TravelCenters of America (NYSE: TA) reported earnings on May 7. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
 For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), TravelCenters of America missed estimates on revenues and exceeded expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue shrank slightly. GAAP loss per share dropped.

Margins expanded across the board.

Revenue details
 TravelCenters of America reported revenue of $1.96 billion. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected revenue of $2.04 billion on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were the same as the prior-year quarter's.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
 EPS came in at -$0.41. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ predicted -$0.43 per share. GAAP EPS were -$0.41 for Q1 versus -$0.49 per share for the prior-year quarter.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
 For the quarter, gross margin was 4.1%, 40 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was -0.4%, 20 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was -0.6%, 10 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. (Margins calculated in GAAP terms.)

Looking ahead
 Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $2.15 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $1.06.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $8.32 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.22.

Investor sentiment
 The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 101 members out of 116 rating the stock outperform, and 15 members rating it underperform. Among 41 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 35 give TravelCenters of America a green thumbs-up, and six give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on TravelCenters of America is outperform, with an average price target of $11.83.

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