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                                                                       EXHIBIT 2

                          [BEVERLY ENTERPRISES LOGO]
                                                                   News Release


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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For Further Information:

Robert W. Pommerville, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary

Robert D. Woltil, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


        (FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS, September 30, 1994) The Board of Directors of
Beverly Enterprises Inc., yesterday declared a dividend distribution of one
Common Stock Purchase Right on each outstanding share of its common stock. Each
Right will entitle stockholders to buy one newly-issued share of its common
stock at an exercise price of $70. The Rights will be exercisable if a person
or group acquires 15% or more of Beverly's common stock or announces a tender
offer for 15% or more of the common stock. Beverly's Board will be entitled to
redeem the Rights at one cent per Right at any time prior to ten (10) days
after a person or group has acquired 15% or more of the outstanding common
stock.

        The Rights are not being distributed in response to any specific effort
to acquire control of the Company. The Rights are designed to assure that all
Beverly stockholders receive fair and equal treatment in the event of any
proposed takeover of the Company and to guard against partial tender offers,
open market accumulations and other abusive tactics to gain control of Beverly
without paying all stockholders a control premium.

        If a person or group acquires 15% or more of the outstanding common
stock of Beverly, each Right will entitle its holder to purchase, at the
Right's exercise price, a number of common shares of Beverly having a market
value at that time of twice the Right's exercise price. Rights held by the 15%
holder will become void and will not be exercisable to purchase shares at the
bargain purchase price. If Beverly is acquired in a merger or other business
combination transaction which has not been approved by the Board of Directors,
each Right will entitle its holder to purchase, at the Rights then-current
exercise price, a number of the acquiring company's common shares having a
market value at that time of twice the Right's exercise price.

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Beverly Enterprises, Inc.
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        "The Rights are intended to enable all Beverly stockholders to realize
the long-term value of their investment in the Company. They do not prevent a
takeover, but should encourage anyone seeking to acquire the Company to
negotiate with the Board of Directors prior to attempting a takeover," said
David R. Banks, Chairman, C.E.O. and President of Beverly Enterprises.
        The dividend distribution will be payable to stockholders of record on
November 2, 1994. The Rights expire in ten (10) years. Distribution of the
Rights is not taxable to stockholders.
        Beverly Enterprises, Inc., is a long-term health care company operating
nursing facilities, institutional pharmacies, retirement living centers and
home health centers. Its mission is to be the provider and employer of choice
in the communities where it operates, by delivering high quality health care
services that meet the unique needs of each of those communities.


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