Time out, folks. Your resident nerd is here to help.

1) Starbucks doesn't offer franchises, they're all corporately-controlled.

2) A tip line/signature line has very little to do with the merchant's SIC/MMC code(s). In fact, it's usually a setting on the terminal that can be tweaked by flipping dip switches inside the box, or by downloading a different build of the software. That said, I have no idea what the standard at Starbucks is.

FYI, I spent two years writing software for Nurit terminals, Verifone POS, MicrosPOS, the Starlink ATM Network, Visa, MC, Etrade ATMs, etc...basically all the common networks including ACH (direct debit/credit of checking accounts).

And Auditor Kevin, there's virtually no way that your girl's debit card was charged an additional $1. A credit card I could understand, but a debit card (where she's required to put in a PIN number) ...that's what we call an ACH transaction, and they are near-instantaneous. Every debit card transaction requires a new authorization code, so unless the $1 appeared as a single charge in her statement, the cashier isn't to blame. I suppose it's possible the cashier ran it as a Visa/MC or something, but even then....I don't think she'd risk her job for $1.

God I'm such a computer nerd.