TA TravelCenters of America Inc

Third Quarter Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders up 10.9%, Adjusted EBITDA up 22.3%

TravelCenters of America LLC (Nasdaq: TA) today announced financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016:

        (in thousands, except per share and per gallon amounts

unless indicated otherwise)

Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016   2015 2016   2015 Total revenues $ 1,477,603 $ 1,508,993 $ 4,087,118 $ 4,499,577 Income before income taxes 17,238 15,983 7,187 48,485 Net income attributable to common shareholders 10,898 9,826 4,475 29,327   Net income per common share attributable to

common shareholders:

Basic and diluted $ 0.28 $ 0.26 $ 0.12 $ 0.76   Supplemental Data: Fuel sales volume (gallons): Diesel fuel 419,176 439,850 1,260,095 1,301,603 Gasoline 148,264   110,456   409,503   284,108   Total fuel sales volume (gallons) 567,440   550,306   1,669,598   1,585,711     Fuel gross margin $ 110,033 $ 102,550 $ 303,727 $ 311,224 Fuel gross margin per gallon $ 0.194 $ 0.186 $ 0.182 $ 0.196   Total nonfuel revenues $ 525,516 $ 474,646 $ 1,485,686 $ 1,330,786 Nonfuel gross margin 280,234 252,729 796,724 722,157 Nonfuel gross margin percentage 53.3 % 53.2 % 53.6 % 54.3 %   Adjusted EBITDA(1) $ 47,059 $ 38,470 $ 92,352 $ 128,534 Adjusted EBITDAR(1) 113,632 99,086 287,190 298,062  

(1) A reconciliation of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and loss on extinguishment of debt, or Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA before rent expense, or Adjusted EBITDAR, from net income attributable to common shareholders, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, appears in the supplemental data below.

Thomas M. O'Brien, TA's CEO, made the following statement regarding the 2016 third quarter results:

"During the 2016 third quarter, our business strategies resulted in gains in fuel volume, fuel gross margin, nonfuel gross margin and continued improvements in site level operating expense controls. We grew site level gross margin in excess of site level operating expenses in total and on a same site basis. The combination of our internal and external growth activities outpaced headwinds of increased fuel efficiency for heavy duty truck engines and a softness in freight volume, resulting in an increase in net income attributable to common shareholders and Adjusted EBITDA of 10.9% and 22.3%, respectively. While the rate of increased financial contributions from our recently acquired sites were modestly less than the improvement realized in the prior (sequential) quarter, I remain confident in the prospect of realizing the expected results from these investments."

Third Quarter 2016 Business Commentary

Generally lower market prices for fuel and lower fuel sales volume in our travel center segment in the 2016 third quarter led to an $83.6 million, or 8.1%, decline in fuel revenue. Acquisition of sites since the beginning of the 2015 third quarter was principally responsible for a 17.1 million gallon, or 3.1%, increase in fuel sales volume, partially offsetting a 25.0 million gallon, or 4.7%, decrease in same site fuel sales volume. Same site fuel sales volume decreased due to fuel efficiency gains by TA's commercial diesel customers and TA's continued effort to manage fuel gross margin by balancing competitive fuel pricing decisions with their impact on volume. This loss of fuel volume was partially offset by gasoline demand increases experienced at some of TA's same site travel center locations. All of these factors netted a fuel gross margin increase of $7.5 million ($0.008 per gallon), to $110.0 million ($0.194 per gallon).

Sites acquired since the beginning of the 2015 third quarter contributed $52.7 million to a $50.9 million, or 10.7%, increase in nonfuel revenue for the 2016 third quarter compared to the 2015 third quarter, partially offset by a $1.8 million, or 0.4%, decrease in same site nonfuel revenue. These new sites contributed to the increase in nonfuel gross margin of $27.5 million, or 10.9%, for the 2016 third quarter compared to the 2015 third quarter. These recently acquired sites accounted for $20.2 million of this increase, while $7.3 million of the increase was attributable to growth in same site nonfuel gross margin, despite the slight decline in same site fuel volume and nonfuel revenue. Same site nonfuel gross margin in the 2016 third quarter was 55.6% of nonfuel revenue, compared to 53.8% in the 2015 third quarter, a change largely attributable to the positive impact of TA's strategies for purchasing and pricing goods for resale and TA's marketing initiatives.

Site level operating expenses increased $18.4 million, or 8.0%, in the 2016 third quarter compared to the 2015 third quarter: a $20.2 million increase due to sites acquired since the beginning of the 2015 third quarter, partially offset by a $1.8 million decrease in same site, site level operating expenses.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the 2016 third quarter increased $5.1 million, or 17.0%, compared to the 2015 third quarter, principally as a result of increased personnel costs, which resulted from increased field management and corporate staffing required to support the growth of TA's business, as well as planned increased spending on marketing and promotional activities.

