I prefer to wait inside.  That's where most people expect one to be (in my experience).  If there is a shortage on tables, I may grab one, but then I'll let them know "got the last table" and that I'll come and get them when they arrive.

Now if they're going to be significantly late (10+ minutes) then I'll get a table and wait.

I do not know what Miss Etiquette would say about this. 

Never inside seated at the table. 

Weather permitting, I will wait outside the door.  

Alternatively, I will wait just inside the door where I can see my lunch guest arrive. 

It depends on the client, the restaurant. There's no right or wrong way. But if you arrive ahead of me, please get a table and order me the escargot, please.

It would depend, I suppose. If I've never met the person, I'd probably meet inside at the maitre 'd station.

Depends on the client and the restaurant! 

If it is someone I'm meeting for the first time, I will wait at the maitre d station.

I would wait at the maitre d' station

Hello Fred Griffin Tallahassee Real Estate I will wait inside at the maitre d' station. Good question.

If a very busy restaurant, to guarantee seating, I will secure the table and then return to the front and wait for guest(s) to arrive. Otherwise, wait inside the door until she/he/they arrive.

I don't eat with clients but I know what I'd like from that menu - YUM!!

After letting the maitre d' know others are expected I get seated. People to see and places to go, you've heard the story.

If I could actually go inside a restaurant and eat with a client...or anyone else...I would answer your question, Fred Griffin Tallahassee Real Estate 

Good news is that it looks like restaurants in our area will be able to offer inside dining again soon...with restrictions on occupancy levels.

Depends.  If it were summer in PHX and hot, would NOT be waiting outside. The rest of the year it might be relaxing to wait on an outside table....maybe have lunch there too.

I need to come for a visit and we can test out this item. 

Our 'code' is if it's busy - you get the table first.  Otherwise wait outside unless it's raining/snowing.  Then inside by the maitre'd.

I guess it depends on the weather. If it's too cold and raining or super hot I would wait inside the maitre d' station.  Otherwise outside.  Having said, when I was growing up in another country, I saw so many people waiting at the table for the guests even for business.  I guess they have to "secure" the table by sitting there since there's no reservation system. I saw that practice a lot in Asian countries in the past, maybe it has changed now.

We don't have inside seating here yet, only outside at this time.  If I invited them, I like to get there a little early if nothing else than to get a good table.  And if I plan to pay, I make arrangements before they get there.  If they invited me, I get there on time and if they are running late, I still grab a table.  They tend to appreciate that because if I cool my heals outside, they feel apologetic. The question might be:  do you order a drink if they are late and, no, I wait to see what we all decide.  Water, yes. 

I don't know the etiquette rules.

I had confirmed plans to meet a family member for dinner once. I got there a few minutes early, zipped inside the restaurant, got a table and waited. And waited. And then called. Apparently said family member forgot about the arrangements we had confirmed the evening before. Well, I had a delicious dinner solo and from then on, I wait outside or right inside the door if I am meeting anyone inside a restaurant. Unless they've already texted me, "Hey, I'm inside and got us a table."

this is a it depends question.... what type of place and who is the client?

Wow, I miss the days we could meet someone for lunch! Most of the time I would grab a table.  I probably wouldn't wait outside unless it was a very nice day with moderate temperatures. When I think about the times I met clients for lunch, if it were somewhere like Panera I wait just inside the door unless it is too crowded. If it was at their country club I'd wait for them unless they had already arrived and grabbed a table which is usually the case.

Number 2 or number 3 depending on the cicumstances. If I know the person I get a table. If not, I will wait at the maitre d' station.

I arrive early and wait until the meeting time at (2).

But, if they are late, (3) I get seated and order my drink.

I don't cater to the late.

It has been a long time since I have met a client at a restaurant, however when I do I sit down and let the wait staff know that I have someone meeting me and that they should be on the lookout for them.

Fred,

It depends on so many factors.  It is hard to say.  Ron and I would sit down and alert the host that we are expecting_______________.  A

I would get seated and wait "in comfort".

Depends.
Have we meet before. (AKA know what each other looks like, not necessarily the business card picture from 1987.)
Does he resturant require all parites to be present?
Does the resturant have a mandatory 30 minute wait at the bar?
Will lurking about at the entrance create imposition.
My preference if a 'met before' will be to advise the host/ess I am expecting guest Barnaby, and to bring them to my table.