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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Fair Value Measurements The Partnership uses fair value measurements to measure, among other items, purchased assets and investments, leases, and derivative contracts. Fair value measurements are also used to assess impairment of properties, equipment, intangible assets, and goodwill. 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, unobservable prices or inputs are 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. Segment Reporting We operate our business in two primary operating segments, wholesale and retail, both of which are included as reportable segments. Our retail segment operates convenience stores selling a variety of merchandise, food items, services, and motor fuel. Our wholesale segment sells motor fuel to our retail segment and external customers. Acquisition Accounting Acquisitions of assets or entities that include inputs and processes and have the ability to create outputs are accounted for as business combinations. A purchase price is recorded for tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair value. The excess of fair value of consideration conveyed over fair value of net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. The Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the periods presented include the results of operations for each acquisition from their respective dates of acquisition. Acquisitions of entities under common control are accounted for similar to a pooling of interests, in which the acquired assets and assumed liabilities are recognized at their historic carrying values. The results of operations of affiliated businesses acquired are reflected in the Partnership’s consolidated results of operations beginning on the date of common control. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits, and short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less. Sunoco LLC and Sunoco Retail have treasury services agreements with Sunoco (R&M), LLC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of ETP. Pursuant to these agreements, Sunoco LLC and Sunoco Retail participate in Sunoco (R&M), LLC’s centralized cash management program. Under this program, all cash receipts and cash disbursements are processed, together with those of Sunoco (R&M), LLC, through Sunoco (R&M), LLC’s cash accounts with a corresponding credit or charge to the advances to/from affiliates account. The net balance of Sunoco LLC and Sunoco Retail is reflected in either “Advances to affiliates” or “Advances from affiliates” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Accounts Receivable The majority of trade receivables are from wholesale fuel customers or from credit card companies related to retail credit card transactions. Wholesale customer credit is extended based on an evaluation of the customer’s financial condition. Receivables are recorded at face value, without interest or discount. The Partnership provides an allowance for doubtful accounts based on historical experience and on a specific identification basis. Credit losses are recorded against the allowance when accounts are deemed uncollectible. Receivables from affiliates rise from increased fuel sales and other miscellaneous transactions with non-consolidated affiliates. These receivables are recorded at face value, without interest or discount. Inventories Fuel inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market using the last-in-first-out (“LIFO”) method. Under this methodology, the cost of fuel sold consists of actual acquisition costs, which includes transportation and storage costs. Such costs are adjusted to reflect increases or decreases in inventory quantities which are valued based on changes in LIFO inventory layers. Merchandise inventories are stated at the lower of average cost, as determined by the retail inventory method, or market. We record an allowance for shortages and obsolescence relating to merchandise inventory based on historical trends and any known changes. Shipping and handling costs are included in the cost of merchandise inventories. Advertising Costs Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs were $24 million, $22 million and $22 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the useful lives of assets, estimated to be forty years for buildings, three to fifteen years for equipment and thirty years for storage tanks. Assets under capital leases are depreciated over the life of the corresponding lease. Amortization of leasehold improvements is based upon the shorter of the remaining terms of the leases including renewal periods that are reasonably assured, or the estimated useful lives, which approximate twenty years. Expenditures for major renewals and betterments that extend the useful lives of property and equipment are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. Gains or losses on the disposition of property and equipment are recorded in the period incurred. Long-Lived Assets and Assets Held for Sale Long-lived assets are tested for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. If such indicators exist, the estimated undiscounted future cash flows related to the asset are compared to the carrying value of the asset. If the carrying value is greater than the estimated undiscounted future cash flow amount, an impairment charge is recorded within loss (gain) on disposal of assets and impairment charge in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for amounts necessary to reduce the corresponding carrying value of the asset to fair value. The impairment loss calculations require management to apply judgment in estimating future cash flows and discount rates that reflect the risk inherent in future cash flows. Properties that have been closed and other excess real property are recorded as assets held and used, and are written down to the lower of cost or estimated net realizable value at the time we close such stores or determine that these properties are in excess and intend to offer them for sale. We estimate the net realizable value based on our experience in utilizing or disposing of similar assets and on estimates provided by our own and third-party real estate experts. Although we have not experienced significant changes in our estimate of net realizable value, changes in real estate markets could significantly impact the net values realized from the sale of assets. When we have determined that an asset is more likely than not to be sold in the next twelve months, that asset is classified as assets held for sale and included in other current assets. