Annual Statements Open main menu

Sunoco LP - Quarter Report: 2016 September (Form 10-Q)


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
 
(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended: September 30, 2016
or
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from             to
Commission File Number: 001-35653
 
SUNOCO LP
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 
 
Delaware
 
30-0740483
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
8020 Park Lane, Suite 200
Dallas, TX 75231
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(832) 234-3600
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes      No  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes      No  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
 
Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.):    Yes      No  
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
The registrant had 95,565,620 common units representing limited partner interests and 16,410,780 Class C units representing limited partner interests outstanding at November 7, 2016.
 
 



SUNOCO LP
FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
Page
 
 
Item 1. Financial Statements
 
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
 
Item 1A. Risk Factors
 
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
 
Item 5. Other Information
 
Item 6. Exhibits
 


i


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
SUNOCO LP
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except units)
(unaudited)
 
 
September 30,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
Assets
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
80,565

 
$
72,627

Advances to affiliates
 

 
365,536

Accounts receivable, net
 
385,497

 
308,285

Accounts receivable from affiliates
 
8,790

 
8,074

Inventories, net
 
488,780

 
467,291

Other current assets
 
97,621

 
46,080

Total current assets
 
1,061,253

 
1,267,893

Property and equipment, net
 
3,322,718

 
3,154,826

Other assets:
 
 
 
 
Goodwill
 
3,236,398

 
3,111,262

Intangible assets, net
 
1,290,764

 
1,259,440

Other noncurrent assets
 
85,868

 
48,398

Total assets
 
$
8,997,001

 
$
8,841,819

Liabilities and equity
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
$
439,950

 
$
433,988

Accounts payable to affiliates
 
31,635

 
14,988

Advances from affiliates
 
62,716

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
 
321,349

 
307,939

Current maturities of long-term debt
 
5,010

 
5,084

Total current liabilities
 
860,660

 
761,999

Revolving line of credit
 
958,236

 
450,000

Long-term debt, net
 
3,515,194

 
1,502,531

Deferred tax liability
 
694,995

 
694,383

Other noncurrent liabilities
 
160,675

 
170,169

Total liabilities
 
6,189,760

 
3,579,082

Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
 


 


Equity:
 
 
 
 
Limited partners:
 
 
 
 
Common unitholders - public
(49,588,960 units issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2016 and
December 31, 2015)
 
1,745,339

 
1,768,890

Common unitholders - affiliated
(45,750,826 units issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2016 and
37,776,746 units issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2015)
 
1,061,902

 
1,275,558

Class A unitholders - held by subsidiary
(no units issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2016 and
11,018,744 units issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2015)
 

 

Class C unitholders - held by subsidiary
(16,410,780 units issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2016 and
no units issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2015)
 

 

Total partners' capital
 
2,807,241

 
3,044,448

Predecessor equity
 

 
2,218,289

Total equity
 
2,807,241

 
5,262,737

Total liabilities and equity
 
$
8,997,001

 
$
8,841,819

 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

1


SUNOCO LP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands, except unit and per unit amounts)
(unaudited)
 
 
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail motor fuel
 
$
1,401,830

 
$
1,580,815

 
$
3,876,542

 
$
4,597,670

Wholesale motor fuel sales to third parties
 
2,026,454

 
2,664,186

 
5,544,905

 
7,946,323

Wholesale motor fuel sales to affiliates
 
28,226

 
3,779

 
45,065

 
8,718

Merchandise
 
605,275

 
589,299

 
1,705,963

 
1,633,102

Rental income
 
22,883

 
20,949

 
67,582

 
61,265

Other
 
52,649

 
47,744

 
151,740

 
136,630

Total revenues
 
4,137,317

 
4,906,772

 
11,391,797

 
14,383,708

Cost of sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail motor fuel
 
1,222,827

 
1,384,813

 
3,428,659

 
4,114,463

Wholesale motor fuel
 
1,916,511

 
2,591,791

 
5,136,083

 
7,623,330

Merchandise
 
412,983

 
404,179

 
1,160,001

 
1,122,970

Other
 
7,609

 
1,231

 
10,357

 
3,744

Total cost of sales
 
3,559,930

 
4,382,014

 
9,735,100

 
12,864,507

Gross profit
 
577,387

 
524,758

 
1,656,697

 
1,519,201

Operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General and administrative
 
82,774

 
61,547

 
201,688

 
167,747

Other operating
 
276,401

 
266,681

 
792,194

 
759,713

Rent
 
36,231

 
36,447

 
105,327

 
105,564

Loss on disposal of assets
 
203

 
747

 
2,918

 
894

Depreciation, amortization and accretion
 
77,628

 
65,984

 
234,418

 
202,927

Total operating expenses
 
473,237

 
431,406

 
1,336,545

 
1,236,845

Income from operations
 
104,150

 
93,352

 
320,152

 
282,356

Interest expense, net
 
54,289

 
28,517

 
132,565

 
57,692

Income before income taxes
 
49,861

 
64,835

 
187,587

 
224,664

Income tax expense
 
5,310

 
30,124

 
8,890

 
47,113

Net income and comprehensive income
 
44,551

 
34,711

 
178,697

 
177,551

Less: Net income and comprehensive income
attributable to noncontrolling interest
 

 
852

 

 
2,545

Less: Preacquisition income allocated to general partner
 

 
6,315

 

 
117,728

Net income and comprehensive income attributable to partners
 
$
44,551

 
$
27,544

 
$
178,697

 
$
57,278

Net income per limited partner unit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common (basic and diluted)
 
$
0.24

 
$
0.30

 
$
1.25

 
$
0.96

Subordinated (basic and diluted)
 
$

 
$
0.52

 
$

 
$
1.21

Weighted average limited partner units outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common units - public (basic)
 
49,588,960

 
24,340,677

 
49,588,960

 
21,486,878

Common units - public (diluted)
 
49,663,618

 
24,340,793

 
49,663,618

 
21,486,994

Common units - affiliated (basic and diluted)
 
45,750,826

 
19,431,349

 
43,131,603

 
9,507,137

Subordinated units - affiliated
 

 
10,939,436

 

 
10,939,436

Cash distribution per common unit
 
$
0.8255

 
$
0.7454

 
$
2.4683

 
$
2.0838

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


2


SUNOCO LP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
 
 
Common
Units-
Public
 
Common
Units-
Affiliated
 
Predecessor
Equity
 
Total Equity
Balance at December 31, 2015
 
$
1,768,890

 
$
1,275,558

 
$
2,218,289

 
$
5,262,737

Contribution of Sunoco Retail & Sunoco LLC from ETP
 

 

 
(2,200,000
)
 
(2,200,000
)
Equity issued to ETP
 

 
194,000

 

 
194,000

Equity issued to ETE, net of issuance costs
 

 
60,944

 

 
60,944

Contribution of assets between entities under
common control above historic cost
 

 
(373,531
)
 
(18,289
)
 
(391,820
)
Cash distribution to unitholders
 
(122,666
)
 
(163,229
)
 

 
(285,895
)
Cash distribution to ETP
 

 
(50,000
)
 

 
(50,000
)
Unit-based compensation
 
4,918

 
4,537

 

 
9,455

Other
 
(786
)
 
29,909

 

 
29,123

Net income
 
94,983

 
83,714

 

 
178,697

Balance at September 30, 2016
 
$
1,745,339

 
$
1,061,902

 
$

 
$
2,807,241

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


3


SUNOCO LP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
 
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
178,697

 
$
177,551

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation, amortization and accretion
 
234,418

 
202,927

Amortization of deferred financing fees
 
7,608

 
2,291

Loss on disposal of assets
 
2,918

 
894

Non-cash unit based compensation
 
9,455

 
5,886

Deferred income tax
 
21,056

 
10,848

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable, net
 
(63,366
)
 
(69,526
)
Accounts receivable from affiliates
 
1,946

 
(20,752
)
Inventories, net
 
(7,394
)
 
84,224

Other assets
 
(81,629
)
 
(3,344
)
Accounts payable
 
16,722

 
9,942

Accounts payable to affiliates
 
16,647

 
(21,520
)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
 
5,556

 
(41,086
)
Other noncurrent liabilities
 
(2,006
)
 
11,252

Net cash provided by operating activities
 
340,628

 
349,587

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
 
(290,560
)
 
(342,429
)
Purchase of intangible assets
 
(38,608
)
 
(41,516
)
Acquisition of Sunoco LLC and Sunoco Retail LLC
 
(2,200,000
)
 
(775,000
)
Acquisition of Susser
 

 
(966,855
)
Other acquisitions, net of cash acquired
 
(288,957
)
 
(58,185
)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment
 
11,444

 
11,531

Net cash used in investing activities
 
(2,806,681
)
 
(2,172,454
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
 
2,835,000

 
1,400,000

Payments on long-term debt
 
(799,055
)
 
(240,388
)
Revolver, borrowings
 
2,200,460

 
959,668

Revolver, repayments
 
(1,692,224
)
 
(513,046
)
Debt issuance costs
 
(30,124
)
 
(21,437
)
Advances from affiliates
 
230,432

 
214,968

Equity issued to ETE, net of issuance costs
 
60,944

 

Proceeds from issuance of common units, net of offering costs
 

 
213,139

Distributions to Parent
 
(50,000
)
 
(204,182
)
Other cash from financing activities, net
 
4,453

 
(14
)
Distributions to unitholders
 
(285,895
)
 
(64,798
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
 
2,473,991

 
1,743,910

Net increase (decrease) in cash
 
7,938

 
(78,957
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
 
72,627

 
136,581

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
80,565

 
$
57,624

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


4


SUNOCO LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
(unaudited)
1.
Organization and Principles of Consolidation
The Partnership was formed in June 2012 by Susser Holdings Corporation (“Susser”) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Sunoco GP LLC (formerly known as Susser Petroleum Partners GP LLC), our general partner (“General Partner”). On September 25, 2012, we completed our initial public offering (“IPO”) of 10,925,000 common units representing limited partner interests.
On April 27, 2014, Susser entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (“ETP”) and certain other related entities, under which ETP acquired the outstanding common shares of Susser (the “ETP Merger”). The ETP Merger was completed on August 29, 2014. By acquiring Susser, ETP acquired 100% of the non-economic general partner interest and incentive distribution rights (“IDRs”) in the Partnership, which have subsequently been distributed to Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (“ETE”). Additionally, ETP directly and indirectly acquired approximately 11.0 million common and subordinated units in the Partnership (representing approximately 50.1% of the then outstanding units). Unvested phantom units that were outstanding on April 27, 2014 vested upon completion of the ETP Merger. See Note 15 for further information.
Effective October 27, 2014, the Partnership changed its name from Susser Petroleum Partners LP (NYSE: SUSP) to Sunoco LP (“SUN”, NYSE: SUN). This change aligned the Partnership's legal and marketing name with that of ETP's iconic brand, Sunoco. As used in this document, the terms “Partnership”, “SUN”, “we”, “us”, or “our” should be understood to refer to Sunoco LP and our consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
The consolidated financial statements are composed of Sunoco LP, a publicly traded Delaware limited partnership, our majority-owned subsidiaries, and variable interest entities (“VIE”s) in which we were the primary beneficiary (through December 23, 2015). We distribute motor fuels across more than 30 states throughout the East Coast, Midwest, and Southeast regions of the United States from Maine to Florida and from Florida to New Mexico, as well as Hawaii. We are also an operator of convenience retail stores across more than 20 states, primarily in Texas, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, Florida, and Hawaii.
On October 1, 2014, we acquired 100% of the membership interest of Mid-Atlantic Convenience Stores, LLC (“MACS”). On April 1, 2015, we acquired a 31.58% membership interest and 50.1% voting interest in Sunoco, LLC (“Sunoco LLC”). On July 31, 2015, we acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Susser. Finally, on March 31, 2016 (effective January 1, 2016), we acquired the remaining 68.42% membership interest and 49.9% voting interest in Sunoco LLC as well as 100% of the membership interest in Sunoco Retail LLC (“Sunoco Retail”).
Results of operations for the MACS, Sunoco LLC, Susser, and Sunoco Retail acquisitions, deemed transactions between entities under common control, have been included in our consolidated results of operations since September 1, 2014, the date of common control.
We operate our business as two segments, which are primarily engaged in wholesale fuel distribution and retail fuel and merchandise sales, respectively. Our primary operations are conducted by the following consolidated subsidiaries:
Wholesale Subsidiaries
Susser Petroleum Operating Company LLC (“SPOC”), a Delaware limited liability company, distributes motor fuel to Stripes’ retail locations, consignment locations, as well as third party customers in Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.
Sunoco Energy Services LLC, a Texas limited liability company, distributes motor fuels, propane and lubricating oils, primarily in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Kansas.
Sunoco LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, primarily distributes motor fuels in more than 26 states throughout the East Coast, Midwest and Southeast regions of the United States.
Southside Oil, LLC, a Virginia limited liability company, distributes motor fuel, primarily in Georgia, Maryland, New York, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Aloha Petroleum LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, distributes motor fuel and operates terminal facilities on the Hawaiian Islands.
Retail Subsidiaries
Susser Petroleum Property Company LLC (“PropCo”), a Delaware limited liability company, primarily owns and leases convenience store properties.
Susser, a Delaware corporation, sells motor fuel and merchandise in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma through Stripes-branded convenience stores and transports motor fuel under GoPetro Transport LLC.

5


Sunoco Retail, a Pennsylvania limited liability company, owns and operates convenience stores that sell motor fuel and merchandise primarily in Pennsylvania, New York, and Florida.
MACS Retail LLC, a Virginia limited liability company, owns and operates convenience stores, primarily in Virginia, Maryland, and Tennessee.
Aloha Petroleum, Ltd. (“Aloha”), a Hawaii corporation, owns and operates convenience stores on the Hawaiian Islands.

All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Certain items have been reclassified for presentation purposes to conform to the accounting policies of the consolidated entity. These reclassifications had no impact on gross margin, income from operations, net income and comprehensive income, or the balance sheets or statements of cash flows.
2.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Interim Financial Statements
The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). Pursuant to Regulation S-X, certain information and disclosures normally included in the annual financial statements have been condensed or omitted. The consolidated financial statements and notes included herein should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 filed with the SEC on February 25, 2016 and on our Form 8-K filed on July 15, 2016.
Significant Accounting Policies
As of September 30, 2016, there were no changes in significant accounting policies from those described in the December 31, 2015 audited consolidated financial statements.
Motor Fuel and Sales Taxes
Certain motor fuel and sales taxes are collected from customers and remitted to governmental agencies either directly by the Partnership or through suppliers. The Partnership’s accounting policy for wholesale direct sales to dealer and commercial customers is to exclude the collected motor fuel tax from sales and cost of sales.
For retail locations where the Partnership holds inventory, including consignment arrangements, motor fuel sales and motor fuel cost of sales include motor fuel taxes. Such amounts were $306.8 million and $303.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 and $888.3 million and $878.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Merchandise sales and cost of merchandise sales are reported net of sales tax in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
FASB ASU No. 2016-02. In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02 “Leases (Topic 842)” which amends the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and creates Topic 842, Leases. This Topic requires Balance Sheet recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities for leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP, excluding short-term leases of 12 months or less. This ASU is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect that the updated standard will have on our consolidated balance sheets and related disclosures.
FASB ASU No. 2016-15. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15 “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230)” which institutes a number of modifications to presentation and classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows. These modifications include (a) debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, (b) settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing, (c) contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, (d) proceeds received from the settlement of insurance claims, (e) proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, (f) distributions received from equity method investees, (g) beneficial interest obtained in a securitization of financial assets, (h) separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. This ASU is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect that the updated standard will have on our consolidated statements of cash flows and related disclosures.

