WESTLAKE, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

TravelCenters of America LLC (Nasdaq: TA) today announced financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2018:

Andrew J. Rebholz, TA's CEO, made the following statement regarding the 2018 first quarter results:

"During the first quarter of 2018, we continued to gain traction in our business initiatives. Our efforts continued to make progress against the combined headwinds of increased fuel efficiency and competition we have been experiencing and we continued to grow our nonfuel businesses. For same sites in our travel centers segment, nonfuel revenues were up 3.9% over the prior year quarter and nonfuel gross margin was up 5.2%, driven largely by our truck service programs and other retail services, such as parking and showers. We also continued to see success with our cost control initiatives. On a same site basis, site level operating expenses as a percentage of nonfuel revenues improved by 90 basis points and by 150 basis points in our travel centers segment. The operating results we saw during the first quarter of this year leave me optimistic that we will further grow our business and improve our profitability as we continue through 2018."

Business Commentary

Fuel sales volume increased modestly and same site fuel sales volume decreased by 3.6 million gallons, or 0.7%, for the 2018 first quarter as compared to the 2017 first quarter. TA believes the slight fuel sales volume decrease on a same site basis experienced during the 2018 first quarter primarily resulted from the continued effects of fuel efficiency gains and increased competition. Fuel revenues increased by $177.3 million, or 19.2%, in the 2018 first quarter as compared to the 2017 first quarter primarily due to higher market prices for fuel during the 2018 first quarter and newly acquired and developed locations. Fuel gross margin increased by $20.4 million, or 27.9%, as compared to the 2017 first quarter primarily as a result of the $23.3 million benefit recognized in the 2018 first quarter in connection with the February 2018 retroactive reinstatement for 2017 of the federal biodiesel tax credit. Without this discrete item, fuel gross margin declined by $2.9 million.

Nonfuel revenues increased by $16.2 million, or 3.5%, in the 2018 first quarter as compared to the 2017 first quarter, including a $12.2 million same site increase and a $4.0 million increase attributable to new sites. The increase on a same site basis was primarily due to an increase in truck service and parking programs. Nonfuel gross margin increased by $14.6 million, or 5.5%, in the 2018 first quarter as compared to the 2017 first quarter, including a $12.0 million same site increase and a $2.6 million increase attributable to new sites. The increase in nonfuel gross margin was primarily due to the increase in nonfuel revenues and an increase in the nonfuel gross margin percentage. The nonfuel gross margin percentage was 58.8% for the 2018 first quarter as compared to 57.7% for the 2017 first quarter; the increase in the nonfuel gross margin percentage was primarily due to a change in the mix of products and services sold.

Site level operating expenses increased by $3.6 million, or 1.5%, in the 2018 first quarter as compared to the 2017 first quarter due to a $2.0 million same site increase and a $1.6 million increase from sites acquired and developed since the beginning of the 2017 first quarter. The increase on a same site basis was primarily due to increased labor costs related to the increase in nonfuel sales. Site level operating expenses as a percentage of nonfuel revenues was 51.9% for the 2018 first quarter as compared to 53.0% for the 2017 first quarter. The improvement in site level operating expenses as a percentage of nonfuel revenues was primarily the result of excess transaction fees of $1.8 million charged by Comdata, Inc., or Comdata, in the 2017 first quarter and the realization of certain cost saving initiatives in the 2018 first quarter.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the 2018 first quarter decreased by $3.3 million, or 7.9%, as compared to the 2017 first quarter, primarily attributable to litigation costs related to TA's litigation with Comdata expensed during the 2017 first quarter.

Real estate rent expense increased by $2.8 million, or 4.1%, in the 2018 first quarter as compared to the 2017 first quarter, primarily from TA's sale to, and lease back from, Hospitality Properties Trust, or HPT, of a travel center and improvements at leased sites since the beginning of 2017.

Depreciation and amortization expense decreased by $4.3 million, or 13.4%, in the 2018 first quarter as compared to the 2017 first quarter primarily resulting from the write offs of certain assets during the 2017 first quarter.

Net loss for the 2018 first quarter was $10.1 million as compared to $29.4 million for the 2017 first quarter. Adjusted net loss for the 2018 first quarter was $26.8 million as compared to $21.0 million for the 2017 first quarter. The increase in adjusted net loss was primarily due to the decrease in fuel gross margin, an increase in real estate rent expense and an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses.

Net loss attributable to common shareholders for the 2018 first quarter was $0.25 per common share as compared to $0.74 per common share for the 2017 first quarter. Adjusted net loss attributable to common shareholders for the 2018 first quarter was $0.67 per common share as compared to $0.53 per common share for the 2017 first quarter.

Adjusted EBITDA for the 2018 first quarter decreased by $0.6 million as compared to the 2017 first quarter, primarily due to the decrease in fuel gross margin, an increase in real estate rent expense and an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses.

