within the subsequent 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. See Note 14 for more information on our estimated future environmental costs. 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 potential 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, 2020 and 2019, were $5,752 and $5,160, 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 lease agreements covering many of our properties, as well as various equipment, with the most significant leases being our five leases with Service Properties Trust, or SVC. We recognize operating lease assets and liabilities for all leases with an initial term greater than 12 months. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recognized in our consolidated balance sheets. Our operating lease liabilities represent the present value of our unpaid lease payments. The discount rate used to derive the present value of unpaid lease payments is based on the rates implicit in our leases with SVC and our incremental borrowing rate for all other leases. Certain of our leases include renewal options, and certain of our leases include escalation clauses and purchase options. Renewal periods are included in calculating our operating lease assets and liabilities when they are reasonably certain. We recognize rent under operating leases without scheduled rent increases as an 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, which reduces our operating lease assets. The rent payments resulting from our sales to SVC of improvements to the properties we lease from SVC are contingent rent. We recognize the expense related to this contingent rent evenly throughout the remaining lease term beginning on the dates of the related sales to SVC. See Note 8 for more information about our leases with SVC and our accounting for them. Income Taxes. We establish deferred income tax assets and liabilities to reflect the future tax consequences of differences between the tax basis and financial statement basis 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. See Note 10 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. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncement and Other Accounting Matters In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software , which aligns the accounting for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the accounting for implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The capitalized implementation costs are to be amortized over the term of the contract. We adopted this standard on January 1, 2020, using the prospective transition method. The implementation of this update did not cause a material change to our consolidated financial statements. On March 27, 2020, the United States enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or the CARES Act, as a response to the economic uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, which, among other things, included several temporary changes to corporate income tax provisions. The CARES Act, among other things, includes provisions relating to the deferral of the employer portion of social security taxes incurred through December 31, 2020, and employee retention tax credit, which is a refundable payroll credit for certain qualified wages and health benefits. As of December 31, 2020, we have included $23,340 of deferred employer social security payments in other current liabilities. For the year ended December 31, 2020, we recognized $3,268 related to the employee retention tax credit for credits evaluated through June 30, 2020. We are in the process of evaluating the amount of any credits for which we may be eligible for the period July 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020; however, we are currently unable to estimate the amount of these credits, if any, for which we are eligible. We will continue to evaluate the impact the CARES Act may have on our operations and consolidated financial statements in future periods and to the extent additional guidance and regulations are issued.

Revenues

Revenues	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenues	RevenuesWe recognize revenues based on the consideration specified in the contract with the customer, excluding any sales incentives (such as customer loyalty programs and customer rebates) and amounts collected on behalf of third parties (such as sales and excise taxes). The majority of our revenues are generated at the point of sale in our retail locations. Revenues consist of fuel revenues, nonfuel revenues and rents and royalties from franchisees. Fuel Revenues. We recognize fuel revenues and the related costs at the time of sale to customers at our company operated locations. We sell diesel fuel and gasoline to our customers at prices that we establish daily or are indexed to market prices and reset daily. We sell diesel fuel under pricing arrangements with certain customers. For the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately 89.5% of our diesel fuel volume was sold at discounts to posted prices under pricing arrangements with our fleet customers, some of which include rebates payable to the customer after the end of the period. Nonfuel Revenues. We recognize nonfuel revenues and the related costs at the time of sale to customers at our company operated locations. We sell a variety of nonfuel products and services at stated retail prices in our travel centers and standalone restaurants, as well as through our Road Squad®, TechOn-Site® and TA Commercial Tire Network™ programs. Truck repair and maintenance goods or services may be sold at discounted prices under pricing arrangements with certain customers, some of which include rebates payable to the customer after the end of the period. Rent and Royalties from Franchisees Revenues. We recognize franchise royalties and advertising fees from franchisees as revenue monthly based on the franchisees' sales data reported to us. Royalty revenues are contractual as a percentage of the franchisees' revenues and advertising fees are contractual as either a percentage of the franchisees' revenues or as a fixed amount. When we enter into a new franchise agreement or a renewal term with an existing franchisee, the franchisee is required to pay an initial or renewal franchise fee. Initial and renewal franchise fees are recognized as revenue on a straight line basis over the term of the respective franchise agreements. For those travel centers that we lease to a franchisee, we recognize rent revenues on a straight line basis based on the current contractual rent amount. These leases include rent escalations that are contingent on future events, namely inflation or our investing in capital improvements at these travel centers. Because the rent increases related to these factors are contingent upon future events, we recognize the related rent revenues after such events have occurred. See Note 8 for more information about the travel centers we leased to franchisees. Other. Sales incentives and other promotional activities that we recognize as a reduction to revenues include, but are not limited to, the following: • Customer Loyalty Programs. We offer travel center trucking customers and casual restaurant diners the option to participate in our customer loyalty programs. Our customer loyalty programs provide customers with the right to earn loyalty awards on qualifying purchases that can be used for discounts on future purchases of goods or services. We apply a relative standalone selling price approach to our outstanding loyalty awards whereby a portion of each sale attributable to the loyalty awards earned is deferred and will be recognized as revenue in the category in which the loyalty awards are redeemed upon the redemption or expiration of the loyalty awards. Significant judgment is required to determine the standalone selling price for loyalty awards. Assumptions used in determining the standalone selling price include the historic redemption rate and the use of a weighted average selling price for fuel to calculate the revenues attributable to the customer loyalty awards. • Customer Discounts and Rebates. We enter into agreements with certain customers in which we agree to provide discounts on fuel and/or truck service purchases, some of which are structured as rebates payable to the customer after the end of the period. We recognize the cost of discounts against, and in the same period as, the revenues that generated the discounts earned. • Gift Cards. We sell branded gift cards. Sales proceeds are recognized as a contract liability; the liability is reduced and revenue is recognized when the gift card subsequently is redeemed for goods or services. Unredeemed gift card balances are recognized as revenues when the possibility of redemption becomes remote. Disaggregation of Revenues We disaggregate our revenues based on the type of good or service provided to the customer, or by fuel revenues and nonfuel revenues, in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income. Nonfuel revenues disaggregated by type of good or service for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, were as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2020 2019 Nonfuel revenues: Truck service $ 670,847 $ 674,203 Store and retail services 660,921 662,067 Restaurant 308,525 425,090 Diesel exhaust fluid 107,125 94,787 Total nonfuel revenues $ 1,747,418 $ 1,856,147 Contract Liabilities Our contract liabilities, which are presented in our consolidated balance sheets in other current and other noncurrent liabilities, primarily include deferred revenues related to our customer loyalty programs, gift cards, rebates payable to customers and other deferred revenues. The following table shows the changes in our contract liabilities between periods. Customer Other Total December 31, 2018 $ 15,490 $ 3,470 $ 18,960 Increases due to unsatisfied performance obligations arising during the period 103,228 12,982 116,210 Revenues recognized from satisfied performance obligations during the period (90,462) (10,519) (100,981) Other (10,263) (1,111) (11,374) December 31, 2019 17,993 4,822 22,815 Increases due to unsatisfied performance obligations arising during the period 115,792 15,791 131,583 Revenues recognized from satisfied performance obligations during the period (98,147) (12,879) (111,026) Other (12,817) (589) (13,406) December 31, 2020 $ 22,821 $ 7,145 $ 29,966 As of December 31, 2020, we expect the unsatisfied performance obligations relating to our customer loyalty programs will be satisfied within 12 months. As of December 31, 2020, the deferred initial and renewal franchise fee revenue expected to be recognized in future periods ranges between $323 and $373 for each of the years 2021 through 2025.

Acquisition and Disposition Act

Acquisition and Disposition Activity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisition and Disposition Activity	Acquisition and Disposition Activity 2020 Acquisition Activity . During the year ended December 31, 2020, we acquired one parcel of land for $1,358, which we accounted for as an asset acquisition. 2019 Acquisition Activity. In January 2019, we entered into agreements, or the Transaction Agreements, with SVC pursuant to which, among other things, we purchased 20 travel centers for $309,637, which amount includes $1,437 of transaction related costs. These acquisitions were accounted for as asset acquisitions that resulted in the derecognition of certain operating lease assets and liabilities for a net recognized aggregate cost basis of the acquired assets of $284,902. See Note 8 for more information about the Transaction Agreements and our leases with SVC and Note 13 for more information about our relationship with SVC. 2020 Disposition Activity . We entered an agreement to sell our QSL business for approximately $5,000, excluding costs to sell and certain closing adjustments and classified our QSL business as held for sale as of December 31, 2020, because it met the applicable criteria for that treatment as set forth in FASB Accounting Standards Codification 205, Presentation of Financial Statements. We do not believe that this sale represents a strategic shift in our business. We expect this sale to close during the first quarter of 2021; however, it is subject to certain conditions. Accordingly, we cannot be certain that we will complete this sale, that this sale will not be delayed or that the terms will not change. Our QSL business includes 41 standalone restaurants in 11 states in the United States operated primarily under the QSL brand name. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we recorded an impairment charge of $13,715, which is included in depreciation and amortization expense in our consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive (loss) income to reduce the carrying value of our QSL net asset disposal group to $4,471. Our estimated fair value is based on the purchase price, pursuant to the purchase and sale agreement, less costs to sell and certain closing adjustments. Our QSL net asset disposal group is included as assets held for sale, net in other current assets on our consolidated balance sheet and is comprised of the following: December 31, 2020 Current assets $ 4,313 Property and equipment, net 11,745 Operating lease assets 6,927 Intangible assets, net 7,301 Current liabilities (1,967) Current operating lease liabilities (1,307) Long term debt, net (868) Noncurrent operating lease liabilities (7,907) Other noncurrent liabilities (51) Assets held for sale, gross 18,186 Impairment charge (13,715) Assets held for sale, net $ 4,471

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment Property and equipment, net as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, consisted of the following: December 31, 2020 2019 Machinery, equipment and furniture $ 531,755 $ 533,380 Land and improvements 315,906 316,751 Leasehold improvements 296,396 271,451 Buildings and improvements 295,588 307,433 Construction in progress 14,391 24,678 Property and equipment, at cost 1,454,036 1,453,693 Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization 652,247 585,190 Property and equipment, net $ 801,789 $ 868,503 Total depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, was $103,178 and $97,232, respectively, which included impairment charges of $6,574 and $2,369 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, related to certain standalone restaurants. As of December 31, 2020, we reclassified $11,745 of our property and equipment, net, as held for sale. See Note 3 for more information on the sale of our QSL business. The following table shows the amounts of property and equipment owned by SVC but recognized in operating lease assets in our consolidated balance sheets. December 31, 2020 2019 Leasehold improvements $ 100,419 $ 101,316 Property and equipment, at cost 100,419 101,316 Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization 82,919 81,915 Property and equipment, net $ 17,500 $ 19,401 At December 31, 2020, our property and equipment, net balance included $58,163 of improvements of the type that we historically requested that SVC purchase for an increase in annual minimum rent; however, we may elect not to sell some of those improvements and SVC is not obligated to purchase those improvements. See Note 8 for more information about our leases with SVC.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Intangible Assets Intangible Assets Intangible assets, net, as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, consisted of the following: December 31, 2020 Cost Accumulated Net Amortizable intangible assets: Agreements with franchisees $ 17,134 $ (14,039) $ 3,095 Leasehold interests 2,094 (2,094) — Other 3,913 (3,386) 527 Total amortizable intangible assets 23,141 (19,519) 3,622 Carrying value of trademarks (indefinite lives) 7,907 — 7,907 Intangible assets, net $ 31,048 $ (19,519) $ 11,529 December 31, 2019 Cost Accumulated Net Amortizable intangible assets: Agreements with franchisees $ 21,145 $ (13,350) $ 7,795 Leasehold interests 2,094 (2,094) — Other 3,913 (3,318) 595 Total amortizable intangible assets 27,152 (18,762) 8,390 Carrying value of trademarks (indefinite lives) 12,317 — 12,317 Intangible assets, net $ 39,469 $ (18,762) $ 20,707 Total amortization expense for amortizable intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, was $1,547 and $1,609, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, we reclassified $7,301 of our intangible assets, net as held for sale. See Note 3 for more information on the sale of our QSL business. We amortize our amortizable intangible assets over a weighted average period of approximately eight years. The aggregate amortization expense for our amortizable intangible assets as of December 31, 2020, for each of the next five years is: Total 2021 $ 596 2022 490 2023 391 2024 391 2025 375 Goodwill As of December 31, 2020, all of our goodwill balance is deductible for tax purposes. Goodwill by reporting unit was as follows: December 31, 2020 2019 Travel centers business $ 22,213 $ 22,213 QSL business — 3,046 Total goodwill $ 22,213 $ 25,259

Other Current Liabilities

Other Current Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Current Liabilities	Other Current Liabilities Other current liabilities as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, consisted of the following: December 31, 2020 2019 Taxes payable, other than income taxes $ 56,028 $ 52,320 Accrued wages and benefits (1) 46,390 21,416 Customer loyalty program accruals 22,821 17,993 Self insurance program accruals, current portion 15,415 13,509 Accrued capital expenditures 5,243 4,721 Other 29,970 28,496 Total other current liabilities $ 175,867 $ 138,455 (1) As of December 31, 2020, pursuant to the CARES Act, accrued wages and benefits included $23,340 of deferred employer social security payments. See Note 1 for more information on the CARES Act.

