Ever wonder why hot dogs and hot dog buns are sold in different quantities, so that there always seem to be heaps of uneaten buns?

Chicago-based hot dog manufacturer Vienna Beef and Alpha Baking Co., maker of S. Rosen's buns, found themselves wondering the same thing. Now they're promising to sell the buns and hot dogs in the same numbers.

In fact, the companies plan to sign a formal "piece" treaty, vowing to package hot dogs and buns in quantities of eight.

Hot dogs now are sold eight to a pack, and buns are sold with six or 12 in a pack, according to the companies. In order to have an even cookout, chefs must buy 24 of each to ensure that every dog has a breaded mate.

Because of former inequities, more than 2 million buns a year are wasted, the companies indicated.