Travel Centers Segment

Fuel sales volume increased by 1.5 million gallons, or 0.3%, for the 2018 first quarter as compared to the 2017 first quarter due to newly acquired and developed locations. Same site fuel sales volume decreased by 2.8 million gallons, or 0.6%, due to the continued effects of fuel efficiency gains and increased competition. Fuel revenues increased by $164.3 million, or 20.5%, in the 2018 first quarter as compared to the 2017 first quarter primarily due to higher market prices for fuel and from sites acquired and developed since the beginning of the 2017 first quarter. Fuel gross margin increased by $20.5 million, or 33.2%, to $82.4 million primarily as a result of the $23.3 million benefit recognized in the 2018 first quarter in connection with the February 2018 retroactive reinstatement for 2017 of the federal biodiesel tax credit and from an increase from newly acquired and developed locations.

Nonfuel revenues increased by $20.2 million, or 5.1%, in the 2018 first quarter as compared to the 2017 first quarter primarily due to a $15.3 million, or 3.9%, increase on a same site basis primarily as a result of TA's truck service and parking programs. Nonfuel gross margin increased by $15.4 million, or 6.4%, in the 2018 first quarter as compared to the 2017 first quarter due to an increase in nonfuel revenues and an increase in the nonfuel gross margin percentage. Nonfuel gross margin percentage was 61.8% in the 2018 first quarter as compared to 61.0% in the 2017 first quarter; the increased nonfuel gross margin percentage was primarily the result of changes in the mix of products and services sold.

Site level gross margin in excess of site level operating expenses increased by $31.5 million, or 34.1%, in the 2018 first quarter as compared to the 2017 first quarter primarily due to an increase at same sites.

On a same site basis, (223 locations) site level gross margin in excess of site level operating expenses increased in the 2018 first quarter by $29.2 million, or 32.5%, as compared to the 2017 first quarter, primarily due to a $19.0 million increase in fuel gross margin that resulted primarily as a result of a one time reduction in TA's fuel costs of goods sold related to the retroactive reinstatement for 2017 of the federal biodiesel tax credit and an increase in nonfuel gross margin due to the increase in both nonfuel revenues and nonfuel gross margin percentage.

Convenience Stores Segment

Fuel sales volume decreased by 1.0 million gallons, or 1.8%, for the 2018 first quarter as compared to the 2017 first quarter. This decrease was primarily due to the continued effects of competition. Fuel revenues increased by $11.3 million, or 10.9%, in the 2018 first quarter as compared to the 2017 first quarter primarily due to higher market prices for fuel. Fuel gross margin decreased by $0.1 million, or 0.9%, to $11.1 million as a result of a decrease in fuel sales volume.

Nonfuel revenues decreased by $2.3 million, or 3.8%, in the 2018 first quarter as compared to the 2017 first quarter primarily due to increased competition. Nonfuel gross margin remained flat in the 2018 first quarter as compared to the 2017 first quarter. Nonfuel gross margin percentage was 36.1% in the 2018 first quarter as compared to 34.8% in the 2017 first quarter. The increase in nonfuel gross margin percentage was primarily the result of changes in the mix of products sold.

Site level gross margin in excess of site level operating expenses decreased in the 2018 first quarter by $0.5 million, or 8.4%, as compared to the 2017 first quarter due to an increase in site level operating expenses and a decrease in fuel gross margin.

Conference Call:

On Monday, May 7, 2018, 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 March 31, 2018. 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 10118585.

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 first 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 13 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, some fresh foods 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:

• MR. REBHOLZ STATES THAT TA'S BUSINESS INITIATIVES CONTINUED TO GAIN TRACTION, THAT TA CONTINUED TO GROW ITS NONFUEL BUSINESS, THAT TA CONTINUED TO SEE SUCCESS WITH ITS COST CONTROL INITIATIVES AND THAT HE IS OPTIMISTIC THAT TA WILL FURTHER GROW ITS BUSINESS AND IMPROVE ITS PROFITABILITY. HOWEVER, TA'S BUSINESS INITIATIVES MAY NOT IMPROVE AND MAY RESULT IN TA INCURRING LOSSES. IN ADDITION, TA'S NONFUEL BUSINESS MAY NOT CONTINUE TO GROW AND COULD DECLINE AND ITS COST INITIATIVES MAY NOT BE SUCCESSFUL. FURTHER, TA OPERATES IN HIGHLY COMPETITIVE BUSINESSES AND IT MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GROW ITS BUSINESS OR IMPROVE ITS PROFITABILITY AS A RESULT OF COMPETITION AND OTHER FACTORS, MANY OF WHICH ARE BEYOND ITS CONTROL;
• STATEMENTS IN THIS PRESS RELEASE ABOUT IMPROVED OPERATING RESULTS, COST SAVINGS AND INCREASING GROSS MARGINS MAY IMPLY THAT TA'S BUSINESS MAY BE PROFITABLE IN THE FUTURE. HOWEVER, CERTAIN OF THOSE IMPROVEMENTS RESULTED FROM UNIQUE ITEMS THAT MAY NOT OCCUR AGAIN. IN ADDITION, SINCE TA BECAME PUBLICLY OWNED IN 2007, TA'S OPERATIONS HAVE GENERATED LOSSES AND ONLY OCCASIONALLY GENERATED PROFITS. TA MAY BE UNABLE TO PRODUCE FUTURE PROFITS AND TA'S LOSSES MAY INCREASE; AND
• STATEMENTS IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL DATA TO THIS PRESS RELEASE ABOUT THE FINAL ORDER AND JUDGMENT THAT THE COURT OF CHANCERY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE ENTERED ON APRIL 8, 2018, OR THE ORDER, IN TA'S LITIGATION AGAINST COMDATA, PURSUANT TO WHICH COMDATA IS REQUIRED TO CONTINUE TO HONOR THE TERMS OF THE MERCHANT AGREEMENT AND THE RFID AGREEMENT WITH TA AND REIMBURSE TA FOR ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS, TOGETHER WITH INTEREST, IN THE AMOUNT OF $10.7 MILLION, ALONG WITH TA'S RECEIPT OF THE REIMBURSEMENT FROM COMDATA, MAY SUGGEST THAT THIS LITIGATION IS COMPLETED. IN FACT, COMDATA HAS 30 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THE ORDER TO FILE A NOTICE OF APPEAL AND THE COURT'S DECISION MAY BE REVERSED OR AMENDED UPON APPEAL. THE CONTINUATION OF THIS LITIGATION IS DISTRACTING TO TA'S MANAGEMENT AND EXPENSIVE, AND THE DISTRACTION AND EXPENSE MAY CONTINUE.

