8-K

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 6, 2014

 

 

Lehigh Gas Partners LP

(Exact name of registrant specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-35711   45-4165414

(State or Other Jurisdiction

Of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

645 West Hamilton Street, Suite 500

Allentown, PA 18101

(Address of principal executive offices, zip code)

(610) 625-8000

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


Item 2.02 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

On August 6, 2014, Lehigh Gas Partners LP (the “Partnership”) issued a press release announcing the results of operations for the Partnership for the quarter ended June 30, 2014. The press release, attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference herein, is being furnished to the SEC and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for any purpose.

 

Item 7.01 REGULATION FD

On August 6, 2014, the Partnership and CST Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CST) (“CST Brands”) issued a joint press release announcing the sale of the Partnership’s general partner, Lehigh Gas GP LLC (the “General Partner”), to CST GP, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of CST Brands, from Lehigh Gas Corporation (“LGC”), an entity wholly owned by a trust for which Joseph V. Topper, Jr., the Chairman and CEO of the General Partner, is the trustee. The press release, attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2 and incorporated by reference herein, is being furnished to the SEC and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for any purpose.

 

Item 8.01 OTHER EVENTS

On August 6, 2014, LGC, an entity wholly owned by a trust for which Joseph V. Topper, Jr., the Chairman and CEO of the General Partner, is the trustee and trusts for which each of Mr. Topper and John B. Reilly, III, who is a director of the General Partner, serve as trustees and CST Brands entered into agreements pursuant to which CST Brands agreed to purchase 100% of the membership interests of the General Partner and all of the incentive distributions rights of the Partnership (the “General Partner Acquisition”). CST Brands is one of the largest independent retailers of motor fuels and convenience merchandise in North America.

The consummation of the General Partner Acquisition is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions, including, among others, (i) written consent and/or waivers of default from the lenders party to, or an amendment of, the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of March 4, 2014 (as amended), by and among the Partnership and certain of its subsidiaries and the lenders and other parties thereto, (ii) each director of the board of directors of the General Partner (other than Mr. Topper who will remain a director and will become a member of the Board of Directors of CST Brands) delivering executed resignations, (iii) the amendment and restatement of the Omnibus Agreement dated October 30, 2012, by and among the Partnership, the General Partner, LGC, Lehigh Gas-Ohio, LLC (“LGO”) and Mr. Topper pursuant to which an affiliate of CST Brands will provide management services to the Partnership and General Partners, (iv) execution of an employment agreement by and between an affiliate of CST Brands and Mr. Topper pursuant to which Mr. Topper will be appointed as the Chief Executive Officer and President of the General Partner for not less than one (1) year, (v) execution of a voting agreement which will require Mr. Topper to vote his common and subordinated units of the Partnership in accordance with the recommendation of the board of directors of the General Partner, and (vi) other customary closing conditions. Through the date of closing, the Partnership is restricted from taking certain material actions outside the ordinary course of business without the consent of CST Brands. The General Partner Acquisition is expected to close early in the fourth quarter of 2014. Each of the parties to the transaction has the right to terminate the purchase agreements if the transaction is not consummated by November 1, 2014.

Contemporaneously with and subject to the closing of the General Partner Acquisition, the Partnership, LGC and LGO will enter into a series of transactions pursuant to which LGC will acquire the wholesale fuel supply for 78 locations in Pennsylvania and New York currently supplied by the Partnership and the fuel supply by the Partnership to such sites will be terminated for an aggregate purchase price and on terms to be approved by the conflicts committee of the board of directors of the General Partner. In addition, subleases for 12 of the sites, which are currently leased to the Partnership, will be assigned to LGC or its affiliates.

The General Partner manages the operations and activities of the Partnership. The Partnership is managed and operated by the board of directors and executive officers of the General Partner. Upon the consummation of the General Partner Acquisition, CST Brands will control the General Partner and will have the right to appoint all members of the board of directors of the General Partner.


Forward-Looking Statements

This Current Report on Form 8-K contains forward-looking statements, which may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Partnership’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts, including statements identified by words such as “outlook,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “believes,” “expects,” “potential,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “predicts,” “anticipates,” “foresees,” or the negative version of these words or other comparable expressions. Statements addressing operating performance, events, or developments that the Partnership expects or anticipates will occur in the future, including statements relating to revenue growth and earnings or earnings per unit growth, as well as statements expressing optimism or pessimism about future operating results, are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based upon the Partnership’s current views and assumptions regarding future events and operating performance and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies and changes in circumstances, many of which are beyond the Partnership’s control.

