<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>sv8</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<P align="right" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March&nbsp;24, 2004.<BR>
Registration No.&nbsp;333-</B><U>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</U>



<HR size="4" noshade color="#000000" style="margin-top: -5px">
<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000" style="margin-top: -10px">





<P align="center" style="font-size: 14pt"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>


<P>
<HR noshade width="25%" align="center" size="1">
<P>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 18pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>


<P>
<HR noshade width="25%" align="center" size="1">
<P>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 24pt"><B>BEVERLY ENTERPRISES, INC.</B>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</DIV>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Delaware</B><BR>
(State or other jurisdiction of<BR>
incorporation or organization)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>62-1691861</B><BR>
(I.R.S. Employer<BR>Identification Number)</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>One Thousand Beverly Way<BR>
Fort Smith, Arkansas</B><BR>
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>72919</B><BR>
(Zip Code)</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>BEVERLY ENTERPRISES, INC.<BR>
401(K) SAVINGSPLUS PLAN</B><BR>
(Full title of the plan)



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Douglas J. Babb<BR>
One Thousand Beverly Way<BR>
Fort Smith, Arkansas 72919</B><BR>
(Name and address of agent for service)



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>479-201-2000</B><BR>
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)



<P>
<HR noshade width="25%" align="center" size="1">
<P>




<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="32%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>&nbsp;</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Title of Securities</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount to be</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Offering Price</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Aggregate</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount of</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>to be Registered (1)</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Registered (2)</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Per Share(3)</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Offering Price (3)</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Registration Fee</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px">Common Stock, Par
Value $0.10 Per
Share</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">1,000,000</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">$</TD>
    <TD align="right">6.04</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">$</TD>
    <TD align="right">6,040,000.00</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right">$</TD>
    <TD align="right">765.27</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>




<P align="left" style="margin-left:3%; font-size: 10pt">(1)&nbsp;In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of
1933, this registration statement also covers an indeterminate amount of
interests to be offered or sold pursuant to the employee benefit plan
described herein.



<P align="left" style="margin-left:3%; font-size: 10pt">(2)&nbsp;Plus such additional number of shares as may be required pursuant to
the employee benefit plan in the event of a stock split, stock dividend,
recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation or other similar
event.



<P align="left" style="margin-left:3%; font-size: 10pt">(3)&nbsp;This estimate is made pursuant to Rule 457(c) and (h)&nbsp;of the Securities
Act solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee based on the
average of the high and low prices of the Registrant&#146;s common shares on the
New York Stock Exchange on March&nbsp;22, 2004.


<P>
<HR size="1" noshade color="#000000" style="margin-top: -2px">
<HR size="4" noshade color="#000000" style="margin-top: -10px">






<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

</TABLE>
<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<P><TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">


</TABLE>

<!-- TOC -->
<A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

<P><CENTER>
<TABLE border="0" width="90%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="76%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000">PART I</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#001">PART II</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#002">Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#003">Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#004">Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#005">Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#006">Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#007">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#008">Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#009">SIGNATURES AND POWERS OF ATTORNEY</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#010">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="d13925exv23w1.htm">Consent of Ernst & Young LLP</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<!-- /TOC -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>INTRODUCTION</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This Registration Statement on Form S-8 is filed by Beverly Enterprises,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the &#147;Registrant&#148;), relating to up to 1,000,000
shares of its common stock, par value $0.10 per share (the &#147;Common Stock&#148;)
issuable to eligible persons in accordance with the terms of the Beverly
Enterprises, Inc. 401(k) SavingsPlus Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;).

<!-- link1 "PART I" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>PART I</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The documents containing the information specified in Part&nbsp;I of Form S-8
will be sent or given to employees as specified by Rule&nbsp;428(b)(1). Such
documents need not be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission either
as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus
supplements pursuant to Rule&nbsp;424. These documents and the documents
incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement pursuant to Item&nbsp;3 of
Part&nbsp;II of Form S-8, taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets the
requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.

