TravelCenters of America LLC Announces Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results

TravelCenters of America LLC (Nasdaq: TA) today announced financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018:

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

"This past quarter, TA took a meaningful step forward in support of our strategy to be a more focused leader in the travel center industry. The decision to sell our standalone convenience stores business will allow us to spend more time managing our core travel centers business, thoughtfully pursuing our growth programs and addressing the company's leverage. We expect this sale will be completed before year end 2018.

"In addition to the standalone convenience stores divestment, we also opened our first four smaller format TA Express™ travel centers. We also have been actively engaged with several travel center network expansion opportunities; I am hopeful we will have some deals signed up before year end 2018. In addition to addressing our leverage, I believe expanding the geographic footprint of our travel center brands will enable TA to remain a preferred provider that can grow its customer base by fulfilling the needs of both traditional and nontraditional customers.

"The estimated loss we recognized in connection with our decision to sell the standalone convenience stores was the primary driver of our net loss for the quarter, but after adjusting for unique items in the 2018 and 2017 third quarters our adjusted income from continuing operations is comparable to the prior year quarter and our adjusted EBITDA exceeded the prior year quarter. The adjusted EBITDA amounts for the 2018 and 2017 third quarters exclude $5.4 million and $9.4 million, respectively, of EBITDA generated by the discontinued operations. Overall, after taking into consideration the number of significant unique items, during the 2018 third quarter our continuing operations generated approximately 2.9% more site level gross margin in excess of site level operating expenses than in the prior year quarter led by continued strong growth in our truck service business."

Sale of the Convenience Stores Business

During the 2018 third quarter, TA entered into an agreement to sell 225 convenience stores, one standalone restaurant and certain related assets, or the convenience stores business, for an estimated aggregate purchase price of $328.8 million. This sale price includes $23.8 million of estimated net working capital items that are based on balances as of September 30, 2018, and are subject to adjustment based upon the values of these working capital items and certain other customary proration adjustments as of the closing date. The closing of this sale is expected to be completed during the 2018 fourth quarter, and is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions for a transaction of this type. As a result of this agreement to sell the convenience stores business, the results of the convenience stores business have been reported as held for sale and presented as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Additionally, the assets and liabilities of the convenience stores business have been presented as discontinued operations in TA's consolidated balance sheets. Upon the classification of the assets and related liabilities as held for sale, TA determined that the carrying value of the convenience stores business exceeded the agreed purchase price less costs to sell, resulting in a loss on disposal of $78.7 million that includes transaction costs of $9.0 million as of September 30, 2018. In connection with the decision to sell the convenience stores business, TA recognized a $17.9 million charge to fully impair the goodwill related to its standalone convenience stores. TA estimates it will recognize an additional $0.6 million of transaction related costs during the 2018 fourth quarter. Entering into the agreement to sell its convenience stores business also eliminated TA's requirement to report information of its convenience stores segment.

TA estimates that, after payment of related transaction costs, the sale of its convenience stores business will generate net cash proceeds to TA of approximately $319.2 million. TA currently expects to use these proceeds to reduce its future rent and/or interest expense obligations.

Business Commentary

Fuel sales volume for the 2018 third quarter increased by 1.7 million gallons, or 0.3%, due to a net increase of 2.5 million gallons at sites opened or closed since the beginning of the 2017 third quarter, partially offset by a same site fuel sales volume decline of 0.8 million gallons, or 0.2%, as compared to the 2017 third quarter. TA believes the fuel sales volume decrease on a same site basis experienced during the 2018 third quarter primarily resulted from the continued effects of fuel efficiency gains and increased competition. Fuel revenues increased by $264.5 million, or 29.1%, in the 2018 third quarter as compared to the 2017 third quarter, primarily due to higher market prices for fuel during the 2018 third quarter. Fuel gross margin increased by $7.5 million, or 10.7%, as compared to the 2017 third quarter, primarily as a result of the increase in fuel sales volumes and a more favorable purchasing environment in the 2018 third quarter than the 2017 third quarter.

Nonfuel revenues increased by $17.4 million, or 3.7%, in the 2018 third quarter as compared to the 2017 third quarter, including a $13.9 million same site increase and a $3.5 million increase attributable to new sites. The increase on a same site basis was primarily due to growth in TA's truck service program and the positive impact of certain of TA's marketing initiatives. Nonfuel gross margin increased by $9.6 million, or 3.4%, in the 2018 third quarter as compared to the 2017 third quarter, including an $8.0 million same site increase and a $1.6 million increase attributable to recently acquired sites. The increase in nonfuel gross margin was primarily due to the increase in nonfuel revenues, partially offset by a slight decrease in the nonfuel gross margin percentage. The nonfuel gross margin percentage was 60.0% for the 2018 third quarter as compared to 60.2% for the 2017 third quarter.

Site level operating expenses increased by $17.0 million, or 7.9%, in the 2018 third quarter as compared to the 2017 third quarter due to a $15.5 million same site increase and a $1.5 million increase from new sites since the beginning of the 2017 third quarter. The increase on a same site basis was primarily due to increased costs to support the increase in nonfuel sales and a $4.6 million reversal of excess transaction fees previously withheld by Comdata Inc., or Comdata, recognized in the 2017 third quarter. Site level operating expenses as a percentage of nonfuel revenues was 48.3% for the 2018 third quarter as compared to 46.5% for the 2017 third quarter. The increase in site level operating expenses as a percentage of nonfuel revenues was primarily the result of the $4.6 million reversal of excess transaction fees in the 2017 third quarter and an increase in wages at TA's sites.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the 2018 third quarter increased by $0.7 million, or 2.2%, as compared to the 2017 third quarter, primarily attributable to an increase in compensation expense as a result of increased headcount and annual salary increases, partially offset by certain cost savings initiatives.