Among other risks and uncertainties, there can be no guarantee that the proposed General Partner Acquisition will be completed, or if it is completed, the time frame in which it will be completed. The proposed transaction is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions contained in the purchase agreements. Pursuing the proposed General Partner Acquisition could disrupt certain of the Partnership’s current plans, operations, business, and employee relationships.

The forward-looking statements made herein are made as of the date hereof. The Partnership does not undertake any obligation to update or revise these statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K. The forward-looking statements made herein are made only as of the date of this report. The Partnership undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise, unless required by law.

Although the Partnership does not make forward-looking statements unless it believes it has a reasonable basis for doing so, the Partnership cannot guarantee their accuracy. Achieving the results described in these statements involves a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, including the factors discussed in this report and those described in the “Risk Factors” section of the Partnership’s Form 10-K filed on March 10, 2014 with the Securities and Exchange Commission as well as in the Partnership’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. No undue reliance should be placed on any forward-looking statements.

 

Item 9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

The following exhibit have been filed or furnished with this report:

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Description

99.1    Press Release dated August 6, 2014, regarding the Partnership’s earnings.
99.2    Joint Press Release dated August 6, 2014, regarding the sale of the Partnership’s general partner.


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.

 

    Lehigh Gas Partners LP
    By:   Lehigh Gas GP LLC
      its general partner
Dated: August 6, 2014     By:  

/s/ Mark L. Miller

    Name:   Mark L. Miller
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer


EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Description

99.1    Press release dated August 6, 2014, regarding the Partnership’s earnings.
99.2    Joint Press Release dated August 6, 2014, regarding the sale of the Partnership’s general partner.
EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Lehigh Gas Partners LP Reports Second Quarter 2014 Results and Announces a 2.0% Increase in Its Quarterly Cash Distribution

ALLENTOWN, PA (August 6, 2014) - Lehigh Gas Partners LP (NYSE: LGP) (the “Partnership,” “we,” or “us”) today reported its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2014 and announced that the Board of Directors of its general partner approved a 2.0% increase in the Partnership’s cash distribution per unit from the current annual rate of $2.05 per unit ($0.5125 per quarter) to $2.09 per unit ($0.5225 per quarter). Separately, the Partnership announced that CST Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CST) entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Partnership’s general partner, Lehigh Gas GP, LLC. Please see our separate press release entitled “CST Brands to Acquire the General Partner of Lehigh Gas Partners LP” for additional information on the transaction.

In the Second Quarter of 2014, the Partnership:

 

    Distributed 235.5 million gallons of fuel compared to second quarter 2013 volume of 160.7 million gallons of fuel, a 46.5% increase.

 

    Generated gross profit from fuel sales of $16.7 million compared to second quarter 2013 gross profit from fuel sales of $12.0 million, a 39.1% increase.

 

    Generated net rental income (rent income minus rent expense) of $5.8 million compared to second quarter 2013 net rental income of $6.4 million, an 8.4% decrease.

 

    Closed on the $59.5 million acquisition of PMI and $40.2 acquisition of the Atlas assets

 

    Generated EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA of $8.9 million and $10.0 million, compared to second quarter 2013 EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA of $14.1 million and $14.9 million, respectively. Included in the EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the current quarter are $5.6 million in acquisition related expenses and $1.5 million in non-cash charges associated with the acquisitions completed during the quarter.

 

    Generated Distributable Cash Flow of $6.4 million or $0.33 per weighted average common unit on a diluted basis compared to second quarter 2013 Distributable Cash Flow of $11.2 million or $0.73 per common unit. Excluding the acquisition expenses and non-cash charges referenced above, Distributable Cash Flow for the quarter was $13.5 million or $0.71 per weighted average common unit.

 

    Declared a second quarter distribution of $0.5225 per unit, a 2.0% increase in the Partnership’s distribution rate from the first quarter of 2014 and representing a 9.4% increase from the second quarter 2013 distribution.

Second Quarter 2014 Results

Net income for the second quarter of 2014 totaled $1.9 million or $0.10 per weighted average common unit on a diluted basis. For the quarter, EBITDA totaled $8.9 million, Adjusted EBITDA totaled $10.0 million and Distributable Cash Flow amounted to $6.4 million or $0.33 per weighted average common unit on a diluted basis. Included in the EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable Cash figures are $5.6 million in acquisition expenses and $1.5 million in non-cash charges related to the acquisitions completed during the quarter. Net income includes, in addition to the previously mentioned items, a $5.2 million tax benefit related to the partial release of a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets. Please refer to the section included herein under the heading “Non-GAAP Financial Measures of “EBITDA”, “Adjusted EBITDA” and “Distributable Cash Flow” for a discussion of our use of non-GAAP adjusted financial information.