6


3.
Acquisitions
Sunoco LLC and Sunoco Retail LLC Acquisitions
On April 1, 2015, we acquired a 31.58% membership interest and 50.1% voting interest in Sunoco LLC from ETP Retail Holdings, LLC (“ETP Retail”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of ETP, for total consideration of approximately $775.0 million in cash (the “Sunoco Cash Consideration”) and $40.8 million in common units representing limited partner interests of the Partnership, based on the five day volume weighted average price of the Partnership’s common units as of March 20, 2015. The Sunoco Cash Consideration was financed through issuance by the Partnership and its wholly owned subsidiary, Sunoco Finance Corp. (“SUN Finance”), of 6.375% Senior Notes due 2023 on April 1, 2015. The common units issued to ETP Retail were issued and sold in a private transaction exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Pursuant to the terms of the Sunoco LLC Contribution Agreement, ETP guaranteed all of the obligations of ETP Retail.
On November 15, 2015, we entered into a Contribution Agreement (the “ETP Dropdown Contribution Agreement”) with Sunoco LLC, Sunoco, Inc., ETP Retail, our General Partner and ETP. Pursuant to the terms of the ETP Dropdown Contribution Agreement, we agreed to acquire from ETP Retail, effective January 1, 2016, (a) 100% of the issued and outstanding membership interests of Sunoco Retail, an entity that was formed by Sunoco, Inc. (R&M), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Sunoco, Inc., prior to the closing of the ETP Dropdown Contribution Agreement, and (b) 68.42% of the issued and outstanding membership interests of Sunoco LLC (the “ETP Dropdown”). Pursuant to the terms of the ETP Dropdown Contribution Agreement, ETP agreed to guarantee all of the obligations of ETP Retail.
Immediately prior to the closing of the ETP Dropdown, Sunoco Retail owned all of the retail assets previously owned by Sunoco, Inc. (R&M), the ethanol plant located in Fulton, NY, 100% of the issued and outstanding membership interests in Sunmarks, LLC, and all the retail assets previously owned by Atlantic Refining & Marketing Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sunoco, Inc.
Subject to the terms and conditions of the ETP Dropdown Contribution Agreement, at the closing of the ETP Dropdown, we paid to ETP Retail approximately $2.2 billion in cash on March 31, 2016, which included working capital adjustments, and issued to ETP Retail 5,710,922 common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the “ETP Dropdown Unit Consideration”). The ETP Dropdown was funded with borrowings under a term loan agreement. The ETP Dropdown Unit Consideration was issued in a private transaction exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.
The acquisitions of Sunoco LLC and Sunoco Retail were accounted for as transactions between entities under common control. Specifically, the Partnership recognized the acquired assets and assumed liabilities at their respective carrying values with no goodwill created. The Partnership’s results of operations include Sunoco LLC’s and Sunoco Retail’s results of operations beginning September 1, 2014, the date of common control. As a result, the Partnership retrospectively adjusted its financial statements to include the balances and operations of Sunoco LLC and Sunoco Retail from August 31, 2014. Accordingly, the Partnership retrospectively adjusted its consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income to include $2.4 billion of Sunoco LLC revenues and $24.5 million of net income for the three months ended March 31, 2015, as well as $1.1 billion of Sunoco Retail revenues and $5.7 million of net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The equity of Sunoco LLC and Sunoco Retail prior to the respective acquisitions is presented as predecessor equity in our consolidated financial statements.
The following table summarizes the final recording of assets and liabilities at their respective carrying values (in thousands):
 
 
Sunoco LLC
 
Sunoco Retail
 
Total
Current assets
 
$
1,107,007

 
$
328,928

 
$
1,435,935

Property and equipment
 
384,100

 
709,793

 
1,093,893

Goodwill
 

 
1,289,398

 
1,289,398

Intangible assets
 
182,477

 
293,928

 
476,405

Other noncurrent assets
 
2,238

 

 
2,238

Current liabilities
 
(641,400
)
 
(146,368
)
 
(787,768
)
Other noncurrent liabilities
 
(7,293
)
 
(339,536
)
 
(346,829
)
Net assets
 
$
1,027,129

 
$
2,136,143

 
$
3,163,272

Net deemed contribution
 
 
 
 
 
(188,272
)
Cash acquired
 
 
 
 
 
(24,276
)
Total cash consideration, net of cash acquired (1)
 
 
 
 
 
$
2,950,724

________________________________
(1)
Total cash consideration, net of cash acquired, includes $775.0 million paid on April 1, 2015 and $2.2 billion paid on March 31, 2016.

7


 Susser Acquisition
On July 31, 2015, we acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Susser from Heritage Holdings, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of ETP (“HHI”), and ETP Holdco Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of ETP (“ETP Holdco” and together with HHI, the “Contributors”), for total consideration of approximately $966.9 million in cash (the “Susser Cash Consideration”), subject to certain post-closing working capital adjustments, and issued to the Contributors 21,978,980 Class B Units representing limited partner interests of the Partnership (“Class B Units”) (the “Susser Acquisition”). The Class B Units were identical to the common units in all respects, except such Class B Units were not entitled to distributions payable with respect to the second quarter of 2015. The Class B Units converted, on a one-for-one basis, into common units on August 19, 2015.
Pursuant to the terms of the Contribution Agreement dated as of July 14, 2015 among Susser, HHI, ETP Holdco, our General Partner, and ETP (the “Susser Contribution Agreement”), (i) Susser caused its wholly owned subsidiary to exchange its 79,308 common units for 79,308 Class A Units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (“Class A Units”) and (ii) the 10,939,436 subordinated units held by wholly owned subsidiaries of Susser were converted into 10,939,436 Class A Units. The Class A Units were entitled to receive distributions on a pro rata basis with the common units, except that the Class A Units (a) did not share in distributions of cash to the extent such cash was derived from or attributable to any distribution received by the Partnership from PropCo, the Partnership’s indirect wholly owned subsidiary, the proceeds of any sale of the membership interests of PropCo, or any interest or principal payments received by the Partnership with respect to indebtedness of PropCo or its subsidiaries and (b) were subordinated to the common units during the subordination period for the subordinated units and were not entitled to receive any distributions until holders of the common units had received the minimum quarterly distribution plus any arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution from prior quarters.
In addition, the Partnership issued 79,308 common units and 10,939,436 subordinated units to the Contributors (together with the Class B Units, the “Susser Unit Consideration”) to restore the economic benefit of common units and subordinated units held by wholly owned subsidiaries of Susser that were exchanged or converted, as applicable, into Class A Units. The Susser Unit Consideration was issued and sold to the Contributors in private transactions exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. Pursuant to the terms of the Susser Contribution Agreement, ETP guaranteed all then existing obligations of the Contributors.
The Susser Acquisition was accounted for as a transaction between entities under common control. Specifically, the Partnership recognized acquired assets and assumed liabilities at their respective carrying values with no additional goodwill created. The Partnership’s results of operations include Susser’s results of operations beginning September 1, 2014, the date of common control. As a result, the Partnership retrospectively adjusted its financial statements to include the balances and operations of Susser from August 31, 2014. Accordingly, the Partnership retrospectively adjusted its Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income to include $2.6 billion of Susser revenues and $18.1 million of net income for the period from January 1, 2015 to July 31, 2015.
The following table summarizes the final recording of assets and liabilities at their respective carrying values as of the date presented (in thousands):
 
 
August 31, 2014
Current assets
 
$
217,244

Property and equipment
 
983,900

Goodwill
 
976,631

Intangible assets
 
541,054

Other noncurrent assets
 
38,216

Current liabilities
 
(246,009
)
Other noncurrent liabilities
 
(842,310
)
Net assets
 
1,668,726

Net deemed contribution
 
(701,871
)
Cash acquired
 
(63,801
)
Total cash consideration, net of cash acquired
 
$
903,054

Emerge Fuels Business Acquisition
On August 31, 2016, we acquired the fuels business (the "Fuels Business") from Emerge Energy Services LP (NYSE: EMES) ("Emerge") for $171.5 million, inclusive of working capital and other adjustments, which was funded using amounts available under our revolving credit facility. The Fuels Business includes two transmix processing plants with attached refined product terminals located in the Birmingham, Alabama and greater Dallas, Texas metro areas and engages in the processing of transmix and the distribution of refined fuels. Combined, the plants can process over 10,000 barrels per day of transmix, and the associated terminals have over 800,000 barrels of storage capacity.

8


Management, with the assistance of a third party valuation firm, determined the preliminary assessment of fair value of assets and liabilities at the date of the Fuels Business acquisition. We determined the preliminary value of goodwill by giving consideration to the following qualitative factors:
synergies created through increased fuel purchasing advantages and integration with our existing wholesale business;
strategic advantages of owning transmix processing plants and increasing our terminal capacity; and
competitors processing transmix in the geographic region.
Management is reviewing the valuation and confirming the results to determine the final purchase price allocation. As a result, material adjustments to this preliminary allocation may occur in the future.
The following table summarizes the preliminary recording of assets and liabilities at their respective carrying values as of the date presented (in thousands):
 
 
August 31, 2016
Current assets
 
$
26,347

Property and equipment
 
60,044

Goodwill
 
78,278

Intangible assets
 
22,678

Other noncurrent assets
 
41

Current liabilities
 
(15,875
)
Net assets
 
171,513

Cash acquired
 
(172
)
Total cash consideration, net of cash acquired
 
$
171,341

The Fuels Business acquisition was treated as an asset purchase transaction for tax purposes. As such, any goodwill will be deductible for tax purposes.
Other Acquisitions
On June 22, 2016, we acquired 14 convenience stores and the wholesale fuel business in the Austin, Houston, and Waco, Texas markets from Kolkhorst Petroleum Inc. for $37.9 million plus the value of inventory on hand at closing. As part of the acquisition, we acquired 5 fee properties and 9 leased properties, all of which are company operated. The Kolkhorst acquisition also included supply contracts with dealer-owned and operated sites. This acquisition was funded using amounts available under our revolving credit facility with the total purchase consideration allocated to assets acquired based on the preliminary estimate of their respective fair values on the purchase date. Management is reviewing the valuation and confirming the results to determine the final purchase price allocation. As a result, material adjustments to this preliminary allocation may occur in the future. The acquisition preliminarily increased goodwill by $8.7 million.
On June 22, 2016, we acquired 18 convenience stores serving the upstate New York market from Valentine Stores, Inc. (“Valentine”) for $76.2 million plus the value of inventory on hand at closing. As part of the Valentine acquisition, we acquired 19 fee properties, of which 18 are company operated stores and one is a standalone Tim Hortons, one leased Tim Hortons property and three raw tracts of land in fee for future store development. This acquisition was funded using amounts available under our revolving credit facility with the total purchase consideration allocated to assets acquired based on the preliminary estimate of their respective fair values on the purchase date. Management is reviewing the valuation and confirming the results to determine the final purchase price allocation. As a result, material adjustments to this preliminary allocation may occur in the future. The acquisition preliminarily increased goodwill by $35.2 million.
On December 16, 2015, we acquired a wholesale motor fuel distribution business serving the Northeastern United States from Alta East, Inc. (“Alta East”) for approximately $57.1 million plus the value of inventory on hand at closing (the “Alta East Acquisition”). As part of the Alta East Acquisition, we acquired 24 fee and 6 leased properties operated by third party dealers or commission agents, and two non-operating surplus locations in fee. The Alta East Acquisition also included supply contracts with the dealer-owned and operated sites. The Alta East Acquisition was funded using amounts available under our revolving credit facility with the total purchase consideration allocated to assets acquired based on the preliminary estimate of their respective fair values at the purchase date. Management is reviewing the valuation and confirming the results to determine the final purchase price allocation. As a result, material adjustments to this preliminary allocation may occur in the future. The acquisition preliminarily increased goodwill by $14.6 million.

9


On August 10, 2015, we acquired 27 convenience stores in the Upper Rio Grande Valley from Aziz Convenience Stores, L.L.C. (“Aziz”) for $41.6 million. Management allocated the total purchase consideration to assets acquired based on their respective fair values at the purchase date. The acquisition increased goodwill by $4.3 million.
Additional acquisitions by the Partnership during 2015 totaled $24.6 million in consideration paid and preliminarily increased goodwill by $10.1 million. Management is reviewing the valuations and confirming the results to determine the final purchase price allocations. As a result, material adjustments to these preliminary allocations may occur in the future.
4.
Accounts Receivable, net
Accounts receivable, net, consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 
September 30,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
Accounts receivable, trade
 
$
257,714

 
$
160,783

Credit card receivables
 
82,153

 
98,484

Vendor receivables for rebates, branding, and other
 
17,423

 
14,561

Other receivables
 
30,802

 
38,381

Allowance for doubtful accounts
 
(2,595
)
 
(3,924
)
Accounts receivable, net
 
$
385,497

 
$
308,285

5.
Inventories, net 
Due to changes in fuel prices, we recorded a write-down on the value of fuel inventory of $98.3 million at December 31, 2015.
Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
September 30,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
Fuel-retail
$
49,712

 
$
42,779

Fuel-wholesale
289,777

 
283,021

Fuel-consignment
4,024

 
3,801

Merchandise
125,010

 
116,694

Equipment and maintenance spare parts
11,502

 
13,162

Corn
5,283

 
4,788

Other
3,472

 
3,046

Inventories, net
$
488,780

 
$
467,291

6.
Property and Equipment, net
Property and equipment, net consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
September 30,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
Land
$
1,053,852