Long Term Debt

Long Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long Term Debt	Long Term Debt Long term debt, net as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, consisted of the following: Interest Rate Maturity Date December 31, 2020 2019 2028 Senior Notes 8.25% January 15, 2028 $ 110,000 $ 110,000 2029 Senior Notes 8.00% December 15, 2029 120,000 120,000 2030 Senior Notes 8.00% October 15, 2030 100,000 100,000 Term Loan Facility 7.00% December 14, 2027 198,000 — West Greenwich Loan 3.85% February 7, 2030 15,382 — Vehicle Financing Agreement 4.90% October 28, 2026 751 — Revolving Credit Facility 3.75% July 19, 2024 — 7,900 Other long term debt 4.99% March 31, 2027 — 982 Unamortized discount and deferred financing costs (18,736) (9,561) Total long term debt, net $ 525,397 $ 329,321 As of December 31, 2020, we reclassified $868 of our long term debt, net as held for sale. See Note 3 for more information on the sale of our QSL business. Senior Notes Our 2028 Senior Notes were issued in January 2013 and require us to pay interest quarterly in arrears on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year. No principal payments are required prior to the maturity date. We may, at our option, at any time 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. Our 2029 Senior Notes were issued in December 2014 and require us to pay interest quarterly in arrears on February 28, May 31, August 31 and November 30 of each year. No principal payments are required prior to the maturity date. We may, at our option, at any time 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 2030 Senior Notes were issued in October 2015 and require us to pay interest quarterly in arrears on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 of each year. No principal payments are required prior to the maturity date. We may, at our option, at any time 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. 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 are presented in 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 $117,392, $121,584 and $101,920, respectively, based on their respective closing prices on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, or the Nasdaq, (a Level 1 input) on December 31, 2020. Revolving Credit Facility On December 14, 2020, in connection with entering into the Term Loan Credit Agreement, we and certain of our subsidiaries, as borrowers or guarantors entered into an amendment, or the Amendment No. 4, to our Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, or the Credit Facility, dated as of October 25, 2011, with Wells Fargo Capital Finance LLC, as administrative agent for various lenders, or the ABL Credit Agreement. The Amendment No. 4 amended the ABL Credit Agreement to, among other things: (i) permit the incurrence of the term loan credit facility and (ii) increase the unused line fee by 12.5 basis points. On July 19, 2019, we and certain of our subsidiaries, as borrowers or guarantors, entered into an amendment, or the Amendment No. 3, to our Credit Facility. The Amendment No. 3, among other things: (i) extended the maturity of the Credit Facility from December 19, 2019, to July 19, 2024; (ii) reduced the applicable margins on borrowings and standby letter of credit fees by 25 basis points and on commercial letter of credit fees by 12.5 basis points; (iii) made certain adjustments to the limitations on investments, dividends and stock repurchases under the Credit Facility in a manner favorable to us; (iv) reduced the sublimit for issuance of letters of credit under the Credit Facility from $170,000 to $125,000; and (v) made certain adjustments to the borrowing base calculation in a manner we believe to be favorable to us. Under the Credit Facility, a maximum of $200,000 may be drawn, repaid and redrawn until maturity. The availability of the maximum amount is subject to limits based on qualified collateral. Subject to available collateral and lender participation, the maximum amount of this Credit Facility may be increased to $300,000. The Credit Facility may be used for general business purposes and allows for the issuance of letters of credit. Generally, no principal payments are due until maturity. Under the terms of the Credit Facility, interest is payable on outstanding borrowings 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). As of December 31, 2020, the applicable margin was 1.50% for LIBOR borrowings and standby letter of credit fees, 0.50% for Base Rate borrowings and 0.75% for commercial letter of credit fees, in each case subject to adjustment based on facility availability, utilization and other matters. As of December 31, 2020, the unused line fee was 0.375% per annum, subject to adjustment according to the average daily principal amount of unused commitments under the Credit Facility. The Credit Facility requires us to maintain certain levels of collateral, limits our ability to incur debt and liens, restricts us from making certain investments and paying dividends and other distributions, requires us to maintain a minimum fixed charge ratio under certain circumstances and contains other customary covenants and conditions. The Credit Facility provides for the acceleration of principal and interest payments upon an event of default including, but not limited to, failure to pay interest or other amounts due, a change in control of us, as defined in the Credit Facility, and our default under certain contracts, including our leases with SVC 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, 2020, based on our qualified collateral, a total of $86,833 was available to us for loans and letters of credit under the Credit Facility. At December 31, 2020, there were no of borrowings under the Credit Facility and $16,815 of letters of credit issued under that facility, securing certain insurance, fuel tax and other obligations. These letters of credit reduce the amount available for borrowing under the Credit Facility, leaving $70,018 available for use as of that date. Term Loan Facility On December 14, 2020, we entered into a $200,000 term loan facility, or the Term Loan Facility, which is secured by a pledge of all the equity interests of substantially all of our wholly owned subsidiaries and a pledge of substantially all of our other assets and the assets of such wholly owned subsidiaries. We expect to use the net proceeds of $190,062 from our Term Loan Facility for general business purposes, including the funding of deferred capital expenditures, updates to key information technology infrastructure and growth initiatives consistent with our Transformation Plan. Interest on amounts outstanding under the Term Loan Facility are calculated at LIBOR, with a LIBOR floor of 100 basis points, plus 600 basis points and matures on December 14, 2027. Our Term Loan Facility requires monthly interest payments and quarterly principal payments of $500, or 1.0% of the original principal amount annually. Remaining principal amounts outstanding under the Term Loan Facility may be prepaid beginning on December 14, 2022. IHOP Secured Advance Note On October 28, 2019, we entered into a multi unit franchise agreement with IHOP Franchisor LLC a subsidiary of IHOP ® , or IHOP, in which we agreed to rebrand and convert up to 94 of our FSRs to IHOP restaurants over five years, or the IHOP Agreement. Concurrent with entering into the IHOP Agreement, we entered into a Secured Advance Note with IHOP, or the IHOP Note, pursuant to which we can borrow up to $10,000 in connection with the costs to convert our FSRs to IHOP restaurants. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, there were no loans outstanding under the IHOP Note. West Greenwich Loan On February 7, 2020, we entered into a 10 year term loan for $16,600 with The Washington Trust Company, or the West Greenwich Loan. The West Greenwich Loan is secured by a mortgage encumbering our travel center located in West Greenwich, Rhode Island. The interest rate is fixed at 3.85% for five years based on the five year Federal Home Loan Bank rate plus 198 basis points, and will reset thereafter. The West Greenwich Loan requires us to make principal and interest payments monthly. The proceeds from the West Greenwich Loan were used for general business purposes. We may, at our option with 60 days prior written notice, repay the loan in full prior to the end of the 10 year term plus, if repaid prior to February 7, 2023, a nominal penalty. Vehicle Financing Agreement On October 28, 2020, we entered into a six The required principal payments due during the next five years and thereafter under all our outstanding consolidated debt as of December 31, 2020, are as follows: Principal 2021 $ 2,849 2022 2,813 2023 2,821 2024 2,829 2025 2,837 Thereafter 532,833 Total (1) $ 546,982 (1) Total consolidated debt outstanding as of December 31, 2020, net of unamortized discounts and deferred financing costs totaling $18,736, was $528,246. Discount and Deferred Financing Costs As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the unamortized balance of our deferred financing costs related to our Credit Facility were $1,010 and $671, respectively, net of accumulated amortization of $1,297 and $1,136, respectively, and are presented in other noncurrent assets in our consolidated balance sheets. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we capitalized costs incurred related to the amendments of our Credit Facility of $500 and $688, respectively. We also recognized an expense of $47 during the year ended December 31, 2019, to write off previously capitalized fees in conjunction with Amendment No. 3. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we recorded a $8,484 discount and capitalized $1,454 of financing costs in connection with our Term Loan Facility, and capitalized $318 of financing costs in connection with our West Greenwich Loan. Discounts and debt issuance costs for our Senior Notes, Term Loan Facility and West Greenwich Loan totaled $18,736 and $9,561 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, net of accumulated amortization of $6,501 and $5,420, respectively, and are presented in our consolidated balance sheets as a reduction of long term debt, net. We estimate we will recognize future amortization of discounts and deferred financing costs of $2,475 in 2021, $2,552 in 2022, $2,636 in 2023, $2,589 in 2024 and $2,604 in 2025. We recognized interest expense from the amortization of deferred financing costs of $1,242 and $1,183 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Leasing Transactions