“Overall, the operating environment was much stronger this quarter as margins and volumes improved from the seasonally weak first quarter,” said Chairman and CEO Joe Topper. “We closed on two great acquisitions during the quarter that are already contributing to increased profitability at the Partnership. In addition, I am pleased to announce another distribution increase this quarter, our fifth distribution increase in the six full quarters in which we have been public,” Topper added.

Total revenue amounted to $767.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, consisting of $738.9 million of aggregate revenues from fuel sales, including revenues from fuel sales to affiliates, $10.8 million of aggregate rent income, including rent income from affiliates, and $17.2 million of revenues from food and merchandise sales associated with assets from the PMI acquisition. During the quarter, we wholesale distributed 228.2 million gallons of fuel at an average selling price of $3.083 per gallon and at an average wholesale gross margin of $0.066 per gallon, resulting in a wholesale gross profit of $15.0 million. During the quarter, we retail distributed 32.4 million gallons at an average selling price of $3.624 per gallon and at an average retail gross margin of $0.052 per gallon, resulting in a retail gross profit of $1.7 million. Total gross profit from motor fuels for the quarter was $16.7 million. During the


quarter, the Partnership made $3.2 million in gross margin from the sale of food and merchandise. The $3.2 million in food and merchandise gross margin for the quarter includes a $1.5 million non-cash charge related to purchase accounting adjustments associated with the PMI acquisition. For the quarter ended June 30, 2013, the Partnership wholesale distributed 160.7 million gallons of fuel at an average selling price of $2.971 per gallon and an average margin of $0.075 per gallon, resulting in a gross profit of $12.0 million. In the second quarter of 2013, the Partnership recorded $10.3 million in rent income. The Partnership did not have any retail fuel or food and merchandise operations in the second quarter of 2013.

The increase in gross profit from fuel sales for the second quarter of 2014 relative to 2013 was primarily due to the increased volume in the quarter offset by the lower fuel margin in the quarter. The increased fuel volume for the quarter is primarily due to the acquisitions that have been completed since the second quarter of 2013 offset by certain marketplace volume declines and the closure of certain sites. Fuel margins for the quarter were down relative to the strong results of the second quarter of 2013. On a sequential basis though, wholesale fuel margin per gallon improved by approximately 12% from the first quarter of 2014. The increase in rent income for the second quarter of 2014 relative to 2013 was due to the increased rent from acquisitions completed since the second quarter of 2013 offset by the decrease in rent associated with the purchase of the commission class of trade sites from LGO in the third quarter of 2013 and certain lease terminations.

Total expenses amounted to $765.6 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2014, including rent expense of $4.9 million, operating expenses of $3.7 million, depreciation and amortization of $7.2 million, and selling, general and administrative expenses of $13.6 million. Included in selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarter is $5.6 million in acquisition expenses related to acquisitions closed during the quarter. The acquisition expenses consisted primarily of broker, advisory, legal and other professional fees. For the quarter, the Partnership also recorded an income tax benefit of $3.9 million, which includes a $5.2 million benefit from the partial release of a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets. For the quarter ended June 30, 2013, total expenses amounted to $479.1 million, including rent expense of $3.9 million, operating expenses of $1.1 million, depreciation and amortization of $4.9 million and selling, general and administrative expenses of $3.8 million.

The increase in rent expense for the quarter is primarily due to the increased leased site count for the quarter as a result of acquisitions completed since the second quarter of 2013 offset to a limited extent by the termination of certain leased sites that occurred since the second quarter of 2013. Overall, net rental income decreased due to the increased lease expense due to the leasehold sites in the PMI acquisition, which was not offset by increased rent income from the sites since the Partnership operates the sites directly and does not lease the sites to a third party as it has typically done in previous acquisitions. Operating expenses increased by $2.6 million for the quarter relative to 2013 primarily due the PMI acquisition, which introduced the direct store level operations of PMI into the Partnership, and the additional maintenance associated with the increase in the number of sites owned or leased as a result of acquisitions completed since the second quarter of 2013. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased in the second quarter of 2014 relative to 2013 primarily due to the increased acquisition expenses, the PMI acquisition, which includes a management fee paid to an affiliate for store level and administrative labor and other expenses, and an increase in equity based compensation and professional fees.