Real estate rent expense increased $6.0 million, or 9.8%, in the 2016 third quarter compared to the 2015 third quarter primarily resulting from 2015 and 2016 sale and leaseback transactions with Hospitality Properties Trust, or HPT.

Interest expense, net, increased $2.2 million in the 2016 third quarter compared to the 2015 third quarter, primarily as a result of TA's issuance in October 2015 of $100.0 million of 8.00% Senior Notes due in 2030.

Net income attributable to common shareholders for the 2016 third quarter was $10.9 million ($0.28 per common share), a 10.9% increase compared to $9.8 million ($0.26 per common share) for the 2015 third quarter. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR for the 2016 third quarter increased by $8.6 million, or 22.3%, and $14.5 million, or 14.7%, respectively, compared to the 2015 third quarter. The increases in net income attributable to common shareholders, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR were primarily attributable to recently acquired sites.

Travel Centers Segment

Lower market prices for fuel and decreases in fuel sales volume in the 2016 third quarter resulted in a $134.9 million, or 14.3%, decrease in fuel revenue as compared to the 2015 third quarter.

TA believes that the positive impact of TA's strategies for purchasing and pricing goods for resale and TA's marketing initiatives led to a $9.3 million increase in nonfuel gross margin for the 2016 third quarter and that this was the principal driver of a $10.5 million, or 8.7%, increase in site level gross margin in excess of site level operating expenses compared to the 2015 third quarter. Also contributing to higher site level gross margin in excess of site level operating expenses in the 2016 third quarter was a $1.7 million increase in fuel gross margin due to a continued focus on managing fuel sales pricing to balance sales volume and profitability.

Convenience Stores Segment

Sites acquired since the beginning of the 2015 third quarter (153 sites) resulted in increases in fuel sales volume and in nonfuel revenues to produce higher total revenues by $88.3 million, or 78.3%, in the 2016 third quarter compared to the 2015 third quarter. The increase in fuel sales volume and nonfuel revenues was partially offset by decreases in market prices for fuel and a 1.8% decrease in same site fuel sales volume due to retail pricing strategies to improve profits.

Recently acquired sites also produced an increase in site level gross margin in excess of site level operating expenses in the 2016 third quarter by $4.8 million, or 65.1%, compared to the 2015 third quarter that was partially offset by a $0.7 million decrease from same site locations.

Investment Activity

On September 30, 2016, TA sold a newly developed travel center to HPT for $16.6 million, and simultaneously leased back this travel center from HPT; TA's minimum annual rent payable to HPT increased by $1.4 million as a result. TA has one travel center under construction that is currently expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2017 and sold to, and leased back from, HPT soon thereafter. TA estimates the remaining development cost of this travel center to be approximately $9.4 million.

From the beginning of 2011, when TA began its acquisition program, to September 30, 2016, TA has invested $798.4 million to purchase and improve travel centers, convenience stores and restaurants and related businesses. For the twelve months ended September 30, 2016, these investments have produced site level gross margin in excess of site level operating expenses of $90.0 million, or, on a sequential basis, $10.7 million, or 13.4%, greater than site level gross margin in excess of site level operating expenses for the twelve months ended June 30, 2016.

TA currently has agreements to acquire an additional six standalone restaurants for an aggregate purchase price of $6.0 million and a travel center for a purchase price of $13.1 million. TA expects to complete these acquisitions by December 31, 2016. TA currently intends to continue to selectively acquire additional locations and to otherwise expand its business.

Conference Call:

On Tuesday, November 8, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, TA will host a conference call to discuss its financial results and other activities for the three months ended September 30, 2016. Following management's remarks, there will be a question and answer period.

The conference call telephone number is 877-329-4614. Participants calling from outside the United States and Canada should dial 412-317-5437. No pass code is necessary to access the call from either number. Participants should dial in about 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the call. A replay of the conference call will be available for about a week after the call. To hear the replay, dial 412-317-0088. The replay pass code is 10093018.

A live audio webcast of the conference call will also be available in a listen only mode on TA's website at www.ta-petro.com. To access the webcast, participants should visit TA's website about five minutes before the call. The archived webcast will be available for replay on TA's website for about one week after the call. The transcription, recording and retransmission in any way of TA's third quarter conference call is strictly prohibited without the prior written consent of TA. The Company's website is not incorporated as part of this press release.