Leasing Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Leasing Transactions, As A Lessee	Leasing Transactions As a Lessee We have lease agreements covering many of our properties, as well as various equipment, with the most significant leases being our five leases with SVC, which are further described below. Certain of our leases include renewal options, and certain leases include escalation clauses and purchase options. Renewal periods are included in calculating our operating lease assets and liabilities when they are reasonably certain. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recognized in our consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2020, our SVC Leases, as defined below, the leases covering our other properties and most of our equipment leases were classified as operating leases and certain of our other equipment leases were classified as finance leases. As of December 31, 2020, our finance lease assets and liabilities were immaterial to our consolidated financial statements. Finance lease assets were included in other noncurrent assets, with the corresponding current and noncurrent finance lease liabilities included in other current liabilities and other noncurrent liabilities, respectively, in our consolidated balance sheet. Certain of our operating leases provide for variable lease costs, which primarily include percentage rent and our obligation for the estimated cost of removing underground storage tanks under the SVC Leases, as defined below. Our lease costs are included in various balances in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income, as shown in the following table. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, our lease costs consisted of the following: Classification in our Consolidated Year Ended December 31, 2020 2019 Operating lease costs: SVC Leases Real estate rent expense $ 237,999 $ 240,328 Operating lease costs: other Real estate rent expense 12,592 11,082 Variable lease costs: SVC Leases Real estate rent expense 4,524 5,203 Variable lease costs: other Real estate rent expense 628 1,149 Total real estate rent expense 255,743 257,762 Operating lease costs: equipment and other Site level operating expense and selling, general and administrative expense 3,649 3,088 Short-term lease costs Site level operating expense and selling, general and administrative expense 1,826 2,869 Amortization of finance lease assets Depreciation and amortization expense 246 — Interest on finance lease liabilities Interest expense, net 99 — Sublease income Nonfuel revenues (2,064) (2,180) Net lease costs $ 259,499 $ 261,539 During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we recognized impairment charges of $1,262 and $579, respectively, to our operating lease assets relating to certain standalone restaurants, which are included in real estate rent expense in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income. Maturities of our operating lease liabilities that had remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2020, were as follows: SVC Leases (1) Other Total Years ended December 31: 2021 $ 270,799 $ 4,850 $ 275,649 2022 268,936 3,572 272,508 2023 255,344 1,660 257,004 2024 251,150 509 251,659 2025 250,667 376 251,043 Thereafter 1,783,837 2,269 1,786,106 Total operating lease payments 3,080,733 13,236 3,093,969 Less: present value discount (2) (1,217,496) (2,052) (1,219,548) Present value of operating lease liabilities $ 1,863,237 $ 11,184 $ 1,874,421 (1) Includes rent for properties we sublease from SVC and pay directly to SVC's landlords. (2) The discount rate used to derive the present value of unpaid lease payments is based on the rates implicit in the SVC Leases and our incremental borrowing rate for all other leases. The weighted average remaining lease term for our operating leases as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, was approximately 12 and 13 years, respectively. Our weighted average discount rate for our operating leases as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, was approximately 9.1%. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we paid $277,229 and $279,168, respectively, for amounts that had been included in the measurement of our operating lease liabilities. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, our operating lease assets and liabilities consisted of the following: December 31, 2020 2019 Operating lease assets: SVC Leases $ 1,724,428 $ 1,796,406 Other 10,455 21,592 Total operating lease assets $ 1,734,883 $ 1,817,998 Current operating lease liabilities: SVC Leases $ 106,788 $ 98,574 Other 4,467 5,496 Total current operating lease liabilities $ 111,255 $ 104,070 Noncurrent operating lease liabilities: SVC Leases $ 1,756,449 $ 1,862,060 Other 6,717 18,128 Total noncurrent operating lease liabilities $ 1,763,166 $ 1,880,188 As of December 31, 2020, we reclassified $6,927 of our operating lease assets and $9,214 of our operating lease liabilities as held for sale. See Note 3 for more information on the sale of our QSL business. Leasing Agreements with SVC. As of December 31, 2020, we leased from SVC a total of 179 properties under five leases, four of which we refer to as the TA Leases and one of which we refer to as the Petro Lease, and which we refer to collectively as the SVC Leases. In January 2019, we entered into the Transaction Agreements, pursuant to which: • We purchased 20 travel center properties from SVC, which we previously leased from SVC, for a total acquisition cost of $309,637, including $1,437 of transaction related costs. • Upon completing these transactions, these travel centers were removed from the SVC Leases and our annual minimum rent due to SVC was reduced by $43,148. • The term of each SVC Lease was extended by three years. • Commencing on April 1, 2019, we began to pay SVC 16 quarterly installments of approximately $4,404 each (an aggregate of $70,458) to fully satisfy and discharge our $150,000 deferred rent obligation to SVC that otherwise would have become due in five installments between 2024 and 2030. We paid to SVC $17,615 and $13,211 in respect of such obligation during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. • Commencing on January 1, 2020, we began to pay to SVC an additional amount of percentage rent equal to one-half percent (0.5%) of the excess of our annual nonfuel revenues at leased sites over the nonfuel revenues for each respective site for the year ending December 31, 2019. • Certain of the 179 travel center properties that we continue to lease from SVC were reallocated among the SVC Leases. As a result of the Transaction Agreements, our operating lease assets and liabilities each increased by $23,673 and our asset retirement obligations increased by $2,420. In addition, the purchase of the 20 travel center properties resulted in the derecognition of certain operating lease assets and liabilities. See Note 3 for more information about these acquisitions. The number of properties leased, the terms, the annual minimum rent and the deferred rent balances owed by us under the SVC Leases, as of December 31, 2020, are as follows: Number Initial Term End Date (1) Annual Minimum Deferred Rent (2) TA Lease 1 36 December 31, 2032 $ 49,707 $ 10,487 TA Lease 2 36 December 31, 2031 44,077 9,740 TA Lease 3 35 December 31, 2029 42,409 9,603 TA Lease 4 37 December 31, 2033 46,067 9,804 Petro Lease 35 June 30, 2035 61,654 — Total 179 $ 243,914 $ 39,634 (1) We have two renewal options of 15 years each under each of the SVC Leases. (2) Under our rent deferral agreement with SVC, deferred rent shall be accelerated and interest shall begin to accrue thereon at 1.0% per month on the deferred rent amounts if certain events occur, including: our default under the SVC Leases; a change of control of us, as defined in the rent deferral agreement; or our declaration or payment of a dividend or other distribution in respect of our common stock. On October 14, 2019, we and SVC amended the SVC Leases, pursuant to which, among other things, certain of the 179 travel center properties that we lease from SVC were reallocated among the SVC Leases. We accounted for this amendment as a lease modification. As a result, our operating lease assets and liabilities each increased by $33,816. The amendments did not have a material impact on our real estate rent expense. The SVC 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 SVC leases the property and subleases it to us. We also are required generally to indemnify SVC 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 SVC Leases require us to maintain the leased properties, including structural and non-structural components. We recognized total rent expense of $242,523 and $245,531 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, under the SVC Leases. In addition to the payment of annual minimum rent, the SVC Leases provide for payment to SVC of percentage rent, calculated at 3.5% of the increase in total nonfuel revenues at each property over base year levels. The percentage rent amounts due for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, were $2,764 and $4,075, respectively. As noted above, pursuant to the Transaction Agreements, we became obligated to pay additional percentage rent commencing on January 1, 2020. Under the SVC Leases, we may request that SVC purchase approved amounts of renovations, improvements and equipment at the leased properties in return for increases in our annual minimum rent according to the following formula: the annual minimum rent will be increased by an amount equal to the amount paid by SVC multiplied by the greater of (i) 8.5% or (ii) a benchmark U.S. Treasury interest rate plus 3.5%. We did not sell to SVC any improvements we made to properties leased from SVC during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. At December 31, 2020, our property and equipment, net balance included $58,163 of improvements of the type that we historically requested that SVC purchase for an increase in annual minimum rent; however, we may elect not to sell some of those improvements and SVC is not obligated to purchase those improvements. As permitted by the SVC Leases, we sublease a portion of certain travel centers to third parties to operate other retail operations. These subleases are classified as operating leases. We recognized sublease rental income of $2,064 and $2,180 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. As a Lessor We leased two travel centers to franchisees as of December 31, 2020 and 2019. These two lease agreements expire in June 2022. These leases include rent escalations that are contingent on future events, namely inflation or our investing in capital improvements at these travel centers. Rent revenues from these operating leases totaled $2,312 and $2,293 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Future minimum lease payments due to us for the two leased sites under these operating leases as of December 31, 2020, were $2,336 for the year 2021 and $1,168 for 2022. See above for information regarding certain travel centers that we leased from SVC for which we sublease a portion of the travel centers to third parties to operate other retail operations.
Leasing Transactions, As A Lessor	Leasing Transactions As a Lessee We have lease agreements covering many of our properties, as well as various equipment, with the most significant leases being our five leases with SVC, which are further described below. Certain of our leases include renewal options, and certain leases include escalation clauses and purchase options. Renewal periods are included in calculating our operating lease assets and liabilities when they are reasonably certain. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recognized in our consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2020, our SVC Leases, as defined below, the leases covering our other properties and most of our equipment leases were classified as operating leases and certain of our other equipment leases were classified as finance leases. As of December 31, 2020, our finance lease assets and liabilities were immaterial to our consolidated financial statements. Finance lease assets were included in other noncurrent assets, with the corresponding current and noncurrent finance lease liabilities included in other current liabilities and other noncurrent liabilities, respectively, in our consolidated balance sheet. Certain of our operating leases provide for variable lease costs, which primarily include percentage rent and our obligation for the estimated cost of removing underground storage tanks under the SVC Leases, as defined below. Our lease costs are included in various balances in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income, as shown in the following table. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, our lease costs consisted of the following: Classification in our Consolidated Year Ended December 31, 2020 2019 Operating lease costs: SVC Leases Real estate rent expense $ 237,999 $ 240,328 Operating lease costs: other Real estate rent expense 12,592 11,082 Variable lease costs: SVC Leases Real estate rent expense 4,524 5,203 Variable lease costs: other Real estate rent expense 628 1,149 Total real estate rent expense 255,743 257,762 Operating lease costs: equipment and other Site level operating expense and selling, general and administrative expense 3,649 3,088 Short-term lease costs Site level operating expense and selling, general and administrative expense 1,826 2,869 Amortization of finance lease assets Depreciation and amortization expense 246 — Interest on finance lease liabilities Interest expense, net 99 — Sublease income Nonfuel revenues (2,064) (2,180) Net lease costs $ 259,499 $ 261,539 During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we recognized impairment charges of $1,262 and $579, respectively, to our operating lease assets relating to certain standalone restaurants, which are included in real estate rent expense in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income. Maturities of our operating lease liabilities that had remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2020, were as follows: SVC Leases (1) Other Total Years ended December 31: 2021 $ 270,799 $ 4,850 $ 275,649 2022 268,936 3,572 272,508 2023 255,344 1,660 257,004 2024 251,150 509 251,659 2025 250,667 376 251,043 Thereafter 1,783,837 2,269 1,786,106 Total operating lease payments 3,080,733 13,236 3,093,969 Less: present value discount (2) (1,217,496) (2,052) (1,219,548) Present value of operating lease liabilities $ 1,863,237 $ 11,184 $ 1,874,421 (1) Includes rent for properties we sublease from SVC and pay directly to SVC's landlords. (2) The discount rate used to derive the present value of unpaid lease payments is based on the rates implicit in the SVC Leases and our incremental borrowing rate for all other leases. The weighted average remaining lease term for our operating leases as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, was approximately 12 and 13 years, respectively. Our weighted average discount rate for our operating leases as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, was approximately 9.1%. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we paid $277,229 and $279,168, respectively, for amounts that had been included in the measurement of our operating lease liabilities. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, our operating lease assets and liabilities consisted of the following: December 31, 2020 2019 Operating lease assets: SVC Leases $ 1,724,428 $ 1,796,406 Other 10,455 21,592 Total operating lease assets $ 1,734,883 $ 1,817,998 Current operating lease liabilities: SVC Leases $ 106,788 $ 98,574 Other 4,467 5,496 Total current operating lease liabilities $ 111,255 $ 104,070 Noncurrent operating lease liabilities: SVC Leases $ 1,756,449 $ 1,862,060 Other 6,717 18,128 Total noncurrent operating lease liabilities $ 1,763,166 $ 1,880,188 As of December 31, 2020, we reclassified $6,927 of our operating lease assets and $9,214 of our operating lease liabilities as held for sale. See Note 3 for more information on the sale of our QSL business. Leasing Agreements with SVC. As of December 31, 2020, we leased from SVC a total of 179 properties under five leases, four of which we refer to as the TA Leases and one of which we refer to as the Petro Lease, and which we refer to collectively as the SVC Leases. In January 2019, we entered into the Transaction Agreements, pursuant to which: • We purchased 20 travel center properties from SVC, which we previously leased from SVC, for a total acquisition cost of $309,637, including $1,437 of transaction related costs. • Upon completing these transactions, these travel centers were removed from the SVC Leases and our annual minimum rent due to SVC was reduced by $43,148. • The term of each SVC Lease was extended by three years. • Commencing on April 1, 2019, we began to pay SVC 16 quarterly installments of approximately $4,404 each (an aggregate of $70,458) to fully satisfy and discharge our $150,000 deferred rent obligation to SVC that otherwise would have become due in five installments between 2024 and 2030. We paid to SVC $17,615 and $13,211 in respect of such obligation during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. • Commencing on January 1, 2020, we began to pay to SVC an additional amount of percentage rent equal to one-half percent (0.5%) of the excess of our annual nonfuel revenues at leased sites over the nonfuel revenues for each respective site for the year ending December 31, 2019. • Certain of the 179 travel center properties that we continue to lease from SVC were reallocated among the SVC Leases. As a result of the Transaction Agreements, our operating lease assets and liabilities each increased by $23,673 and our asset retirement obligations increased by $2,420. In addition, the purchase of the 20 travel center properties resulted in the derecognition of certain operating lease assets and liabilities. See Note 3 for more information about these acquisitions. The number of properties leased, the terms, the annual minimum rent and the deferred rent balances owed by us under the SVC Leases, as of December 31, 2020, are as follows: Number Initial Term End Date (1) Annual Minimum Deferred Rent (2) TA Lease 1 36 December 31, 2032 $ 49,707 $ 10,487 TA Lease 2 36 December 31, 2031 44,077 9,740 TA Lease 3 35 December 31, 2029 42,409 9,603 TA Lease 4 37 December 31, 2033 46,067 9,804 Petro Lease 35 June 30, 2035 61,654 — Total 179 $ 243,914 $ 39,634 (1) We have two renewal options of 15 years each under each of the SVC Leases. (2) Under our rent deferral agreement with SVC, deferred rent shall be accelerated and interest shall begin to accrue thereon at 1.0% per month on the deferred rent amounts if certain events occur, including: our default under the SVC Leases; a change of control of us, as defined in the rent deferral agreement; or our declaration or payment of a dividend or other distribution in respect of our common stock. On October 14, 2019, we and SVC amended the SVC Leases, pursuant to which, among other things, certain of the 179 travel center properties that we lease from SVC were reallocated among the SVC Leases. We accounted for this amendment as a lease modification. As a result, our operating lease assets and liabilities each increased by $33,816. The amendments did not have a material impact on our real estate rent expense. The SVC 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 SVC leases the property and subleases it to us. We also are required generally to indemnify SVC 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 SVC Leases require us to maintain the leased properties, including structural and non-structural components. We recognized total rent expense of $242,523 and $245,531 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, under the SVC Leases. In addition to the payment of annual minimum rent, the SVC Leases provide for payment to SVC of percentage rent, calculated at 3.5% of the increase in total nonfuel revenues at each property over base year levels. The percentage rent amounts due for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, were $2,764 and $4,075, respectively. As noted above, pursuant to the Transaction Agreements, we became obligated to pay additional percentage rent commencing on January 1, 2020. Under the SVC Leases, we may request that SVC purchase approved amounts of renovations, improvements and equipment at the leased properties in return for increases in our annual minimum rent according to the following formula: the annual minimum rent will be increased by an amount equal to the amount paid by SVC multiplied by the greater of (i) 8.5% or (ii) a benchmark U.S. Treasury interest rate plus 3.5%. We did not sell to SVC any improvements we made to properties leased from SVC during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. At December 31, 2020, our property and equipment, net balance included $58,163 of improvements of the type that we historically requested that SVC purchase for an increase in annual minimum rent; however, we may elect not to sell some of those improvements and SVC is not obligated to purchase those improvements. As permitted by the SVC Leases, we sublease a portion of certain travel centers to third parties to operate other retail operations. These subleases are classified as operating leases. We recognized sublease rental income of $2,064 and $2,180 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. As a Lessor We leased two travel centers to franchisees as of December 31, 2020 and 2019. These two lease agreements expire in June 2022. These leases include rent escalations that are contingent on future events, namely inflation or our investing in capital improvements at these travel centers. Rent revenues from these operating leases totaled $2,312 and $2,293 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Future minimum lease payments due to us for the two leased sites under these operating leases as of December 31, 2020, were $2,336 for the year 2021 and $1,168 for 2022. See above for information regarding certain travel centers that we leased from SVC for which we sublease a portion of the travel centers to third parties to operate other retail operations.

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	Stockholders' Equity On August 1, 2019, in conjunction with our conversion from a Delaware limited liability company to a Maryland corporation, we increased our authorized shares of common stock from 8,674 shares to 16,000 shares. In addition, we completed a reverse stock split of our outstanding shares of common stock pursuant to which every five shares of our issued and outstanding common stock were exchanged for one share of our common stock. No fractional shares were issued in the reverse stock split. Instead, fractional shares that otherwise would have resulted from the reverse stock split were purchased by us at the closing price of our common stock on July 31, 2019. On June 22, 2020, we amended our Articles of Incorporation to increase our authorized shares of common stock from 16,000 to 216,000. Underwritten Public Equity Offering On July 6, 2020, we received net proceeds of $79,980, after $296 of offering costs and $5,124 of underwriting discounts and commissions, from the sale and issuance of 6,100 shares of our common stock in an underwritten public equity offering. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to fund deferred maintenance and other capital expenditures necessary to enhance property conditions and implement growth initiatives, for working capital and for general corporate purposes. Share Award Plans On May 19, 2016, our stockholders approved the TravelCenters of America LLC 2016 Equity Compensation Plan, and in 2019, the plan was amended and restated to reflect our conversion to a Maryland corporation and our reverse stock split effective August 1, 2019, which are collectively referred to as the 2016 Plan. Under the terms of the 2016 Plan, 1,285 shares of common stock have been 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 of common stock previously registered for offer and sale under the 2007 Plan but not yet issued were deregistered, although shares of common stock 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 254 and 270 shares of common stock under the 2016 Plan during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, with aggregate market values of $7,476 and $2,647, respectively, based on the closing prices of our shares of common stock on the Nasdaq on the dates of the awards. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we recognized total stock based compensation expense of $5,215 and $3,441, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the vesting date fair value of shares of common stock that vested was $6,965 and $1,754, respectively. The weighted average grant date fair value of shares of common stock awarded during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, was $29.44 and $9.78, per share of common stock, respectively. Shares of common stock issued to Directors vested immediately and the related stock based compensation expense was recognized on the date of the award. Shares of common stock issued to others vest in five Number of Weighted Unvested shares of common stock as of December 31, 2018 316 $ 27.44 Granted 270 9.78 Vested (168) 22.15 Forfeited/canceled (6) 26.57 Unvested shares of common stock as of December 31, 2019 412 18.03 Granted 254 29.44 Vested (314) 21.92 Forfeited/canceled (3) 17.39 Unvested shares of common stock as of December 31, 2020 349 22.83 Stock Repurchases Certain recipients of stock awards may elect to have us withhold the number of their vesting shares of common stock with a fair market value sufficient to fund the required tax withholding obligations with respect to their stock awards. In addition, on August 1, 2019, we completed a reverse stock split of our then outstanding shares of common stock pursuant to which every five shares of our then issued and outstanding common stock were exchanged for one share of our common stock and during the year ended December 31, 2019, we acquired fractional shares of common stock that resulted from this reverse stock split on August 1, 2019. For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we acquired through this share withholding process and the reverse stock split 84 and 37 shares of common stock, respectively, with an aggregate value of $1,750 and $346, respectively. Net (Loss) Income Per Share of Common Stock Attributable to Common Stockholders We calculate basic earnings per share of common stock by dividing net (loss) income available to common stockholders for the period by the weighted average shares of common stock outstanding during the period. The net (loss) income attributable to participating securities is deducted from our net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders to determine the net (loss) income available to common stockholders. We calculate diluted earnings per share of common stock by adjusting weighted average outstanding shares of common stock, assuming conversion of all potentially dilutive stock securities, using the treasury stock method; but we had no dilutive stock securities outstanding as of December 31, 2020, nor at any time during the two year period then ended. Unvested shares of common stock issued under our Share Award Plans are deemed participating securities because they participate equally in earnings and losses with all of our other shares of common stock. The following table presents a reconciliation of net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders to net (loss) income available to common stockholders and the related earnings per share of common stock. Year Ended December 31, 2020 2019 Net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders $ (13,899) $ 33,345 Less: net (loss) income attributable to participating securities (422) 1,301 Net (loss) income available to common stockholders $ (13,477) $ 32,044 Weighted average shares of common stock (1) 10,961 7,783 Basic and diluted net (loss) income per share of common stock attributable to common stockholders $ (1.23) $ 4.12 (1) Excludes unvested shares of common stock awarded under our Share Award Plans, which shares of common stock are considered participating securities because they participate equally in earnings and losses with all of our other shares of common stock. The weighted average number of unvested shares of common stock outstanding was 344 and 316 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes We had a tax benefit of $6,178 for the year ended December 31, 2020, and a tax provision of $4,339 for the year ended December 31, 2019. Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation Year Ended December 31, 2020 2019 U.S. federal statutory rate applied to (loss) income before income taxes $ 4,427 $ (7,940) State income taxes, net of federal benefit 651 635 Benefit of tax credits 2,090 4,020 Provision to return adjustments 112 (31) Nondeductible executive compensation (1,011) (109) Other nondeductible expenses (346) (530) Other, net 255 (384) Total benefit (provision) for income taxes $ 6,178 $ (4,339) Components of the Benefit (Provision) For Income Taxes Year Ended December 31, 2020 2019 Current tax benefit: Federal $ 912 $ 1,019 State (152) 352 Total current tax benefit 760 1,371 Deferred tax provision: Federal 4,443 (6,163) State 975 453 Total deferred tax provision 5,418 (5,710) Total benefit (provision) for income taxes $ 6,178 $ (4,339) Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities December 31, 2020 2019 Deferred tax assets: Tax loss carryforwards $ 57,748 $ 63,185 Tax credit carryforwards 37,539 35,624 Leasing arrangements 30,983 32,007 Reserves 26,828 18,204 Asset retirement obligations 1,425 1,278 Other 160 704 Total deferred tax assets before valuation allowance 154,683 151,002 Valuation allowance (1,386) (1,209) Total deferred tax assets 153,297 149,793 Deferred tax liabilities: Property and equipment (102,461) (102,051) Goodwill and intangible assets (1,410) (3,708) Total deferred tax liabilities (103,871) (105,759) Net deferred tax assets $ 49,426 $ 44,034 As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, we had a valuation allowance of $1,386 and $1,209, respectively, related to foreign credit carryforwards, state net operating losses and deferred tax assets in foreign jurisdictions due to the uncertainty of their realization. At December 31, 2020, we had carryforwards for federal net operating losses, state net operating losses and federal tax credits of $240,936, $170,156 and $37,539, respectively. Although not anticipated, $46,632 of the federal net operating losses are scheduled to expire in 2036 if unused. We anticipate $4,098 of the state net operating losses will expire in 2021 and $5,319 will expire in 2022; if not utilized, a portion of the state net operating losses may need to be written off; however, a valuation allowance of $2,600 has been recorded relating to these losses. Although not anticipated, the remaining state net operating losses are scheduled to begin to expire in 2023 if unused. Federal tax credit carryforwards of $434 may expire between 2021 and 2024 if unused, with the remainder expected to be utilized prior to their expiration beginning in 2030. The net deferred tax assets presented in the table above are included in other noncurrent assets in our consolidated balance sheets. Our U.S. federal income tax returns are subject to tax examinations for the years ended December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2016, through the current period. Our state and Canadian income tax returns are generally subject to examination for the tax years ended December 31, 2016, through the current period. 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, 2020
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity Investments	Equity Investments As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, our investment in equity affiliates, which is presented in our consolidated balance sheets in other noncurrent assets, and our proportional share of our investees' net income (loss), which is included in other expense (income), net in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income, were as follows: PTP Other (1) Total Investment balance: As of December 31, 2020 $ 24,115 $ 3,610 $ 27,725 As of December 31, 2019 24,517 5,983 30,500 Income (loss) from equity investments: Year ended December 31, 2020 $ 3,598 $ (4,986) $ (1,388) Year ended December 31, 2019 5,657 (4,750) 907 (1) Includes our investments in Affiliates Insurance Company, or AIC, and QuikQ LLC, or QuikQ. 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 40.0% interest in PTP and we receive a management fee from PTP to operate these locations. We recognized management fee income of $1,506 and $849 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, which is included in nonfuel revenues in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income. QuikQ LLC QuikQ is a joint venture between us and Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores, Inc. QuikQ is an independent full-service fuel payment solutions provider. We own a 50.0% interest in QuikQ. Affiliates Insurance Company Until its dissolution on February 13, 2020, we, ABP Trust, SVC and four other companies to which RMR provides management services each owned 14.3% of AIC, an Indiana insurance company. Although we owned less than 20% of AIC, we used the equity method to account for this investment because we believed that we had significant influence over AIC because a majority of our Directors, and one of our employees, were also directors of AIC. In connection with its dissolution, we and each of the other AIC shareholders received a capital distribution in June 2020 and December 2019 of $286 and $9,000, respectively. Summarized Financial Information The following table sets forth summarized financial information of our equity investments and does not represent the amounts we have included in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income in connection with our equity investments. Year Ended December 31, 2020 2019 Total revenues $ 89,800 $ 126,750 Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation) 56,667 80,610 Income from operations 358 9,314 Net income 9 7,261 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, 2020, were not impaired given these companies' overall financial condition and earnings trends.

