Crossamerica Partners (CAPL) Risk Analysis

Our business and properties are subject to extensive local, state and federal governmental laws and regulations relating to, among other things, the sale of alcohol and tobacco and public accessibility requirements. The cost of compliance with these laws and regulations can have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition. In addition, failure to comply with local, state and federal laws and regulations to which our operations are subject may result in penalties and costs that could adversely affect our business and our operating results. In certain areas where our retail sites are located, state or local laws limit the retail sites' hours of operation or their sale of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, possible inhalants and lottery tickets, in particular to minors. Failure to comply with these laws could adversely affect our revenues and results of operations because these state and local regulatory agencies have the power to revoke, suspend or deny applications for and renewals of permits and licenses relating to the sale of these products or to seek other remedies, such as the imposition of fines or other penalties. Moreover, these laws may impact our sales volumes in general, as customers who purchase certain products such as alcoholic beverages typically buy other products when they shop. Laws that curtail the consumer's ability to buy certain products at our retail sites may curtail consumer demand for other products that we sell.

The Omnibus Agreement and the Circle K Omnibus Agreement provide that we must indemnify the Topper Group and Couche-Tard for certain liabilities, including any liabilities incurred by the Topper Group and Couche-Tard attributable to the operating and administrative services provided to us under the agreement, other than liabilities resulting from the Topper Group's or Couche-Tard's bad faith, fraud, or willful misconduct, as applicable.

The anticipated after-tax benefit of an investment in our common units depends largely on our being treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. First, a partnership is exempt from U.S. federal income tax, and the partnership's income is instead allocated to the partners for inclusion on their tax returns. Second, under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, and before January 1, 2026, the partner may also deduct from the partnership's taxable income allocable to such partner an amount equal to 20% of such qualified business income (subject to certain limits), resulting in a lower effective tax rate for the partner with respect to the partnership's income. A publicly traded partnership, such as us, may be treated as a corporation, instead of being treated as a partnership, for U.S. federal income tax purposes unless 90% or more of its gross income for every taxable year it is publicly traded consists of Qualifying Income. Based on our current operations we believe that we will be able to satisfy this requirement and, thus, be treated as a partnership, rather than a corporation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. However, a substantial change in our business, or a change in current U.S. federal income tax law, could also cause us to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes or otherwise subject us to entity-level taxation. If we were required to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes or otherwise subject to entity-level taxation, then we would pay U.S. federal income tax on our taxable income at the corporate tax rate which, under current law, is 21%. We would also likely pay state and local income tax at varying rates. Distributions to our unitholders would generally be taxed again as either a dividend (to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits) and/or as taxable gain after recovery of a unitholder's U.S. federal income tax basis in their units, and no income, gains, losses, deductions or credits would flow through to our unitholders. Because a U.S. federal income tax would be imposed upon us as a corporation, our cash available for distribution to our unitholders would be substantially reduced. Thus, treatment of us as a corporation would result in a material reduction in the anticipated cash flow and after-tax return to our unitholders. At the state level, were we to be subject to U.S. federal income tax, we would also be subject to the income tax provisions of many states. Moreover, because of widespread state budget deficits and other reasons, several states are evaluating ways to independently subject partnerships to entity-level taxation through the imposition of state income taxes, franchise taxes and other forms of taxation. Imposition of any additional such taxes on us or an increase in the existing tax rates would reduce the cash available for distribution to our unitholders. Our Partnership Agreement provides that if a law is enacted or existing law is modified or interpreted in a manner that results in us becoming subject to either: (a) entity-level taxation for U.S. federal, state, local and/or foreign income and/or withholding tax purposes to which we were not subject prior to such enactment, modification or interpretation, and/or (b) an increased amount of one or more of such taxes (including as a result of an increase in tax rates), then the minimum quarterly distribution amounts and the target distribution amounts may be adjusted (i.e., reduced) to reflect the impact of that law on us.