<!-- link1 "PART II" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>PART II</B>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>


<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents that the Registrant has previously filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;) are hereby incorporated
by reference into this Registration Statement:


<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">&#149;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2003, filed with the Commission on March&nbsp;3, 2004.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

<P>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">&#149;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the Commission
on October&nbsp;15, 1997, under which the Company registered the Common
Stock under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition, all documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant
to Section&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all
securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all such securities then
remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such
documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference
herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this
Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in
any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any
such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so
modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">2
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;4. Description of Securities.</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="004"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="005"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Registrant&#146;s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as
amended, provides that the Registrant shall, to the full extent permitted by
the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the &#147;DGCL&#148;) or other
applicable laws presently or hereafter in effect, indemnify each person who is
or was or who has agreed to become a director or officer of the Registrant, or
each such person who is or was serving or who had agreed to serve at the
written request of the board of directors or an officer of the Registrant as an
employee or agent of the Registrant or as a director, officer, employee or
agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, in any such case owned or controlled by the Registrant (including
the heirs, executors, administrators or estate of such person), and eliminates
the personal liability of its directors to the full extent permitted by the
DGCL, or other applicable laws presently or hereafter in effect. The
Registrant has entered into an indemnification agreement with each of its
directors.

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="006"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="007"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</B>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="90%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="85%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Exhibit No.</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Description</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;&nbsp;4.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Certificate of Incorporation of New Beverly Holdings, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to the Registrant&#146;s
Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the year ended December&nbsp;31,
1997)</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;&nbsp;4.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of
New Beverly Holdings Inc., changing its name to Beverly
Enterprises, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.2 to
the Registrant&#146;s Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the year ended
December&nbsp;31, 1997)</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;&nbsp;4.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">By-Laws of Beverly Enterprises, Inc. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.4 to the Registrant&#146;s Registration
Statement on Form&nbsp;S-1 filed on June&nbsp;4, 1997 (File No.
333-28521))</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">3
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="90%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="85%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Exhibit No.</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Description</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;&nbsp;5.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">In lieu of attaching an Internal Revenue Service (&#147;IRS&#148;)
determination letter or opinion of counsel that the Plan is
qualified under section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code, the
Registrant hereby undertakes to submit the Plan, and any
amendments thereto, to the IRS in a timely manner, and has
made or will make all changes required by the IRS in order to
qualify the Plan.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Ernst &#038; Young LLP</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney (included as part of signature page)</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="008"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;9. Undertakings.</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A.&nbsp;The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:



<P align="left" style="margin-left:3%; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: (i)&nbsp;to
include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities Act
of 1933 (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;), (ii)&nbsp;to reflect in the prospectus any
facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration
Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,
individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
information set forth in this Registration Statement, and (iii)&nbsp;to
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution
not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material
change to such information in this Registration Statement, provided,
however, that clauses (i)&nbsp;and (ii)&nbsp;do not apply if the information
required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those clauses is
contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission
by the registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;) that are incorporated by
reference in the Registration Statement;



<P align="left" style="margin-left:3%; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein,
and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof; and



<P align="left" style="margin-left:3%; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at
the termination of the offering.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;B.&nbsp;The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">4
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">C. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or
paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed
by the final adjudication of such issue.


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">5
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<!-- link1 "SIGNATURES AND POWERS OF ATTORNEY" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="009"></A></DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>SIGNATURES AND POWERS OF ATTORNEY</B>



<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it
meets all the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused
this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Fort Smith, State
of Arkansas, on March&nbsp;24, 2004.

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="55%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="50%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" valign="bottom" align="left"><B>BEVERLY ENTERPRISES, INC.</B></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">By:
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">/s/ William R. Floyd</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom"><HR size="1" noshade>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">Its:
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">Chairman of the Board,</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">President, Chief Executive</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="bottom">Officer and Director</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">6
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Douglas J. Babb and John
G. Arena, and each of them severally, as his or her true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, for him or her and in his or her name, place
and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to
this Registration Statement, including post-effective amendments, and to
file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto each such attorney-in-fact and agent full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents
and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying
and confirming all that each such attorney-in-fact and agent, each
acting alone, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Signature</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Title</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Date</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ William R. Floyd<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
William R. Floyd</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Chairman of the Board,<BR>
President, Chief Executive Officer<BR>
and Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">March 12, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ Donald L. Seeley<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Donald L. Seeley</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">March 12, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ John D. Fowler, Jr.<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
John D. Fowler, Jr.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">March 12, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ James R. Greene<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
James R. Greene</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">March 12, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Edith E. Holiday</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">March <u>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</u>, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ John P. Howe, III<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
John P. Howe, III</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">March 12, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ James W. McLane<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
James W. McLane</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">March 12, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ Marilyn R. Seymann<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Marilyn R. Seymann</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">March 12, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ Ivan R. Sabel<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
Ivan R. Sabel</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">March 12, 2004</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">7
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<!-- link1 "EXHIBIT INDEX" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="010"></A></DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">EXHIBIT INDEX


