OREANDA-NEWS. May 07, 2014. Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. (NYSE:ETP) announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement whereby ETP plans to acquire Susser Holdings Corporation (NYSE:SUSS) in a unit and cash transaction valued at a total consideration of approximately USD1.8 billion.

By acquiring Susser Holdings, ETP will own the general partner (GP) interest and the incentive distribution rights (IDRs) in Susser Petroleum Partners LP (NYSE:SUSP), approximately 11 million SUSP common units (representing approximately 50.2 % of SUSP’s outstanding units), and SUSS’ existing retail operations, consisting of 630 convenience store locations.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, which has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of ETP and SUSS, the shareholders of Susser Holdings will have the option to elect to receive either \\$80.25 in cash or 1.4506 ETP common units, or a combination of both, for each share held. The shareholder election is subject to proration to ensure that aggregate cash paid and common units issued will each represent 50% of the aggregate merger consideration. Given the capital appreciation embedded in the stock price of Susser Holdings, the receipt of ETP units on a tax deferred basis should be attractive to long-term Susser shareholders.

ETP has entered into a support agreement with shareholders representing 10% of the outstanding Susser Holdings’ shares, pursuant to which such shareholders have agreed to vote their shares in favor of the merger and to elect to receive 100% ETP common units as their consideration, subject to the same pro ration as all other shareholders.

Susser Holdings has achieved a remarkable track record of sustained earnings growth and currently operates 630 retail convenience stores that sell either nationally or regionally branded gasoline or sell gasoline under the “Stripes” brand. Through these retail stores and its fuel distribution network, Susser Holdings is also one of the largest non-refiner suppliers of motor fuel in Texas with 1.6 billion gallons sold in 2013. The focus of Susser Holdings in Texas and its neighboring states has allowed it to capitalize on the strong Texas economy, as well as the demographic changes occurring in these markets.

“The combination with Energy Transfer Partners and Sunoco is the right next step for Susser Holdings and delivers significant value for Susser Holdings shareholders. This transaction also enables our shareholders who elect ETP units to participate in the future growth of the retail business,” said Sam L. Susser, Chairman and CEO of Susser.

Bob Owens, CEO and President of Sunoco, Inc., added, “The combination of Susser and our Sunoco retail business creates a platform to build a best in class and unique business that is well diversified by both geography and product lines.”

The addition of Susser to the Sunoco network of more than 5,000 retail stores, primarily on the East Coast, broadens Sunoco's geographic footprint by giving it an exceptional base in Texas and the surrounding states. The pro-forma business will have tremendous fuel and retail capabilities that are expected to generate sustained earnings growth over time.

Overall, synergy opportunities are expected to exceed USD 70 million annually from fuel, merchandising and improved “buying power” reflecting economies of scale. Those commercial and operational synergies are expected to be realized within 6 - 12 months post-closing. Additional savings are likely as systems and processes from both businesses are consolidated.

Multi-Step Action Plan
Our overall retail business strategy is expected to take place in several steps. The first step is for ETP to acquire SUSS and on closing, to migrate the SUSP GP/IDRs directly to ETP.

Post-closing, it is ETP’s intention to drop down to SUSP, in a synchronized series of drop downs, all of the combined retail businesses. The consideration for the drop downs is expected to be a combination of SUSP units and cash. The cash proceeds to ETP from drop downs will provide for further deleveraging and capital for new growth. This drop down plan also establishes a means to allow ETP to completely segregate the combined retail business into SUSP, with its own access to capital and balance sheet. Any drop downs would require approvals of the Board of Directors of SUSP and ETP.

In addition to the drop downs, ETP expects the SUSP IDR cash flow it receives to continue to grow as SUSP cash flows grow through organic growth, acquisitions and expected synergies. ETP then anticipates that it would propose to Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. (NYSE: ETE) that ETP transfer to ETE the GP/IDRs of SUSP in exchange for ETP units currently held by ETE. Any transfer of the GP/IDRs of SUSP to ETE in exchange for ETP units held by ETE would be subject to the approval of the Board of Directors of each of ETE and ETP.

Strategic Rationale
The creation of a strong and diversified stand-alone retail business that provides significant value and synergy opportunities and a platform for future growth.

The anticipated Sunoco and SUSS drop downs into SUSP gives the overall retail business its own identity, tremendous scale, geographic and cash flow diversification, while eventually separating it from ETP.

Transaction is immediately accretive to distributable cash flow for ETP and is expected to be credit ratings neutral.

Each additional step in the overall action plan is expected to be incrementally cash flow accretive to ETP.

Integration
Bob Owens, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sunoco, Inc. will serve as the President and CEO of the combined businesses, reporting to Kelcy Warren, Chairman and CEO of ETP. Sam L. Susser will continue as Chairman of SUSP.

The management team will combine members from both organizations to prepare for and execute the integration of the combined businesses.

Other Transaction Details
The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of each ETP and Susser Holdings and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2014, subject to approval of the shareholders of Susser Holdings and customary regulatory approvals.

SUSP will continue to be traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) as a separate publicly traded master limited partnership (MLP) and maintain its current headquarters in Houston, Texas.

In conjunction with the transaction, ETE has agreed to relinquish its right to \\$35 million of annual incentive distributions from ETP to which it would otherwise be entitled. Such relinquishment will continue for a period ending on the earlier of 10 years or the date of the exchange of the SUSP GP/IDRs to ETE.

Advisors
Barclays and Credit Suisse acted as financial advisors, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC delivered a fairness opinion to the Board of ETP. Vinson & Elkins acted as legal counsel to ETP, and Bingham McCutchen acted as tax counsel to ETP. BofA Merrill Lynch acted as financial advisor and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP acted as legal counsel to Susser.