Our operations are subject to a variety of environmental laws and regulations, including those relating to emissions to the air (such as the federal Clean Air Act), discharges into water (such as the federal Clean Water Act), releases of hazardous and toxic substances and remediation of contaminated sites (such as the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 ("CERCLA")), and similar state and local laws and regulations. Under CERCLA, we may, as the owner or operator, be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of contamination at our current locations or our former locations, whether or not we knew of, or were responsible for, the presence of such contamination. In particular, as an owner and operator of motor fueling stations, we face risks relating to petroleum product contamination that other retail site operators not engaged in such activities would not face. The remediation costs and other costs required to clean up or treat contaminated sites could be substantial. Contamination on and from our current or former locations may subject us to liability to third parties or governmental authorities for injuries to persons, property or natural resources and may adversely affect our ability to sell or rent our properties or to borrow money using such properties as collateral. CERCLA also provides that persons who dispose of or arrange for the disposal or treatment of hazardous or toxic substances at third-party sites may also be liable for the costs of removal or remediation of such substances at these disposal sites although such sites are not owned by such persons. Our historic and current operation of many locations and the disposal of contaminated soil and groundwater wastes generated during cleanups of contamination at such locations could expose us to such liability. Pursuant to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended, the EPA has established a comprehensive regulatory program for the detection, prevention, investigation and cleanup of leaking underground storage tanks. State or local agencies are often delegated the responsibility for implementing the federal program or developing and implementing equivalent state or local regulations. Compliance with existing and future environmental laws regulating such tanks and systems may require significant expenditures. We pay fees to state "leaking UST" trust funds in states where they exist. These state trust funds are expected to pay or reimburse us for remediation expenses related to contamination associated with USTs subject to their jurisdiction. Such payments are always subject to a deductible paid by us, specified per incident caps and specified maximum annual payments, which vary among the funds. Additionally, such funds may have eligibility requirements that not all of our current or anticipated sites will meet. To the extent state funds or other responsible parties do not pay or delay payments for remediation, we will be obligated to make these payments, which, in the aggregate, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash available for distribution to our unitholders. We can give no assurance that these funds or responsible third parties are or will continue to remain viable. Motor fuel operations present risks of soil and groundwater contamination. In the future, we may incur substantial expenditures for remediation of contamination that has not been discovered at locations which we may acquire. We regularly monitor our facilities for environmental contamination and record liabilities on our financial statements to cover potential environmental remediation and compliance costs when probable to occur and reasonably estimable. However, we can make no assurance that the liabilities we have recorded are the only environmental liabilities relating to our current and former locations, that material environmental conditions not known to us do not exist, that future laws or regulations will not impose material environmental liability on us or that our actual environmental liabilities will not exceed our reserves. In addition, failure to comply with environmental regulations, including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act or CERCLA, or an increase in regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash available for distribution to our unitholders.

Under our Omnibus Agreement, the Topper Group provides us with the personnel necessary to support our management, administrative and operating services, including accounting, tax, legal, internal audit, risk management and compliance, environmental compliance and remediation management oversight, treasury, information technology and other administrative functions, as well as the management and operation of our wholesale distribution and retail business. If our Omnibus Agreement is terminated, we may suffer interruptions to our business or increased costs to replace these services.

All of the motor fuel we distribute is transported from motor fuel terminals to gas stations by third-party carriers. A change or shortage of transportation providers, a disruption in service or a significant change in our relationship or commercial terms with any of these transportation carriers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash available for distribution to our unitholders.

Prior to making any distribution on our common units, we will pay the Topper Group the management fee and reimburse our General Partner and the Topper Group for all out-of-pocket third-party expenses they incur and payments they make on our behalf, pursuant to the Omnibus Agreement. Our Partnership Agreement provides that our General Partner will determine in good faith the expenses that are allocable to us. In addition, pursuant to the Omnibus Agreement, the Topper Group will be entitled to reimbursement for certain expenses that they incur on our behalf. Our Partnership Agreement does not limit the amount of expenses for which our General Partner and the Topper Group may be reimbursed. The reimbursement of expenses and payment of fees, if any, to our General Partner and the Topper Group will reduce the amount of cash available to pay distributions to our unitholders.