Acquisition and Financing Activity

PMI Acquisition

As previously announced, on April 30, 2014, the Partnership acquired Roanoke, VA based Petroleum Marketers, Inc. (“PMI”) for net total consideration of $59.5 million. PMI operates two primary lines of business: convenience stores and petroleum products distribution. In its convenience store business, PMI operates 87 convenience stores and 9 co-located branded quick service restaurants located primarily along the Interstate 81 corridor in Virginia, with a concentration in the Roanoke, VA area. The petroleum products business distributes motor fuels and other petroleum products to customers throughout Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina. The transaction was funded under the Partnership’s credit facility.

Atlas Acquisition

As previously announced, the Partnership completed its acquisition of 52 wholesale supply contracts, one sub-wholesaler contract, five fee sites, six leasehold sites and certain other assets from affiliates of Atlas Oil Company for $35.0 million on May 19, 2014. In addition, the Partnership acquired certain short-term financing assets associated with the wholesale supply contracts for the face value of the financing assets of $5.2 million, bringing the total


consideration to $40.2 million, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. The transaction was funded under the Partnership’s credit facility and $4.0 million of proceeds from the sale of PMI’s lubricants business that were directed to an escrow agent as part of a Section 1031 like-kind exchange.

As of June 30, 2014, the Partnership had $272.5 million in outstanding borrowings under its credit facility. The Partnership had a nominal $160.3 million available for borrowing, net of outstanding borrowings and letters of credit.

Distributions to Unitholders

The Partnership announced today that the Board of Directors of its general partner approved a 2.0% increase in the Partnership’s cash distribution per unit from the current annual rate of $2.05 per unit ($0.5125 per quarter) to $2.09 per unit ($0.5225 per quarter). The distribution represents an annual distribution rate of 8.1% based on the Partnership’s common unit closing price on August 5, 2014 of $25.95 and a 9.4% increase from the second quarter 2013 distribution. The second quarter distribution is payable on August 28, 2014 to all unitholders of record as of August 18, 2014. In reviewing its distribution policy, the Board determined that it will continue to evaluate the Partnership’s distribution each quarter.

Second Quarter Earnings and Transaction Overview Call

The management team of the Partnership will hold a conference call on Thursday, August 7, 2014 at 10:00 AM ET to discuss the announced acquisition of the general partner of the Partnership and the Partnership’s quarterly results. The management team of the Partnership will be joined by the management team of CST Brands, Inc. on the call. The dial-in information for the call is:

Live Dial-in Information:

 

Primary Dial-in #:    800.774.6070
Secondary Dial-in#:    630.691.2753
Participant Passcode:    8471623#
Preregistration:    No

Replay Dial-in Information

 

Available From:    8/7/2014 1:30 PM ET
Available To:    8/14/2014 11:59 PM ET
Primary Dial-in #:    888.843.7419
Secondary Dial-in #:    630.652.3042
Participant Passcode:    8471623#

About Lehigh Gas Partners LP

Lehigh Gas Partners, headquartered in Allentown, PA, is a leading wholesale distributor of motor fuels and owner and lessee of real estate used in the retail distribution of motor fuels. Formed in 2012, Lehigh Gas Partners distributes fuel to over 1,050 locations and owns or leases more than 625 sites in sixteen states: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, Florida, New York, Massachusetts, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Maine, Tennessee, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, Virginia, Illinois and Indiana. The company is affiliated with several major oil brands, including ExxonMobil, BP, Shell, Chevron, Sunoco, Valero, Gulf and Citgo. LGP ranks as one of ExxonMobil’s largest distributors by fuel volume in the United States and in the top 10 for many additional brands. For additional information, please visit www.lehighgaspartners.com.


Investor Contact:

Karen Yeakel

Vice President, Investor Relations

Lehigh Gas Partners

610-625-8126

kyeakel@lehighgas.com

Forward Looking and Cautionary Statements

This press release and oral statements made regarding the subjects of this release may contain forward-looking statements, which may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Partnership’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts, including statements identified by words such as “outlook,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “believes,” “expects,” “potential,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “predicts,” “anticipates,” “foresees,” or the negative version of these words or other comparable expressions. All statements addressing operating performance, events, or developments that the Partnership expects or anticipates will occur in the future, including statements relating to revenue growth and earnings or earnings per unit growth, as well as statements expressing optimism or pessimism about future operating results, are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based upon the Partnership’s current views and assumptions regarding future events and operating performance and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies and changes in circumstances, many of which are beyond the Partnership’s control. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, even if subsequently made available by the Partnership on its website or otherwise. The Partnership does not undertake any obligation to update or revise these statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.