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, we had $3.3 billion and $3.6 billion classified as assets held for sale, respectively. Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets Goodwill represents the excess of consideration paid over fair value of net assets acquired. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination are recorded at fair value as of the date acquired. Acquired intangible assets determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but are instead tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The annual impairment test of goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets is performed as of the first day of the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. The Partnership uses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not (likelihood of more than 50%) that the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, including goodwill. Some of the qualitative factors considered in applying this test include consideration of macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors affecting the business, overall financial performance of the business, and performance of the unit price of the Partnership. If qualitative factors are not deemed sufficient to conclude that the fair value of the reporting unit more likely than not exceeds its carrying value, then a one-step approach is applied in making an evaluation. The evaluation utilizes multiple valuation methodologies, including a market approach (market price multiples of comparable companies) and an income approach (discounted cash flow analysis). The computations require management to make significant estimates and assumptions, including, among other things, selection of comparable publicly traded companies, the discount rate applied to future earnings reflecting a weighted average cost of capital, and earnings growth assumptions. A discounted cash flow analysis requires management to make various assumptions about future sales, operating margins, capital expenditures, working capital, and growth rates. If the evaluation results in the fair value of the goodwill for the reporting unit being lower than the carrying value, an impairment charge is recorded. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are composed of certain tradenames, contractual rights, and liquor licenses which are not amortized but are evaluated for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes occur that suggest an impairment in carrying value, such as a significant adverse change in the business climate. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are evaluated for impairment by comparing each asset's fair value to its book value. Management first determines qualitatively whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived asset is impaired. If management concludes that it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived asset is impaired, then its fair value is determined by using the discounted cash flow model based on future revenues estimated to be derived in the use of the asset. Other Intangible Assets Other finite-lived intangible assets consist of supply agreements, customer relations, favorable lease arrangements, non-competes, and loan origination costs. Separable intangible assets that are not determined to have an indefinite life are amortized over their useful lives and assessed for impairment only if and when circumstances warrant. Determination of an intangible asset's fair value and estimated useful life are based on an analysis of pertinent factors including (1) the use of widely-accepted valuation approaches, such as the income approach or the cost approach, (2) the expected use of the asset by the Partnership, (3) the expected useful life of related assets, (4) any legal, regulatory or contractual provisions, including renewal or extension period that would cause substantial costs or modifications to existing agreements, and (5) the effects of obsolescence, demand, competition, and other economic factors. Should any of the underlying assumptions indicate that the value of the intangible assets might be impaired, we may be required to reduce the carrying value and remaining useful life of the asset. If the underlying assumptions governing the amortization of an intangible asset were later determined to have significantly changed, we may be required to adjust its amortization period to reflect a new estimate of its useful life. Any write-down of the value or unfavorable change in the useful life of an intangible asset would increase expense at that time. Customer relations and supply agreements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining terms of the agreements, which generally range from five to twenty years. Favorable lease arrangements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining lease terms. Non-competition agreements are amortized over the terms of the respective agreements, and loan origination costs are amortized over the life of the underlying debt as an increase to interest expense. Asset Retirement Obligations The estimated future cost to remove an underground storage tank is recognized over the estimated useful life of the storage tank. We record a discounted liability for the future fair value of an asset retirement obligation along with a corresponding increase to the carrying value of the related long-lived asset at the time an underground storage tank is installed. We then depreciate the amount added to property and equipment and recognize accretion expense in connection with the discounted liability over the remaining life of the tank. We base our estimates of the anticipated future costs for tank removal on our prior experience with removals. We review assumptions for computing the estimated liability for tank removal on an annual basis. Any change in estimated cash flows are reflected as an adjustment to both the liability and the associated asset. Environmental Liabilities Environmental expenditures related to existing conditions, resulting from past or current operations, and from which no current or future benefit is discernible, are expensed. Expenditures that extend the life of the related property or prevent future environmental contamination are capitalized. We determine and establish a liability on a site-by-site basis when it is probable and can be reasonably estimated. A related receivable is