Greene King boosted by food sales and heatwave The 214-year-old pub group, which employs 22,000 staff across more than 2,000 sites, said that food now accounts for 41pc of its retail sales, with another 20pc of sales from drinks bought alongside a meal. Despite the decline in statutory pre-tax profits, Greene King increased its dividend 6pc to 7.6p. It will be paid on January 24. Rooney Anand, chief executive, said the results were "very pleasing." He added: "Our first half performance was achieved in the context of steadily improving economic conditions although, with real disposable household incomes still in decline, the improving macroeconomic data is not yet translating into a sustainable recovery in household spending. Our customers remain prudent and we believe the 'voucher culture' is here to stay. Mr Anand also defended a controversial attempt by the company to use a £300m loan between two internal companies as a tax scheme. The scheme has been dismissed by HM Revenue and Customs, but Greene King is appealing the decision. Mr Anand said the Greene King has "complied with UK tax regulations for over 200 years" and that the company "took advice to make sure we were running the company the best way from a shareholder standpoint." Regarding the appeal, he said: "We need to make sure in terms of doing our job that the Government is right in the action they are taking."