About TravelCenters of America LLC:

TA's nationwide business includes travel centers located in 43 U.S. states and in Canada, standalone convenience stores in 11 states and standalone restaurants in 15 states. TA's travel centers operate under the "TravelCenters of America," "TA," "Petro Stopping Centers" and "Petro" brand names and offer diesel and gasoline fueling, restaurants, truck repair services, travel/convenience stores and other services which are designed to provide attractive and efficient travel experiences to professional drivers and other motorists. TA's convenience stores operate principally under the "Minit Mart" brand name and offer gasoline fueling as well as nonfuel products and services such as coffee, groceries, fresh food offerings and other convenience items. TA's standalone restaurants operate principally under the "Quaker Steak & Lube" brand name.

WARNING CONCERNING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

THIS PRESS RELEASE CONTAINS STATEMENTS THAT CONSTITUTE FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995 AND OTHER SECURITIES LAWS. WHENEVER TA USES WORDS SUCH AS "BELIEVE," "EXPECT," "ANTICIPATE," "INTEND," "PLAN," "ESTIMATE," "WILL," "MAY" AND NEGATIVES OR DERIVATIVES OF THESE OR SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS, TA IS MAKING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS. THESE FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE BASED UPON TA'S PRESENT INTENT, BELIEFS OR EXPECTATIONS, BUT FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE NOT GUARANTEED TO OCCUR AND MAY NOT OCCUR. ACTUAL RESULTS MAY DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE CONTAINED IN OR IMPLIED BY TA'S FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS AS A RESULT OF VARIOUS FACTORS. AMONG OTHERS, THE FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS WHICH APPEAR IN THIS PRESS RELEASE THAT MAY NOT OCCUR INCLUDE STATEMENTS THAT:

• TA'S CEO, MR. O'BRIEN, STATES IN THIS PRESS RELEASE HIS CONFIDENCE IN THE PROSPECT OF TA REALIZING THE EXPECTED RESULTS FROM ITS INVESTMENTS IN TA'S RECENTLY ACQUIRED SITES. THIS STATEMENT IMPLIES THAT THE RECENTLY ACQUIRED SITES WILL GENERATE INCREASED NET INCOME. HOWEVER, MANY OF THE LOCATIONS TA HAS ACQUIRED OR MAY ACQUIRE PRODUCED OPERATING RESULTS THAT CAUSED THE PRIOR OWNERS TO EXIT THE BUSINESSES AND TA'S ABILITY TO OPERATE THESE LOCATIONS PROFITABLY DEPENDS UPON MANY FACTORS, SOME OF WHICH ARE BEYOND TA'S CONTROL. ACCORDINGLY, TA'S ACQUIRED SITES MAY NOT GENERATE INCREASED NET INCOME OR IT MAY TAKE LONGER THAN TA EXPECTS FOR ITS NET INCOME TO INCREASE;
• TA HAS AGREED TO DEVELOP AN ADDITIONAL LOCATION FOR SALE TO, AND LEASE BACK FROM, HPT. THIS SALE AND LEASEBACK IS SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS WHICH MAY NOT BE MET AND MAY NOT BE COMPLETED OR MAY BE DELAYED OR ITS TERMS MAY CHANGE. TA INTENDS TO CONTINUE TO SELECTIVELY ACQUIRE AND DEVELOP ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS AND OTHERWISE EXPAND ITS BUSINESS. THERE ARE MANY FACTORS THAT MAY RESULT IN TA NOT BEING ABLE TO ACQUIRE, RENOVATE AND DEVELOP ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS, OR TO OTHERWISE EXPAND ITS BUSINESS, AT PRICES OR COSTS THAT YIELD PROFITS, INCLUDING COMPETITION FOR ACQUISITIONS FROM OTHER BUYERS, TA'S INABILITY TO NEGOTIATE ACCEPTABLE PURCHASE TERMS AND THE POSSIBILITY THAT TA MAY NEED TO USE ITS AVAILABLE FUNDS FOR OTHER PURPOSES. TA MAY DETERMINE TO DELAY OR NOT TO PROCEED WITH ITS PENDING DEVELOPMENT PROJECT. MOREOVER, MANAGING AND INTEGRATING DEVELOPED OR ACQUIRED LOCATIONS CAN BE DIFFICULT, TIME CONSUMING AND/OR MORE EXPENSIVE THAN ANTICIPATED AND CAN INVOLVE RISKS OF FINANCIAL LOSSES. TA MAY NOT OPERATE ITS ACQUIRED OR DEVELOPED LOCATIONS AS PROFITABLY AS IT NOW EXPECTS; AND
• TA HAS AGREED TO ACQUIRE AN ADDITIONAL SIX STANDALONE RESTAURANTS FOR AN AGGREGATE PURCHASE PRICE OF $6.0 MILLION AND A TRAVEL CENTER FOR A PURCHASE PRICE OF $13.1 MILLION, AND TA EXPECTS TO COMPLETE THESE ACQUISITIONS BY DECEMBER 31, 2016. THESE ACQUISITIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS AND MAY NOT OCCUR, MAY BE DELAYED OR THEIR TERMS MAY CHANGE.

