I'm not sure why they never get back to you. I have learned though when you are job hunting wait a week after you submit your application then go in and ask for the hiring manager and introduce yourself and say how " you would really love a job and you hope they consider your application." The follow up about once every one or two weeks just to say that you are still interested. It shows initiative and they you really want the job.

Oh and with fast food especially, just in case you don't have one, it's good to have a food handlers card before you apply and to put that fact on the application.

They get a lot of applications and have no incentive to get back to applicants. If you stop expecting them to get back to you with bad news you won't be annoyed with them. It is simply not a productive use of their time. If you were on a short list of those interviewed, then they are more likely to call or email you.

Typically, you don't hear back because they're not interested in you. This is the way the buisness world is, 99% of the time.

You can do some things, though, to ensure you're not "left hanging".

Go in and talk to a person. Don't just mail or send in your application. When you apply, ask the person when they're hoping to fill the position. (if you're responding to an ad, look it over -- the expected date of hire, "immediately" or "starting on ___" should be listed) ....

(if you're being interviewed, ask at the end of the interview when they expect to reach a decision.) Then you will know your "deadline".

Send a thank-you note if you feel it's appropriate (you should only be sending these after an interview), then wait. If it begins to reach "deadline" time and you haven't heard anything back, call to speak to someone in HR. Explain that you applied for the position and you're looking to get an update. If you are unable to reach anyone or noone returns your calls, drop it and move on.

But typically, asking for that "time frame" will at least give you a window to work in -- and once that window has passed and you haven't heard back, you'll know it's time to give up on hearing back from that company.