Although the Partnership does not make forward-looking statements unless it believes it has a reasonable basis for doing so, the Partnership cannot guarantee their accuracy. Achieving the results described in these statements involves a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, including the factors discussed in this report and those described in the “Risk Factors” section of the Partnership’s Form 10-K filed on March 10, 2014 with the Securities and Exchange Commission as well as in the Partnership’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. No undue reliance should be placed on any forward-looking statements.

Note to Non-United States Investors: This release is intended to be a qualified notice under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1446-4(b). Brokers and nominees should treat one hundred percent (100%) of Lehigh Gas Partners LP’s distributions to non-U.S. investors as attributable to income that is effectively connected with a United States trade or business. Accordingly, Lehigh Gas Partners LP’s distributions to non-U.S. investors are subject to federal income tax withholding at the highest applicable effective tax rate.


Lehigh Gas Partners LP

Consolidated Statements of Operations

($ in thousands, except per unit amounts)

 

     Three Months
Ended

June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Three Months
Ended

June 30, 2013
(unaudited)
    Six Months
Ended

June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Six Months
Ended

June 30, 2013
(unaudited)
 

Revenues:

        

Revenues from fuel sales

     528,364        228,719        825,148        447,023   

Revenues from fuel sales to affiliates

     210,492        248,704        384,897        491,569   

Revenues from food and merchandise sales

     17,249        —          17,249        —     

Rent income

     6,171        3,833        11,679        7,185   

Rent income from affiliates

     4,592        6,432        9,779        13,349   

Other revenues

     323        508        460        931   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     767,191        488,196        1,249,212        960,057   

Costs and expenses:

        

Cost of revenues from fuel sales

     518,440        223,665        810,220        437,943   

Cost of revenues from fuel sales to affiliates

     203,752        241,772        373,511        478,735   

Cost of revenues from food and merchandise sales

     14,075        —          14,075        —     

Rent expense

     4,933        3,900        8,748        7,784   

Operating expenses

     3,670        1,113        5,868        1,933   

Depreciation and amortization

     7,247        4,864        13,183        9,703   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     13,553        3,820        18,080        7,399   

Gains on sales of assets, net

     (53     (47     (1,533     (47
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total costs and operating expenses

     765,617        479,087        1,242,152        943,450   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     1,574        9,109        7,060        16,607   

Interest expense

     (3,712     (3,505     (7,739     (6,884

Other income, net

     119        85        223        166   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

     (2,019     5,689        (456     9,889   

Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations

     (3,911     220        (3,776     663   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     1,892        5,469        3,320        9,226   

Incentive distribution right holders’ interest in net income

     31        —          62        —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Limited partners’ interest in net income

     1,861        5,469        3,258        9,226   


     Three Months
Ended

June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
     Three Months
Ended

June 30, 2013
(unaudited)
     Six Months
Ended

June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
     Six Months
Ended

June 30, 2013
(unaudited)
 

Limited partners’ interest in net income

     1,861         5,469         3,258         9,226   

Net income per common and subordinated unit – basic

   $ 0.10       $ 0.36       $ 0.17       $ 0.61   

Net income per common and subordinated unit – diluted

   $ 0.10       $ 0.36       $ 0.17       $ 0.61   

Weighted average limited partners’ units outstanding

           

Common units – basic

     11,194,203         7,526,044         11,155,140         7,525,952   

Common units – diluted

     11,194,203         7,569,312         11,533,530         7,525,952   

Subordinated units – basic and diluted

     7,525,000         7,525,000         7,525,000         7,525,000   


Supplemental Operating Metrics - ($ in thousands, except per gallon amounts)

 

     Three Months
Ended

June 30, 2014
(unaudited) –
     Three Months
Ended

June 30, 2013
(unaudited)
     Six Months
Ended

June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
     Six Months
Ended

June 30, 2013
(unaudited)
 

Revenues from fuel sales

     528,364         228,719         825,148         447,023   

Revenues from fuel sales to affiliates

     210,492         248,704         384,897         491,569   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Revenues from fuel sales - aggregate

     738,856         477,423         1,210,045         938,592   

Cost of revenues from fuel sales

     518,440         223,665         810,220         437,943   

Cost of revenues from fuel sales to affiliates

     203,752         241,772         373,511         478,735   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cost of revenues from fuel sales - aggregate

     722,192         465,437         1,183,731         916,678   

Gross profit from fuel sales - aggregate (1)

     16,664         11,986         26,314         21,914   

Wholesale volume of gallons distributed (millions)

     228.2         160.7         387.8         310.4   

Wholesale selling price per gallon

   $ 3.083       $ 2.971       $ 3.007       $ 3.024   

Wholesale margin per gallon

   $ 0.066       $ 0.075       $ 0.063       $ 0.071   

Wholesale segment gross profit from fuel

     15,030            24,390      

Retail volume of gallons distributed (millions)