Business Management Agreement w

Business Management Agreement with RMR	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Business Management Agreement with RMR	Related Party Transactions We have relationships and historical and continuing transactions with SVC, RMR and others related to them, including other companies to which RMR or its subsidiaries provide management services and some of which have directors, trustees or officers who are also our Directors or officers. RMR is a majority owned subsidiary of The RMR Group Inc. The Chair of our Board of Directors and one of our Managing Directors, Adam D. Portnoy, as the sole trustee of ABP Trust, is the controlling shareholder of The RMR Group Inc. and is a managing director and the president and chief executive officer of The RMR Group Inc. and an officer and employee of RMR. Jonathan M. Pertchik, our other Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, also serves as an officer and employee of RMR. Certain of our other officers and SVC's officers also serve as officers and employees of RMR. Some of our Independent Directors also serve as independent trustees or independent directors of other public companies to which RMR or its subsidiaries provide management services. Mr. Portnoy serves as chair of the boards of trustees or boards of directors of several of these public companies and as a managing director or managing trustee of these public companies. Other officers of RMR, including certain of our officers, serve as managing trustees, managing directors or officers of certain of these companies. As of December 31, 2020, Mr. Portnoy beneficially owned 656 shares of our common stock (including indirectly through RMR), representing approximately 4.5% of our outstanding shares of common stock. This amount includes 219 shares of our common stock that RMR purchased in our underwritten public equity offering in July 2020 at the public offering price of $14 per share and 105 shares of our common stock that RMR purchased from our former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Andrew J. Rebholz, in September 2020, pursuant to a right of first refusal granted to RMR in connection with Mr. Rebholz's retirement. Relationship with SVC We are SVC's largest tenant and SVC is our principal landlord and one of our largest stockholders. As of December 31, 2020, SVC owned 1,185 shares of our common stock, representing approximately 8.1% of our outstanding shares of common stock, which amount includes 501 shares of our common stock that SVC purchased in our underwritten public equity offering in July 2020 at the public offering price of $14 per share. Ethan S. Bornstein, Mr. Portnoy's brother-in-law, served as an executive officer of SVC until he resigned on December 31, 2020, in connection with his retirement. See Notes 3 and 8 for more information about our lease agreements and transactions with SVC. Spin-Off Transaction Agreement. In connection with our spin-off from SVC in 2007, we entered a transaction agreement with SVC and RMR, pursuant to which we granted SVC 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 SVC 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 SVC or such other companies invest before we do. We also agreed that for so long as we are a tenant of SVC 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 SVC 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 SVC's ability to qualify as a real estate investment trust and to indemnify SVC for any liabilities it may incur relating to our assets and business. 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. See Note 12 for more information about our business management agreement with RMR. RMR also provides management services to SVC, and Mr. Portnoy also serves as a managing trustee and chair of the board of trustees of SVC. Stock Awards to RMR Employees. We award shares of common stock to certain employees of RMR who are not also Directors, officers or employees of ours. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we awarded to such persons a total of 16 and 20 of our shares of common stock valued at $519 and $184, in aggregate, respectively, based upon the closing prices of our shares of common stock on the Nasdaq on the dates the awards were made. These share awards to RMR employees are in addition to the fees we paid to RMR and the stock awards to our Directors, officers and employees (some of whom are also officers and employees of RMR). See Note 9 for more information regarding our stock awards and activity as well as certain stock purchases we made in connection with stock award recipients satisfying tax withholding obligations on vesting stock awards. Relationship with AIC Until its dissolution on February 13, 2020, we, ABP Trust, SVC and four other companies to which RMR provides management services owned AIC in equal portions. We and the other AIC shareholders historically participated in a combined property insurance program arranged and reinsured in part by AIC until June 30, 2019. Our investment in AIC had a carrying value of $12 and $298 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These amounts are included in other noncurrent assets in our consolidated balance sheets. We recognized income of $575 related to our investment in AIC for the year ended December 31, 2019, which amount is included in other expense (income), net in our consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income. Our other comprehensive loss attributable to common stockholders includes our proportional share of unrealized losses on securities held for sale, which were owned by AIC, of $91 for the year ended December 31, 2019. Our other comprehensive loss attributable to common stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2019, also includes the reclassification to other expense (income), net of the $664 previously unrealized losses on securities held for sale. Retirement and Separation Arrangements In December 2019, we and RMR entered into a retirement agreement with Mr. Rebholz. Pursuant to his retirement agreement, Mr. Rebholz continued to serve, through June 30, 2020, as a non-executive employee in order to assist in transitioning his duties and responsibilities to his successor. Under Mr. Rebholz's retirement agreement, consistent with past practice, we paid Mr. Rebholz his current annual base salary of $300 until June 30, 2020, a cash bonus in the amount of $1,000 in December 2019, and an additional cash payment in the amount of $1,000 in June 2020, and we fully accelerated the vesting of any unvested shares of our common stock previously awarded to Mr. Rebholz. In February 2020, we and RMR entered into a separation agreement with our former Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, William E. Myers. Pursuant to his separation agreement, in 2020, we paid Mr. Myers $300 and fully accelerated the vesting of any unvested shares of our common stock previously awarded to Mr. Myers.
RMR | Affiliated entity
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Business Management Agreement with RMR	Business Management Agreement 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 traded 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 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. See Note 13 for more information regarding our relationship, agreements and transactions with RMR. 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 and totaled $12,485 and $13,409 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These amounts are included in selling, general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income. The current term of our business management agreement with RMR ends on December 31, 2021, 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 may terminate 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 or arranged 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. The amounts recognized as expense for RMR internal audit costs allocated to us were $281 and $284 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These amounts are included in selling, general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income 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. RMR has agreed to provide certain transition services to us for 120 days following termination by us or notice of termination by RMR.

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related Party Transactions We have relationships and historical and continuing transactions with SVC, RMR and others related to them, including other companies to which RMR or its subsidiaries provide management services and some of which have directors, trustees or officers who are also our Directors or officers. RMR is a majority owned subsidiary of The RMR Group Inc. The Chair of our Board of Directors and one of our Managing Directors, Adam D. Portnoy, as the sole trustee of ABP Trust, is the controlling shareholder of The RMR Group Inc. and is a managing director and the president and chief executive officer of The RMR Group Inc. and an officer and employee of RMR. Jonathan M. Pertchik, our other Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, also serves as an officer and employee of RMR. Certain of our other officers and SVC's officers also serve as officers and employees of RMR. Some of our Independent Directors also serve as independent trustees or independent directors of other public companies to which RMR or its subsidiaries provide management services. Mr. Portnoy serves as chair of the boards of trustees or boards of directors of several of these public companies and as a managing director or managing trustee of these public companies. Other officers of RMR, including certain of our officers, serve as managing trustees, managing directors or officers of certain of these companies. As of December 31, 2020, Mr. Portnoy beneficially owned 656 shares of our common stock (including indirectly through RMR), representing approximately 4.5% of our outstanding shares of common stock. This amount includes 219 shares of our common stock that RMR purchased in our underwritten public equity offering in July 2020 at the public offering price of $14 per share and 105 shares of our common stock that RMR purchased from our former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Andrew J. Rebholz, in September 2020, pursuant to a right of first refusal granted to RMR in connection with Mr. Rebholz's retirement. Relationship with SVC We are SVC's largest tenant and SVC is our principal landlord and one of our largest stockholders. As of December 31, 2020, SVC owned 1,185 shares of our common stock, representing approximately 8.1% of our outstanding shares of common stock, which amount includes 501 shares of our common stock that SVC purchased in our underwritten public equity offering in July 2020 at the public offering price of $14 per share. Ethan S. Bornstein, Mr. Portnoy's brother-in-law, served as an executive officer of SVC until he resigned on December 31, 2020, in connection with his retirement. See Notes 3 and 8 for more information about our lease agreements and transactions with SVC. Spin-Off Transaction Agreement. In connection with our spin-off from SVC in 2007, we entered a transaction agreement with SVC and RMR, pursuant to which we granted SVC 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 SVC 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 SVC or such other companies invest before we do. We also agreed that for so long as we are a tenant of SVC 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 SVC 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 SVC's ability to qualify as a real estate investment trust and to indemnify SVC for any liabilities it may incur relating to our assets and business. 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. See Note 12 for more information about our business management agreement with RMR. RMR also provides management services to SVC, and Mr. Portnoy also serves as a managing trustee and chair of the board of trustees of SVC. Stock Awards to RMR Employees. We award shares of common stock to certain employees of RMR who are not also Directors, officers or employees of ours. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we awarded to such persons a total of 16 and 20 of our shares of common stock valued at $519 and $184, in aggregate, respectively, based upon the closing prices of our shares of common stock on the Nasdaq on the dates the awards were made. These share awards to RMR employees are in addition to the fees we paid to RMR and the stock awards to our Directors, officers and employees (some of whom are also officers and employees of RMR). See Note 9 for more information regarding our stock awards and activity as well as certain stock purchases we made in connection with stock award recipients satisfying tax withholding obligations on vesting stock awards. Relationship with AIC Until its dissolution on February 13, 2020, we, ABP Trust, SVC and four other companies to which RMR provides management services owned AIC in equal portions. We and the other AIC shareholders historically participated in a combined property insurance program arranged and reinsured in part by AIC until June 30, 2019. Our investment in AIC had a carrying value of $12 and $298 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These amounts are included in other noncurrent assets in our consolidated balance sheets. We recognized income of $575 related to our investment in AIC for the year ended December 31, 2019, which amount is included in other expense (income), net in our consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income. Our other comprehensive loss attributable to common stockholders includes our proportional share of unrealized losses on securities held for sale, which were owned by AIC, of $91 for the year ended December 31, 2019. Our other comprehensive loss attributable to common stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2019, also includes the reclassification to other expense (income), net of the $664 previously unrealized losses on securities held for sale. Retirement and Separation Arrangements In December 2019, we and RMR entered into a retirement agreement with Mr. Rebholz. Pursuant to his retirement agreement, Mr. Rebholz continued to serve, through June 30, 2020, as a non-executive employee in order to assist in transitioning his duties and responsibilities to his successor. Under Mr. Rebholz's retirement agreement, consistent with past practice, we paid Mr. Rebholz his current annual base salary of $300 until June 30, 2020, a cash bonus in the amount of $1,000 in December 2019, and an additional cash payment in the amount of $1,000 in June 2020, and we fully accelerated the vesting of any unvested shares of our common stock previously awarded to Mr. Rebholz. In February 2020, we and RMR entered into a separation agreement with our former Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, William E. Myers. Pursuant to his separation agreement, in 2020, we paid Mr. Myers $300 and fully accelerated the vesting of any unvested shares of our common stock previously awarded to Mr. Myers.

Contingencies

Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
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 SVC Leases, we generally have agreed to indemnify SVC for any environmental liabilities related to properties that we lease from SVC and we are required to pay all environmental related expenses incurred in the operation of the leased properties. We have entered into certain other arrangements in which we have agreed to indemnify third parties for environmental liabilities and expenses resulting from our operations. 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, 2020, we had an accrued liability of $2,649 for environmental matters as well as a receivable for expected recoveries of certain of these estimated future expenditures of $837, resulting in an estimated net amount of $1,812 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. We currently have insurance of up to $20,000 per incident and up to $20,000 in the aggregate for certain environmental liabilities, subject, in each case, to certain limitations and deductibles. Our current insurance policy expires in June 2021 and 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 a 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 incidental to the ordinary course of business, including commercial disputes, employment related claims, wage and hour claims, premises liability claims and tax audits among others. We do not expect that any litigation or administrative proceedings in which we are presently involved, or of which we are aware, will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Inventory

Inventory	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventory	Inventory Inventory as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, consisted of the following: December 31, 2020 2019 Nonfuel products $ 143,440 $ 161,560 Fuel products 29,390 35,051 Total inventory $ 172,830 $ 196,611

Reorganization Plan

Reorganization Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Reorganization Plan	Reorganization PlanOn April 30, 2020, we committed to and initiated a reorganization plan, or the Reorganization Plan, to improve the efficiency of our operations. As part of the Reorganization Plan, we reduced our headcount and eliminated certain positions. On April 30, 2020, the Reorganization Plan was communicated to those employees impacted. For the year ended December 31, 2020, we recognized Reorganization Plan costs of $4,288, which are comprised primarily of severance, outplacement services, stock based compensation expense associated with the accelerated vesting of previously granted stock awards for certain employees and fees for recruitment of certain executive positions. These Reorganization Plan costs are recorded as selling, general and administrative expense in our consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive (loss) income.

