Why do hot dogs come in a pack of ten but the buns come in a pack of eight?

Here are few possible answers and reasons they are probably incorrect:

• So you'll buy more bread (no, because you can certainly buy buns in many other sizes, including 8)
• To maximize waste and make sure some of the product goes bad and you have to buy more. (no, that's not an effective goal in corporate thinking. You'd have two to spare)
• 2 of the hot dogs always fall through the grill so you only need 8 buns. (simply not true in general. It may happen, but not universal.)

The real reason is that each manufacturer has its own interests. They aren't the same entity. Hot dog manufacturers prefer to have packages weigh exactly a pound. It's easier to measure, sell, store, etc. Thus there are packages with 6 or even 4 larger, but the weight should add up to a pound, regardless. It happens to be that the most manageable size of hot dogs are an eighth of a pound, or 2 ounces.

The bakers have a different issue: pans. They use trays in various formations. The reason that a dozen is such a traditional baker's number is that it can be set up in configurations of 3X4 or 4X3 (or 2X6, or 6X2, but that's not common). When it comes to pans and ovens, maximum efficiency is key. Ten buns means it must be 2 rows of 5, which simply doesn't always work. The 3X4 rectangle is more convenient.

First answer by ID1193202876. Last edit by Jayrusalem. Contributor trust: 653 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 6 [recommend question]