     32.4            47.5      

Retail selling price per gallon

   $ 3.624          $ 3.587      

Retail margin per gallon

   $ 0.052          $ 0.042      

Retail segment gross profit from motor fuel

     1,670            1,991      

Total gallons distributed (millions)

     235.5            395.1      

Total margin per gallon

   $ 0.071          $ 0.067      

Capital expenditures - maintenance

     425         662         984         745   

Capital expenditures - expansion

     112,466         3,224         114,067         3,384   

 

1. The three and six months ended June 30, 2014 includes a $(36) and $(67) impact from the elimination of the wholesale segment’s profit relating to the retail segment’s ending inventory.


Site Count

As of June 30, 2014, we distributed motor fuels to 1,092 sites in the following classes of business:

 

    445 sites operated by independent dealers;

 

    237 sites owned or leased by us and operated by LGO;

 

    255 sites owned or leased by us and operated by lessee dealers;

 

    68 sites owned or leased by us and operated by commission agents; and

 

    87 sites owned or leased by us and operated by the Partnership

In addition, we distribute motor fuels to 18 sub-wholesalers who distribute to additional sites.


Lehigh Gas Partners LP

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

($ in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

     June 30, 2014      December 31, 2013  

Assets

     

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

     864         4,115   

Accounts receivable, net

     35,397         7,342   

Accounts receivable from affiliates

     23,892         16,558   

Inventory

     14,340         2,141   

Assets held for sale

     3,279         1,328   

Other current assets

     10,850         4,012   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current assets

     88,622         35,496   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net

     348,205         288,729   

Intangible assets, net

     72,781         47,005   

Deferred financing fees, net

     7,901         5,743   

Goodwill

     29,116         9,324   

Other assets

     10,695         5,324   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     557,320         391,621   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities and partners’ capital

     

Current liabilities:

     

Lease financing obligations, current portion

     2,710         2,568   

Accounts payable

     55,818         20,567   

Motor fuel taxes payable

     8,787         7,186   

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     12,025         8,536   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     79,340         38,857   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt

     299,681         173,509   

Lease financing obligations

     62,202         64,364   

Other long-term liabilities

     34,740         20,220   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     475,963         296,950   

Partners’ capital

     81,357         94,671   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and partners’ capital

     557,320         391,621   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 


Non-GAAP Financial Measures of “EBITDA”, “Adjusted EBITDA” and “Distributable Cash Flow”

We use the non-GAAP financial measures of “EBITDA”, “Adjusted EBITDA” and “Distributable Cash Flow” in this press release. EBITDA represents net income before deducting interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA as further adjusted to exclude gains or losses on sales of assets, gains or losses on the extinguishment of debt, equity-based incentive compensation, equity-based director compensation and certain other non-cash items as deemed appropriate by management. Distributable Cash Flow represents Adjusted EBITDA less cash interest expense, maintenance capital expenditures net of any reimbursements and current income tax expense.

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow are used as supplemental financial measures by management and by external users of our financial statements, such as investors and lenders. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are used to assess our financial performance without regard to financing methods, capital structure or income taxes and our ability to incur and service debt and to fund capital expenditures. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA is used to assess the operating performance of our business on a consistent basis by excluding the impact of sales of our assets which do not result directly from our wholesale distribution of motor fuel and our leasing of real property. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow are also used to assess our ability to generate cash sufficient to make distributions to our unit-holders.

We believe the presentation of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow provides useful information to investors in assessing our financial condition and results of operations. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow should not be considered alternatives to net income, net cash provided by operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow have important limitations as analytical tools because they exclude some but not all items that affect net income and net cash provided by operating activities. Additionally, because EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow may be defined differently by other companies in our industry, our definitions may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, thereby diminishing their utility.

The following tables present reconciliations of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Distributable Cash Flow to net income for each of the periods indicated.


Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA ($ in thousands)

 

     Three Months
Ended

June 30, 2014
(unaudited)
    Three Months
Ended
June 30, 2013
(unaudited)
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2014

(unaudited)
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2013
(unaudited)
 

Net income (loss)

     1,892        5,469        3,320        9,226   

Plus:

        

Depreciation and amortization

     7,247        4,864        13,183        9,703   

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (3,911     220        (3,776     663   

Interest expense

     3,712        3,507        7,739        6,889   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDA

     8,940        14,060        20,466        26,481   

Plus: Non-cash equity compensation

     1,136        873        2,050        1,069   

Less: Gains on sales of assets, net

     (53     (47     (1,553     (47
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

     10,023        14,886        20,983        27,503   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Computation of Distributable Cash Flow ($ in thousands)

 

     Three Months
Ended
June 30, 2014

(unaudited)
    Three Months
Ended
June 30, 2013
(unaudited)
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2014

(unaudited)
    Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2013
(unaudited)
 

Adjusted EBITDA

     10,023        14,886        20,983        27,503   

Less:

        

Cash interest expense

     (3,321     (2,762     (6,365     (5,530

Maintenance capital expenditures

     (425     (662     (984     (745

Current income tax (expense) benefit

     79        (220     (65     (672
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributable Cash Flow

     6,356        11,242        13,569        20,556   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
EX-99.2

Exhibit 99.2

CST Brands, Inc. to Acquire the General Partner of Lehigh Gas Partners LP (LGP)

 

    CST Brands to acquire the General Partner of Lehigh Gas Partners and all the associated Incentive Distribution Rights (“IDRs”) of LGP

 

    Creates a sponsor-backed, growth-oriented MLP vehicle

 

    Provides CST Brands with a platform for a long-term drop down strategy of its U.S. wholesale fuel supply business and newly constructed real estate into LGP

 

    Joe Topper, Chairman and CEO of LGP, to remain President and CEO of LGP and to join the Board of Directors of CST Brands

 

    $200 million share repurchase authorization by CST Brands’ Board of Directors

San Antonio, Texas and Allentown, Pennsylvania–August 6, 2014 CST Brands, Inc. (NYSE:CST) announced that it has entered into definitive agreements to purchase 100% of the membership interests of Lehigh Gas GP, LLC, the general partner of Lehigh Gas Partners LP (NYSE: LGP) from Lehigh Gas Corporation and all of the outstanding IDRs of LGP. The aggregate consideration will be $17 million in cash and approximately 2.044 million shares of CST common stock. Based on the closing share price of CST Brands stock as of August 5, 2014, the total consideration is currently valued at approximately $85 million.

Joe Topper, the Chairman and CEO of LGP, will continue as President and CEO of LGP and will join the Board of Directors of CST Brands. Mr. Topper and other insiders are not selling any of their limited partner interests in LGP in the transaction and will continue to own subordinated and common units representing approximately 44% of the limited partner interests in LGP. The transaction overall does not involve the sale or purchase of any of the common or subordinated units of Lehigh Gas Partners. LGP will continue to operate as a separate, publicly-traded, master limited partnership (MLP) and maintain its current headquarters in Allentown, PA.

Strategic Benefits:

 

    Provides CST Brands access to capital through a growth-oriented MLP vehicle to execute its long-term strategic plan

 

    Drop-down asset sales to LGP and an expanded set of external opportunities at LGP to drive IDR cash flow growth for CST Brands

 

    LGP gains access to a pipeline of drop-down asset acquisitions from CST Brands to fuel future distribution increases at LGP

 

    Cash flow from asset drop downs and IDRs to provide CST Brands with capital to pursue organic growth opportunities

 

    Creates a leading platform in the industry with fuel distribution and retail operations expertise

 

    Eliminates upfront costs and market risks of pursuing an MLP IPO of CST-only assets

In addition to LGP’s growth-through-acquisition strategy, which has been successfully executed since Lehigh went public, CST Brands has a strong portfolio of assets that it can offer as drop-down candidates to LGP, including 1.9 billion gallons of annual domestic wholesale fuel volumes, based on CST Brands’ 2013 domestic fuel volume, and a portfolio of recently completed new to


industry (“NTI”) stores. Furthermore, CST Brands plans to build additional NTI stores each year that will serve as another set of potential drop-down assets. Any future drop down transactions will be subject to the approval of the independent conflicts committee of the general partner of LGP and the Board of Directors at CST Brands.

“The transaction provides both the shareholders of CST Brands and the unitholders of LGP with the benefit of strategic growth options for the future and a symbiotic relationship for stronger growth together,” said Kim Bowers, Chairman and CEO of CST Brands. “We expect that the transaction will provide us with opportunistic access to the MLP capital markets, the opportunity to grow our U.S. wholesale business and to expand our new store build program, as well as provide us strategic flexibility in the consolidating fuel and convenience retail industry.”

Joe Topper, Chairman and CEO of Lehigh Gas Partners, added, “The transaction provides both for greater certainty of, and an accelerated rate of, future distribution growth of LGP and creates a tremendous platform for future growth in the industry for both CST Brands and LGP, while enhancing both companies’ goal of increasing shareholder and unitholder value.”

