That question was answered by the straight dope: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_350.html Addendum: I did not include the whole straightdope answer because that would be a copyright violation. I did not write a summary because the article touches on too many points, and I was sure to miss some. Straightdope.com won't go away, so just click on the link.

becuase the hot dog company wants you to buy more hot dogs so they package their dogs in packages of 6 instead of 8.

The disparity between dogs and buns varies depending upon where in the world you live. Some countries, like Argentina, don't suffer from this problem. Their dogs come in 6 and the buns come in 6 or 12. In America, this problem is rampant throughout the land. This problem is not limited to 6 packs of dogs and 8 packs of buns. There is a lot of variation of this theme; some places you get 8 packs of buns and 10 packs of dogs. Some areas like Chicago, experience this problem as described below: "Historically, buns have been sold in packages of six or 12 because bakers deal in dozens, while hot dogs vendors deal in pounds, with eight franks to a pound. In what has been dubbed the "piece treaty," Vienna Beef and S. Rosen have agreed to market eight-count packages of their respective products, and are cross-merchandising them in stores." http://www.groceryheadquarters.com/printarticle.cfm?aid=3729 EDIT: I decided to include the important part of the text from another answer which only had the link - simply for the sake of providing the info. "you get ten hot dogs and eight buns per package because meat packers like things that come in pounds and bakers hate things that come in tens" http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_350.html According to Oscar Mayer, blame lies with the persons who decide how groceries stores are stocked: "3) Why do OSCAR MAYER® Hot Dogs come 10 per package and there are 8 hot dog buns per package or vice versa? We do not know why all bakeries do not offer hot dog buns with eight or ten buns per package. Our products are currently available in six, eight and ten count packages. Retailers determine which items they will stock." http://www.kraftfoods.com/om/bn/c_Products/hd_FAQ.htm So, it's not that hot dogs come only in a 10 pack, retailers choose to stock the 10 pack as opposed to the available 8 pack. Which kind of does make sense, if a consumer just can't stomach the notion of a bunless dog or two, they then have to buy a 2nd package of buns to ensure non-bunless doggage. This doubles the sales of the bun-makers. It's the bun-makers and grocers who profit from this whole scam! That's right! I say boycott buns everyone! We'll put the screws to 'em! Eat bunless dogs, for your children's sake, so they don't have to grow up in a world of mis-matching dogs and buns! Sorry, long day at work... In conclusion, I believe the idea about dealing in dozens vs. pounds might be the reason this madness ever happened in the first place. Since those days, however, dog manufacturers have listened to the cries of the people to make the # of dogs match the # of buns (at least give us numbers with which we can work without having leftover buns or dogs) as evidenced by the availability of the 10, 8 and 6 pack of hot dogs. It's the stores who have decided to deprive us of our natural right to a matching set of buns and dogs. Oh the humanity... ANONYMOUS: I resent that accusation and it's simply not true. My answer includes information that I found on my own as well as text from a link from another person's answer (the answer was incomplete as it only included a link - which we all know isn't the preferred way to answer the questions in this forum). It's really too bad that you can't understand the purpose of this. I most often include excerpts and quotes from links but I always make it clear from where the material came.

I did the maths. You would have to buy three packages of buns and four packages of hot dogs to ensure that each dog had a bun. That's twenty four hot dogs. If you bought any less than that some buns would go to waste. Unless of course you have invited vegetarians to your party. I guess what I'm trying to say is the bun and hotdog manufacturers have put their heads together to try and force us, the consumer, to buy more of their product than we need thus increasing their sales.

it is a marketing scam... makes you buy an extra package

Many families have one or two unfavored children. The two extra buns are given to these children with enough mustard and sauerkraut to disquise the fact that the hot dog has been omitted. www.BusterStronghart.blogspot.com

This is simply a maketing/sales technique used to get people to puchase an extra item. another technique is to offer sales of 3 for a buck. you could purchase just one for a third of the cost but theyre suggesting that you buy 3, so you do. the power of suggestion can be very powerful. watch out!

ITS ALL ABOUT ECONOMICS...THATS HOW THEY MAKE MONEY...SIMPLE AS THAT! Do you really think gas is that scarce right now? I'm sure it is to a certain extent but the media will make it sound worse so we'll run out and buy gas.

Although at one time this might have been the norm... all the hot dogs I have ever seen come in packs of 8... just like the buns. Maybe there are some brands that package their dogs in 6, but I haven't seen any.

Where I live in NC and the hot dogs come in eight and the buns come in eight.

It's very simple. The ideal US household has 2 children, a boy and a girl. Dad eats 2 Hotdogs, Mom eats 2 hotdogs, Teenage boy eats 3 hotdogs, little girl eats 1 hotdog, this uses up the buns. The two remaining hot dogs are for Fido the family pet and he don't need a bun.

Theres a very good reason. I can't remember what it is and I don't feel like looking it up but usually these days you can find hot dogs and buns with the same quantities so it doesn't matter.

The hot dogs are sold that way because they are basically sold by the pound and traditionally they were 10 to the pound. Bread is also sold either by the pound or by the dozen for small loose items like rolls or buns. Bakers don't work in odd numbers, only even. But that was too many in a pack. two rows of 8 made a nice square package. No conspiracy, just easier packaging and marketing.

So you will spend more money to get rid of the extras.

The sausages are usually too short to fill the buns so you need one and a half in each LOL

The hotdog + hotdog bun companies have come together and decided this so that you will have to buy more hotdogs and then more hotdog buns and so on and so forth so that you will have to buy more! www.hotdogconspiracy.com

Just another one of those things, some *sshole thought would be funny!

This is a GREAT GREAT GREAT question that I saw asked in a movie one time. The guy started ripping open more bun packages so he has to right amount to go with all his packs of hot dogs and got in trouble. lol. I guess maybe they figure that if you cook on the grill, you will end up losing about 2 hot dogs that roll between those cracks and land in the fire. Or they may be counting the 2 hot dogs that always roll off the plate when you put them on there without a bun. lol. :0)