In the Philippine food business, growth often arrives wrapped in cheese, discounts, and delivery fees. Figaro Culinary Group, Inc. seems to understand this better than most. In the quarter ended March 31, 2026, the company’s revenue climbed to ₱1.496bn , up 14.9% from a year earlier, while nine-month revenue rose 13.5% to ₱4.697bn . The expansion story remains intact. But the more interesting question is not whether FCG is growing. It is whether that growth is becoming more expensive to produce. The answer, for now, is yes. Gross profit in the March quarter rose 16.0% to ₱674.0m , nudging gross margin upward to 45.1% from 44.6% a year earlier. For the nine-month period, gross margin improved more meaningfully, to 46.6% from 44.2% . On the surface, that is encouraging: the company is selling more while keeping direct costs under reasonable control. But below the gross-profit line, the picture becomes less flattering. Operating expenses in the quarter rose 18.2% , faster than...