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN TA'S PERIODIC REPORTS, INCLUDING TA'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015, WHICH HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, OR SEC, AND TA'S QUARTERLY REPORTS ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2016, JUNE 30, 2016, AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2016, WHICH HAVE BEEN OR WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC, UNDER THE CAPTION "RISK FACTORS," OR ELSEWHERE IN THOSE REPORTS, OR INCORPORATED THEREIN, IDENTIFIES OTHER IMPORTANT FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE DIFFERENCES FROM TA'S FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS. TA'S FILINGS WITH THE SEC ARE AVAILABLE ON THE SEC'S WEBSITE AT WWW.SEC.GOV.

YOU SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE RELIANCE UPON FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS.

EXCEPT AS REQUIRED BY LAW, TA DOES NOT INTEND TO UPDATE OR CHANGE ANY FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT AS A RESULT OF NEW INFORMATION, FUTURE EVENTS OR OTHERWISE.

     

TRAVELCENTERS OF AMERICA LLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

2016   2015 Revenues: Fuel $ 947,558 $ 1,031,146 Nonfuel 525,516 474,646 Rent and royalties from franchisees 4,529   3,201 Total revenues 1,477,603   1,508,993   Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation): Fuel 837,525 928,596 Nonfuel 245,282   221,917 Total cost of goods sold 1,082,807   1,150,513   Operating expenses: Site level operating 247,584 229,215 Selling, general and administrative 34,812 29,760 Real estate rent 66,573 60,616 Depreciation and amortization 22,698   17,445 Total operating expenses 371,667   337,036   Income from operations 23,129 21,444   Acquisition costs 225 1,755 Interest expense, net 7,200 5,042 Income from equity investees 1,534   1,336 Income before income taxes 17,238 15,983 Provision for income taxes 6,263   6,157 Net income 10,975 9,826 Less net income for noncontrolling interests 77   — Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 10,898   $ 9,826   Net income per common share attributable to common shareholders: Basic and diluted $ 0.28   $ 0.26  

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with TA's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

TRAVELCENTERS OF AMERICA LLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

      Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016   2015 Revenues: Fuel $ 2,588,297 $ 3,159,399 Nonfuel 1,485,686 1,330,786 Rent and royalties from franchisees 13,135   9,392 Total revenues 4,087,118   4,499,577   Cost of goods sold (excluding depreciation): Fuel 2,284,570 2,848,175 Nonfuel 688,962   608,629 Total cost of goods sold 2,973,532   3,456,804   Operating expenses: Site level operating 725,754 657,133 Selling, general and administrative 101,787 87,438 Real estate rent 194,838 169,528 Depreciation and amortization 64,545   53,086 Total operating expenses 1,086,924   967,185   Income from operations 26,662 75,588   Acquisition costs 2,286 3,296 Interest expense, net 20,761 16,461 Income from equity investees 3,572 3,156 Loss on extinguishment of debt —   10,502 Income before income taxes 7,187 48,485 Provision for income taxes 2,571   19,158 Net income 4,616 29,327 Less net income for noncontrolling interests 141   — Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 4,475   $ 29,327   Net income per common share attributable to common shareholders: Basic and diluted $ 0.12   $ 0.76  

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with TA's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

TRAVELCENTERS OF AMERICA LLC

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

(in thousands)

 

        September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 137,288 $ 172,087 Accounts receivable, net 118,103 91,580 Inventory 195,229 183,492 Other current assets 39,014   48,181 Total current assets 489,634 495,340   Property and equipment, net 1,070,757 989,606 Goodwill and intangible assets, net 127,153 105,977 Other noncurrent assets 31,333   30,618 Total assets $ 1,718,877   $ 1,621,541   Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 146,454 $ 125,079 Current HPT Leases liabilities 39,697 37,030 Other current liabilities 191,817   133,513 Total current liabilities 377,968 295,622   Long term debt 318,472 316,447 Noncurrent HPT Leases liabilities 385,134 385,498 Other noncurrent liabilities 78,232   74,655 Total liabilities 1,159,806 1,072,222  

Shareholders' equity (38,853 and 38,808 common shares outstandingat September 30, 2016, and December 31, 2015, respectively)

 

559,071   549,319 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 1,718,877   $ 1,621,541  