The markets for distribution of wholesale motor fuel and the sale of retail motor fuel are highly competitive and fragmented, which results in narrow margins. We have numerous competitors, and some may have significantly greater resources and name recognition than we do. We rely on our ability to provide value added reliable services and to control our operating costs to maintain our margins and competitive position. If we were to fail to maintain the quality of our services, any or all of our wholesale customers could choose alternative distribution sources and expected retail customers could purchase from other retailers, each decreasing our margins. Furthermore, major integrated oil companies may decide to distribute their own products in direct competition with us, or large wholesale customers may attempt to buy directly from the major integrated oil companies. The occurrence of any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and our ability to make distributions to our unitholders.

Our motor fuel sales are generated under contracts that must be periodically renegotiated or replaced. We may be unable to renegotiate or replace these contracts when they expire, and the terms of any renegotiated contracts may not be as favorable as the contracts they replace. Whether these contracts are successfully renegotiated or replaced is often times subject to factors beyond our control. Such factors include fluctuations in motor fuel prices, counterparty ability to pay for or accept the contracted volumes and a competitive marketplace for the services offered by us. If we cannot successfully renegotiate or replace our contracts or must renegotiate or replace them on less favorable terms, sales from these arrangements could decline, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash available for distribution to our unitholders. Further, we have contracts with certain multi-site lessee dealers that provide for the ability for each party to sever or recapture a certain number of sites from the contract. If sites are severed, we will seek to replace the dealer, but it is possible that the agreement with any new dealer may not provide for an equivalent fuel margin and/or rental income stream, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash available for distribution to our unitholders. It is also possible that we will operate the site until the dealer is replaced or indefinitely.

In the retail motor fuel industry, customer traffic is generally driven by consumer preferences and spending trends, growth rates for commercial truck traffic and trends in travel and weather. Changes in economic conditions generally, or in the regions in which we operate, could adversely affect consumer spending patterns and travel in our markets. In particular, weakening economic conditions may result in decreases in miles driven and discretionary consumer spending and travel, which affect spending on motor fuel and convenience items. In addition, changes in the types of products and services demanded by consumers or labor strikes in the construction industry or other industries that employ customers who visit sites, may adversely affect our sales and gross profit. Additionally, negative publicity or perception surrounding motor fuel suppliers could adversely affect reputation and brand image, which may negatively affect our motor fuel sales and gross profit. Similarly, advanced technology and increased use of electric or hybrid cars or cars using alternative fuels would reduce demand for motor fuel. Our success depends on our ability to anticipate and respond in a timely manner to changing consumer demands and preferences while continuing to sell products and services that remain relevant to the consumer and thus generally have a positive impact our overall merchandise gross profit.

Our company operated retail sites are located in regions throughout the U.S. that are susceptible to certain severe weather events, such as hurricanes, flooding, severe thunderstorms, snowstorms, tornadoes and extreme heat and cold. Inclement weather conditions could damage our facilities or those of our suppliers or could have a significant impact on consumer behavior, travel and retail site traffic patterns as well as our ability to operate our retail sites. We could also be affected by regional occurrences, such as energy shortages or increases in energy prices, fires or other natural disasters. Further, our ability to insure these locations and the related cost of such insurance coverage could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash available for distribution to our unitholders. Additionally, many studies have discussed the relationship between greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. One consequence of climate change noted in many of these reports is the increased severity of extreme weather, such as increased hurricanes and floods. Such events could adversely affect our operations through water damage, powerful winds or increased costs for insurance. Climate change also continues to attract considerable public and scientific attention. Litigation has been filed against companies in the energy industry related to climate change. Should such suits succeed, we could face additional compliance costs or litigation risks.