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN TA'S PERIODIC REPORTS, INCLUDING TA'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2017, WHICH HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, OR SEC, AND TA'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2018, WHICH HAS 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

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

TA believes the non-GAAP financial measures presented in the tables below are 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 when due, make capital expenditures and expand its business. These non-GAAP financial measures also may help investors to make comparisons between TA and other companies and to make comparisons of TA's financial and operating results between periods.

TA believes that adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per common share attributable to common shareholders are meaningful disclosures that may help investors to better understand TA's financial performance by providing financial information that represents TA's operating results without the effects of items that do not result directly from TA's normal recurring operations and may allow investors to better compare TA's performance between periods and to the performance of other companies. Management uses these measures in developing internal budgets and forecasts and analyzing TA's performance.

TA believes that EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are meaningful disclosures that may help investors to better understand TA's financial performance, including by allowing investors to compare TA's performance between periods and to the performance of other companies. Management uses EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA to evaluate TA's financial performance and compare TA's performance over time and to the performance of other companies. Management also uses these measures in developing internal budgets and forecasts and analyzing its performance. TA calculates EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization, as shown below. TA calculates adjusted EBITDA by excluding items that are considered not to be normal, recurring, cash operating expenses or gains or losses. TA also believes that adjusted EBITDA provides financial information that represents TA's operating results without the effects of items that do not result directly from TA's normal recurring operations.

The non-GAAP financial measures TA presents should not be considered as alternatives to net loss attributable to common shareholders, net loss or loss from operations as an indicator of TA's operating performance or as a measure of TA's liquidity. Also, the non-GAAP financial measures TA presents may not be comparable to similarly titled amounts calculated by other companies.

TA believes that net loss is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to adjusted net loss, EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA and that net loss per common share attributable to common shareholders is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to adjusted net loss per common share attributable to common shareholders. The following tables present the reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures to the respective most comparable GAAP financial measures for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.

TRAVELCENTERS OF AMERICA LLC

SUPPLEMENTAL RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT EFFECT

(in thousands, except per gallon amounts)

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or the FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, or ASU 2014-09, which establishes a comprehensive revenue recognition standard under GAAP for almost all industries. TA adopted ASU 2014-09 on January 1, 2018, using the full retrospective method, which required that TA restate its consolidated financial statements for prior year comparative periods. Although the majority of TA's revenue is initiated at the point of sale, the implementation of this standard impacted the accounting for TA's loyalty programs, initial franchise fees and advertising contributions received from franchisees.

The recognition of loyalty awards in accordance with ASU 2014-09 resulted in a reclassification between nonfuel and fuel revenues. This reclassification resulted in a decrease to fuel gross margin per gallon and an increase to nonfuel gross margin percentage. The adjusted fuel revenues, fuel gross margin per gallon, nonfuel revenues and nonfuel gross margin percentage for each quarter of 2017 and 2016 and for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, is as follows:

TRAVELCENTERS OF AMERICA LLC

SUPPLEMENTAL SAME SITE OPERATING DATA

(dollars and gallons in thousands, except per gallon amounts unless indicated otherwise)

CONSOLIDATED SAME SITE OPERATING DATA

The following table presents consolidated operating data for the periods noted for all of the locations in operation on March 31, 2018, that were operated by TA continuously since the beginning of the earliest period presented, with the exception of six locations TA operates that are owned by an unconsolidated joint venture in which TA owns a noncontrolling interest. This data excludes revenues and expenses at locations TA does not operate, 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.

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 March 31, 2018, 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 at travel centers TA does not operate, 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.

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 March 31, 2018, 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 at convenience stores TA does not operate, 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.

TRAVELCENTERS OF AMERICA LLC

BUSINESS 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 months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.

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