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with TA's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016, to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

TRAVELCENTERS OF AMERICA LLCRECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES(in thousands)

Non-GAAP financial measures are financial measures that are not determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. TA believes the non-GAAP financial measures presented in the table below to be meaningful supplemental disclosures because they may help investors gain a better understanding of changes in TA's operating results and its ability to pay rent or service debt, make capital expenditures and expand its business. These non-GAAP financial measures also may help investors to make comparisons between TA and other companies on both a GAAP and a non-GAAP basis. TA calculates Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and loss on extinguishment of debt, and TA calculates Adjusted EBITDAR as Adjusted EBITDA plus real estate rent expense, as shown below. TA believes Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR are useful indications of operating performance and its ability to pay rent or service debt, make capital expenditures and expand its business. TA leases a majority of the travel centers that it operates and believes that presenting investors with Adjusted EBITDAR may help investors compare TA's results with other companies that, instead of leasing, own and finance ownership of their properties with debt financing, or to consider how TA's results might compare if TA owned its leased properties and financed that ownership with debt. If TA, instead of leasing, owned its leased properties and financed that ownership with debt financing, the interest expense TA incurred for that debt financing would be added back by TA when calculating Adjusted EBITDA. TA also believes that Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR are meaningful disclosures that may help investors to better understand its financial performance, including by allowing investors to compare TA's performance between periods and to the performance of other companies, as well as the form, extent and implications of TA's form of leverage for the travel centers it leases. The non-GAAP financial measures presented are used by management to evaluate TA's financial performance and comparing TA's performance over time and to the performance of its competitors. This information should not be considered as an alternative to net income or income from operations, as an indicator of TA's operating performance or as a measure of TA's liquidity. Also, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR as presented may not be comparable to similarly titled amounts calculated by other companies.

TA believes that net income attributable to common shareholders is the most comparable financial measure, determined according to GAAP, to TA's presentation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR. The following table presents the reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to net income attributable to common shareholders, the most directly comparable financial measure under GAAP reported in TA's consolidated financial statements, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.

        Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016   2015 2016   2015 Calculation of Adjusted EBITDA and

Adjusted EBITDAR:

Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 10,898 $ 9,826 $ 4,475 $ 29,327 Add: provision for income taxes 6,263 6,157 2,571 19,158 Add: depreciation and amortization 22,698 17,445 64,545 53,086 Add: interest expense, net(1) 7,200 5,042 20,761 16,461 Add: loss on extinguishment of debt —   —   —   10,502 Adjusted EBITDA 47,059 38,470 92,352 128,534 Add: real estate rent expense(2) 66,573   60,616   194,838   169,528 Adjusted EBITDAR $ 113,632   $ 99,086   $ 287,190   $ 298,062  

(1) Interest expense, net, included the following:

        Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016   2015 2016   2015 Interest related to TA's Senior Notes

and Credit Facility

$ 6,899 $ 4,913 $ 20,746 $ 14,746 Rent classified as interest 433 446 1,297 2,866 Amortization of deferred financing costs 308 232 917 688 Capitalized interest (340 ) (309 ) (1,876 ) (720 ) Interest income (143 ) (260 ) (484 ) (1,292 ) Other 43   20   161   173   Interest expense, net $ 7,200   $ 5,042   $ 20,761   $ 16,461    

(2) Real estate rent expense recognized differs from TA's obligation to pay cash for rent under its leases. The differences between rent paid and rent expense result from the required recognition under GAAP of rent expense on an accrual basis. For example, a portion of the rent TA paid to HPT is classified as interest expense and a portion of the rent payments to HPT is applied to amortize a sale leaseback financing obligation liability. Also, TA amortizes on a straight line basis as a reduction of rent expense the deferred tenant improvement allowance liability and deferred gains from sales of assets to HPT that TA leased back. A reconciliation of these amounts is as follows.

        Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016   2015 2016   2015 Cash payments to HPT for rent $ 67,040 $ 62,445 $ 197,063 $ 178,818 Rent paid to others(A) 3,294   2,693   9,219   7,858   Total cash payments under real property leases 70,334 65,138 206,282 186,676 Change in accrued estimated percentage rent 384 (878 ) 667 (1,275 ) Adjustments to recognize rent expense on a

straight line basis – HPT

(53 ) (52 ) (180 ) (4,639 ) Adjustments to recognize rent expense on a

straight line basis for other leases

(66 ) (87 ) (239 ) (288 ) Less sale leaseback financing obligation

amortization

(126 ) (64 ) (350 ) (1,132 ) Less portion of rent payments recognized as

interest expense

(433 ) (446 ) (1,297 ) (2,866 ) Less deferred tenant improvements allowance

amortization

(942 ) (942 ) (2,827 ) (4,077 ) Amortization of deferred gain on sale leaseback

transactions

(2,525 ) (2,053 ) (7,218 ) (2,871 ) Total amount expensed as rent $ 66,573   $ 60,616   $ 194,838   $ 169,528    

(A) Includes rent paid directly to HPT's landlords under leases for properties TA subleases from HPT as well as rent related to properties TA leases from landlords other than HPT.