 
$
1,032,017

Buildings and leasehold improvements
1,256,497

 
1,150,701

Equipment
1,309,587

 
1,214,328

Construction in progress
217,543

 
97,412

Total property and equipment
3,837,479

 
3,494,458

Less: accumulated depreciation
514,761

 
339,632

Property and equipment, net
$
3,322,718

 
$
3,154,826


10


7.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill is not amortized, but is tested annually for impairment, or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The annual impairment test is performed as of the first day of the fourth quarter of the fiscal year. At September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, we had $3.2 billion and $3.1 billion, respectively, of goodwill recorded in conjunction with past business combinations. The 2015 impairment analysis indicated no impairment in goodwill. During 2016, we continued our evaluation of the Emerge, Kolkhorst, Valentine, and Alta East acquisitions' purchase accounting analysis with the assistance of a third party valuation firm.
As of September 30, 2016, we evaluated potential impairment indicators. We believe no impairment events occurred during the third quarter of 2016, and we believe the assumptions used in the analysis performed in 2015 are still relevant and indicative of our current operating environment. As a result, no impairment was recorded to goodwill during the period from January 1, 2016 through September 30, 2016.
The Partnership has indefinite-lived intangible assets recorded that are not amortized. These indefinite-lived assets consist of tradenames, contractual rights, and liquor licenses. Tradenames and liquor licenses relate to our retail segment while contractual rights relate to our wholesale segment.
The Partnership has finite-lived intangible assets recorded that are amortized. The finite-lived assets consist of supply agreements, customer relations, favorable leasehold arrangements, non-competes, and loan origination costs, all of which are amortized over the respective lives of the agreements or over the period of time the assets are expected to contribute directly or indirectly to the Partnership's future cash flows. Customer relations and supply agreements have a remaining weighted-average life of approximately 9 years. Favorable leasehold arrangements have a remaining weighted-average life of approximately 11 years. Non-competition agreements and other intangible assets have a remaining weighted-average life of approximately 7 years. Loan origination costs have a remaining weighted-average life of approximately 3 years.
Prior to December 31, 2014, our Stripes and Laredo Taco Company tradenames were amortized over 30 years. As of January 1, 2015, management deemed the Stripes and Laredo Taco Company tradenames to be indefinite-lived assets and ceased amortization. 
We evaluate the estimated benefit periods and recoverability of other intangible assets when facts and circumstances indicate that the lives may not be appropriate and/or the carrying values of the assets may not be recoverable. If the carrying value is not recoverable, impairment is measured as the amount by which the carrying value exceeds estimated fair value.
Gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization for each major class of intangible assets, excluding goodwill, consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
September 30, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
Gross Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Net Book Value
 
Gross Carrying Amount
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Net Book Value
Indefinite-lived
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tradenames
$
784,058

 
$
6,508

 
$
777,550

 
$
784,058

 
$
6,508

 
$
777,550

Contractual rights
42,182

 

 
42,182

 
33,850

 

 
33,850

Liquor licenses
16,000

 

 
16,000

 
16,000

 

 
16,000

Finite-lived
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customer relations including supply agreements
619,698

 
190,350

 
429,348

 
551,033

 
150,101

 
400,932

Favorable leasehold arrangements
21,826

 
5,213

 
16,613

 
22,863

 
1,188

 
21,675

Loan origination costs
9,769

 
3,671

 
6,098

 
9,358

 
2,172

 
7,186

Other intangibles
5,099

 
2,126

 
2,973

 
3,675

 
1,428

 
2,247

Intangible assets, net
$
1,498,632

 
$
207,868

 
$
1,290,764

 
$
1,420,837

 
$
161,397

 
$
1,259,440


11


8.
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
Current accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
September 30,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
Wage and other employee-related accrued expenses
$
36,319

 
$
26,019

Franchise agreement termination accrual
1,769

 
4,399

Accrued tax expense
93,962

 
102,473

Accrued insurance
20,586

 
32,716

Accrued environmental
6,519

 
7,600

Accrued interest expense
56,239

 
28,494

Deposits and other
105,955

 
106,238

Total
$
321,349

 
$
307,939

9.
Long-Term Debt 
Long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
September 30,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
Term Loan
$
1,243,000

 
$

Sale leaseback financing obligation
118,604

 
121,992

2014 Revolver
958,236

 
450,000

6.375% Senior Notes Due 2023
800,000

 
800,000

5.500% Senior Notes Due 2020
600,000

 
600,000

6.250% Senior Notes Due 2021
800,000

 

Capital lease obligation and notes payable
702

 
3,975

Total debt
4,520,542

 
1,975,967

Less: current maturities
5,010

 
5,084

Less: debt issuance costs
42,102

 
18,352

Long-term debt, net of current maturities
$
4,473,430

 
$
1,952,531


Term Loan
On March 31, 2016, we entered into a term loan agreement (the “Term Loan”) to finance a portion of the costs associated with the ETP Dropdown. The Term Loan provides secured financing in an aggregate principal amount of up to $2.035 billion, which we borrowed in full. The Partnership used the proceeds to fund a portion of the ETP Dropdown and to pay fees and expenses incurred in connection with the ETP Dropdown and Term Loan.
Obligations under the Term Loan are secured equally and ratably with the 2014 Revolver (as defined below) by substantially all tangible and intangible assets of the Partnership and certain of our subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions and permitted liens. Obligations under the Term Loan are guaranteed by certain of the Partnership’s subsidiaries. In addition, ETP Retail provided a limited contingent guaranty of collection with respect to the payment of the principal amount of the Term Loan. The maturity date of the Term Loan is October 1, 2019. The Partnership is not required to make any amortization payments with respect to the loans under the Term Loan. Amounts borrowed under the Term Loan bear interest at either LIBOR or base rate plus an applicable margin based on the election of the Partnership for each interest period. Until the Partnership first receives an investment grade rating, the applicable margin for LIBOR rate loans ranges from 1.500% to 2.500% and the applicable margin for base rate loans ranges from 0.500% to 1.500%, in each case based on the Partnership’s leverage ratio.
The Partnership may voluntarily prepay borrowings under the Term Loan at any time without premium or penalty, subject to any applicable breakage costs for loans bearing interest at LIBOR. Under certain circumstances, the Partnership is required to repay borrowings under the Term Loan in connection with the issuance by the Partnership of certain types of indebtedness for borrowed money. The Term Loan also includes certain (i) representations and warranties, (ii) affirmative covenants, including delivery of financial and other information to the administrative agent, notice to the administrative agent upon the occurrence of certain material events, preservation of existence, payment of material taxes and other claims, maintenance of properties and insurance, access to properties and records for inspection by administrative agent and lenders, further assurances and provision of additional guarantees and collateral, (iii) negative

12


covenants, including restrictions on the Partnership and our restricted subsidiaries’ ability to merge and consolidate with other companies, incur indebtedness, grant liens or security interests on assets, make loans, advances or investments, pay dividends, sell or otherwise transfer assets or enter into transactions with shareholders or affiliates, and (iv) events of default, in each case substantially similar to the representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants and events of default in the Partnership’s existing revolving credit facility.
The Term Loan also requires the maintenance of a maximum funded debt to EBITDA ratio (i) as of the last day of each fiscal quarter through March 31, 2017, of 6.25 to 1.0 at any time with respect to the Partnership and (ii) as of the last day of each fiscal quarter thereafter, of 5.5 to 1.0 at any time with respect to the Partnership (subject to increases to 6.0 to 1.0 in connection with certain future specified acquisitions). During the continuance of an event of default, the lenders under the Term Loan may take a number of actions, including declaring the entire amount then outstanding under the Term Loan due and payable.
6.250% Senior Notes Due 2021
On April 7, 2016, we and certain of our wholly owned subsidiaries, including SUN Finance (together with the Partnership, the “2021 Issuers”), completed a private offering of $800.0 million 6.250% senior notes due 2021 (the “2021 Senior Notes”). The terms of the 2021 Senior Notes are governed by an indenture dated April 7, 2016, among the 2021 Issuers, our General Partner, and certain other subsidiaries of the Partnership (the “2021 Guarantors”) and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. The 2021 Senior Notes will mature on April 15, 2021 and interest is payable semi-annually on April 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing October 15, 2016. The 2021 Senior Notes are senior obligations of the 2021 Issuers and are guaranteed on a senior basis by all of the Partnership’s existing subsidiaries and certain of its future subsidiaries. The 2021 Senior Notes and guarantees are unsecured and rank equally with all of the 2021 Issuers’ and each 2021 Guarantor’s existing and future senior obligations. The 2021 Senior Notes are senior in right of payment to any of the 2021 Issuers’ and each 2021 Guarantor’s future obligations that are, by their terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the 2021 Senior Notes and guarantees. The 2021 Senior Notes and guarantees are effectively subordinated to the 2021 Issuers’ and each 2021 Guarantor’s secured obligations, including obligations under the Partnership’s 2014 Revolver, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such obligations, and structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and obligations, including trade payables, of the Partnership’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the 2021 Senior Notes. ETP Retail provided a guarantee of collection to the 2021 Issuers with respect to the payment of the principal amount of the 2021 Senior Notes. ETP Retail is not subject to any of the covenants under the 2021 Indenture.
Net proceeds of approximately $789.4 million were used to repay a portion of the borrowings outstanding under our Term Loan.
In connection with the issuance of the 2021 Senior Notes, we entered into a registration rights agreement with the initial purchasers pursuant to which we agreed to complete an offer to exchange the 2021 Senior Notes for an issue of registered notes with terms substantially identical to the 2021 Senior Notes on or before April 7, 2017. The exchange offer was completed on October 4, 2016.
5.500% Senior Notes Due 2020
On July 20, 2015, we and our wholly owned subsidiary, SUN Finance (together with the Partnership, the “2020 Issuers”), completed a private offering of $600.0 million 5.500% senior notes due 2020 (the “2020 Senior Notes”). The terms of the 2020 Senior Notes are governed by an indenture dated July 20, 2015, among the 2020 Issuers, our General Partner, and certain other subsidiaries of the Partnership (the “2020 Guarantors”) and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “2020 Trustee”). The 2020 Senior Notes will mature on August 1, 2020 and interest is payable semi-annually on February 1 and August 1 of each year, commencing February 1, 2016. The 2020 Senior Notes are senior obligations of the 2020 Issuers and are guaranteed on a senior basis by all of the Partnership’s existing subsidiaries. The 2020 Senior Notes and guarantees are unsecured and rank equally with all of the 2020 Issuers’ and each 2020 Guarantor’s existing and future senior obligations. The 2020 Senior Notes are senior in right of payment to any of the 2020 Issuers’ and each 2020 Guarantor’s future obligations that are, by their terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the 2020 Senior Notes and guarantees. The 2020 Senior Notes and guarantees are effectively subordinated to the 2020 Issuers’ and each 2020 Guarantor’s secured obligations, including obligations under the Partnership’s revolving credit facility, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such obligations, and structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and obligations, including trade payables, of the Partnership’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the 2020 Senior Notes.
Net proceeds of approximately $592.5 million were used to fund a portion of the Susser Cash Consideration.
In connection with our issuance of the 2020 Senior Notes, we entered into a registration rights agreement with the initial purchasers pursuant to which we agreed to complete an offer to exchange the 2020 Senior Notes for an issue of registered notes with terms substantially identical to the 2020 Senior Notes on or before July 20, 2016. The exchange offer was completed on October 4, 2016 and we paid the holders of the 2020 Senior Notes an aggregate of $0.3 million in liquidated damages in the form of additional interest as a result of the delayed registration.

13


6.375% Senior Notes Due 2023
On April 1, 2015, we and our wholly owned subsidiary, SUN Finance (together with the Partnership, the “2023 Issuers”), completed a private offering of $800.0 million 6.375% senior notes due 2023 (the “2023 Senior Notes”). The terms of the 2023 Senior Notes are governed by an indenture dated April 1, 2015, among the 2023 Issuers, our General Partner, and certain other subsidiaries of the Partnership (the “2023 Guarantors”) and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “2023 Trustee”). The 2023 Senior Notes will mature on April 1, 2023 and interest is payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing October 1, 2015. The 2023 Senior Notes are senior obligations of the 2023 Issuers and are guaranteed on a senior basis by all of the Partnership’s existing subsidiaries. The 2023 Senior Notes and guarantees are unsecured and rank equally with all of the 2023 Issuers’ and each 2023 Guarantor’s existing and future senior obligations. The 2023 Senior Notes are senior in right of payment to any of the 2023 Issuers’ and each 2023 Guarantor’s future obligations that are, by their terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the 2023 Senior Notes and guarantees. The 2023 Senior Notes and guarantees are effectively subordinated to the 2023 Issuers’ and each 2023 Guarantor’s secured obligations, including obligations under the Partnership’s revolving credit facility, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such obligations, and structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and obligations, including trade payables, of the Partnership’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the 2023 Senior Notes. ETP Retail provided a guarantee of collection to the 2023 Issuers with respect to the payment of the principal amount of the 2023 Senior Notes. ETP Retail is not subject to any of the covenants under the 2023 Indenture.
Net proceeds of approximately $786.5 million were used to fund Sunoco Cash Consideration and to repay borrowings under our 2014 Revolver (as defined below). 
In connection with our issuance of the 2023 Senior Notes, we entered into a registration rights agreement with the initial purchasers pursuant to which we agreed to complete an offer to exchange the 2023 Senior Notes for an issue of registered notes with terms substantially identical to the 2023 Senior Notes on or before April 1, 2016. The exchange offer was completed on October 4, 2016 and we paid the holders of the 2023 Senior Notes an aggregate of $1.6 million in liquidated damages in the form of additional interest as a result of the delayed registration.
Revolving Credit Agreement
On September 25, 2014, we entered into a new $1.25 billion revolving credit facility (the “2014 Revolver”) with a syndicate of banks expiring September 25, 2019 (which date may be extended in accordance with the terms of the 2014 Revolver). The 2014 Revolver includes an accordion feature providing flexibility to increase the facility by an additional $250 million, subject to certain conditions. Borrowings under the 2014 Revolver were used to repay and cancel the $400 million revolving credit facility (the “2012 Revolver”) entered into in connection with the IPO.
Borrowings under the 2014 Revolver bear interest at a base rate (a rate based off of the higher of (i) the Federal Funds Rate (as defined therein) plus 0.50%, (ii) Bank of America’s prime rate or (iii) one-month LIBOR (as defined therein) plus 1.00%) or LIBOR, in each case plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.50% to 2.50%, in the case of a LIBOR loan, or from 0.50% to 1.50%, in the case of a base rate loan (determined with reference to the Partnership’s Leverage Ratio (as defined therein)). Upon the first achievement by the Partnership of an investment grade credit rating, the applicable margin will decrease to a range of 1.125% to 2.0%, in the case of a LIBOR loan, or from 0.125% to 1.00%, in the case of a base rate loan (determined with reference to the credit rating for the Partnership’s senior, unsecured, non-credit enhanced long-term debt). Interest is payable quarterly if the base rate applies, at the end of the applicable interest period if LIBOR applies and at the end of the month if daily floating LIBOR applies. In addition, the unused portion of the 2014 Revolver is subject to a commitment fee ranging from 0.250% to 0.350%, based on the Partnership’s Leverage Ratio (as defined therein). Upon the first achievement by the Partnership of an investment grade credit rating, the commitment fee will decrease to a range of 0.125% to 0.275%, based on the Partnership’s credit rating as described above.
The 2014 Revolver requires the Partnership to maintain a Leverage Ratio of not more than 5.50 to 1.00. The maximum Leverage Ratio is subject to upwards adjustment of not more than 6.00 to 1.00 for a period not to exceed three fiscal quarters in the event the Partnership engages in an acquisition of assets, equity interests (as defined therein), operating lines or divisions by the Partnership, a subsidiary (as defined therein), an unrestricted subsidiary (as defined therein) or a joint venture for a purchase price of not less than $50 million. Effective April 8, 2015, in connection with the Sunoco LLC acquisition, we entered into a Specified Acquisition Period (as defined in the 2014 Revolver) in which our leverage ratio compliance requirements were adjusted upward. Such Specified Acquisition Period ended on August 19, 2015, and concurrently in connection with the Susser acquisition, we entered into a new Specified Acquisition Period. On December 2, 2015, in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the ETP Dropdown Contribution Agreement, we entered into an amendment to the 2014 Revolver to temporarily increase the maximum leverage ratio to 6.25 to 1.00 for the period beginning upon the closing of the ETP Dropdown through the fourth quarterly testing date following the closing of the ETP Dropdown (the “Post Dropdown Period”).
Indebtedness under the 2014 Revolver is secured by a security interest in, among other things, all of the Partnership’s present and future personal property and all of the present and future personal property of its guarantors, the capital stock of its material subsidiaries (or 66% of the capital stock of material foreign subsidiaries), and any intercompany debt. Upon the first achievement by the Partnership of an investment grade credit rating, all security interests securing the 2014 Revolver will be released.