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="90%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="85%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Exhibit No.</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Description</B><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;&nbsp;4.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Certificate of Incorporation of New Beverly Holdings, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1 to the Registrant&#146;s
Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the year ended December&nbsp;31,
1997)</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;&nbsp;4.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of
New Beverly Holdings Inc., changing its name to Beverly
Enterprises, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.2 to
the Registrant&#146;s Annual Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the year ended
December&nbsp;31, 1997)</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;&nbsp;4.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">By-Laws of Beverly Enterprises, Inc. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.4 to the Registrant&#146;s Registration
Statement on Form&nbsp;S-1 filed on June&nbsp;4, 1997 (File No.
333-28521))</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;&nbsp;5.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">In lieu of attaching an Internal Revenue Service (&#147;IRS&#148;)
determination letter or opinion of counsel that the Plan is
qualified under section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code, the
Registrant hereby undertakes to submit the Plan, and any
amendments thereto, to the IRS in a timely manner, and has
made or will make all changes required by the IRS in order to
qualify the Plan.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Ernst &#038; Young LLP</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney (included as part of signature page)</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

</BODY>
</HTML>
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "d13925sv8.htm", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 36519}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "BEVERLY ENTERPRISES INC", "cik": "0001040441", "assigned-sic": "8051", "irs-number": "621691861", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-113892", "film-number": "04687152"}, "business-address": {"street1": "ONE THOUSAND BEVERLY WAY", "city": "FORT SMITH", "state": "AR", "zip": "72919", "phone": "5014526712"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "ONE THOUSAND BEVERLY WAY", "city": "FORT SMITH", "state": "AR", "zip": "72919"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "NEW BEVERLY HOLDINGS INC", "date-changed": "19970604"}}
sv8
Table of Contents
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 24, 2004.
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
BEVERLY ENTERPRISES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
62-1691861
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
One Thousand Beverly Way
Fort Smith, Arkansas
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
72919
(Zip Code)
BEVERLY ENTERPRISES, INC.
401(K) SAVINGSPLUS PLAN
(Full title of the plan)
Douglas J. Babb
One Thousand Beverly Way
Fort Smith, Arkansas 72919
(Name and address of agent for service)
479-201-2000
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed Maximum
Proposed Maximum
Title of Securities
Amount to be
Offering Price
Aggregate
Amount of
to be Registered (1)
Registered (2)
Per Share(3)
Offering Price (3)
Registration Fee
Common Stock, Par
Value $0.10 Per
Share
1,000,000
$
6.04
$
6,040,000.00
$
765.27
(1) In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of
1933, this registration statement also covers an indeterminate amount of
interests to be offered or sold pursuant to the employee benefit plan
described herein.
(2) Plus such additional number of shares as may be required pursuant to
the employee benefit plan in the event of a stock split, stock dividend,
recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation or other similar
event.
(3) This estimate is made pursuant to Rule 457(c) and (h) of the Securities
Act solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee based on the
average of the high and low prices of the Registrant's common shares on the
New York Stock Exchange on March 22, 2004.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
PART II
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Item 8. Exhibits.
Item 9. Undertakings.
SIGNATURES AND POWERS OF ATTORNEY
EXHIBIT INDEX
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
This Registration Statement on Form S-8 is filed by Beverly Enterprises,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Registrant"), relating to up to 1,000,000
shares of its common stock, par value $0.10 per share (the "Common Stock")
issuable to eligible persons in accordance with the terms of the Beverly
Enterprises, Inc. 401(k) SavingsPlus Plan (the "Plan").
PART I
The documents containing the information specified in Part I of Form S-8
will be sent or given to employees as specified by Rule 428(b)(1). Such
documents need not be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission either
as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus
supplements pursuant to Rule 424. These documents and the documents
incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement pursuant to Item 3 of
Part II of Form S-8, taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets the
requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents that the Registrant has previously filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") are hereby incorporated
by reference into this Registration Statement:
•
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2003, filed with the Commission on March 3, 2004.
•
Registration Statement on Form 8-A, filed with the Commission
on October 15, 1997, under which the Company registered the Common
Stock under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
In addition, all documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant
to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all
securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all such securities then
remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such
documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference
herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this
Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in
any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any
such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so
modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.