TRAVELCENTERS OF AMERICA LLCSUPPLEMENTAL SAME SITE OPERATING DATA(in thousands, except for number of locations, percentage amounts and fuel gross margin per gallon)

CONSOLIDATED SAME SITE OPERATING DATA

The following table presents consolidated operating data for the periods noted for all of the locations in operation on September 30, 2016, that were operated by TA continuously since the beginning of the earliest period presented, with the exception of five locations TA operates that are owned by an unconsolidated joint venture in which TA owns a noncontrolling interest. This data excludes revenues and expenses that were not generated at locations TA operates, such as rents and royalties from franchisees and corporate level selling, general and administrative expenses. TA does not exclude locations from the same site comparisons as a result of capital improvements to the site or changes in the services offered.

            Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016   2015 Change 2016   2015 Change Number of same site company

operated locations

296 296 — 249 249 —   Diesel sales volume (gallons) 406,649 433,722 (6.2 ) % 1,222,635 1,283,485 (4.7 ) % Gasoline sales volume (gallons) 96,842   94,724   2.2 % 237,892   239,336   (0.6 ) % Total fuel sales volume (gallons) 503,491   528,446   (4.7 ) % 1,460,527   1,522,821   (4.1 ) %   Fuel revenues $ 836,161 $ 986,203 (15.2 ) % $ 2,244,526 $ 3,028,983 (25.9 ) % Fuel gross margin 98,519 99,188 (0.7 ) % 267,379 301,794 (11.4 ) % Fuel gross margin per gallon $ 0.196 $ 0.188 4.3 % $ 0.183 $ 0.198 (7.6 ) %   Nonfuel revenues $ 461,804 $ 463,571 (0.4 ) % $ 1,288,569 $ 1,289,111 — % Nonfuel gross margin 256,632 249,310 2.9 % 726,574 709,208 2.4 % Nonfuel gross margin percentage 55.6 % 53.8 % 180 pts 56.4 % 55.0 % 140 pts   Total gross margin $ 355,151 $ 348,498 1.9 % $ 993,953 $ 1,011,002 (1.7 ) % Site level operating expenses 222,667 224,461 (0.8 ) % 643,756 640,385 0.5 % Site level operating expenses as a

percentage of nonfuel revenues

48.2 % 48.4 % (20 )pts 50.0 % 49.7 % 30 pts Site level gross margin in excess of

site level operating expenses

$ 132,484 $ 124,037 6.8 % $ 350,197 $ 370,617 (5.5 ) %  

TRAVELCENTERS OF AMERICA LLCSUPPLEMENTAL SAME SITE OPERATING DATA(in thousands, except for number of locations, percentage amounts and fuel gross margin per gallon)

TRAVEL CENTERS SEGMENT SAME SITE OPERATING DATA

The following table presents operating data for the periods noted for all of the travel centers in operation on September 30, 2016, that were operated by TA continuously since the beginning of the earliest period presented, with the exception of two travel centers TA operates that are owned by an unconsolidated joint venture in which TA owns a noncontrolling interest. This data also excludes revenues and expenses that were not generated at travel centers TA operates, such as rents and royalties from franchisees and corporate level selling, general and administrative expenses. TA does not exclude locations from the same site comparisons as a result of capital improvements to the site or changes in the services offered.

            Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, Travel Centers 2016   2015 Change 2016   2015 Change Number of same site company

operated travel center locations

219 219 — 217 217 —   Diesel sales volume (gallons) 404,935 431,946 (6.3 ) % 1,220,112 1,281,155 (4.8 ) % Gasoline sales volume (gallons) 76,683   74,221   3.3 % 209,309   209,763   (0.2 ) % Total fuel sales volume (gallons) 481,618   506,167   (4.8 ) % 1,429,421   1,490,918   (4.1 ) %   Fuel revenues $ 799,060 $ 941,171 (15.1 ) % $ 2,194,658 $ 2,967,144 (26.0 ) % Fuel gross margin 93,721 92,990 0.8 % 260,617 295,094 (11.7 ) % Fuel gross margin per gallon $ 0.195 $ 0.184 6.0 % $ 0.182 $ 0.198 (8.1 ) %   Nonfuel revenues $ 428,110 $ 430,026 (0.4 ) % $ 1,228,170 $ 1,229,329 (0.1 ) % Nonfuel gross margin 245,655 238,993 2.8 % 706,735 689,541 2.5 % Nonfuel gross margin percentage 57.4 % 55.6 % 180 pts 57.5 % 56.1 % 140 pts   Total gross margin $ 339,376 $ 331,983 2.2 % $ 967,352 $ 984,635 (1.8 ) % Site level operating expenses 211,898 213,619 (0.8 ) % 626,842 623,396 0.6 % Site level operating expenses as a