14


On April 10, 2015, the Partnership entered into the First Amendment to Credit Agreement and Increase Agreement (the “First Amendment”) with the lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A. in its capacity as administrative agent and collateral agent, pursuant to which the lenders thereto severally agreed to (i) provide $250 million in aggregate incremental commitments under the 2014 Revolver and (ii) make certain amendments to the 2014 Revolver as described in the First Amendment. After giving effect to the First Amendment, the 2014 Revolver permits the Partnership to borrow up to $1.5 billion on a revolving credit basis.
On December 2, 2015, the Partnership entered into the Second Amendment to the Credit Agreement (the “Second Amendment”) with the lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., in its capacity as a letter of credit issuer, as swing line lender, and as administrative agent pursuant to which the lenders thereto generally agreed to, among other matters, (i) permit the incurrence of a term loan credit facility in connection with the consummation of the ETP Dropdown, (ii) permit such term loan credit facility to be secured on a pari passu basis with the indebtedness incurred under the Credit Agreement (as amended by the Amendment) pursuant to a collateral trust arrangement whereby a financial institution agrees to act as common collateral agent for all pari passu indebtedness and (iii)  temporarily increase the maximum leverage ratio permitted under the 2014 Revolver (as amended by the Second Amendment) in connection with the consummation of the ETP Dropdown.
On August 1, 2016, the Partnership entered into the Third Amendment to the Credit Agreement (the “Third Amendment”) with the lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., in its capacity as a letter of credit issuer, as swing line lender, and as administrative agent to, among other matters, conform certain terms of the Credit Agreement to certain terms of the Partnership’s term loan credit facility dated as of March 31, 2016.
As of September 30, 2016, the balance on the 2014 Revolver was $958.2 million, and $23.6 million in standby letters of credit were outstanding. The unused availability on the 2014 Revolver at September 30, 2016 was $518.2 million. The Partnership was in compliance with all financial covenants at September 30, 2016.
Sale Leaseback Financing Obligation
On April 4, 2013, MACS completed a sale leaseback transaction with two separate companies for 50 of its dealer operated sites. As MACS did not meet the criteria for sale leaseback accounting, this transaction was accounted for as a financing arrangement over the course of the lease agreement. The obligations mature in varying dates through 2033, require monthly interest and principal payments, and bear interest at 5.125%. The obligation related to this transaction is included in long-term debt and the balance outstanding as of September 30, 2016 was $118.6 million.
Other Debt
On July 8, 2010, we entered into a mortgage note for an aggregate initial borrowing amount of $1.2 million. Pursuant to the terms of the mortgage note, we make monthly installment payments that are comprised of principal and interest through the maturity date of July 1, 2016. The balance outstanding at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was zero and $1.0 million, respectively. The mortgage note bears interest at a fixed rate of 6.0%. The mortgage note is secured by a first priority security interest in a property owned by the Partnership.
In September 2013, we assumed a $3.0 million term loan as part of the acquisition of Gainesville Fuel, Inc. (now Sunoco Energy Services LLC). The balance outstanding at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was zero and $2.5 million, respectively. The term loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 4.0%.
10.
Fair Value Measurements
 We use fair value measurements to measure, among other items, purchased assets and investments, leases and derivative contracts. We also use them to assess impairment of properties, equipment, intangible assets and goodwill. Fair value is defined as the price at which an asset could be exchanged in a current transaction between knowledgeable, willing parties. A liability’s fair value is defined as the amount that would be paid to transfer the liability to a new obligor, not the amount that would be paid to settle the liability with the creditor. Where available, fair value is based on observable market prices or parameters, or is derived from such prices or parameters. Where observable prices or inputs are not available, use of unobservable prices or inputs is used to estimate the current fair value, often using an internal valuation model. These valuation techniques involve some level of management estimation and judgment, the degree of which is dependent on the item being valued.
ASC 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value into the following hierarchy:
Level 1
Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2
Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable;

15


Level 3
Unobservable inputs in which little or no market activity exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing.
The estimated fair value of debt is calculated using Level 2 inputs. The fair value of debt as of September 30, 2016, is estimated to be approximately $4.6 billion, based on outstanding balances as of the end of the period using current interest rates for similar securities. 
11.
Commitments and Contingencies
Leases
The Partnership leases certain convenience store and other properties under non-cancellable operating leases whose initial terms are typically 5 to 15 years, with some having a term of 40 years or more, along with options that permit renewals for additional periods. Minimum rent is expensed on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. In addition, certain leases require additional contingent payments based on sales or motor fuel volumes. We typically are responsible for payment of real estate taxes, maintenance expenses and insurance. These properties are either sublet to third parties or used for our convenience store operations.
Net rent expense consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Cash rent:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Store base rent (1) (2)
$
30,682

 
$
30,871

 
$
87,713

 
$
91,088

Equipment and other rent (3)
4,565

 
5,024

 
15,478

 
14,686

Total cash rent
35,247

 
35,895

 
103,191

 
105,774

Non-cash rent:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Straight-line rent
984

 
805

 
2,136

 
548

Amortization of deferred gain

 
(253
)
 

 
(758
)
Net rent expense
$
36,231

 
$
36,447

 
$
105,327

 
$
105,564

________________________________
(1)
Store base rent includes sublease rental income totaling $6.2 million and $6.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively and $17.9 million and $20.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
(2)
Store base rent includes contingent rent expense totaling $7.9 million and $9.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $17.1 million and $19.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
(3)
Equipment and other rent consists primarily of store equipment and vehicles.
12.
Interest Expense, net
Interest expense, net consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Interest expense (1)
$
53,775

 
$
27,918

 
$
131,905

 
$
57,501

Amortization of deferred financing fees
3,608

 
1,089

 
7,608

 
2,291

Interest income
(3,094
)
 
(490
)
 
(6,948
)
 
(2,100
)
Interest expense, net
$
54,289

 
$
28,517

 
$
132,565

 
$
57,692

________________________________
(1)
Interest expense related to the VIEs was approximately $2.3 million and $7.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively.

16


13.
Income Tax Expense
 As a partnership, we are generally not subject to federal income tax and most state income taxes. However, the Partnership conducts certain activities through corporate subsidiaries which are subject to federal and state income taxes.
Our effective tax rate differs from the statutory rate primarily due to Partnership earnings that are not subject to U.S. federal and most state income taxes at the Partnership level. A reconciliation of income tax expense at the U.S. federal statutory rate to net income tax expense is as follow (in thousands):
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Tax at statutory federal rate
$
17,452

 
$
22,692

 
$
65,656

 
$
78,632

Partnership earnings not subject to tax
(20,784
)
 
(8,688
)
 
(76,648
)
 
(47,422
)
State and local tax, net of federal benefit
576

 
14,395

 
12,772

 
14,818

Other
8,066

 
1,725

 
7,110

 
1,085

Net income tax expense
$
5,310

 
$
30,124

 
$
8,890

 
$
47,113

14.
Partners' Capital
 As of September 30, 2016, ETE and ETP or their subsidiaries owned 45,750,826 common units, which constitute 40.9% of the limited partner ownership interest in us. As of September 30, 2016, our fully consolidating subsidiaries owned 16,410,780 Class C units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the “Class C Units”) and the public owned 49,588,960 common units.
Common Units
In connection with the closing of the Partnership’s previously announced sale (the “PIPE Transaction”) of 2,263,158 common units in a private placement to ETE, the Partnership entered into a registration rights agreement, dated as of March 31, 2016 (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), with ETE. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Partnership is required to file a shelf registration statement to register the common units, upon the request of the holders of a majority of the then-outstanding common units. The Partnership shall use its reasonable best efforts to file the registration statement within 45 days of any such request and cause it to be effective as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, subject to certain exceptions. ETE owns the general partner interests and incentive distribution rights in the Partnership.
Activity of our common units for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 is as follows: 
 
Number of Units
Number of common units at December 31, 2015
87,365,706
Common units issued in connection with acquisitions
5,710,922
Common units issued in connection with the PIPE Transaction
2,263,158
Number of common units at September 30, 2016
95,339,786
Allocations of Net Income
Our partnership agreement contains provisions for the allocation of net income and loss to the unitholders. For purposes of maintaining partner capital accounts, the partnership agreement specifies that items of income and loss shall be allocated among the partners in accordance with their respective percentage interest. Normal allocations according to percentage interests are made after giving effect, if any, to priority income allocations in an amount equal to incentive cash distributions allocated 100% to ETE.

17


 
The calculation of net income allocated to the partners is as follows (in thousands, except per unit amounts):
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Attributable to Common Units
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distributions (1)
$
78,889

 
$
39,039

 
$
235,514

 
$
76,172

Distributions in excess of income
(55,640
)
 
(24,035
)
 
(119,888
)
 
(44,349
)
Limited partners' interest in net income
$
23,249

 
$
15,004

 
$
115,626

 
$
31,823

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Attributable to Subordinated Units
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Distributions (1)
$

 
$
8,154

 
$

 
$
22,796

Distributions in excess of income

 
(4,404
)
 

 
(11,564
)
Limited partners' interest in net income
$

 
$
3,750

 
$

 
$
11,232

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Distributions declared per unit to unitholders as of record date
$
0.8255

 
$
0.7454

 
$
2.4683

 
$
2.0838

 Class C Units
On January 1, 2016, the Partnership issued an aggregate of 16,410,780 Class C Units consisting of (i) 5,242,113 Class C Units that were issued by the Partnership to Aloha as consideration for the contribution by Aloha to an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership of all of Aloha’s assets relating to the wholesale supply of fuel and lubricants, and (ii) 11,168,667 Class C Units that were issued by the Partnership to indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of the Partnership in exchange for all of the outstanding Class A Units held by such subsidiaries. The Class C Units were valued at $38.5856 per Class C Unit (the “Class C Unit Issue Price”), based on the volume-weighted average price of the Partnership’s Common Units for the five-day trading period ending on December 31, 2015. The Class C Units were issued in private transactions exempt from registration under section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.
Class C Units (i) are not convertible or exchangeable into Common Units or any other units of the Partnership and are non-redeemable; (ii) are entitled to receive distributions of available cash of the Partnership (other than available cash derived from or attributable to any distribution received by the Partnership from PropCo, the proceeds of any sale of the membership interests of PropCo, or any interest or principal payments received by the Partnership with respect to indebtedness of PropCo or its subsidiaries), at a fixed rate equal to $0.8682 per quarter for each Class C Unit outstanding, (iii) do not have the right to vote on any matter except as otherwise required by any non-waivable provision of law, (iv) are not allocated any items of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit attributable to the Partnership’s ownership of, or sale or other disposition of, the membership interests of PropCo, or the Partnership’s ownership of any indebtedness of PropCo or any of its subsidiaries (“PropCo Items”), (v) will be allocated gross income (other than from PropCo Items) in an amount equal to the cash distributed to the holders of Class C Units and (vi) will be allocated depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions as if the Class C Units were Common Units and 1% of certain allocations of net termination gain (other than from PropCo Items).
Pursuant to the terms described above, these distributions do not have an impact on the Partnership’s consolidated cash flows and as such, are excluded from total cash distributions and allocation of limited partners’ interest in net income. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, Class C distributions declared totaled $42.7 million.

18


Incentive Distribution Rights
The following table illustrates the percentage allocations of available cash from operating surplus between our common unitholders and the holder of our IDRs based on the specified target distribution levels, after the payment of distributions to Class C unitholders. The amounts set forth under “marginal percentage interest in distributions” are the percentage interests of our IDR holder and the common unitholders in any available cash from operating surplus we distribute up to and including the corresponding amount in the column “total quarterly distribution per unit target amount.” The percentage interests shown for our common unitholders and our IDR holder for the minimum quarterly distribution are also applicable to quarterly distribution amounts that are less than the minimum quarterly distribution. Effective August 21, 2015, ETE exchanged 21.0 million ETP common units, owned by ETE, the owner of ETP’s general partner interest, for 100% of the general partner interest and all of our IDRs. ETP had previously owned our IDRs since September 2014, prior to that date the IDRs were owned by Susser.
 
 
 
Marginal percentage interest
in distributions
 
Total quarterly distribution per common unit
target amount
 
Common unitholders
 
Holder of IDRs
Minimum Quarterly Distribution
$0.4375
 
100
%
 

First Target Distribution
Above $0.4375 up to $0.503125
 
100
%
 

Second Target Distribution
Above $0.503125 up to $0.546875
 
85
%
 
15
%
Third Target Distribution
Above $0.546875 up to $0.656250
 
75
%
 
25
%
Thereafter
Above $0.656250
 
50
%
 
50
%
 Cash Distributions
Our partnership agreement, as amended, sets forth the calculation to be used to determine the amount and priority of cash distributions that the common unitholders receive.
The following table presents our cash distributions paid or payable during 2016 (in thousands, except for per unit distributions):
 
 
Limited Partners
 
 
Payment Date
 
Per Unit Distribution
 
Total Cash Distribution
 
Distribution to IDR Holders
November 15, 2016
 
$
0.8255

 
$
78,889

 
$
20,396

August 15, 2016
 
$
0.8255

 
$
78,703

 
$
20,348

May 16, 2016
 
$
0.8173

 
$
77,921

 
$
19,566

February 16, 2016
 
$
0.8013

 
$
70,006

 
$
16,532

 
15.
Unit-Based Compensation
Unit-based compensation expense related to the Partnership included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income was as follows (in thousands):
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Phantom common units
$
2,533

 
$
1,720

 
$
7,881

 
$
4,756

Allocated expense from ETP
484

 
412

 
1,574

 
1,130

Total equity-based compensation expense
$
3,017

 
$
2,132

 
$
9,455

 
$
5,886

  
Phantom Common Unit Awards
Prior to the ETP Merger, there were phantom unit awards issued to certain directors and employees under the Sunoco LP 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan. The fair value of each phantom unit on the grant date was equal to the market price of our common unit on that date reduced by the present value of estimated dividends over the vesting period, since the phantom units did not receive dividends until vested. The estimated fair value of our phantom units was amortized over the vesting period using the straight-line method. Non-employee director awards vested over a one-to-three year period and employee awards vested ratably over a two-to-five year service period. Concurrent with the ETP Merger, all unvested phantom units vested and compensation cost of $0.4 million was recognized.

