There's a reason hot dogs and buns aren't sold in the same number

If there's one thing in this world that would make absolute, complete sense, it would be hot dogs and buns being sold in equal numbers.

It's not like you can use the buns for burgers - they're literally designed to perfectly hold the sausage, and I don't think I've ever seen anyone tucking in to a hot dog without the bread.

That would definitely be a red flag.

Getty Stock Image

So since hot dogs and buns are the perfect pairing, you'd probably think manufacturers would work together to ensure there's always enough of one to support the other.

But unfortunately, life just isn't that kind.

In reality, hotdogs are typically sold in packs of 10, while buns come in packs of eight, meaning there's always a couple of leftover dogs.

It's frustrating, but there is actually a reasonable explanation for it.

According to the National Hot Dog Sausage Council - yes that is a real thing - it's simply down to logistics.

On its website, the council explains: "When manufacturers began packaging hot dogs, they chose the 10 to the pack formula. Today hot dogs are sold most often in eight or ten to the pound packs, but some are sold other quantities as well.

"Sandwich rolls, or hot dog buns, most often come eight to the pack because the buns are baked in clusters of four in pans designed to hold eight rolls.

"While baking pans now come in configurations that allow baking 10 and even 12 at a time, the eight roll pan remains the most popular."

You don't want to be left with a lone hotdog sausage (Getty Stock Photo)

So while there are some manufacturers who might bless hot dog fans with equal numbers of buns and sausages, the classic formula remains uneven.

In order to ensure you're not left with any spare sausages during a BBQ, the council explains that you'd need to purchase five bags of eight buns, and four packs of 10 hot dogs to break even.

Moves have been made to amend this discrepancy over the years, with Heinz even going as far as launching a Change.org petition to right the wrong.

Heinz

Speaking about its mission to change the hot dog industry for the better, Heinz said: "Help us change the hot dog industry for the better and continue to get wieners and buns sold in even packs all over the world.

"We’ve succeeded in select parts of Canada but we’re not stopping until the hot dog packaging mismatch is solved globally. Hot dog history is in your hands."

The petition ultimately amassed over 35,000 signatures, and it did prove successful in Canada as an update revealed the launch of '10-packs of Wonder® buns' in Ontario.

As for the rest of the hot dog fans in the world, you might just have to double up on those last couple of weiners. It's for the best.