percentage of nonfuel revenues

49.5 % 49.7 % (20 )pts 51.0 % 50.7 % 30 pts Site level gross margin in excess of

site level operating expenses

$ 127,478 $ 118,364 7.7 % $ 340,510 $ 361,239 (5.7 ) %  

TRAVELCENTERS OF AMERICA LLCSUPPLEMENTAL SAME SITE OPERATING DATA(in thousands, except for number of locations, percentage amounts and fuel gross margin per gallon)

CONVENIENCE STORES SEGMENT SAME SITE OPERATING DATA

The following table presents operating data for the periods noted for all of the convenience stores in operation on September 30, 2016, that were operated by TA continuously since the beginning of the earliest period presented, with the exception of three convenience stores TA operates that are owned by an unconsolidated joint venture in which TA owns a noncontrolling interest. This data also excludes revenues and expenses that were not generated at convenience stores TA operates, such as revenues from a dealer operated convenience store and corporate level selling, general and administrative expenses. TA does not exclude locations from the same site comparisons as a result of capital improvements to the site or changes in the services offered.

            Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, Convenience Stores 2016   2015 Change 2016   2015 Change Number of same site company

operated convenience store

locations

77 77 — 32 32 —   Fuel sales volume (gallons) 21,873 22,279 (1.8 ) % 31,106 31,903 (2.5 ) % Fuel revenues $ 37,101 $ 45,032 (17.6 ) % $ 49,868 $ 61,839 (19.4 ) % Fuel gross margin 4,798 6,198 (22.6 ) % 6,762 6,700 0.9 % Fuel gross margin per gallon $ 0.219 $ 0.278 (21.2 ) % $ 0.217 $ 0.210 3.3 %   Nonfuel revenues $ 33,694 $ 33,545 0.4 % $ 60,399 $ 59,782 1.0 % Nonfuel gross margin 10,977 10,317 6.4 % 19,839 19,667 0.9 % Nonfuel gross margin percentage 32.6 % 30.8 % 180 pts 32.8 % 32.9 % (10 )pts   Total gross margin $ 15,775 $ 16,515 (4.5 ) % $ 26,601 $ 26,367 0.9 % Site level operating expenses 10,769 10,842 (0.7 ) % 16,914 16,989 (0.4 ) % Site level operating expenses as a

percentage of nonfuel revenues

32.0 % 32.3 % (30 )pts 28.0 % 28.4 % (40 )pts Site level gross margin in excess of

site level operating expenses

$ 5,006 $ 5,673 (11.8 ) % $ 9,687 $ 9,378 3.3 %  

TRAVELCENTERS OF AMERICA LLCBUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION(in thousands)

The following tables present business segment information for travel centers and convenience stores, or TA's reportable segments, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.

      Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 TravelCenters   ConvenienceStores   Corporateand Other   Consolidated Revenues: Fuel $ 808,366 $ 119,375 $ 19,817 $ 947,558 Nonfuel 434,712 81,691 9,113 525,516 Rent and royalties from franchisees 3,238   58   1,233   4,529 Total revenues 1,246,316   201,124   30,163   1,477,603   Site level gross margin in excess of site level operating expenses $ 131,866   $ 12,249   $ 3,097   $ 147,212   Corporate operating expenses: Selling, general and administrative $ 34,812 $ 34,812 Real estate rent 66,573 66,573 Depreciation and amortization 22,698   22,698 Income from operations 23,129   Acquisition costs 225 225 Interest expense, net 7,200 7,200 Income from equity investees 1,534   1,534 Income before income taxes 17,238 Provision for income taxes 6,263   6,263 Net income 10,975 Less net income for noncontrolling interests 77 Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 10,898  

Supplemental data:

            Gross margin Fuel $ 94,915 $ 15,059 $ 59 $ 110,033 Nonfuel 248,967 25,015 6,252 280,234 Rent and royalties from franchisees 3,238   58   1,233   4,529 Total gross margin $ 347,120   $ 40,132   $ 7,544   $ 394,796   Site level operating expenses $ 215,254   $ 27,883   $ 4,447   $ 247,584    