19


Subsequent to the ETP Merger, phantom units were issued which also have the right to receive distributions prior to vesting. The units vest 60% after three years and 40% after five years. The fair value of these units is the market prices of our common units on the grant date, and is amortized over the five-year vesting period using the straight-line method. Unrecognized compensation cost related to our nonvested restricted phantom units totaled $27.1 million as of September 30, 2016, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.74 years. The fair value of nonvested service phantom units outstanding as of September 30, 2016 totaled $45.1 million.
A summary of our phantom unit award activity is as follows:
 
Number of Phantom Common Units
 
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at December 31, 2014
241,235

 
$
45.50

Granted
993,134

 
40.63

Forfeited
(87,321
)
 
50.71

Nonvested at December 31, 2015
1,147,048

 
41.19

Granted
35,040

 
33.61

Forfeited
(84,846
)
 
39.62

Nonvested at September 30, 2016
1,097,242

 
$
41.07

 Cash Awards
In January 2015, the Partnership granted 30,710 awards that are settled in cash under the terms of the Sunoco LP Long-Term Cash Restricted Unit Plan. An additional 1,000 awards were granted in September 2015. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, 3,470 units were forfeited. These awards do not have the right to receive distributions prior to vesting. The awards vest 100% after three years. Unrecognized compensation cost related to our nonvested cash awards totaled $0.5 million as of September 30, 2016, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.18 years. The fair value of nonvested cash awards outstanding as of September 30, 2016 totaled $1.4 million.
16.
Segment Reporting
Segment information is prepared on the same basis that our Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) reviews financial information for operational decision-making purposes. We operate our business in two primary segments, wholesale and retail, both of which are included as reportable segments. No operating segments have been aggregated in identifying the two reportable segments.
We allocate shared revenue and costs to each segment based on the way our CODM measures segment performance. Partnership overhead costs, interest and other expenses not directly attributable to a reportable segment are allocated based on segment gross profit. These costs were previously allocated based on segment EBITDA.
We report EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA by segment as a measure of segment performance. We define EBITDA as net income before net interest expense, income tax expense and depreciation, amortization and accretion expense. We define Adjusted EBITDA to include adjustments for non-cash compensation expense, gains and losses on disposal of assets, unrealized gains and losses on commodity derivatives and inventory fair value adjustments.
Wholesale Segment
Our wholesale segment purchases motor fuel primarily from independent refiners and major oil companies and supplies it to our retail segment, to independently-operated dealer stations under long-term supply agreements, and to distributers and other consumers of motor fuel. Also included in the wholesale segment are motor fuel sales to consignment locations and sales and costs related to processing transmix. We distribute motor fuels across more than 30 states throughout the East Coast and Southeast regions of the United States from Maine to Florida and from Florida to New Mexico, as well as Hawaii. Sales of fuel from the wholesale segment to our retail segment are delivered at cost plus a profit margin. These amounts are reflected in intercompany eliminations of motor fuel revenue and motor fuel cost of sales. Also included in our wholesale segment is rental income from properties that we lease or sub-lease.
Retail Segment
Our retail segment operates branded retail convenience stores across more than 20 states throughout the East Coast and Southeast regions of the United States with a significant presence in Texas, Pennsylvania, New York, Florida, Virginia, and Hawaii. These stores offer motor fuel, merchandise, foodservice, and a variety of other services including car washes, lottery, ATM, money orders, prepaid phone cards and wireless services.


20


The following tables present financial information by segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands): 
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
Wholesale
 
Retail
 
Intercompany
Eliminations
 
Total
 
Wholesale
 
Retail
 
Intercompany
Eliminations
 
Total
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail motor fuel
$

 
$
1,401,830

 
 
 
$
1,401,830

 
$

 
$
1,580,815

 
 
 
$
1,580,815

Wholesale motor fuel sales to third parties
2,026,454

 

 
 
 
2,026,454

 
2,664,186

 

 
 
 
2,664,186

Wholesale motor fuel sales to affiliates
28,226

 

 
 
 
28,226

 
3,779

 

 
 
 
3,779

Merchandise

 
605,275

 
 
 
605,275

 

 
589,299

 
 
 
589,299

Rental income
19,353

 
3,530

 
 
 
22,883

 
11,333

 
9,616

 
 
 
20,949

Other
13,331

 
39,318

 
 
 
52,649

 
5,996

 
41,748

 
 
 
47,744

Intersegment
1,006,088

 
37,978

 
(1,044,066
)
 

 
1,183,629

 
34,202

 
(1,217,831
)
 

Total revenues
3,093,452

 
2,087,931

 
(1,044,066
)
 
4,137,317

 
3,868,923

 
2,255,680

 
(1,217,831
)
 
4,906,772

Gross profit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail motor fuel

 
179,003

 
 
 
179,003

 

 
196,002

 
 
 
196,002

Wholesale motor fuel
138,169

 

 
 
 
138,169

 
76,174

 

 
 
 
76,174

Merchandise

 
192,292

 
 
 
192,292

 

 
185,120

 
 
 
185,120

Other
26,629

 
41,294

 
 
 
67,923

 
16,099

 
51,363

 
 
 
67,462

Total gross profit
164,798

 
412,589

 
 
 
577,387

 
92,273

 
432,485

 
 
 
524,758

Total operating expenses
103,775

 
369,462

 
 
 
473,237

 
89,527

 
341,879

 
 
 
431,406

Income (loss) from operations
61,023

 
43,127

 
 
 
104,150

 
2,746

 
90,606

 
 
 
93,352

Interest expense, net
13,198

 
41,091

 
 
 
54,289

 
13,106

 
15,411

 
 
 
28,517

Income (loss) before income taxes
47,825

 
2,036

 
 
 
49,861

 
(10,360
)
 
75,195

 
 
 
64,835

Income tax expense
507

 
4,803

 
 
 
5,310

 
39

 
30,085

 
 
 
30,124

Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss)
$
47,318

 
$
(2,767
)
 
 
 
$
44,551

 
$
(10,399
)
 
$
45,110

 
 
 
$
34,711

Depreciation, amortization and accretion
21,819

 
55,809

 
 
 
77,628

 
13,571

 
52,413

 
 
 
65,984

Interest expense, net
13,198

 
41,091

 
 
 
54,289

 
13,106

 
15,411

 
 
 
28,517

Income tax expense
507

 
4,803

 
 
 
5,310

 
39

 
30,085

 
 
 
30,124

EBITDA
82,842

 
98,936

 
 
 
181,778

 
16,317

 
143,019

 
 
 
159,336

Non-cash compensation expense
1,516

 
1,501

 
 
 
3,017

 
1,697

 
435

 
 
 
2,132

Loss (gain) on disposal of assets
(599
)
 
802

 
 
 
203

 
921

 
(174
)
 
 
 
747

Unrealized loss on commodity derivatives
5,689

 

 
 
 
5,689

 
735

 

 
 
 
735

Inventory fair value adjustments
(1,581
)
 
(186
)
 
 
 
(1,767
)
 
87,307

 
3,456

 
 
 
90,763

Adjusted EBITDA
$
87,867

 
$
101,053

 
 
 
$
188,920

 
$
106,977

 
$
146,736

 
 
 
$
253,713

Capital expenditures
$
34,382

 
$
76,286

 
 
 
$
110,668

 
$
17,610

 
$
123,158

 
 
 
$
140,768

Total assets at end of period
$
2,938,747

 
$
6,058,254

 
 
 
$
8,997,001

 
$
2,925,842

 
$
5,915,977

 
 
 
$
8,841,819

 

 

21


 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
Wholesale
 
Retail
 
Intercompany
Eliminations
 
Total
 
Wholesale
 
Retail
 
Intercompany
Eliminations
 
Total
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail motor fuel
$

 
$
3,876,542

 
 
 
$
3,876,542

 
$

 
$
4,597,670

 
 
 
$
4,597,670

Wholesale motor fuel sales to third parties
5,544,905

 

 
 
 
5,544,905

 
7,946,323

 

 
 
 
7,946,323

Wholesale motor fuel sales to affiliates
45,065

 

 
 
 
45,065

 
8,718

 

 
 
 
8,718

Merchandise

 
1,705,963

 
 
 
1,705,963

 

 
1,633,102

 
 
 
1,633,102

Rental income
57,210

 
10,372

 
 
 
67,582

 
34,327

 
26,938

 
 
 
61,265

Other
30,164

 
121,576

 
 
 
151,740

 
17,876

 
118,754

 
 
 
136,630

Intersegment
2,698,542

 
99,253

 
(2,797,795
)
 

 
3,519,958

 
93,907

 
(3,613,865
)
 

Total revenues
8,375,886

 
5,813,706

 
(2,797,795
)
 
11,391,797

 
11,527,202

 
6,470,371

 
(3,613,865
)
 
14,383,708

Gross profit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail motor fuel

 
447,883

 
 
 
447,883

 

 
483,207

 
 
 
483,207

Wholesale motor fuel
453,887

 

 
 
 
453,887

 
331,711

 

 
 
 
331,711

Merchandise

 
545,962

 
 
 
545,962

 

 
510,132

 
 
 
510,132

Other
78,974

 
129,991

 
 
 
208,965

 
48,588

 
145,563

 
 
 
194,151

Total gross profit
532,861

 
1,123,836

 
 
 
1,656,697

 
380,299

 
1,138,902

 
 
 
1,519,201

Total operating expenses
282,966

 
1,053,579

 
 
 
1,336,545

 
253,549

 
983,296

 
 
 
1,236,845

Income from operations
249,895

 
70,257

 
 
 
320,152

 
126,750

 
155,606

 
 
 
282,356

Interest expense, net
41,304

 
91,261

 
 
 
132,565

 
33,293

 
24,399

 
 
 
57,692

Income before income taxes
208,591

 
(21,004
)
 
 
 
187,587

 
93,457

 
131,207

 
 
 
224,664

Income tax expense
1,361

 
7,529

 
 
 
8,890

 
898

 
46,215

 
 
 
47,113

Net income and comprehensive income
$
207,230

 
$
(28,533
)
 
 
 
$
178,697

 
$
92,559

 
$
84,992

 
 
 
$
177,551

Depreciation, amortization and accretion
60,427

 
173,991

 
 
 
234,418

 
47,821

 
155,106

 
 
 
202,927

Interest expense, net
41,304

 
91,261

 
 
 
132,565

 
33,293

 
24,399

 
 
 
57,692

Income tax expense
1,361

 
7,529

 
 
 
8,890

 
898

 
46,215

 
 
 
47,113

EBITDA
310,322

 
244,248

 
 
 
554,570

 
174,571

 
310,712

 
 
 
485,283

Non-cash compensation expense
4,600

 
4,855

 
 
 
9,455

 
3,361

 
2,525

 
 
 
5,886

Loss (gain) on disposal of assets
(1,396
)
 
4,314

 
 
 
2,918

 
1,069

 
(175
)
 
 
 
894

Unrealized loss on commodity derivatives
8,534

 

 
 
 
8,534

 
2,926

 

 
 
 
2,926

Inventory fair value adjustments
(60,920
)
 
(2,877
)
 
 
 
(63,797
)
 
32,200

 
1,946

 
 
 
34,146

Adjusted EBITDA
$
261,140

 
$
250,540

 
 
 
$
511,680

 
$
214,127

 
$
315,008

 
 
 
$
529,135

Capital expenditures
$
78,369

 
$
212,191

 
 
 
$
290,560

 
$
98,283

 
$
244,146

 
 
 
$
342,429

Total assets at end of period
$
2,938,747

 
$
6,058,254

 
 
 
$
8,997,001

 
$
2,925,842

 
$
5,915,977

 
 
 
$
8,841,819

 
17.
Net Income per Unit
Net income per unit applicable to limited partners (including subordinated unitholders prior to the conversion of our subordinated units on November 30, 2015) is computed by dividing limited partners’ interest in net income by the weighted-average number of outstanding common and subordinated units. Our net income is allocated to the limited partners in accordance with their respective partnership percentages, after giving effect to any priority income allocations for incentive distributions and distributions on employee unit awards. Earnings in excess of distributions are allocated to the limited partners based on their respective ownership interests. Payments made to our unitholders are determined in relation to actual distributions declared and are not based on the net income allocations used in the calculation of net income per unit.
In addition to the common and subordinated units, we identify the IDRs as participating securities and use the two-class method when calculating net income per unit applicable to limited partners, which is based on the weighted-average number of common units outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per unit includes the effects of potentially dilutive units on our common units, consisting of unvested phantom units. Basic and diluted net income per unit applicable to subordinated limited partners are the same because there are no potentially dilutive subordinated units outstanding.

