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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.     )

  Filed by the Registrant   þ
  Filed by a Party other than the Registrant   o
 
  Check the appropriate box:

  o   Preliminary Proxy Statement
  o   Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
  o   Definitive Proxy Statement
  o   Definitive Additional Materials
  þ   Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

BEVERLY ENTERPRISES, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
 
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

      Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

  þ   No fee required.
  o   Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

        1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

        2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

        3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

        4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

        5) Total fee paid:

        o   Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

        o   Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

        1) Amount Previously Paid:

        2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

        3) Filing Party:

        4) Date Filed:

SEC 1913 (11-01) Persons who are to respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number.

 

The message below was sent to the employees of BEI on Friday, August 25, 2005, by William R. Floyd, BEI’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
MESSAGE FROM BILL FLOYD TO BEI ASSOCIATES
To All BEI Associates:
I want to provide you with an update regarding the sale of our company. Late yesterday, the Formation Capital Consortium filed a statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission indicating that they do not have any present intention to submit any further proposals to acquire BEI. In addition, the filing terminates the agreement between the members of the consortium that joined them together for the purpose of acquiring BEI — effectively dissolving this group.
We expect the merger and transaction closing process to proceed smoothly. Don’t forget, however, that the merger is still subject to the approval of BEI’s stockholders, as well as certain regulatory, governmental and licensing approvals.
We’ll continue to keep you posted as more information becomes available.
Bill
*******************************
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
In connection with the merger with North American Senior Care, Inc. (“NASC”), Beverly Enterprises, Inc. (“BEI”) will file a proxy statement and other materials with the Securities and Exchange Commission. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION, INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT AND THESE MATERIALS WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. BEI and its officers and directors may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies with respect to any proposed transaction. Information regarding such individuals is included in the Company’s proxy statements and Annual Reports on Form 10K previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and will be included in the proxy statement relating to the proposed transaction when it becomes available. You may obtain BEI’s proxy statement, when it becomes available, any amendments or supplements to the proxy statement and other relevant documents free of charge at www.sec.gov. You

 

may also obtain a free copy of BEI’s proxy statement, when it becomes available, any amendments and supplements to the proxy statement and other relevant documents by writing to BEI at 1000 Beverly Way, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72919, Attn: Investor Relations or at www.beverlycorp.com under the tab “Investor Information” and then under the heading “SEC Filings.”
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
The statements in this document relating to matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements based on management’s beliefs and assumptions using currently available information and expectations as of the date hereof. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in BEI’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In particular, statements regarding the consummation of the merger with North American Senior Care are subject to risks that the conditions to the transaction will not be satisfied, including the risk that regulatory approvals will not be obtained.
In addition, our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows may be adversely impacted by the recently concluded auction process, the announcement of the proposed transaction with North American Senior Care and the announcement of the recent proposal by the Formation Capital Consortium. All of these events may impact our ability to attract and retain customers, management and employees. We have incurred and will continue to incur significant advisory fees and other expenses relating to the auction process, the transaction with North American Senior Care and the recent proposal by the Formation Capital Consortium. Although BEI believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot give any assurances that these expectations will prove to be correct. BEI assumes no duty to publicly update or revise such statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.