Additional Transaction Details

The transaction has been approved by the Board of Directors of CST Brands. The closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions, including consent of the lenders and modification of the credit facilities of CST Brands and Lehigh Gas Partners. The transaction is expected to close early in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Advisors

BofA Merrill Lynch acted as a financial advisor and Paul Hastings LLP acted as legal counsel to CST Brands. Barclays acted as financial advisor and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP acted as legal counsel to Lehigh Gas Corporation and its affiliates.

CST Brands Share Repurchase Plan

CST Brands also announced today that its Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $200 million of CST Brands’ common stock, until such authorization is fully utilized or withdrawn by the board.

Under the stock repurchase program, CST Brands is authorized to repurchase, from time-to-time, shares of its outstanding common stock in the open market, at management’s discretion based on market and business conditions, applicable legal requirements and other factors, or pursuant to an issuer repurchase plan or agreement that may be in effect.

The repurchase program authorized by the Board of Directors of CST Brands does not obligate CST Brands to acquire any specific amount of common stock and will continue until otherwise modified or terminated by CST Brands’ board at any time at its sole discretion and without notice.


Conference Call Details

CST Brands and Lehigh Gas Partners will hold a joint conference call to discuss this transaction on August 7, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (9:00 a.m. Central Time). The call will be held in conjunction with the previously scheduled Lehigh Gas Partners’ second quarter 2014 earnings conference call.

The conference call numbers are 800-774-6070 or 630-691-2753 and the passcode for both is 8471623#. A live audio webcast of the conference call and presentation slides will be available on that same day on the investor section of the CST Brands website at www.cstbrands.com or Lehigh’s website at www.lehighgaspartners.com.

After the live conference call, a replay will be available from 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time (12:30 p.m. Central Time) on August 7, 2014 until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (10:59 p.m. Central Time) on August 14, 2014. The replay numbers are 888-843-7419 or 630-652-3042 and the passcode for both is 8471623#. An archive of the webcast will be available on the investor section of the CST Brands website or Lehigh’s website within 24 hours after the call.

CST Brands

CST Brands, Inc., a Fortune 500 Company, is one of the largest independent retailers of motor fuels and convenience merchandise in North America. Based in San Antonio, Texas, CST employs nearly 12,000 Team Members at nearly 1,900 locations throughout the Southwestern United States and Eastern Canada offering a broad array of convenience merchandise, beverages, snacks and fresh food. In the U.S., CST Corner Stores proudly sell Valero fuels and signature products such as Fresh Choices baked and packaged goods, U Force energy and sport drinks, Cibolo Mountain coffee, FC Soda and Flavors2Go fountain drinks. In Canada, CST is the exclusive provider of Ultramar fuel and its Dépanneur du Coin and Corner Stores sell signature Transit Café coffee and pastries. For more information about CST, please visit cstbrands.com.

Lehigh Gas Partners

Lehigh Gas Partners LP, headquartered in Allentown, PA, is a leading wholesale distributor of motor fuels and owner and lessee of real estate used in the retail distribution of motor fuels. Formed in 2012, Lehigh Gas Partners distributes fuel to over 1,050 locations and owns or leases more than 625 sites in sixteen states: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, Florida, New York, Massachusetts, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Maine, Tennessee, Maryland, Delaware, West Virginia, Virginia, Illinois and Indiana. The company is affiliated with several major oil brands, including ExxonMobil, BP, Shell, Chevron, Sunoco, Valero, Gulf and Citgo. LGP ranks as one of ExxonMobil’s largest distributors by fuel volume in the United States and in the top 10 for many additional brands. For additional information, please visit www.lehighgaspartners.com.


Forward-Looking Statements

This press release and any oral statements made regarding the subjects of this release may contain forward looking statements of CST Brands and Lehigh Gas Partners. The words “believe,” “expect,” “should,” “intends,” “estimates,” and other similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. It is important to note that actual results could differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. For more information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed or forecasted, see CST Brand’s and Lehigh Gas Partners’ Form 10-Q or Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, available at www.sec.gov. Neither CST Brands or Lehigh Gas Partners undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any statements in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Source: CST Brands, Inc. and Lehigh Gas Partners LP

CST Brands, Inc.

Investors:

Randy Palmer, 210-692-2160

Director – Investor Relations

or

Media:

The DeBerry Group

Melissa Ludwig or Trish DeBerry, 210-223-2772

Or

Lehigh Gas Partners LP

Investors:

Karen Yeakel

Vice President, Investor Relations

610-625-8126

kyeakel@lehighgas.com