22


A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted per unit computations is as follows (in thousands, except units and per unit amounts):
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Net income and comprehensive income
$
44,551

 
$
34,711

 
$
178,697

 
$
177,551

Less: Net income and comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 
852

 

 
2,545

Less: Preacquisition income allocated to general partner

 
6,315

 

 
117,728

Net income and comprehensive income attributable to partners
44,551

 
27,544

 
178,697

 
57,278

Less: Incentive distribution rights
20,396

 
8,441

 
60,311

 
13,252

Less: Distributions on nonvested phantom unit awards
906

 
349

 
2,760

 
971

Limited partners’ interest in net income
$
23,249

 
$
18,754

 
$
115,626

 
$
43,055

Weighted average limited partner units outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common - basic
95,339,786

 
43,772,026

 
92,720,563

 
30,994,016

Common - equivalents
74,658

 
116

 
74,658

 
116

Common - diluted
95,414,444

 
43,772,142

 
92,795,221

 
30,994,132

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Subordinated - basic and diluted

 
10,939,436

 

 
10,939,436

Net income per limited partner unit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common - basic and diluted
$
0.24

 
$
0.30

 
$
1.25

 
$
0.96

Subordinated - basic and diluted
$

 
$
0.52

 
$

 
$
1.21

18.
Related-Party Transactions
Through Sunoco LLC, we are party to the following fee-based commercial agreements with various affiliates of ETP:
Philadelphia Energy Solutions Products Purchase Agreements – two related products purchase agreements, one with Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refining & Marketing (“PES”) and one with PES’s product financier Merrill Lynch Commodities; both purchase agreements contain 12-month terms that automatically renew for consecutive 12-month terms until either party cancels with notice. ETP Retail owns a noncontrolling interest in the parent of PES.
Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P. (“SXL”) Transportation and Terminalling Contracts – Sunoco LLC is party to various agreements with subsidiaries of SXL for pipeline, terminalling and storage services. SXL is a consolidated subsidiary of ETP. Sunoco LLC also has agreements with subsidiaries of SXL for the purchase and sale of fuel.
We are party to the Susser Distribution Contract, a 10-year agreement under which we are the exclusive distributor of motor fuel at cost (including tax and transportation costs), plus a fixed profit margin of three cents per gallon to Susser’s existing Stripes convenience stores and independently operated consignment locations. This profit margin is eliminated through consolidation from the date of common control, September 1, 2014, and thereafter, in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
We are party to the Sunoco Distribution Contract, a 10-year agreement under which Sunoco LLC is the exclusive wholesale distributor of motor fuel to Sunoco Retail’s convenience stores. Pursuant to the agreement, pricing is cost plus a fixed margin of four cents per gallon. This profit margin is eliminated through consolidation from the date of common control, September 1, 2014, and thereafter, in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
In connection with the closing of our IPO on September 25, 2012, we also entered into an Omnibus Agreement with Susser (the “Omnibus Agreement”). Pursuant to the Omnibus Agreement, among other things, the Partnership received a three-year option to purchase from Susser up to 75 of Susser's new or recently constructed Stripes convenience stores at Susser's cost and lease the stores back to Susser at a specified rate for a 15-year initial term. The Partnership is the exclusive distributor of motor fuel to such stores for a period of 10 years from the date of purchase. During 2015, we completed all 75 sale-leaseback transactions under the Omnibus Agreement.

23


Summary of Transactions
Affiliate activity related to the Consolidated Balance Sheets and Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income is as follows:
Net advances from affiliates was $62.7 million as of September 30, 2016. Net advances to affiliates was $365.5 million as of December 31, 2015. Advances to and from affiliates are primarily related to the treasury services agreements between Sunoco LLC and Sunoco, Inc. (R&M) and Sunoco Retail and Sunoco, Inc. (R&M), which are in place for purposes of cash management. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, approximately $175 million was used to repay a portion of the 2014 Revolver.
Accounts receivable from affiliates were $8.8 million and $8.1 million as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, which are primarily related to motor fuel purchases from us.
Accounts payable to affiliates was $31.6 million and $15.0 million as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, which are related to operational expenses and fuel pipeline purchases.
Wholesale motor fuel sales to affiliates of $28.2 million and $3.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Wholesale motor fuel sales to affiliates of $45.1 million and $8.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Bulk fuel purchases from affiliates of $493.5 million and $549.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, which is included in wholesale motor fuel cost of sales in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
Bulk fuel purchases from affiliates of $1.4 billion and $2.0 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, which is included in wholesale motor fuel cost of sales in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
19.
Subsequent Events
On October 4, 2016, we entered into an equity distribution agreement (the “Agreement”) with RBC Capital Markets, LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Credit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Goldman, Sachs & Co., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Mizuho Securities USA Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, MUFG Securities Americas Inc., Natixis Securities Americas LLC, SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., TD Securities (USA) LLC, UBS Securities LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (each a “Manager” and collectively, the “Managers”). Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the Partnership may sell from time to time through the Managers the Partnership’s common units representing limited partner interests having an aggregate offering price of up to $400 million (the “Common Units”). Sales of the Common Units, if any, made under the Agreement will be made by means of ordinary brokers’ transactions through the facilities of the New York Stock Exchange at market prices, or as otherwise agreed upon by the Partnership and the Managers, by means of any other existing trading market for the Partnership’s common units or to or through a market maker other than on an exchange. We have issued 225,834 units from October 4, 2016 through November 7, 2016, with total net proceeds of $6.5 million.
We intend to use the net proceeds from sales pursuant to the Agreement, after deducting Managers’ commissions and the Partnership’s offering expenses, for general partnership purposes, which may include repaying or refinancing all or a portion of our outstanding indebtedness and funding capital expenditures, acquisitions or working capital.
On October 12, 2016, we completed the previously announced acquisition of the convenience store, wholesale motor fuel distribution, and commercial fuels distribution business serving East Texas and Louisiana from Denny Oil Company (“Denny”) for approximately $54.6 million plus inventory on hand at closing, subject to closing adjustments. This acquisition includes six company‑owned and operated locations, six company-owned and dealer operated locations, wholesale fuel supply contracts for a network of independent dealer-owned and dealer-operated locations, and a commercial fuels business in the Eastern Texas and Louisiana markets. As part of the acquisition, we acquired 13 fee properties, which included the six company operated locations, six dealer operated locations and a bulk plant and an office facility. This transaction was funded using amounts available under our revolving credit facility with the total purchase consideration allocated to assets acquired based on the preliminary estimate of their respective fair values on the purchase date. Management is in the process of evaluating the initial purchase price allocation.

24


Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes to consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report. Additional discussion and analysis related to our Partnership is contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K including the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 and on our Form 8-K filed on July 15, 2016.
EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and distributable cash flow are non-GAAP financial measures of performance that have limitations and should not be considered as a substitute for net income or cash provided by (used in) operating activities. Please see footnote (2) under “Key Operating Metrics” below for a discussion of our use of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and distributable cash flow in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and a reconciliation to net income for the periods presented.
Forward-Looking Statements
This report, including without limitation, our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations, and any information incorporated by reference, contains statements that we believe are “forward-looking statements”. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by use of phrases such as “believe,” “plan,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “forecast” or other similar words or phrases. Descriptions of our objectives, goals, targets, plans, strategies, costs, anticipated capital expenditures, expected cost savings and benefits are also forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on our current plans and expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to vary materially from the results and events anticipated or implied by such forward-looking statements, including:
our ability to make, complete and integrate acquisitions from affiliates or third-parties, including the recently completed acquisition of the remaining membership interests in Sunoco, LLC (“Sunoco LLC”) and Sunoco Retail LLC (“Sunoco Retail”);
business strategy and operations of Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (“ETP”) and Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (“ETE”) and ETP’s and ETE’s conflicts of interest with us;
changes in the price of and demand for the motor fuel that we distribute and our ability to appropriately hedge any motor fuel we hold in inventory;
our dependence on limited principal suppliers;
competition in the wholesale motor fuel distribution and convenience store industry;
changing customer preferences for alternate fuel sources or improvement in fuel efficiency;
environmental, tax and other federal, state and local laws and regulations;
the fact that we are not fully insured against all risks incident to our business;
dangers inherent in the storage and transportation of motor fuel;
our reliance on senior management, supplier trade credit and information technology; and
our partnership structure, which may create conflicts of interest between us and Sunoco GP LLC, our general partner (“General Partner”), and its affiliates, and limits the fiduciary duties of our General Partner and its affiliates.
All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements.
For a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, please refer to “Item 1A. Risk Factors” included herein and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. The list of factors that could affect future performance and the accuracy of forward-looking statements is illustrative but by no means exhaustive. Accordingly, all forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. The forward-looking statements included in this report are based on, and include, our estimates as of the filing of this report. We anticipate that subsequent events and market developments will cause our estimates to change. However, while we may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so except as required by law, even if new information becomes available in the future.

25


Overview
As used in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, the terms “Partnership”, “SUN”, “we”, “us”, or “our” should be understood to refer to Sunoco LP and our consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
We are a growth-oriented Delaware master limited partnership engaged in the retail sale of motor fuels and merchandise through our company-operated convenience stores and retail fuel sites, as well as the wholesale distribution of motor fuels to convenience stores, independent dealers, commercial customers and distributors. Additionally, through Sunoco LLC, we are the exclusive wholesale supplier of the iconic Sunoco-branded motor fuel, supplying an extensive distribution network of approximately 5,315 Sunoco-branded company and third-party operated locations throughout the East Coast, Midwest and Southeast regions of the United States including approximately 210 company-operated Sunoco-branded Stripes locations in Texas.
We are managed by our General Partner. ETE, a publicly traded master limited partnership, owns 100% of the membership interests in our General Partner, a 2.0% limited partner interest in us and all of our incentive distribution rights.  ETP, another publicly traded master limited partnership which is also controlled by ETE, owns a 38.9% limited partner interest in us. Additional information is provided in Note 1 of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
In late 2015, we announced plans to open a corporate office in Dallas, Texas. Certain employees are relocating to Dallas from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Houston, Texas and Corpus Christi, Texas. We currently estimate the costs to be incurred in 2016 will be approximately $15.0 million to $20.0 million, but do not expect such costs to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
On March 31, 2016 (effective January 1, 2016), we completed the acquisition from ETP Retail, of (i) the remaining 68.42% membership interest and 49.9% voting interest in Sunoco LLC and (ii) 100% of the membership interest of Sunoco Retail, which immediately prior to the acquisition owned all of the retail assets previously owned by Sunoco, Inc. (R&M), the ethanol plant located in Fulton, NY, 100% of the interests in Sunmarks, LLC and all of the retail assets previously owned by Atlantic Refining and Marketing Corp. (See Note 3 in the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information).
We believe we are one of the largest independent motor fuel distributors by gallons in Texas and one of the largest distributors of Chevron, Exxon, and Valero branded motor fuels in the United States. In addition to distributing motor fuel, we also distribute other petroleum products such as propane and lube oil, and we receive rental income from real estate that we lease or sublease. Sales of fuel from our wholesale segment to our retail segment are delivered at a cost plus profit margin.
We purchase motor fuel primarily from independent refiners and major oil companies and distribute it across more than 30 states throughout the East Coast, Midwest and Southeast regions of the United States, as well as Hawaii to approximately:
1,345 company-operated convenience stores and fuel outlets;
165 independently operated consignment locations where we sell motor fuel to retail customers under consignment arrangements with such operators;
5,430 convenience stores and retail fuel outlets operated by independent operators, which we refer to as “dealers” or “distributors,” pursuant to long-term distribution agreements; and
1,895 other commercial customers, including unbranded convenience stores, other fuel distributors, school districts, municipalities and other industrial customers.
Our retail segment operates approximately 1,345 convenience stores and fuel outlets. Our retail convenience stores operate under several brands, including our proprietary brands Stripes, APlus, and Aloha Island Mart, and offer a broad selection of food, beverages, snacks, grocery and non-food merchandise, motor fuel and other services. We sold 651.4 million and 1.9 billion retail motor fuel gallons at these sites during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. We opened fourteen new retail sites during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, which is reflected in retail activity for the period.
We operate approximately 730 Stripes convenience stores that carry a broad selection of food, beverages, snacks, grocery and non-food merchandise. Our proprietary in-house Laredo Taco Company restaurant is implemented in approximately 455 Stripes convenience stores and we intend to implement it in all newly constructed Stripes convenience stores. Additionally, we have approximately 55 national branded restaurant offerings in our Stripes stores.
We operate approximately 455 retail convenience stores and fuel outlets primarily under our proprietary iconic Sunoco fuel brand and primarily located in Pennsylvania, New York, and Florida, including 400 APlus convenience stores.
We operate approximately 160 MACS and Aloha convenience stores and fuel outlets in Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, Georgia, and Hawaii offering merchandise, foodservice, motor fuel and other services.

26


Recent Developments
On October 12, 2016, we completed the previously announced acquisition of the convenience store, wholesale motor fuel distribution, and commercial fuels distribution business serving East Texas and Louisiana from Denny Oil Company (“Denny”) for approximately $54.6 million plus inventory on hand at closing, subject to closing adjustments. This acquisition includes six company‑owned and operated locations, six company-owned and dealer operated locations, wholesale fuel supply contracts for a network of independent dealer-owned and dealer-operated locations, and a commercial fuels business in the Eastern Texas and Louisiana markets. As part of the acquisition, we acquired 13 fee properties, which included the six company operated locations, six dealer operated locations and a bulk plant and an office facility. This transaction was funded using amounts available under our revolving credit facility with the total purchase consideration allocated to assets acquired based on the preliminary estimate of their respective fair values on the purchase date.
On August 31, 2016, we acquired the fuels business (the "Fuels Business") from Emerge Energy Services LP (NYSE: EMES) ("Emerge") for $171.5 million, inclusive of working capital and other adjustments. The Fuels Business comprises Dallas-based Direct Fuels LLC and Birmingham-based Allied Energy Company LLC, both wholly owned subsidiaries of Emerge, and engages in the processing of transmix and the distribution of refined fuels. As part of the acquisition, we acquired two transmix processing plants with attached refined product terminals. Combined, the plants can process over 10,000 barrels per day of transmix, and the associated terminals have over 800,000 barrels of storage capacity.
On June 22, 2016, we acquired 14 convenience stores and the wholesale fuel business in the Austin, Houston, and Waco, Texas markets from Kolkhorst Petroleum Inc. for $37.9 million plus the value of inventory on hand at closing. As part of the acquisition, we acquired 5 fee properties and 9 leased properties, all of which are company operated. The Kolkhorst acquisition also included supply contracts with dealer-owned and operated sites. This acquisition was funded using amounts available under our revolving credit facility with the total purchase consideration allocated to assets acquired based on the preliminary estimate of their respective fair values on the purchase date. Management is reviewing the valuation and confirming the results to determine the final purchase price allocation. As a result, material adjustments to this preliminary allocation may occur in the future. The acquisition preliminarily increased goodwill by $8.7 million.
On June 22, 2016, we acquired 18 convenience stores serving the upstate New York market from Valentine Stores, Inc. (“Valentine”) for $76.2 million plus the value of inventory on hand at closing. As part of the Valentine acquisition, we acquired 19 fee properties, of which 18 are company operated stores and one is a standalone Tim Hortons, one leased Tim Hortons property and three raw tracts of land in fee for future store development. This acquisition was funded using amounts available under our revolving credit facility with the total purchase consideration allocated to assets acquired based on the preliminary estimate of their respective fair values on the purchase date. Management is reviewing the valuation and confirming the results to determine the final purchase price allocation. As a result, material adjustments to this preliminary allocation may occur in the future. The acquisition preliminarily increased goodwill by $35.2 million.
On May 2, 2016, we finalized an agreement with the Indiana Toll Road Concession Company to develop and operate 8 travel plazas along the 150-mile toll road. The agreement has a 20-year term with an estimated cost of $31 million. The first series of plaza reconstruction began in the third quarter of 2016, and the total construction period is expected to last two years.
On March 28, 2016, Aloha Petroleum entered into a Store Development Agreement with Dunkin’ Donuts to be the exclusive developer of Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants in the state of Hawaii for an initial term of eight years. Aloha has committed to building and operating 15 Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants at an estimated cost of $20 million. Aloha anticipates that approximately half the restaurants will be built on existing Aloha-controlled (convenience store / gas station) properties and half will be standalone restaurants developed on properties that will be acquired in the future.
Key Operating Metrics
The following information is intended to provide investors with a reasonable basis for assessing our historical operations but should not serve as the only criteria for predicting our future performance. We operate our business in two primary operating divisions, wholesale and retail, both of which are included as reportable segments.
Key operating metrics set forth below are presented as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 and have been derived from our historical consolidated financial statements.