TRAVELCENTERS OF AMERICA LLCBUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION(in thousands)

      Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 TravelCenters   ConvenienceStores   Corporateand Other   Consolidated Revenues: Fuel $ 943,291 $ 69,733 $ 18,122 $ 1,031,146 Nonfuel 431,318 43,082 246 474,646 Rent and royalties from franchisees 3,201   —   —   3,201 Total revenues 1,377,810   112,815   18,368   1,508,993   Site level gross margin in excess of site level operating expenses $ 121,359   $ 7,421   $ 485   $ 129,265   Corporate operating expenses: Selling, general and administrative $ 29,760 $ 29,760 Real estate rent 60,616 60,616 Depreciation and amortization 17,445   17,445 Income from operations 21,444   Acquisition costs 1,755 1,755 Interest expense, net 5,042 5,042 Income from equity investees 1,336   1,336 Income before income taxes 15,983 Provision for income taxes 6,157   6,157 Net income 9,826 Less net income for noncontrolling interests — Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 9,826  

Supplemental data:

                Gross margin Fuel $ 93,239 $ 9,299 $ 12 $ 102,550 Nonfuel 239,664 12,897 168 252,729 Rent and royalties from franchisees 3,201   —   —   3,201 Total gross margin $ 336,104   $ 22,196   $ 180   $ 358,480   Site level operating expenses $ 214,745   $ 14,775   $ (305 ) $ 229,215  

TRAVELCENTERS OF AMERICA LLCBUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION(in thousands)

      Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Travel

Centers

  Convenience

Stores

  Corporate

and Other

  Consolidated Revenues: Fuel $ 2,222,962 $ 311,199 $ 54,136 $ 2,588,297 Nonfuel 1,248,533 220,562 16,591 1,485,686 Rent and royalties from franchisees 10,556   249   2,330   13,135 Total revenues 3,482,051   532,010   73,057   4,087,118   Site level gross margin in excess of site level operating expenses $ 353,645   $ 27,188   $ 6,999   $ 387,832   Corporate operating expenses: Selling, general and administrative $ 101,787 $ 101,787 Real estate rent 194,838 194,838 Depreciation and amortization 64,545   64,545 Income from operations 26,662   Acquisition costs 2,286 2,286 Interest expense, net 20,761 20,761 Income from equity investees 3,572   3,572 Income before income taxes 7,187 Provision for income taxes 2,571   2,571 Net income 4,616 Less net income for noncontrolling interests 141 Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 4,475  

Supplemental data:

                  Gross margin Fuel $ 264,446 $ 38,905 $ 376 $ 303,727 Nonfuel 717,707 67,721 11,296 796,724 Rent and royalties from franchisees 10,556   249   2,330   13,135 Total gross margin $ 992,709   $ 106,875   $ 14,002   $ 1,113,586   Site level operating expenses $ 639,064   $ 79,687   $ 7,003   $ 725,754    

TRAVELCENTERS OF AMERICA LLCBUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION(in thousands)

      Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Travel

Centers

  Convenience

Stores

  Corporate

and Other

  Consolidated Revenues: Fuel $ 2,976,528 $ 134,600 $ 48,271 $ 3,159,399 Nonfuel 1,234,468 95,678 640 1,330,786 Rent and royalties from franchisees 9,392   —   —   9,392 Total revenues 4,220,388   230,278   48,911   4,499,577   Site level gross margin in excess of site level operating expenses $ 371,009   $ 12,450   $ 2,181   $ 385,640   Corporate operating expenses: Selling, general and administrative $ 87,438 $ 87,438 Real estate rent 169,528 169,528 Depreciation and amortization 53,086   53,086 Income from operations 75,588   Acquisition costs 3,296 3,296 Interest expense, net 16,461 16,461 Income from equity investees 3,156 3,156 Loss on extinguishment of debt 10,502   10,502 Income before income taxes 48,485 Provision for income taxes 19,158   19,158 Net income 29,327 Less net income for noncontrolling interests — Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 29,327  

Supplemental data:

                Gross margin Fuel $ 296,712 $ 14,621 $ (109 ) $ 311,224 Nonfuel 692,212 29,497 448 722,157 Rent and royalties from franchisees 9,392   —   —   9,392 Total gross margin $ 998,316   $ 44,118   $ 339   $ 1,042,773   Site level operating expenses $ 627,307   $ 31,668   $ (1,842 ) $ 657,133  

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161108005370/en/

TravelCenters of America LLCKatie Strohacker, 617-796-8251Senior Director of Investor Relationswww.ta-petro.com