UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 ___________________________________ FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Date of report (Date of earliest event reported) March 12, 2004 -------------- BEVERLY ENTERPRISES, INC. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) Delaware 1-9550 62-1691861 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (State or Other Jurisdiction of (Commission (I.R.S. Employer Incorporation) File Number) Identification No.) One Thousand Beverly Way Fort Smith, Arkansas 72919 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number including area code (479) 201-2000 INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure. On March 12, 2004, Beverly Enterprises, Inc. (the "Company") issued a press release announcing that Ivan R. Sabel has been elected to fill a vacant seat on the Company's board of directors. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference. Exhibit 99.1* - Press Release of Beverly Enterprises, Inc. dated March 12, 2004. *Furnished with this document 2 SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. Dated: March 15, 2004 BEVERLY ENTERPRISES, INC. By: /s/ Jeffrey P. Freimark ---------------------------------------- Name: Jeffrey P. Freimark Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial and Information Officer 3 EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit No. Exhibit ----------- ------- 99.1 Press Release of Beverly Enterprises, Inc. dated March 12, 2004 4