27


The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, information concerning key measures we rely on to gauge our operating performance (in thousands, except gross profit per gallon):
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
Wholesale
 
Retail
 
Total
 
 
Wholesale
 
Retail
 
Total
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail motor fuel
$

 
$
1,401,830

 
$
1,401,830

 
 
$

 
$
1,580,815

 
$
1,580,815

Wholesale motor fuel sales to third parties
2,026,454

 

 
2,026,454

 
 
2,664,186

 

 
2,664,186

Wholesale motor fuel sales to affiliates
28,226

 

 
28,226

 
 
3,779

 

 
3,779

Merchandise

 
605,275

 
605,275

 
 

 
589,299

 
589,299

Rental income
19,353

 
3,530

 
22,883

 
 
11,333

 
9,616

 
20,949

Other
13,331

 
39,318

 
52,649

 
 
5,996

 
41,748

 
47,744

Total revenues
$
2,087,364

 
$
2,049,953

 
$
4,137,317

 
 
$
2,685,294

 
$
2,221,478

 
$
4,906,772

Gross profit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail motor fuel
$

 
$
179,003

 
$
179,003

 
 
$

 
$
196,002

 
$
196,002

Wholesale motor fuel
138,169

 

 
138,169

 
 
76,174

 

 
76,174

Merchandise

 
192,292

 
192,292

 
 

 
185,120

 
185,120

Rental and other
26,629

 
41,294

 
67,923

 
 
16,099

 
51,363

 
67,462

Total gross profit
$
164,798

 
$
412,589

 
$
577,387

 
 
$
92,273

 
$
432,485

 
$
524,758

Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) attributable to partners
$
47,318

 
$
(2,767
)
 
$
44,551

 
 
$
2,595

 
$
24,949

 
$
27,544

Adjusted EBITDA attributable to partners (2)
$
87,867

 
$
101,053

 
$
188,920

 
 
$
106,977

 
$
142,800

 
$
249,777

Distributable cash flow attributable to partners, as adjusted (2)
 
 
 
 
$
124,084

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
112,378

Operating Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total motor fuel gallons sold:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail
 
 
651,386

 
651,386

 
 
 
 
639,824

 
639,824

Wholesale
1,371,236

 
 
 
1,371,236

 
 
1,308,814

 
 
 
1,308,814

Motor fuel gross profit (cents per gallon) (1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail
 
 
27.5¢

 
 
 
 
 
 
31.2¢

 
 
Wholesale
10.0¢

 
 
 
 
 
 
12.5¢

 
 
 
 
Volume-weighted average for all gallons
 
 
 
 
15.6¢

 
 
 

 
 
 
18.6¢

Retail merchandise margin
 
 
31.8%

 
 
 
 
 
 
31.4%

 
 
________________________________
(1)
Excludes the impact of inventory fair value adjustments consistent with the definition of Adjusted EBITDA.
(2)
We define EBITDA as net income before net interest expense, income tax expense and depreciation, amortization and accretion expense. We define Adjusted EBITDA to include adjustments for non-cash compensation expense, gains and losses on disposal of assets, unrealized gains and losses on commodity derivatives and inventory fair value adjustments. We define distributable cash flow as Adjusted EBITDA less cash interest expense including the accrual of interest expense related to our 2020 and 2023 Senior Notes that is paid on a semi-annual basis, current income tax expense, maintenance capital expenditures, and other non-cash adjustments. Further adjustments are made to distributable cash flow for certain transaction-related and non-recurring expenses that are included in net income.
We believe EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and distributable cash flow are useful to investors in evaluating our operating performance because:
Adjusted EBITDA is used as a performance measure under our revolving credit facility;
securities analysts and other interested parties use such metrics as measures of financial performance, ability to make distributions to our unitholders and debt service capabilities;
our management uses them for internal planning purposes, including aspects of our consolidated operating budget, and capital expenditures; and
distributable cash flow provides useful information to investors as it is a widely accepted financial indicator used by investors to compare partnership performance, and as it provides investors an enhanced perspective of the operating performance of our assets and the cash our business is generating.

28


EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow are not recognized terms under GAAP and do not purport to be alternatives to net income (loss) as measures of operating performance or to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow have limitations as analytical tools, and should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations include:
they do not reflect our total cash expenditures, or future requirements for, capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
they do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, working capital;
they do not reflect interest expense or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our revolving credit facility or term loan;
although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect cash requirements for such replacements; and
because not all companies use identical calculations, our presentation of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.
The following table presents a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
Wholesale
 
Retail
 
Total
 
 
Wholesale
 
Retail
 
Total
Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss)
$
47,318

 
$
(2,767
)
 
$
44,551

 
 
$
(10,399
)
 
$
45,110

 
$
34,711

   Depreciation, amortization and accretion
21,819

 
55,809

 
77,628

 
 
13,571

 
52,413

 
65,984

   Interest expense, net
13,198

 
41,091

 
54,289

 
 
13,106

 
15,411

 
28,517

Income tax expense (benefit)
507

 
4,803

 
5,310

 
 
39

 
30,085

 
30,124

EBITDA
$
82,842

 
$
98,936

 
$
181,778

 
 
$
16,317

 
$
143,019

 
$
159,336

   Non-cash stock compensation expense
1,516

 
1,501

 
3,017

 
 
1,697

 
435

 
2,132

   Loss (gain) on disposal of assets
(599
)
 
802

 
203

 
 
921

 
(174
)
 
747

   Unrealized loss on commodity derivatives
5,689

 

 
5,689

 
 
735

 

 
735

   Inventory fair value adjustment
(1,581
)
 
(186
)
 
(1,767
)
 
 
87,307

 
3,456

 
90,763

Adjusted EBITDA
$
87,867

 
$
101,053

 
$
188,920

 
 
$
106,977

 
$
146,736

 
$
253,713

Adjusted EBITDA attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 
 

 
3,936

 
3,936

Adjusted EBITDA attributable to partners
$
87,867

 
$
101,053

 
$
188,920

 
 
$
106,977

 
$
142,800

 
$
249,777

Cash interest expense (3)
 
 
 
 
50,681

 
 
 
 
 
 
27,419

Income tax expense (benefit) (current)
 
 
 
 
(14,574
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
537

Maintenance capital expenditures
 
 
 
 
29,705

 
 
 
 
 
 
8,351

Preacquisition earnings
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
101,950

Distributable cash flow attributable to partners
 
 
 
 
$
123,108

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
111,520

Transaction-related expense
 
 
 
 
976

 
 
 
 
 
 
858

Distributable cash flow attributable to partners, as adjusted
 
 
 
 
$
124,084

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
112,378

________________________________
(3)
Reflects the Partnership’s cash interest less the cash interest paid on our VIE debt of $2.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2015.

 

29


Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
The following discussion of results compares the operations for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.
Revenue. Total revenue for the third quarter of 2016 was $4.1 billion, a decrease of $769.5 million from the third quarter of 2015. This decrease is primarily attributable to the following:
a decrease in wholesale motor fuel revenue of $613.3 million due to a 26.5%, or a $0.54, decrease in the sales price per wholesale motor fuel gallon, slightly offset by an increase in wholesale motor fuel gallons sold of approximately 62.4 million;
a decrease in retail motor fuel revenue of $179.0 million due to a 12.9%, or $0.32, decrease in sales price per retail motor fuel gallon, slightly offset by an increase in gallons sold of approximately 11.6 million; offset by
an increase in merchandise revenue of $16.0 million at our company operated convenience stores due to an increase in the number of retail sites.
Gross Profit. Gross profit for the third quarter of 2016 was $577.4 million, an increase of $52.6 million from the third quarter of 2015. This increase is primarily attributable to the following:
an increase in the gross profit on wholesale motor fuel of $62.0 million due to a 31.8%, or a $0.65, decrease in the cost per wholesale motor fuel gallon;
an increase in the merchandise gross profit of $7.2 million due to the increase in the number of retail sites mentioned above. The related growth impact is $5.0 million, while the organic margin improvement is $2.2 million; offset by
a decrease in the gross profit on retail motor fuel of $17.0 million due to the 12.9%, or $0.32, decrease in the sales price per gallon mentioned above.
Total Operating Expenses. Total operating expenses for the third quarter of 2016 were $473.2 million, an increase of $41.8 million from the third quarter of 2015. This increase is primarily attributable to the following:
an increase of general and administrative expenses of $21.3 million primarily due to an increase in salaries, wages and recruiting cost of $7.2 million, relocation expenses of $6.0 million, and termination expenses of $7.7 million. These increases are primarily due to the transition of employees from Houston, Texas, Corpus Christi, Texas and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Dallas, Texas.
an increase in other operating expenses of $9.7 million primarily attributable to our retail business which has expanded through third-party acquisitions as well as through the construction of new-to-industry sites, resulting in a $1.8 million increase in personnel expense as well as a collective increase of $7.9 million of maintenance expenses, property taxes and licenses & permits; and
increased depreciation, amortization and accretion expense of $11.6 million due to third-party acquisitions completed in the last six months of 2015.
Interest Expense. Interest expense for the third quarter of 2016 was $54.3 million, an increase of $25.8 million from the third quarter of 2015. This increase is primarily attributable to borrowings under our term loan agreement ("Term Loan"), the issuance of our 2020 and 2021 Senior Notes, as well as the increase in borrowings under our $1.5 billion revolving credit facility expiring September 25, 2019 (as amended, the "2014 Revolver").
Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense for the third quarter of 2016 was $5.3 million, a decrease of $24.8 million from the third quarter of 2015. This decrease is primarily attributable to lower earnings from the Partnership's consolidated corporate subsidiaries.

30


 The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, information concerning key measures we rely on to gauge our operating performance (in thousands, except gross profit per gallon):
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
Wholesale
 
Retail
 
Total
 
 
Wholesale
 
Retail
 
Total
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail motor fuel
$

 
$
3,876,542

 
$
3,876,542

 
 
$

 
$
4,597,670

 
$
4,597,670

Wholesale motor fuel sales to third parties
5,544,905

 

 
5,544,905

 
 
7,946,323

 

 
7,946,323

Wholesale motor fuel sales to affiliates
45,065

 

 
45,065

 
 
8,718

 

 
8,718

Merchandise

 
1,705,963

 
1,705,963

 
 

 
1,633,102

 
1,633,102

Rental income
57,210

 
10,372

 
67,582

 
 
34,327

 
26,938

 
61,265

Other
30,164

 
121,576

 
151,740

 
 
17,876

 
118,754

 
136,630

Total revenues
5,677,344

 
5,714,453

 
11,391,797

 
 
8,007,244

 
6,376,464

 
14,383,708

Gross profit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail motor fuel
$

 
$
447,883

 
$
447,883

 
 
$

 
$
483,207

 
$
483,207

Wholesale motor fuel
453,887

 

 
453,887

 
 
331,711

 

 
331,711

Merchandise

 
545,962

 
545,962

 
 

 
510,132

 
510,132

Rental and other
78,974

 
129,991

 
208,965

 
 
48,588

 
145,563

 
194,151

Total gross profit
$
532,861

 
$
1,123,836

 
$
1,656,697

 
 
$
380,299

 
$
1,138,902

 
$
1,519,201

Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) attributable to partners
$
207,230

 
$
(28,533
)
 
$
178,697

 
 
$
20,800

 
$
36,478

 
$
57,278

Adjusted EBITDA attributable to partners (2)
$
261,140

 
$
250,540

 
$
511,680

 
 
$
214,127

 
$
303,160

 
$
517,287

Distributable cash flow attributable to partners, as adjusted (2)
 
 
 
 
$
327,696

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
182,127

Operating Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total motor fuel gallons sold:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail
 
 
1,890,590

 
1,890,590

 
 
 
 
1,868,100

 
1,868,100

Wholesale
3,929,697

 
 
 
3,929,697

 
 
3,913,395

 
 
 
3,913,395

Motor fuel gross profit (cents per gallon) (1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Retail
 
 
23.5¢

 
 
 
 
 
 
26.0¢

 
 
Wholesale
10.0¢

 
 
 
 
 
 
9.3¢

 
 
 
 
Volume-weighted average for all gallons
 
 
 
 
14.4¢

 
 
 
 
 
 
14.7¢

Retail merchandise margin
 

 
32.0%

 
 

 
 
 

 
31.2%

 
 

_______________________________
(1)
Excludes the impact of inventory fair value adjustments consistent with the definition of Adjusted EBITDA.
(2)
We define EBITDA as net income before net interest expense, income tax expense and depreciation, amortization and accretion expense. We define Adjusted EBITDA to include adjustments for non-cash compensation expense, gains and losses on disposal of assets, unrealized gains and losses on commodity derivatives and inventory fair value adjustments. We define distributable cash flow as Adjusted EBITDA less cash interest expense including the accrual of interest expense related to our 2020 and 2023 Senior Notes that is paid on a semi-annual basis, current income tax expense, maintenance capital expenditures, and other non-cash adjustments. Further adjustments are made to distributable cash flow for certain transaction-related and non-recurring expenses that are included in net income
We believe EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and distributable cash flow are useful to investors in evaluating our operating performance because:
Adjusted EBITDA is used as a performance measure under our revolving credit facility;
securities analysts and other interested parties use such metrics as measures of financial performance, ability to make distributions to our unitholders and debt service capabilities;
our management uses them for internal planning purposes, including aspects of our consolidated operating budget, and capital expenditures; and
distributable cash flow provides useful information to investors as it is a widely accepted financial indicator used by investors to compare partnership performance, and as it provides investors an enhanced perspective of the operating performance of our assets and the cash our business is generating.