Summary of Significant Accoun_2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Segment Reporting	We manage our business as one segment. We make specific disclosures concerning fuel and nonfuel products and services because they facilitate our discussion of trends and operational initiatives within our business and industry. 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 Inc. 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.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents. We consider highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less on the date of purchase to be cash equivalents, the majority of which are held at major commercial banks. Certain cash account balances exceed Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits of $250 per account and, as a result, there is a concentration of credit risk related to amounts in excess of the insurance limits. We regularly monitor the financial stability of these financial institutions and believe that we are not exposed to any significant credit risk in cash and cash equivalents.
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 net realizable 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 10 to 40 years Machinery and equipment 3 to 15 years Furniture and fixtures 5 to 20 years We depreciate leasehold improvements over the shorter of the lives shown above or the remaining term of the underlying lease.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Intangible Assets. In a business combination we are required to record assets and liabilities acquired, including those intangible assets that arise from contractual or other legal rights or are otherwise capable of being separated or divided from the acquired entity, based on the fair values of the acquired assets and liabilities. Any excess of acquisition cost over the fair value of the acquired net identifiable 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 potential 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 our current expectations for projected fuel sales volume, nonfuel revenues, fuel and nonfuel gross margins, site level operating expense and real estate rent expense. The discount rate is used to measure the present value of projected future cash flows and is set at a rate we believe is likely to be used by a market participant using a weighted average cost of capital method that considers market and industry data as well as our specific risk factors. The weighted average cost of capital is our estimate of the overall after tax rate of return required by equity and debt holders of a business enterprise. We use a number of assumptions and methods in preparing valuations underlying the impairment tests including estimates of future cash flows and discount rates, 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 and operating lease assets 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. In March 2020, COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, and the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary declared a public health emergency in the United States in response to the outbreak. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our operations, we assessed our indefinite and definite lived intangible assets and our definite lived assets for potential indicators of impairment during the year ended December 31, 2020. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations was included in our analyses. However, we are unable to predict the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and as a result, we are unable to determine what the ultimate impact will be on our financial results and financial position. We will continue to closely monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the fair value of our travel centers reporting unit. During 2020 and 2019, based on our evaluation of certain low performing owned and leased standalone restaurants, we incurred impairment charges of $6,574 and $2,369, respectively, to our property and equipment and $1,262 and $579, respectively, to our operating lease assets. 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 primarily include our agreements with franchisees. For 2020, 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 values of the assets. During 2020 and 2019, we did not record any impairment charges related to, or recognize a revision to the remaining period of amortization of, 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. Indefinite lived intangible assets consisted of trademarks and their fair value was determined using a relief from royalty method. 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. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually as of July 31, or more frequently if the circumstances warrant, at the reporting unit level. We have two reporting units, travel centers and the QSL reporting unit. In May 2020, in conjunction with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we evaluated our travel centers and QSL reporting units for potential indicators of impairment, which included evaluating financial trends and industry and market conditions and assessing the reasonableness of the assumptions used in the most recent quantitative analysis. Based on our analyses, we determined that the decline in site level gross margin in excess of site level operating expense for our QSL reporting unit was an indicator of impairment. Accordingly, we performed an impairment assessment of the goodwill in our QSL reporting unit using the same quantitative analysis approach that we historically followed for our goodwill impairment assessments. Based on the assessment performed, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $3,046, which was recognized in depreciation and amortization expense in our consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive (loss) income for the year ended December 31, 2020. Annual impairment testing for the travel centers reporting unit for 2020 was performed using a quantitative analysis under which the fair value of our reporting unit 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. 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. However, due to the lack of comparable publicly traded companies within the travel center industry, we relied solely on the fair value estimated under the income approach. 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. For the travel centers reporting unit, we determined a discount rate and perpetual growth rate of 10.5% and 2.5%, respectively, was appropriate. The fair value estimates are sensitive and actual rates and results may differ materially. Applying different assumptions could lead to different results. Based on our analyses, we concluded that as of July 31, 2020, goodwill for our travel centers reporting unit was not impaired.
Share Based Employee Compensation	Stock Based Employee Compensation. We have historically granted awards of our shares of common stock under our share award plans. Stock awards issued to our Directors vest immediately. Stock awards made to others vest in five
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 expense within site level operating expense in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income. Generally, the timing of remediation expense recognition coincides with completion of a feasibility study or the commitment to a formal plan of action. Accrued liabilities related to environmental matters are recorded on an undiscounted basis because of the uncertainty associated with the timing of the related future payments. In our consolidated balance sheets, the accrual for environmental matters is included in other noncurrent liabilities, with the amount estimated to be expended within the subsequent 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 potential 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	Leasing Transactions. Leasing transactions are a material part of our business. We have lease agreements covering many of our properties, as well as various equipment, with the most significant leases being our five leases with Service Properties Trust, or SVC. We recognize operating lease assets and liabilities for all leases with an initial term greater than 12 months. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recognized in our consolidated balance sheets. Our operating lease liabilities represent the present value of our unpaid lease payments. The discount rate used to derive the present value of unpaid lease payments is based on the rates implicit in our leases with SVC and our incremental borrowing rate for all other leases. Certain of our leases include renewal options, and certain of our leases include escalation clauses and purchase options. Renewal periods are included in calculating our operating lease assets and liabilities when they are reasonably certain.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes. We establish deferred income tax assets and liabilities to reflect the future tax consequences of differences between the tax basis and financial statement basis 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.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to be consistent with the current year presentation within our consolidated financial statements.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncement and Other Accounting Matters	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncement and Other Accounting Matters In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software , which aligns the accounting for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the accounting for implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The capitalized implementation costs are to be amortized over the term of the contract. We adopted this standard on January 1, 2020, using the prospective transition method. The implementation of this update did not cause a material change to our consolidated financial statements. On March 27, 2020, the United States enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or the CARES Act, as a response to the economic uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, which, among other things, included several temporary changes to corporate income tax provisions. The CARES Act, among other things, includes provisions relating to the deferral of the employer portion of social security taxes incurred through December 31, 2020, and employee retention tax credit, which is a refundable payroll credit for certain qualified wages and health benefits. As of December 31, 2020, we have included $23,340 of deferred employer social security payments in other current liabilities. For the year ended December 31, 2020, we recognized $3,268 related to the employee retention tax credit for credits evaluated through June 30, 2020. We are in the process of evaluating the amount of any credits for which we may be eligible for the period July 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020; however, we are currently unable to estimate the amount of these credits, if any, for which we are eligible. We will continue to evaluate the impact the CARES Act may have on our operations and consolidated financial statements in future periods and to the extent additional guidance and regulations are issued.
Revenue Recognition	We recognize revenues based on the consideration specified in the contract with the customer, excluding any sales incentives (such as customer loyalty programs and customer rebates) and amounts collected on behalf of third parties (such as sales and excise taxes). The majority of our revenues are generated at the point of sale in our retail locations. Revenues consist of fuel revenues, nonfuel revenues and rents and royalties from franchisees. Fuel Revenues. We recognize fuel revenues and the related costs at the time of sale to customers at our company operated locations. We sell diesel fuel and gasoline to our customers at prices that we establish daily or are indexed to market prices and reset daily. We sell diesel fuel under pricing arrangements with certain customers. For the year ended December 31, 2020, approximately 89.5% of our diesel fuel volume was sold at discounts to posted prices under pricing arrangements with our fleet customers, some of which include rebates payable to the customer after the end of the period. Nonfuel Revenues. We recognize nonfuel revenues and the related costs at the time of sale to customers at our company operated locations. We sell a variety of nonfuel products and services at stated retail prices in our travel centers and standalone restaurants, as well as through our Road Squad®, TechOn-Site® and TA Commercial Tire Network™ programs. Truck repair and maintenance goods or services may be sold at discounted prices under pricing arrangements with certain customers, some of which include rebates payable to the customer after the end of the period. Rent and Royalties from Franchisees Revenues. We recognize franchise royalties and advertising fees from franchisees as revenue monthly based on the franchisees' sales data reported to us. Royalty revenues are contractual as a percentage of the franchisees' revenues and advertising fees are contractual as either a percentage of the franchisees' revenues or as a fixed amount. When we enter into a new franchise agreement or a renewal term with an existing franchisee, the franchisee is required to pay an initial or renewal franchise fee. Initial and renewal franchise fees are recognized as revenue on a straight line basis over the term of the respective franchise agreements. Other. Sales incentives and other promotional activities that we recognize as a reduction to revenues include, but are not limited to, the following: • Customer Loyalty Programs. We offer travel center trucking customers and casual restaurant diners the option to participate in our customer loyalty programs. Our customer loyalty programs provide customers with the right to earn loyalty awards on qualifying purchases that can be used for discounts on future purchases of goods or services. We apply a relative standalone selling price approach to our outstanding loyalty awards whereby a portion of each sale attributable to the loyalty awards earned is deferred and will be recognized as revenue in the category in which the loyalty awards are redeemed upon the redemption or expiration of the loyalty awards. Significant judgment is required to determine the standalone selling price for loyalty awards. Assumptions used in determining the standalone selling price include the historic redemption rate and the use of a weighted average selling price for fuel to calculate the revenues attributable to the customer loyalty awards. • Customer Discounts and Rebates. We enter into agreements with certain customers in which we agree to provide discounts on fuel and/or truck service purchases, some of which are structured as rebates payable to the customer after the end of the period. We recognize the cost of discounts against, and in the same period as, the revenues that generated the discounts earned. • Gift Cards. We sell branded gift cards. Sales proceeds are recognized as a contract liability; the liability is reduced and revenue is recognized when the gift card subsequently is redeemed for goods or services. Unredeemed gift card balances are recognized as revenues when the possibility of redemption becomes remote.

Summary of Significant Accoun_3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule of estimated useful lives of property and equipment, net	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 10 to 40 years Machinery and equipment 3 to 15 years Furniture and fixtures 5 to 20 years Property and equipment, net as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, consisted of the following: December 31, 2020 2019 Machinery, equipment and furniture $ 531,755 $ 533,380 Land and improvements 315,906 316,751 Leasehold improvements 296,396 271,451 Buildings and improvements 295,588 307,433 Construction in progress 14,391 24,678 Property and equipment, at cost 1,454,036 1,453,693 Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization 652,247 585,190 Property and equipment, net $ 801,789 $ 868,503

Revenues (Tables)

Revenues (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Nonfuel revenues disaggregated by type of good or service	Nonfuel revenues disaggregated by type of good or service for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, were as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2020 2019 Nonfuel revenues: Truck service $ 670,847 $ 674,203 Store and retail services 660,921 662,067 Restaurant 308,525 425,090 Diesel exhaust fluid 107,125 94,787 Total nonfuel revenues $ 1,747,418 $ 1,856,147
Changes in contract liabilities between periods	The following table shows the changes in our contract liabilities between periods. Customer Other Total December 31, 2018 $ 15,490 $ 3,470 $ 18,960 Increases due to unsatisfied performance obligations arising during the period 103,228 12,982 116,210 Revenues recognized from satisfied performance obligations during the period (90,462) (10,519) (100,981) Other (10,263) (1,111) (11,374) December 31, 2019 17,993 4,822 22,815 Increases due to unsatisfied performance obligations arising during the period 115,792 15,791 131,583 Revenues recognized from satisfied performance obligations during the period (98,147) (12,879) (111,026) Other (12,817) (589) (13,406) December 31, 2020 $ 22,821 $ 7,145 $ 29,966

Acquisition and Disposition A_2

Acquisition and Disposition Activity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of components of assets held for sale, net	Our QSL net asset disposal group is included as assets held for sale, net in other current assets on our consolidated balance sheet and is comprised of the following: December 31, 2020 Current assets $ 4,313 Property and equipment, net 11,745 Operating lease assets 6,927 Intangible assets, net 7,301 Current liabilities (1,967) Current operating lease liabilities (1,307) Long term debt, net (868) Noncurrent operating lease liabilities (7,907) Other noncurrent liabilities (51) Assets held for sale, gross 18,186 Impairment charge (13,715) Assets held for sale, net $ 4,471

Property and Equipment (Tables)

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Schedule of components of property and equipment, net	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 10 to 40 years Machinery and equipment 3 to 15 years Furniture and fixtures 5 to 20 years Property and equipment, net as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, consisted of the following: December 31, 2020 2019 Machinery, equipment and furniture $ 531,755 $ 533,380 Land and improvements 315,906 316,751 Leasehold improvements 296,396 271,451 Buildings and improvements 295,588 307,433 Construction in progress 14,391 24,678 Property and equipment, at cost 1,454,036 1,453,693 Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization 652,247 585,190 Property and equipment, net $ 801,789 $ 868,503
SVC | Principal landlord and one of largest stockholders
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Schedule of components of property and equipment, net	The following table shows the amounts of property and equipment owned by SVC but recognized in operating lease assets in our consolidated balance sheets. December 31, 2020 2019 Leasehold improvements $ 100,419 $ 101,316 Property and equipment, at cost 100,419 101,316 Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization 82,919 81,915 Property and equipment, net $ 17,500 $ 19,401

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of components of intangible assets, net	Intangible assets, net, as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, consisted of the following: December 31, 2020 Cost Accumulated Net Amortizable intangible assets: Agreements with franchisees $ 17,134 $ (14,039) $ 3,095 Leasehold interests 2,094 (2,094) — Other 3,913 (3,386) 527 Total amortizable intangible assets 23,141 (19,519) 3,622 Carrying value of trademarks (indefinite lives) 7,907 — 7,907 Intangible assets, net $ 31,048 $ (19,519) $ 11,529 December 31, 2019 Cost Accumulated Net Amortizable intangible assets: Agreements with franchisees $ 21,145 $ (13,350) $ 7,795 Leasehold interests 2,094 (2,094) — Other 3,913 (3,318) 595 Total amortizable intangible assets 27,152 (18,762) 8,390 Carrying value of trademarks (indefinite lives) 12,317 — 12,317 Intangible assets, net $ 39,469 $ (18,762) $ 20,707
Schedule of the aggregate amortization expense for amortizable intangible assets for each of the next five years	The aggregate amortization expense for our amortizable intangible assets as of December 31, 2020, for each of the next five years is: Total 2021 $ 596 2022 490 2023 391 2024 391 2025 375
Schedule of goodwill by reporting unit	Goodwill by reporting unit was as follows: December 31, 2020 2019 Travel centers business $ 22,213 $ 22,213 QSL business — 3,046 Total goodwill $ 22,213 $ 25,259

Other Current Liabilities (Tabl

Other Current Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of components of other current liabilities	Other current liabilities as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, consisted of the following: December 31, 2020 2019 Taxes payable, other than income taxes $ 56,028 $ 52,320 Accrued wages and benefits (1) 46,390 21,416 Customer loyalty program accruals 22,821 17,993 Self insurance program accruals, current portion 15,415 13,509 Accrued capital expenditures 5,243 4,721 Other 29,970 28,496 Total other current liabilities $ 175,867 $ 138,455 (1) As of December 31, 2020, pursuant to the CARES Act, accrued wages and benefits included $23,340 of deferred employer social security payments. See Note 1 for more information on the CARES Act.

