BEV Beverly Enterprises

Beverly Enterprises, Inc. ("BEI") (NYSE: BEV) today announced that it will hold a Special Meeting of Stockholders at 10:00 a.m. (CST) on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2006, at BEI's Corporate Center -- 1000 Beverly Way, Fort Smith, Arkansas, to approve the previously announced merger agreement between BEI and Pearl Senior Care, an affiliate of Fillmore Capital Partners. The BEI Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on Friday, Jan. 13, 2006, as the record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote at the Special Meeting. BEI and its operating subsidiaries are leading providers of healthcare services to the elderly in the United States. BEI, through its subsidiaries, operates 345 skilled nursing facilities, as well as 18 assisted living centers, and 66 hospice/home care centers. Through Aegis Therapies, Inc., BEI offers rehabilitative services on a contract basis to nursing facilities operated by other care providers. IMPORTANT INFORMATION On December 13, 2005, BEI filed a preliminary proxy statement relating to BEI's solicitation of proxies with respect to its special meeting of stockholders to be held in 2006. Prior to the special meeting, BEI will furnish a definitive proxy statement to its stockholders. BEI URGES INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT BECAUSE IT CONTAINS 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 10-K previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and will be included in the definitive 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 definitive proxy statement, when it becomes available, any amendments and supplements to the definitive 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 Pearl 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, BEI's results of operations, financial condition and cash flows may be adversely impacted by the pendency of the proposed transaction with Pearl Senior Care, which may impact our ability to attract and retain customers, management and employees. BEI has incurred and will continue to incur significant advisory fees and other expenses relating to the proposed transaction. 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.