31


EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow are not recognized terms under GAAP and do not purport to be alternatives to net income (loss) as measures of operating performance or to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow have limitations as analytical tools, and should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations include:
they do not reflect our total cash expenditures, or future requirements for, capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
they do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, working capital;
they do not reflect interest expense or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our revolving credit facility or term loan;
although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect cash requirements for such replacements; and
because not all companies use identical calculations, our presentation of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

The following table presents a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2016
 
 
2015
 
Wholesale
 
Retail
 
Total
 
 
Wholesale
 
Retail
 
Total
Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss)
$
207,230

 
$
(28,533
)
 
$
178,697

 
 
$
92,559

 
$
84,992

 
$
177,551

   Depreciation, amortization and accretion
60,427

 
173,991

 
234,418

 
 
47,821

 
155,106

 
202,927

   Interest expense, net
41,304

 
91,261

 
132,565

 
 
33,293

 
24,399

 
57,692

Income tax expense
1,361

 
7,529

 
8,890

 
 
898

 
46,215

 
47,113

EBITDA
$
310,322

 
$
244,248

 
$
554,570

 
 
$
174,571

 
$
310,712

 
$
485,283

   Non-cash stock compensation expense
4,600

 
4,855

 
9,455

 
 
3,361

 
2,525

 
5,886

   Loss (gain) on disposal of assets
(1,396
)
 
4,314

 
2,918

 
 
1,069

 
(175
)
 
894

   Unrealized loss on commodity derivatives
8,534

 

 
8,534

 
 
2,926

 

 
2,926

   Inventory fair value adjustments
(60,920
)
 
(2,877
)
 
(63,797
)
 
 
32,200

 
1,946

 
34,146

Adjusted EBITDA
$
261,140

 
$
250,540

 
$
511,680

 
 
$
214,127

 
$
315,008

 
$
529,135

Adjusted EBITDA attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 
 

 
11,848

 
11,848

Adjusted EBITDA attributable to partners
$
261,140

 
$
250,540

 
$
511,680

 
 
$
214,127

 
$
303,160

 
$
517,287

Cash interest expense (3)
 
 
 
 
124,957

 
 
 
 
 
 
49,636

Income tax expense (benefit) (current)
 
 
 
 
(12,166
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
410

Maintenance capital expenditures
 
 
 
 
73,276

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
18,630

Preacquisition earnings
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
270,926

Distributable cash flow attributable to partners
 
 
 
 
$
325,613

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
177,685

Transaction-related expenses
 
 
 
 
2,083

 
 
 
 
 
 
4,442

Distributable cash flow attributable to partners, as adjusted
 
 
 
 
$
327,696

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
182,127

__________________________________
(3)
Reflects the Partnership’s cash interest less the cash interest paid on our VIE debt of $7.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015.


32


Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
The following discussion of results compares the operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.
Revenue. Total revenue for the first nine months of 2016 was $11.4 billion, a decrease of $3.0 billion from the first nine months of 2015. This change is primarily attributable to the following:
a decrease in wholesale motor fuel revenue of $2.4 billion due to a 30.0%, or a $0.61, decrease in the sales price per wholesale motor fuel gallon, slightly offset by an increase in wholesale motor fuel gallons sold of approximately 16.3 million;
a decrease in retail motor fuel revenue of $721.2 million due to a 16.7%, or $0.41, decrease in sales price per retail motor fuel gallon, offset by an increase in gallons sold of approximately 22.5 million; offset by
an increase in merchandise revenue of $72.9 million at our company operated convenience stores due to an increase in the number of retail sites.
Gross Profit. Gross profit for the first nine months of 2016 was $1.7 billion, an increase of $137.5 million from the first nine months of 2015. This increase is primarily attributable to the following:
an increase in the gross profit on wholesale motor fuel of $122.2 million due to a 34.0%, or $0.66, decrease in the cost per wholesale motor fuel gallon; and
an increase in merchandise gross profit of $35.8 million due to the increase in the number of retail sites mentioned above. The related growth impact is $22.8 million, while the organic margin improvement is $13.1 million;
an increase in the rental and other gross profit of $14.8 million due to increased other retail income such as car wash, ATM, and lottery income; offset by
a decrease in the gross profit on retail motor fuel of $35.3 million due to the 16.7%, or $0.41, decrease in the sales price per retail motor fuel gallon mentioned above.
Total Operating Expenses. Total operating expenses for the first nine months of 2016 were $1.3 billion, an increase of $99.7 million from the first nine months of 2015. This increase is primarily attributable to the following:
an increase in general and administrative costs of $34.0 million primarily due to $15.3 million for the transition of employees from Houston, Texas, Corpus Christi, Texas and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Dallas, Texas, with the remaining increase due to higher professional fees and other administrative expenses, which includes salaries, wages and recruiting cost and telecommunication;
an increase in other operating expenses of $32.5 million primarily attributable to our retail business which has expanded through third-party acquisitions as well as through the construction of new-to-industry sites, resulting in a $25.9 million increase in personnel expense and a $14.2 million collective increase of maintenance, property tax and licenses & permits; partially offset by lower dealer incentive programs of $7.7 million and;
an increase in depreciation, amortization and accretion expense of $31.5 million due to third-party acquisitions completed in the last six months of 2015.
Interest Expense. Interest expense for the first nine months of 2016 was $132.6 million, an increase of $74.9 million from the first nine months of 2015. This increase is attributable to borrowings under our Term Loan, the issuance of our 2020, 2023 and 2021 Senior Notes, as well as the increase in borrowings under our 2014 Revolver.
Income Tax Expense. Income tax expense for the first nine months of 2016 was $8.9 million, a decrease of $38.2 million from the first nine months of 2015. This decrease is primarily attributable to lower earnings from the Partnership's consolidated corporate subsidiaries.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity
Our principal liquidity requirements are to finance current operations, to fund capital expenditures, including acquisitions from time to time, to service our debt and to make distributions. We expect our ongoing sources of liquidity to include cash generated from operations, borrowings under our revolving credit facility and the issuance of additional long-term debt or partnership units as appropriate given market conditions. We expect that these sources of funds will be adequate to provide for our short-term and long-term liquidity needs.

33


Our ability to meet our debt service obligations and other capital requirements, including capital expenditures and acquisitions, will depend on our future operating performance which, in turn, will be subject to general economic, financial, business, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other conditions, many of which are beyond our control. As a normal part of our business, depending on market conditions, we will from time to time consider opportunities to repay, redeem, repurchase or refinance our indebtedness. Changes in our operating plans, lower than anticipated sales, increased expenses, acquisitions or other events may cause us to seek additional debt or equity financing in future periods. There can be no guarantee that financing will be available on acceptable terms or at all. Debt financing, if available, could impose additional cash payment obligations and additional covenants and operating restrictions. In addition, any of the items discussed in detail under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” included herein and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 may also significantly impact our liquidity.
We had $80.6 million and $72.6 million of cash and cash equivalents on hand as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, all of which were unrestricted. As of September 30, 2016, the balance under the 2014 Revolver was $958.2 million, and $23.6 million in standby letters of credit were outstanding. The unused availability on the 2014 Revolver at September 30, 2016 was $518.2 million. The Partnership was in compliance with all financial covenants at September 30, 2016.
Cash Flows
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in)
 
 
 
Operating activities
$
340,628

 
$
349,587

Investing activities
(2,806,681
)
 
(2,172,454
)
Financing activities
2,473,991

 
1,743,910

Net increase (decrease) in cash
$
7,938

 
$
(78,957
)
Cash Flows Provided by Operations. Cash flows provided by operations are our main source of liquidity. Our daily working capital requirements fluctuate within each month, primarily in response to the timing of payments for motor fuel, motor fuel tax and rent. Net cash provided by operations was $340.6 million and $349.6 million for the first nine months of 2016 and 2015, respectively. Cash flows fluctuate with increases or decreases in accounts receivable and accounts payable which are impacted by increasing or decreasing motor fuel prices and costs, as well as organic growth in volumes sold and volume increases due to acquisitions.
Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities. Net cash used in investing activities was $2.8 billion and $2.2 billion for the first nine months of 2016 and 2015, respectively, of which $2.5 billion and $1.8 billion in the first nine months of 2016 and 2015, respectively, was due to acquisitions. Capital expenditures were $290.6 million and $342.4 million for the first nine months of 2016 and 2015, respectively. Included in our capital expenditures for the first nine months of 2016 was $73.3 million in maintenance capital and $217.3 million in growth capital. Growth capital relates primarily to new store construction.
Cash Flows Provided by Financing Activities. Net cash provided by financing activities was $2.5 billion and $1.7 billion  for the first nine months of 2016 and 2015, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we:
borrowed $2.0 billion and repaid $799.0 million under our Term Loan;
borrowed $2.2 billion and repaid $1.7 billion under our 2014 Revolver to fund daily operations;
borrowed $800.0 million under our Senior Notes due 2021;
paid $285.9 million in distributions to our unitholders, of which $163.2 million was paid to ETP and ETE collectively; and
paid $50.0 million in distributions to ETP.
We intend to pay a cash distribution to the holders of our common units and Class C units representing limited partners interest in the Partnership (“Class C Units”) on a quarterly basis, to the extent we have sufficient cash from our operations after establishment of cash reserves and payment of fees and expenses, including payments to our General Partner and its affiliates. Class C unitholders receive distributions at a fixed rate equal to $0.8682 per quarter for each Class C Unit outstanding. There is no guarantee that we will pay a distribution on our units.

34


Capital Expenditures
We expect capital spending for the full year 2016, excluding acquisitions, to be within the following ranges (in millions):
 
Low
 
High
Maintenance
$
100

 
$
110

Growth
360

 
380

Total projected capital
$
460

 
$
490

 
The above growth capital spending estimate includes at least 35 new-to-industry stores that are planned to be built in 2016.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
Contractual Obligations. We have contractual obligations which are required to be settled in cash. As of September 30, 2016, we have $958.2 million borrowed on the 2014 Revolver compared to $450.0 million borrowed at December 31, 2015. The 2014 Revolver matures in September 2019. As of September 30, 2016, we had $2.2 billion outstanding under our Senior Notes, and $1.2 billion outstanding under our Term Loan. See Note 9 in the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on our debt transactions.
We enter into derivatives, such as futures and options, to manage our fuel price risk on inventory in the distribution system. Fuel hedging positions are not significant to our operations. We had 1,378 positions, representing 57.9 million gallons, outstanding at September 30, 2016 with a negative fair value of $8.8 million.
Properties. Most of our leases are net leases requiring us to pay taxes, insurance and maintenance costs. We believe that no individual site is material to us. The following table summarizes the number of owned and leased properties as of September 30, 2016:
 
 
Owned
 
Leased
Wholesale dealer and consignment sites
549

 
233

Company-operated convenience stores and fuel outlets
836

 
509

Warehouses, offices and other
65

 
59

Total
1,450

 
801

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Critical accounting policies are those we believe are both most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations, and require our most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Judgments and uncertainties affecting the application of those policies may result in materially different amounts being reported under different conditions or using different assumptions. Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 2 in the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and on our Form 8-K filed on July 15, 2016.


35


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk
We are subject to market risk from exposure to changes in interest rates based on our financing, investing and cash management activities. We had outstanding borrowings on the 2014 Revolver of $958.2 million and $1.2 billion under our Term Loan as of September 30, 2016. The annualized effect of a one percentage point change in floating interest rates on our variable rate debt obligations outstanding at September 30, 2016, would be to change interest expense by approximately $22.0 million. Our primary exposure relates to:
interest rate risk on short-term borrowings; and
the impact of interest rate movements on our ability to obtain adequate financing to fund future acquisitions.

While we cannot predict or manage our ability to refinance existing debt or the impact interest rate movements will have on our existing debt, management evaluates our financial position on an ongoing basis. From time to time, we may enter into interest rate swaps to reduce the impact of changes in interest rates on our floating rate debt. We had no interest rate swaps in effect during the first nine months of 2016 or 2015.
Commodity Price Risk
Aloha has terminals on all four major Hawaiian Islands that hold purchased fuel until it is delivered to customers (typically over a two to three week period). Commodity price risks relating to this inventory are not currently hedged. The terminal inventory balance was $15.0 million at September 30, 2016.
Sunoco LLC and Susser Petroleum Operating Company LLC (“SPOC”) hold working inventories of refined petroleum products, renewable fuels, gasoline blendstocks and transmix in storage. As of September 30, 2016, Sunoco LLC and SPOC held approximately $275.0 million  of such inventory. While in storage, volatility and declines in the market price of stored motor fuel could adversely impact the price at which we can later sell the motor fuel. However, Sunoco LLC and SPOC use futures, forwards and other derivative instruments to hedge a variety of price risks relating to deviations in that inventory from a target base operating level established by management. Derivative instruments utilized consist primarily of exchange-traded futures contracts traded on the NYMEX, CME and ICE as well as over-the-counter transactions (including swap agreements) entered into with established financial institutions and other credit-approved energy companies. Sunoco LLC’s and SPOC’s policy is generally to purchase only products for which there is a market and to structure sales contracts so that price fluctuations do not materially affect profit. Sunoco LLC also engages in controlled trading in accordance with specific parameters set forth in a written risk management policy. For the 2015 fiscal year, Sunoco LLC maintained an average eleven day working inventory. While these derivative instruments represent economic hedges, they are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes.
On a consolidated basis, the Partnership had 1,378 positions, representing 57.9 million gallons with a negative fair value of $8.8 million outstanding at September 30, 2016.

36


Item 4. Controls and Procedures
As required by paragraph (b) of Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), our senior management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, our senior management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has concluded, as of the end of the period covered by this report, that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level for which they were designed in that the information required to be disclosed by the Partnership in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms and such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
As of March 31, 2016 (effective January 1, 2016), we completed the acquisition of Sunoco Retail. In recording this acquisition, we followed our normal accounting procedures and internal controls. We started integrating Sunoco Retail into our existing internal control procedures from the date of the acquisition and we do not anticipate the integration of Sunoco Retail to result in changes that would materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.
Excluding the acquisition of Sunoco Retail, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13(a)–15(f) or Rule 15d–15(f) of the Exchange Act) that occurred during the three months ended September 30, 2016 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
From time to time, we make changes to our internal control over financial reporting that are intended to enhance its effectiveness and which do not have a material effect on our overall internal control over financial reporting. We will continue to evaluate the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting on an ongoing basis and will take action as appropriate.

37


PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Although we may, from time to time, be involved in litigation and claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business, we do not believe that we are party to any litigation that will have a material adverse impact.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
You should carefully consider the risks described in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, as well as the section within this report entitled “Forward-Looking Statements” under Part I. Financial Information - Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, before making any investment decision with respect to our securities. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently deem immaterial, could negatively impact our results of operations or financial condition in the future. If any of such risks actually occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information
None.
Item 6. Exhibits
The list of exhibits attached to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is incorporated herein by reference.

38


SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
SUNOCO LP
 
 
 
 
By
Sunoco GP LLC, its general partner
 
 
 
Date: November 9, 2016
By
/s/ Thomas R. Miller
 
 
Thomas R. Miller
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
(On behalf of the registrant and in his capacity as chief financial officer)
 
 
 
 
By
/s/ Leta McKinley
 
 
Leta McKinley
 
 
Vice President, Controller and
Principal Accounting Officer
(In her capacity as principal accounting officer)

39


EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit No.
 
Description
10.1
 
Third Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of August 1, 2016, by and among Sunoco LP, Bank of America, N.A. and the financial institutions parties thereto as Lenders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the current report on Form 8-K filed by the registrant on August 3, 2016)
 
 
 
31.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
 
 
 
31.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
 
 
 
32.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
 
 
 
32.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
 
 
 
99.1
 
Information Related to ETP Retail Holdings, LLC
 
 
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
 
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
 
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation
 
 
 
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition
 
 
 
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
 
 
 
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation

40