Real estate rent expense increased by $2.1 million, or 3.0%, in the 2018 third quarter as compared to the 2017 third quarter, primarily from TA's sale to, and lease back from, Hospitality Properties Trust, or HPT, of improvements at leased sites since the beginning of the 2017 third quarter.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $0.4 million, or 2.1%, in the 2018 third quarter as compared to the 2017 third quarter primarily resulting from the growth in depreciable assets as a result of the locations acquired and other capital investments TA completed (and did not subsequently sell to HPT) since the beginning of the 2017 third quarter.

Income from continuing operations for the 2018 third quarter was $1.6 million as compared to $63.3 million for the 2017 third quarter, with the decline largely resulting from the $58.6 million income tax benefit recognized in the 2017 third quarter in connection with the resolution of a previously uncertain tax position. Adjusted income from continuing operations for the 2018 third quarter was $1.6 million as compared to $2.1 million for the 2017 third quarter. The decrease in adjusted income from continuing operations was primarily due to a $12.4 million increase in site level operating expenses and an increase in real estate rent expense of $2.1 million, partially offset by a $9.6 million increase in nonfuel gross margin and a $7.5 million increase in fuel gross margin.

Income per common share from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders for the 2018 third quarter was $0.04 as compared to $1.60 for the 2017 third quarter. Adjusted income per common share from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders for the 2018 third quarter was $0.04 as compared to $0.05 for the 2017 third quarter.

The loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes for the 2018 third quarter increased by $71.1 million as compared to the 2017 third quarter, primarily as a result of the $78.7 million loss on disposal and a $17.9 million goodwill impairment charge recognized in the 2018 third quarter, partially offset by $4.0 million of impairment charges related to certain convenience stores recognized in the 2017 third quarter.

Adjusted EBITDA for the 2018 third quarter increased by $0.7 million as compared to the 2017 third quarter.

Conference Call:

On Monday, November 5, 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 September 30, 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 10123843.

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 and standalone restaurants in 13 states. TA's travel centers operate under the "TravelCenters of America," "TA," "TA Express," "Petro Stopping Centers" and "Petro" brand names and offer diesel and gasoline fueling, restaurants, truck repair services, travel/convenience stores and other services designed to provide attractive and efficient travel experiences to professional drivers and other motorists. 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 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;
• STATEMENTS THAT TA EXPECTS THE SALE OF ITS CONVENIENCE STORES BUSINESS TO BE COMPLETED IN THE 2018 FOURTH QUARTER. THIS TRANSACTION IS SUBJECT TO CLOSING CONDITIONS. IF THESE CONDITIONS ARE NOT SATISFIED, THIS TRANSACTION MAY NOT OCCUR, MAY BE DELAYED OR ITS TERMS MAY CHANGE, AND THE LOSS TA EXPECTS TO REALIZE AND THE EXPENSES IT MAY INCUR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS TRANSACTION MAY INCREASE; AND
• STATEMENTS THAT TA ESTIMATES THE SALE OF ITS CONVENIENCE STORES BUSINESS WILL GENERATE NET CASH PROCEEDS OF APPROXIMATELY $319.2 MILLION AND CURRENTLY EXPECTS TO USE THOSE PROCEEDS TO REDUCE FUTURE RENT AND/OR INTEREST OBLIGATIONS. THE AMOUNT OF NET CASH PROCEEDS MAY DIFFER FROM TA'S ESTIMATE AND THE USE OF PROCEEDS MAY DIFFER FROM TA'S CURRENT EXPECTATION.

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 REPORTS ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018, JUNE 30, 2018 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2018, 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.

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with TA's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with TA's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with TA's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

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 income (loss) from continuing operations and adjusted income (loss) per common share from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders are meaningful disclosures that may help investors to better understand TA's financial performance by providing financial information that represents the operating results of TA's continuing operations 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 income from continuing operations 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 operating results from TA's continuing operations 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) income attributable to common shareholders, net (loss) income, income from continuing operations or income (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 income from continuing operations is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to adjusted income (loss) from continuing operations, EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA, and that income per common share from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to adjusted net income (loss) per common share from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders. The following tables present the reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures to the respective most directly comparable GAAP financial measures for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.

TRAVELCENTERS OF AMERICA LLC
SUPPLEMENTAL SAME SITE OPERATING DATA
(dollars and gallons in thousands, except per gallon amounts unless indicated otherwise)

The following table presents operating data for the periods noted for all of the locations in operation on September 30, 2018, that were operated by TA continuously since the beginning of the earliest period presented, with the exception of three 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, the results of TA's discontinued operations 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
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 established 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 and renewal 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 PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

On September 1, 2018, TA entered into an agreement to sell the convenience stores business. As a result of the agreement, the results of the convenience stores business have been reported as held for sale and presented as discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. Additionally, the assets and liabilities of the convenience stores business have been presented as discontinued operations in TA's consolidated balance sheets. The closing of this sale is expected to be completed during the 2018 fourth quarter, and is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary closing conditions for a transaction of this type. The pro forma financial statements below present the consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended December 31, 2017, March 31, 2018 and June 30, 2018, adjusted for the presentation of the convenience stores business as discontinued operations.

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TravelCenters of America LLC
Katie Strohacker, 617-796-8251
Senior Director of Investor Relations
www.ta-petro.com