2
Table of Contents
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
The Registrant's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as
amended, provides that the Registrant shall, to the full extent permitted by
the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "DGCL") or other
applicable laws presently or hereafter in effect, indemnify each person who is
or was or who has agreed to become a director or officer of the Registrant, or
each such person who is or was serving or who had agreed to serve at the
written request of the board of directors or an officer of the Registrant as an
employee or agent of the Registrant or as a director, officer, employee or
agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise, in any such case owned or controlled by the Registrant (including
the heirs, executors, administrators or estate of such person), and eliminates
the personal liability of its directors to the full extent permitted by the
DGCL, or other applicable laws presently or hereafter in effect. The
Registrant has entered into an indemnification agreement with each of its
directors.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
Exhibit No.
Description
4.1
Certificate of Incorporation of New Beverly Holdings, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1997)
4.2
Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of
New Beverly Holdings Inc., changing its name to Beverly
Enterprises, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to
the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1997)
4.3
By-Laws of Beverly Enterprises, Inc. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 filed on June 4, 1997 (File No.
333-28521))
3
Table of Contents
Exhibit No.
Description
5.1
In lieu of attaching an Internal Revenue Service ("IRS")
determination letter or opinion of counsel that the Plan is
qualified under section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code, the
Registrant hereby undertakes to submit the Plan, and any
amendments thereto, to the IRS in a timely manner, and has
made or will make all changes required by the IRS in order to
qualify the Plan.
23.1
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
24.1
Power of Attorney (included as part of signature page)
Item 9. Undertakings.
A. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: (i) to
include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act
of 1933 (the "Securities Act"), (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any
facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration
Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,
individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
information set forth in this Registration Statement, and (iii) to
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution
not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material
change to such information in this Registration Statement, provided,
however, that clauses (i) and (ii) do not apply if the information
required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those clauses is
contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission
by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") that are incorporated by
reference in the Registration Statement;
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein,
and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof; and
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at
the termination of the offering.
B. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
4
Table of Contents
C. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or
paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed
by the final adjudication of such issue.
5
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES AND POWERS OF ATTORNEY
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it
meets all the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused
this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Fort Smith, State
of Arkansas, on March 24, 2004.
BEVERLY ENTERPRISES, INC.
By:
/s/ William R. Floyd
Its:
Chairman of the Board,
President, Chief Executive
Officer and Director
6
Table of Contents
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Douglas J. Babb and John
G. Arena, and each of them severally, as his or her true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, for him or her and in his or her name, place
and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to
this Registration Statement, including post-effective amendments, and to
file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in
connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto each such attorney-in-fact and agent full power and
authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents
and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying
and confirming all that each such attorney-in-fact and agent, each
acting alone, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ William R. Floyd
William R. Floyd
Chairman of the Board,
President, Chief Executive Officer
and Director
March 12, 2004
/s/ Donald L. Seeley
Donald L. Seeley
Director
March 12, 2004
/s/ John D. Fowler, Jr.
John D. Fowler, Jr.
Director
March 12, 2004
/s/ James R. Greene
James R. Greene
Director
March 12, 2004
Edith E. Holiday
Director
March
, 2004
/s/ John P. Howe, III
John P. Howe, III
Director
March 12, 2004
/s/ James W. McLane
James W. McLane
Director
March 12, 2004
/s/ Marilyn R. Seymann
Marilyn R. Seymann
Director
March 12, 2004
/s/ Ivan R. Sabel
Ivan R. Sabel
Director
March 12, 2004
7
Table of Contents
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
4.1
Certificate of Incorporation of New Beverly Holdings, Inc.
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1997)
4.2
Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of
New Beverly Holdings Inc., changing its name to Beverly
Enterprises, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to
the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1997)
4.3
By-Laws of Beverly Enterprises, Inc. (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Registrant's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 filed on June 4, 1997 (File No.
333-28521))
5.1
In lieu of attaching an Internal Revenue Service ("IRS")
determination letter or opinion of counsel that the Plan is
qualified under section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code, the
Registrant hereby undertakes to submit the Plan, and any
amendments thereto, to the IRS in a timely manner, and has
made or will make all changes required by the IRS in order to
qualify the Plan.
23.1
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
24.1
Power of Attorney (included as part of signature page)