recorded for estimable and probable reimbursements. Revenue Recognition Revenues from our two primary product categories, motor fuel and merchandise, are recognized either at the time fuel is delivered to the customer or at the time of sale. Shipment and delivery of motor fuel generally occurs on the same day. The Partnership charges wholesale customers for third-party transportation costs, which are recorded net in cost of sales. Through PropCo, our wholly-owned corporate subsidiary, we may sell motor fuel to customers on a commission agent basis, in which we retain title to inventory, control access to and sale of fuel inventory, and recognize revenue at the time the fuel is sold to the ultimate customer. In our wholesale segment, we derive other income from rental income, propane and lubricating oils, and other ancillary product and service offerings. In our retail segment, we derive other income from lottery ticket sales, money orders, prepaid phone cards and wireless services, ATM transactions, car washes, movie rentals, and other ancillary product and service offerings. We record revenue from other retail transactions on a net commission basis when a product is sold and/or services are rendered. Rental Income Rental income from operating leases is recognized on a straight line basis over the term of the lease. Cost of Sales We include in cost of sales all costs incurred to acquire fuel and merchandise, including the costs of purchasing, storing, and transporting inventory prior to delivery to our customers. Items are removed from inventory and are included in cost of sales based on the retail inventory method for merchandise and the LIFO method for motor fuel. Cost of sales does not include depreciation of property, plant, and equipment as amounts attributed to cost of sales would not be significant. Depreciation is classified within operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). 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 dealers, distributors 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 commission agent locations, motor fuel sales and motor fuel cost of sales include motor fuel taxes. Such amounts were $234 million, $243 million and $231 million, for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Merchandise sales and cost of merchandise sales are reported net of sales tax in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Deferred Branding Incentives We receive payments for branding incentives related to fuel supply contracts. Unearned branding incentives are deferred and amortized on a straight line basis over the term of the agreement as a credit to cost of sales. Lease Accounting The Partnership leases a portion of its properties under non-cancelable operating leases, whose initial terms are typically five to fifteen years, with options permitting renewal for additional periods. Minimum rent is expensed on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, including renewal periods that are reasonably assured at the inception of the lease. The Partnership is typically responsible for payment of real estate taxes, maintenance expenses, and insurance. The Partnership also leases certain vehicles, and such leases are typically less than five years. Fair Value of Financial Instruments Cash, accounts receivable, certain other current assets, marketable securities, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and certain other current liabilities are reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. Earnings Per Unit In addition to limited partner units, we have identified IDRs as participating securities and compute income per unit using the two-class method under which any excess of distributions declared over net income shall be allocated to the partners based on their respective sharing of income specified in the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership (the “Partnership Agreement”). Net income per unit applicable to limited partners (including common and subordinated unitholders) is computed by dividing limited partners’ interest in net income, after deducting any incentive distributions, distributions on Series A Preferred Units and nonvested phantom unit awards, by the weighted-average number of outstanding limited partner units. Stock and Unit-based Compensation In connection with our IPO, our General Partner adopted the Susser Petroleum Partners LP 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP Plan,” or “Sunoco LP Plan”), under which various types of awards may be granted to employees, consultants, and directors of our General Partner who provide services for us. Compensation expense related to outstanding awards is recognized over the vesting period based on the grant-date fair value. The grant-date fair value is determined based on the market price of our common units on the grant date. We amortize the grant-date fair value of these awards over their vesting period using the straight-line method. Expenses related to unit-based compensation are included in general and administrative expenses. Income Taxes The Partnership is a publicly traded limited partnership and is not taxable for federal and most state income tax purposes. As a result, our earnings or losses, to the extent not included in a taxable subsidiary, for federal and most state purposes are included in the tax returns of the individual partners. Net earnings for financial statement purposes may differ significantly from taxable income reportable to Unitholders as a result of differences between the tax basis and financial basis of assets and liabilities, differences between the tax accounting and financial accounting treatment of certain items, and due to allocation requirements related to taxable income under our Partnership Agreement. As a publicly traded limited partnership, we are subject to a statutory requirement that our “qualifying income” (as defined by the Internal Revenue Code, related Treasury Regulations, and IRS pronouncements) exceed 90% of our total gross income, determined on a calendar year basis. If our qualifying income were not to meet this statutory requirement, the Partnership would be taxed as a corporation for federal and state income tax purposes. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, our qualifying income met the statutory requirement. The Partnership conducts certain activities through corporate subsidiaries which are subject to federal, state and local income taxes. These corporate subsidiaries include PropCo, Susser, and Aloha. The Partnership and its corporate subsidiaries account for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rate is recognized in earnings in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts more likely than not to be realized. The determination of the provision for income taxes requires significant judgment, use of estimates, and the interpretation and application of complex tax laws. Significant judgment is required in assessing the timing and amounts of deductible and taxable items and the probability of sustaining uncertain tax positions. The benefits of uncertain tax positions are recorded in our financial statements only after determining a more-likely-than-not probability that the uncertain tax positions will withstand challenge, if any, from taxing authorities. When facts and circumstances change, we reassess these probabilities and record any changes through the provision for income taxes. In November 2015, new federal partnership audit procedures were signed into law which are effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. Under the new procedures, a partnership would be responsible for paying the imputed underpayment of tax resulting from audit adjustments in the adjustment year even though partnerships are “pass through entities.” However, as an alternative to paying the imputed underpayment of tax at the partnership level, a partnership may elect to provide audit adjustment information to the reviewed year partners, whom in turn would be responsible for paying the imputed underpayment of tax in the adjustment year. The Partnership is currently evaluating the impact, if any, this legislation has on our income taxes policies. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements FASB ASU No. 2014-09. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (“ASU 2014-09”), which clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue based on the core principle that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09, which is now effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The guidance permits two methods of adoption: retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (full retrospective method), or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application (the cumulative catch-up transition method). The Partnership will adopt ASU 2014-09 in the first quarter of 2018 and will apply the cumulative catch-up transition method. We have completed a detailed review of revenue contracts representative of our business segments and their revenue streams as of the adoption date; however, we continue to evaluate contract modifications and new contracts that have been or will be entered in the first quarter of 2018. As a result of the evaluation performed, we have determined that the timing and/or amount of revenue that we recognize on certain contracts will be impacted by the adoption of the new standard. We currently estimate the cumulative catch-up effect to Sunoco LP’s partners’ capital as of January 1, 2018 to be approximately $54 million. These adjustments are primarily related to the change in recognition of dealer incentives and rebates. In addition to the evaluation performed, we have made appropriate design and implementation updates to our business processes, systems and internal controls to support recognition and disclosure under the new standard. We continue to monitor additional authoritative or interpretive guidance related to the new standard as it becomes available, as well as comparing our conclusions on specific interpretative issues to other peers in our industry, to the extent that such information is available to us. FASB ASU No. 2016-02. In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 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. In January 2018, the FASB proposed amending the new leasing guidance such that entities may elect not to restate their comparative periods in the period of adoption. We are currently evaluating the effect that the updated standard will have on our consolidated balance sheets and related disclosures. We are in the process of evaluating our lease contracts to determine the potential impact of adopting the new standards. At this point in our evaluation process, we have determined that the timing and/or amount of lease assets and lease liabilities that we recognize on certain contracts will be impacted by the adoption of the new standard; however, we are still in the process of quantifying these impact. In addition, we are in the process of implementing appropriate changes to our business processes, systems and controls to support recognition and disclosure under the new standard. We continue to monitor additional authoritative or interpretive guidance related to the new standard as it becomes available, as well as comparing our conclusions on specific interpretative issues to other peers in our industry, to the extent that such information is available to us. 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. FASB ASU No. 2016-16. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16 “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory” (“ASU 2016-16”), which requires that entities recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. The amendments in this update do not change GAAP for the pre-tax effects of an intra-entity asset transfer under Topic 810, Consolidation, or for an intra-entity transfer of inventory. ASU 2016-16 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted. The Partnership is currently evaluating the impact that adoption of this standard will have on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. FASB ASU No. 2017-04. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04 “Intangibles-Goodwill and other (Topic 350): Simplifying the test for goodwill impairment.” The amendments in this update remove the second step of the two-step test currently required by Topic 350. An entity will apply a one-step quantitative test and record the amount of goodwill impairment as the excess of a reporting unit's carrying amount over its fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. The new guidance does not amend the optional qualitative assessment of goodwill impairment. This ASU is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Partnership adopted this ASU on April 1, 2017. This accounting guidance was utilized in the goodwill impairment tests performed during fiscal year 2017, which are discussed in Note 4 and Note 8.

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