Long Term Debt (Tables)

Long Term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of long term debt, net	Long term debt, net as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, consisted of the following: Interest Rate Maturity Date December 31, 2020 2019 2028 Senior Notes 8.25% January 15, 2028 $ 110,000 $ 110,000 2029 Senior Notes 8.00% December 15, 2029 120,000 120,000 2030 Senior Notes 8.00% October 15, 2030 100,000 100,000 Term Loan Facility 7.00% December 14, 2027 198,000 — West Greenwich Loan 3.85% February 7, 2030 15,382 — Vehicle Financing Agreement 4.90% October 28, 2026 751 — Revolving Credit Facility 3.75% July 19, 2024 — 7,900 Other long term debt 4.99% March 31, 2027 — 982 Unamortized discount and deferred financing costs (18,736) (9,561) Total long term debt, net $ 525,397 $ 329,321
Schedule of required principal payments	The required principal payments due during the next five years and thereafter under all our outstanding consolidated debt as of December 31, 2020, are as follows: Principal 2021 $ 2,849 2022 2,813 2023 2,821 2024 2,829 2025 2,837 Thereafter 532,833 Total (1) $ 546,982 (1) Total consolidated debt outstanding as of December 31, 2020, net of unamortized discounts and deferred financing costs totaling $18,736, was $528,246.

Leasing Transactions (Tables)

Leasing Transactions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Schedule of lease costs as a lessee	For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, our lease costs consisted of the following: Classification in our Consolidated Year Ended December 31, 2020 2019 Operating lease costs: SVC Leases Real estate rent expense $ 237,999 $ 240,328 Operating lease costs: other Real estate rent expense 12,592 11,082 Variable lease costs: SVC Leases Real estate rent expense 4,524 5,203 Variable lease costs: other Real estate rent expense 628 1,149 Total real estate rent expense 255,743 257,762 Operating lease costs: equipment and other Site level operating expense and selling, general and administrative expense 3,649 3,088 Short-term lease costs Site level operating expense and selling, general and administrative expense 1,826 2,869 Amortization of finance lease assets Depreciation and amortization expense 246 — Interest on finance lease liabilities Interest expense, net 99 — Sublease income Nonfuel revenues (2,064) (2,180) Net lease costs $ 259,499 $ 261,539
Schedule of maturities of operating lease liabilities with remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year	Maturities of our operating lease liabilities that had remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2020, were as follows: SVC Leases (1) Other Total Years ended December 31: 2021 $ 270,799 $ 4,850 $ 275,649 2022 268,936 3,572 272,508 2023 255,344 1,660 257,004 2024 251,150 509 251,659 2025 250,667 376 251,043 Thereafter 1,783,837 2,269 1,786,106 Total operating lease payments 3,080,733 13,236 3,093,969 Less: present value discount (2) (1,217,496) (2,052) (1,219,548) Present value of operating lease liabilities $ 1,863,237 $ 11,184 $ 1,874,421 (1) Includes rent for properties we sublease from SVC and pay directly to SVC's landlords. (2) The discount rate used to derive the present value of unpaid lease payments is based on the rates implicit in the SVC Leases and our incremental borrowing rate for all other leases.
Schedule of operating lease assets and liabilities	As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, our operating lease assets and liabilities consisted of the following: December 31, 2020 2019 Operating lease assets: SVC Leases $ 1,724,428 $ 1,796,406 Other 10,455 21,592 Total operating lease assets $ 1,734,883 $ 1,817,998 Current operating lease liabilities: SVC Leases $ 106,788 $ 98,574 Other 4,467 5,496 Total current operating lease liabilities $ 111,255 $ 104,070 Noncurrent operating lease liabilities: SVC Leases $ 1,756,449 $ 1,862,060 Other 6,717 18,128 Total noncurrent operating lease liabilities $ 1,763,166 $ 1,880,188
Principal landlord and one of largest stockholders | SVC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Schedule of annual minimum rent and deferred rent under the SVC Leases	The number of properties leased, the terms, the annual minimum rent and the deferred rent balances owed by us under the SVC Leases, as of December 31, 2020, are as follows: Number Initial Term End Date (1) Annual Minimum Deferred Rent (2) TA Lease 1 36 December 31, 2032 $ 49,707 $ 10,487 TA Lease 2 36 December 31, 2031 44,077 9,740 TA Lease 3 35 December 31, 2029 42,409 9,603 TA Lease 4 37 December 31, 2033 46,067 9,804 Petro Lease 35 June 30, 2035 61,654 — Total 179 $ 243,914 $ 39,634 (1) We have two renewal options of 15 years each under each of the SVC Leases. (2) Under our rent deferral agreement with SVC, deferred rent shall be accelerated and interest shall begin to accrue thereon at 1.0% per month on the deferred rent amounts if certain events occur, including: our default under the SVC Leases; a change of control of us, as defined in the rent deferral agreement; or our declaration or payment of a dividend or other distribution in respect of our common stock.

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Schedule of number and weighted average grant date fair value of unvested shares of common stock and shares of common stock awarded under the Share Award Plans	The following table sets forth the number and weighted average grant date fair value of unvested shares of common stock and shares of common stock awarded under the Share Award Plans for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. Number of Weighted Unvested shares of common stock as of December 31, 2018 316 $ 27.44 Granted 270 9.78 Vested (168) 22.15 Forfeited/canceled (6) 26.57 Unvested shares of common stock as of December 31, 2019 412 18.03 Granted 254 29.44 Vested (314) 21.92 Forfeited/canceled (3) 17.39 Unvested shares of common stock as of December 31, 2020 349 22.83
Reconciliation of net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders to net (loss) income available to common stockholders	The following table presents a reconciliation of net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders to net (loss) income available to common stockholders and the related earnings per share of common stock. Year Ended December 31, 2020 2019 Net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders $ (13,899) $ 33,345 Less: net (loss) income attributable to participating securities (422) 1,301 Net (loss) income available to common stockholders $ (13,477) $ 32,044 Weighted average shares of common stock (1) 10,961 7,783 Basic and diluted net (loss) income per share of common stock attributable to common stockholders $ (1.23) $ 4.12 (1) Excludes unvested shares of common stock awarded under our Share Award Plans, which shares of common stock are considered participating securities because they participate equally in earnings and losses with all of our other shares of common stock. The weighted average number of unvested shares of common stock outstanding was 344 and 316 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of effective tax rate reconciliation	Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation Year Ended December 31, 2020 2019 U.S. federal statutory rate applied to (loss) income before income taxes $ 4,427 $ (7,940) State income taxes, net of federal benefit 651 635 Benefit of tax credits 2,090 4,020 Provision to return adjustments 112 (31) Nondeductible executive compensation (1,011) (109) Other nondeductible expenses (346) (530) Other, net 255 (384) Total benefit (provision) for income taxes $ 6,178 $ (4,339)
Schedule of components of the benefit (provision) for income taxes	Components of the Benefit (Provision) For Income Taxes Year Ended December 31, 2020 2019 Current tax benefit: Federal $ 912 $ 1,019 State (152) 352 Total current tax benefit 760 1,371 Deferred tax provision: Federal 4,443 (6,163) State 975 453 Total deferred tax provision 5,418 (5,710) Total benefit (provision) for income taxes $ 6,178 $ (4,339)
Schedule of components of deferred tax assets and liabilities	Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities December 31, 2020 2019 Deferred tax assets: Tax loss carryforwards $ 57,748 $ 63,185 Tax credit carryforwards 37,539 35,624 Leasing arrangements 30,983 32,007 Reserves 26,828 18,204 Asset retirement obligations 1,425 1,278 Other 160 704 Total deferred tax assets before valuation allowance 154,683 151,002 Valuation allowance (1,386) (1,209) Total deferred tax assets 153,297 149,793 Deferred tax liabilities: Property and equipment (102,461) (102,051) Goodwill and intangible assets (1,410) (3,708) Total deferred tax liabilities (103,871) (105,759) Net deferred tax assets $ 49,426 $ 44,034

Equity Investments (Tables)

Equity Investments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Schedule of financial information for investment in equity affiliates	As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, our investment in equity affiliates, which is presented in our consolidated balance sheets in other noncurrent assets, and our proportional share of our investees' net income (loss), which is included in other expense (income), net in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income, were as follows: PTP Other (1) Total Investment balance: As of December 31, 2020 $ 24,115 $ 3,610 $ 27,725 As of December 31, 2019 24,517 5,983 30,500 Income (loss) from equity investments: Year ended December 31, 2020 $ 3,598 $ (4,986) $ (1,388) Year ended December 31, 2019 5,657 (4,750) 907 (1) Includes our investments in Affiliates Insurance Company, or AIC, and QuikQ LLC, or QuikQ. The following table sets forth summarized financial information of our equity investments and does not represent the amounts we have included in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income in connection with our equity investments. Year Ended December 31, 2020 2019 Total revenues $ 89,800 $ 126,750 Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation) 56,667 80,610 Income from operations 358 9,314 Net income 9 7,261

Inventory (Tables)

Inventory (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of inventory	Inventory as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, consisted of the following: December 31, 2020 2019 Nonfuel products $ 143,440 $ 161,560 Fuel products 29,390 35,051 Total inventory $ 172,830 $ 196,611

Summary of Significant Accoun_4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - General Information and Basis of Presentation (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)restauranttravel_centersegmentstoretruck_service_facilityfranchiseestate$ / shares	Dec. 31, 2019$ / shares	Aug. 01, 2019$ / shares
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Common stock, par value (in USD per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.001	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Number of reportable segments | segment	1
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of sites | store	316
Travel centers
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of states | state	44
Travel centers | Company operated sites
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of sites	232
Number of sites owned	51
Number of sites leased	181
Number of sites operated under joint venture	2
Travel centers | Franchisee operated sites
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of sites	39
Number of sites owned by franchisees or leased from others	37
Travel centers | Franchisee operated and leased sites
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of sites	2
Travel centers | TA, TA Express and Petro brands
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of sites	271
Truck service facilities
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of sites owned | truck_service_facility	1
Number of sites leased | truck_service_facility	2
Truck service facilities | TA Truck Service brand
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of sites | truck_service_facility	3
Restaurants
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of states | state	12
Estimated purchase price | $	$ 5,000
Restaurants | Company operated sites
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of sites | restaurant	14
Number of sites owned | restaurant	4
Number of sites leased | restaurant	8
Number of sites operated under joint venture | restaurant	1
Number of sites owned by franchisees or leased from others | restaurant	1
Number of franchisees | franchisee	1
Restaurants | Franchisee operated sites
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of sites owned by franchisees or leased from others | restaurant	28
Restaurants | QSL brand
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of sites | restaurant	42

Summary of Significant Accoun_5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details)	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limit	$ 250,000

Summary of Significant Accoun_6

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
General business tax credit carryforward | Accounts receivable, net
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Federal biodiesel blenders' tax credit	$ 1,131	$ 70,229

Summary of Significant Accoun_7

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Property and Equipment (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Buildings and site improvements | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	10 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	20 years

Summary of Significant Accoun_8

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Impairment (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)reportingUnits	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2020Rate
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Number of reporting units | reportingUnits	2
Travel centers | Discount rate
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment testing rates used | Rate			0.105
Travel centers | Perpetual growth rate
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment testing rates used | Rate			0.025
Depreciation and amortization expense | Restaurants
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Impairment charges to property and equipment	$ 6,574	$ 2,369
Goodwill impairment charge	3,046
Depreciation and amortization expense | Restaurants | Disposal group, held for sale
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Held for sale impairment charge	13,715
Real estate rent expense | Restaurants
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Impairment charges to operating lease assets	$ 1,262	$ 579

Summary of Significant Accoun_9

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Stock Based Employee Compensation (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Share award plans | Employees, excluding Directors
Stock-based Compensation Arrangement by Stock-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period of stock issued to other than directors	5 years

Summary of Significant Accou_10

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Asset Retirement Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Asset retirement obligations	$ 5,752	$ 5,160

Summary of Significant Accou_11

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Leasing Transactions (Details)	Dec. 31, 2020lease
SVC | Principal landlord and one of largest stockholders | SVC Leases
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of leases with SVC	5

Summary of Significant Accou_12

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncement and Other Accounting Matters (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
Site level operating expense
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Employee retention tax credit	$ 3,268
Other current liabilities
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Deferred tax liability	$ 23,340

Revenues - Narrative (Details)

Revenues - Narrative (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Percent of diesel fuel volume sold at discounts	89.50%

Revenues - Disaggregation of No

Revenues - Disaggregation of Nonfuel Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Total nonfuel revenues	$ 4,846,037	$ 6,117,359
Nonfuel
Total nonfuel revenues	1,747,418	1,856,147
Truck service
Total nonfuel revenues	670,847	674,203
Store and retail services
Total nonfuel revenues	660,921	662,067
Restaurant
Total nonfuel revenues	308,525	425,090
Diesel exhaust fluid
Total nonfuel revenues	$ 107,125	$ 94,787

Revenues - Changes in Contract

Revenues - Changes in Contract Liabilities Between Periods (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Movement in Deferred Revenue [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 22,815	$ 18,960
Increases due to unsatisfied performance obligations arising during the period	131,583	116,210
Revenues recognized from satisfied performance obligations during the period	(111,026)	(100,981)
Other	(13,406)	(11,374)
Ending Balance	29,966	22,815
Customer Loyalty Programs
Movement in Deferred Revenue [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	17,993	15,490
Increases due to unsatisfied performance obligations arising during the period	115,792	103,228
Revenues recognized from satisfied performance obligations during the period	(98,147)	(90,462)
Other	(12,817)	(10,263)
Ending Balance	22,821	17,993
Other
Movement in Deferred Revenue [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	4,822	3,470
Increases due to unsatisfied performance obligations arising during the period	15,791	12,982
Revenues recognized from satisfied performance obligations during the period	(12,879)	(10,519)
Other	(589)	(1,111)
Ending Balance	$ 7,145	$ 4,822

Revenues - Contract Liabilities

Revenues - Contract Liabilities (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
Minimum
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Deferred initial and renewal franchisee fee revenue	$ 323
Maximum
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Deferred initial and renewal franchisee fee revenue	$ 373
Customer Loyalty Programs | Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2021-01-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Expected timing for unsatisfied performance obligations to be satisfied	12 months

Acquisition and Disposition A_3

Acquisition and Disposition Activity - Acquisition Activity (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2019USD ($)travel_center	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)parcel_of_land	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)travel_center
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of locations acquired, asset acquisition | parcel_of_land		1
Purchase price, asset acquisitions		$ 1,358
Travel centers | SVC | Principal landlord and one of largest stockholders | SVC Leases
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of locations acquired, asset acquisition | travel_center	20		20
Purchase price, asset acquisitions	$ 309,637		$ 309,637
Transaction related costs	$ 1,437		1,437
Net recognized aggregate cost basis of acquired assets			$ 284,902

Acquisition and Disposition A_4

Acquisition and Disposition Activity - Disposition Activity (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)storestaterestaurant
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of sites | store	316
Restaurants
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated purchase price	$ 5,000
Number of states | state	12
Restaurants | Disposal group, held for sale
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of states | state	11
Restaurants | Other current assets | Disposal group, held for sale
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Assets held for sale, net	$ 4,471
Restaurants | QSL brand
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of sites | restaurant	42
Restaurants | QSL brand | Disposal group, held for sale
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of sites | restaurant	41
Restaurants | Depreciation and amortization expense | Disposal group, held for sale
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Held for sale impairment charge	$ 13,715

Acquisition and Disposition A_5

Acquisition and Disposition Activity - Schedule of Components of Assets Held for Sale, Net (Details) - Restaurants - Disposal group, held for sale $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Long term debt, net	$ 868
Depreciation and amortization expense
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Impairment charge	(13,715)
Other current assets
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets	4,313
Property and equipment, net	11,745
Operating lease assets	6,927
Intangible assets, net	7,301
Current liabilities	(1,967)
Current operating lease liabilities	(1,307)
Long term debt, net	(868)
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities	(7,907)
Other noncurrent liabilities	(51)
Assets held for sale, gross	18,186
Assets held for sale, net	$ 4,471

Property and Equipment (Details

Property and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, at cost	$ 1,454,036	$ 1,453,693
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	652,247	585,190
Property and equipment, net	801,789	868,503
Restaurants | Other current assets | Disposal group, held for sale
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, net	11,745
Principal landlord and one of largest stockholders | SVC
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, at cost	100,419	101,316
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	82,919	81,915
Property and equipment, net	17,500	19,401
Principal landlord and one of largest stockholders | SVC | SVC Leases
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property and equipment that may be sold to SVC for an increase in annual minimum rent	58,163
Depreciation and amortization expense
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation expense	103,178	97,232
Depreciation and amortization expense | Restaurants
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Impairment charges to property and equipment	6,574	2,369
Machinery, equipment and furniture
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, at cost	531,755	533,380
Land and improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, at cost	315,906	316,751
Leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, at cost	296,396	271,451
Leasehold improvements | Principal landlord and one of largest stockholders | SVC
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, at cost	100,419	101,316
Buildings and improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, at cost	295,588	307,433
Construction in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, at cost	$ 14,391	$ 24,678

Goodwill and Intangible Asset_2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Intangible Assets, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total amortizable intangible assets, Cost	$ 23,141	$ 27,152
Total amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(19,519)	(18,762)
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net	3,622	8,390
Intangible assets, Cost	31,048	39,469
Intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(19,519)	(18,762)
Intangible assets, Net	11,529	20,707
Trademarks
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Carrying value of trademarks (indefinite lives)	7,907	12,317
Agreements with franchisees
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total amortizable intangible assets, Cost	17,134	21,145
Total amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(14,039)	(13,350)
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net	3,095	7,795
Intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(14,039)	(13,350)
Leasehold interests
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total amortizable intangible assets, Cost	2,094	2,094
Total amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(2,094)	(2,094)
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net	0	0
Intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(2,094)	(2,094)
Other
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total amortizable intangible assets, Cost	3,913	3,913
Total amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	(3,386)	(3,318)
Total amortizable intangible assets, Net	527	595
Intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ (3,386)	$ (3,318)

Goodwill and Intangible Asset_3

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Total amortization expense for amortizable intangible assets	$ 1,547	$ 1,609
Weighted average period of amortizable intangible assets	8 years
Restaurants | Other current assets | Disposal group, held for sale
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets, net	$ 7,301

Goodwill and Intangible Asset_4

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Future Amortization Expense (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
Total
2021	$ 596
2022	490
2023	391
2024	391
2025	$ 375

Goodwill and Intangible Asset_5

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Goodwill by Reporting Unit (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Goodwill [Line Items]
Total goodwill	$ 22,213	$ 25,259
Travel centers business
Goodwill [Line Items]
Total goodwill	22,213	22,213
QSL business
Goodwill [Line Items]
Total goodwill	$ 0	$ 3,046

Other Current Liabilities - Sch

Other Current Liabilities - Schedule of Components of Other Current Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Taxes payable, other than income taxes		$ 56,028	$ 52,320
Accrued wages and benefits	[1]	46,390	21,416
Customer loyalty program accruals		22,821	17,993
Self insurance program accruals, current portion		15,415	13,509
Accrued capital expenditures		5,243	4,721
Other		29,970	28,496
Total other current liabilities		175,867	$ 138,455
Other current liabilities
Tax Credit Carryforward [Line Items]
Deferred tax liability		$ 23,340
[1]	As of December 31, 2020, pursuant to the CARES Act, accrued wages and benefits included $23,340 of deferred employer social security payments. See Note 1 for more information on the CARES Act.

Long Term Debt - Schedule of Lo

Long Term Debt - Schedule of Long Term Debt, Net (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020	Oct. 28, 2020	Feb. 07, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized discount and deferred financing costs	$ (18,736,000)			$ (9,561,000)
Total long term debt, net	$ 525,397,000			329,321,000
Term Loan Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	7.00%
Noncurrent loans	$ 198,000,000			0
West Greenwich Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	3.85%		3.85%
Noncurrent loans	$ 15,382,000			0
Vehicle Financing Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	4.90%	4.90%
Noncurrent loans	$ 751,000			0
Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	3.75%
Revolving Credit Facility	$ 0			7,900,000
Other
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	4.99%
Other long term debt	$ 0			982,000
2028 Senior Notes | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	8.25%
Senior Notes	$ 110,000,000			110,000,000
2029 Senior Notes | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	8.00%
Senior Notes	$ 120,000,000			120,000,000
2030 Senior Notes | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	8.00%
Senior Notes	$ 100,000,000			$ 100,000,000

Long Term Debt - Narrative (Det

Long Term Debt - Narrative (Details) - Restaurants - Disposal group, held for sale $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt, net	$ 868
Other current assets
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt, net	$ (868)

Long Term Debt - Senior Notes (

Long Term Debt - Senior Notes (Details) - Senior Notes $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
2028 Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)	100.00%
Fair value of debt instrument	$ 117,392
2029 Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)	100.00%
Fair value of debt instrument	$ 121,584
2030 Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price of debt instrument (as a percent)	100.00%
Fair value of debt instrument	$ 101,920

Long Term Debt - Revolving Cred

Long Term Debt - Revolving Credit Facility (Details) - Credit Facility	Dec. 14, 2020Rate	Jul. 19, 2019USD ($)Rate	Jul. 18, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)Rate	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Sublimit for issuance of letters of credit		$ 125,000,000	$ 170,000,000
Maximum borrowing capacity				$ 200,000,000
Increase in maximum borrowing capacity subject to available collateral and lender participation				$ 300,000,000
Fee on unused commitments (as a percent) | Rate				0.375%
Amount available for borrowings and letters of credit				$ 86,833,000
Borrowings outstanding				0	$ 7,900,000
Outstanding amount of letters of credit				16,815,000
Amount under Credit Facility available for use				$ 70,018,000
LIBOR
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Reduction on applicable margins on variable rates (in basis points) | Rate		25
Fee on borrowings and letters of credit (as a percent) | Rate				1.50%
Commercial paper
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Reduction on applicable margins on variable rates (in basis points) | Rate	12.5	12.5
Fee on borrowings and letters of credit (as a percent) | Rate				0.75%
Base rate
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Fee on borrowings and letters of credit (as a percent) | Rate				0.50%

Long Term Debt - Term Loan Faci

Long Term Debt - Term Loan Facility (Details) - Term Loan Facility - USD ($)	Dec. 14, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current borrowing capacity	$ 200,000,000
Net proceeds from Term Loan Facility		$ 190,062,000
Quarterly principal and interest payment	$ 500,000
Interest rate percentage of principal payment	1.00%
Interest rate floor
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate description	100
Interest rate cap
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate description	600

Long Term Debt - IHOP Secured A

Long Term Debt - IHOP Secured Advance Note (Details)	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)store	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Oct. 28, 2019USD ($)restaurantyr
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of sites | store	316
Term to rebrand and convert restaurants (in years) | yr			5
Borrowings outstanding	$ 525,397,000	$ 329,321,000
IHOP Secured Advance Note
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity			$ 10,000,000
Borrowings outstanding	$ 0	$ 0
Full service restaurants | IHOP brand
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of sites | restaurant			94

Long Term Debt - West Greenwich

Long Term Debt - West Greenwich Term Loan (Details) - West Greenwich Loan	Feb. 07, 2020USD ($)yr	Dec. 31, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan term (in years)	10 years
Face amount | $	$ 16,600,000
Interest rate	3.85%	3.85%
Period in which Federal Home Loan Bank rate is fixed (in years)	5 years
Term of Federal Home Loan Bank rate | yr	5
Amount added to fixed Federal Home Loan Bank rate (in basis points)	198
Period to repay loan in full prior to termination (in days)	60 days

Long Term Debt - Vehicle Financ

Long Term Debt - Vehicle Financing Agreement (Details) - Vehicle Financing Agreement $ in Thousands	Oct. 28, 2020USD ($)numberOfVehiclesproperty	Dec. 31, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loan term (in years)	6 years
Number of vehicles | numberOfVehicles	8
Number of sites owned | property	8
Face amount	$ 959
Interest rate	4.90%	4.90%
Monthly principal and interest payments	$ 15

Long Term Debt - Required Princ

Long Term Debt - Required Principal Payments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized discount and deferred financing costs		$ (18,736)	$ (9,561)
Total consolidated debt outstanding		528,246
Long term debt, net
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
2021		2,849
2022		2,813
2023		2,821
2024		2,829
2025		2,837
Thereafter		532,833
Total	[1]	$ 546,982
[1]	Total consolidated debt outstanding as of December 31, 2020, net of unamortized discounts and deferred financing costs totaling $18,736, was $528,246.

Long Term Debt - Discount and D

Long Term Debt - Discount and Deferred Financing Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized discount and deferred financing costs	$ (18,736)	$ (9,561)
Future amortization of discount and deferred financing costs in 2021	2,475
Future amortization of discount and deferred financing costs in 2022	2,552
Future amortization of discount and deferred financing costs in 2023	2,636
Future amortization of discount and deferred financing costs in 2024	2,589
Future amortization of discount and deferred financing costs in 2025	2,604
Interest expense from amortization of deferred financing costs	1,242	1,183
Long term debt, net
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Accumulated amortization of discount and deferred financing costs	6,501	5,420
Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capitalized deferred financing costs	500	688
Write off of deferred financing costs related to Amendment No. 3		47
Credit Facility | Other noncurrent assets
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized deferred financing costs	1,010	671
Accumulated amortization of deferred financing costs	1,297	$ 1,136
Term Loan Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized discount	8,484
Capitalized deferred financing costs	1,454
West Greenwich Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capitalized deferred financing costs	$ 318

Leasing Transactions - As a Les

Leasing Transactions - As a Lessee Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)lease	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Operating lease weighted average remaining lease term (in years)	12 years	13 years
Operating lease weighted average discount rate	9.10%	9.10%
Amount paid included in measurement of operating lease liabilities	$ 277,229	$ 279,168
Restaurants | Other current assets | Disposal group, held for sale
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Operating lease assets	6,927
Operating lease liabilities	9,214
Real estate rent expense | Restaurants
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Impairment charges to operating lease assets	$ 1,262	$ 579
SVC Leases | Principal landlord and one of largest stockholders | SVC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of leases with SVC | lease	5

Leasing Transactions - Schedule

Leasing Transactions - Schedule of Lease Costs as a Lessee (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Real estate rent expense	$ 255,743	$ 257,762
Net lease costs	259,499	261,539
Site level operating expense and selling, general and administrative expense
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Short-term lease costs	1,826	2,869
Depreciation and amortization expense
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Amortization of finance lease assets	246	0
Interest expense, net
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Interest on finance lease liabilities	99	0
SVC Leases | Real estate rent expense
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Operating lease costs	237,999	240,328
Variable lease costs	4,524	5,203
SVC Leases | Nonfuel revenues
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Sublease income	(2,064)	(2,180)
Other | Real estate rent expense
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Operating lease costs	12,592	11,082
Variable lease costs	628	1,149
Equipment and other | Site level operating expense and selling, general and administrative expense
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Operating lease costs	$ 3,649	$ 3,088

Leasing Transactions - Schedu_2

Leasing Transactions - Schedule of Maturities of Operating Lease Liabilities (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
2021	$ 275,649
2022	272,508
2023	257,004
2024	251,659
2025	251,043
Thereafter	1,786,106
Total operating lease payments	3,093,969
Less: present value discount	(1,219,548)	[1]
Present value of operating lease liabilities	1,874,421
SVC Leases
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
2021	270,799	[2]
2022	268,936	[2]
2023	255,344	[2]
2024	251,150	[2]
2025	250,667	[2]
Thereafter	1,783,837	[2]
Total operating lease payments	3,080,733	[2]
Less: present value discount	(1,217,496)	[1],[2]
Present value of operating lease liabilities	1,863,237	[2]
Other
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
2021	4,850
2022	3,572
2023	1,660
2024	509
2025	376
Thereafter	2,269
Total operating lease payments	13,236
Less: present value discount	(2,052)	[1]
Present value of operating lease liabilities	$ 11,184
[1]	The discount rate used to derive the present value of unpaid lease payments is based on the rates implicit in the SVC Leases and our incremental borrowing rate for all other leases.
[2]	Includes rent for properties we sublease from SVC and pay directly to SVC's landlords.

Leasing Transactions - Schedu_3

Leasing Transactions - Schedule of Operating Lease Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Operating lease assets	$ 1,734,883	$ 1,817,998
Current operating lease liabilities	111,255	104,070
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities	1,763,166	1,880,188
SVC Leases
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Operating lease assets	1,724,428	1,796,406
Current operating lease liabilities	106,788	98,574
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities	1,756,449	1,862,060
Other
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Operating lease assets	10,455	21,592
Current operating lease liabilities	4,467	5,496
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities	$ 6,717	$ 18,128

Leasing Transactions - Leasing

Leasing Transactions - Leasing Agreements with SVC Narrative (Details)		Jan. 01, 2020	Oct. 14, 2019USD ($)	Apr. 01, 2019USD ($)installment	Jan. 31, 2019USD ($)travel_center	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)propertyleaseparcel_of_land		Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)travel_centerinstallment
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of locations acquired | parcel_of_land						1
Acquisition of travel centers from SVC						$ 1,358,000
Total real estate rent expense						$ 255,743,000		$ 257,762,000
SVC | Principal landlord and one of largest stockholders | SVC Leases
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of sites leased | property						179
Number of leases with SVC | lease						5
Decrease in annual minimum rent					$ (43,148,000)
Extension of lease term (in years)					3 years
Number of payments for deferred rent obligation | installment				16				5
Payment due for deferred rent obligation				$ 4,404,000
Deferred rent obligation				$ 70,458,000		$ 39,634,000	[1]	$ 150,000,000
Deferred rent obligation installment payments						$ 17,615,000		13,211,000
Rate of percentage rent incurred		0.50%				3.50%
Increase in operating lease assets and liabilities			$ 33,816,000		$ 23,673,000
Increase in asset retirement obligation due to Transaction Agreements					$ 2,420,000
Total real estate rent expense						$ 242,523,000		245,531,000
Percentage rent incurred						$ 2,764,000		4,075,000
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 of improvements sold						$ 0		0
Property and equipment that may be sold to SVC for an increase in annual minimum rent						58,163,000
Sublease income						$ 2,064,000		$ 2,180,000
SVC | Principal landlord and one of largest stockholders | SVC Leases | Travel centers
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of locations acquired | travel_center					20			20
Acquisition of travel centers from SVC					$ 309,637,000			$ 309,637,000
Transaction related costs					$ 1,437,000			$ 1,437,000
Number of properties subject to lease | property						179
SVC | Principal landlord and one of largest stockholders | TA Leases
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of leases with SVC | lease						4
SVC | Principal landlord and one of largest stockholders | Petro Lease
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of leases with SVC | lease						1
Deferred rent obligation	[1]					$ 0
SVC | Principal landlord and one of largest stockholders | Petro Lease | Travel centers
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of properties subject to lease | property						35
[1]	Under our rent deferral agreement with SVC, deferred rent shall be accelerated and interest shall begin to accrue thereon at 1.0% per month on the deferred rent amounts if certain events occur, including: our default under the SVC Leases; a change of control of us, as defined in the rent deferral agreement; or our declaration or payment of a dividend or other distribution in respect of our common stock.

Leasing Transactions - Schedu_4

Leasing Transactions - Schedule of Annual Minimum Rent and Deferred Rent Under the SVC Leases (Details) - SVC - Principal landlord and one of largest stockholders $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)propertyrenewal_option		Apr. 01, 2019USD ($)
TA Lease 1
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Annual minimum rent		$ 49,707
Deferred rent	[1]		$ 10,487
TA Lease 2
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Annual minimum rent		44,077
Deferred rent	[1]		9,740
TA Lease 3
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Annual minimum rent		42,409
Deferred rent	[1]		9,603
TA Lease 4
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Annual minimum rent		46,067
Deferred rent	[1]		9,804
Petro Lease
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Annual minimum rent		61,654
Deferred rent	[1]		0
SVC Leases
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Annual minimum rent		243,914
Deferred rent		$ 150,000	$ 39,634	[1]	$ 70,458
Number of renewal options | renewal_option			2
Renewal term (in years)			15 years
Interest rate percentage on deferred rent amounts			1.00%
Travel centers | TA Lease 1
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Number of properties subject to lease | property			36
Travel centers | TA Lease 2
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Number of properties subject to lease | property			36
Travel centers | TA Lease 3
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Number of properties subject to lease | property			35
Travel centers | TA Lease 4
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Number of properties subject to lease | property			37
Travel centers | Petro Lease
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Number of properties subject to lease | property			35
Travel centers | SVC Leases
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Number of properties subject to lease | property			179
[1]	Under our rent deferral agreement with SVC, deferred rent shall be accelerated and interest shall begin to accrue thereon at 1.0% per month on the deferred rent amounts if certain events occur, including: our default under the SVC Leases; a change of control of us, as defined in the rent deferral agreement; or our declaration or payment of a dividend or other distribution in respect of our common stock.

Leasing Transactions - As a L_2

Leasing Transactions - As a Lessor Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)travel_centeragreement	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)agreementtravel_center
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Number of lease agreements | agreement	2	2
Rent revenue	$ 2,312	$ 2,293
Future minimum lease payments in 2021	2,336
Future minimum lease payments in 2022	$ 1,168
Travel centers | Franchised units
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Number of sites leased | travel_center	2	2

Stockholders' Equity - Narrativ

Stockholders' Equity - Narrative (Details)	Aug. 01, 2019shares	Dec. 31, 2020shares	Jun. 22, 2020shares	Jun. 21, 2020shares	Dec. 31, 2019shares	Jul. 31, 2019shares
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	16,000,000	216,000,000	216,000,000	16,000,000	16,000,000	8,674,000
Reverse stock split conversion ratio	0.20

Stockholders' Equity - Underwri

Stockholders' Equity - Underwritten Public Equity Offering (Details) $ in Thousands	Jul. 06, 2020USD ($)shares
Debt and Equity Securities, FV-NI [Line Items]
Net proceeds from underwritten equity offering	$ 79,980
Offering costs	296
Underwriting discounts and commissions	$ 5,124
Common stock
Debt and Equity Securities, FV-NI [Line Items]
Common stock, shares issued (in shares) | shares	6,100,000

Stockholders' Equity - Share Aw

Stockholders' Equity - Share Award Plans (Details) - Share award plans - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Stock-based Compensation Arrangement by Stock-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares of common stock authorized under the 2016 Plan (in shares)	1,285,000
Number of additional awards under the 2007 Plan (in shares)	0
Number of shares of common stock awarded under the 2016 Plan (in shares)	254,000	270,000
Aggregate market value of shares of common stock awarded	$ 7,476	$ 2,647
Total stock based compensation expense recognized	5,215	3,441
Vesting date fair value of shares of common stock vested	$ 6,965	$ 1,754
Weighted average grant date fair value of shares of common stock awarded (in USD per share)	$ 29.44	$ 9.78
Shares of common stock that remained available for issuance under the 2016 Plan (in shares)	262,000
Total stock based compensation related to unvested shares of common stock	$ 7,506
Weighted average remaining service period over which stock based compensation related to unvested shares of common stock will be expensed	4 years
Employees, excluding Directors
Stock-based Compensation Arrangement by Stock-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period of shares of common stock	5 years

Stockholders' Equity - Schedule

Stockholders' Equity - Schedule of Unvested Shares of Common Stock Under Share Award Plans (Details) - Share award plans - $ / shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Number of Shares of Common Stock
Unvested shares of common stock balance at the beginning of the period (in shares)	412	316
Granted (in shares)	254	270
Vested (in shares)	(314)	(168)
Forfeited/canceled (in shares)	(3)	(6)
Unvested shares of common stock balance at the end of the period (in shares)	349	412
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share of Common Stock
Unvested shares of common stock balance at the beginning of the period (in USD per share)	$ 18.03	$ 27.44
Granted (in USD per share)	29.44	9.78
Vested (in USD per share)	21.92	22.15
Forfeited/canceled (in USD per share)	17.39	26.57
Unvested shares of common stock balance at the end of the period (in USD per share)	$ 22.83	$ 18.03

Stockholders' Equity - Stock Re

Stockholders' Equity - Stock Repurchases (Details) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Aug. 01, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)shares
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Reverse stock split conversion ratio	0.20
Number of shares of common stock repurchased (in shares) | shares		84	37
Value of repurchased shares of common stock | $		$ 1,750	$ 346

Stockholders' Equity - Net (Los

Stockholders' Equity - Net (Loss) Income Attributable to Common Stockholders (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Dilutive stock securities outstanding		$ 0	$ 0
Net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders		(13,899,000)	33,345,000
Less: net (loss) income attributable to participating securities		(422,000)	1,301,000
Net (loss) income available to common stockholders		$ (13,477,000)	$ 32,044,000
Weighted average shares of common stock (in shares)	[1]	10,961	7,783
Basic and diluted net (loss) income per share of common stock attributable to common stockholders (in USD per share)		$ (1.23)	$ 4.12
Weighted average number of unvested shares of common stock outstanding (in shares)		344	316
[1]	Excludes unvested shares of common stock awarded under our Share Award Plans, which shares of common stock are considered participating securities because they participate equally in earnings and losses with all of our other shares of common stock. The weighted average number of unvested shares of common stock outstanding was 344 and 316 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Income Taxes - Narrative (Detai

Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	$ 6,178	$ (4,339)
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Valuation allowance	1,386	$ 1,209
Domestic Tax Authority
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards	240,936
Federal tax credit carryforwards	37,539
State and Local Jurisdiction
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards	170,156
Net operating loss to expire in 2036 | Domestic Tax Authority
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards	46,632
Net operating loss to expire in 2021 | State and Local Jurisdiction
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards	4,098
Net operating loss to expire in 2022 | State and Local Jurisdiction
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards	5,319
Tax credit to expire between 2021 and 2024 | Domestic Tax Authority
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Federal tax credit carryforwards	434
State net operating losses
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Valuation allowance	$ 2,600

Income Taxes - Effective Tax Ra

Income Taxes - Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
U.S. federal statutory rate applied to (loss) income before income taxes	$ 4,427	$ (7,940)
State income taxes, net of federal benefit	651	635
Benefit of tax credits	2,090	4,020
Provision to return adjustments	112	(31)
Nondeductible executive compensation	(1,011)	(109)
Other nondeductible expenses	(346)	(530)
Other, net	255	(384)
Total benefit (provision) for income taxes	$ 6,178	$ (4,339)

Income Taxes - Components of th

Income Taxes - Components of the Benefit (Provision) for Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Current tax benefit:
Federal	$ 912	$ 1,019
State	(152)	352
Total current tax benefit	760	1,371
Deferred tax provision:
Federal	4,443	(6,163)
State	975	453
Total deferred tax provision	5,418	(5,710)
Total benefit (provision) for income taxes	$ 6,178	$ (4,339)

Income Taxes - Components of De

Income Taxes - Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Deferred tax assets:
Tax loss carryforwards	$ 57,748	$ 63,185
Tax credit carryforwards	37,539	35,624
Leasing arrangements	30,983	32,007
Reserves	26,828	18,204
Asset retirement obligations	1,425	1,278
Other	160	704
Total deferred tax assets before valuation allowance	154,683	151,002
Valuation allowance	(1,386)	(1,209)
Total deferred tax assets	153,297	149,793
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment	(102,461)	(102,051)
Goodwill and intangible assets	(1,410)	(3,708)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(103,871)	(105,759)
Net deferred tax assets	$ 49,426	$ 44,034

Equity Investments - Schedule o

Equity Investments - Schedule of Equity Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Other expense (income), net
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Income (loss) from equity investees		$ (1,388)	$ 907
Other expense (income), net | PTP
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Income (loss) from equity investees		3,598	5,657
Other expense (income), net | Other
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Income (loss) from equity investees	[1]	(4,986)	(4,750)
Other noncurrent assets
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment balance		27,725	30,500
Other noncurrent assets | PTP
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment balance		24,115	24,517
Other noncurrent assets | Other
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investment balance	[1]	$ 3,610	$ 5,983
[1]	Includes our investments in Affiliates Insurance Company, or AIC, and QuikQ LLC, or QuikQ.

Equity Investments - Narrative

Equity Investments - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)companyconvenience_storetravel_centernumberOfEmployeesrestaurant	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Capital distribution from AIC			$ 286	$ 5,756
Affiliated entity | RMR
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of companies managed by RMR | company			4
PTP | Equity method investee
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest (as a percent)			40.00%
Management fee income			$ 1,506	$ 849
PTP | Equity method investee | Travel centers
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of sites operated under joint venture | travel_center			2
PTP | Equity method investee | Convenience stores
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of sites operated under joint venture | convenience_store			3
PTP | Equity method investee | Restaurants
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of sites operated under joint venture | restaurant			1
QuikQ | Equity method investee
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest (as a percent)			50.00%
AIC | Equity method investee
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership interest (as a percent)			14.30%
Number of employees that were directors of AIC | numberOfEmployees			1
Capital distribution from AIC	$ 286	$ 9,000

Equity Investments - Summarized

Equity Investments - Summarized Financial Information (Details) - Equity method investments - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 89,800	$ 126,750
Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation)	56,667	80,610
Income from operations	358	9,314
Net income	$ 9	$ 7,261

Business Management Agreement_2

Business Management Agreement with RMR - Narrative (Details) - RMR - Affiliated entity - Business management agreement - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
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 (in days)	60 days
Multiple in calculating termination fee	2.875
Period over which base management fee is determined as basis to calculate termination fee (in months)	24 months
Period of transition services (in days)	120 days
Selling, general and administrative expense
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Business management fee	$ 12,485	$ 13,409
Expense for internal audit costs	$ 281	$ 284

Related Party Transactions - Na

Related Party Transactions - Narrative (Details) - $ / shares shares in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jul. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Common stock, shares outstanding	14,574			8,307
RMR | Affiliated entity
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Common stock, shares outstanding	656		219
Percentage of outstanding shares of common stock owned	4.50%
Stock price			$ 14
RMR | Affiliated entity | Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Common stock, shares outstanding		105

Related Party Transactions - Re

Related Party Transactions - Relationship with SVC (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020numberOfStockholdersshares	Jul. 31, 2020$ / sharesshares	Jun. 30, 2020shares	Dec. 31, 2019shares
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of shares of common stock outstanding owned (in shares)	14,574,000			8,307,000
SVC | Principal landlord and one of largest stockholders
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of TA stockholders | numberOfStockholders	1
Number of shares of common stock outstanding owned (in shares)	1,185,000	501,000	1,184,797
Stock price | $ / shares		$ 14
Percentage of outstanding shares of common stock owned	8.10%
SVC | Principal landlord and one of largest stockholders | Maximum
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of voting shares that can be acquired	9.80%

Related Party Transactions - Ou

Related Party Transactions - Our Manager, RMR (Details) - RMR - Affiliated entity - Restricted stock - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of shares of common stock awarded under the 2016 Plan (in shares)	16	20
Aggregate market value of shares of common stock awarded	$ 519	$ 184

Related Party Transactions - _2

Related Party Transactions - Relationship with AIC (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)company	Dec. 31, 2019USD ($)
Other noncurrent assets
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Carrying value of investment	$ 27,725	$ 30,500
AIC | Equity method investee | Other comprehensive loss attributable to common stockholders
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Unrealized losses on securities held for sale		91
AIC | Equity method investee | Other expense (income), net
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Income from equity investees		575
Income from previously unrealized losses on securities held for sale		664
AIC | Equity method investee | Other noncurrent assets
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Carrying value of investment	$ 12	$ 298
RMR | Affiliated entity
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of companies managed by RMR | company	4

Related Party Transactions - _3

Related Party Transactions - Retirement and Separation Arrangements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2020	Feb. 29, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer | Current annual salary paid
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Compensation per agreement			$ 300
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer | Cash bonus paid relating to 2019
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Compensation per agreement				$ 1,000
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer | Additional cash payment
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Compensation per agreement	$ 1,000
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer | Additional cash payment
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Compensation per agreement		$ 300

Contingencies (Details)

Contingencies (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Total recorded liabilities	$ 2,649,000
Expected recoveries of future expenditures	837,000
Net recorded liability	1,812,000
Environmental issue
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Environmental liability insurance maximum coverage per incident	20,000,000
Environmental liability insurance annual coverage limit	$ 20,000,000

Inventory (Details)

Inventory (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventory	$ 172,830	$ 196,611
Nonfuel products
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventory	143,440	161,560
Fuel products
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventory	$ 29,390	$ 35,051

Reorganization Plan (Details)

Reorganization Plan (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
Selling, general and administrative expense
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Reorganization Plan costs incurred	$ 4,288